Itinerary Summary
Three days in Beijing cover the Forbidden City, Jingshan Park and the Badaling Great Wall, before the high-speed train west to Xi'an for the Terracotta Army, Huaqing Hot Springs and the Xi'an City Wal…
Day-by-Day Itinerary
Day 1
Landing in Beijing and an evening on Qianmen's old street
14:00
1.5h
Capital Airport Express to Dongzhimen
Ride the Airport Express to Dongzhimen, then change to Metro Line 2 for Dongcheng hotels. Allow about 75 minutes door to door; load a transit QR code in the arrivals hall before leaving.
📍 Beijing Capital Airport to Dongzhimen
17:30
2h
Qianmen Street and Dashilar lanes
Walk the Qianmen pedestrian street south from Zhengyangmen gate, then turn into the Dashilar alleys for old shopfronts and snack stalls. Two hours covers both; the gate tower is best photographed just before dusk.
📍 Qianmen, Dongcheng
19:45
1.5h
Peking duck supper off Qianmen
Book a roast duck table a block west of Qianmen, where the bird is carved beside you and served with pancakes, scallion and bean sauce. Reserve by app that afternoon, as weekend walk-in queues pass an hour.
📍 Qianmen, Dongcheng
💡 Pro Tip: Beijing has two airports, Capital (PEK) and Daxing (PKX), both linked to the centre by express rail and metro. China runs one time zone all year, UTC+8, so there is no clock change on arrival. Entry rules depend on your nationality and passport, so check the China visa section before booking flights. Load a transit QR code in the arrivals hall; most shops take mobile payment, but keep a little cash for small vendors.
Days 2-10 are member-only
Members get the complete day-by-day plan with timing, transport and on-the-ground tips.
Budget Breakdown
AccommodationUS$39035%
Mid-range hotels in Beijing, Xi'an, Shanghai and Hangzhou, 9 nights
Food & DiningUS$22020%
Peking duck, Xi'an street food and Shanghainese restaurants
Remaining cost categories are member-only
Members see the full breakdown for flights, hotels, food, tickets and more.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a visa to visit China for this Beijing, Xi'an and Shanghai route?+
It depends on your passport. Many EU, UK, Australian, Canadian and Japanese ordinary passports currently enter visa-free for up to 30 days, while US passport holders generally need a visa. Rules and expiry dates change often, so check China's National Immigration Administration and the China visa section before booking flights.
When is the best time of year to travel this 10-day China classic route?+
April to May and September to October give mild temperatures across Beijing, Xi'an and Shanghai. Avoid National Day Golden Week (1-7 October) and Labour Day (1-5 May), when domestic crowds and rail tickets peak. Summer is hot and humid, and northern winters are cold for long days of walking outdoors.
How much does this 10-day China trip cost per person?+
The route is priced as comfort, roughly $900-1,350 (about €780-1,170) per person, excluding international flights. That covers mid-range hotels, high-speed rail between cities, site tickets and everyday meals. Add your own flights and any internal flight; check whether your chosen operator includes the Xi'an to Shanghai rail leg.
Should I take high-speed rail or fly between Beijing, Xi'an, Shanghai and Hangzhou?+
High-speed rail is the simpler choice for this loop. Beijing to Xi'an takes about 4.5 hours, Xi'an to Shanghai roughly 6, and Shanghai to Hangzhou around an hour, all city-centre to city-centre. Book seats on the 12306 app or site once sales open, and carry your passport for station gates.
Attractions in This Guide
Guide at a Glance
- Duration: 10 days
- Budget: Comfort · approx. $900–1,350 (≈ €780–1,170)
- Difficulty: moderate
- Best for: City Explorers
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