10 days · Beijing + Xi'an + Shanghai + Hangzhou
A strong first China route: Beijing for imperial history and the Great Wall, Xi'an for ancient heritage, Shanghai for modern China, and Hangzhou for lake scenery.
Day-by-day timeline
Day 1
Arrive and transfer to your hotel.
Light hutong walk or park visit.
Simple local dinner and early rest.
Airport Express, metro, or ride-hailing.
Zhajiangmian or dumplings.
Central hotels cost more but reduce wasted time.
Set up payments, maps, translation, and train apps.
Day 2
Visit Tian'anmen area and the Forbidden City.
Jingshan Park and Shichahai hutongs.
Peking duck dinner.
Metro and walking.
Peking duck and Beijing snacks.
Book timed tickets early.
Passport checks are common at major sights.
Day 3
Depart for Mutianyu or Jinshanling.
Return to Beijing.
Pack for Xi'an.
Private or group transfer.
Bring snacks; eat dinner back in the city.
Shared transfers can be the best value.
Keep the evening quiet after a long day outdoors.
Day 4
Transfer to Xi'an by train or flight.
Walk Xi'an City Wall.
Muslim Quarter food walk.
High-speed rail is comfortable; flights may save time.
Roujiamo and biangbiang noodles.
Compare door-to-door time, not only train versus flight duration.
Confirm arrival station before booking hotel transfer.
Day 5
Visit the Terracotta Warriors.
Shaanxi History Museum or Big Wild Goose Pagoda.
Bell Tower area.
Guided transfer or official tourist bus.
Liangpi and lamb soup with bread.
A guide is useful here if you enjoy historical context.
The site is outside Xi'an; plan half a day.
Day 6
Fly or take a train to Shanghai.
Check in and rest.
The Bund skyline walk.
Airport or railway transfer plus metro.
Xiaolongbao or scallion oil noodles.
Flights can be more efficient for this long leg.
Do not schedule a major museum after the transfer.
Day 7
Yu Garden and Old City.
Former French Concession.
Jing'an or Xintiandi dinner.
Metro and ride-hailing.
Shengjianbao and braised pork.
Use lunch specials in business districts.
Shanghai is a good shopping and laundry reset point.
Day 8
High-speed train to Hangzhou.
West Lake walk and Lingyin Temple or tea fields.
Return to Shanghai or stay overnight in Hangzhou.
High-speed rail plus taxi around lake/tea areas.
Dongpo pork and Longjing tea dishes.
A day trip saves hotel switching; overnighting feels calmer.
Avoid weekends if possible.
Day 9
Visit Shanghai Museum East, West Bund, or a neighborhood market.
Shopping, cafes, or a final optional water town visit.
River cruise or farewell dinner.
Metro and taxi.
Choose one special final meal.
Save paid skyline experiences for the clearest day.
Keep luggage and souvenirs manageable for departure.
Day 10
Easy breakfast and final walk near the hotel.
Transfer to the airport or railway station.
Depart China or continue to another region.
Allow generous time for Pudong Airport.
Have a backup meal plan at the airport or station.
Use remaining balance in apps for snacks and airport transport.
Keep passport, boarding pass, and payment cards accessible.
Travel kit
Printable route kits are planned for travelers who want addresses, booking reminders, daily timing, and backup notes in one compact file.
Book the major transport, first hotel, and any hard-to-get attraction tickets. Leave meals, neighborhood walks, and backup stops flexible so the route can absorb jet lag, weather, and station delays.
Keep the anchor stop, remove one paid attraction, and use taxis or ride-hailing for the longest city hops. A calmer route is usually better than rushing through every item.
Free PDF checklist
Use the PDF to confirm documents, payment, apps, hotel addresses, transport plans, food basics, and emergency phrases before your first sightseeing day.
Use it before you fly and again on arrival day.
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