7 Days in China

7 Days in China

Trip Overview

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Day-by-Day Itinerary

A complete plan for every day of your trip

1

Hutong Dawn to Houhai Dusk , Beijing

Bring passport to palace; digital ID not accepted.
Day 1 Budget: mid-range
2

Mutianyu Wall & Olympic Glow , Beijing

Toboggan slide down Wall closes at 4 pm sharp, plan descent early.
Day 2 Budget: mid-range
3

Temples, Trains & Xi’an Drumbeats , Beijing → Xi’an

Buy return Beijing train tickets the moment you arrive, Xi’an booths fill fast.
Day 3 Budget: mid-range
4

Warriors, Bikes & Hot-Pot , Xi’an

Warriors site vendors push mini-figurines, hold off until the exit hall where quality leaps for the same price.
Day 4 Budget: mid-range
5

Shanghai Arrival & Bund Neon , Xi’an → Shanghai

Pick up a Shanghai Public Transport Card at the metro counter; it works on buses and ferries.
Day 5 Budget: mid-range
6

Yu Gardens, French Concession & Sky-bar , Shanghai

Metro Line 14 new exits shorten walk to Cloud 9; saves taxi fare.
Day 6 Budget: mid-range
7

Silk, Souks & Departure , Shanghai

Market vendors close 3 pm Sunday, plan shop earlier.
Day 7 Budget: budget-friendly

Practical Information

Everything you need to know before you go

Getting Around
China’s high-speed rail network is the itinerary spine: Beijing-Xi’an 4.5 h, Xi’an-Shanghai 6 h. Use metro cards in Beijing & Shanghai for subways/buses; Xi’an’s metro is limited so rely on Didi taxis (cheaper than most European capitals). Validate tickets with passport at each rail station.
Book Ahead
['High-speed train tickets for weekend departures', 'Forbidden City timed entry', 'Terracotta Warriors shuttle bus ticket', 'Cloud 9 bar window seat']
Packing Essentials
['Portable charger (photo ops drain batteries)', 'lightweight scarf for temple shoulders', 'VPN-enabled phone for Google Translate', 'reusable chopsticks for street food', 'layers for October evenings']
Total Budget
mid-range for 7 days excluding flights

Customize Your Trip

Adapt this itinerary to your travel style

Family-Friendly
Book high-speed rail child seats in advance, choose Wall’s cable-car both ways, carry baby wipes for Shanghai squats, add Shanghai Aquarium after day 6 for AC break.
Book Activities for Your Trip
Tours, tickets, and experiences in China

Ready to book your stay in China?

Our accommodation guide covers the best areas and hotel picks.