Arrive in Beijing and dive into the heart of imperial China at the Forbidden City before a stroll through a traditional hutong neighborhood.
Morning
Arrival and Hotel Transfer
Arrive at Beijing Capital International Airport (PEK). Take an airport express train or pre-booked car to your hotel in the Wangfujing or Qianmen area. Settle in and acclimate to the time zone.
2-3 hours
$20-40 (for car transfer)
Book airport transfer in advance via hotel or a reliable app like Didi Chuxing.
Lunch
Jing Wei Ju (near Forbidden City)
Beijing Cuisine (try Zhajiangmian - noodles with soybean paste)
Mid-range
Afternoon
The Forbidden City (Palace Museum)
Explore the vast imperial palace complex, home to 24 emperors. Walk through the Meridian Gate, marvel at the Hall of Supreme Harmony, and wander the intricate courtyards. Exit through the north gate to Jingshan Park for a panoramic view of the palace roofs.
3-4 hours
$12 (entry ticket)
MANDATORY to book tickets online in advance via the Palace Museum's official WeChat account or website.
Evening
Hutong Dinner Walk
Explore the historic Nanluoguxiang hutong alley. Enjoy street snacks like jianbing (crepes) or sit down for a hotpot dinner at a local restaurant.
Where to Stay Tonight
Wangfujing or Qianmen (Mid-range hotel (e.g., Novotel Beijing Peace))
Centrally located with easy access to the Forbidden City, Tiananmen Square, and metro lines.
Enter the Forbidden City as soon as it opens to avoid the largest crowds. The audio guide is excellent and worth the small rental fee.
Day 1 Budget: $120
A bucket-list hike on the Mutianyu section of the Great Wall, followed by a serene visit to the Temple of Heaven.
Morning
Great Wall at Mutianyu
Take a pre-arranged car or tour bus (approx 1.5-2 hours) to the Mutianyu section, known for its beautiful scenery and restored, less crowded walls. Hike along the wall, take iconic photos, and descend via the thrilling toboggan slide or cable car.
4-5 hours (including transit)
$50 (including transport, entry, and cable car/toboggan)
Book a private car or join a small group tour. Avoid public holidays for a better experience.
Lunch
Xiangshui Lake Fish Restaurant (near Mutianyu)
Freshwater fish and local countryside dishes
Budget
Afternoon
Temple of Heaven Park
Return to the city and visit this serene UNESCO site where emperors prayed for good harvests. Admire the iconic Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests and join locals practicing tai chi, dancing, or playing cards in the vast park.
2 hours
$8 (park + temple complex ticket)
No advance booking needed. Visit in the late afternoon for lovely light and local activity.
Evening
Peking Duck Feast
Enjoy the capital's most famous dish at a well-known restaurant like Da Dong or Siji Minfu (be prepared to queue).
Where to Stay Tonight
Wangfujing or Qianmen (Mid-range hotel)
Same base for two nights minimizes packing and maximizes exploration time.
For the Great Wall, wear sturdy shoes with good grip. The steps are uneven and steep. Bring water and snacks, though vendors are available.
Day 2 Budget: $140
Morning exploration of Beijing's Summer Palace before boarding a high-speed train to
Xi'an, the start of the Silk Road.
Morning
Summer Palace
Explore the Empress Dowager Cixi's summer retreat, a masterpiece of Chinese landscape garden design. Stroll along Kunming Lake, cross the Marble Boat, and walk the Long Corridor with its painted scenes.
2.5-3 hours
$15 (for full access ticket)
Take the subway Line 4 to Beigongmen Station. Tickets can be purchased at the gate.
Lunch
Quick bite near Beijing West Railway Station
Noodles or dumplings
Budget
Afternoon
High-Speed Train to
Xi'anTake a taxi/subway to Beijing West Railway Station. Board a high-speed train (G-series) to
Xi'an North Station. The 4-5 hour journey covers over 1200km in comfort, offering views of the changing landscape.
5-6 hours (including station time and journey)
$80-100 (for second-class seat)
MANDATORY to book train tickets well in advance via Trip.com or the official 12306 website (passport required).
Evening
Muslim Quarter Street Food
After checking into your hotel near the city wall, head directly to the energetic Muslim Quarter. Dive into the food stalls for yangrou paomo (crumbled bread in mutton soup), roujiamo (Chinese burger), and persimmon cakes.
Where to Stay Tonight
Inside or near the South Gate of Xi'an City Wall (Boutique hotel or guesthouse (e.g., Atour Hotel))
Proximity to the wall, the Muslim Quarter, and excellent transport links.
Download movies or books for the train ride. While scenic, long tunnels are common. Pack a neck pillow for extra comfort.
Day 3 Budget: $130
A full day dedicated to the awe-inspiring
Terracotta Army, followed by a bike ride on the ancient city walls at sunset.
Morning
Take a tourist bus (Bus 306/914) or a taxi (approx 1 hour) to the museum complex. Spend hours marveling at the three excavation pits containing thousands of life-sized soldiers, horses, and chariots, each with unique features. Start with Pit 1, the largest and most impressive.
4-5 hours (including transit)
$25 (entry ticket) + $10-15 transport
Hire an audio guide or a licensed on-site guide at the entrance for historical context. Avoid buying souvenirs from aggressive vendors outside.
Lunch
Museum cafeteria or simple restaurants near the site
Shaanxi noodles or set meal
Budget
Afternoon
Xi'an City Wall Bike Ride
Return to the city and access the magnificent, intact Ming-era city wall from the South Gate (Yongningmen). Rent a bicycle and ride along the 14km perimeter, enjoying fantastic views of the old city and modern skyline, beautiful near sunset.
1.5-2 hours
$10 (wall entry + bike rental)
Bike rental is available on the wall itself. Sunset is the most popular time, so go slightly earlier.
Evening
Dumpling Banquet and Tang Dynasty Show
Enjoy a famous dumpling banquet at De Fa Chang, followed by the colorful 'Tang Dynasty Music and Dance Show' at the Shaanxi Grand Opera House.
Where to Stay Tonight
Inside or near the South Gate of Xi'an City Wall (Boutique hotel or guesthouse)
Convenient for evening activities and further exploration.
At the
Terracotta Army, visit the lesser-visited Pit 2 and 3 after Pit 1. The Bronze Chariots exhibition hall is also a essential masterpiece.
Day 4 Budget: $150
Morning visit to the Giant Wild Goose Pagoda before a flight to Shanghai, concluding with a sweeping views from the Bund.
Morning
Giant Wild Goose Pagoda & Da Ci'en Temple
Visit this iconic Buddhist pagoda, built to house scriptures brought from India. Explore the surrounding Da Ci'en Temple complex and the North Square with its musical fountain.
2 hours
$12 (to enter pagoda base area)
You can admire the pagoda from the square for free. Paying to enter the base lets you get closer.
Lunch
Biang Biang Noodles restaurant near the pagoda
Wide, belt-like Shaanxi noodles
Budget
Afternoon
Flight to Shanghai
Transfer to
Xi'an Xianyang International Airport (XIY) for a domestic flight to Shanghai (approx 2 hours). Upon arrival at Shanghai Pudong (PVG) or Hongqiao (SHA), take the Maglev train (from Pudong) or metro to your hotel.
4-5 hours (including transit and flight)
$100-150 (flight)
Book a flight arriving in the late afternoon. Hongqiao Airport is closer to the city center.
Evening
The Bund at Night
Check into your hotel, then head straight to the Bund. Walk along the Huangpu River and witness the spectacular light show of skyscrapers in Pudong across the water - one of the world's great cityscapes.
Where to Stay Tonight
People's Square or The Bund (Puxi side) (Design hotel or business hotel (e.g., Central Hotel Shanghai))
Central location with easy walking access to the Bund, Nanjing Road, and metro lines.
If flying into Pudong, take the Maglev train (430 km/h) to Longyang Road metro station for a unique experience, then transfer to the metro. It's faster than a taxi during rush hour.
Day 5 Budget: $200
Contrast old Shanghai in the Yu Garden Bazaar with the ultra-modern skyline of Pudong, capped with a view from the Shanghai Tower.
Morning
Yu Garden & Old City God's Temple Bazaar
Explore the classical Chinese Yu Garden, a peaceful oasis of pavilions, ponds, and rockeries. Then, wander through the crowded surrounding bazaar, filled with traditional architecture, souvenir shops, and snack stalls.
2.5-3 hours
$8 (Yu Garden entry) + shopping/snacks
Go early to beat the crowds to the garden. The bazaar is lively but can be packed; watch your belongings.
Lunch
Nanxiang Steamed Bun Restaurant (in the bazaar)
Shanghai soup dumplings (Xiaolongbao)
Budget
Afternoon
Pudong Skyscrapers: Shanghai Tower
Cross the Huangpu River via the Bund Sightseeing Tunnel or metro to Pudong. Visit the Shanghai Tower, China's tallest building. Take the world's fastest elevator to the 118th-floor observation deck for a jaw-dropping 360-degree view of the city.
2 hours
$30 (observation deck ticket)
Buy tickets online to skip some queues. For a free alternative, visit the lobby of the Jin Mao Tower or the Cloud 9 bar in the Grand Hyatt (Jin Mao) for a drink with a view.
Evening
Acrobatics Show & Xintiandi
Watch the impressive ERA: Intersection of Time acrobatics show at the Shanghai Circus World. Afterwards, dine and stroll in Xintiandi, a stylish pedestrian area of restored shikumen stone-gate houses.
Where to Stay Tonight
People's Square or The Bund (Puxi side) (Design hotel or business hotel)
Remaining in the same hotel for two nights provides a stable base in Shanghai.
At the Yu Garden bazaar, try the local specialty 'Nanxiang Steamed Buns' but be careful of the hot soup inside! Poke a small hole in the dumpling skin to let the steam out first.
Day 6 Budget: $160
A final morning exploring Shanghai's artistic French Concession before preparing for your departure or onward journey.
Morning
French Concession & Tianzifang
Take a leisurely walk through the tree-lined streets of the former French Concession. Explore the labyrinthine arts and crafts alleyway complex of Tianzifang, filled with boutiques, cafes, and small galleries housed in traditional lane houses.
2-3 hours
Free (window shopping)
Tianzifang gets crowded; visit as early as possible. The area is perfect for picking up unique, non-mass-produced souvenirs.
Lunch
A cozy cafe or fusion restaurant in Tianzifang
Western fusion or light Shanghai fare
Mid-range
Afternoon
Final Souvenir Shopping & Departure Prep
Do any last-minute shopping on Nanjing Road Pedestrian Street or at a department store. Return to your hotel to collect luggage. Depending on your flight time, take the Maglev (from Pudong) or metro to the airport.
3-4 hours
$0-50 (for shopping)
Allow ample time for airport transfer (at least 3 hours before international flight from Pudong). Metro Line 2 connects to both airports.
Evening
Airport Transfer & Departure
Check in for your flight home or to your next destination. Reflect on an incredible week spanning millennia of Chinese history and culture.
Where to Stay Tonight
N/A - Departure day (N/A)
N/A
If you have a late flight, many hotels offer luggage storage after checkout. Consider a foot massage at a reputable parlor like 'Green Massage' to relax before your long journey.
Day 7 Budget: $80