Beijing → Xi'an → Shanghai
The Classic China Route
Ruijie & Sascha
Trail of China · May 2025
Three cities, three eras, one complete story: imperial grandeur, ancient civilization, and the China of tomorrow. This is the route that made millions of travelers fall in love with China.
Why This Route Works
If you only go to China once, this is the route. Beijing gives you the imperial story — Forbidden City, Great Wall, Temple of Heaven. Xi'an is where Chinese civilization began — the Terracotta Warriors, a intact city wall you can bike on, and a Muslim Quarter that stays alive until 2am. Shanghai is modern China at its most impressive — the Bund skyline, French Concession cafes, and a food scene that rivals anywhere.
Route: Beijing (4 days) → Xi'an (2 days) → Shanghai (3-4 days)
Best for: First-time visitors who want the essential highlights without rushing.
Minimum: 7 days (fast-paced). Ideal: 10-12 days (comfortable).
Day-by-Day Itinerary
Days 1-4: Beijing
Imperial capital — palaces, walls, and hutong alleys
Day 1 — Arrive & reset: Check in near Wangfujing or Dongcheng. Wander the hutongs around Nanluoguxiang. Light dinner, fight the jet lag.
Day 2 — Forbidden City + Jingshan: Start at Tiananmen by 8:30am, walk north through the Forbidden City (book tickets online in advance — they sell out). Exit at the north gate, climb Jingshan Park for the classic palace-roof panorama. Evening: Wangfujing or Guijie for dinner.
Day 3 — Great Wall (Mutianyu): Full-day trip to Mutianyu (skip Badaling — it's crowded and touristy). Bus or driver, 90 min each way. Cable car up, toboggan down. Back in Beijing by late afternoon. Rest or explore Sanlitun.
Day 4 — Temple of Heaven + hutongs: Morning at Temple of Heaven (go early to see locals doing tai chi). Afternoon: cycle hutongs with a local guide or explore the Drum and Bell Towers. Evening train to Xi'an (or fly next morning).
Days 5-6: Xi'an
Ancient capital — warriors, walls, and street food
Day 5 — Terracotta Warriors: Get there early (8am opening). Bus 306 from the railway station or book a driver. Spend 3-4 hours. Afternoon: Muslim Quarter for lamb roujiamo and biangbiang noodles. Evening: walk or cycle the City Wall at sunset.
Day 6 — Xi'an morning → Shanghai: Quick morning visit to the Shaanxi History Museum (free but get there early for tickets). Fly to Shanghai in the afternoon (2.5h) or take the high-speed train (6h — book in advance).
Days 7-10: Shanghai
Modern China — skyline, food, and colonial charm
Day 7 — The Bund + Yu Garden: Walk the Bund at dawn (fewer crowds, great light). Explore Yu Garden and City God Temple area for lunch. Afternoon: French Concession — stroll Xintiandi, Tianzifang arts quarter.
Day 8 — Shanghai Museum + local life: Shanghai Museum (free, excellent bronze and calligraphy collections). Afternoon: explore Jing'an Temple area, or hit a local wet market. Evening: upscale dinner on the Bund or street food at Shouning Road.
Day 9 — Suzhou day trip (optional): 30 min by high-speed train. Humble Administrator's Garden, Pingjiang Road, and silk markets. Back by evening. Or skip Suzhou and spend the day exploring more of Shanghai — Xuhui riverside, Power Station of Art.
Day 10 — Departure: Last-minute shopping on Nanjing Road. Keep 4-5 hours buffer before your international flight out of PVG.
Getting Between Cities
Beijing → Xi'an: High-speed train (G-train), 4.5-6h, ¥515-825 depending on class. Departs Beijing West, arrives Xi'an North. Book on Trip.com 2-3 weeks ahead. A night train (Z-train) saves a hotel night — leaves ~9pm, arrives ~8am.
Xi'an → Shanghai: Flight is fastest (2.5h, ¥600-1,200). High-speed train takes 6-7h (¥670-1,050) — scenic but eats a day. If budget > time, train; if time > budget, fly.
Within cities: All three cities have excellent metro. Load Alipay or WeChat Pay for QR-code transit. Taxis are cheap but drivers rarely speak English — have your destination written in Chinese.
Estimated Budget (10 Days, per person)
Accommodation: ¥3,000-6,000 (mid-range hotels, ¥300-600/night)
Intercity transport: ¥1,200-2,000 (trains + 1 flight)
Food: ¥1,500-3,000 (¥150-300/day, street food to mid-range)
Attractions: ¥800-1,500 (Forbidden City, Terracotta Warriors, Great Wall, etc.)
Local transport + incidentals: ¥500-1,000
Typical total: ¥8,000-15,000 (about $1,100-2,100)
Best Time to Go
April-May (spring): Comfortable temperatures, cherry blossoms in Xi'an, clear skies in Beijing. Peak season — book ahead.
September-November (autumn): The sweet spot. Cool weather, fall colors, fewer summer crowds. October Golden Week (1st-7th) is an exception — avoid it.
Avoid: July-August (hot, humid, packed), January-February (cold + Chinese New Year chaos), and October 1-7 (Golden Week).
What to Skip
Badaling Great Wall — overcrowded and commercialized. Mutianyu is better in every way: fewer people, better preserved, and the toboggan ride down is fun.
Summer Palace — if you're short on time, skip it. It's beautiful but takes a half-day and doesn't add much if you've already seen the Forbidden City and Temple of Heaven.
Huangpu River cruises in Shanghai — overpriced and underwhelming. Walk the Bund at night instead. Free, better views, same skyline.
Nanjing Road shopping — a tourist trap. If you want shopping, go to Tianzifang or the French Concession boutiques.
Pro Tips
Book Terracotta Warriors and Forbidden City tickets online in advance — they sell out daily, especially in peak season.
Download Alipay and WeChat before arriving — you need them for almost everything (transit, food, tickets, even street vendors).
The night train Beijing → Xi'an saves a hotel night and travel time. Z19 or Z53 depart around 9pm, arrive 8am.
If you have 12 days instead of 10, add a day in Beijing (Summer Palace + 798 Art District) and a day in Shanghai (Suzhou or more neighborhood exploring).
VPN: download and set up ExpressVPN or similar before you arrive. Most western sites are blocked in China.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many days do I need for Beijing → Xi'an → Shanghai?
10-12 days is ideal. You can squeeze it into 7 days, but you'll be rushing. 10 days gives you enough time in each city without feeling like you're always packing bags.
Should I take the train or fly between cities?
Beijing to Xi'an: take the high-speed train (4.5h) — it's scenic and comfortable. Xi'an to Shanghai: flight (2.5h) saves time; the train takes 6+ hours. A night train from Beijing to Xi'an can save a hotel night.
Is this route good for first-time China visitors?
Yes, this is the most popular first-timer route for good reason. You see imperial history (Beijing), ancient civilization (Xi'an), and modern China (Shanghai) — the full story in three cities.
What should I skip if I'm short on time?
Skip the Summer Palace in Beijing if rushed, avoid Badaling Great Wall (go to Mutianyu instead), and skip overpriced Huangpu River cruises in Shanghai. None of those are essential.
Related Routes & Guides
7-Day China Route
The compressed version of this route for travelers with limited time.
10-Day Extended China Route
Add Chengdu pandas and Yangshuo karst to the classic circuit.
Budget Guide
How much to budget for your China trip, with cost breakdowns by city.
Best Time to Visit China
When to go based on weather, crowds, and seasonal events.
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