The Ultimate 10-Day China Itinerary: Beijing, Xi’an & Shanghai

When we first moved to China, we thought we knew what to expect. Spoiler alert: we had no idea. Over three years, we fell head over heels for this massive, diverse, absurdly beautiful country. Now that we’ve left, we’re constantly reminiscing about our favorite trips and the places that made China feel like home.

If you only have 10 days to experience China, this itinerary covers the highlights we think you absolutely can’t miss. We’re hitting Beijing for history and hutongs, Xi’an for the Terracotta Warriors and ancient city vibes, and Shanghai for that futuristic, cosmopolitan energy that’ll blow your mind. Plus, China’s bullet train system makes traveling between cities incredibly easy and fast.

Before You Go: The Essentials

Visa

China has made it easier than ever for international visitors to enter the country. As of now, travelers from more than 70 nations can visit China without obtaining a visa in advance, with stays permitted from 10 to 30 days depending on your nationality. If you’re from one of 47 designated countries, including places like Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, Malaysia, France, Germany, Italy, or Russia, you can stay visa-free for up to 30 days. Meanwhile, visitors from 55 other countries (including the United States, United Kingdom, and Canada) qualify for a 240-hour transit exemption, which gives you 10 days to explore China without a visa as long as you’re transiting to a third country. Make sure to check the current visa policies for your specific passport before booking, as requirements can change and there are conditions that apply to these visa-free policies.

VPN – Download BEFORE You Travel

This is non-negotiable. Google products don’t work in China. Not Google Maps, not Gmail, not Chrome. Download a VPN like Nord,  Astrill, or Express on ALL your devices before you leave. You can’t download it once you’re there. Trust me on this one if you want to stay connected while you travel. 

Apps You’ll Need

AliPay – For payments. Foreigners can link foreign credit cards and scan QR codes everywhere

Baidu Translate – Screenshot anything you need translated

DiDi – China’s version of Uber (Uber doesn’t operate there)

Trip.com – Hands down the best app for booking trains, hotels, and tours

Money Matters

China’s currency is referred to by two names: the Chinese yuan (CNY) and renminbi (RMB). There are subtle differences but in common, everyday terms they are interchangeable. However, one important thing to note is that China is almost entirely cashless. We lived there for three years and never touched cash. Not once. That means when you travel, don’t pull cash out. Most places won’t accept it. Get the app AliPay and add your foreign credit card. Then you can just scan QR codes with AliPay and you’re golden.

Day 1-4: Beijing – History & Hutongs

Where to Stay: Stay somewhere central or on the east side near a subway station. We recommend you book through Trip.com. We had friends try to book through booking.com or other sites and their reservations were almost never recorded when we got to the hotel. But we never had an issue with Trip.com as it’s a Chinese company. Also something to note is that not all hotels accept foreigners, but reading the Trip.com reviews, you can tell if other foreigners have stayed there. 

Start your ten day trip in Beijing.

Day 1: Arrive & Explore the Hutongs

After you land, grab a DiDi to your hotel and settle in. Once you’re refreshed, head to the Andingmen Hutongs to start experiencing real Beijing.

A hutong is a narrow lane formed by traditional courtyard housing. These historic alleys date back over 700 years. Today, the coolest coffee shops, bars, and restaurants hide among the winding alleys where locals still live. It’s magical.

Start on Wudaoying Street where you’ll find everything from traditional Mexican food at Pebbles Courtyard to King’s Joy Beijing, a 3-star Michelin vegetarian restaurant. Plan to spend a few hours wandering the connected alleyways to discover art stores, jewelry shops, and more.

For dinner: Walk down Annei Street and look for “The Fullest Dumplings”. Hands down these are some of the best dumplings in Beijing. Or try the lamb restaurant where they cook the whole lamb leg on open coals. It looks sketchy but I promise it’s incredible.

Spend the evening exploring Gulou Street near the Bell and Drum towers. Check out Side Street and Was Park for burgers, or Raj for incredible Indian food. Walk around Houhai Lake. It’s free (unlike Beihai Park next door) and lined with cafes and shops. Pro tip: If you’re there in winter, rent ice skating chairs where you sit and push yourself instead of standing. It’s hilarious and fun.

Day 2: The Forbidden City & Jingshan Park

Morning: The Forbidden City

Book your tickets in advance through Trip.com or GetYourGuide. The Forbidden City was home to 14 Ming Emperors and 10 Qing Emperors. It’s now The Palace Museum with 9,000 rooms to explore.

The rooftops are striking gold with red, green, and blue paintings on the buildings. The stone-carved animals, the intricate details, everything has significance. I’d recommend reading about the history before you go or booking a guided tour through GetYourGuide so you understand what you’re seeing.

Plan to spend 3-4 hours here wandering through housing chambers, palace meeting rooms, and beautiful gardens. Also you can get some really cool photos here! 

Afternoon: Jingshan Park

After the Forbidden City, cross the street north to Jingshan Park for unbelievable views from the hilltops. You’ll see just how massive the Forbidden City complex really is. The park has five hilltops with pavilions, and while the paths are steep with lots of steps, the views of the Forbidden City, Bell and Drum Tower, and the Hutongs make it worth the climb.

Evening: Qianmen Walking Street

Head south to Qianmen Walking Street for dinner and shopping. It’s more commercialized but offers all the local favorites. If you want to experience traditional Chinese opera, stop by Tianleyuan Theatre for a family-friendly performance. Seating is first-come, first-served, so get there a bit early and watch the actors put on their makeup before the show! 

Day 3: The Great Wall of China

You can’t come to China and skip the Great Wall. Book a tour through GetYourGuide or Klook that includes transportation and entrance fees. It’s way easier than trying to arrange everything yourself.

While there are many different sections of the Great Wall you can visit, we recommend the Mutianyu section of the Great Wall for first timers. It’s only 1.5 hours from Beijing and it’s the most fully restored section. You can take cable cars, chair lifts, or stairs to the top, and on the way down there’s a toboggan slide which is so fun.

Actually walking on the wall is surreal. It’s basically a wide stone path with castle-like railings that follows the mountain tops. Some parts are crazy steep. I was genuinely scared at moments. But thinking about how they built this hundreds of years ago and what it must have been like to defend from here… is mind-blowing.

Alternative: If you want a more unique Great Wall trip, visit Simatai and Gubei Watertown (about 2 hours from Beijing). This reconstructed ancient water town is adorable with shops, restaurants, and performances. At night, the wall is lit up and you can walk on it under the stars. Absolutely magical.

Day 4: Temple of Heaven, Summer Palace & Sanlitun

Morning: Temple of Heaven

Built in 1420, this iconic building sits inside a beautiful park. It’s worth walking around the park alone for the nature break, but the temple itself is fascinating with traditional Chinese architecture and red and gold paintings. Pro tip: The Temple complex is closed on Mondays so go any other day of the week. 

After the Temple of Heaven, you can cross the street to Hong Qiao Pearl Market if you want to do some souvenir shopping. This indoor shopping center has tons of stalls selling silk scarves, pearl jewelry, Chinese decorations, and clothing. Vendors start high and you can haggle down the price. This is where we encountered the most English speakers in Beijing!

Afternoon: The Summer Palace

Take Line 4 (blue) to Beigongmen stop. Buy tickets through Trip.com beforehand or scan the QR code at the entrance.

These imperial gardens were the royal family’s summer retreat. Walk through their former living quarters and private gardens, hike to the top of Longevity Hill for beautiful views, and stroll the walkway around the man-made lake. It doesn’t feel like you’re in a city of 20+ million people.

Fun activity: Get the Summer Palace Passport for free at the entrance and have it stamped at all the specific locations listed.

Evening: Sanlitun

Head to Sanlitun for shopping and dinner. Walk through TaiKooLi Mall. With three different outdoor complexes, shops, restaurants and incredible people-watching.

Dinner recommendations:

Try out any Chinese restaurant for some authentic food but if you want something more international: 

JingA Brewery – Amazing BBQ menu with authentic ribs and beans and their own homemade brews

SlowBoat – Try the chicken and waffles, trust us

Las Musas – Excellent Taco Tuesday deals (legit Mexican tacos)

Bottega – Voted one of the best pizza spots in Asia. Their Liangmaqiao location serves gluten-free pizza!

Day 5-7: Xi’an – Ancient Wonders

Day 5: Travel to Xi’an & Muslim Quarter

Morning: Train to Xi’an

Book your train ticket through Trip.com as soon as possible (train tickets are only released two weeks in advance for any trip). Make sure to select high-speed only, otherwise the travel time doubles. The bullet train takes about 4-5 hours and it’s an incredible experience.

Train tips: Arrive 30 minutes before departure (not 2 hours like airports). Look for the foreigner line at your gate (far left or far right with an attendant who can scan passports) as passports are not allowed to be scanned at the normal lines. These lines only accept Chinese national IDs. Bring your own food and drink, everything is allowed. They sell limited food and drinks on the train but it’s 10x the price. When gates open 10-20 minutes before departure, move quickly! Trains only stop for about 2 minutes and they will leave you behind so move fast. 

Afternoon: Arrive in Xi’an

Check into your hotel through Trip.com. We stayed at Han Tang Inn, a zen retreat with a rooftop tea house where we relaxed every afternoon. It’s in the middle of the busy walled city but feels so private.

Evening: Muslim Quarter

Head to the Muslim Quarter just west of the center road. This walking food street is lined with thousands of restaurants and vendors. It’s amazing at night with all the neon signs and lights.

Must-try foods:

Crispy rice crackers: look like giant pancakes with delicious crunch

Lamb skewers (yang rou chuan): grilled in front of you for just a few RMB per stick

Various breads from roadside vendors: try the spiced, salted, or scallion flavors

Don’t just stick to the main drag. If you venture farther west, you can find more local spots and market vendors.

Day 6: Terracotta Warriors

The History: In 1974, a farmer accidentally discovered this massive underground site filled with thousands of life-sized terracotta warriors. Originally created around 200 B.C. by China’s first Emperor to protect him in the afterlife, the pits are so big and so incredible to see in real life. Of the thousands of life-sized carved warriors, each statue has different facial features! They think the artists may have crafted each warrior based on actual individuals. Each warrior was originally painted with vibrant colors, but when they unearthed the first pit, exposure to air immediately destroyed the paint. Parts of pits 2 and 3 remain buried until technology emerges to preserve the colors.

Book a tour through GetYourGuide or Klook that includes transportation and a guide. Normally we don’t buy tour guides, but this one was SO worth it. Additionally, you can taxi out there and rent a guide at the entrance. Why you need a guide: With all the crowds, it’s easy to miss things, and the information from trained guides makes the experience so much richer. They wear uniforms and you can hire them right at the entrance. They’ll give you an earpiece so you can hear them explain everything.

After the site, there are tons of restaurants outside the exit. Try biang biang mian (hand-pulled noodles). You’ll find these shops because a chef stands outside hitting the noodles hard on a table, making the distinctive noise the dish is named after.

Evening: Return to the city of Xi’an and head to Everbright City at night. This pedestrian street comes alive with fantastically lit displays, street vendors, and performances when the weather is nice. The exterior lighting of the buildings is what you come for. It’s absolutely stunning.

Day 7: Explore Walled Xi’an

Morning: Walk the City Wall

Purchase a ticket at any staircase (just scan the QR code) and walk on top of the ancient city wall. It gives you a fascinating perspective of the streets below. If you want, you can rent bikes from vendors on top and ride the whole square.

Visit the Bell and Drum Towers using the underground crosswalks (no entrance above ground due to traffic).

Afternoon: Xi’an Shuyuanmen Pedestrian Street

This old outdoor market has traditional paintings, ceramics, and books. Wander the alleys and go through all the doors. There are shops hidden behind other shops with great antiques and unique souvenirs. Check out the Huancheng South Road district with interesting street art mixed with a local fruit and veggie market. It’s an eclectic blend of new and old.

If you have extra time, you can visit:

Xi’an Botanical Gardens

Tang Dynasty City Wall walking park

Qujiang Pool Heritage Park

Big Wild Goose Pagoda for history with beautiful temples

All are walkable from each other if you enjoy city strolling. Otherwise rent a bike or take a Didi (taxi). The green spaces and water features throughout the south end of town make for perfect photo opportunities.

Day 8-10: Shanghai – The Future is Now

Day 8: Travel to Shanghai & The Bund

Morning: Train to Shanghai

Book your bullet train from Xi’an to Shanghai through Trip.com. It’s about 6 hours but so comfortable and scenic.

Afternoon: Arrive in Shanghai

Check into your Shanghai hotel through Trip.com. We recommend staying near a metro line as Shanghai’s metro system is incredibly efficient and will get you everywhere you need to go.

Evening: The Bund

Head straight to The Bund. This is Shanghai’s iconic waterfront promenade. This is where old meets new in the most dramatic way possible. On one side, you’ve got colonial-era buildings that look like they belong in London or Paris. On the other side, across the Huangpu River, the futuristic Pudong skyline with the Oriental Pearl Tower, Shanghai Tower, and other skyscrapers that look like they’re from a sci-fi movie.

Come at sunset and stay into the evening when everything lights up. It’s absolutely breathtaking and feels like you’ve stepped into Blade Runner.

Walk along the promenade, take a million photos, and soak in the energy. Grab dinner at one of the restaurants along the Bund. Pro tip: many have rooftop terraces with incredible views.

Day 9: Pudong, French Concession & Xintiandi

Morning: Cross to Pudong

Take the ferry across the river (way more fun than the metro) or take the glass train through the Bund Sightseeing Tunnel if you want a weird, trippy experience with lights and sounds.

Visit Shanghai Tower. At 632 meters, it’s the second tallest building in the world. Book skip-the-line tickets through GetYourGuide for the observation deck on the 118th floor. The elevator ride alone is wild. It’s one of the fastest in the world. The 360-degree views of Shanghai are insane.

Walk around the Pudong financial district and marvel at the futuristic architecture. Check out IFC Mall for high-end shopping or just to escape the heat or cold.

Afternoon: French Concession

Head back across the river to explore the French Concession. This neighborhood has tree-lined streets, European-style buildings, art galleries, boutique shops, and amazing cafes. It’s the most charming part of Shanghai. Just wander and get lost. You’ll stumble upon cute bookstores, vintage shops, and hidden restaurants.

Tianzifang is a must-visit in the French Concession. The narrow alleyways are packed with art studios, craft shops, cafes, and bars. It’s touristy but still maintains a cool, artsy vibe.

Evening: Xintiandi

Head to Xintiandi for dinner. It’s a pedestrian shopping and entertainment district built in traditional Shikumen style but completely modernized. It’s packed with restaurants, bars, and boutique shops. The vibe here is trendy and cosmopolitan. Great for people-watching.

Dinner recommendations:

Din Tai Fung – Yes, it’s a chain, but their xiaolongbao (soup dumplings) are legendary

Jesse Restaurant – Amazing traditional Shanghainese food

Any of the international restaurants in Xintiandi 

Day 10: Temples, Gardens & Departure

Morning: Yuyuan Garden & Old City

Start at Yuyuan Garden, a classical Chinese garden from the Ming Dynasty. It’s beautiful with pagodas, ponds, rock gardens, and traditional architecture. Gets crowded but worth it.

Right outside is the Yuyuan Bazaar: a touristy but fun area with traditional architecture, shops selling souvenirs and silk, and tons of street food vendors. Try the xiaolongbao at one of the many dumpling restaurants here as this is where they originated.

If you have time before your flight, you can also visit:

Jade Buddha Temple – a beautiful Buddhist temple with two jade Buddha statues brought from Burma in the 1880s

Jing’an Temple – Shanghai’s most famous temple, right in the heart of the modern commercial district

Shanghai Museum in People’s Square – one of the best museums in China with incredible collections of ancient Chinese art (it’s free!)

Or if you want one last shopping experience, walk down Nanjing Road – Shanghai’s main shopping street and one of the busiest shopping streets in the world. It’s very commercial and touristy, but the energy is electric, especially with all the neon signs.

Afternoon: Departure

Shanghai has two airports:

Pudong International (PVG) – for international flights, about 45 minutes from city center

Hongqiao (SHA) – for domestic flights, closer to the city

Book your airport transfer through Trip.com or take the Maglev train from Pudong metro station to the airport – it reaches 430 km/h and is an experience in itself.

Practical Tips

Metro: Get a Shanghai Public Transportation Card at any metro station or use AliPay to scan QR codes at turnstiles.

Language: Shanghai is more international than Beijing or Xi’an, so you’ll find more English speakers, but still have your translation app ready.

Food: Shanghai cuisine is sweeter than other regions with lots of soy sauce, sugar, and rice wine in dishes. The xiaolongbao (soup dumplings) are a must-try.

 

Final Thoughts

This 10-day itinerary gives you the perfect taste of China’s incredible diversity. Beijing shows you imperial history and traditional culture. Xi’an takes you back 2,000+ years with the Terracotta Warriors. And Shanghai catapults you into the future with its insane skyline and cosmopolitan energy.

China is still one of our favorite countries. Yes, it’s harder to navigate on your own because of language barriers and app requirements, but it’s absolutely possible and SO worth it. The food is incredible, the culture is fascinating, and the history is mind-blowing.

With Trip.com for trains and hotels, Klook or GetYourGuide for tours and activities, DiDi for transportation, and AliPay for payments, you’ve got everything you need to do this independently.

We can’t wait for you to experience all the wonder that is China. Safe travels!

 

Have questions about traveling to China? Drop them in the comments below – we’re always happy to help!