China Travel Sorted

10 Day China Itinerary: Beijing, Xi'an, and Shanghai

A practical 10 day China itinerary for first-time visitors: 4 days in Beijing, 2 to 3 in Xi'an, and 3 in Shanghai, with high-speed rail between them.

Last updated

A high-speed train pulling into a modern Chinese station with city towers behind it

Ten days is the classic first loop through China, and it answers the question most first-timers ask: how do I see the headline sights without living on trains. This route gives Beijing the time it deserves, adds the Terracotta Army in Xi’an, and finishes in Shanghai, the easiest big city to fly home from.

The shape is simple. Four nights in Beijing cover the Forbidden City, the Great Wall at Mutianyu, and a calmer day of imperial parks. Two nights in Xi’an are enough for the warriors and a sunset loop of the old city wall. Three nights in Shanghai give you the Bund, Yu Garden, and a free day to slow down before your flight. High-speed rail links it all: Beijing to Xi’an runs about 4 hours 20 minutes to 6 hours, and Xi’an straight through to Shanghai takes roughly 6 to 8 hours. You book both with your passport.

Two bookings make or break the trip, so handle them first. The Forbidden City releases tickets online only, 7 days ahead at 20:00 Beijing time, and they sell out fast. The Terracotta Army caps daily entry, so reserve that online up to a week out too. Both use real-name booking, meaning you enter your passport number when you buy and scan the same passport at the gate.

Before any of that, sort the practical layer that catches people out: a travel eSIM so maps work on arrival, and Alipay or WeChat Pay set up at home, since mobile payments run daily life here. Most US and UK visitors also qualify for visa-free entry in 2026, so confirm which rules fit your passport and route before you book flights.

Sources:

  1. Day 1

    Arrive in Beijing and settle in Beijing

  2. Day 2

    Forbidden City and Tiananmen Square Beijing

    Forbidden City (Palace Museum)

  3. Day 3

    Great Wall at Mutianyu Beijing

    Great Wall at Mutianyu

  4. Day 4

    Temple of Heaven and Summer Palace Beijing

    Temple of Heaven, Summer Palace

  5. Day 5

    Train to Xi'an, evening in the old town Xi'an

  6. Day 6

    Terracotta Army Xi'an

    Terracotta Army (Emperor Qinshihuang's Mausoleum Site Museum), Xi'an City Wall

  7. Day 7

    Train to Shanghai Shanghai

    The Bund

  8. Day 8

    Yu Garden and old Shanghai Shanghai

    Yu Garden (Yuyuan Garden)

  9. Day 9

    Pudong skyline and free day Shanghai

  10. Day 10

    Departure Shanghai

Frequently asked questions

How many days do I need for a first trip to China?
For a first visit covering the headline sights, plan 10 to 14 days. Ten days comfortably links Beijing, Xian, and Shanghai by high-speed rail and flights, while two weeks lets you add Chengdu for the pandas or Guilin for the Li River. Trying to see more than four cities in 10 days means most of your time is spent in transit rather than at the sights.
Do US, UK, Canadian, and Australian visitors need a visa for China in 2026?
For a full multi-city holiday you normally still need a tourist visa, but China's 240-hour (10-day) visa-free transit policy covers citizens of 55 countries including the US, UK, Canada, and Australia as of 2026. To use it you must arrive at one of the eligible ports, hold a confirmed onward ticket to a third country or region, and stay within the designated provinces. Confirm your eligibility with the National Immigration Administration before relying on it.
When is the best time to visit China?
Spring (April to May) and autumn (September to October) bring the mildest weather and clearest skies across Beijing, Xian, and Shanghai. Avoid the first week of October and the Lunar New Year period, when domestic travel peaks and trains, hotels, and major sights sell out fast. Summer is hot and humid with crowds at every attraction, while winter is cold in the north but quiet and cheaper.
What is the best way to travel between Chinese cities?
High-speed trains are the fastest and most comfortable option for the core route, covering Beijing to Xian in about 4.5 to 6 hours and Beijing to Shanghai in roughly 4.5 hours. Book through the official 12306 system or a trusted reseller, and bring the passport you booked with for station entry. For longer hops like Chengdu to Guilin, a domestic flight usually saves time.