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.

China Itinerary: How to Plan a First Trip

A first trip to China usually comes down to two questions: how long should you go, and which cities should you string together. This page answers both, then points you to detailed day-by-day routes.

How many days do you need?

For a first visit, 10 to 14 days is the sweet spot. That is enough to see Beijing properly, add the Terracotta Army in Xi’an, and finish in Shanghai without spending your whole trip on trains.

One week: Beijing plus one other city. Move fast, see the headliners.
10 days: Beijing, Xi’an, and Shanghai, the classic first loop.
Two weeks: add Chengdu for pandas or Guilin for the Li River scenery.

China’s high-speed rail makes these distances manageable. Beijing to Xi’an is under six hours by train, and you book most routes with your passport.

Build the trip around four things

Before you lock dates, sort the practical layer that trips up most first-timers:

A travel eSIM so maps and messaging work the moment you land.
Mobile payments, since Alipay and WeChat Pay run daily life more than cash or cards.
Attraction tickets that need booking ahead, the Forbidden City above all.
Whether you want a private guide for the heavier history days.

Pick a city below to see what to do there, or start with the route that matches your trip length.

Where first-timers go

Beijing

China's capital packs the country's biggest landmarks into one city, making it the natural first stop for a first-time visitor. You can see imperial palaces, ancient temples, and the Great Wall all from a single base.

Xi'an

Xi'an was the start of the Silk Road and home to the famous Terracotta Army, giving first-timers a deep dose of ancient history. Its intact Ming-era city wall and lively Muslim Quarter make the old capital easy and rewarding to explore on foot.

Shanghai

Shanghai is China's most international and easiest-to-navigate big city, a good landing or finishing point for first-time travelers. The historic Bund waterfront facing a futuristic skyline shows the country's old and new sides side by side.

Chengdu

Chengdu is the place first-timers go to see giant pandas up close and to eat some of China's best-known spicy food. Its relaxed teahouse pace makes a welcome break from the bigger cities on a China itinerary.

Guilin

Guilin and the surrounding countryside offer the dramatic karst mountains and river scenery that appear on Chinese postcards and banknotes. It is where first-timers come for nature and slow river cruising after the urban sights elsewhere.

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.