Last updated: October 8, 2026 · By the PandaRoads planning team
The Route at a Glance
| Days | City | Highlights |
|---|---|---|
| 1-4 | Beijing | Forbidden City, Great Wall, hutongs, Temple of Heaven, Summer Palace |
| 5 | Travel day | High-speed rail Beijing → Xi'an (4.5-6h), evening on the City Wall |
| 6-7 | Xi'an | Terracotta Army, City Wall, Muslim Quarter food street |
| 8 | Travel day | Fly Xi'an → Shanghai (~2.5h), evening on the Bund |
| 9-10 | Shanghai | Yu Garden, French Concession, Zhujiajiao water town or museum day |
Day-by-Day Plan
Days 1-4: Beijing
- Day 1: Land, settle in, first Peking duck dinner. No big sights, beat jet lag.
- Day 2: Forbidden City (book tickets days ahead, same-day sells out) + Jingshan Park view.
- Day 3: Great Wall, see our Great Wall guide for Mutianyu vs Badaling.
- Day 4: Temple of Heaven in the morning, hutongs + Summer Palace in the afternoon.
Day 5: Beijing → Xi'an (travel day)
Morning high-speed rail (about 4.5-6 hours, book via train apps or your hotel). Check in, then walk the City Wall at sunset, rent a bike, it's the best first evening in Xi'an.
Days 6-7: Xi'an
- Day 6: Terracotta Army (go early, it's a 1-hour drive from the city). Evening: Muslim Quarter food street, lamb skewers, roujiamo.
- Day 7: Big Wild Goose Pagoda + Shaanxi History Museum (free but book ahead), or a food tour if you prefer eating your way through.
Day 8: Xi'an → Shanghai (travel day)
Short flight (~2.5 hours). Evening on the Bund, the skyline light show starts around 7pm, free and spectacular.
Days 9-10: Shanghai
- Day 9: Yu Garden + bazaar, then the French Concession for coffee and architecture. Optional: Shanghai Tower observation deck at sunset.
- Day 10: Zhujiajiao water town (1 hour from downtown) OR Shanghai Museum, then pack and head home.
Budget for 10 Days (Per Person, On the Ground)
| Style | Daily | 10 Days | What it includes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Budget | ~$92/day | ~$920 | 3-star hotels, public transport, street food + casual restaurants |
| Mid-range | ~$155/day | ~$1,550 | 4-star hotels, taxis/Didi, nice restaurants, some tours |
| Comfort | ~$280/day | ~$2,800 | 5-star hotels, private transport, premium dining, guided day trips |
Add international flights ($800-1,500 round trip from the US) and visa costs if applicable. Full data: China Trip Cost Report 2026.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many days do you need to visit China?
For a first trip covering the essentials, 10 days is the sweet spot: 4 days in Beijing, 2 in Xi'an, 3 in Shanghai, plus a travel day. With 7 days you can do two cities comfortably (Beijing + Shanghai); with 14 you can add Chengdu or Guilin.
What is the best route for a 10-day China trip?
Beijing (4 days) → high-speed rail to Xi'an (2 days) → fly to Shanghai (3 days) is the classic first-timer route. High-speed rail between Beijing and Xi'an takes about 4.5-6 hours; the Xi'an-Shanghai flight is roughly 2.5 hours. Travel days should be light, one main activity plus transit.
How much does a 10-day China trip cost?
On the ground, budget roughly $92/day per person (budget), $155/day (mid-range) or $280/day (comfort), so a 10-day trip runs about $920-2,800 on the ground, plus international flights (usually $800-1,500 round trip from the US) and the visa if applicable. See our China Trip Cost Report for the full breakdown.
Is 10 days enough for Beijing, Xi'an and Shanghai?
Yes, it's tight but right. Beijing deserves 4 days (Forbidden City, Great Wall, hutongs, Summer Palace), Xi'an 2 days (Terracotta Army, City Wall, Muslim Quarter), Shanghai 3 days (Bund, Yu Garden, Zhujiajiao water town or a day trip). One day is consumed by the Beijing-Xi'an rail leg.