Beijing
4 nights · Dongsi / Dengshikou
A central base for the palace day and hutong walks, with a simple return after the Wall.
Beijing · 4 nights
Shanghai · 3 nights
Xi’an · 2 nightsPalaces to Shanghai’s skyline in ten days
Beijing’s palace and Wall, Xi’an’s warriors and food lanes, then Shanghai with a day to slow down.
Why this itinerary works
Four Beijing nights give the palace and Wall a day each; Xi’an gets a separate Terracotta Army day.
Two substantial rail moves have their own daytime space, so evenings remain optional.
The final Shanghai day stays deliberately light, giving you time to enjoy the city before leaving.
The itinerary
Beijing West (北京西) → Xi’an North (西安北)
About 4.5 hours aboard.
Planning estimate; choose a dated service before booking.Xi’an
2 nights · Inside the South Gate
Walk to the city wall and keep evening food wanderings close to the hotel.
Xi’an North (西安北) → Shanghai Hongqiao (上海虹桥)
About six hours aboard.
Planning estimate; choose a dated service before booking.Shanghai
3 nights · People’s Square / Nanjing West Road
Central rail connections and a useful base between the Bund, old city and tree-lined western streets.
The moments you’ll remember
Your first evening by Houhai, lights trembling on the water.
Shichahai (Houhai Lakes) ›Morning footsteps pass through red gates into another palace courtyard.
The Palace Museum (Forbidden City) ›Jingshan’s afternoon breeze, the palace roofs spread below.
Jingshan Park ›
The first warm pancake folds around Siji Minfu’s crisp duck.
Make roast duck the meal at Siji Minfu Dengshikou ›Mutianyu’s watchtowers climb the ridge in the morning light.
Mutianyu Great Wall ›
Skewers sizzle as your first Xi’an evening fills with dinner smells.
Muslim Quarter (Huimin Street) ›
At the first pit’s edge, clay ranks stretch beyond your gaze.
Terracotta Army (Emperor Qinshihuang's Mausoleum Site Museum) ›Off the train, Pudong lights coming on across the river.
The Bund (Viewing Platform) ›
Afternoon coffee and plane-tree shade on one last Shanghai walk.
Wukang Road ›9 moments · swipe →
Before you go
- Mutianyu Great Wall — Official English booking calendar: 30 calendar dates including today (up to 29 days ahead). Check that channel for your visit date.
- The Palace Museum — Official international website and 故宫博物院 mini-program: book before the visit day; same-day tickets are not sold. Sales open at 20:00 Beijing time seven days before the visit.
- Emperor Qinshihuang's Mausoleum Site Museum — Reserve your chosen date and time slot through the museum’s official website or account before travelling. Check the currently available dates in that booking calendar.
Choose a dated rail or flight service before booking.
Day by day
MorningAfternoonEvening
Beijing · 4 nights
Day 1
Arrive in Beijing
Only a short lake-and-lanes walk after check-in; drop it after a late arrival.
Arrive in Beijing
Free
Day 2
The palace and its rooftop panorama
Day 3
Mutianyu gets the day
The afternoon is reserved for the outing and return. Leave the evening empty.
Reserved for the outing or journey
Free
Day 4
Temple morning, then time for yourself
One local morning visit, with the afternoon open before changing cities tomorrow.
Free
Free
Xi’an · 2 nights
Day 5
Train to Xi’an, then dinner in the food lanes
Keep morning and afternoon clear for the train, station access and check-in. Dinner is the only planned evening outing.
Train to Xi’an
Reserved for the outing or journey
Day 6
The Terracotta Army
Allow the outing to use the afternoon. Do not add the city wall or a second distant sight to the return.
Reserved for the outing or journey
Free
Shanghai · 3 nights
Day 7
Train to Shanghai, then river lights
The daytime is reserved for the rail move. The Bund is a short, removable walk after check-in.
Train to Shanghai
Reserved for the outing or journey
Day 8
A garden and the city from above
Free
Day 9
A slow day under the plane trees
Sleep in, wash clothes or linger over lunch. One short Wukang Road walk is the whole planned day.
Free
Free
Day 10
Leave Shanghai
Keep the day for packing and the actual airport or station transfer.
Leave Shanghai
Free
Free
Comes with the plan
Before you go
- Mutianyu Great Wall — Official English booking calendar: 30 calendar dates including today (up to 29 days ahead). Check that channel for your visit date.
- The Palace Museum — Official international website and 故宫博物院 mini-program: book before the visit day; same-day tickets are not sold. Sales open at 20:00 Beijing time seven days before the visit.
- Emperor Qinshihuang's Mausoleum Site Museum — Reserve your chosen date and time slot through the museum’s official website or account before travelling. Check the currently available dates in that booking calendar.
Rail or flight legs need a dated service before booking.
On the ground
Buying and boarding trains →Beijing practical card →Xi’an practical card →Shanghai practical card →Perks on this itinerary
A small extra at selected Shanghai shops →Turn a long layover into a look at Beijing →Check the senior entry benefit before buying →Browse perks and check eligibility →Your dates, checked
Use the calendar to check holidays and typical weather. Published sessions and opening days depend on your exact dates.
Check dates →Not quite your case? Ask it.
Make it yours
Pick your dates and review how the itinerary fits your trip.