Classic China in 10 days

Land, get connected and eat near the hotel. Do not schedule a museum after a long flight.

Arrival

From PEK, take the Airport Express or a taxi/Didi to Dongcheng. From PKX, the Daxing Airport Express reaches the city faster than a taxi in traffic. Check in, register with the hotel and keep the registration slip.

Evening

Walk one hutong block, eat a simple first meal and buy water. Aim to sleep at local time rather than nap through the evening.

Book

Confirm your Forbidden City and Tiananmen reservations for Day 2 and check the meeting point for the Great Wall transfer.

A full imperial day on foot, with the best view at the end rather than the start.

Morning

Enter Tiananmen Square with your passport and reservation. Allow 45–60 minutes for security. Walk north into the Forbidden City and follow the central axis, then spend time in the smaller side halls.

Afternoon

Exit the Forbidden City at the north gate and cross to Jingshan Park for the view back over the rooflines. Lunch late in the hutongs rather than at a gate restaurant.

Evening

Walk around Houhai or Nanluoguxiang, then eat Beijing duck. Book a restaurant rather than queuing at the most famous name.

Tip

The Forbidden City is closed on most Mondays. Carry your physical passport; the booking is tied to it.

Leave the city early, walk a restored section and return before the evening traffic.

Morning

Take a pre-booked transfer or a bus/taxi combination to Mutianyu. Arrive near opening, take the cable car or chairlift up and walk between towers before the tour groups build.

Afternoon

Return to Beijing by mid-afternoon. Rest, then visit the Temple of Heaven park or a neighbourhood teahouse rather than adding another ticketed sight.

Book

Check the current Mutianyu ticket and transfer arrangements; the official visitor guidance has changed before. Wear shoes with grip and carry water.

A light morning, a 4.5–5.5 hour train and an easy first evening inside the city wall.

Morning

Visit the Temple of Heaven park early for the local exercise and music groups, then the Hall of Prayer. Return to the hotel, collect luggage and go to Beijing West or Beijing South for the train.

Transfer

Book the high-speed train with your passport on 12306 or an official channel. Arrive 45–60 minutes early; use the passport at the gate. The ride to Xi'an is about 4.5–5.5 hours.

Evening

Check in inside the city wall, walk to the South Gate or the Muslim Quarter for a late dinner. Keep the first Xi'an night light.

The big archaeology stop in the morning and the old city on foot in the evening.

Morning

Go to the Terracotta Army early, preferably with a guide or an audio guide. See Pit 1 first, then Pit 2 and Pit 3; allow 3 hours including the transfer.

Afternoon

Return to the city, rent a bike on the city wall or walk the South Gate section. The full loop is about 13–14 km; a partial ride is enough in the heat.

Evening

Eat through the Muslim Quarter: roujiamo, persimmon cakes and lamb skewers. Walk the side lanes rather than only the main tourist street.

Book

Terracotta Army tickets are timed and passport-linked. Book the earliest slot you can realistically reach.

One museum, one landmark and an evening flight that protects Day 7 in Shanghai.

Morning

Visit the Shaanxi History Museum with a reservation. Focus on the Tang and Han galleries rather than trying to see everything.

Afternoon

See the Big Wild Goose Pagoda and the surrounding plaza, then collect luggage and go to Xi'an Xianyang airport.

Transfer

Fly to Shanghai in the late afternoon or evening. A flight is about 2 hours; the rail alternative is 6–7 hours and eats a full day.

Tip

If the museum reservation is unavailable, swap in the Xi'an Museum or the Great Mosque and keep the day light.

Start with the riverfront before the heat, then move into the old city and the French Concession.

Morning

Walk the Bund from Waibaidu Bridge south toward Yan'an Road. Continue to Yu Garden and the City God Temple bazaar; book the garden ticket and go early.

Afternoon

Walk through the former French Concession: Wukang Road, Anfu Road and the plane-tree streets. Stop for coffee or a long lunch rather than rushing.

Evening

Return to the Bund after dark for the skyline lights, or take the sightseeing ferry across the Huangpu for a cheaper view.

A museum morning and a skyline afternoon, with a slower evening.

Morning

Visit the Shanghai Museum on People's Square; the collection is strong on bronzes, ceramics and calligraphy. Reserve the free ticket and allow 2–3 hours.

Afternoon

Cross to Pudong for the Shanghai Tower observation deck or a riverfront walk. Skip multiple observation decks; one is enough.

Evening

Eat in the French Concession or along the Suzhou Creek. Pack before the final day rather than leaving it to the airport.

Choose one optional day trip, or keep the day free for shopping, food and rest.

Option A

Zhujiajiao water town by metro and local bus/taxi: canals, stone bridges and a slower half-day. Go early and avoid weekends.

Option B

Stay in Shanghai: a cooking class, the Propaganda Poster Art Centre, a long lunch and an evening river walk. This is the better choice if the first week felt fast.

Tip

Do not add Hangzhou as a day trip on this route; it deserves at least one night and is better as a separate 5-day Shanghai–Hangzhou trip.

Leave a buffer for the airport and keep the last morning close to the hotel.

Morning

Breakfast, a short neighbourhood walk and check out. From People's Square, PVG is about 45–60 minutes by metro or taxi; allow more at peak times.

Airport

For international flights, aim to arrive 3 hours before departure. Keep the passport and any exit documents in your hand luggage.

Tip

If your flight leaves late, store luggage at the hotel or a station locker and take one final walk rather than sitting at the airport all day.