Beijing, Xi\'an & Shanghai
The essential first-timer\'s route through China\'s three iconic cities — imperial Beijing, ancient Xi\'an, and futuristic Shanghai — connected by high-speed rail.
8–10 Days
The perfect pace for three iconic cities — enough time to go deep without feeling rushed.
Beijing → Xi'an → Shanghai
Connected by 4–6 hour high-speed trains. All three cities have international airports.
Forbidden City, Terracotta Warriors, The Bund
China's three most iconic sights in a single journey — 2,000 years of history.
The Journey
This is the classic Golden Triangle — the route 80% of first-time visitors take. It covers China\'s three most iconic cities: Beijing\'s Forbidden City and Great Wall, Xi\'an\'s Terracotta Warriors, and Shanghai\'s futuristic skyline. All three cities are connected by 4-6 hour high-speed trains, making logistics straightforward.
Days 1–3: Beijing
Fly into Beijing Capital (PEK) or Daxing (PKX). Day 1: Tiananmen Square and the Forbidden City (book tickets 7 days ahead on WeChat). Day 2: Mutianyu Great Wall — less crowded than Badaling, with a toboggan ride down. Day 3: Temple of Heaven at sunrise for the pensioners' tai chi, then the hutongs near Gulou for lunch. Evening: Peking duck at Dadong or Siji Minfu.
Local tip: Skip Badaling. Mutianyu has better views, fewer crowds, and the toboggan slide down is genuinely fun. Book a private driver through your hotel — your concierge can arrange this easily.
Days 4–5: Xi'an
Take the 4.5-hour high-speed train from Beijing West to Xi'an North. Day 4: Terracotta Warriors — go early (8:30am) to beat the crowds. The museum is 40 km east of the city. Day 5: Xi'an City Wall — rent a bike and cycle the full 14 km loop. Evening: Muslim Quarter for lamb skewers, biangbiang noodles, and persimmon cakes.
Local tip: Hire a guide at the Terracotta Warriors (official guides at the entrance). The context they provide transforms the experience from 'piles of clay statues' to 'holy crap, this is 2,200 years old.'
Days 6–8: Shanghai
Take the 6-hour high-speed train from Xi'an to Shanghai. Day 6: The Bund at dusk for the Pudong skyline. Walk Nanjing Road to People's Square. Day 7: Former French Concession — Fuxing Road, Tianzifang, and a coffee at Manner. Day 8: Shanghai Museum or a day trip to Zhujiajiao Water Town (1 hr by metro). Fly out from Pudong (PVG).
Local tip: The Bund is best at golden hour (5–6pm) when the colonial buildings glow. Skip the Bund sightseeing tunnel — it is a tourist trap. Take the public ferry across the Huangpu instead for a fraction of the price and a much better view.
This is a suggested itinerary. Every journey we design is tailored to your interests, pace, and budget.
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