10 days in China: Beijing → Xi'an → Shanghai → Hangzhou
The perfect balanced trip: 3 days imperial Beijing, 2 days ancient Xi'an, 2 days modern Shanghai, plus 2 days in Hangzhou — China's most beautiful garden city, famous for West Lake. All connected by high-speed rail, with detailed booking, transport, and hotel guidance.
This itinerary extends the classic 7-day route with Hangzhou — just one hour by high-speed train from Shanghai, making it an easy and worthwhile addition. You get the full imperial history, terracotta warriors, Shanghai's modern skyline, and West Lake's poetic beauty, all without backtracking.
Route overview
Before you go: essential booking checklist
Book these in this order, as early as possible:
- Chinese visa (L-visa): Apply 1-2 months before departure. See the visa guide for full steps.
- International flights: Book open-jaw: into Beijing, out of Shanghai (or Hangzhou). This avoids backtracking.
- Hotels (all 4 cities): Book first — you need hotel confirmations for your visa application. Recommended areas listed below for each city.
- High-speed train tickets: Book 7-14 days ahead via Trip.com (English) or 12306 (official Chinese). Use your passport number. Tips:
- Beijing West → Xi'an North: G-trains, ~4.5h, ¥515 second class / ¥820 first class
- Xi'an North → Shanghai Hongqiao: G-trains, ~6h, ¥670 second class / ¥1090 first class
- Shanghai Hongqiao → Hangzhou East: G-trains, ~1h, ¥73 second class / ¥117 first class (trains leave every 10-15 minutes, no need to book far ahead)
- Forbidden City: Book exactly 7 days in advance at 20:00 Beijing time via the official WeChat mini-program. Tickets sell out fast in peak season.
- Terracotta Army: Book 1-3 days ahead online via the official site or Trip.com.
- Great Wall (Mutianyu): No advance booking needed; just show up, but book a bus transfer or driver the day before.
- Payment & internet: Set up Alipay with your international card before arrival; buy a China eSIM (e.g., China Unicom or China Mobile) via Airalo before departure. See payment and internet guides.
Beijing: The Imperial Capital
Three days gives you enough time to see the main sights without rushing. Follow this order to minimize travel between sites.
Where to stay in Beijing
Dongcheng / Wangfujing area: Best for first-timers — walkable to Forbidden City, Tiananmen, and many subway lines. Mid-range options are abundant; budget: stay near Dongzhimen or Andingmen for hutong vibes.
Day 1 — Central axis: Tiananmen → Forbidden City → Jingshan Park
Arrive at Beijing Capital (PEK) or Daxing (PKX) airport, take the Airport Express or Daxing Airport Express metro to the city (¥25-35). Check in to your hotel. After lunch, enter Tiananmen Square (security check required), then proceed to the Forbidden City at your pre-booked entry time. Exit north from the Forbidden City, cross the road and walk up Jingshan Park (¥2) — the five-minute climb gives you the iconic panoramic view of the entire palace complex. Have dinner in Shichahai/Houhai in the evening.
Food tip: Try Peking duck for dinner — Siji Minfu (四季民福) is a popular local chain with reasonable prices; reserve in advance.
Day 2 — Temple of Heaven → Summer Palace
Start early at Temple of Heaven Park (¥34 for the full ticket) before 8am to see locals doing tai chi, dancing, and playing cards. After lunch, take subway Line 4 to the Summer Palace (¥60 for combined ticket), the vast imperial garden around Kunming Lake. Spend 3-4 hours here. Return to central Beijing for dinner — try zhajiangmian (fried sauce noodles) at a local restaurant.
Day 3 — Great Wall at Mutianyu → Nanluoguxiang hutong
Full day at the Great Wall at Mutianyu (¥40 entry + ¥120 cable car). The easiest way: take the official Mutianyu tourist bus from Dongzhimen (bus 867 or the direct tourist bus), or hire a private driver for ~¥500-600 round trip. Arrive by 9am to beat tour groups. Take the cable car up, walk to Tower 20 and back, then take the toboggan slide down (fun!). Return to Beijing by late afternoon. Wander Nanluoguxiang hutong for snacks and souvenirs. Pack your bags tonight — tomorrow is a travel day.
Transport to Xi'an tomorrow: Your train leaves from Beijing West Station. Take subway Line 7 or Line 9 directly to the station; arrive 45 minutes before departure. You will need your passport to enter the station and board.
High-speed train to Xi'an
4.5-5 hour G-train from Beijing West to Xi'an North. Smooth, comfortable, and scenic as you cross into central China.
Where to stay in Xi'an
Inside the City Wall / near Bell Tower: Best for tourists — walkable to the Muslim Quarter, City Wall, and Bell Tower. Avoid staying near Xi'an North Station; it's far from the old town.
Morning — G-train to Xi'an
Take a 9-10am G-train (G87, G653 are good options). Second class is perfectly comfortable; first class gives you wider 2-2 seating and more legroom. Buy snacks and water before boarding — the train has a food cart but options are limited.
Afternoon — Xi'an City Wall → Muslim Quarter
Arrive at Xi'an North around 1:30-2:30pm. Take subway Line 2 directly to Bell Tower station (¥5, 30 minutes). Check in to your hotel. Walk or rent a bicycle on the ancient City Wall (¥54 entry, bike rental ¥45 for 3 hours) in the late afternoon — cycling the full wall takes 1.5-2 hours at a leisurely pace, and the light is beautiful around sunset.
Walk to the Muslim Quarter for dinner. This is one of China's greatest street food destinations: must-tries include roujiamo (肉夹馍, "Chinese hamburger"), biangbiang noodles (wide, hand-pulled noodles), liangpi (cold skin noodles), and persimmon cakes.
For tomorrow: Book a private driver (~¥300-400 for the day) or plan to take the official tour bus (游5/306) from Xi'an Railway Station to the Terracotta Army. Do not take the fake "official tour buses" that approach you near the station — they take you to souvenir shops and overcharge.
Xi'an: Terracotta Army & Ancient History
The archaeological highlight of your trip: the 2,200-year-old Terracotta Army, built to guard Emperor Qin Shi Huang's tomb.
Morning to early afternoon — Terracotta Army
Leave your hotel by 8am. Drive 45 minutes to the Terracotta Army Museum (¥120 entry, open 8:30am-5pm). Plan 3-4 hours: visit Pit 1 first (the largest and most impressive — thousands of warriors in formation), then Pit 2 (cavalry, archers, chariots), Pit 3 (the command center), and finally the Bronze Chariots exhibition, which is extraordinary. You can stop at Huaqing Palace (¥120) on the way back to town if you're interested in Tang Dynasty history and hot springs, or skip it to save energy.
Evening — Forest of Steles → Big Wild Goose Pagoda
Back in Xi'an around 3-4pm. If you like calligraphy and history, visit the Forest of Steles Museum (¥65) near the South Gate; otherwise rest. Head to the Big Wild Goose Pagoda area in the evening — the North Square has musical fountain shows, and the Tang-style architecture looks beautiful lit up at night. Try yangrou paomo (羊肉泡馍, bread soaked in lamb soup) for dinner — a Xi'an classic.
Train to Shanghai tomorrow: This is your longest travel day (6 hours). Book a morning G-train (around 8-9am, e.g., G1918 or G360) from Xi'an North. Business class (¥2200) is worth considering if you want maximum comfort for the long ride; first class is ¥1090, second class ¥670.
High-speed train to Shanghai
6 hours across China: from the ancient capital through the central heartland, arriving at the gleaming east coast.
Where to stay in Shanghai
French Concession / South Shaanxi Road: Best for tourists — leafy streets, great restaurants, walkable to the Bund and Jing'an Temple, and well-connected by metro Lines 1, 10, and 12. Alternative: near People's Square for convenience to Nanjing Road.
Morning — Board the G-train
Take subway Line 2 to Xi'an North station, arrive 45 minutes early. The train crosses the Qinling Mountains, then follows the Yangtze River valley east through Henan and Anhui provinces before reaching Shanghai. Download shows or bring a book; the scenery is nice but varies little in the later hours.
Afternoon/Evening — Arrive in Shanghai, The Bund at night
Arrive at Shanghai Hongqiao around 2-3pm. Take subway Line 2 or Line 10 to your hotel (¥4-6, 30-40 minutes). Check in and rest briefly. Walk to the Bund (Waitan) around 5-6pm, just as the lights come on across the river in Pudong. The view of Lujiazui's skyscrapers (Shanghai Tower, Oriental Pearl Tower, SWFC) is iconic — this is the face of modern China. Have dinner in the Bund area or walk back to the French Concession for a more relaxed meal.
Tip: The Bund gets crowded on weekends; go a little before sunset to get a good spot by the waterfront railing.
Shanghai: Old Town & French Concession
One full day to see both old Shanghai and the charming former French Concession.
Morning — Yu Garden & Old Town
Get to Yu Garden (Yuyuan, ¥40) when it opens at 8:30am or 9am, before the tour groups arrive. Wander the classical Ming-era garden, the zigzag bridge over the pond, and the surrounding old-town streets. Stop for xiaolongbao (soup dumplings) at Nanxiang Mantou Dian near the garden — one of Shanghai's most famous dumpling restaurants. Walk along the Bund waterfront again in daylight if you'd like.
Afternoon — French Concession
Take metro Line 10 to South Shaanxi Road and spend the afternoon wandering the French Concession. Tree-lined Wukang Road, Anfu Road, and Yongkang Road are full of boutique shops, cafes, and 1920s-30s European-style houses. Stop for coffee or lunch at a cafe. If you like contemporary art and studios, visit Tianzifang (a converted shikumen lane house area), though it can be touristy. For a more upscale experience, head to Xintiandi.
Train to Hangzhou tomorrow: Trains run every 10-15 minutes from Shanghai Hongqiao to Hangzhou East from early morning until late evening. You don't need to book far in advance; just buy a ticket the day before or even on the day (though book a seat in peak season). Last direct train is around 10pm.
Train to Hangzhou: West Lake
Just one hour by high-speed train — Hangzhou feels worlds away from Shanghai: slower, greener, and famously described by Marco Polo as "the finest and most splendid city in the world."
Where to stay in Hangzhou
Near West Lake (Hubin / Nanshan Road area): Best for short stays — walkable to the lake, restaurants, and major sights. For a quieter stay, choose near Longjing tea village or Xixi Wetland, but you'll need taxis to get around.
Morning — Check out, take G-train to Hangzhou
Take a morning train (10-11am is fine) from Shanghai Hongqiao to Hangzhou East (1 hour, ¥73). Take subway Line 1 to your hotel, drop off luggage.
Afternoon/Evening — West Lake
Start at the Hubin waterfront (east side of West Lake). Walk along the promenade, rent a public bike (¥1-2 per hour, very easy with Alipay), or take a boat to the island in the middle of the lake (¥55-70 for a cruise). Walk along Su Causeway (Su Di) for classic willow-lined lake views. In the evening, see the "Impression West Lake" light/music show on the water if you're interested (tickets from ¥260, book in advance), or just stroll the lakefront and have a nice dinner — try Dongpo pork, West Lake vinegar fish, and longjing tea shrimp at a local restaurant near the lake.
Hangzhou: Temples & Tea
One full day to experience Hangzhou's famous Buddhist culture and Longjing tea countryside.
Morning — Lingyin Temple & Feilai Peak
Get up early to visit Lingyin Temple (Temple of the Soul's Retreat, ¥45 Feilai Peak entry + ¥30 temple entry), one of China's most important and atmospheric Buddhist temples, tucked into a forested hillside with ancient carvings on Feilai Peak. Arrive by 8am to see worshippers and monks before the tour buses.
Afternoon — Longjing Tea Village
Take a taxi or bus to Longjing Village, the home of China's famous Dragon Well tea. Walk through the tea terraces, visit a tea house, and taste fresh Longjing tea (spring harvest is best, March-April). If you want to buy tea, buy directly from a farmer — it's fresher and cheaper than tourist shops.
Evening — Hefang Street or Xixi Wetland
Head back to central Hangzhou. If you like old streets and snacks, wander Hefang Street in the old town; if you prefer nature and quiet, visit Xixi Wetland (¥80) for a late-afternoon boat ride through waterways and reed beds.
Final morning → Departure
Options depending on your departure flight: from Hangzhou or back to Shanghai.
If departing from Hangzhou (HGH):
Hangzhou Xiaoshan Airport is 30-45 minutes by taxi from West Lake (¥100-150), or 1 hour by airport bus. Take a final morning walk around the lake or visit the Grand Canal if you have time before heading to the airport. Allow 2.5-3 hours for international flights.
If departing from Shanghai (PVG/SHA):
Take a morning G-train from Hangzhou East back to Shanghai Hongqiao (1 hour). If flying from Hongqiao (SHA), the airport is right next to the train station — super convenient (10 minute walk). If flying from Pudong (PVG), take subway Line 2 or the Maglev train from Longyang Road to Pudong (allow 2 hours total from Hangzhou to PVG).
Final tips: Keep some cash (¥100-200) for small vendors who don't take electronic payment; save all hotel receipts for your records; arrive early for all train and airport transfers — Chinese stations/airports are large and require ID checks.
Estimated budget per person (mid-range)
- Hotels: ¥400-700/night for 3-4 star business hotels = ¥3600-6300 total
- High-speed trains (all legs): ~¥1300 (second class) / ¥2100 (first class)
- Attraction tickets: ~¥800 total for all major sights
- Food & drinks: ¥150-300/day = ¥1500-3000 total
- Local transport (metro/taxi/bus): ¥50-100/day = ¥500-1000 total
- Total (excluding international flights): Approximately ¥7700-13,200 (~$1060-1820) per person, mid-range.