Great Wall landscape on a seven-day first trip through China

Itinerary · 7 days · 3 cities

China First Trip: Beijing, Xi'an and Shanghai in 7 Days

A fast first-China route with three Beijing days, two Xi'an days and two Shanghai days, using direct high-speed trains and one major sight per transfer day.

BeijingXi'anShanghai

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  1. 1

    Day 1

    1 stop

    1. Forbidden City and Jingshan
      Use a separately booked Tian'anmen approach and the Palace Museum's timed passport ticket, walk south to north, then climb Jingshan only if visibility and energy remain. The reservation guide explains the seven-day release and original-passport check.

      4 Jingshan Front Street, Dongcheng District, Beijing

      Read guideAMapApple Maps
  2. 2

    Day 2

    1 stop

    1. One Great Wall Section
      Give the wall a full weather-flexible day. Choose Badaling for rail and accessibility infrastructure, Mutianyu for a managed cableway day, or Jinshanling for a longer hike; use the section chooser before fixing transport.

      Beijing outer districts; exact gate depends on the chosen section

      Read guideApple Maps
  3. 3

    Day 3

    1 stop

  4. 4

    Day 4

    1 stop · Travel day

    1. Beijing West → Xi'an North, direct G-series high-speed train

      about 4h 15m–5h 30m; verify the exact date

    2. Xi'an City Wall and Muslim Quarter Edge
      After the train and hotel drop, enter the wall from the gate that fits your accommodation and walk or cycle only the section your energy supports. Finish with one food cluster while respecting active religious spaces.

      27 Shuncheng Lane, Beilin District, Xi'an

      Read guideAMapApple Maps
  5. 5

    Day 5

    1 stop

    1. Terracotta Warriors
      Use a dated passport reservation and allow the full road transfer from central Xi'an. Start with the main pits, keep the mausoleum shuttle optional and do not add another remote attraction to the day.

      Qinling North Road, Lintong District, Xi'an

      Read guideAMapApple Maps
  6. 6

    Day 6

    1 stop · Travel day

    1. Xi'an North → Shanghai Hongqiao, direct G-series train

      about 6–7h 30m; make this the day's main event

    2. The Bund and People's Square
      After arrival, use one bank of the Huangpu and one neighboring district. A free public viewpoint is enough; do not cross repeatedly between Bund and Lujiazui merely for photographs.

      Zhongshan East 1st Road, Huangpu District, Shanghai

      Read guideAMapApple Maps
  7. 7

    Day 7

    2 stops

    2. Pudong or North Bund, Then Departure
      Choose the side that fits the departure airport and live weather. Keep luggage at the hotel, use one final waterfront segment and leave for PVG or SHA with terminal and security margin.

      Shanghai waterfront; choose by airport and hotel

      Read guideApple Maps