10-Day Classic China 2026: Beijing, Xi'an, Guilin, Shanghai
The four-city China classic. Beijing + Xi'an for history, Guilin for karst scenery, Shanghai for modern China.
Quick Answer
What is this 10-day itinerary like?
This 10-day itinerary covers 7 UNESCO sites, involves 36 km of walking, and offers a total cost of $2,400.
Day by day
Book this trip →Ten days covers four regions in one trip. Days 1-3: Beijing (Forbidden City, Great Wall, hutongs). Day 4: HSR to Xi'an. Days 4-5: Xi'an (Terracotta Army, City Wall). Day 6: Fly to Guilin. Days 6-7: Guilin + Li River cruise to Yangshuo. Day 8: Fly to Shanghai. Days 8-10: Shanghai (Bund, Yu Garden, day trip to Suzhou or Zhujiajiao). Most diverse 10-day China itinerary: history + nature + modern.
Beijing arrival
Arrive Beijing · Tiananmen Square, Forbidden City (3-4h) · Peking duck dinner
- 09:00Arrive Beijing
Arrive Beijing
- 11:00Tiananmen Square, Forbidden City
3 4h
- 13:00Peking duck dinner
Peking duck dinner
Great Wall
Mutianyu Great Wall (1.5h drive, cable car + toboggan)
- 09:00Mutianyu Great Wall
1.5h drive, cable car + toboggan
Temples + HSR to Xi'an
Temple of Heaven, Lama Temple · HSR to Xi'an 4.5h · Muslim Quarter evening
- 09:00Temple of Heaven, Lama Temple
Temple of Heaven, Lama Temple
- 11:00HSR to Xi'an 4.5h
HSR to Xi'an 4.5h
- 13:00Muslim Quarter evening
Muslim Quarter evening
Xi'an: Terracotta Army
Full-day Terracotta Army tour · City Wall bike ride · Tang show (optional)
- 09:00Full
day Terracotta Army tour
- 11:00City Wall bike ride
City Wall bike ride
- 13:00Tang show
optional
Xi'an → Guilin
Morning Shaanxi History Museum · Fly to Guilin (2.5h, $150) · Evening: Elephant Trunk Hill, Two Rivers Four Lakes walk
- 09:00Morning Shaanxi History Museum
Morning Shaanxi History Museum
- 11:00Fly to Guilin
2.5h, $150
- 13:00Evening: Elephant Trunk Hill, Two Rivers Four Lakes walk
Evening: Elephant Trunk Hill, Two Rivers Four Lakes walk
Li River cruise to Yangshuo
Li River cruise Guilin → Yangshuo (4-5h, ¥450) · Bike ride in Yangshuo countryside · Impression Liu Sanjie show (¥238)
- 09:00Li River cruise Guilin → Yangshuo
4 5h, ¥450
- 11:00Bike ride in Yangshuo countryside
Bike ride in Yangshuo countryside
- 13:00Impression Liu Sanjie show
¥238
Yangshuo → Shanghai
Morning: Moon Hill or Xianggong Hill viewpoint · Drive back to Guilin airport · Fly to Shanghai (2.5h) · Evening Bund walk
- 09:00Morning: Moon Hill or Xianggong Hill viewpoint
Morning: Moon Hill or Xianggong Hill viewpoint
- 11:00Drive back to Guilin airport
Drive back to Guilin airport
- 13:00Fly to Shanghai
2.5h
- 15:00Evening Bund walk
Evening Bund walk
Shanghai: classic
Yu Garden, Old City Bazaar · Nanjing Road, People's Square · Pudong skyline at night · Acrobatic show
- 09:00Yu Garden, Old City Bazaar
Yu Garden, Old City Bazaar
- 11:00Nanjing Road, People's Square
Nanjing Road, People's Square
- 13:00Pudong skyline at night
Pudong skyline at night
- 15:00Acrobatic show
Acrobatic show
Shanghai: water town day trip
Day trip to Zhujiajiao (1h) or Suzhou (1h HSR) · Evening: Tianzifang arts district
- 09:00Day trip to Zhujiajiao
1h) or Suzhou 1h HSR
- 11:00Evening: Tianzifang arts district
Evening: Tianzifang arts district
Depart Shanghai
Morning at leisure (French Concession walk) · Depart from Pudong airport
- 09:00Morning at leisure
French Concession walk
- 11:00Depart from Pudong airport
Depart from Pudong airport
Book this trip
All routes →Top sight tickets and any private drivers sell out first; everything else can wait until a week before.
If 10 days isn’t quite right
All routes →
Beijing essentials
Forbidden City · Great Wall · Temple of Heaven. For short stopovers.
Beijing → Xi'an → Shanghai
Imperial, ancient, and modern China on one HSR loop.
Beijing → Xi'an → Chengdu → Guilin → Shanghai
Adds Sichuan pandas and Li River karst.
Lock in the essentials before you fly
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Itinerary FAQ
How far in advance should I book the main sights?
Book the top restricted-access sight 7 days before, at midnight local time, via the official channel. Same-day tickets are not sold at most major sites.
Is 5 days too long for a first trip?
No — {n} days is the sweet spot. Three days covers the highlights but you will be exhausted. Five lets you add a day trip and an unhurried afternoon without rushing.
Can I do this itinerary without speaking Chinese?
Yes. Install Pleco (offline dictionary) and a translation app before you fly. Metro and attraction signage is in English in major cities; international-hotel staff speak English.
What's the worst time of year to run this exact route?
Golden Week (October 1–7) — every timed entry is impossible to get. Also avoid the Spring Festival rush (late Jan/Feb) and Labor Day (May 1–5). Mid-July to mid-August is hot and crowded with domestic travelers.
How much cash do I actually need?
Almost none. Alipay (linked to a foreign Visa/Mastercard) covers 95% of vendors. Carry ¥500–800 in cash as backup for small stalls. Tipping is not expected.
Is this route safe for solo travelers?
Yes. The main risk is traffic — e-bikes and scooters use sidewalks. Stay alert at intersections, especially outside Beijing/Shanghai where drivers may not stop. Solo female travelers report no issues.