You could spend weeks in China and never see all of it! But here’s an adaptable itinerary that takes you to the major cities and cultural sites with an introduction to the natural beauty of the country.
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One Week in China
No matter how many weeks you have to spend in China, you will start by flying into Shanghai. It combines futuristic architecture with ancient temples and gardens to create a dynamic city that is a great introduction to China. Choose a flight that lands in the evening so you can go straight to your hotel and get some rest. We have busy days ahead of us!
Day 1: Old & New Shanghai
Today we start in the heart of Shanghai’s Old City with a visit to Yiyuan Garden. Established over 400 years ago during the Ming dynasty, the garden features classical Chinese landscape designs. Think stone bridges arching over koi ponds, lotus pools, and airy buildings. You can spend hours admiring the foliage and gorgeous Chinese architecture. Right outside the garden you will find Yiyuan Old Street. This is a great place to find souvenirs and try some traditional cuisine.
In the afternoon head to Pudong to visit Oriental Pearl Tower. From the main observation deck, you see fantastic views of the city. There’s another observation deck that is higher up, but it’s an upcharge and offers the same views. A third observation deck is right below the main one. It’s special because it offers a transparent glass floor so you can see the city below you. Buy your tickets in advance to avoid long lines.
Afterwards, take a walk along the Bund to see the sunset. This famous mile-long promenade stretches along the Huangpu River. On one side are historic European-style buildings. On the opposite you see Pudong, Shanghai’s financial district and one of the most iconic skylines in the world. When it gets dark, hop on a Huangpu River cruise. These often include dinner and last for several hours.
Day 2: Temples & Vibes
This morning you will visit one or two of Shanghai’s many temples. Choose from Zhenru Temple, Jade Buddha Temple, Longhua Temple , Jing’an Temple, and City God Temple (Chenghuang Miao). All offer the chance for you to go inside to see Buddhist worship practices like incense and chanting while admiring the intricately decorated walls and statues. Remember to dress modestly and speak quietly while inside.
For lunch, head over to the French Concession. It served as a residential area for the French when they controlled Shanghai from 1849-1946. Today it is a popular neighborhood for art galleries, bars, and cafes. Some specific areas to explore include the shopping street Huaihai Road, Tianzifang alleyways, and Sinan Mansions. Also make sure to go by Wukang Mansion, and relax in Fuxing Park where you can see locals practicing tai chi. The Moller Residence features castle-like architecture and is now a hotel. To see inside one of the well-preserved houses, visit the Former Residence of Zhou Enlai. The area is best visited via a walking tour.
Spend the rest of the day enjoying some shopping on Nanjing Road. This is Shanghai’s Times Square. It’s a great place to visit at night to enjoy the neon lights, street performers, and bustling vibe. Ride the Dangdang Trolley, a vintage sightseeing train. Then explore the massive shopping malls. Nanjing Road is also a great place to enjoy traditional snacks at places like Zhen Lao Da Fang and Shanghai First Food Hall.
Day 3: Day Trip to Zhouzhuang Water Town
Taking a day trip to Zhouzhuang Water Town from Shanghai is well worth your time. Zhouzhuang is famous for its centuries-old canals, stone bridges, narrow alleyways, and historic architecture from the Ming and Qing dynasties. It’s located 55 miles from Shanghai, so it’s an easy day trip.
Once there, you will want to wander through the town. Stop first at the Twin Bridges, two Ming dynasty bridges that are a symbol of the town. Then visit Shen House, a well-preserved 18th century merchant’s home. Take a ride on a traditional wooden canal paddle boat with an oarsman singing traditional folk songs. For the rest of the day, wander the streets and enjoy teahouses, local snacks, and shopping for silk and handicrafts.
Day 4: Shanghai Disneyland
If you like theme parks, or just seeing a culture experience Americana, definitely make time in your itinerary for a day at Shanghai Disney Resort! With only one day, you will need to focus on what is unique to this park. The park is incredibly designed, so spend time wandering around admiring the details.
The attractions are amazing, too. If you like Pirates of the Caribbean in domestic Disney parks, the one in Shanghai is next level. There’s a wonderful ropes course called Camp Discovery Trails that would never be allowed in the United States. And the shows feature some incredible technical effects, although they are in Chinese so you have to get by on context clues. To top it off, Shanghai Disney has the largest castle of all of the Disney parks in the world.
Day 5: Imperial Beijing
This morning you will transfer to Beijing. You can fly or take a high speed train. Flying is faster but more expensive. The train takes about 4.5 hours and is a nice experience. Leave early in the day so that you can start your exploration of the city in the afternoon!
Once you arrive and drop your luggage off at your hotel, head over the Forbidden City Palace Museum. Walk through the main ceremonial path of the palace complex, exploring grand halls where coronations, banquets, and ceremonies occurred. There are three main halls you must see – the Hall of Supreme Harmony, the Hall of Central Harmony, and the Hall of Preserving Harmony. Inside these halls, you’ll find art and artifacts like jade, ceramics, and paintings. In the inner court, you will see where the emperors lived with their families. The complex is huge, so consider taking a guided tour.
Directly south of the Forbidden City is Tiananmen Square. This iconic public square is probably best known as the site of the 1989 pro-democracy protests. These protests led to the deaths of many students and others when the government sent in the People’s Liberation Army to shut them down. Today the square serves as a space for celebrations and parades. The large photo in the square is a portrait of Mao Zedong, the first chairman of the People’s Republic of China.
Last on the day’s agenda is visiting Jingshan Park for a panoramic view of the Forbidden City. It is across the street from the northern exit of the Forbidden City. It’s particularly beautiful right as the sun is setting. The park is also a great place to see locals engaging in Tai Chi, singing, dancing, or playing traditional instruments.
Day 6: Great Wall & Modern Beijing
A day trip to see the Great Wall of China is definitely in order! The Great Wall is a 13,000 mile fortification built over 2,000 years to protect China from northern invaders. Obviously you can see the Great Wall from many different locations, but some of the best are located just a few hours away from Beijing.
The easiest option is to take a day trip to Badaling. This section of the Great Wall is about 1-1.5 hours away from Beijing. But it’s pretty touristy and overrun with crowds. A better option is a day trip to Mutianyu. The section of the wall is restored and offers a cable car ride up and the option to toboggan ride down. It’s about 1.5 hours away from Beijing and is less crowded than Badaling usually is.
If you have the energy when you get back to Beijing, make your way to the Beijing National Stadium, also known as the Bird’s Nest. It was built for the 2008 Olympics. It’s especially great at night when it is beautifully lit. Then go to 798 Art Zone. Old factories now house trendy art galleries, cafes, and street art. There are more than 250 galleries to explore featuring contemporary Chinese art in many forms.
Day 7: Sacred Beijing
Get up early this morning to go to the Temple of Heaven where you will see locals practicing Tai Chi, playing games, or exercising. The Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests is a highlight of the complex. There’s also an echo wall at the Imperial Vault of Heaven you can test out. And make sure to walk along the Danbi Bridge, a raised pathway linking the Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests and the Imperial Vault of Heaven.
Spend a few hours at one of the Beijing hutongs. These are historic narrow alleys built around courtyard houses that can be as old as 700-800 years. Today many house cafes, bars, and shops. Qianmen hutongs is near the major sights, so it’s the best option for this busy day.
Next, visit Lama Temple. There are five main halls to visit, including the Hall of Heavenly Kings, Hall of Harmony and Peace, Hall of Everlasting Protection, Hall of the Wheel of Law, and the Pavilion of Ten Thousand Happiness. There’s a giant Buddha statue carved from a single piece of Tibetan sandalwood to admire. There’s also a sculpture made of gold, silver, copper, iron, and tin called the 500-Arhat-Hill.
Finally, make your way to the Summer Palace. Walk the Long Corridor, a covered walkway spanning more than 2,000 feet. Make sure to admire the thousands of paintings of Chinese history, landscapes, and mythology. Then climb up Longevity Hill to see panoramic views of the palace grounds and Kunming Lake. Along the way, you will see the Tower of Buddhist Incense. This three-story octagonal building houses a giant golden Buddha statue with a thousand hands. Other must-see sites are the Seventeen-Arch Bridge and the Marble Boat. You can also spend time wandering through the gardens, or taking a boat ride on Kunming Lake.
Two Weeks in China
If you only have one week to spend in China, fly out of Beijing on Day 8. And start planning your next trip back! But if you are lucky enough to have another week, we have a lot of great places in store for you!
Day 8: Stay in Beijing
I advise staying in Beijing one more day. You can switch the Summer Palace to this day and any other place you missed along the way. You can explore more of the hutongs – Wudaoying Hutong offers boutiques, coffee shops, and hidden courtyards and Yandai Xie Street is the oldest commercial street in Beijing.
I also have allowed zero time in Beijing for shopping, and shopping is a must do here! Go to the Silk Street Market for silk, leather goods, tailor-made clothes, knock-off brands. The Pearl Market is also a must for pearls, jewelry, electronics, and other souvenirs. and the Panjiayuan Antique Market (Dirt Market) offers antiques and cultural items. And you must visit one of Beijing’s night markets. Choose from Gui Jie (Ghost Street), Wangfujing Snack Street, Panjiayuan Night Market, or Qianmen Food Street. You can get BBQ skewers and flash fried exotic delicacies at all of these markets. Great for an unusual dinner!
Day 9: Xi’an’s Old City
This morning you will transfer to Xi’an. Again, you can fly or take a high speed train. Flying takes about 2.5 hours, and the train between 4.5-6 hours. Leave early to maximize your time in Xi’an.
Spend the rest of the day the exploring Xi’an’s old city. Walk or bike around the Xi’an City Walls. Built 600 years ago, these are the best preserved city walls in China. You should also take some time to explore the Muslim Quarter for great street food and markets.
Day 10: Terracotta Army
Spend the morning admiring the famous Terracotta Army of Xi’an. Thousands of life-size soldiers, horses and chariots are on display. They originally were constructed to guard over China’s first emperor in the afterlife. You can find them at the Emperor Qinshihuang’s Mausoleum Site Museum. Afterwards, visit the Giant Wild Goose Pagoda, located in a circa 652 Buddhist temple called Jainfu.
In the late afternoon/evening, you will take a 2.5 hour flight to Guilin.
Day 11: Guilin & Longji Rice Terraces
This part of China is a great place to see rice terraces. Take this private tour to see the Longji Rice Terraces. You will learn about the culture of the Yao and Zhuang people who live there. And then take a trek through several beautiful rice terraces while you learn about rice farming.
Day 12: Li River & Yangshuo
Today we start with the must-do experience in this region, a Li River cruise. Choose a cruise that takes you from Guilin to Yangshuo that offers luggage storage, and book the upper deck. During an approximately four hour journey, you will enjoy seeing the striking steep limestone karsts jutting up from flat plains and glimpses of rural life.
Once in Yangshuo, drop your luggage at the hotel. Then go bamboo rafting on the Yulong River. Then end your day with Impression Liu Sanjie, an impressive show featuring over 600 performers that uses the Li River as a stage and the karst mountains as a backdrop.
Day 13: Chengdu Pandas
Board a high speed train to get back to Guilin. Then take a two hour flight to Chengdu. After storing your luggage at your hotel, visit the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding. Not only will you see the famously cute black and white giant pandas, you will also see the more rare red pandas.
Day 14: Departure
Today we depart China. But you will likely have some time to explore Chengdi a little more. It’s a great place to soak up Chinese culture in a relaxed atmosphere. Go to Jinli Pedestrian Street for street food, shopping, and local vibes. Visit a traditional teahouse in Chengdu Renmin Park. And definitely eat your fill of the Sichuan hot pot. You will cook raw ingredients in a pot of boiling spicy broth.
Book your flight home leaving from Chengdu Tianfu International (TFU). This is easier than returning all the way to Shanghai or Beijing to get home, although you will likely have a layover in another country on your way home. And no, you can’t count it on your list of countries visited unless you leave the airport!
What are you most excited about doing during your weeks in China?
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