BEST Beijing, Xi’an, Nanjing, Shanghai Itinerary: 3, 7, 10+ Days (2026)
Hi! This itinerary is based on my personal experiences.
I’m a native Chinese and the creator of this website, Yenkid In China.
With my all-in-one guide, you will find it much easier to plan your trip!
My take 🐼
In this itinerary, you will discover four of China’s ancient capitals + a famous ancient walled city + a beautiful scenic city + one of the world’s most futuristic cities.
I have personally visited them.
A great balance of historical sites, city life, nature, skyscrapers.
And of course many regional dishes from one of the world’s most delicious cuisines!
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I have provided a detailed day-by-day breakdown, my secret tips, and recommended links for you to book your trip.
You can organise this trip entirely by yourself. You do not have to book with a travel agency to organise this.
I’m not an agency. I’ve shared this itinerary to help you organise it independently like I did.
That’s part of the fun!
You can still book tours for individual attractions + activities like food tours separately.
It’s possible to do this itinerary in reverse!
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🛏️ I book hotels on Trip because it gives me the best prices ($26 cheaper for one booking!) + has way more hotels for China. What made it even cheaper was getting exclusive discounts as a new user. Register here!
🚅 I recommend booking trains on Trip as it offers the best English language interface + you can reserve tickets further in advance.
Quick Summary
Beijing (3 days) ➡️ Pingyao (1 day) ➡️ Xi’an (3 days) ➡️ Luoyang (2 days) ➡️ Nanjing (3 days) ➡️ Suzhou (1 day) ➡️ Shanghai (2 days)
Popular add-on: Hangzhou (2 days)
SEE FULL ITINERARY BELOW
💡You don’t have to visit all cities. This is a flexible itinerary.
You’ll see the itinerary is split into separate 3-day, 7-day, 12-day, 15-day sections.
Use this as your template + modify + delete to suit your length of stay & preferences
My suggested 3-DAY itinerary 👣
3 days is good for visiting Beijing.
In one line: Beijing is truly one of the world’s grandest cities, with so many historic landmarks and unique neighbourhoods to admire.
Day 1 - BEIJING
Why I find this day special: taking in the gigantic scale of Beijing’s landmarks
AM - Tiananmen Square ➡️ Forbidden City ➡️ Jingshan Park 👉🏻 buy your tickets here
PM - Nanluoguxiang ➡️ Shichahai ➡️ Drum Tower + Bell Tower ➡️ Wangfujing Pedestrian Street
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🛏️Sleep in Beijing (3 nights)
👉🏻 I recommend New World Beijing for its central location, which is one of the best I’ve ever stayed in.
+ Mandarin Oriental Wangfujing Beijing for its skyline views
➡️ For further details about best districts, check out my Ultimate Beijing Travel Guide
Activities to consider
👉🏻 Food tour with a local guide
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Day 2 - BEIJING
Why I find this day special: the most famous wall in the world + one of the most majestic temples
AM - Great Wall 👉🏻 buy your tickets here
PM - Temple of Heaven
🛏️Sleep in Beijing
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Day 3 - BEIJING
Why I find this day special: beautiful gardens + magnificent lakes + modern architecture
AM - Summer Palace ➡️ Old Summer Palace ➡️ 👉🏻 buy your tickets here
PM - Bird’s Nest Stadium ➡️ Water Cube ➡️ 798 Art Zone ➡️ CCTV Headquarters ➡️ Sanlitun
🛏️Sleep in Beijing
🍜My suggested meals: Peking duck 北京烤鸭, zhajiangmian 炸酱面, pan fried crepe 煎饼
🥢My suggested eating districts: Wangfujing 王府井, Qianmen 前门大街, Guijie 簋街
❗For more details, check out my Ultimate Beijing Travel Guide for a detailed breakdown
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My suggested 7-DAY itinerary 👣
7 days is great for visiting 3 places.
This itinerary follows on from the previous section:
In one line: Pingyao is one of the most famous walled cities in China. So much traditional architecture and a unique vibe.
Day 4 - BEIJING ➡️ PINGYAO
Why I find this day special: Feels like stepping back into ancient times. I love that there are no cars inside the walls!
🚅Morning - Take the train from Beijing Fengtai station (others may be available) to Pingyaogucheng station
⌚Travel Time - Around 3-4 hrs
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PM - Ancient Government Office ➡️ Rishengchang Former Bank ➡️ Confucius Temple ➡️ Ancient City Wall ➡️ Ming Qing Jie
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🛏️Sleep in Pingyao (1 night)
👉🏻 I suggest staying in a courtyard hotel within the city walls. It’s a different experience!
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In one line: Xi’an is one of the world’s most famous ancient capitals. It is also known as Chang’an!
Day 5 - PINGYAO ➡️ XI’AN
Why I find this day special: visiting the heart of the ancient capital + tasting some of Xi’an best cuisine
AM - Shuanglin Temple (a 15 min taxi ride)
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🚅Afternoon - Take the train from Pingyaogucheng station to Xi’an North station
⌚Travel Time - Around 3 hrs
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PM - Bell Tower ➡️ Drum Tower ➡️ Huimin Jie
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🛏️Sleep in Xi’an (3 nights)
👉🏻 I recommend staying inside the city walls. Areas around the Bell and Drum Towers are a great choice.
Elegant Hotel Xi'an Bell Tower for Tang dynasty themed rooms
Sofitel Legend People’s Grand Hotel for superb service and interiors
Activities to consider
👉🏻 Food tour with a local guide
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Day 6 - XI’AN
Why I find this day special: Qin Shi Huang’s most famous army + gardens + theatre
AM - Terracotta Warriors ➡️ Lishanyuan 👉🏻 buy your tickets here
PM - Huaqing Palace ➡️ Romantic Show of Xi’an or The Great Qin
🛏️Sleep in Xi’an
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Day 7 - XI’AN
Why I find this day special: some of China’s most precious relics + ancient architecture
AM - Shaanxi History Museum
PM - Xi’an City Wall ➡️ Giant Wild Goose Pagoda ➡️ Grand Everbright City ➡️ Tang Paradise 👉🏻 buy your tickets here
🛏️Sleep in Xi’an
🍜My suggested meals: ròu jiā mó 肉夹馍, biáng biáng miàn 𰻞𰻞面/油泼面, yáng ròu pào mó 羊肉泡馍
🥢My suggested eating districts: huí mín jiē (Muslim Quarter) 回民街, yǒng xīng fāng 永兴坊, sǎ jīn qiáo 洒金桥
❗For more details, check out my Ultimate Xi’an Travel Guide
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My suggested 12-DAY itinerary 👣
9 days is perfect for visiting at least 4-5 places.
This itinerary follows on from the previous section:
In one line: Luoyang was China’s capital for over 13 dynasties, older than Xi’an! Many incredible historical sites to see.
Day 8 - XI’AN ➡️ LUOYANG
Why I find this day special: visiting the cradle of Buddhism in China + seeing one of the best ancient skylines
🚅Morning - I recommend taking the train from Xi’an North station to Luoyang Longmen station
⌚Travel Time - Around 1.5 hrs
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PM - White Horse Temple ➡️ Luoyi Ancient Town ➡️ Shizi Night Market ➡️ Mingtang Tiantang ➡️ Yingtianmen
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🛏️Sleep in Luoyang (2 nights)
👉🏻 I recommend staying in Xigong district or Laocheng district which are on either side of Yingtianmen.
I stayed in this hotel which is close to the centre of the city and has great night views.
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Day 9 - LUOYANG
Why I find this day special: seeing the mind-blowing grottoes + visiting one of China’s most famous temples
AM - Longmen Grottoes 👉🏻 buy your tickets here
PM - Shaolin Temple 👉🏻 you can combine a tour with the Longmen Grottoes here
🛏️Sleep in Luoyang
🍜My suggested meals: Luoyang beef soup 洛阳牛肉汤, pan fried dumpling 锅贴, braised mutton noodles 烩面🥢My suggested eating districts: Luoyi Ancient Town 洛邑古城, Shizi Night Market 十字街夜市
❗For more details, check out my Ultimate Luoyang Travel Guide for a detailed breakdown
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In one line: one of China’s four ancient capitals rich with history from multiple periods. A traditional-modern vibe.
Day 10 - LUOYANG ➡️ NANJING
Why I find this day special: exploring the city’s most famous lake, its most iconic temple, and the Ming city wall.
🚅Early morning - Take the train from Luoyang Longmen station to Nanjing South station
⌚Travel Time - Around 4-5 hrs
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PM - Xuanwu Lake ➡️ Jiming Temple ➡️ City Wall, Jiefangmen ➡️ 1912 District
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🛏️Sleep in Nanjing (3 nights)
👉🏻 I recommend staying in Xuanwu district or Qinhuai district, the two most central districts near most of the classic attractions. Near Xinjiekou or Xuanwu Lake is best in my opinion.
This hotel is centrally located and has delivery robots.
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Day 11 - NANJING
Why I find this day special: an unforgettable visit + learning about the history of China’s far and near past.
AM - Memorial Hall of Nanjing Massacre
PM - Presidential Palace ➡️ Porcelain Tower of Nanjing ➡️ Laomendong ➡️ Qinhuai River ➡️ Fuzimiao
🛏️Sleep in Nanjing
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Day 12 - NANJING
Why I find this day special: one of the China’s best artifact collections + a scenic day full of history
AM - Nanjing Museum ➡️ Zijin Mountain Scenic Area
PM - Meilinggong ➡️ Ming Xiaoling Mausoleum ➡️ Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum ➡️ Yinyuetai (Music Hall) ➡️ Linggu Temple (all within the Zijin Mountain Scenic Area)
🛏️Sleep in Nanjing
🍜My suggested meals: Nanjing duck 南京烤鸭, salted duck 盐水鸭, tangbao (soup dumplings) 汤包
🥢My suggested eating districts: 1912 District, Fuzimiao 夫子庙, Laomendong 老门东
❗Check out my Nanjing Ultimate Travel Guide
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My suggested 15-DAY itinerary 👣
This itinerary follows on from the previous section:
In one line: a city covered with canals and traditional gardens. A chill vibe.
Day 13 - SUZHOU
Why I find this day special: some of the most picturesque gardens I have visited + the canal scenery is just so relaxing
🚅Early Morning - Take the train from Nanjing South to Suzhou station 👉🏻 book your train here
⌚Travel Time - Around 1 hr
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AM - Humble Administrator’s Garden👉🏻 buy your tickets here
PM - Suzhou Museum➡️ Lion Grove Garden ➡️ Pingjiang Lu ➡️ Qilishantang ➡️ Gate To The East ➡️ Jinji Lake
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🛏️Sleep in Suzhou (1 night)
👉🏻 I recommend staying in the old city or Jinji Lake.
Park Hyatt Suzhou located next to Jinji Lake
Scholars Boutique with a central location + a garden courtyard
🍜My suggested meals: sweet and sour squirrel fish 松鼠桂鱼, ào zào miàn 奥灶面, crab roe noodles 蟹黃面
🥢My suggested eating districts: Pingjiang Lu 平江路, Guanqianjie 观前街
❗Check out my Suzhou Ultimate Travel Guide
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In one line: one of China’s most futuristic and cosmopolitan cities. The skyline never gets old!
Day 14 - SHANGHAI
Why I find this day special: a futuristic skyline, tranquil places, and a very lively pedestrian street
🚅Morning - Take the train from Suzhou station to Shanghai station 👉🏻 book your train here
⌚Travel Time - Around 30 mins
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AM - Jing’an Temple
PM - Shanghai Tower/Oriental Pearl Tower observation deck ➡️ Yu Garden ➡️ Nanjing Road Pedestrian Street ➡️ The Bund promenade 👉🏻 buy your tickets here
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🛏️Sleep in Shanghai (2 nights)
👉🏻 I recommend staying in the following districts:
Huangpu district - if you want quick access to majority of attractions. Some hotels will have views of the Huangpu River, the Bund, or the Pudong skyline
Jingan district - if you want to be close to Jing’an Temple and a combination of both local and international restaurants
This hotel and this one are fantastic for skyline views.
Activities to consider
👉🏻 Food tour with a local guide
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Day 15 - SHANGHAI
Why I find this day special: the serene neighbourhoods and classic landmarks
AM - Wukang Mansion ➡️ Shanghai Museum/China Art Museum
PM - Tianzifang ➡️ Xintiandi ➡️ Shanghai Circus World 👉🏻 buy your tickets here
🛏️Sleep in Shanghai + depart for next destination/home in the morning
🍜My suggested meals: xiǎo lóng bāo 小笼包, shēng jiān bāo 生煎包, yáng chūn miàn 阳春面
🥢My suggested eating districts: Nanjing Lu, Wujiang Lu, Chenghuangmiao Laojie
❗For an expanded Shanghai itinerary, check out my Shanghai Ultimate Travel Guide
SUMMARY NOTES📝
You don’t have to do the full itinerary. Cut and swap depending on what interests you the most!
LENGTH OF STAY 📅
If you’re mainly here for ancient historical sites in Beijing, Xi’an, Luoyang, I recommend at least 8 days.
If you can only choose the three most important cities, I recommend at least 9 days.
If you want to explore all cities, I recommend at least 14-15 days.
If you want a more full-on experience covering day trips away from the cities, I recommend at least 16-18 days.
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MY ADVICE FOR ARRIVAL CITY 🛬
I recommend you fly directly into Beijing for this itinerary. You can also do this itinerary in reverse.
Note that Beijing and Shanghai both have two airports.
Check out my article The 9 Best Airports To Fly Into China
If you want an even longer trip in this part of China, consider adding the following destinations:
➡️ Hangzhou
➡️ Huangshan
➡️ Water towns like Tongli, Zhouzhuang, Wuzhen, Nanxun
For ticket prices, see ultimate guide for each city!
These articles are particularly relevant for planning your trip:
By the way, check if you can save money on your China trip by:
For more itinerary ideas, see:
My selected China itineraries for 2026
Best Beijing, Xi’an, Chengdu, Chongqing Itinerary: 3 Days, 7 Days, 10+ Days
Best Shanghai + East China Itineraries: 3 Days, 7 Days, 10 Days
Best Chengdu and Sichuan Itineraries: 3 Days, 7 Days, 10 Days
Best Hong Kong, Guangzhou, Guilin Itineraries: 3 Days, 7 Days, 10 Days
To work out how much time to spend in China, check out:
How Long Should I Spend In China On My First Trip? Example Itineraries
