10 Days in China - The Perfect First-Timer's Itinerary
Landing in China for the first time can feel overwhelming - 1.4 billion people, a script you can't read, apps you've never used. But the country's Golden Route (Beijing - Xi'an - Guilin - Shanghai) was designed exactly for this. It hits all the iconic sights, each city is connected by high-speed rail or a short flight, and ten days is the sweet spot to see it all without burnout.
Before You Go
Before we dive into the itinerary, make sure you've covered the essentials:
- Visa: Most nationalities need a tourist (L) visa. Check our Visa Tourist Guide for the application process.
- Apps: Install Alipay (for payments), WeChat (for messaging and payments), DiDi (ride-hailing), and a VPN before you arrive. Our China Travel 101 guide has a full setup walkthrough.
- Packing: Late autumn / winter layers depending on your travel month. See Packing List for a complete checklist.
The 10-Day Golden Route
| Day | City | Highlights |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Beijing | Arrive, settle in, evening Wangfujing night market |
| 2 | Beijing | Forbidden City + Jingshan Park + Hutongs |
| 3 | Beijing | Great Wall (Mutianyu) - full-day trip |
| 4 | Beijing - Xi'an | Morning Temple of Heaven, afternoon high-speed train (4.5h) |
| 5 | Xi'an | Terracotta Warriors + Muslim Quarter |
| 6 | Xi'an - Guilin | City Wall cycling (morning), fly to Guilin (2.5h) |
| 7 | Guilin | Li River cruise to Yangshuo + West Street |
| 8 | Yangshuo | Cycling countryside + Moon Hill + evening Impression show |
| 9 | Yangshuo - Shanghai | Morning free, fly Guilin - Shanghai (2.5h), evening Bund walk |
| 10 | Shanghai | The Bund (day), Yu Garden, Huangpu River cruise, departure |
Day 1: Arrive in Beijing
Most international flights land at Beijing Capital (PEK) or Beijing Daxing (PKX). After customs and baggage, take the Airport Express to the city center (about 30?60 mins).
Where to stay: Dongcheng District (near Wangfujing or Gulou) - walking distance to Forbidden City and Hutongs.
Evening: Visit Wangfujing Night Market for skewers, candied hawthorn, and Beijing?? (yogurt). It's touristy but fun, and a gentle introduction to Chinese street food.
Day 2: Forbidden City & Hutongs
Morning (4 hours): The Forbidden City deserves at least half a day. Book tickets online at least 3 days ahead - they sell out. Walk south to north through the Gate of Heavenly Peace, the Outer Court (grand halls), and the Inner Court (imperial living quarters).
Lunch: Try Peking duck nearby at a local restaurant (not the expensive ones targeting tourists).
Afternoon: Climb Jingshan Park (directly north of the Forbidden City) for the iconic rooftop view. Then walk through the Hutong alleyways around Nanluoguxiang - Beijing's traditional neighborhood with courtyard homes, boutique shops, and tiny restaurants.
Evening: Beijing Travel Guide ?
Day 3: The Great Wall
Full day: Take a bus or private car to Mutianyu - the best-restored section for first-time visitors, about 1.5 hours from the city. It's less crowded than Badaling and has a toboggan ride down.
Pro tip: Go on a weekday. Arrive by 8:00 AM to beat the tour groups. Bring water and snacks - the food at the base is overpriced.
Day 4: Beijing - Xi'an
Morning: Visit the Temple of Heaven - a stunning Ming-era temple complex where emperors once prayed for good harvests. See locals practicing Tai Chi and singing opera in the park.
Afternoon: Take the G-series high-speed train from Beijing West to Xi'an North (4.5 hours, ?515 second class). Book your ticket on 12306 (China's official railway site) or have your hotel concierge help.
Evening: Xi'an's ancient City Wall is beautifully lit at night. Walk the Muslim Quarter for lamb skewers and pita-bread-soaked-in-soup (yangrou paomo).
Day 5: Terracotta Warriors
Morning: The Terracotta Warriors are 1 hour east of Xi'an. Three pits, but Pit 1 is the showstopper - 6,000 life-sized soldiers in battle formation. Give yourself 3 hours.
Afternoon: Back in the city, explore the Muslim Quarter - a warren of food stalls, spice shops, and mosques. Try biangbiang noodles and persimmon cakes.
Evening: Xi'an Travel Guide ?
Day 6: Xi'an - Guilin
Morning: Rent a bike and cycle the Xi'an City Wall (14 km, about 2 hours). It's the most intact ancient city wall in China and offers great views of the old city vs. the modern skyline.
Afternoon: Fly from Xi'an Xianyang (XIY) to Guilin Liangjiang (KWL) - about 2.5 hours, ?600?1,000. Alternatively, take the high-speed train (6.5 hours) if you prefer rails to wings.
Evening: Walk along the Two Rivers and Four Lakes - Guilin's central waterways are beautifully lit at night.
Day 7: Li River Cruise
The highlight of your trip: A 4-hour cruise from Guilin to Yangshuo down the Li River - the same landscape printed on the ?20 note. Karst peaks rise from misty waters like dragons' teeth.
Arrive in Yangshuo by mid-afternoon. Check into your guesthouse near West Street and wander the boutiques and caf?s.
Evening: Guilin Travel Guide ?
Day 8: Yangshuo Countryside
Morning: Rent an e-bike or bicycle and cycle the countryside trails - through rice paddies, past Moon Hill, and along the Yulong River. This is the China you came for: water buffalo, old stone bridges, and farmers in conical hats.
Afternoon: Visit Moon Hill - climb the 800 steps for a panoramic view of the karst landscape.
Evening: The Impression Liu Sanjie show - a spectacular outdoor performance directed by Zhang Yimou, set against the actual karst mountains as a backdrop. Book tickets in advance.
Day 9: Yangshuo - Shanghai
Morning: Last swim or countryside walk. Pick up some local tea or bamboo rice as souvenirs.
Afternoon: Bus back to Guilin (1.5 hours), then fly to Shanghai Pudong (PVG) - about 2.5 hours, ?700?1,200.
Evening: Walk the Bund at night - the iconic skyline: colonial-era buildings on one side, Pudong's futuristic towers on the other. The view never gets old.
Day 10: Shanghai & Departure
Morning: Visit Yu Garden (a Ming dynasty classical garden in the old city) and City God Temple area for xiaolongbao (soup dumplings) at the famous Din Tai Fung.
Afternoon: Take a Huangpu River cruise for a final water-level view of the Pudong skyline. Head to the airport 3 hours before your flight.
Departure: Most international flights leave from Shanghai Pudong (PVG). The Maglev train gets you there in 8 minutes from Longyang Road station.
Last stop: Shanghai Travel Guide ?
Costs for 10 Days
| Item | Budget ($) | Mid-Range ($) |
|---|---|---|
| Flights (domestic segments) | 250 | 400 |
| High-speed trains | 80 | 150 |
| Accommodation (9 nights) | 250 | 700 |
| Food | 150 | 350 |
| Attractions + tours | 120 | 250 |
| Transport (metros, taxis) | 50 | 100 |
| Total | ~900 | ~1,950 |
Use our Budget Calculator to customize this for your travel style.
When to Take This Trip
This itinerary works year-round, but the sweet spots are:
- April?May: Spring blooms, comfortable temperatures
- September?November: Clear skies, autumn colors, fewer crowds
- Avoid October 1?7 (Golden Week) and Chinese New Year (late Jan/early Feb)
Check Best Time to Visit China ? for month-by-month recommendations.