China Travel Guide 2026: Beijing, Xi'an & Shanghai Itinerary

Last verified: August 2026

China: Ancient Wonders and Ultramodern Cities

China packs a strange, brilliant contrast into every itinerary: 2,000-year-old temples sitting a subway ride away from some of the tallest, most futuristic skylines on Earth. This guide includes a genuinely important 2026 update: many travelers doing exactly this Beijing-Xi'an-Shanghai route can now enter without applying for a visa at all, under a policy expansion most older guides don't mention.

7-Day China Itinerary

Day 1: Beijing – Imperial Beijing

• Morning: The Forbidden City
• Afternoon: Tiananmen Square
• Evening: Dinner near Wangfujing Street

Day 2: Beijing – The Great Wall

• Morning: Great Wall day trip (Mutianyu or Jinshanling section)
• Afternoon: Continue exploring the wall or return to the city
• Evening: Peking duck dinner

Day 3: Beijing – Temples & Hutongs

• Morning: Temple of Heaven
• Afternoon: Explore the hutong alleyways by bike or rickshaw
• Evening: Night train or flight to Xi'an

Day 4: Xi'an

• Morning: Terracotta Army
• Afternoon: Xi'an City Wall bike ride
• Evening: Muslim Quarter street food

Day 5: Shanghai

• Morning: Flight to Shanghai, check in
• Afternoon: The Bund waterfront and Yu Garden
• Evening: Huangpu River night cruise

Day 6: Shanghai – Modern City

• Morning: Shanghai Tower observation deck
• Afternoon: Tianzifang and French Concession shopping
• Evening: Rooftop bar with skyline views

Day 7: Departure

• Morning: Last-minute shopping or a tea ceremony
• Afternoon: Departure

Where to Eat in China

• Da Dong (Beijing) – One of the most famous spots for authentic Peking duck.
• Muslim Quarter street stalls (Xi'an) – Try yangrou paomo (lamb and bread soup) and hand-pulled noodles.
• Din Tai Fung – Famous for soup dumplings (xiaolongbao), with locations across major cities.
• Jia Jia Tang Bao (Shanghai) – A local favorite for soup dumplings, often with a line out the door.
• Local night markets – Found in every major city, great for cheap, casual street food.
• Hot pot restaurants – A fun, interactive meal worth trying at least once, especially in the evening.

Best Hotels in China

• Budget: Beijing Downtown Backpackers Accommodation, Xi'an City Walls Youth Hostel
• Mid-range: Novotel Beijing Xinqiao, Grand Park Xi'an, Hanting Hotel Shanghai Bund
• Luxury: The Peninsula Beijing, Sofitel Legend People's Grand Xi'an, The Peninsula Shanghai

Staying near a metro station in each city makes it easy to get around without relying on taxis, especially since ride-hailing apps often require a local phone number.

How Much Does a Trip to China Cost?

Costs vary by travel style, but here's a grounded daily budget per person:

• Budget traveler: $50–80/day (hostel, metro and trains, street food and casual meals, low-cost sights)
• Mid-range traveler: $120–200/day (3-star hotel, occasional taxis, sit-down restaurants, paid attractions)
• Luxury traveler: $350+/day (upscale hotel, fine dining, private guides, domestic flights)

You may not need a visa for this exact itinerary

Since December 17, 2024, China's transit exemption was expanded from the older 72/144-hour policy to a 240-hour (10-day) visa-free transit covering citizens of 55 countries, and it fits this itinerary almost perfectly. The key rules: you must be traveling from one country through China to a different third country (not back to your starting country, and not ending your trip in China), you must enter and exit through one of 65 designated ports across 24 eligible regions (Beijing and Shanghai airports both qualify), and the 240-hour clock starts at midnight the day after you land. Under the expanded regions rule, entering via Beijing lets you also legally visit Xi'an under the same transit exemption — exactly the route in this itinerary. If your trip doesn't fit this pattern (for example, flying home to the same country you departed from), you'll need a standard tourist visa or check if you qualify for China's separate 30-day visa-free entry program, which now also covers UK and Canadian passport holders.

Other things to budget for: the Great Wall entry and transport (around $30–50 for a guided day trip), the Terracotta Army (around $17), and a high-speed train between cities (around $40–80 depending on distance and class).

Practical Tips for Visiting China

• Best time to visit: April–May and September–October for mild weather and fewer crowds.
• Check whether your nationality and routing qualify for the 240-hour visa-free transit before assuming you need a full visa.
• Download a VPN before you arrive — many common apps and sites are restricted, and mobile data VPNs can be unreliable to set up locally.
• Cash is rarely used; most payments run through WeChat Pay or Alipay, which now support foreign cards — set these up before your trip.
• High-speed trains are fast, comfortable, and a great way to cover long distances between cities.

Frequently Asked Questions About Visiting China

How many days do you need for this China itinerary?

7 days covers Beijing, the Great Wall, Xi'an, and Shanghai without feeling rushed.

Do I need a visa to visit Beijing, Xi'an, and Shanghai?

Possibly not — if you're flying from one country through China to a different third country, citizens of 55 countries qualify for a 240-hour (10-day) visa-free transit that covers exactly this route. Check your eligibility and routing rules before assuming you need a full visa.

Is China expensive to visit?

China can be visited on a range of budgets — budget travelers can manage $50-80/day using hostels and street food, while luxury trips with private guides and domestic flights push costs past $350/day.

What is the best time of year to visit China?

April-May and September-October offer the most comfortable weather and smaller crowds than summer.