From the Great Wall to the Bund — a balanced 10-day route that introduces newcomers to China's history, food and modern energy.
Why this route works
Three cities, ten days, zero overwhelm. Beijing for imperial history, Xi'an for the Terracotta Army and the Silk Road, Shanghai for skylines and modern China. High-speed trains connect them in 4-6 hours each, so you spend more time exploring and less time in transit.
Day-by-day overview
Days 1-4 · Beijing
- Day 1 Arrive, check in to a Wangfujing hotel, evening walk around Qianmen.
- Day 2 Forbidden City + Tiananmen Square + Jingshan Park sunset.
- Day 3 Great Wall at Mutianyu — quieter than Badaling, cable car up, toboggan down.
- Day 4 Temple of Heaven + Houhai Lake hutong tour by rickshaw.
Days 5-6 · Xi'an (high-speed train, ~4.5 h)
- Day 5 Terracotta Warriors half-day, ancient city wall by bike at sunset.
- Day 6 Muslim Quarter food crawl, Big Wild Goose Pagoda fountain show.
Days 7-10 · Shanghai (high-speed train, ~6 h)
- Day 7 Yu Garden + Old Town, evening on the Bund.
- Day 8 French Concession walking tour, M50 art district.
- Day 9 Day trip to Zhujiajiao water town or Suzhou.
- Day 10 Shopping on Nanjing Road, depart from Pudong.
What it costs
| Budget tier | Per person | Hotels |
|---|---|---|
| Comfort | USD 1,800 – 2,500 | 4★ central |
| Premium | USD 3,000 – 4,500 | 5★ landmark |
| Luxury | USD 6,000 + | Aman / Peninsula |
Prices include domestic transport, breakfasts, guided days and entrance tickets. Excludes international flights.
Booking tip
China's 240-hour visa-free transit covers most travellers visiting Beijing → Shanghai. Our team handles all paperwork — request a tailored 10-day proposal.
Travel light, pack layers, and download a VPN before you fly. The rest, we'll handle.
✦ Plan your trip
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