China in 10 days

Arrival and airport transfer

Use the metro for central sights. PEK and PKX are different airports; check the airport code before arranging transfers. Great Wall trips require separate transport planning.

Simple meal near your stay

Keep the arrival day light and allow time for luggage and check-in.

Check in and learn the neighborhood

Save the hotel address, locate the nearest station and test payment.

Peking roast duck

Confirm ingredients and prices before ordering.

Rest and confirm tomorrow

Plan major museums around confirmed reservation slots. Avoid accepting unsolicited tea, art-show or private-ticket invitations near tourist areas.

Palace Museum · Forbidden City

Walk the central courtyards, then choose a few galleries instead of trying to see every hall. Reserve a substantial half-day and plan the entrance and exit separately.

Peking roast duck

Choose a meal near the day's main stop. Check ingredients, allergies and menu prices directly.

Shichahai hutongs

Lakeside lanes and residential courtyards offer a different rhythm from the imperial sights. Keep to public paths and ask before photographing residents.

Allow approximately 30–60 minutes for a local cross-city transfer; major excursions can take longer. A planning allowance, not a checked journey time.

Local dinner near your base

Choose a nearby restaurant and keep dietary notes available in Chinese.

A short walk, or an early night

Keep the evening optional. Check tomorrow's reservations and transport before resting.

Mutianyu Great Wall

A restored Great Wall section beyond central Beijing. Allow a full excursion day including transfers, choose a walk suited to your fitness and check weather.

Hutong breakfast

Choose a meal near the day's main stop. Check ingredients, allergies and menu prices directly.

Continue the excursion, then return

Keep the afternoon for the main site and return transfer. Avoid a second distant attraction. Confirm access and return transport.

Allow approximately 30–60 minutes for a local cross-city transfer; major excursions can take longer. A planning allowance, not a checked journey time.

Local dinner near your base

Choose a nearby restaurant and keep dietary notes available in Chinese.

A short walk, or an early night

Keep the evening optional. Check tomorrow's reservations and transport before resting.

Temple of Heaven

A ceremonial architectural complex set in a spacious park. Separate a visit to the historic buildings from a slower walk through the surrounding grounds.

Zhajiang noodles

Choose a meal near the day's main stop. Check ingredients, allergies and menu prices directly.

Shichahai hutongs

Lakeside lanes and residential courtyards offer a different rhythm from the imperial sights. Keep to public paths and ask before photographing residents.

Allow approximately 30–60 minutes for a local cross-city transfer; major excursions can take longer. A planning allowance, not a checked journey time.

Local dinner near your base

Choose a nearby restaurant and keep dietary notes available in Chinese.

A short walk, or an early night

Keep the evening optional. Check tomorrow's reservations and transport before resting.

Station transfer and high-speed train

A dedicated transfer day. Check exact stations or airports, add both city transfers and follow current check-in rules. No live fare or availability is checked.

Use the metro for central sights. PEK and PKX are different airports; check the airport code before arranging transfers. Great Wall trips require separate transport planning.

Meal during the journey

Carry water and allow time for a meal without risking departure.

Arrival, transfer and check-in

Xi'an North is the main high-speed rail hub. The Terracotta Warriors are outside the city center: reserve generous transfer time and verify your return option.

Biangbiang noodles

Eat near your new base after travel.

Optional neighborhood walk

If delayed or tired, rest. Keep sightseeing for tomorrow.

Terracotta Warriors

Visit the excavated army pits with time to understand their archaeological setting. The site is in Lintong outside central Xi'an; leave room for both the museum and the transfer.

Roujiamo

Choose a meal near the day's main stop. Check ingredients, allergies and menu prices directly.

Continue the excursion, then return

Keep the afternoon for the main site and return transfer. Avoid a second distant attraction. Confirm access and return transport.

Allow approximately 30–60 minutes for a local cross-city transfer; major excursions can take longer. A planning allowance, not a checked journey time.

Local dinner near your base

Choose a nearby restaurant and keep dietary notes available in Chinese.

A short walk, or an early night

Keep the evening optional. Check tomorrow's reservations and transport before resting.

Xi'an City Wall

See the shape of the old city from its walls. Choose a manageable segment rather than assuming a complete circuit; walking and cycling conditions can vary.

Biangbiang noodles

Choose a meal near the day's main stop. Check ingredients, allergies and menu prices directly.

Muslim Quarter lanes

A lively food district with smaller side streets beyond the busiest lanes. Ask about ingredients, compare prices before ordering and be considerate around places of worship.

Allow approximately 30–60 minutes for a local cross-city transfer; major excursions can take longer. A planning allowance, not a checked journey time.

Local dinner near your base

Choose a nearby restaurant and keep dietary notes available in Chinese.

A short walk, or an early night

Keep the evening optional. Check tomorrow's reservations and transport before resting.

Airport transfer and flight

A dedicated transfer day. Check exact stations or airports, add both city transfers and follow current check-in rules. No live fare or availability is checked.

Xi'an North is the main high-speed rail hub. The Terracotta Warriors are outside the city center: reserve generous transfer time and verify your return option.

Meal during the journey

Carry water and allow time for a meal without risking departure.

Arrival, transfer and check-in

Use the metro for cross-city travel. Hongqiao airport and railway station are neighboring hubs; Pudong airport is a different journey. Suzhou and Hangzhou are practical onward rail stops.

Xiaolongbao

Eat near your new base after travel.

Optional neighborhood walk

If delayed or tired, rest. Keep sightseeing for tomorrow.

Yu Garden

A classical garden surrounded by a busy market district. Confirm the garden's ticket arrangements separately from the public streets outside.

Xiaolongbao

Choose a meal near the day's main stop. Check ingredients, allergies and menu prices directly.

The Bund

Walk the west-bank promenade for historic buildings and views across the Huangpu River to Pudong. Early morning is often quieter; evenings offer a different atmosphere.

Allow approximately 30–60 minutes for a local cross-city transfer; major excursions can take longer. A planning allowance, not a checked journey time.

Local dinner near your base

Choose a nearby restaurant and keep dietary notes available in Chinese.

A short walk, or an early night

Keep the evening optional. Check tomorrow's reservations and transport before resting.

Rail to Hangzhou, then West Lake

Confirm train and station; add a local transfer before walking a section of West Lake. Return to Shanghai only if it fits your departure; otherwise stay overnight.

Longjing tea

Choose a meal near the day's main stop. Check ingredients, allergies and menu prices directly.

Longjing tea villages

Tea-growing slopes outside the busy lakefront. Stay on permitted routes and agree tasting or purchase costs in advance.

Allow approximately 30–60 minutes for a local cross-city transfer; major excursions can take longer. A planning allowance, not a checked journey time.

Local dinner near your base

Choose a nearby restaurant and keep dietary notes available in Chinese.

A short walk, or an early night

Keep the evening optional. Check tomorrow's reservations and transport before resting.