China in 10 days

Add your first day to see each day's date, weather, sunset and closing days.

1. Day 1The Forbidden City, Jingshan and ShichahaiPalace Museum (Forbidden City), Jingshan Park, Di'anmen Outer Street, Shichahai lakeside at Yinding Bridge, Beihai Park, Huguosi Street8:30 AM to 6:00 PM · Not on Mondays
2. Day 2The Great Wall at Badaling and the Lama TempleBeijing North Railway Station, Badaling Great Wall, Beijing North Railway Station, Xisi North Street, Lama Temple (Yonghe Temple), Nanluoguxiang, Guijie (Ghost Street)7:30 AM to 6:00 PM
3. Day 3The Temple of Heaven, old food streets and the Summer PalaceTemple of Heaven, Qianmen Street, Niujie, Summer Palace, Seventeen-Arch Bridge, Summer Palace, Huguosi Street8:30 AM to 6:30 PM
4. Day 4High-speed train to Xi'an and the Muslim QuarterBeijing West Railway Station, Xi'an North Railway Station, Yongxingfang, Xi'an City Wall (Yongning Gate), Muslim Quarter (Beiyuanmen)7:30 AM to 6:00 PM
5. Day 5The Terracotta Army and the Big Wild Goose PagodaTerracotta Army (Emperor Qinshihuang's Mausoleum Site Museum), Lishan Garden (Mausoleum of the First Qin Emperor), Yongxingfang, Bell Tower of Xi'an, Big Wild Goose Pagoda, Grand Tang Mall8:30 AM to 6:00 PM
6. Day 6Fly to Shanghai and explore the North BundXi'an Xianyang International Airport, Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport, Shanghai Hongqiao Airport arrival food areas, Shanghai Jewish Refugees Museum, North Bund by the International Cruise Terminal, Huanghe Road7:30 AM to 6:00 PM · Not on Mondays
7. Day 7The Bund, Yu Garden and People's SquareThe Bund, Yu Garden, Yuyuan Bazaar, Shanghai Museum (People's Square), Nanjing Road Pedestrian Street, Yunnan Road South food street8:00 AM to 6:00 PM · Not on Mondays
8. Day 8Jing'an Temple, Wukang Road and XintiandiJing'an Temple, Wukang Mansion (Wukang Road), Wujiang Road, Tianzifang, Xintiandi, Huanghe Road8:30 AM to 6:00 PM
9. Day 9A full day in Zhujiajiao water townFangsheng Bridge, Zhujiajiao, Kezhi Garden, Zhujiajiao, North Street, Zhujiajiao, Zhujiajiao Post Office, Xijing Street, Zhujiajiao, Jiangnan No 1 Tea House, Zhujiajiao, Caohe Street, Zhujiajiao9:00 AM to 6:00 PM
10. Day 10Shanghai Museum East and departureShanghai Museum East, Shanghai Pudong International Airport10:00 AM to 1:00 PM · Not on Tuesdays

Before you go

• Book these aheadPalace Museum (Forbidden City) (day 1), Beijing North Railway Station (day 2), Terracotta Army (Emperor Qinshihuang's Mausoleum Site Museum) (day 5): timed tickets, or tickets that often sell out.
• Book trains earlyHigh-speed tickets go on sale about 15 days ahead and sell out around holidays. Book on 12306 with your exact passport name.
• Carry your passport dailyMuseums, parks and trains check tickets against your name and passport number, so keep the passport you booked with on you.
• Set up mobile paymentLink a Visa, Mastercard or other foreign card to Alipay, WeChat Pay or UnionPay before you go, and carry some yuan cash too.
• Plan around MondaysMany big sights close on Mondays except public holidays, including the Palace Museum, Yu Garden and the Shanghai Museum. Swap days if needed.
• Check your chargersChina runs on 220 V. Check the label before plugging in: a device marked only 120 V will be damaged.
• Allow for transfer delaysBook intercity tickets before fixing sightseeing times. On travel days, leave optional visits out if your train, flight or hotel check-in takes longer.