1 Week in China: 4 Itineraries to Maximize Your Time

Even if you just have 1 week to spend in China, you can still visit the top cities or even just spend some time in one or two places to really experience it. Our local specialists have a combined 20 years of experience in China, so they have put together suggested itineraries to help you make the most of your visit.

Itinerary #1: China Highlights - Beijing, Xi'an and Shanghai

Taking a weeklong vacation to explore the Golden Triangle is an excellent plan. This tour, which goes from Beijing to Shanghai with a stop in Xi'an, links China's historical grandeur with its modern marvels, making it an amazing 1-week itinerary for tourists who like to see the sights one at a time.

Begin your 7-day journey in Beijing, China's bustling capital. Here, you'll explore historical sites - Forbidden City at first. The Forbidden City, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, offers a glimpse into the imperial past of China, with its ancient buildings and significant artifacts. The afternoon offers a unique perspective of Beijing's history through a pedicab tour of the hutongs, highlighting the city's traditional lifestyle. You may sip tea in a hustling hutong, absorbing stories from locals whose families have lived there for generations.

On your second day, continue your Beijing exploration with a visit to the Great Wall of China at Mutianyu. This section, known for its well-preserved watchtowers, offers a unique look at one of the world's most famous landmarks, sharing endless tales of bravery and solitude. As you climb, feel those ancient warriors jogging beside you, cheering you on. It's a workout with a view. And when you reach the top, don't forget to snap some breathtaking photos for the folks back home - so smile through that muscle burn!

Later, board an overnight train to Xi'an, offering a glimpse into China's efficient rail system and a night-time view of the countryside. In Xi'an, you'll encounter an emperor's eternal army, the Terracotta Army. Discovered in 1974, these life-size sculptures in the mausoleum of Emperor Qin Shi Huang are a marvel of ancient Chinese art and engineering. Feel the sounds of chisels and hammers from over two millennia ago as artisans sculpted these guardians.

You'll also explore the Muslim Quarter, known for its vibrant streets and unique blend of Chinese and Muslim cultures. This area is an excellent spot for experiencing the local lifestyle and cuisine. Xi'an's city walls offer the best bike ride of your life, history with a side of adrenaline. Get ready to haggle like a pro, and if you end up with more souvenirs than you can carry, well, that's just part of the charm! And if you're up for it, make dumplings with a local family. Your dumplings might end up looking more like abstract sculptures!

Fly to Shanghai in the morning. This transition from an ancient capital to a bustling metropolis is a journey through China's dynamic evolution.

Delve into Shanghai's rich history and modern flair. Visit the Shanghai Museum to see ancient Chinese art, followed by a stroll through the Yu Garden, a perfect example of traditional Chinese landscape design. Your tour concludes at the Bund, Shanghai's famous waterfront, showcasing the city's colonial past and its transformation into a global financial hub.

Ride On the Ancient City Wall of Xi'an

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Itinerary #2: Best of China With Guilin Nature Beauty

In addition to touring Beijing's ancient sites and Shanghai's modern lifestyle, this 1-week itinerary includes a one-of-a-kind visit to Guilin, where you can see unique karst landscapes. Stand atop the Great Wall to witness the magnificent fortification built centuries ago, take a moonlight stroll across the Bund, and cruise down the Li River to immerse yourself in a real-life Chinese picture...There is more for you to explore.

After landing in Beijing, your first stop of this 1-week itinerary is a bustling capital city with over 21 million inhabitants, you'll meet your guide and transfer to your hotel. After you've settled in, it's highly recommended to take a walk around Wangfujing Street to savor the local street food under the neon glow, to bite delightful mystery.

The next day includes a trip to the Mutianyu section of the Great Wall - Not Just a Pretty Facade: you, atop the wall, wind in your hair, channeling your inner Mulan, except maybe with less singing and more huffing and puffing. You can ascend by cable car and walk along the ramparts, soaking in the stunning views. The day concludes with a visit to the Olympic Park, home to the 2008 Summer Olympics' iconic venues like the Bird's Nest and Water Cube.

Start with a tour of the vast Forbidden City, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. In the afternoon, fly to Guilin, known for its beautiful landscapes and subtropical climate.

Journey to Yangshuo County for a scenic boat cruise along the Li River, surrounded by picturesque landscapes. It's easy to understand ancient poets and painters finding inspiration here. Maybe even draft a haiku or two! Visit Moon Hill and the ancient Big Banyan Tree. Visit Reed Flute Cave in Guilin, a spectacular limestone cave adorned with colorful lights.

At last, off to Shanghai! Here, the French Concession blends Parisian charm with Shanghai's flair, perfect for an evening stroll. Visit the tranquil Yu Garden - Shanghai's ancient gardens await, you'd muse, lost in the lush tranquility. And the Shanghai Museum, showcasing ancient Chinese art. End the day atop the Shanghai Tower, because the best way to see a city is from above, especially at sunset.

The View of Li River, Yangshuo

Itinerary #3: China Essential With Yangzi River Cruise

Those who love to sail should definitely go on a Yangzi River Cruise in China. Traveling over two thousand kilometers from Chongqing to Yichang on the Yangzi River Cruise will expose you to many different cultures and ways of life in China. Besides, you will not miss out on the top sights in Beijing and Shanghai in this 1-week itinerary.

Your vacation in 1 week starts with an arrival in Beijing, a city balancing ancient history and rapid modernization. After your arrival, take an evening stroll on Wangfujing Street, a vibrant shopping district, and indulge in an array of street foods.

Witness the majesty of the Great Wall at Mutianyu, a well-preserved segment known for its breathtaking scenery. Then, dive into the heart of Beijing with a visit to Tiananmen Square and the awe-inspiring Forbidden City, a UNESCO World Heritage Site that captures the essence of ancient Chinese architecture.

Transition from the ancient capital to the dynamic city of Chongqing. From here, embark on a luxurious Yangtze River cruise, offering a blend of natural beauty and engineering prowess, including the Three Gorges and the monumental Three Gorges Dam. Picture yourself on the deck, wind in your hair, eyes feasting on the Three Gorges. It's nature's grand opera, and you've got front-row seats.

Discover the marvels of the Yangtze as you visit Shibaozhai, a hill crowned with a stunning nine-story wooden pagoda. Alternatively, explore Fengdu, a city rich in history and legends, now perched atop Ming Mountain after being relocated due to the dam construction.

Navigate through the Three Gorges - Qutang, Wu, and Xiling. Each gorge presents its unique landscape, from the narrow, dramatic cliffs of Qutang to the serene beauty of Wu Gorge. Experience these natural wonders up close with an excursion along the tranquil tributaries. If you see a monkey, it's customary to wave - they're the unofficial welcoming committee.

The cruise concludes on day six in Yichang. After touring the Three Gorges Dam, your journey concludes in Shanghai, where the future seems to unfold before your very eyes. Skyscrapers stretching towards the heavens, lights that rival the stars, and a pace of life that's as exhilarating as it is exhausting.

Enjoy the Yangtze River Scenery on Luxurious Yangtze River Cruise

Itinerary #4: Delve Into Beijing and Shanghai

Ready to embark on an epic 1-week journey through the ancient and modern marvels of China? Bustling Beijing streets, the serene Great Wall, Shanghai's futuristic skyline, and Suzhou's picturesque waterways. This seven-day tour is meticulously crafted for those yearning to taste China's rich tapestry of history, culture, and modernity.

Begin your 7-day journey in Beijing, a city where ancient history and rapid modernization converge. After settling, take an evening stroll down Wangfujing Street, this bustling hub is a microcosm of Beijing's dynamic culture, offering a glimpse into the local lifestyle and culinary delights.

Your second day is a dive into Beijing's imperial past. Explore the Summer Palace, an exquisite example of classic Chinese garden design. The sun glistening over Kunming Lake, as graceful as a scene from 'Hero'. Then, journey to Tiananmen Square, your open-air museum of monumental scale, a symbol of China's historical and political landscape, and step into the Forbidden City, where you'll step into a world of imperial grandeur, exploring the vast complex and its countless historical treasures.

Experience the awe-inspiring Great Wall at Mutianyu, a well-preserved section offering panoramic views and a tangible connection to China's ancient defensive systems. Conclude the day with a visit to the Olympic Park, a symbol of China's ascent as a global powerhouse. Explore the Temple of Heaven, a serene complex where emperors once prayed for bountiful harvests.

Discover Shanghai's rich cultural heritage with a visit to the classical Yu Garden, then marvel at the morden skyscraper Shanghai Tower.

Tour to Suzhou, known as the "Venice of Asia," and bask in the beauty of its classical gardens, notably the Master of the Nets Garden. Explore Tongli, a picturesque water town, float on tranquil canals, letting the gentle waves carry you through living history.

Ah, the winding journey's end, but not quite! You've delved into the local's life, experienced the peaceful water town, and even had your breath whisked away atop the Great Wall. It's been a kaleidoscope of experiences, each day a new brushstroke on the canvas of your memories. Now, as the sun sets on your seventh day, it whispers a fond 'zaijian'.

Yu Garden, Shanghai

Uncover the Hidden Gems of China With Odynovo

But wait, there's more! You've savored a mere appetizer of China's vast cultural banquet. How about doubling the fun? Think of '14 Days in China' as your gateway to more adventures. Strolling through time in some hidden gems of China. It's like pressing play on your favorite series' next episode - you know there's more excitement waiting.