1 Week in China: 4 Itineraries to Discover the Highlights in 7 Days

Only have 1 week to spend in China? Don't worry, a 7-day itinerary in China is okay to capture those highlights in the top cities of Beijing and Shanghai, or just focus on 2 to 3 cities during this week-long trip to China. However, since it is still a short travel period, which requires careful planning, and below are four reference 1-week itineraries to help you make the most of your China visit.

Itinerary #1: Classic China: Beijing, Xi'an & Shanghai

• Travel Route: Beijing→Xi'an→Shanghai
• Best Time to Visit: March to June & September to November
• Keywords: First-time visitors, China essentials, highlights of the Golden Triangle, cultural experience

Taking a weeklong vacation to explore the Chinese Golden Triangle is an excellent plan, especially for a first-time visit to China. This 1-week itinerary goes from Beijing to Shanghai with a stop in Xi'an, linking China's historical grandeur with its modern marvels at a time.

Day	Things to Do	Overnight
Day 1	Beijing Beckons: Unpack and Unravel	Beijing
Day 2	Dynastic Dreams: Forbidden City, Tiananmen	Beijing
Day 3	Conquer the Great Wall, Rail Ride Under the Stars	On Train
Day 4	Xi'an's Ancient Army, Buzzing Bazaars	Xi'an
Day 5	From Xi'an's Past to Shanghai's Present, Soaring to New Heights	Shanghai
Day 6	Shanghai's Canvas: Museums and Mystic Gardens	Shanghai
Day 7	So long, Shanghai	-

Day 1-3 Beijing: Forbidden City, Hutong, Mutianyu Great Wall

After your sound rest on the arrival day, begin your 7-day China itinerary in Beijing on the second day. Take a glimpse into the imperial past of China from the historical Forbidden City, the ancient royal palaces with UNESCO World Heritage Site buildings, and significant artifacts.

The afternoon offers a unique perspective of Beijing's traditional lifestyle. Through a pedicab tour, you can sip tea in a hustling hutong, absorbing stories from locals whose families have lived there for generations.

On the third day, continue your Beijing exploration with a "workout" at the Great Wall of China at Mutianyu (with scenic view and convenient climb). When you reach the top of the watchtower, don't forget to snap some breathtaking Instagram photos.

Day 4-5 Xian: Terracotta Army, Xi'an City Wall, Muslim Quarter

Board an overnight train to Xi'an, where you'll encounter the First Emperor of Qin's eternal army, the Terracotta Army, with about 8,000 vivid life-size sculptures in the mausoleum, a marvel of ancient Chinese art and engineering.

After sightseeing at the Eighth Wonder of the World, your private driver will take you to Xi'an's City Walls for an exciting bike ride on the ancient walls, while capturing those red lantern-lit streets below.

Explore the Muslim Quarter on the fifth day, an excellent spot for experiencing the unique blend of Chinese and Muslim cultures, vibrant local street lifestyle, and cuisine. Make dumplings with a local family, and get ready to haggle like a pro before your flight to Shanghai.

Ride On the Ancient City Wall of Xi'an

Day 6-7 Shanghai: Shanghai Museum, Yu Garden & the Bund

Witness the transition between an ancient capital and a bustling metropolis in Shanghai on your sixth and seventh day's journey.

Beginning from the Shanghai Museum to see ancient Chinese art, followed by a stroll through the Yu Garden, a perfect example of traditional Chinese landscape design, with a lively Yuyuan Market nearby for your extra linger with local snacks, handicrafts, and artworks.

End your China 1-week itinerary at the Bund, Shanghai's famous waterfront, showcasing the city's colonial past and its transformation into a global financial hub.

Itinerary #2: Natural Beauty in Beijing, Guilin & Shanghai

• Travel Route: Beijing→Guilin→Shanghai
• Best Time to Visit: April to June & September to October
• Keywords: Natural scenery, countryside escape, ethnic minority traditions, Karst mountains

If you prefer those relaxing in nature and the cozy countryside with living ethnic minority traditions, combine Guilin's unique karst landscapes with Beijing's ancient and Shanghai's modern make your 7-day Chinese itinerary a one-of-a-kind visit.

Day	Things to Do	Overnight
Day 1	Land in Beijing, Dive into Wangfujing Street's Night Bazaar	Beijing
Day 2	Journey to The Iconic Great Wall at Mutianyu, Followed by A Stroll in Olympic Park	Beijing
Day 3	Discover Forbidden City's, Evening Flight to Guilin's Serene Landscapes	Guilin
Day 4	Visit Longji Rice Terraces	Guilin
Day 5	Authentic Experience in Sanjiang	Shanghai
Day 6	Sail the Li River, Wander Beneath Moon Hill, Visit the Ancient Big Banyan Tree	Shanghai
Day 7	Soak in Yu Garden, Delve into the Shanghai Museum, and gaze from Shanghai Tower	-

Day 1-3 Beijing: Great Wall, Forbidden City

On your arrival day in Beijing, meet your guide and transfer to your hotel. After you've settled in, you can take a walk around Wangfujing Street to savor the local street food under the neon glow, as a fulfillment of your first night.

Start your weeklong China trip with a tour of the vast Forbidden City, a UNESCO World Heritage Site worth your whole day of sightseeing.

For the third day, board the cable car with wind in your hair, stand atop the Mutianyu Great Wall to witness the centuries-old magnificent fortification built among the verdant hills. After your authentic Beijing duck dinner, fly to Guilin for your next destination.

Day 4-6 Guilin: Yangshuo, Li River Cruise, Authentic Experience, Longji Rice Terraces

Your real-life Chinese ink wash painting journey begins in Longji, best for the spring and autumn visit to walk around its layered rice terraces in vivid green and waving gold, which can be your perfect photo background against the clear sky.

After your sound sleep at a tranquil rural guesthouse, continue your minority village journey in Sanjiang on the fifth day: from the wooden drum towers visit, to the Dong local dancing performance with their heavy silver crowns.

The following day, journey to Yangshuo County for a scenic boat cruise along the Li River, surrounded by lush mountains winding to the horizon. Collect those iconic karst landscapes painted on the 20 Yuan banknote, and visit Reed Flute Cave in Guilin, a spectacular limestone cave adorned with colorful lights, before your flight to Shanghai.

Day 7 Shanghai: Yu Garden & the Bund

At last, off to Shanghai! Here, the French Concession along the Bund blends Parisian charm with Shanghai's flair, perfect for an evening stroll. End the day at the tranquil Yu Garden - Shanghai's ancient gardens await, you'd muse, lost in the lush tranquility.

The View of Li River, Yangshuo

Itinerary #3: China Tour With Giant Panda in Chengdu

• Travel Route: Beijing→Xi'an→Chengdu
• Best Time to Visit: March to November
• Keywords: Family visitors, animal lovers, pandas, kid-friendly, foodie tour

When it comes to what truly represents China and shouldn't be missed during your 1-week itinerary in China, the giant panda is always at the top of the list. Especially for family visitors with kids or those who are looking for more than just filling their stomachs, Chengdu is definitely your go-to destination.

Day	Things to Do	Overnight
Day 1	Hello Beijing!	Beijing
Day 2	Forbidden City, Jingshan Park	Beijing
Day 3	Temple of Heaven, Summer Palace	Xi'an
Day 4	Terracotta Army, Giant Wild Goose Pagoda	Xi'an
Day 5	Fly to Chengdu, Enjoy Sichuan Hot Pot	Chengdu
Day 6	Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding	Chengdu
Day 7	Chengdu's Traditional Tea Houses, Sichuan Opera	-

Day 1-3 Beijing: Forbidden City, Tiantan, Summer Palace, Jinshan Park

Welcome to China's capital! After checking into your hotel, explore Beijing at your own pace. How about a sunset stroll around Tiananmen Square, as one of the most iconic landmarks of Beijing?

Start your second day with the Forbidden City, a fascinating maze of palatial halls, courtyards, and gardens, which served as the imperial palace for 24 emperors over almost 500 years. After going through the axis to the north gate, take a short walk to Jingshan Park, one of the best spots to shoot the panoramic views of the palace complex and Beijing's skyline.

Your last Beijing day begins at the Temple of Heaven, to witness the special echoes around this striking circular building. Followed by the Summer Palace in the afternoon for your relaxing pace. Walk along those bridges to explore the islands, or take a boat ride along the scenic shores. After dinner, catch the night train to Xi'an.

Day 4 Xi'an: Terracotta Army, Giant Wild Goose Pagoda

Your day begins with the Terracotta Army, China's most extraordinary archaeological sites, each unique in expression and posture. After walking through the pits and seeing the ongoing restoration, head back to the city to climb the seven stories of the Giant Wild Goose Pagoda for a whole view of this ancient city. Wrap up your day at the Muslim Quarter, with authentic lamb skewers to Chinese flatbread to satisfy your taste buds.

Day 5-7 Chengdu: Giant Panda, Hot Pot, Sichuan Opera, Sanxingdui Museum

Fly to Chengdu on the fifth day's morning, and head to a traditional hot pot restaurant and dive into the spicy, savory world of Sichuan flavors served with an assortment of fresh meats, vegetables, and tofu. No spicy pot is also available; just ask for Yuan Yang hotpot, the dual-flavor hotpot, for your first try.

For the next day, you will head to the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding, one of the best places in the world to observe these beloved creatures up close, from playful cubs to fully grown adults. Also, try to arrive early in the morning when the pandas are most active.

As for your final day in Chengdu, it is time to relax at one of Chengdu's traditional tea houses, enjoy a calming experience of tea-drinking while listening to live Chinese instrumental music, especially the Sichuan Opera, famous for its dramatic and mesmerizing face-changing performance. When there is still time left, make your way to Sanxingdui Museum, whose incredible bronze masks, golden objects, and jade artifacts allow you to connect with China’s deeper, lesser-known history.

Itinerary #4: Essential Beijing & Yangzi River Cruise

• Travel Route: Beijing→Yangtze River Cruise→Shanghai
• Best Time to Visit: April to October
• Keywords: river cruise, boat trip, relaxation, seasonal views

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.

Day	Things to Do	Overnight
Day 1	Hello Beijing!	Beijing
Day 2	Scale the Mighty Great Wall at Mutianyu	Beijing
Day 3	Jet off to Chongqing, Hop Aboard a Yangtze Cruiser	Starlit Sleep on the Yangtze
Day 4	Step into Yesteryear at Shibaozhai or Fengdu's Ghostly Grounds	Starlit Sleep on the Yangtze
Day 5	Gorgeous Views: Qutang, Wu, Xiling in All Their Glory	Starlit Sleep on the Yangtze
Day 6	Cruise Finale in Yichang, Bullet-Train Blitz to Shanghai	Shanghai
Day 7	Shanghai Sends Off with a smile	-

Day 1-2 Beijing: Mutianyu Great Wall

Your China itinerary in 1 week starts with an arrival in Beijing. 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 on the second day, which is well-preserved with a cable car ride for your easy view of its winding segment. Then back to the heart of Beijing for its vivid nightlife.

Day 3-6 Yangzi River Cruise

Your next journey continues in Chongqing. Enjoy your luxurious Yangtze River cruise, 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.

You can make your shore trips with the Shibaozhai, a hill crowned with a stunning nine-story wooden pagoda, as well as the Fengdu city perched atop Ming Mountain. Then pass through the Three Gorges, from the narrow, dramatic cliffs of Qutang to the serene beauty of Wu Gorge. If you see a monkey, it's customary to wave - they're the unofficial welcoming committee.

Day 7 Shanghai Free Day

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 stretch 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

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.