Explore the best of China’s history, culture, and modern wonders in 10 days!
Day 1-3: Beijing – Ancient Capital & Iconic Landmarks
Highlights: Great Wall, Forbidden City, Local Food
- Day 1: Arrive in Beijing. Visit Tiananmen Square and the Forbidden City (book tickets online!). Evening: Wangfujing Street for street food.
- Day 2: Hike the Great Wall at Mutianyu (less crowded than Badaling). Afternoon: Summer Palace. Evening: Kung Fu Show at Red Theatre.
- Day 3: Explore Temple of Heaven and Hutongs (try a rickshaw ride). Fly to Xi’an at night.
Tips:
- Use Didi (China’s Uber) or the subway to get around.
- Try Peking Duck at Quanjude or Da Dong.
Day 4-5: Xi’an – Terracotta Warriors & Ancient Culture
Highlights: Terracotta Army, Muslim Quarter
- Day 4: Visit the Terracotta Warriors Museum (hire an English guide). Afternoon: Xi’an City Wall (bike rental available).
- Day 5: Explore the Muslim Quarter for snacks like yangrou paomo (lamb soup). Evening: Fly to Shanghai.
Tips:
- Stay near the Bell Tower for convenience.
Day 6-7: Shanghai – Modern Metropolis & Water Towns
Highlights: The Bund, Zhujiajiao, Skyline Views
- Day 6: Walk The Bund and visit Yu Garden. Evening: Shanghai Tower (world’s 2nd tallest building) for sunset.
- Day 7: Day trip to Zhujiajiao Water Town (like Venice of China!). Return to Shanghai for a acrobatics show.
Tips:
- Use the metro; avoid taxis during rush hour.
- Try xiaolongbao (soup dumplings) at Din Tai Fung.
Day 8-9: Guilin & Yangshuo – Karst Landscapes
Highlights: Li River Cruise, Countryside Biking
- Day 8: Fly to Guilin. Cruise the Li River to Yangshuo (4 hours of stunning views). Evening: Impression Sanjie Liu light show.
- Day 9: Bike through rice fields or try bamboo rafting on the Yulong River.
Tips:
- Stay in Yangshuo for a relaxed vibe.
- Try beer fish, a local dish.
Day 10: Departure
- Fly back to Shanghai/Beijing for your international flight, or extend your trip to Chengdu (pandas!) or Tibet.
Travel Essentials
- Visa: Apply in advance (check requirements for your country).
- Apps: Download WeChat (for payments), Google Translate (works with VPN), and Trip.com (for bookings).
- VPN: Use ExpressVPN/Astrill to access Google/Facebook.
- Cashless: Set up Alipay TourPass (foreigner-friendly mobile payment).
Final Tip: Learn basic Mandarin phrases like “Nǐ hǎo” (Hello) and “Xièxiè” (Thank you)—locals appreciate the effort!
Enjoy your China adventure! 🇨🇳✈️