Last updated: August 2025
Planning your first trip to China can feel overwhelming – and honestly, it should! This ancient civilization packed into a modern superpower offers experiences that’ll completely reshape your worldview. From bullet trains that make your hometown metro look prehistoric to street food that’ll ruin every dumpling you’ve ever had back home, China doesn’t just meet expectations – it demolishes them entirely.
Whether you have 10 days or 3 weeks, this guide will help you craft an unforgettable Chinese adventure that balances must-see icons with those “wait, did that really just happen?” moments that make travel stories legendary.
Quick Navigation
10-Day Express: The Greatest Hits
Perfect for: First-time visitors, limited vacation time, classic China bucket list
Cities: Beijing (4 days) → Xi’an (2 days) → Shanghai (4 days)
Days 1-4: Beijing – Where Ancient Meets Authoritarian
Day 1: Ease Into the Madness
- Morning: Land at Beijing Capital/Daxing Airport, take Airport Express to city center
- Afternoon: Check into Hutong hotel (trust us on this), walk through Nanluoguxiang alley
- Evening: Peking duck at Quanjude (tourist trap? Yes. Worth it? Absolutely.)
- Culture Shock Alert: The sheer scale of everything – even the “small” restaurants seat 200 people
Day 2: The Wall That Actually Lives Up to Hype
- Early Morning: Mutianyu Great Wall (less crowded than Badaling, cable car available)
- Pro Tip: Bring gloves – those ancient bricks are rougher than expected
- Afternoon: Summer Palace – imperial gardens that put Versailles to shame
- Evening: Wangfujing Street for scorpion skewers (Instagram gold)
Day 3: Imperial Overload
- Morning: Forbidden City (book ahead, allow 4 hours minimum)
- Mind-Bender: Realize this “palace” is actually 980 buildings
- Afternoon: Tiananmen Square and National Museum
- Evening: Temple of Heaven Park at sunset, watch locals doing tai chi
Day 4: Modern Beijing Reality Check
- Morning: 798 Art District – converted factory turned creative hub
- Afternoon: Silk Street Market for haggling practice (start at 10% of asking price)
- Evening: Sanlitun nightlife district – where you’ll meet English-speaking locals
Days 5-6: Xi’an – The Original Capital
Day 5: Warriors and Walls
- Morning: High-speed train from Beijing (4.5 hours of mind-blowing countryside)
- Afternoon: Terracotta Warriors – prepare for “how is this real?” moments
- Evening: Muslim Quarter food crawl – lamb burgers and persimmon cake
Day 6: Cycling and Surprises
- Morning: Bike the Ancient City Wall (14km of perfectly preserved Ming fortification)
- Afternoon: Giant Wild Goose Pagoda and fountain show
- Evening: Tang Dynasty dinner show (touristy but genuinely spectacular)
Days 7-10: Shanghai – Future Shock
Day 7: Skyline Sensory Overload
- Morning: High-speed train from Xi’an (6 hours)
- Afternoon: The Bund waterfront walk
- Evening: Oriental Pearl Tower or Shanghai Tower for sunset views
- Reality Check: This city has more skyscrapers than most countries
Day 8: Old Meets New
- Morning: Yu Garden and traditional tea ceremony
- Afternoon: French Concession tree-lined streets and boutique shopping
- Evening: Xintiandi for international dining and craft cocktails
Day 9: Markets and Modernization
- Morning: Fake Market (Hongqiao Pearl Market) for souvenir warfare
- Afternoon: Shanghai Museum – world-class without the crowds
- Evening: Huangpu River cruise – watch the city light up like a video game
Day 10: Last Taste of Madness
- Morning: Tianzifang maze of narrow alleys and local artisans
- Afternoon: Nanjing Road pedestrian mall people-watching
- Evening: Soup dumplings at Din Tai Fung before heading home
2-Week Deep Dive: Beyond the Obvious
Perfect for: Culture enthusiasts, food obsessives, “I want to understand China” travelers
Cities: Beijing (3 days) → Xi’an (2 days) → Chengdu (3 days) → Guilin (2 days) → Hong Kong (2 days) → Shanghai (2 days)
The 10-Day Foundation Plus…
Days 11-13: Chengdu – Pandas and Spice Tolerance Testing
Day 11: Panda Diplomacy
- Morning: Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding (arrive early for feeding time)
- Afternoon: Jinli Ancient Street – Tang Dynasty theme park done right
- Evening: Hot pot initiation – your spice tolerance will never recover
Day 12: Sichuan Soul
- Morning: Leshan Giant Buddha day trip (1.5 hours each way)
- Afternoon: Wenshu Monastery for Buddhist calm after Buddha awe
- Evening: Chunxi Road for Sichuan opera face-changing show
Day 13: Tea House Philosophy
- Morning: People’s Park tea house – master the art of doing absolutely nothing
- Afternoon: Kuanzhai Xiangzi (Wide and Narrow Alleys) for architectural time travel
- Evening: Street food crawl in Jiuyanqiao district
Days 14-15: Guilin – Nature’s Instagram Filter
Day 14: Landscape Poetry
- Morning: Flight from Chengdu (2 hours)
- Afternoon: Li River cruise to Yangshuo (4 hours of jaw-dropping scenery)
- Evening: West Street international backpacker vibes
Day 15: Rural Reality
- Morning: Bamboo rafting on Yulong River
- Afternoon: Moon Hill climbing for panoramic views
- Evening: Impression Liu Sanjie outdoor light show (created by Zhang Yimou)
Days 16-17: Hong Kong – The Hybrid Experience
Day 16: East Meets West Perfected
- Morning: High-speed train from Guilin (3 hours) – cross from mainland to SAR
- Afternoon: Victoria Peak tram ride and skyline views
- Evening: Symphony of Lights from Tsim Sha Tsui waterfront
Day 17: Dim Sum and Democracy
- Morning: Tim Ho Wan for world’s cheapest Michelin-starred meal
- Afternoon: Star Ferry ride and Temple Street Night Market
- Evening: Ozone Bar (world’s highest bar) for farewell drinks
3-Week Immersion: China Like a Local
Perfect for: Digital nomads, cultural deep-divers, “I might move here” explorers
Everything above, plus:
Days 18-21: Choose Your Own Adventure
Option A: Silk Road Extension (Xinjiang)
- Urumqi and Turpan: Experience China’s Muslim heartland, Uighur culture, and desert landscapes
- Fair Warning: Complex political situation requires cultural sensitivity
Option B: Tibetan Buddhism (Lhasa)
- Potala Palace and monasteries: Altitude adjustment required, permits necessary
- Note: Special Tibet Travel Permit required for foreign visitors
Option C: Southern Comfort (Yunnan Province)
- Kunming → Dali → Lijiang: Ethnic minorities, ancient towns, and tea culture
- Bonus: More relaxed pace, incredible biodiversity
Option D: Economic Powerhouse (Guangzhou + Shenzhen)
- Manufacturing hub reality: See where your phone was probably made
- Modern China: Fastest-developing region, tech innovation centers
Hidden Gems You Won’t Find Elsewhere
Secret Beijing
- Ghost Street (Gui Jie): 24-hour food paradise hidden in plain sight
- 798 Art District rooftops: Unofficial climbing spots with city views
- Hutong breakfast spots: Local congee and baozi joints without English menus
Underground Xi’an
- Tang West Market Museum: Ancient Silk Road trading post recreation
- Shaanxi History Museum: World-class artifacts with zero international recognition
- Local noodle shops: Hand-pulled noodle masters performing edible art
Shanghai Secrets
- Propaganda Poster Art Centre: Communist kitsch in basement gallery
- Moganshan Road art scene: Pre-gentrification creative spaces
- Wet markets at dawn: Real Chinese morning routine experience
Chengdu Insider Knowledge
- Mahjong parks: Join local games with universal tile language
- Sichuan Opera tea houses: Intimate performances vs. tourist spectacles
- Hot pot ingredient markets: See what goes into the fire pot
Final Reality Check: What This Trip Actually Changes
This isn’t just tourism – it’s perspective surgery. You’ll return home unable to explain why your local Chinese restaurant suddenly tastes like cardboard, why your subway system seems designed by toddlers, or why mobile payments haven’t reached Mars-level advancement yet.
China doesn’t just meet expectations; it rebuilds your understanding of what’s possible when 1.4 billion people decide to modernize simultaneously. Whether you’re marveling at 2,000-year-old warriors or getting your mind blown by cities that didn’t exist 30 years ago, every day delivers those “how is this real?” moments that make travel addictive.
The real magic happens in the spaces between – the smile from a noodle shop owner who doesn’t speak your language, the moment you successfully navigate Beijing subway at rush hour, or the realization that despite everything you thought you knew about this country, you’re still constantly surprised.
Pack comfortable walking shoes, download translation apps, bring an open mind, and prepare for the most fascinating culture shock of your life.
Ready to book? Check our detailed city guides for specific recommendations, or browse our Plan Your China Trip to ensure your Middle Kingdom adventure exceeds even your wildest expectations.
This guide is regularly updated based on current travel conditions and visitor feedback. Have questions or want to share your China travel story? Contact us – we love hearing how this ancient-modern wonderland continues to amaze first-time visitors.