First Time in China? The Perfect 7, 10 & 14-Day Itinerary for 2026
Plan your first trip to China with our detailed 7, 10, and 14-day itineraries. Day-by-day guides covering Beijing, Shanghai, Xi'an, Chengdu, and more — with practical tips, costs, and booking links.
Why China Should Be Your Next Trip
Let's cut through the noise: China is the most underrated travel destination on the planet.
You'll spend less than Thailand, eat better than Italy, ride trains faster than Japan, and walk through 5,000 years of history that makes European castles look like starter homes. Yet most Western travelers skip it because they think it's "too hard."
•Afternoon: Check in, walk The Bund at sunset (free) — the most iconic skyline in Asia
•Evening: Cross to Pudong side for a drink at a rooftop bar with Bund views
•💰 Day cost: ~$120 (including train)
Day 5-7: Shanghai — Where Old Meets Future
Day 5: Classic Shanghai
•Morning: Yu Garden ($5) + surrounding bazaar for souvenirs
•Lunch: Xiaolongbao (soup dumplings) at Jia Jia Tang Bao — $3 for 12 dumplings
•Afternoon: Walk the French Concession — tree-lined streets, cafés, boutiques
•Evening: Nanjing Road pedestrian street (think Times Square but bigger)
•💰 Day cost: ~$45
Day 6: Modern Shanghai
•Morning: Shanghai Tower observation deck ($25) — tallest building in China, 632m
•Afternoon: Zhujiajiao Water Town day trip (45 min by bus, $1 entry) — Venice of Shanghai
•Evening: Explore Xintiandi — upscale dining and nightlife district
•💰 Day cost: ~$60
Day 7: Departure Day
•Morning: Jing'an Temple or sleep in
•Pick up last-minute gifts at the airport
•Shanghai Pudong (PVG) or Hongqiao (SHA) airport
•💰 Day cost: ~$30
7-Day Budget Summary
Category
Budget
Mid-Range
Comfortable
Hotels
$70
$350
$840
Food
$85
$210
$350
Transport
$100
$130
$200
Activities
$50
$80
$150
eSIM
$15
$20
$25
**Total**
**$320**
**$790**
**$1,565**
The 10-Day Itinerary: Add Xi'an
Best for: History lovers who want to see the Terracotta Warriors
Days 1-4: Beijing + Train to Shanghai (same as above)
Day 5-6: Shanghai (condensed from above)
Day 7: Fly to Xi'an
•Morning flight Shanghai → Xi'an (2.5 hours, $60-100 on Trip.com)
•Afternoon: Walk the Ancient City Wall ($8) — rent a bike and cycle the full 14km loop
•Evening: Muslim Quarter for street food heaven. Roujiamo (Chinese burger, $1), lamb skewers ($0.50 each), biangbiang noodles ($2)
•💰 Day cost: ~$90
Day 8: Terracotta Warriors
•Full day: Terracotta Warriors Museum ($20) — one of the greatest archaeological finds in human history. Seriously. 8,000 life-sized soldiers, each with a unique face
•Take tourist bus 5 from Xi'an train station ($1, 1 hour)
•Afternoon: Huaqing Hot Springs nearby (included in many combo tickets)
•Evening: Tang Dynasty music and dance show (optional, $30-50)
•💰 Day cost: ~$60
Day 9: Xi'an Culture
•Morning: Big Wild Goose Pagoda ($7) — 1,300-year-old Buddhist pagoda
•Afternoon: Shaanxi History Museum (free, book online) — one of China's best museums
•Evening: Final Muslim Quarter food crawl
•💰 Day cost: ~$35
Day 10: Departure
•Fly from Xi'an to your international hub (Beijing/Shanghai) or direct international flight
•Xi'an Xianyang Airport (XIY) has growing international connections
10-Day Additional Cost: ~$250-400
The 14-Day Itinerary: The Grand Tour
Best for: Those who want the full China experience
Days 1-9: Beijing → Shanghai → Xi'an (same as above)
Day 10: Fly to Chengdu
•Flight Xi'an → Chengdu (1.5 hours, $50-80)
•Afternoon: Jinli Ancient Street — Sichuan snacks, tea houses, red lanterns
•Evening: Sichuan hot pot — the real deal. Mouth-numbing, sweat-inducing, life-changing. Budget $10-15 per person
•💰 Day cost: ~$80
Day 11: Giant Pandas
•Morning: Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding ($8). Go early (7:30 AM) when pandas are active
•Afternoon: Wuhou Shrine ($7) — dedicated to heroes of the Three Kingdoms era
•Evening: Kuanzhai Alley — the Chengdu version of Beijing's hutongs
•💰 Day cost: ~$45
Day 12: Leshan Giant Buddha (Day Trip)
•Take the high-speed train to Leshan (1 hour, $10)
•Leshan Giant Buddha ($11) — a 71-meter Buddha carved into a cliff face in 713 AD. The world's largest stone Buddha
•Take the boat ride for the best view ($7)
•Return to Chengdu by evening
•💰 Day cost: ~$50
Day 13: Fly to Guilin + Yangshuo
•Flight Chengdu → Guilin (1.5 hours, $60-90)
•Bus from Guilin to Yangshuo (1.5 hours, $3)
•Afternoon: Rent a bike and ride through the karst mountain countryside — the landscape on the ¥20 bill
•Evening: West Street in Yangshuo — backpacker paradise with stunning mountain backdrop
•💰 Day cost: ~$90
Day 14: Li River + Departure
•Morning: Li River bamboo raft or cruise from Yangshuo ($20-40) — one of the most photographed landscapes in the world
•Afternoon: Fly from Guilin to your departure city
•💰 Day cost: ~$70
14-Day Additional Cost: ~$400-600
Pro Tips for First-Timers
Getting Around
•High-speed rail is king. Faster than flying when you count airport time. Our complete HSR guide
•Metro systems are world-class. Every major city has one. English signage everywhere
•Didi is China's Uber. Works with international cards. Use it for short rides
