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7-Day China Itinerary [Full Itinerary]
Do you have little time or want to set up a epic journey combining China with another country like South KoreaDon't even think twice! Although it's a giant that's impossible to exhaust, this China itinerary in 7 days It's designed to give you the best. taste of mouth possible without giving up what is essential.
We'll tell you about it a 7-day China itinerary We wanted to know how to optimize your time and make the most of your days without wasting time commuting. It's the ideal introduction to getting the most out of your time. a week in China, cross off the most iconic places from your list and, above all, be left with that crazy desire to go back for the second course.
- 7-day China itinerary (summary of itinerary)
- 7-day itinerary through China, day by day
- Day 1 | Arrival in Beijing
- Day 2 | Exploring Beijing
- Day 3 | Great Wall of China Excursion
- Day 4 | Transfer to Shanghai
- Day 5 | Exploring traditional Shanghai
- Day 6 | Day trip to Zhujiajiao
- Day 7 | Shanghai and back home
- Preparations for this 7-day China itinerary
- Frequently asked questions for a 7-day China itinerary
route by China in 7 days (itinerary summary)
For a first trip through China in 7 days, the most important thing is do not attempt to abacar tooDistances within the country are vast, and it's not worth wasting time traveling thousands of kilometers. Therefore, in this itinerary, we recommend focusing on two key areas that are fantastic examples of China, allowing you to appreciate its ancient culture and the rapid modern development of its cities.
This combination is, in our opinion, the best way to discover the country on a first visit in just a few days. We've summarized it for you. proposed day-by-day itinerary:
- Day 1 and 2: Touring Beijing
- Day 3: Gran Muralla China
- Day 4 and 5: Shanghai
- Day 6: Excursion to Zhujiajiao
- Day 7: Shanghai and back home
7-day itinerary through China day by day
To begin your journey through China Ideally, you should enter the country through Beijing and leave through Shanghai (or vice versa).If it's cheaper for you to buy a round-trip ticket to the same airport, you can take a high-speed train or domestic flight on your last day. We'll begin the route by passing through 3 days in Beijing, although I really dedicatedcarWe'll take one of them to visit the Great Wall of China.
Day 1 | Arrival in Beijing
On your first day in China, you might be quite tired after your flight, and between passport control, airport transfer, and checking into your accommodation, you may not have much time for sightseeing. So I recommend dedicatingcar the hours you have available for a relaxed plan, Visit some of the city's main temples.
You can not lose yourself the temple of heavenLocated in the heart of a huge park where you'll find many locals practicing outdoor sports like tai chi.
Other temples that you should know are the Lama Temple and Confucius TempleThey are very close to each other, yet different from one another. They are also located in a very walkable area with narrow alleyways.
When night falls you can go to have dinner and take a stroll along Qianmen StreetIt's one of the most interesting and lively streets in the entire capital. We went on our first day in China and had a fantastic time with so much to see and do! There are also many restaurants there, especially those specializing in Peking duck.
Day 2 | Touring Beijing
During the morning of the second day you will be able to visit some of the Beijing's most iconic landmarksIt's easy to get from one to the other by combining taxi (the best is the Didi app), public transport and walking.
Tiananmen Square and the Forbidden City
Start early in the Tiananmen square, one of the largest and most iconic spaces in China. The Forbidden City can be accessed from the square itself.The enormous imperial palace where the country's most important emperors have resided. Don't forget to buy your ticket in advance at the official website or book a Guided tour with entrance included.
Access to Tiananmen Access is controlled; to enter the venue you need to book a ticket through the WeChat app. Within the app, there's a search bar where you should copy this: The author of the book "The Greatest Hits in the World"You will see something called a miniprogram that allows you to book tickets. Admission is freeWe recommend booking in advance, although there is almost always availability.
After visiting the Forbidden City, exiting through the north gate, you will only have to cross the street to get to Jingshan ParkThis park is famous for having a viewpoint with one of the best views of BeijingYou'll see the Forbidden City from above.
Hutongs and Drum and Clock Towers
In the afternoon we recommend you visit the Drum Tower and Clock Tower, located opposite each other in a neighborhood of hutongsThese are neighborhoods of traditional houses where you can observe the daily life of the local population.
As the sun sets, visit the nearby Shichahai hutongIt's a very popular neighborhood with a lake surrounded by restaurants where you can enjoy traditional dishes like Peking duck. There are also many bars with live music.
Day 3 | Great Wall of China Excursion
On the third day you will experience one of the most anticipated moments of the tripVisit the Great Wall of China. It's a must-do day trip from Beijing and one of the best stops on this 7-day China itinerary.
Our recommendation is to go to section of MuntianyuIt's not far from the center of Beijing, the mountainous environment is spectacular y It's not as crowded as other areas..
You can find much more detailed information in our guide about How to visit the Great Wall of ChinaIt also includes information about other nearby sections.
Day 4 | Transfer to Shanghai
There are different ways to to go from Beijing to ShanghaiBut the train is usually the best option for this type of trip, both for its price and its speed.
We advise you leave Beijing as early as possible to make the most of your Shanghai itineraryThis way you can stroll around and discover some of the most interesting places during the afternoon of this fourth day of your tour through China.
nanjing road
Once you have checked in at your Shanghai accommodation head to Nanjing RoadThis pedestrian street is probably the most important commercial thoroughfare in the city. The street has a lively atmosphere, especially during the afternoon and early evening. It is lined with many restaurants, shops, and carBright TVs, there's so much to see that it's normal to spend a couple of hours exploring it.
The Bund, China's most beautiful skyline
At the end of Nanjing Road you'll reach The Bund, a promenade along the Huangpu River, undoubtedly Shanghai's most popular spot. On the opposite bank of the river you'll see the photogenic Pudong skyline with the iconic Oriental Pearl Tower and Shanghai TowerThe third tallest building in the world, standing at 632 meters. We recommend visiting this area at sunset so you can compare the views before and after the buildings light up.
After enjoying The Bund you could cross to the other side of the river by subway to see the skyscrapers from below.
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Day 5 | Touring traditional Shanghai
After experiencing the most modern Shanghai, the fifth day of this route through China is about discovering its more traditional side.
Yu Garden
Start by visiting the Yu Garden and its surroundings, one of the most traditional corners of Shanghai. It's a very touristy area, but if you go early in the morning there won't be too many people. Here you'll find streets with lanterns, shops, traditional food stalls, and beautiful buildings with traditional architecture.
We recommend visiting the garden if you have time; admission is around 40 yuan. Inside, you'll explore various classical pavilions, landscaped areas, and several ponds that create a relaxing atmosphere.
Jade Buddha Temple
The next stop we recommend is at the Jade Buddha TempleThe best way to reach it from the Yu Gardens is by subway or taxi. This Buddhist temple is famous for its jade Buddha statue, which was brought from Myanmar. It is forbidden to take photos. So if you want to know what one of the most famous Buddhas to see in Shanghai is like, you will have to do it with your own eyes.
French Concession, a neighborhood very different from the rest
For food, we recommend visiting the French Concession. This neighborhood is a favorite among expats living in Shanghai and has a wide variety of restaurants and cafes.
The French Concession is a trendy neighborhood with a lot of historical pastOne of those lively neighborhoods where you can stroll around without going anywhere in particular. One of the The most popular areas are TianzifangA network of alleyways has developed into a bustling market selling handicrafts, souvenirs, and art galleries. If you prefer a guided tour to learn about the neighborhood's history, you can arrange this with [unclear - possibly "guide" or "tour"]. This free tour.
Longhua Temple
If you're still interested in seeing more Buddhist temples, take the subway to the station of Longhua Temple and to be able to explore Shanghai's oldest Buddhist temple, built in the 3rd century. What surprised us most about this temple is its great seven-story pagoda.
There are also many prayer rooms; in one of them you will find a giant bell that is rung in special ceremonies such as Chinese New Year's Eve, when the monks ring it 108 times.
Jing'an Temple
A good way to end a more traditional day in Shanghai is by visiting Jing'an Temple is right when night fallsFor us, this is the best time; it's worth observing its traditional architecture illuminated and surrounded by skyscrapers, creating the contrast between tradition and modernity for which Shanghai is so renowned.
Day 6 | Day trip to Zhujiajiao
For the sixth day of this China route, we recommend taking a day trip from Shanghai and Visit one of its famous water villagesThere are several nearby towns that resemble a Chinese version of Venice, such as Suzhou or Zhujiajiao, which was the one we chose.
⪼ You can read much more about him at Zhujiajiao, the Venice of Shanghai.
This village, with some 1700 years of history, is crisscrossed by canals, stone bridges, and traditional shops, creating a unique atmosphere. Furthermore, it is very easy to visit since You can reach Zhujiajiao by subway from ShanghaiThe journey only takes one hour.
Just like alternative plan: you can stay in ShanghaiIt's such a big and interesting city that there's always something to see! You won't get bored!
Day 7 Shanghai and back home
The last day of this unforgettable 7-day trip through China has arrived. Depending on your flight time, you'll still have a few hours to explore the city, but don't rush, as you need to allow some time for the transfer to Shanghai airport and passport control.
This last day is perfect for revisiting the area you liked the most or discovering some corner you may have missed. You could visit LujiazuiIn the Pudong financial district, see the skyscrapers and the Oriental Pearl Tower from below.
We also recommend Visit People's Square if you happen to be there on the weekendHere you can see the ancient and curious Chinese tradition of bachelor markets, where parents advertise their children to try to find them partners. Don't miss the opportunity to... take a walk in a parkIt's really fun to see the variety of outdoor sports that retirees practice in China; Century Park is the largest in the city.
Preparations for this 7-day route through China
Traveling to China requires considering a few important details before you arrive. It's not a complicated destination, but it is different from other countries, especially regarding payments, internet access, and transportation. With the tips we share below, your trip will be much easier.
Internet in China – Restrictions and VPNs
One of the main problems when traveling to China is that Western apps and websites like Facebook, WhatsApp, and Google are banned by the government. However, it's possible to bypass these restrictions and use the internet normally if you have a VPN.
The easiest way is buy an eSIM card with VPN included to have internet in China. For us the best is the eSIM of Holafly With unlimited internet, we used it for more than 20 days and it was great.
China travel insurance
In general, we consider insurance essential when traveling abroad, but this is especially important in a country with a culture and a health system so differentFor a one-week trip through China, the insurer Heymondo We think it's the best option, their policies'Tranquility Trip" or "Top Trip'They have very high coverage and They include the option of hiring an interpreter to translate. medical indications.
If you need more information about this we have an article analyzing the best insurance for china where we compare the best insurance companies, their prices and coverage.
How to pay in China
In China, paying with cash is a thing of the past, and foreign cards don't usually work either.
The most practical option is to use Alipay or WeChat, which allows you to pay with your mobile phone anywhere, from restaurants to public transport. You need to enter your card details in the app (preferably a commission-free card when paying in yuan , the TradeRepublicand pay using a QR code that appears in the app. To avoid problems, we always recommend setting up the app before your trip.
▶ We have a guide explaining Step by Step How to set up and use Alipay.
Intercity transport in China
Trains in China work wonderfully and are the best way to get around. The only problem is that the system... ticket sales for foreigners It's neither efficient nor practical. They can only be purchased physically at the box office or through the website. Trip.com.
▶ To make your life easier, we've written a guide on how Buying train tickets in China (and the types of trains that exist).
FAQ for a 7-day tour of China
Most European nationalities do not require a visa to travel to China for a week. Check your embassy's website for specific requirements for your nationality.
Yes, as long as you don't want to opencar Too much. China is a huge country and you won't have time to see everything, but it is enough time to a first complete route in the vicinity of Beijing and Shanghai.
Traveling independently in China isn't complicated if you have a little preparation. It might seem difficult because of the language and apps, but nowadays, with Alipay, mobile translators, and the efficient public transport network, it's quite easy to get around.
Yes, China is a very safe country for independent travel. Crime rates are very low, and you can move around safely even at night.
Yes, if you use the correct eSIM. Many Western websites and apps like Google, WhatsApp, Instagram, and YouTube are blocked. To browse smoothly, you'll need one. eSIM with VPN reliable installed before arriving.
I hope this 7-day China itinerary is helpful for your next trip. If you have any questions, leave a comment and we'll try to help.
To read more about each specific place and many other tips you can go to the guides of travel to China or see our featured stories from Instagram. Thanks for reading us!
