China itinerary in 10 days | Detailed itinerary + Map
If you need help organizing a a 10-day China itineraryto maximize your time and visit some of the country's top destinations, you're in the right place You will also find links to other very interesting articles where we explain in more detail what to do in some of the cities on the route.
This 10-day China itinerary provides all the necessary information to organize your trip, for example how to get from one city to another, the best areas to stay and of course what to see.
As you may know, China is a huge country, so It has a thousand beautiful and interesting places to visit. From large cities still unknown to Western tourism such as Chongqing, small towns anchored in the past like fenghuang and of course otherworldly natural areas such as the karst landscapes of Yangshuo or the mountains in Yunnan.
So this proposed route to travel around China in 10 days is designed for a first trip "typical." It's rich in culture and has efficient transportation options to make the most of your time.
route by China in 10 days
Here's a summary of our 10-day China itinerary, so you can get a quick idea of the proposed itinerary.
- Day 1 and 2: Pekin
- Day 3: Great Wall of China and Beijing
- Day 4: Datong and Yungang Grottoes
- Day 5: Historic city of Pingyao
- Day 6 and 7: Xi'an
- Day 8: Shanghai
- Day 9: Zhujiajiao or Suzhou
- Day 10: Shanghai and back home
Preparations before traveling to China
Before we start talking in detail about the stops on this route through China, we want to share some tips that will be very, very useful on your trip.
Internet – Restrictions and VPNs
One of the main drawbacks of traveling to China is that many apps and websites are banned by the government. Fortunately, you can bypass these restrictions and use your phone normally.
The best way is Hiring an eSIM card with VPN included to have internet in China. For us the best is the eSIM of Holafly, we used it for more than 20 days and it was great. Another option is to hire a VPN , the Surfshark and install it on your devices, it is very important to do this before arriving.
China travel insurance
In a country with a culture and a health system so different It is vital to have good insurance with 24-hour care and that includes the option of an interpreter to translate medical indications. For a 10-day trip through China we would opt for the insurance company Heymondo, specifically its policy 'Tranquility Trip" or "Top Trip'.
If you need more information about this we have an article analyzing the best insurance for china comparing different insurers, prices and their coverage.
How to pay in China
In China, paying with cash is a thing of the past, and paying by card is also not common, at least not directly. All payments are made through two applications, Alipay and WeChat. In short, you have to enter your card details in the App (preferably a commission-free card when paying in yuan , the TradeRepublic) and pay using a QR code that appears in the application.
▶ We have a guide explaining Step by Step How to use Alipay.
How to book trains in China
The Chinese rail network is the best way to travel around China and it is almost inevitable to make some journeys by train. But the ticket sales for foreigners It is neither efficient nor practical. They can be purchased at the box office or through the website of Trip.com.
▶ To make your life easier we have written a guide on how to Buying train tickets in China (and the types of trains that exist).
Route through China detailed day by day
In China there are two main entrance doors For international flights, these are the airports in Beijing and Shanghai. For this 10-day route through China, we'll start in Beijing, but if flights to Shanghai are cheaper, you can easily do it the other way around.
💡Check out the possibility of entering the country through one city and leaving through the other. It's the most efficient option.
Day 1 | First contact with China in Beijing
We start with the capital, which is literally an open air museum. We loved it.
Dedicate your first day in Beijing to exploring the city's main temples. Don't miss this the temple of heaven, located in the center of a huge park where we also recommend taking a walk and watching locals practicing sports such as tai chi.
Other temples that you should know are the Lama Temple and Confucius Temple, very close to each other.
One of the building complexes The most spectacular in all of Beijing is the Summer Palace, although it is somewhat far from the center and we recommend going by taxi or DiDi, (you need buy the ticket in advance).
When night falls you can go to stroll along Qianmen Street, one of the oldest and liveliest in the entire capital.
Day 2 | Beijing
The second day in Beijing you could dedicate to get to know the city center where some of the country's most important monuments are concentrated. For example, you can start by visiting the enormous Tiananmen square and then the world wide famous Forbidden City which is right next to the square (Don't forget to book your tickets in advance).
You also can't miss a stroll through Jinshan Park, which has privileged views. In addition to visiting the Drum Tower and Clock Tower located in a neighborhood of hutongs where you can get lost taking a walk and observing local life.
You can read more about what to see and do in the ▶ Guide to Beijing in 3 days or take a look at this interactive map, in which you also have recommended restaurants.
Day 3 | Great Wall of China
An epic day begins, this third day I suggest you visit one of the 7 wonders of the world, which in our opinion deserves its title. It's estimated that at its peak it measured around 21.000 km, and currently there are about 6.000 km left standing.
Our recommendation is to go to the Muntianyu section. It is not far from the center of Beijing, mountainous environment is spectacular y it is not so crowded like others.
You have all the information about How to get to Muntianyu independently or with a tour in the guide of how to get to the Great Wall of China, there is also information on other nearby sections.
To top off the day, head to Yandaixie Hutong, where the shores of Qinhai Lake They are full of restaurants and bars where you can have a drink. When we were there, there was a great atmosphere and everything was decorated with lights.
Day 4 | Datong and Yungang Grottoes
Catch an early train to Datong in Shanxi Province to continue your 10-day China itinerary. A city with a rich cultural heritage, it is home to two of China's most impressive sites: the Yungang Grottoes and the Hanging Monastery.
Yungang Grottoes
This monumental complex just 16 kilometers from Datong has 252 caves and more than 51.000 Buddhist statues, carved into the cliff North of Wuzhou Mountain. The caves, which stretch for a kilometre and were built between the 5th and 6th centuries, represent an exceptional fusion of rock art Buddhist in China.
To get there quickly better to go on Didi (Taxi app – they are not expensive in China). We tell you how to order and pay for them in How to pay in China with Alipay.
Hanging Monastery (Xuankong Si)
This Monastery, built more than 1.500 years ago, stands on a cliff 75 meters high, defying gravity and offering a spectacular view of the region. It is a masterpiece of ancient engineering and an example of religious syncretism, embodying elements of Buddhism, Taoism, and Confucianism.
It is located at 65km south of Datong, again the best way to go is by taxi or Didi, since there is no direct transport and you will waste a lot of time.
Day 5 | Pingyao Historical Town
We got up early and continued our 10-day tour of China by taking a train to Pingyao, a city that seems to have stopped in time. Like Datong, it's a perfect stop to expand your itinerary beyond just visiting major cities. China is much more than just big cities.
Pingyao is famous for its old town, which has been declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO.
Pingyao's historic center is a perfect place to wander through its alleyways and discover the hidden corners of what was once an important commercial center.
Some of the places you can't miss are the Market Square, Pingyao Old Bank Street, the Bell Tower, the Chenghuang Miao Temple, and of course the Pingyao Wall surrounding the old town.
Day 6 | Xi'an and the Terracotta Warriors
Another morning train, this time heading to Xi'an, one of the most important cities in the country and a must for a first trip to China thanks to its historical importance and its interesting cultural mix.
You can start by visiting the Terracotta Army, one of the most impressive archaeological finds in the world. Don't forget book your tickets with time to see the immense collection of figures it represents The Army of the First Emperor of China, Qin Shi Huang.
Spend the afternoon exploring the Xi'an Wall, one of the best preserved in the country, from where you can walk or rent a bicycle to travel its 14 kilometers in length and enjoy the views of the city.
Day 7 | Xi'an
On the second day, we suggest you explore the cultural heart of Xi'an. Visit the Muslim Quarter, with over 1.000 years of history, it is home to the Hui community, a Muslim ethnic group from China.
There you will find a market that sells a little bit of everything, from crafts to delicious street food such as the Roujiamo sandwich or Grilled lamb skewers.
In the heart of the neighborhood is also the Grand mosque, which doesn't have the typical dome and minaret design, but rather resembles a Chinese temple. A most curious architectural combination.
Also worth visiting is the Drum Tower and Bell tower, like the towers with the same name in Beijing, are two iconic emblems of the city. If you have time, end the day at the Great Wild Goose Pagoda, an impressive Buddhist temple where you can enjoy a fountain show at night.
Day 8 | Shanghai
Late yesterday, or on the morning of the 8th, take a flight from Xi'an to Shanghai, It's a well-connected route with flights starting at 70 euros. The best comparison site for booking is Trip.com
We begin to tour the last stop of this 10-day trip through China, getting to know the historic part of ShanghaiAlthough it may not seem like it, it has a very traditional past, and in the city you can visit many ancient temples, traditional gardens, and historic neighborhoods.
Although the best option is of course to wander around, we recommend making a note of the following places.
- Yuyuan Gardens
- Gucheng Park
- Jade Buddha Temple
- Tian Zi Fang Alleys
- Jing'an Temple
For sunset there is no better plan than to finally go and see one of the skylines most spectacular in the world from the promenade The bund. For us it is essential visit it both day and night, at both times the views from this place are fascinating.
After spending a good time enjoying and photographing the views of the Bund you could cross to the other side of the river and see the financial district from below. With buildings like the Shanghai World Financial Center, one of the world's top 10 tallest, it's a true spectacle to walk through.
✹ For your next adventure Don't forget a good Travel Insurance, we recommend you Heymondo, what's wrong with it The best quality, price. ⭐Here you have a discount on Heymondo of a minimum of 5% on any policy and 15% if you travel as a family.
Day 9 | Zhujiajiao or Suzhou
For this case, the last day of the route, a good idea is to make a getaway to one of the Little Venices of Shanghai, like Suzhou ZhujiajiaoYou can get there in an hour by metro from the city center, and they're charming towns you can visit in just a few hours.
With more than 1,700 years of history, full of lanterns, curious shops, with canals that cross the towns, centuries-old stone bridges, narrow alleys... Without a doubt a must-see in China, with the great fortune of being just a few kilometers from the center of Shanghai.
As an alternative plan: stay in Shanghai strolling around, I have a leisurely breakfast in one of the many establishments in the French Concession or visiting People's Square, especially on the weekend, to see the singles market. There's so much to see and do in Shanghai, you won't get bored!
Day 10 | Shanghai and back home
The last day of this 10-day trip through China is here. If you flew from Xi'an on your first day in Shanghai, you may still have a few things to do, so we recommend take advantage of visiting themAnother interesting temple is Longhua Temple.
You can also walk through some parks, for us it is some of the best in China, They're always full of life and people doing a thousand different things. And of course, you can't miss a last stroll along The Bund during the day.
In case your return flight is in Shanghai perfect, otherwise you will need return to Beijing, by plane or train.
To more information about Shanghai and for each place we have recommended you can read the guide Shanghai in 2 or 3 days and look at the map we leave you below.
I hope this 10-day China itinerary helps you plan your next trip to wonderful China. If you have any questions, leave a comment and we'll try to help you.
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!
