8-Day Classic China Tour: Beijing, Xi’an and Shanghai
Explore imperial Beijing, archaeological Xi’an and contemporary Shanghai in eight days, with arrival and city changes treated as real travel time.
| Duration | Route | Travel style |
|---|---|---|
| 8 days | Beijing → Xi’an → Shanghai | Private sample itinerary; adjusted for your dates |
Day-by-day itinerary
Day 1 · Beijing arrival
Transfer to the hotel and leave the rest of the day flexible. Choose an easy meal near your overnight base; palace tickets are better placed after a full night of rest.
Day 2 · Palace and hutong streets
Build the morning around a confirmed Palace Museum entry. Follow with lunch and a shorter neighbourhood walk, adjusting the afternoon for queues and walking energy.
Day 3 · A Great Wall day
Choose the section and walking distance before booking transport. Keep this as a separate excursion, with a shorter visit or another local activity available if conditions make the preferred walk unsuitable.
Day 4 · Beijing to Xi’an
Treat the rail journey and hotel transfer as the main commitment. After check-in, use a nearby street or meal for orientation rather than adding an out-of-town attraction.
Day 5 · Terracotta Warriors and an easy evening
Visit the archaeological site with time to understand the exhibition. Return to Xi’an for a break, then choose a food walk or an evening view of the city walls according to the group’s energy.
Day 6 · Xi’an to Shanghai
Allow for the station approach, checks and the journey to the next hotel. Keep the Shanghai arrival programme brief; the Bund can wait until the following day if the train arrives late.
Day 7 · Shanghai’s riverfront and neighbourhoods
Pair a waterfront walk with one district or museum. Use lunch as the transition between the two, and keep a wet-weather alternative close to the chosen route.
Day 8 · Departure
Plan the pickup from the actual airport, terminal or station and departure time. An optional final stop belongs only in the time remaining after that transfer has been protected.
What we confirm before booking
This is a proposed route, not a fixed departure or a reservation. Hotel names, transport services, admission times, local guides and the inclusions belong in your dated proposal. Availability may require a changed transfer or a different sightseeing order. International flights and entry documents should be settled alongside the route, not assumed to be included.
How to choose the right pace
The eight-day route suits travellers who want three contrasting cities without changing the hotel every night. If one city deserves a longer stay, add time there rather than fitting a fourth destination into the same dates.
Vayora Travel editorial team · Updated 12 October 2026
Who this eight-day route suits
This route suits a first visit focused on imperial Beijing, Qin archaeology in Xi’an and a Shanghai city stay. It includes two intercity moves. Travellers wanting slower mornings, more museums or a gentler walking pace should add nights or shorten a sightseeing day before adding another city.
Accommodation: choose a location and a room standard
In Beijing, compare a central base convenient for the palace and hutong days with the actual airport and station approaches. In Xi’an, choose the hotel around your city walking plans while allowing a separate road outing to the Terracotta Warriors. In Shanghai, balance the riverfront and neighbourhood day against the departure airport. Your quotation should name each hotel, room type, bedding, breakfast, accessibility requirements and cancellation conditions. No hotel or star category is reserved by this sample itinerary.
Intercity and local transport options
Compare the available rail and air services for Beijing–Xi’an and Xi’an–Shanghai by complete hotel-to-hotel time. Specify the stations or airports, seat or cabin class, baggage conditions and included transfers. For the Great Wall and Terracotta Warriors days, confirm vehicle size, pickup arrangements and the chosen visitor route. The final proposal should state which sightseeing periods include a guide and in which language.
Included and excluded: read your quotation
| Service | What the written proposal must say |
|---|---|
| Hotels | Named properties, room type, number of nights and meals included. |
| Transport | Each intercity service and local transfer, class and vehicle arrangements. |
| Guiding and admissions | The guided days, language and exact attractions or ticket categories included. |
| Meals | Which meals are arranged and how dietary needs will be handled. |
| Common separate costs | International flights, entry documents, personal spending, optional activities and any travel insurance unless expressly included. |
How to request a price
Send your travel dates, number and ages of travellers, rooming requirements, preferred hotel standard and arrival and departure details through the trip planning form. The quote is prepared for those dates and services. Review currency, payment schedule, validity, availability and change or cancellation terms before confirming. A sample route and an enquiry do not reserve a hotel, train or admission.