The overall shape
You don't have time for four cities. The best "first week" I've run for friends is 3 days in Beijing, 2 in Xi'an, and 2 days of one more big city — either the Shanghai or the Chengdu leg, not both. It's a lot, but it's doable, and it's the one version where you see two dynasties plus one modern skyline without missing a single museum to rest.
Day 1–3: Beijing
The core of Beijing is a 3-hour walk loop, so build around it:
- Day 1: The Forbidden City (opens 8:30, allow 3 h), then the moat to Tiananmen and the meridian bell tower for the photo. This is the "first day and you're already the most tired you'll be this week" setup — that's fine, tomorrow is a rest.
- Day 2: The Great Wall. Don't do Mutianyu at 10 a.m. on a weekend; go 8 a.m. on a weekday and you'll have a quarter of the crowd. The bus from the city is 45 minutes; a private car is ¥400–500.
- Day 3: Guanzheng old town, Wangfujing for the mall, and the Summer Palace if you have legs left — that's a lot, so treat it as 3 h and call it a day.
Day 4–5: Xi'an
The highlight is the Terracotta Army, and it's the most valuable thing in the country: ¥120 entry, 40 minutes by bus, allow 2–3 hours. The city wall (the last of its kind, you can bike the whole thing in 80 minutes for ¥40–50) is the best "do it" of the two days.
Day 6–7: The buffer — Shanghai or Chengdu?
The same 7 days but one more city instead of the Great Wall: Shanghai for the skyline and the old town; Chengdu for the panda center and the tea houses. For a first-timer, Chengdu is the better choice — it's calmer, and the contrast between it and Beijing + Xi'an is the single best reason to come.
The 3 mistakes that wreck first weeks
- Doing all 3 cities. It's 80 hours of transport; you miss the sites to save 2 days of driving.
- Doing the Great Wall on a Saturday. The crowds are a wall of their own; weekday 8 a.m. is the fix.
- Not booking the Forbidden City 7 days out. You'll get a "sold out" and have to change plans. Book the moment you have dates.
This is the version that lets you actually see China — two dynasties, one skyline, no week spent on the road. Do the buffer city and the rest will feel like a holiday that didn't cost a single day.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a visa for China?
Depends on your passport. Many European and some Middle Eastern countries are now visa-free for 15-30 days, but the list changes regularly — check the Chinese embassy website in your home country before you book. If you are not on the visa-free list, apply for a tourist B visa in advance. Do not arrive at the border hoping to work it out; there is no visa on arrival at most airports.
How much should I budget for 7 days?
For a comfortable first trip without going frugal or splurge, roughly ¥1,500-2,500 per day (about US$200-350) covers hotel, food, metro and one paid attraction. Flight tickets are separate and dominate the total. On a frugal track (hostels, street food, public transit) you can do it for ¥800-1,200 a day. If you want nicer hotels and a couple of paid experiences, add 30-50% on top.
Are 7 days really enough for China?
For 2-3 cities, yes — that is exactly what this plan assumes. For seeing all of China, no; you would need 4-6 weeks and would still miss half the country. Pick three cities with real contrast (Beijing for dynasties, Xi'an for the ancient west, and Shanghai or Chengdu for the modern side) and actually spend time in each rather than rushing between four.
Should I book attractions in advance?
For the top-tier sites — Forbidden City, Terracotta Warriors, the busy Great Wall sections, the Shanghai Museum — yes, book 7+ days ahead via the official apps or Klook. During public holidays (National Day in early October, Spring Festival) you need weeks. Everything else (temples, parks, markets, most small museums) you can walk into; those tend to be quieter if you skip the pre-booking scramble entirely.
Can I get by without speaking Chinese?
For a 7-day city trip, yes. Signs at airports, metros and major attractions are bilingual, hotel staff speak some English, and translation apps handle most daily friction. Still, learn the 20-sentence starter pack (hello, thanks, how much, where is the toilet, do you have Wi-Fi) — that alone changes your experience more than any guidebook.