10-Day China Itinerary: Explore Beijing and Shanghai for First-Time Visitors
Experience the best of China in 10 days, visiting iconic attractions in both Beijing and Shanghai while balancing cultural heritage with modern city life.
beijingshanghai
10-Day China Itinerary: Beijing and Shanghai
A 10-day itinerary for first-time visitors to Beijing and Shanghai covering iconic sites and modern experiences.
10 daysbeijingshanghai
1
Arrival and Check-in in Beijing
Hotel Check-in
(Check-in)Hotel in Beijing City Center
5 nights
30m
🚶
Walk to Wangfujing Street15m• 1.0 km
Lunch at Wangfujing Snack Street
(Restaurant)Wangfujing Snack Street
lunchChineseStreet Food
1h
🚶
Walk to Tiananmen Square15m• 1.0 km
Visit Tiananmen Square
(Attraction)Explore the iconic Tiananmen Square, the world’s largest city square.
Tiananmen Square
1h
🚕
Taxi to the Forbidden City10m• 2.0 km
Forbidden City Tour
(Experience)Visit the imperial palace and famous historical landmark of Beijing.
Forbidden City
✓ Entry ticket✓ Guided tour
3h
🚶
Walk to Restaurant in Dongcheng District15m• 1.0 km
Dinner at Dongcheng District Restaurant
(Restaurant)Restaurant in Dongcheng District
dinnerChinesePeking Duck
2h
2
Great Wall and Local Experience
Breakfast at Hotel
(Restaurant)Hotel in Beijing City Center
breakfastInternational
1h
🚌
Bus Transfer to Great Wall at Mutianyu1h 30m• 70.0 km
Visit Great Wall at Mutianyu
(Attraction)Hike and explore the restored sections of the Great Wall with scenic views.
Great Wall at Mutianyu
3h
🚌
Bus Transfer back to Beijing City Center1h 30m• 70.0 km
Rest and Free Time at Hotel
(Free Time)💡 Relax at hotel spa💡 Explore nearby shops
2h
🚶
Walk to Local Dinner Area15m• 1.0 km
Dinner at Local Food Market
(Restaurant)Local Food Market
dinnerChineseLocal
2h
3
Summer Palace and Temple of Heaven
Breakfast at Hotel
(Restaurant)Hotel in Beijing City Center
breakfastInternational
1h
🚇
Subway to Summer Palace30m• 15.0 km
Visit Summer Palace
(Attraction)Explore the vast gardens and historical palaces of the Summer Palace.
Summer Palace
3h
🚇
Subway Transfer to Temple of Heaven30m• 20.0 km
Visit Temple of Heaven
(Attraction)Visit the exquisite Temple of Heaven park and historic altar buildings.
Temple of Heaven
2h
🚶
Walk to Lunch Restaurant near Temple of Heaven15m• 1.0 km
Lunch at Restaurant near Temple of Heaven
(Restaurant)Restaurant near Temple of Heaven
lunchChineseBeijing
1h 30m
🚕
Taxi back to Hotel15m• 8.0 km
Evening Cultural Show
(Experience)Enjoy a traditional Peking Opera or acrobatic show in Beijing.
Theater in Beijing City Center
✓ Show ticket✓ Seat
2h
4
Culture and Shopping in Beijing
Breakfast at Hotel
(Restaurant)Hotel in Beijing City Center
breakfastInternational
1h
🚶
Walk to Lama Temple15m• 1.0 km
Visit Lama Temple
(Attraction)Explore the beautiful Tibetan Buddhist temple with stunning architecture.
Lama Temple
2h
🚶
Walk to Nanluoguxiang Street15m• 1.0 km
Lunch at Nanluoguxiang Street
(Restaurant)Nanluoguxiang Street
lunchChineseLocal
1h 30m
Free time exploring Nanluoguxiang shops
(Free Time)💡 Shopping at local boutiques💡 Try local snacks
2h
🚕
Taxi to Temple of Confucius15m• 4.0 km
Visit Temple of Confucius
(Attraction)Discover the peaceful temple dedicated to Confucius, rich in history.
Temple of Confucius
1h 30m
🚶
Walk to Dinner Area in Houhai15m• 1.0 km
Dinner at Houhai Lakeside Restaurant
(Restaurant)Houhai Lakeside Restaurant
dinnerChineseSeafood
2h
5
Final Morning in Beijing and Transfer to Shanghai
Breakfast at Hotel
(Restaurant)Hotel in Beijing City Center
breakfastInternational
1h
🚇
Walk to Beijing Railway Station30m• 5.0 km
🚂
High-Speed Train to Shanghai4h• 1318.0 km
🚕
Taxi to Hotel in Shanghai15m• 15.0 km
Hotel Check-in in Shanghai
(Check-in)Hotel in Shanghai City Center
5 nights
30m
Rest and Free Time at Hotel
(Free Time)💡 Relax at hotel💡 Explore local area
2h
🚶
Walk to Dinner Area in Xintiandi15m• 1.5 km
Dinner at Xintiandi Area
(Restaurant)Xintiandi
dinnerChineseInternational
2h
6
The Bund and Shanghai History Museum
Breakfast at Hotel
(Restaurant)Hotel in Shanghai City Center
breakfastInternational
1h
🚇
Metro to The Bund20m• 6.0 km
Visit The Bund
(Attraction)Walk along the famous waterfront and enjoy views of Shanghai’s skyline.
The Bund
2h
🚶
Walk to Shanghai History Museum15m• 0.7 km
Visit Shanghai History Museum
(Attraction)Learn about Shanghai’s rich history and culture through this museum’s exhibits.
Shanghai History Museum
2h
🚶
Walk to Lunch at Old City Area15m• 1.0 km
Lunch at Old City Restaurant
(Restaurant)Old City Area Restaurant
lunchChineseShanghai Cuisine
1h 30m
Free Time in Old City
(Free Time)💡 Visit Yuyuan Garden💡 Shop traditional crafts
2h
🚶
Walk to Dinner at Nanjing Road15m• 2.0 km
Dinner at Nanjing Road
(Restaurant)Nanjing Road
dinnerChineseInternational
2h
7
Shanghai Tower and Modern City Experience
Breakfast at Hotel
(Restaurant)Hotel in Shanghai City Center
breakfastInternational
1h
🚇
Metro to Shanghai Tower20m• 8.0 km
Visit Shanghai Tower Observation Deck
(Attraction)Enjoy panoramic views from the tallest building in China.
Shanghai Tower
2h
🚶
Walk to Lunch at Lujiazui15m• 0.5 km
Lunch at Lujiazui Restaurant
(Restaurant)Restaurant in Lujiazui Area
lunchChineseShanghai Cuisine
1h 30m
🚇
Metro to Shanghai Museum20m• 7.0 km
Visit Shanghai Museum
(Attraction)Explore exhibits showcasing Chinese art and history.
Shanghai Museum
2h
🚇
Walk to Dinner at French Concession30m• 6.0 km
Dinner in French Concession
(Restaurant)French Concession
dinnerInternationalChinese Fusion
2h
8
Yuyuan Garden and Old Shanghai
Breakfast at Hotel
(Restaurant)Hotel in Shanghai City Center
breakfastInternational
1h
🚇
Metro to Yuyuan Garden20m• 5.0 km
Visit Yuyuan Garden
(Attraction)Explore traditional Chinese garden with beautiful landscaping.
Yuyuan Garden
2h
🚶
Walk to Lunch in Yuyuan Bazaar15m• 0.5 km
Lunch at Yuyuan Bazaar Restaurant
(Restaurant)Yuyuan Bazaar
lunchChineseStreet Food
1h 30m
Free Time in Yuyuan Bazaar Market
(Free Time)💡 Shopping for souvenirs💡 Try traditional snacks
2h
🚇
Metro to People's Square20m• 3.0 km
Explore People's Square and Nanjing Road Shopping
(Activity)Stroll and shop in Shanghai’s busiest shopping district.
shopping
2h
🚇
Walk to Dinner at Jing'an Temple Area20m• 6.0 km
Dinner at Jing'an District
(Restaurant)Jing'an District Restaurant
dinnerInternationalChinese
2h
9
Modern Shanghai and Pudong Skyline
Breakfast at Hotel
(Restaurant)Hotel in Shanghai City Center
breakfastInternational
1h
🚕
Taxi to Pudong International Financial Center15m• 7.0 km
Visit Shanghai World Financial Center
(Attraction)Observation deck with spectacular city views close to Shanghai Tower.
Shanghai World Financial Center
2h
🚶
Walk to Lunch at Lujiazui15m• 0.5 km
Lunch at Lujiazui Restaurant
(Restaurant)Restaurant in Lujiazui
lunchChineseSeafood
1h 30m
🚇
Metro to Shanghai Science and Technology Museum20m• 8.0 km
Visit Shanghai Science and Technology Museum
(Attraction)Interactive exhibitions showcasing science and technology.
Shanghai Science and Technology Museum
2h
🚕
Taxi to Dinner at Shanghai Riverside15m• 10.0 km
Dinner at Riverside Restaurant
(Restaurant)Riverside Restaurant
dinnerChineseSeafood
2h
10
Checkout and Departure
Breakfast at Hotel
(Restaurant)Hotel in Shanghai City Center
breakfastInternational
1h
🚕
Taxi to Shanghai Pudong International Airport30m• 40.0 km
Hotel Check-out
(Check-out)Hotel in Shanghai City Center
15m