Ten days is enough for a classic Beijing–Xi'an–Shanghai route when you count transfer time honestly and reserve the Forbidden City and Terracotta Army before departure.
Days 1–4: Beijing
Spend two days on imperial Beijing and neighborhoods, one full day at the Great Wall and one flexible day for the Summer Palace, a museum or hutongs.
Day 5 and 6: Xi'an
Travel by high-speed rail, then use one full day for the Terracotta Army. Keep the city wall, central mosque area and a museum in a geographically focused city day.
Days 7–9: Shanghai
Use one day for the historic center and Bund, one for former concession neighborhoods and one for Pudong, art or a specialist interest.
Day 10: Departure buffer
Keep the final day light and position the last hotel for a realistic airport transfer. Do not schedule a distant day trip before a long-haul flight.
Official sources
Sources checked 13 August 2026. Reconfirm time-sensitive details before departure.
Frequently asked questions
Is ten days enough for Beijing, Xi'an and Shanghai?
Yes, at a purposeful pace with two main rail or air transfers.
Which direction should I travel?
Follow the best international flights. Either direction works if arrival and departure airports reduce backtracking.
Should I add Chengdu to this route?
Not without removing time elsewhere. Chengdu fits better in a 14-day trip.