Find your kind
of China trip.
Compare three suggested China routes for a first independent visit: seven days in Beijing and Shanghai, ten days adding Xi’an, or fourteen days including Chengdu. Each itinerary gives you morning, afternoon and evening ideas with protected travel blocks. Choose fewer moves if you prefer more time in one place.
Updated · Author: PandaWander Editorial Team
Beijing → Shanghai
Two cities, fewer moves. Imperial Beijing and riverfront Shanghai, with room to wander.
Take a lookBeijing → Xi’an → Shanghai
Follow the history thread through Beijing and Xi’an, then slow down in Shanghai.
Take a lookBeijing → Xi’an → Chengdu → Shanghai
Add Chengdu’s pandas and teahouse rhythm to a generous four-city first trip.
Take a lookKey facts, with the source attached
| What to know | Source & verification |
|---|---|
| The NIA lists the United States among eligible nationalities. Onward travel to a third country or region and the permitted ports and areas are conditions of this transit policy. | 240-hour transit · 2026-10-25 |
| The government’s payment guide describes mobile payments, bank cards and cash, including international card linking in Alipay and WeChat Pay. Check current app terms and issuer support. | Payment preparation · 2026-10-25 |
Entry rules may change. Check the official NIA guidance before travel; this site does not decide eligibility.
A few things you might be wondering
Which route should I choose for my first trip?
Choose the route with the number of city changes you are comfortable managing. The seven-day draft uses two cities, the ten-day draft adds Xi’an, and the fourteen-day draft includes Chengdu. These are editorial allocations, not minimum visit lengths.
Can I change the order of the cities?
Yes. Start with your actual arrival and departure arrangements, then check the connections you can book. The suggested city order is a planning structure, not a confirmed transport schedule.
Are all the costs included?
No. Use your own current quotes for hotel rates, transport fares and the total budget. The routes deliberately avoid estimates.
Can I read these itineraries offline?
You can print a route from your browser or save the page for your own use. The full day-by-day content is present in the HTML and remains readable without JavaScript.