China: Beijing to Shanghai in 12 Days
China
Overview
China's high-speed rail network makes a west-then-east sweep genuinely comfortable: imperial Beijing and a day at the Great Wall, Xi'an's Terracotta Army, the limestone karst rivers around Guilin, and finally Shanghai's futuristic skyline and colonial-era Bund. Trains cover every leg in under six hours.
- Duration
- 12 days
- Pace
- Fast-paced
- Transport
- Public transport
- Estimated budget (comfortable)
- €1,600–€2,100
Route
1. Beijing2. Xi'an3. Guilin4. Shanghai
Highlights
- Walking a quieter, less-crowded section of the Great Wall
- The Terracotta Army's thousands of individually detailed soldiers
- A river cruise or bamboo raft through Guilin's karst peaks
- The Bund at night, with Pudong's skyline lit up across the river
Worth knowing
- A tourist visa is required for most nationalities — apply well ahead
- Great Firewall restrictions mean VPN access to some apps/sites may be needed
- Twelve days across four cities moves fast — an extra day in Guilin helps
Day by day
Day 1
BeijingMain activities
- Arrive, settle in
- Tiananmen Square and the Forbidden City
Overnight: Beijing
Day 2
BeijingMain activities
- Great Wall day trip (Mutianyu or Jinshanling)
Overnight: Beijing
Day 3
BeijingMain activities
- Temple of Heaven
- Hutong alleyway walk
Optional additions
- Summer Palace
Overnight: Beijing
Day 4
Beijing → Xi'anMain activities
- High-speed train (~4.5h)
- City Wall bike ride
~4.5 hoursOvernight: Xi'an
Day 5
Xi'anMain activities
- Terracotta Army
Optional additions
- Muslim Quarter street food
Overnight: Xi'an
Day 6
Xi'an → GuilinMain activities
- Flight (~2h)
- Li River evening walk
~2 hours flightOvernight: Guilin
Day 7
GuilinMain activities
- Li River cruise to Yangshuo
Optional additions
- Bamboo rafting
Overnight: Guilin
Day 8
GuilinMain activities
- Longji Rice Terraces day trip
Overnight: Guilin
Day 9
Guilin → ShanghaiMain activities
- Flight (~2.5h)
- The Bund at night
~2.5 hours flightOvernight: Shanghai
Day 10
ShanghaiMain activities
- Yu Garden and the Old City
- Pudong skyline viewpoint
Overnight: Shanghai
Day 11
ShanghaiMain activities
- French Concession neighbourhood
- Shanghai Museum
Optional additions
- Day trip to the water town of Zhujiajiao
Overnight: Shanghai
Day 12
ShanghaiMain activities
- Departure
Overnight: Shanghai
Alternatives
Shorter version · 7 days
Drop Guilin and fly directly Xi'an → Shanghai.
Longer extension · 16 days
Add Chengdu for pandas and Sichuan food between Xi'an and Guilin.