Sample six-day itinerary for a short first trip to China. Spend the first half in Beijing, where palace courtyards and residential lanes show different sides of the city. Finish in Shanghai with river views, architecture and time to explore at your own pace.
Six days in Beijing and Shanghai
Day 1 · Arrive in Beijing. Settle in and keep the evening flexible. If you arrive early, take a short walk and eat near the hotel.
Days 2–3 · Explore Beijing. Build one day around the Palace Museum and leave time for a meal and a rest. Visit the Temple of Heaven on the other day, then choose between a neighbourhood walk and a longer lunch.
Day 4 · Travel to Shanghai. Allow room for station transfers and hotel check-in. Save the Bund waterfront for late afternoon if the group still has energy.
Days 5–6 · Discover Shanghai and depart. Spend a day on architecture, a museum or a neighbourhood food walk. Keep departure day open until flight times are known.
Adjust it for your group
Tell us your arrival and departure cities, preferred daily walking distance and must-see places. If the Great Wall is a priority, set aside a day for it and move another visit or extend the Beijing stay. Check museum access for your dates before locking in the order.
Prices
Travelling yourself? Send us your dates and group size for a price based on your hotel choice. Travel agencies can request net rates by group size and hotel level. For a longer first trip, see Classic China in 10 days.