Itinerary guide

7 Days in Beijing & Shanghai: Old and New China

If this is your first trip to China, this 7-day route gives you time for imperial landmarks and a modern riverfront. You’ll follow Beijing → Shanghai, with arrival and departure days counted in the plan.

  • 7 days
  • 2 cities
  • Check conditions for your chosen dates
  • Moderate pace
  • 2 min read

By Alex Tan

The Oriental Pearl Tower beside the Huangpu River
AI-edited from a historical location photograph; details and usage rights await review.

Route at a glance

  1. Beijing3 nights
  2. Shanghai3 nights
On this page

At a glance

Ideal for
First-time visitors who prefer a focused route
Travel style
Imperial landmarks and a modern riverfront
Best time to go
Check conditions for your chosen dates
Pace
Moderate pace
Highlights
Beijing → Shanghai

Introduction

You don’t need to fit every nearby attraction into one trip. This route follows Beijing → Shanghai, with 6 nights and clear space for arrival, departure and changes of base.

Imperial landmarks and a modern riverfront. The daily suggestions keep the focus on one or two outings rather than a long sightseeing list. Adjust optional walks to your energy, and treat travel days as travel days.

This is a planning guide rather than a booked package. Confirm connections, accommodation, opening arrangements and any reservations for your actual dates. The 7 days begin on arrival in China; international flights may need additional travel days.

Day-by-day itinerary

Beijing

Days 1 – 3

Time for Beijing

Use Beijing as your base for this part of the route. The daily plan leaves space for travel and rest; arrange accommodation and any required reservations for your dates.

  1. Day 1Beijing: Arrive and settle in

    Arrive in Beijing and take time to settle in. Keep the rest of the day light so you can rest after the journey. Route: Arrival point to your accommodation in Beijing Stay: Beijing Tip: Check the day's reservations and transport before setting out.

    Sunset across the water at Shichahai
    • Overnight in Beijing

  2. Day 2Beijing: Inside the Forbidden City

    Give the Forbidden City the main part of your day. Add Tiananmen Square only if your booking and remaining time allow. Route: Forbidden City (Gugong) Stay: Beijing Tip: Check the day's reservations and transport before setting out.

    Palace roofs along the central axis of the Forbidden City
    • Overnight in Beijing

  3. Day 3Beijing: A day for the Great Wall

    Head out to Badaling for the Great Wall. Leave the rest of the day for the journey back and a proper rest. Route: Badaling Great Wall Stay: Beijing Tip: Check the day's reservations and transport before setting out.

    Snow on the mountains around Badaling Great Wall
    • Overnight in Beijing

Shanghai

Days 4 – 7

Time for Shanghai

Use Shanghai as your base for this part of the route. The daily plan leaves space for travel and rest; arrange accommodation and any required reservations for your dates.

  1. Day 4Beijing to Shanghai: Travel and settle in

    Travel from Beijing to Shanghai and leave the day mainly for the journey. Settle in before deciding whether you feel like a short walk. Route: Beijing to Shanghai Stay: Shanghai Tip: Check the day's reservations and transport before setting out.

    Illuminated historic buildings along the Bund
    • Overnight in Shanghai

  2. Day 5Shanghai: Gardens and the riverfront

    Start with Yu Garden and finish by the Bund. The contrast gives you two different sides of Shanghai without a long list of stops. Route: Yu Garden (Yuyuan) and the Bund (Waitan) Stay: Shanghai Tip: Check the day's reservations and transport before setting out.

    A pavilion reflected in the pond at Yu Garden
    • Overnight in Shanghai

  3. Day 6Shanghai: A slower day by the river

    Choose the Pudong riverfront as your main outing. You can substitute the China Art Museum, then leave the remaining time free. Route: Pudong riverfront Stay: Shanghai Tip: Check the day's reservations and transport before setting out.

    The Oriental Pearl Tower beside the Huangpu River
    • Overnight in Shanghai

  4. Day 7Shanghai: Leave room for departure

    Leave Shanghai according to your onward travel plans. Keep the day clear for packing and the journey to your departure point. Route: Your accommodation to your departure point in Shanghai Tip: Check the day's reservations and transport before setting out.

    Illuminated historic buildings along the Bund

    Why this route works

    • A clear route

      Follow Beijing → Shanghai with the overnight bases listed separately, so you can see where each change of accommodation belongs.

    • Room for the journeys

      Arrival, departure and transfer days count towards the total. They are not treated as extra full sightseeing days.

    • A focused daily plan

      Give the main outing time, then decide on optional walks according to your energy rather than adding every nearby attraction.

    Before you go

    • Confirm each connection

      Choose intercity and local connections for your travel dates, including station or airport transfers. The suggested transport modes are not booked services.

    • Reservations and opening arrangements

      Check each attraction’s current opening arrangements and reservation process before fixing the order of your days.

    • Images and editorial review

      Images are AI-edited previews based on historical location photographs. Usage rights and visual details await review. Travel-day photographs illustrate the destination, not a promised visit.

    Sources

    Plan My Trip