Itinerary guide

7 Days in Beijing & Xi’an: Palaces and City Walls

If this is your first trip to China, this 7-day route gives you time for history with one change of city. You’ll follow Beijing → Xi'an, 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

Snow on the mountains around Badaling Great Wall
AI-edited from a historical location photograph; details and usage rights await review.

Route at a glance

  1. Beijing3 nights
  2. Xi'an3 nights
On this page

At a glance

Ideal for
First-time visitors who prefer a focused route
Travel style
History with one change of city
Best time to go
Check conditions for your chosen dates
Pace
Moderate pace
Highlights
Beijing → Xi'an

Introduction

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

History with one change of city. 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

Xi'an

Days 4 – 7

Time for Xi'an

Use Xi'an 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 Xi'an: Travel and settle in

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

    The tower and stone base of the Bell Tower in Xi’an
    • Overnight in Xi'an

  2. Day 5Xi'an: Time with the Terracotta Army

    Make the Terracotta Army your one main visit today. You'll have room for the journey there and back without adding another large attraction. Route: Terracotta Army (Bingmayong) Stay: Xi'an Tip: Check the day's reservations and transport before setting out.

    A standing terracotta figure inside a museum gallery
    • Overnight in Xi'an

  3. Day 6Xi'an: Walk the old city walls

    Spend time on Xi'an City Wall, then wander Shuyuanmen if you feel like it. Keep museums and evening shows out of this day's main plan. Route: Xi'an City Wall and Shuyuanmen Stay: Xi'an Tip: Check the day's reservations and transport before setting out.

    Flags and lanterns along Xi’an City Wall
    • Overnight in Xi'an

  4. Day 7Xi'an: Leave room for departure

    Leave Xi'an 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 Xi'an Tip: Check the day's reservations and transport before setting out.

    The tower and stone base of the Bell Tower in Xi’an

    Why this route works

    • A clear route

      Follow Beijing → Xi'an 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