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Destinations in China — where to go

Three cities, three completely different Chinas — where to go and how many days each one earns.

China's three essential first-time stops are Beijing (imperial history, the Great Wall, 3–4 days), Shanghai (futuristic skyline, colonial-era streets, 2–3 days), and Xi'an (the Terracotta Army, 1–2 days). They connect easily by China's excellent high-speed rail network. A first-timer's route of Beijing → Xi'an → Shanghai over 10–12 days covers the country's headline sights without feeling rushed.

China does not do "small." Every city on this list is itself a metro area bigger than most countries, packed with enough history, food, and sheer scale to fill a trip on its own. The trick is picking two or three that complement each other rather than trying to see the whole country in ten days — here's every major first-timer destination, with an honest read on how much time it actually deserves.

Beijing
Destinations

Beijing

3–4 days, the Great Wall, the Forbidden City, and 800 years of capital-city history.

Shanghai
Destinations

Shanghai

2–3 days, a futuristic skyline, and the gentlest introduction to China.

Xi'an
Destinations

Xi'an

1–2 days for one of the ancient world's genuine wonders, plus phenomenal street food.

Questions people actually ask

What's the best first-time China itinerary?
Beijing (3–4 days) → Xi'an (1–2 days) → Shanghai (2–3 days), connected by China's high-speed rail — this hits imperial history, the Terracotta Army, and the modern skyline in one clean west-to-east line. Ten to twelve days covers it comfortably.
How do I get between Chinese cities?
High-speed rail (G-trains) is the standout option — Beijing to Xi'an is about 4.5–6 hours, Xi'an to Shanghai about 6–7 hours, both cheaper and less hassle than flying once you factor in airport time. Book through Trip.com or the official 12306 app/site.
Which city should I pick if I only have one?
Beijing for history and the Great Wall, Shanghai for a modern, walkable, foreigner-easy first trip to China. Beijing rewards more days; Shanghai is the gentler introduction to the country.