The “Golden Triangle” is the perfect first China trip: imperial history, the Terracotta Army and futuristic skylines — linked by fast, easy high-speed rail. Here’s a realistic 7-day shape.
ルート概要
Beijing (3 days) → Xi’an (2 days) → Shanghai (2 days). Fly into Beijing, out of Shanghai (open-jaw) so you don’t backtrack.
Day by day
- Day 1 — Beijing: arrive, ease in; hutong walk + dinner. Pace: easy.
- Day 2 — Beijing: Forbidden City (book ahead) + Jingshan, then Tiananmen area.
- Day 3 — Beijing: Great Wall (Mutianyu or Badaling) — a private car beats the train+bus shuffle for a day trip.
- Day 4 — Beijing → Xi’an: high-speed rail ~4.5–6h; afternoon Muslim Quarter + city wall.
- Day 5 — Xi’an: Terracotta Warriors (go early; driver-guide helps), evening Tang show optional.
- Day 6 — Xi’an → Shanghai: fly (~2h) or long rail; Bund + Nanjing Rd at night.
- Day 7 — Shanghai: Yu Garden + Old Town, French Concession, Pudong skyline; depart.
Getting between cities
Rail is the default for Beijing–Xi’an; for Xi’an–Shanghai, flying saves hours. A private car with driver is worth it for Great Wall day trips and rural legs. We can plot exact times on the map planner.
Typical budget (per person, excl. intl. flights)
Comfort mid-range lands roughly in the $700–$1,300 range for hotels, rail/flight legs, tickets and some meals — a typical estimate; confirm at booking. A private-car option or 4–5★ hotels moves it up.
What to book ahead
Forbidden City and Terracotta Warriors (timed tickets), Great Wall day trip, and your eSIM (so maps work day one).
FAQ
Is 7 days enough for the Golden Triangle?
Yes for a highlights trip at a steady pace; add 2–3 days if you want Zhangjiajie or a water town.
Best order?
Beijing → Xi’an → Shanghai (or reverse) — always fly in one city, out the other.
Do I need a guide?
Not mandatory, but a driver-guide on the Great Wall and Terracotta days saves time and translation friction.
Build this route in the AI planner → · 私家车与司机 · Ask us to tailor it