Itinerary Overview

Days Allocation: Beijing (3 days) → Xi'an (2-3 days) → Shanghai (3 days)
Transportation: High-speed rail primarily (time-efficient)
Budget Reference: Approximately RMB 6000-8000 per person (including transportation, accommodation, and tickets)

Day 1-3: Beijing | A Time Travel Through the Imperial City

Day 1: Memories of the Empire Along the Central Axis

• Morning:
• The Forbidden City (opens at 8:30, book online 7 days in advance)
  • Route: Meridian Gate → Hall of Supreme Harmony → Treasure Gallery → Eastern Six Palaces → Shenwu Gate (about 4 hours total)
  • Hidden gems: Visit the Corner Tower Café, buy "A Thousand Li of Rivers and Mountains" cultural ice cream.
• Jingshan Park (reachable after exiting Shenwu Gate): Climb Wan Chun Pavilion for a panoramic view of the Forbidden City.
• Lunch: Sijiminfu Roast Duck (Forbidden City branch, take your number early, enjoy scenic views of Donghua Gate).
• Afternoon:
• Nanluoguxiang: Avoid the main street, explore the former residence of Wanrong in Ma'er Hutong and the Central Academy of Drama.
• Yonghe Temple (stops admission at 16:00): Burn incense and experience Tibetan Buddhist ambiance.
• Dinner: Beixin Bridge Halou old shop (authentic Halou with火烧and Beijing Pop soda).

Day 2: The Great Wall and Imperial Gardens

• All Day:
• Mutianyu Great Wall (recommended to hire a car or join a one-day tour):
  • Cable car to Tower 14 → hike to Tower 20 “Hero’s Slope” → slide down (exciting!)
  • Avoid the crowds at Badaling; autumn offers the best foliage views.
• Bird's Nest/Water Cube Night View: Capture Olympic landmarks lit up on the way back.
• Dinner: Xiaodiao Liantang (Xinao branch, try traditional pear soup and cheese fish dessert).

Day 3: Summer Palace and Hutong Atmosphere

• Morning:
• Summer Palace (book in advance):
  • Route: New Palace Gate entrance → Bronze Ox → Seventeen-Arch Bridge → boat ride to Stone Boat → Long Corridor → Fragrance Buddha Pavilion
  • Recommended activity: Rent an electric boat on Kunming Lake (RMB 180/hour, seats 6 people).
• Lunch: Tingliguan inside the Summer Palace (experience imperial cuisine, reservations required).
• Afternoon:
• Wudaoying Hutong: Explore梵几furniture store and METAL HANDS coffee shop.
• Guozijian Street: Visit Confucius Temple/Guozijian, grab some milk rolls from Sanyuan Meiyuan.
• Dinner: Guizhaili Hu Da Restaurant on Gui Street (spicy crayfish and frog legs).

Day 4-6: Xi'an | A Millennium Journey Back to Chang'an

Day 4: Terracotta Warriors and Qin-Tang Dialogue

• Transportation: Beijing West → Xi'an North (G87 high-speed train, 4 hours 11 minutes, recommend morning departure).
• Afternoon:
• Terracotta Warriors (book in advance, bring ID):
  • Must-see: Pit No. 1 army formation, Bronze Chariot Exhibition Hall.
  • Avoid scams: Reject unofficial guides outside the site, use official audio guides via QR code.
• Huaqing Palace (combined ticket includes "The Song of Everlasting Sorrow" performance): Watch the live-action dance drama at night (closed during winter).
• Dinner: Eat stone cake sandwiches with chili inLintong town.

Day 5: Ancient City Walls and Tang Dynasty Splendor

• Morning:
• Xi'an City Wall (access through Yongning Gate): Bike the entire 13.7 km loop (RMB 45/3 hours).
• Forest of Steles Museum: Calligraphy enthusiasts must see "The Nestorian Tablet".
• Lunch: Liu Jixiao Spiced Beef Lamb at Muslim Street (served with Huanggui Persimmon Cake).
• Afternoon:
• Big Wild Goose Pagoda: Take photos by Xuanzang’s statue, visit the rooftop observation deck at Joy City mall for pagoda shots.
• Shaanxi History Museum (book 3 days in advance): Focus on treasures like the "Gold-inlaid Beast Head玛瑙Cup".
• Dinner: Zui Chang’an (stuffed chicken and beef tripe).
• Night Tour: Tang Dynasty Unending Street (performances 19:00-21:30, meet the "Unfallen Lady" at Kaiyuan Square).

Day 6 (Optional): Hua Mountain One-Day Challenge

• High-Speed Rail: Xi'an North → Hua Mountain North (30 minutes), take northern ascent and western descent cable cars + hiking (5-6 hours).
• Night Train Return: Take high-speed rail back to Xi'an (skip if tired and proceed directly to Shanghai).

Day 7-10: Shanghai | A Collision of Modernity and Elegance

Day 7: Bund – An Architecture Expo

• Transportation: Xi'an North → Shanghai Hongqiao (G362 high-speed train, 6 hours 11 minutes).
• Afternoon:
• Wukang Road: Snap photos at Wukang Building, Ba Jin's former residence, %Arabica coffee shop.
• Xujiahui Cathedral: Gothic twin-tower architecture, stunning stained glass windows (reservation required).
• Evening:
• Bund: Walk from Waibaidu Bridge to Jinling East Road ferry dock (lights turn on at 19:00).
• 2 Yuan Ferry: Dongjin Line (Jinling East Road - Dongchang Road) for stunning Lujiazui night views.
• Dinner: Roosevelt Colorful Restaurant (Bund river view, reservation required).

Day 8: Disney Magic Day

• All Day:
• Shanghai Disneyland (early access card entry at 7:30):
  • Must-play: TRON Lightcycle Power Run, Soaring Over the Horizon, Pirates of the Caribbean.
  • Hidden spots: Photograph the castle from Alice’s Maze, play in Treasure Cove water park.
• Fireworks Show (20:30): Secure position in Fantasyland Garden 1 hour in advance.
• Dinner: Xinwang Teahouse in Disneytown (affordable options).

Day 9: Jiangnan Water Town and Art Journey

• Morning:
• Zhujiajiao Ancient Town (direct subway line 17): Morning mist over Fangsheng Bridge, breakfast with braised pork and grandmother’s rice dumplings.
• Long Museum West Bund: Industrial-style building plus riverside bike ride.
• Lunch: Lanxin Restaurant (Jinhuan Road local dishes, try fried shrimp and bamboo shoots stewed with cured meat).
• Afternoon:
• Yu Garden: Capture reflections of the Nine-turn Bridge in this Ming Dynasty garden.
• Chenghuang Temple: Visit famous old shops (like Nanxiang steamed buns).
• Night Tour: BFC Bund Riverside Night Market (weekend only, bars + handmade market).

Day 10: French Concession Stroll and Departure

• Morning:
• Sinan Mansions: Enjoy morning tea at the Antique Garden Café.
• Tianzifang: Avoid main alleys, explore Chen Yifei’s studio site.
• Souvenirs: Butterfly biscuits from International Hotel, almond slices from Harbin Food Factory.
• Departure: Hongqiao Airport/Station for return journey.