7-Day Golden Triangle Classic (Beijing - Xi'an - Shanghai)
The benchmark first-time route for global visitors. Connected via 350 km/h Fuxing bullet trains across 5,000 years of civilization and futuristic skylines.
Interactive Route Trajectory & Map
Interactive visual trajectory of all key attractions, bullet train stations, and airport gateways
AutoNavi (Amap) Geographic Route & Trajectory8 Stops
Powered by official AutoNavi (Amap) China geographic road & satellite tiles
Beijing South Station
Located in Beijing. Major milestone on this curated journey.
Day-by-Day Detailed Schedule
Each day carefully broken down with visit timings, ticket notices, recommended foods, and transport links
Arrive in Beijing & Imperial Central Axis
Arrive at Beijing, check into hotel in Dongcheng or Chaoyang. Take an afternoon stroll through Tiananmen Square and Wangfujing.
Tiananmen Square
1.5 HoursAdvance passport reservation required 1 day prior on official WeChat mini program.
Wangfujing Pedestrian Street
2 HoursVisit Heping Guoju (和平菓局) in the basement for vintage 1980s Beijing retro streets.
Copper Hotpot Mutton
Recommended Spot: Donglaishun Wangfujing Flagship
The Forbidden City & Temple of Heaven
Full day immersed in UNESCO Heritage sites: morning inside the Forbidden City palaces, followed by afternoon peaceful rituals at the Temple of Heaven.
Palace Museum (Forbidden City)
3.5 HoursBook tickets 7 days in advance at 20:00. Enter Meridian Gate.
Temple of Heaven
2 HoursCheck out the Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests and Echo Wall.
Crispy Peking Duck
Recommended Spot: Siji Minfu Dengshikou Branch
Mutianyu Great Wall & G-Train to Xi’an
Hike the forested peaks of the Great Wall, fly down on the toboggan, then board the 350 km/h G-train (4.5h) to ancient Chang’an (Xi’an).
Mutianyu Great Wall
4 HoursRound trip cable car recommended.
Fuxing Bullet Train to Xi’an
4.5 HoursScan foreign passport directly at train turnstiles.
Biangbiang Noodles & Roujiamo (Chinese Hamburger)
Recommended Spot: Ziwulu Zhangji Roujiamo
Emperor Qin's Terracotta Army & Muslim Quarter
Stand in awe before 8,000 life-sized warriors guarding China’s first emperor, followed by an evening culinary walk in the vibrant Muslim Quarter.
Emperor Qinshihuang’s Mausoleum Site Museum
4 HoursHire an official licensed English audio or guide on site. Pit 1 is the most jaw-dropping.
Muslim Quarter & Great Mosque
2.5 HoursPaved in stone with aromatic cumin-spiced skewers, persimmon cakes, and hammering sesame candy.
PaoMo (Crumbled flatbread soaked in rich lamb broth)
Recommended Spot: Lao Mi Jia Muslim Quarter
Charcoal Grilled Lamb Skewers with Cumin
Recommended Spot: Muslim Street Stalls
Xi'an Ancient Wall Bike Ride & Bullet Train to Shanghai
Cycle along the complete 14km Ming Dynasty City Wall with a bird’s-eye view of ancient moat and modern towers. Board afternoon bullet train or flight to Shanghai.
Xi'an Ming Dynasty City Wall
2 HoursRent a tandem or solo bicycle on top of the South Gate. Ride the full 13.7km loop.
Transfer to Shanghai
High-speed rail (6h) or Flight (2h 15m)Arrive in Shanghai Hongqiao or Pudong.
Shanghai Soup Dumplings (Xiaolongbao)
Recommended Spot: Jia Jia Tang Bao (佳家汤包)
Yu Garden Classical Aesthetics & The Bund Skyline
Wander classical Ming Dynasty zigzag bridges, rockeries, and tea houses in the morning, explore French Concession in the afternoon, and walk the Bund neon promenade at night.
Yu Garden & City God Temple Bazaar
2.5 HoursAdmire the Grand Rockery and Exquisite Jade Rock.
Former French Concession (Wukang Road)
2 HoursIconic flatiron building, leafy sycamore trees, and artisanal bistros.
The Bund & Huangpu River Ferry
2 HoursTake the famous ¥2 East Jinling Road ferry across the Huangpu River for incredible skyline photo angles.
Braised Pork Belly (Hongshao Rou) & Scallion Oil Noodles
Recommended Spot: Old Jesse Restaurant (老吉士)
Pan-Fried Pork Buns (Shengjianbao)
Recommended Spot: Dahuchun on Sichuan Middle Rd
Shanghai Tower Top of the World & Maglev Departure
Ascend to the 118th floor observation deck of Shanghai Tower (632m), stroll the Lujiazui elevated circular walkway, and ride the 431 km/h Maglev train to Pudong Airport.
Shanghai Tower Observation Deck
2 HoursFastest elevator ascends at 18m/second. 360-degree glass panorama.
Maglev Train (Longyang Rd to PVG)
8 mins (431 km/h)Show your airline flight ticket or passport for a ¥10 discount (¥40 total).
Modern Creative Dim Sum & Jasmine Tea
Recommended Spot: Din Tai Fung (Lujiazui IFC branch)
Need Adjustments for Flight Times or Group Preferences?
This blueprint is 100% free. If you need assistance linking specific high-speed train tickets, passport-approved hotels, or custom private vans, request a personalized 1-on-1 plan.
Explore More Free Itineraries
View All Routes
3-Day Beijing Imperial Express (144h/240h Transit)
Tailored for visa-free transit voyagers. Seamless airport express connection, high-speed rail transfer, imperial wonders, and authentic hutong delicacies.
5-Day Shanghai & Jiangnan Water Towns (Shanghai - Suzhou - Hangzhou)
The easiest, most comfortable visa-free transit itinerary. All 3 cities fall under the unified 144h/240h Yangtze Delta cluster with 25-minute high-speed trains.
6-Day Southwest Highlights (Chengdu - Chongqing - Yangtze)
Giant pandas, the 71-meter stone Buddha, authentic Sichuan peppercorn hotpot, and the vertical 3D architecture of mountain city Chongqing.