Classic China: 14 Days Through Beijing, Xi'an and Shanghai
Updated · By Carl
Infos voyage
- Durée
- 14 jours
- Difficulté
- Easy
- Rythme
- Balanced
- Meilleure saison
- Spring
- Budget
- Mid-range
- Villes sur cet itinéraire
- 1 ville
Beijing's imperial grandeur, Xi'an's Terracotta Army, and Shanghai's modern skyline in one seamless first-timer loop.
Aperçu
Who it is for
This route suits first-time visitors who want China's greatest hits without the guesswork. Fourteen days gives you time to absorb each city's character, take a slow morning in a teahouse, and not feel like you are ticking boxes. Families, couples, and solo travellers all find this loop manageable and rewarding.
How the route flows
You start in Beijing, China's political and cultural heart, then travel west to Xi'an, the ancient Silk Road capital. From there you head east to Shanghai, the country's most modern metropolis. This west-to-east arc avoids backtracking and follows the high-speed rail network's natural flow. Each leg takes half a day, leaving your afternoons free to explore.
Getting around
High-speed trains are the backbone of this trip. Beijing to Xi'an takes 4 hours 30 minutes, Xi'an to Shanghai takes 6 hours. Both routes run multiple times daily, and second-class seats are comfortable and affordable. Within cities, the metro systems are fast, cheap, and have English signage. Taxis are plentiful, but keep your destination written in Chinese characters. For the Great Wall and other day trips, join a small group tour or hire a private driver.
Points forts
- ◆Walk the Great Wall at Mutianyu and explore the Forbidden City's 9,999 rooms.
- ◆Stand face-to-face with 8,000 life-sized Terracotta Warriors in Xi'an.
- ◆Cycle the ancient city walls and wander the Muslim Quarter's food stalls.
- ◆Stroll the Bund at sunset and watch Shanghai's neon skyline light up.
- ◆Ride the world's fastest maglev train at 431 km/h from Pudong Airport.
Jour par jour
- 1Jour 1 · Beijing
Arrive in Beijing
Land at Beijing Capital or Daxing Airport and transfer to your hotel in the Dongcheng district. Spend the afternoon walking around Jingshan Park for your first view over the Forbidden City's golden roofs. End the day with Peking duck at Quanjude or Dadong.
Hébergement: 4 nights, central Beijing (Dongcheng or Xicheng district) - 2Jour 2 · Beijing
Tiananmen and the Forbidden City
Start early at Tiananmen Square, then enter the Forbidden City through the Meridian Gate. Walk the central axis through halls, courtyards, and the Imperial Garden. In the afternoon, stroll through the hutongs near Nanluoguxiang or hire a rickshaw for a guided loop.
Hébergement: Central Beijing - 3Jour 3 · Beijing
The Great Wall at Mutianyu
Take a day trip to Mutianyu, 90 minutes northeast of the city. This section is less crowded than Badaling and has a cable car up and a toboggan ride down. Walk the restored battlements and watchtowers for two to three hours, then return to Beijing by late afternoon.
Hébergement: Central Beijing - 4Jour 4 · Beijing
Temple of Heaven and Summer Palace
Visit the Temple of Heaven in the morning and watch locals practise tai chi on the lawns. In the afternoon, head to the Summer Palace and walk the Long Corridor, climb Longevity Hill, and take a boat across Kunming Lake. Return to your hotel and pack for tomorrow's train.
Hébergement: Central Beijing - 5Jour 5 · Xi'an
Beijing to Xi'an
Take a mid-morning high-speed train to Xi'an and arrive around 2 pm. Check into your hotel inside or near the old city wall. Spend the afternoon walking the Muslim Quarter, sampling roujiamo (Chinese burgers) and cool noodles. Climb the Drum Tower for sunset views.
Transport: High-speed train to Xi'an, 4 hours 30 minutesHébergement: 4 nights, central Xi'an (inside or near the ancient city wall) - 6Jour 6 · Xi'an
Terracotta Warriors
Drive 40 minutes east to the Terracotta Army Museum. Spend three hours exploring Pits 1, 2, and 3, where 8,000 warriors stand in battle formation. Each face is unique. Visit the exhibition hall to see bronze chariots and watch the introductory film.
Hébergement: Central Xi'an - 7Jour 7 · Xi'an
City Wall and Big Wild Goose Pagoda
Rent a bike and cycle the 14-kilometre city wall loop, one of the best-preserved ancient walls in China. In the afternoon, visit the Big Wild Goose Pagoda and stroll the surrounding gardens. Watch the musical fountain show in the north square at 8 pm.
Hébergement: Central Xi'an - 8Jour 8 · Xi'an
Day Trip to Huashan or Rest Day
Take a day trip to Mount Huashan if you want a challenge: cable cars lift you to the peaks, then narrow plank walks test your nerves. Alternatively, use this as a rest day to explore the Shaanxi History Museum or revisit the Muslim Quarter at your own pace.
Hébergement: Central Xi'an - 9Jour 9 · Shanghai
Xi'an to Shanghai
Board a morning high-speed train to Shanghai and arrive around 4 pm. Check into your hotel in the French Concession or near People's Square. Spend the evening walking Nanjing Road, Shanghai's main shopping street, then head to the Bund to see the skyline lit up across the Huangpu River.
Transport: High-speed train to Shanghai, 6 hoursHébergement: 5 nights, central Shanghai (French Concession or Huangpu district) - 10Jour 10 · Shanghai
The Bund and Yu Garden
Start at the Bund and walk the waterfront promenade, admiring the colonial-era buildings. Cross the river by tunnel or ferry to Lujiazui and ascend the Shanghai Tower (632 metres) for 360-degree views. In the afternoon, explore Yu Garden and the surrounding bazaar.
Hébergement: Central Shanghai - 11Jour 11 · Shanghai
French Concession and Tianzifang
Wander the tree-lined streets of the French Concession, stopping at cafes and boutiques in restored villas. Visit Tianzifang, a maze of alleyways filled with art studios, craft shops, and tea houses. End the day with xiaolongbao (soup dumplings) at Din Tai Fung or a local hole-in-the-wall.
Hébergement: Central Shanghai - 12Jour 12 · Shanghai
Day Trip to Suzhou or Zhujiajiao
Take a 30-minute train to Suzhou and spend the day exploring classical gardens like the Humble Administrator's Garden and walking the canals of Pingjiang Road. Or visit Zhujiajiao, a water town 90 minutes west by bus, for arched bridges and riverside teahouses. Return to Shanghai by evening.
Hébergement: Central Shanghai - 13Jour 13 · Shanghai
Museums and West Nanjing Road
Visit the Shanghai Museum in People's Square to see bronze, jade, and calligraphy collections spanning 5,000 years. In the afternoon, walk West Nanjing Road for high-end shopping or explore Jing'an Temple. Spend your final evening at a rooftop bar or a Huangpu River cruise.
Hébergement: Central Shanghai - 14Jour 14 · Shanghai
Depart Shanghai
Check out and take the maglev train to Pudong International Airport, reaching 431 km/h in eight minutes. If your flight is later in the day, revisit a favourite neighbourhood or pick up last-minute silk scarves and tea at the airport shops.
