10-14 Days Beijing Xi’an Zhangjiajie Shanghai Tour Itinerary

Are you looking for an itinerary that includes Beijing, Xi’an, Zhangjiajie, and Shanghai?

Here are our carefully designed tour options, ranging from 10 to 14 days for your reference. In addition to must-see attractions, each destination also features unique cultural experiences. If you have other preferences or requests, we’d be happy to customize the itinerary just for you!

The Most Worthwhile Experiences

Mutianyu Great Wall

Tai Chi Learning

Opera Marsk Painting

Miniature Terracotta Warrior Making

Making dumplings

Shadow Puppet Show

Marriage Market

Floating Mountains

10 Days Beijing Xi'an Zhangjiajie and Shanghai Luxury Itinerary

Day 1: Arrival in Beijing

Your driver and guide will meet you at the airport and transfer you to your hotel. Depending on your arrival time, you can take a relaxing walk along Wangfujing Pedestrian Street, enjoy local snacks, or browse a local bookstore.In the evening, visit the Wangfujing Night Market or climb Jingshan Park for a panoramic night view over the Forbidden City.

Dinner Recommendation: Donglaishun Hotpot (authentic Beijing-style lamb hotpot)

Hotel Suggestion: Park Plaza Beijing Wangfujing (walkable to the Forbidden City, convenient metro access) or The Peninsula Beijing

Wangfujing Street

Donglaishun Hot Pot

Day 2: Beijing

Visit Tiananmen Square, the Forbidden City (in-depth tour), Jingshan Park, and the Temple of Heaven (a great place to observe morning exercises).

Cultural Experience: Try your hand at Peking Opera Mask Painting in a hutong cultural studio or theater workshop (requires a half-day session).

Evening activity: Watch the “Legend of Kung Fu” show at the Red Theatre — a blend of martial arts and stage art.

Lunch Recommendation: Hongbinlou — traditional Beijing-style Halal imperial dishes such as sauced beef and pan-fried meat strips

Dinner Recommendation: Siji Minfu Roast Duck (Shichahai branch with lakeside views)

Day 3: Beijing

Hike Mutianyu Great Wall (round-trip cable car included), followed by lunch at a local farmhouse near the wall (recommended dishes: chicken stewed over woodfire, corn pancakes).

In the afternoon, enjoy a rickshaw tour through old Beijing hutongs and sip tea in a traditional courtyard home.

In the evening, explore the nightlife of Sanlitun, enjoy a nighttime light show at the Imperial Ancestral Temple, or attend a Peking Opera performance.

Dinner Recommendation: TRB Hutong (creative French cuisine in a beautiful courtyard setting)

Day 4: Beijing – Xi’an (High-speed Train or Flight)

Morning visit to the Summer Palace.Lunch Recommendation: Quanjude Roast Duck at Qianmen Branch (classic venue), Transfer to the airport or train station. Upon arrival in Xi’an, transfer to hotel. In the evening, take a walk along the dazzling Great Tang All Day Mall with light shows and sculptures.

Dinner Recommendation: Chang’an Grand Restaurant (folk music + Shaanxi street food)

Hotel Suggestion: Sofitel Xi’an on Renmin Square (peaceful, within the ancient city wall) or Sofitel Legend People’s Grand Hotel Xi’an

Day 5: Xi'an

Explore the Terracotta Warriors Museum (with guided interpretation), Huaqing Palace, and Lishan Mountain.

Cultural Experience: Create your own miniature terracotta warrior figurine at an artisan workshop.

Lunch Recommendation: Lao Mi Jia Lamb Noodle Soup or Sanyuan Lao Huang Dumplings

Evening suggestion: Attend a performance at Tang Dynasty Palace showcasing ancient music and dance.

Dinner Recommendation: Defachang Dumpling Banquet (colorful dumplings with various fillings)

Day 6: Xi’an – Zhangjiajie (Flight 14:35–16:05)

Cycle on top of Xi’an's Ancient City Wall and take photos at Bell & Drum Tower Square.

Lunch Recommendation: Xi’an Restaurant (combination of imperial and local Shaanxi cuisine)

Transfer to the airport. Upon arrival in Zhangjiajie, your driver and guide will transfer you to the hotel in Wulingyuan area. Evening at leisure strolling along the Xibu Old Street Night Market. Try Tujia-style grilled meats and fried sticky rice cakes.

Dinner Recommendation: Xibu Impression Private Kitchen (recommended: steamed cured meats, black fungus chicken soup)

Day 7: Zhangjiajie

Full-day tour of Zhangjiajie National Forest Park: enter via East Gate, take the Bailong Elevator, visit Yuanjiajie (Avatar Mountains), Yangjiajie, and Tianzi Mountain; descend via Tianzi Mountain Cableway.

Lunch: At a mountaintop restaurant (local mountain dishes)

Cultural Experience: Learn traditional Tujia weaving at a workshop and try weaving a small souvenir by hand.

Dinner Recommendation: Tujia Banquet (recommended: Sanxiaoguo hotpot, Hezha soup)

Day 8: Zhangjiajie – Shanghai (Flight 21:30–23:45)

Visit Tianmen Mountain National Forest Park, including the Glass Skywalk, Tongtian Avenue, and Tianmen Cave.

Lunch Recommendation: Local restaurant at the Tianmen Mountain cable car base (wild-foraged ingredients)

Free time in the afternoon before transfer to the airport. Upon arrival in Shanghai, private transfer to your hotel.

Hotel Suggestion: Fairmont Peace Hotel (prime location on Nanjing Road and The Bund)

Day 9: Shanghai

Visit Yuyuan Garden, City God Temple, Nanjing Road Pedestrian Street, The Bund, and Lujiazui Financial District.

Cultural Experience: Enjoy an authentic tea ceremony and try on traditional qipao for a photo session in a historic shikumen teahouse.

Lunch Recommendation: Lv Bo Lang (classic Shanghainese cuisine, next to Yuyuan Garden)

Evening suggestions: Ascend the Shanghai Tower (China's tallest building), Take a nighttime Huangpu River cruise Or attend ERA: Intersection of Time acrobatic show (great for families)

Dinner Recommendation: Old Jesse (authentic Shanghainese) or Western fine dining at No. 18 on The Bund (with river view)

Day 10: Departure from Shanghai

Depending on your flight time, enjoy a final stroll along Nanjing Road or visit Jing’an Temple before heading to the airport after breakfast.

12 Days Itinerary Extension

For a 12 days itinerary, we usually recommend adding one more day in Beijing and one more in Zhangjiajie

Beijing: Visit the Bird’s Nest (National Stadium) and Water Cube (National Aquatics Center); in the afternoon, explore Nanluoguxiang and Yonghe Lama Temple. In the hutongs, you can enjoy cultural activities such as paper-cutting or kite-making.

Zhangjiajie: Explore the Zhangjiajie Grand Canyon and walk on the Glass Bridge (you can also try the highest bungee jump in Asia — about 370 meters). Hike through the canyon and enjoy a short boat ride (about 2 hours). In the afternoon, visit the impressive Yellow Dragon Cave before returning to the hotel.

14 Days Itinerary Extension

If you plan to spend 14 days in these cities, we recommend extending the original 10-day itinerary by adding:

1 extra day in Beijing, 2 days for a round-trip to Fenghuang Ancient Town from Zhangjiajie, 1 additional day in Shanghai

Beijing (Additional Day): Visit the Bird’s Nest (National Stadium) and Water Cube (National Aquatics Center) in the morning. In the afternoon, explore Nanluoguxiang and Yonghe Lama Temple, and enjoy cultural experiences in the hutongs such as paper cutting or kite making.

Zhangjiajie – Fenghuang Ancient Town (High-Speed Train): Take a morning high-speed train to Fenghuang Ancient Town. Explore the highlights of the ancient town and enjoy the beautiful riverside night views in the evening. Fenghuang Ancient Town – Furong Town – Zhangjiajie (Round-trip by High-Speed Train) Depart in the morning for Furong Ancient Town, explore the picturesque streets, and take a boat tour through the mangrove forest. Return to Zhangjiajie in the evening by high-speed train.

Shanghai (Additional Day): Take a day trip from Shanghai to Xitang Water Town, explore the well-preserved canals, bridges, and old houses, then return to Shanghai in the evening.

Fine Dinning

Luxury Hotel with a Swimming Pool, Excellent Location, and Great Service