12-Day China Itinerary: Beijing, Xi'an & Shanghai

A 12-day China itinerary through Beijing, the Great Wall at Mutianyu, Xi'an and Shanghai, with family friendly stops, booking tips and realistic travel times.

Day 1: Beijing, China

Get your bearings among Beijing's central landmarks, with the whole day clustered around Tiananmen Square and the old imperial palace.

7:30 AM — The Forbidden City sells no tickets at the gate. Book on the Palace Museum website with your passport (bookings open 7 days ahead), and carry the same passport on the day. The palace is closed on Mondays.
8:00 AM — Stay at Hotel near Wangfujing or Dongcheng. A central base for all four Beijing nights, close to the palace, the hutongs and two metro lines. Leave your bags in the morning and check in later.
8:30 AM — Tiananmen Square: The vast ceremonial square at the heart of Beijing, facing the Gate of Heavenly Peace and the entrance to the palace. Entry is free, but everyone passes passport and security checks, and visitors may need to reserve a time slot in advance. Start early, as the queues grow quickly.
11:00 AM — Forbidden City (The Palace Museum): The imperial palace of the Ming and Qing emperors, with grand halls, courtyards and gardens laid out along one long central axis. Walk north from the square through the Gate of Heavenly Peace to the Meridian Gate entrance. Allow at least three hours; you exit at the north gate.
4:30 PM — Jingshan Park: A hilltop park just north of the palace with the classic view over the golden rooftops of the Forbidden City. Cross the road from the palace's north gate and climb to the pavilion at the top, about ten minutes on foot. Late afternoon light is the best.

Day 2: Mutianyu and Beijing

Combine an early Great Wall outing with a relaxed evening around Beijing's Olympic architecture.

7:30 AM — Central Beijing to Mutianyu Great Wall: Central Beijing → Mutianyu Great Wall. Allow around 1.5 to 2 hours each way. A private car or a direct tourist bus is far easier than public transport, especially with children.
9:30 AM — Mutianyu Great Wall: A restored, forested section of the Great Wall with watchtowers, a cable car up and a toboggan ride down. The cable car and toboggan make the visit easier and more fun for children. Bring water and sun protection, as there is little shade on the wall.
1:00 PM — Eat at Lunch in Mutianyu village. Simple local restaurants near the visitor centre serve noodles and trout from the nearby streams. Take your time before the drive back.
6:30 PM — Beijing Olympic Park (Bird's Nest and Water Cube): The open plaza of the 2008 Olympics, home to the Bird's Nest stadium and the Water Cube aquatics centre. Head back to the city, then allow 30 to 45 minutes to the park depending on traffic. The buildings are lit up after dark and the plaza is free to walk.

Day 3: Beijing, China

Spend the day in southern and central Beijing, balancing a calm imperial park with lively old lanes.

8:30 AM — Temple of Heaven: The Ming dynasty complex where emperors prayed for good harvests, set in a huge park full of old cypress trees. Arrive early to watch local residents doing tai chi, dancing and singing in the park. A combined ticket covers the main halls, so buy that rather than park entry only.
2:00 PM — Shichahai and the Houhai lakes: Three connected lakes lined with willows, old courtyard houses and hutong lanes in central Beijing. Take a taxi or the metro for about 25 to 35 minutes from the Temple of Heaven, then explore the lakeside lanes on foot or by pedal boat.
5:30 PM — Nanluoguxiang: A busy, restored hutong street with snack stalls, small shops and quieter side lanes to wander. Walk or take a short ride of about 10 to 15 minutes from Shichahai. Duck into the side lanes to see everyday hutong life away from the crowds.

Day 4: Beijing, China

Keep the day fun for all ages with pandas, hands-on science exhibits and a classic Peking duck dinner.

8:30 AM — Beijing Zoo (Panda House): One of the oldest zoos in China, best known for its giant panda house. Arrive near opening time, when the pandas are usually more active. Allow around 20 to 30 minutes from central Beijing by taxi or metro. The panda house may need a separate ticket.
1:30 PM — China Science and Technology Museum: A huge, hands-on science museum near the Olympic Park, with a children's science park and plenty of interactive galleries. Allow 35 to 50 minutes by car from the zoo. The museum is closed on Mondays and tickets are booked in advance with your passport.
6:30 PM — Eat at Quanjude Roast Duck Restaurant (Wangfujing). One of Beijing's best known Peking duck restaurants. Book ahead, especially with children or a larger group.

Day 5: Xi'an, China

Take the high speed train to Xi'an, then spend your first afternoon and evening around the historic centre.

8:00 AM — Beijing West to Xi'an North: Beijing West Railway Station → Xi'an North Railway Station. The journey usually takes about 4.5 to 6 hours. Book seats together well ahead for a family, and bring the passports you booked with to the station.
2:00 PM — Stay at Hotel inside the Xi'an City Wall. Staying inside the wall, near the Bell Tower, puts the wall, the Muslim Quarter and the metro within easy reach for all three Xi'an nights.
3:30 PM — Xi'an City Wall: One of the best preserved ancient city walls in China, wide enough on top to walk or cycle all the way around. Go up at the South Gate. Walking a section is easiest with young children; bikes can be rented on the wall for older kids.
6:30 PM — Muslim Quarter: A lively maze of food streets near the Drum Tower, famous for its street snacks and the old Great Mosque. About 10 to 15 minutes by taxi from the wall, or a 20 minute walk. Try roujiamo, the local filled flatbread, and biangbiang noodles.

Day 6: Xi'an, China

Make the essential day trip east of the city to the Terracotta Army, then finish with a festive park and an evening show.

7:30 AM — Terracotta Army tickets are booked in real name with your passport, and bookings open about 7 days ahead. Use the museum's official site, and bring the same passport on the day.
9:00 AM — Terracotta Army (Emperor Qinshihuang's Mausoleum Site Museum): Thousands of life sized clay soldiers buried to guard China's first emperor, displayed in the huge pits where they were found. Allow about 1 to 1.5 hours each way by car from central Xi'an. Start with Pit 1, the largest, and plan for a lot of walking between the pits and the exhibition halls.
12:30 PM — Exhibition halls and lunch break (Emperor Qinshihuang's Mausoleum Site Museum) The halls are in the same museum complex, so there is no transfer. Take a proper lunch break and pace the visit around the children's energy.
6:30 PM — Tang Paradise: A large theme park in Tang dynasty style, with lakeside pavilions, gardens and evening light shows. Return to Xi'an by car, then allow around 30 to 45 minutes across town. Check the evening performance schedule, which is booked separately.

Day 7: Xi'an, China

Explore a compact cluster of major Xi'an landmarks in the Qujiang area and leave room for an easy meal and rest.

9:30 AM — Big Wild Goose Pagoda: A 7th century Buddhist pagoda inside Da Ci'en Temple, built to hold scriptures brought back from India by the monk Xuanzang. Explore the temple grounds and, if you wish, climb the pagoda, which is a separate ticket. Allow about 20 to 30 minutes by car from the city centre.
1:30 PM — Qujiang Pool Park: A landscaped lake park in the Qujiang district, with willow lined paths, bridges and pavilions. Take a taxi for about 10 to 15 minutes from the pagoda, or enjoy a longer walk. A relaxed open air break after the morning's sightseeing.
8:00 PM — Musical fountain show at the North Square (North Square of the Big Wild Goose Pagoda) Return to the pagoda area in about 10 to 15 minutes by taxi. Show times change with the season, so check locally and arrive early for a good spot.

Day 8: Shanghai, China

Fly to Shanghai and ease into the city with its famous waterfront skyline and pedestrian shopping street.

9:00 AM — Xi'an to Shanghai: Xi'an Xianyang International Airport → Shanghai Hongqiao or Pudong Airport. The flight takes about 2.5 hours and is much faster than the train for this leg. Book a morning flight to leave the afternoon free.
1:30 PM — Stay at Hotel near People's Square or the Bund. A central base for the five Shanghai nights, with metro lines to Pudong, the old city and Disneyland.
4:00 PM — The Bund: Shanghai's riverside promenade, lined with grand colonial era buildings and facing the Pudong skyline across the Huangpu River. From your hotel, stroll the waterfront at your own pace. Stay until the lights come on across the river.
7:00 PM — Nanjing Road Pedestrian Street: Shanghai's best known shopping street, running from the Bund towards People's Square under bright neon signs. Walk about 10 to 15 minutes from the Bund. It is at its liveliest in the evening, with snacks, shops and lit up signs.

Day 9: Shanghai, China

Stay close to Shanghai's historic centre for garden scenery, traditional lanes and a taste of local classics.

9:00 AM — Yu Garden: A classical Chinese garden from the Ming dynasty, with rockeries, ponds, pavilions and winding corridors. Arrive early for a calmer visit. It is about 10 to 20 minutes by taxi from the Bund area.
12:00 PM — Yuyuan Old Street and Bazaar: Traditional style shopping streets around the garden, full of tea shops, crafts and snack stalls. About five minutes on foot from the garden entrance. Try a snack as you browse, and cross the zigzag bridge by the teahouse.
5:30 PM — Eat at Nanxiang Steamed Bun Restaurant (Yuyuan). Famous for its xiaolongbao, the soup dumplings Shanghai is known for. An early dinner helps you avoid the longest queues.

Day 10: Pudong, Shanghai

Cross the river for a child friendly aquarium and panoramic views from Pudong's landmark towers.

9:30 AM — Shanghai Ocean Aquarium: A large aquarium in Lujiazui, best known for its long underwater tunnel. From central Puxi, allow about 20 to 40 minutes by taxi or metro to Lujiazui. The underwater tunnel is a highlight for families.
2:00 PM — Shanghai Tower: China's tallest building, with an observation deck high above the city on one of its top floors. Walk about 10 to 15 minutes from the aquarium. Check the visibility before heading up; on a hazy day the view is limited.
6:00 PM — Lujiazui Riverside Promenade: A riverside walkway on the Pudong side, with a wide view of the Bund's historic buildings across the Huangpu River. Walk around 10 minutes from the tower for a free, open air view of the Bund. Stay for the lights after dark.

Day 11: Shanghai Disney Resort

Spend a full day at Shanghai Disneyland, a big, cheerful change of pace for a family trip.

7:00 AM — Disneyland tickets are sold for a specific date and the price changes with demand, so buy in advance on the official site and check the park calendar.
8:30 AM — Shanghai Disneyland: The Disney park in mainland China, with its Enchanted Storybook Castle and rides for every age. Allow about 45 to 75 minutes from central Shanghai by metro Line 11 or car. Arrive before opening to ride the most popular attractions first.
12:00 PM — Headline rides and shows (Shanghai Disneyland) Use the official app for live wait times. A midday rest and an early meal help children keep going.
8:00 PM — Night time castle show (Shanghai Disneyland) Confirm the show time on the day, and plan your trip back before the finale, when the metro gets crowded.

Day 12: Shanghai, China

Finish with leafy streets, a hands-on museum and one last view of Shanghai's riverfront.

9:30 AM — Former French Concession: Leafy, plane tree lined streets with old villas, cafes and small boutiques, around Wukang Road and Anfu Road. Explore on foot. Allow about 15 to 30 minutes by taxi or metro from central hotels to the area you choose.
1:30 PM — Shanghai Natural History Museum: A modern museum in Jing'an Sculpture Park, with dinosaur skeletons, animal halls and plenty for children to explore. About 15 to 25 minutes by taxi from the French Concession. The museum is closed on Mondays, so check opening days and book tickets ahead.
7:00 PM — Huangpu River night cruise (Shiliupu Wharf, near the Bund) Take a taxi for about 15 to 25 minutes to the Bund boarding area, then see the lit up waterfront from the river. Check the latest sailing times and pier.