Beijing, Shanghai and Chengdu: real routes that work
The most common mistake in China: Trying to see everything in one trip. China is HUGE. Focus on 2-3 cities and enjoy them.
Recommended route: 10 days
| Days | City | What to see |
|---|---|---|
| 1-4 | Beijing | Great Wall, Forbidden City, Temple of Heaven |
| 5-7 | Shanghai | Bund, French district, nightlife |
| 8-10 | Chengdu | Pandas, Sichuan food, nightlife |
Why this route:
- Beijing → Shanghai: High-speed train (4.5h, 550 yuan / €74)
- Shanghai → Chengdu: Flight (2.5h, 400-600 yuan / 54-81€)
BEIJING (4 days)
Day 1: Forbidden City and Tiananmen Square
Tomorrow:
- Tiananmen Square — the largest square in the world. Free.
- Forbidden City — 600 yuan (€81) entrance. Book online 2 days before (sold out)
Afternoon:
- Forbidden City Gardens — 10 yuan, less tourists
- Peking Duck dinner — Quanjude or Da Dong (200-300 yuan / €27-40)
Day 2: Great Wall
Options:
- Badaling: The most touristy, but impressive. 40 yuan entrance.
- Mutianyu: Less people, better preserved. 45 yuan entrance + cable car 120 yuan.
- Jinshanling: For serious walkers. 65 yuan.
How to get there:
- Bus from Beijing (Badaling: 2h, 12 yuan)
- Organized tour (200-300 yuan including transportation)
- DiDi (300-400 yuan round trip)
Tip: Go early (before 8am). The Wall fills up quickly.
Day 3: Temple of Heaven and Hutongs
Tomorrow:
- Temple of Heaven — 15 yuan. Arrive at opening (6:30am) to see locals doing tai chi.
Afternoon:
- Hutongs (traditional neighborhoods) — stroll through the alleys
- Houhai Lake — bar, restaurants and boat ride
Day 4: Museum and nightlife
Tomorrow:
- National Museum of China — free (online reservation)
- Summer Palace — 30 yuan, impressive imperial gardens
Night:
- Sanlitun — neighborhood of bars and nightlife
- Zhao Bar — cocktails with a local atmosphere
SHANGHAI (3 days)
Day 1: Bund and French District
Tomorrow:
- The Bund — walk along the waterfront with views of the skyscrapers. Free.
- Nanjing Road — the most famous shopping street in China
Afternoon:
- French District — European architecture, boutique shops, coffee
- Yu Garden — Chinese classical garden, 40 yuan
Day 2: Skyscrapers and culture
Tomorrow:
- Shanghai Tower — the tallest building in China. Observatory 180 yuan.
- Jade Buddha Temple — 20 yuan, active Buddhism
Afternoon:
- Shanghai Museum — free, impressive Chinese art
- Tianzifang — street art, design shops
Day 3: Free day
- Zhujiajiao — water town 1 hour from Shanghai. Perfect to escape the city.
- Or walk around Shanghai and discover corners
CHENGDU (3 days)
Day 1: Pandas
Tomorrow:
- Panda Research Center — 55 yuan. Arrive at opening (7:30am) to see the baby pandas eating.
- Pandas are active in the morning. In the afternoon they sleep.
Day 2: Sichuan Food
Chengdu is the gastronomic capital of China. Sichuan food is spicy, intense and addictive.
Where to eat:
- Chen Mapo Tofu — the original mapo tofu (30-50 yuan)
- Zhong Dumplings — dumplings with spicy sauce (20-30 yuan)
- Hot Pot — the best hot pot in the world (80-150 yuan per person)
Day 3: Temple and nightlife
Tomorrow:
- Nefriata Jade Temple — 10 yuan, peace in the middle of the city
- Panda Breeding Center — if you want to see more pandas
Night:
- Jinli Street — night street with food and souvenirs
- Bar street — bars and clubs
Transportation: High-speed trains
High-speed trains (CRH) are the best way to get around China. Fast, comfortable and cheap.
Main routes:
| Route | Duration | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Beijing → Shanghai | 4.5h | 550 yuan (€74) |
| Shanghai → Hangzhou | 1h | 75 yuan (€10) |
| Chengdu → Chongqing | 1.5h | 150 yuan (€20) |
How to book trains:
Option 1: Trip.com (RECOMMENDED)
- Open Trip.com or Ctrip
- Select origin and destination
- Choose date and time
- Pay with an international card
- Receive the ticket by email
Option 2: Train Station
- Go to the station with your passport
- Buy at the box office
- Problem: There may be no bills
Tip: Book 2-3 days in advance. The trains are full.
Errors I see over and over again
- Try to see everything: Better 3 cities good than 7 bad
- Do not reserve the Forbidden City: It sells out
- Go to the Great Wall at noon: Very hot and crowded
- Don't try Sichuan food: It's the best of Chengdu
- Do not use high-speed trains: They are the best way to travel
Cities checklist
- ☐ Planned route with days per city
- ☐ Forbidden City reserved online
- ☐ Reserved train tickets (Trip.com)
- ☐ Reserved hotels in central areas
- ☐ VPN configured and working
- ☐ WeChat Pay configured
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