China is an incredible country with one of the longest histories in the world and fascinating culture; there’s so many incredible things to do in China that spending 8 days in China will feel like a whirlwind! It’s one of the most fascinating places to visit with so much to do and see.
This 8 day China itinerary will take you to some of the top historical sites throughout Northern and Central China. If you have an additional time, I’ll share some recommendations with you at the end. I spent over a month in China and was barely able to scratch the surface!
Table of Contents
My Experience in China
I got the opportunity to teach for a summer in China through an organization that offered to pay for my flight and apartment while I was there. It was an amazing opportunity that I had to take. I arrived 8 days early, and here is what I did!
The teaching program offered to let me choose the dates for my trip, and without knowing who would join me or what I would do if I ended up solo, I got my ticket for eight days before the position was to start. When I told them I wanted to come early, I wasn’t sure any of my friends would end up coming with me, but I knew that a free flight to China was something I couldn’t waste! I was tired of maybes, ifs, whens, and afters. I just had faith that someone would be as adventurous as me and choose to come along.
My gut was right, I reached out to friends, and two—TWO of my friends ended up wanting to come. I was not alone in my sense of adventure and excitement about China! They both booked their flights and asked, “What’s next?”
So, I started researching. There are so many things I wish I had known about traveling in China when I started planning. Researching travel for China is tough. It is ever-changing and evolving, and it’s hard to know what to expect. You’ll fall in love with China’s megacities while there – trust me! I didn’t book a tour through a company for the eight-day trip and opted to save money and book things on my own.
NOTE: I owe a HUGE thank you to the people who made this trip possible: to TIS for hiring me and being flexible, to my school for giving me a few days off, to Megan and Matt for letting me stay at their place when my lease ended, and to Nancy who watched my adorable cat for a whole month! And finally, thank you to Elizabeth and Adam who put up with my worries about planning this trip and being understanding when things went wrong. There are a lot of amazing people out there who supported my dream and made it happen.
This is the first trip internationally (besides a cruise) that I planned myself, and it was very overwhelming at first. I remember calling my mom, who was going to China on a tour just a month before I was going, and saying I didn’t know where to start. She assured me that if I planned ahead and used my skills (I love planning) that I would be fine. I took a deep breath and jumped in.
When I started to write this post, I planned on writing about each place in the post like I did for Peru, but the post was getting extremely long. With all the landmarks in China and interesting things to do, there were so many things I wanted to include that I was looking at an insanely long post that would probably take forever to load for you. So instead, I am doing different posts for each city we visited. This post contains an overview of my travels in China.
Tips for Visiting China
- Most travelers need a tourist visa (L visa). Apply at a Chinese consulate or embassy well in advance.
- Carry a printed copy of your hotel bookings and return flight details; immigration may ask for them.
- You have to show your passport to get into historical places in China. Bring your passport with you everywhere!
- WeChat & Alipay: Almost everything is paid via these apps, even street food. Set them up before arrival.
- VPN: Many Western websites (Google, Instagram, WhatsApp) are blocked. Use a VPN to access them.
- Translation App: Google Translate (with offline Chinese download) or WeChat’s built-in translator.
- Cash is less common; mobile payments are the norm. Bring a UnionPay card or check if your credit card works in China. Some places still accept cash. Exchange some RMB (yuan) before arriving for small purchases.
- The subway is efficient in big cities like Beijing and Shanghai. DiDi (China’s Uber) is useful, but you may need a Chinese bank card to pay. Taxis can be used, but I’d carry your destination in Chinese characters since many drivers don’t speak English.
- English is not widely spoken, so knowing some basic Mandarin phrases is very helpful.
- Some restaurants don’t have English menus—use translation apps or point at pictures. Most restaurants will have picture menus.
- Don’t tip in restaurants; it’s not customary.
- Stand in line assertively; crowds can be pushy.
- Public toilets often don’t have toilet paper—carry your own!
- Be respectful when discussing politics, especially topics like Taiwan, Tibet, and Hong Kong.
- China is generally very safe, even at night.
- Beware of common scams:
- Tea house scams (where you’re invited for tea and overcharged).
- Fake taxis or inflated prices for tourists.
- “Friendly” locals offering tours or practice in English—some may be scammers.
8 DAYS IN CHINA OVERVIEW
9 nights
3 cities
Total cost (remember, I had no international flight): $702
Average food cost per day: $15
This itinerary assumes you have 8 full days and you arrive the day before the itinerary begins. If you don’t have 8 full days, consider removing a day trip from this itinerary.
Day 1: Explore Beijing
Tiananmen Square
Tiananmen Square is the largest public square in the world and a symbol of modern China. Located in the heart of Beijing, it is surrounded by significant historical and political landmarks.
The square has been the site of many important events in Chinese history, from imperial ceremonies to modern political gatherings.
It’s just outside the Forbidden City and typically the meeting place or first stop on a tour of this area. There is no signage or information in English here, so again, it is best to go on a tour if you do not speak Chinese.
Forbidden City
The Forbidden City in Beijing is one of China’s most iconic landmarks and a must-visit for history lovers. It is home to stunning architecture and incredible history.
It was the imperial palace for 24 emperors of the Ming and Qing dynasties, spanning nearly 600 years (1420–1912). Today, it is a UNESCO World Heritage site and home to the Palace Museum, showcasing an immense collection of ancient Chinese artifacts.
You’ll easily spend half the day exploring this area. If you choose to go on your own, you’ll need to book tickets in advance. They limit daily visitors, and it’s one of the most popular sites to visit in all of China, so you can imagine it does sell out.
Hutongs
Once you’ve explored these sites, head to the Hutongs by public transit (or if on a full day customizable tour, head here next).
Hutongs are the traditional alleyways of Beijing, lined with courtyard houses (四合院 – sìhéyuàn) that date back to the Yuan, Ming, and Qing dynasties (700 years ago).
These narrow lanes offer a glimpse into old Beijing’s lifestyle, culture, and history. They are a beautiful juxtaposition with the skyscrapers and huge apartment buildings not far away. It feels like you’ve been transported somewhere else!
Many hutongs have been preserved, while others have been modernized with boutique shops, cafés, and restaurants. We loved spending an afternoon exploring this area and finding unique souvenirs to take home.
We really wandered this area aimlessly on our own just enjoying the neighborhood. You’ll enjoy it too!
Peking Duck
End your day with one of the most famous dishes in China – Peking Duck. Known for its crispy skin, tender meat, and rich flavors. It originated in Beijing during the Imperial era (during the 15th century). This dish was once a luxury reserved for emperors but is now a must-try for visitors.
Two places famous for this dish are Dadong or Quanjude, but I’d also recommend asking your hotel or tour guide for a recommendation because they will know where to go closest to home!
Day 2: Beijing
On day two in Beijing, you will explore some of the beautiful outdoor spaces around the city. You’ll do a lot of walking again, but trust me, it is worth it!
Morning at the Summer Palace
The Summer Palace in Beijing is China’s largest and best-preserved imperial garden. Originally built in 1750 during the Qing Dynasty, it was the summer retreat for emperors escaping the city’s heat.
Today, it is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a masterpiece of classical Chinese garden design, blending lakes, temples, and pavilions. It is beautiful, and there are many activities to do here. This is one area I don’t think you need a guide to explore unless you have something specific in mind.
Grab your entry with an audio guide in English here. Really helpful to have as you walk around on your own!
Here are some things not to miss at the Summer Palace:
- Kunming Lake: Covers ¾ of the palace grounds, inspired by Hangzhou’s West Lake. You can take a dragon boat ride across the lake.
- Longevity Hill: Offers the best panoramic views of the palace and lake. Home to the Tower of Buddhist Incense, a grand multi-tiered pagoda
- Seventeen-Arch Bridge:A stunning bridge connecting Nanhu Island to the palace. Features 544 stone lions carved into the railings!
- The Long Corridor: A 728-meter covered walkway with over 14,000 colorful paintings. Each beam is decorated with scenes from Chinese folklore and history.
- Marble Boat: A stone boat built in 1755, symbolizing the stability of the Qing Dynasty.
- Suzhou Street: A recreated water town market, designed to resemble the famous canals of Suzhou. In ancient times, emperors pretended to shop here for entertainment. Today there’s great spots to eat along the water. Would recommend lunch here!
Afternoon Choose History or the Arts
During the afternoon, you’ve got some options! Depending on what you’re most interested in, I’d recommend a few different places as options to visit.
Note that these areas do not have many signs or descriptions in English. Consider using a guide if you’d like more context on what you are viewing!
Option 1: National Museum of China
Located on the east side of Tainanmen Square, this is one of the largest museums in the world. Features ancient Chinese artifacts, including bronze ware, jade, and calligraphy. There’s so much to see in this museum!
Entry is free but requires a passport and online reservation.
Option 2: Explore 798 Art District
798 Art District is Beijing’s trendiest contemporary art district, set in a former military factory. Filled with street art, avant-garde galleries, cafés, and design shops.
You can visit several different excellent art galleries and cafes while here.
Top galleries to visit:
- UCCA (Ullens Center for Contemporary Art) – The largest and most famous.
- Pace Beijing – Features global and Chinese contemporary artists.
- Beijing Commune – Focuses on emerging Chinese artists.
Explore a Night Market
End your second day in Beijing with some fabulous street food. Beijing’s night markets are perfect for trying local street food, shopping for souvenirs, and experiencing the city’s nightlife. There are several markets, depending on where you stay to consider.
1. Wangfujing Snack Street (Dongcheng District)
- The most famous night market in Beijing.
- Try scorpions on a stick, lamb skewers, dumplings, and candied hawthorn.
- Great for souvenirs and a lively atmosphere.
2. Shichahai Night Market
- A mix of street food and lakeside bars with live music.
- Try grilled squid, roasted chestnuts, and traditional Beijing snacks.
- Perfect for a relaxing evening walk along the lake.
Day 3: Great Wall of China
Your last day in Beijing has to be spent at the Great Wall of China, no doubt about including this on an itinerary!
No trip to Beijing is complete without seeing the Great Wall. Five different wall sections are popular to visit in Beijing. In pictures, the Great Wall is often covered in thousands of people.
Knowing this, I wanted to ensure we did not end up with a million people on a commercial part of the Great Wall. I looked up different sections and found the Mutianyu section.
It is one of the best-preserved sections of the Great Wall and way less crowded in general than the more well-known sections, such as the Badaling section.
Plus, there’s a really cool slide you can ride while here down from the Wall. I would definitely recommend taking a tour of the Great Wall rather than doing on your own for efficiency and time.
I’ve got a whole post on why you should visit this section of the Great Wall. Check out my full list of reasons to visit the Mutianyu section!
Afternoon or Evening Travel To Shanghai
After spending the morning or most of your day at the Great Wall, it’s time to travel to your next destination – Shanghai.
We found buying train tickets to be very hard in China unless you already know Chinese. I recommend buying them beforehand (and don’t lose them!). Yes, they will be a little more expensive, but the time and stress you save are worth it. I used China Highlights for our tickets. They were professional, responsive to emails, and answered our questions.
Day 4: Shanghai
Shanghai is China’s largest and one of the most modern cities. Known as the “Paris of the East,” it blends rich historical landmarks with towering skyscrapers and cutting-edge architecture. From its colonial-era Bund to its ultra-modern skyscrapers in Pudong, Shanghai offers something for every traveler.
Morning in Former French Consession
Spend your morning exploring one of the best neighborhoods in Shanghai – the Former French Consession (also where you’ll stay if you take my recommendation!).
Known for its tree-lined streets, old villas, and cafés. This area is perfect for a leisurely stroll and discovering boutiques and galleries. It’s a great start to spending time in Shanghai!
Don’t miss Tianzifang, a popular arts and crafts enclave in the French Concession, full of narrow lanes, boutique shops, art galleries, restaurants, and cafés.
Explore on a Hop on Hop Off Bus
- Jade Buddha Temple: This is a Buddhist temple with two magnificent jade Buddha statues. It’s a peaceful place and a spiritual contrast to the city’s hustle and bustle.
- Shanghai Museum: This museum houses an impressive collection of ancient Chinese art, including bronze, jade, calligraphy, and ceramics. Entry is free, but you may need to reserve tickets in advance.
- Yu-Gardens: Classic Chinese garden dating back to the 16th century, featuring pavilions, ponds, and lush greenery.
- Yu-Bazaar: great for traditional snacks and souvenirs.
- Pudong: This district, home to some of the city’s tallest skyscrapers, like the Shanghai World Financial Center and the Jin Mao Tower, offers a futuristic contrast to the historic Bund. Don’t miss the Shanghai Tower observation deck here (second tallest building in the world).
Evening Options
For your first evening in Shanghai, I’ll share two options you’ll love, depending on what you’re most interested in on your trip. Keep in mind that Shanghai is known for its nightlife, and there are tons of places to explore.
Option 1: Shanghai Circus
The Shanghai Circus is a popular attraction in the city, known for its impressive acrobatics, performances, and cultural shows.
It showcases traditional Chinese circus arts and modern twists, providing an unforgettable experience for adults and children. If you’re interested in seeing some of China’s best acrobats and dazzling feats, the Shanghai Circus is a must-visit.
Option 2: Nanjing Road
Your second option is to explore Shanghai’s main shopping street, Nanjing Road. Lined with high-end stores, shopping malls, and department stores this area is lively day or night, but get there early enough to take advantage of shopping before grabbing dinner somewhere.
East Nanjing Road is famous for luxury brands, while West Nanjing Road is filled with department stores and art galleries.
Day 5-6: Choose Day Trips from Shanghai
Over the next few days, choose a few day trips from Shanghai. As mentioned earlier, the train system in China is extensive, and there are many places near Shanghai that make easy and wonderful day trips.
Stay at the same hotel you are already staying at in Shanghai and take advantage of some of the great day trips below!
Option 1: Suzhou
Option 1: SuzhouKnown as the Venice of the East, Suzhou is a beautiful city just a 30-40 minute train ride from Shanghai. I’d highly recommend taking a tour if you want to visit here.
Highlights include:
- Classical Gardens of Suzhou (e.g., Humble Administrator’s Garden and Lingering Garden): A UNESCO World Heritage site, these beautiful gardens are perfect for relaxing and enjoying traditional Chinese landscaping.
- Suzhou Silk Museum: Learn about Suzhou’s 2,000-year history of silk production.
- Canal Cruise: Take a relaxing boat ride along the Grand Canal, which flows through the heart of Suzhou.
- Old Town: Explore Pingjiang Road, a historic street lined with traditional houses and tea shops.
Tour Option: Shanghai: All-Inclusive Suzhou Day Trip by Bullet Train
Option 2: Hangzhou
Known for its beautiful lakes and temples, Hangzhou is one hour by train away from Shanghai and is a beautiful city.
Highlights include:
- West Lake: A UNESCO World Heritage site, this beautiful lake is surrounded by temples, pagodas, and lush gardens. You can take a boat ride or walk along the lake’s paths.
- Lingyin Temple: One of China’s largest and most famous Buddhist temples.
- Tea Plantations: Visit the Longjing Tea Village to learn about Chinese tea culture and taste some of the best tea in China.
- Leifeng Pagoda: A historic pagoda with amazing views over West Lake.
Tour Option: Private Full Day Tour : Customizable Hangzhou City Highlights with Multi Options
Option 3: Disneyland Shanghai
This is technically not a day trip, but it is going to take up your entire day and is an option for those interested!
Located in the Pudong district, it offers a blend of Disney magic and Chinese culture, making it a unique experience for visitors from around the world. It’s perfect for both families and Disney fans, offering thrilling rides, classic Disney characters, and immersive experiences.
I didn’t personally take this day trip and deeply regret it! At the time of visiting China I had never been to Disney, but now I get the hype. Plus, it is less expensive than Disneyland and Disney World in the US.
You can easily take a taxi or the Shanghai Metro from downtown to Disneyland Shanghai.
Day 7: Xi’an
Day 7: To get to Xi’an, take an overnight train. Overnight trains in China are quite the experience! I recommend getting a second class or first class ticket for the most comfortable options. It’s an easy and affordable way to get to and from Xi’an but I’d recommend a high speed train from Xi’an to Beijing on your trip back.
Once you’ve arrived, drop your bags off at your hotel and head out to explore the city.
Stay: Holiday Inn Express Xi’an Bell Tower by IHG
I’d recommend getting a tour guide to explore Xi’an and learn its deep and unique history. The highlight of visiting Xi’an is seeing the Terracotta Warriors, but there’s plenty more to do while here that you shouldn’t miss.
As the starting point of the Silk Road and the ancient capital of several Chinese dynasties, it offers a unique blend of historical landmarks, ancient architecture, and cultural treasures. A tour will seamlessly take you between the top spots.
Tour Options:
Here are some things you can’t miss in Xi’an:
- Terracotta Army: One of China’s most famous archaeological discoveries and a UNESCO World Heritage site. It consists of over 8,000 life-sized statues of soldiers, horses, and chariots, created to protect the tomb of Emperor Qin Shi Huang in the afterlife.
- Xi’an City Wall: One of the best-preserved ancient city walls in China, dating back to the Ming Dynasty. You can walk or rent a bike to ride along the perimeter of the wall, enjoying panoramic views of the old and new parts of the city.
- Muslim Quarter: Vibrant area of Xi’an, known for its delicious street food and lively atmosphere. This area is home to the Hui Muslim community and features mosques, traditional shops, and markets.
You can definitely see all of these things in a single day in Xi’an, but it could be a long day!
Day 8: Xi’an to Beijing or Shanghai
From Xi’an, it’s time to head back to Beijing or Shanghai via high speed train before your departure. You can spend the morning exploring Xi’an, making stops at places like Big Wild Goose Pagoda or head right back.
Big Wild Goose Pagoda is a 7-story Buddhist pagoda built in the 7th century during the Tang Dynasty to house sutras brought back from India by the monk Xuanzang. The pagoda is part of the Da Ci’en Temple complex and is a symbol of Chinese Buddhism. Climb the pagoda for great views of the surrounding area!
You could also head to the Shaanxi History Museum to learn about the region’s long history, which dates back over 5,000 years. The museum showcases ancient artifacts, including bronze items, pottery, calligraphy, and painting from the Zhou, Qin, Han, and Tang Dynasties.
The museum is free to enter but requires reservations for peak times.
If instead you take a morning train to Beijing or Shanghai before your departure, spend the afternoon exploring some of the neighborhoods in either city!
Things I wish I had known when planning my trip…
It’s Affordable compared to many other destinations.
China is very affordable compared to other destinations. I’ve seen that a lot of flights are even cheaper, too. We paid $70 a night for our hotel and took private tours the whole time. The average cost per day was less than $100, once it’s all laid out. You can get pretty nice accommodations for a decent price, too.
I was impressed with how we were able to stay and do so many things on a budget. The food is also really affordable, and you can eat a lot there without spending too much. The most expensive thing was water bottles, which you must buy because the water is not safe for anyone to drink.
Compare prices before deciding what you’d like to do. I have seen guided tours with flights included for less than $1000 lately, which is amazing! Even if it is not the best tour, if they can get you there for cheap and you can plan your own things for cheap, then I would do it.
Trains
We took an overnight train to and from Xi’an. This was an experience in and of itself. The bathrooms were terrible, the beds were hard, and we shared space with three other people. However, the people were friendly, since we were in it together, and we learned a lot about being a millennial in China. We also tried many delicious snacks.
We ended up not showering for three days, which was not the best either, but honestly, who really cares?! The train saved us money and made for a great story. I do recommend taking an overnight train, but know what you are getting into!
Look carefully at the ticket you are purchasing. The trains will be full, and I mean full. We chose second-class tickets and were sent to a three bunks high section and shared with three strangers. It was fine, but we just didn’t know what it would be like.
Also, they sell five classes of tickets. Third, fourth, and fifth-class is very packed and all in the same car. We took a third-class train once, and we were with the fourth and fifth-class passengers as well.
Third-class has reserved seats, fourth-class seats allow you to sit in an open spot, and fifth-class is standing room only. This makes it extremely crowded—people even bring their own stools to sit in the isles.
Public transit within the major cities (like Shanghai, Tianjin, and Beijing) had English signs, but we did not see very much English outside public transit. They also use a color system to tell you where a train is headed. Be careful. We found the lights were not as reliable and went the wrong way a few times.
English in China
There is not much English in China, and you will find that the English menus and signs often do not translate well or are just a popular American phrase used for the sake of trendiness (we do this in the US, too with other languages).
If someone speaks English, they will usually walk right up to you and start speaking it. People will also say hello to you a lot, but they do not know much English beyond that. People in China are very friendly and like to interact with foreigners.
Look for English speaking lines when buying train tickets or tickets to major attractions. Some places have different lines with an English speaking attendant. We found this in Shanghai and Beijing. It was very helpful!
Money in China
Be careful of the size of your bills. We were given ¥100 bills when we exchanged our money. This is a large bill (this is about $10 in American currency). Many places did not have change, and we had problems paying for things. If you can, get smaller bills or use your large bills each chance you can until you have smaller bills.
Many places will not take credit or bank cards. When you take out money, choose an ATM wisely. Any ATM with Union Pay is usually considered safe.
Once, we bought something in a small shop and received counterfeit money as change. We have no idea where the money came from, but it was not Chinese.
If someone hands you a bill you don’t recognize, hand it back and ensure they give you the right one.
Get a VPN and a phone with data
If you know Chinese, this isn’t as important, but I cannot stress this enough. It saved us so many times. Google or social media sites that we are so used to in the West are all blocked in China.
This includes Gmail, Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok. We got lost, needed translations, wanted an Uber (now blocked in China), to call tour guides, and just general help knowing what to do next. We would have been lost so many times without my phone and a VPN.
A VPN allows you to access blocked sites in China by making your IP address appear to be outside the country. I chose to use ExpressVPN, which allowed me to choose where my IP address would come from. I found that California worked the best. If one location didn’t work, I could click in a different one and could always find a different location that worked.
T-Mobile offers service to over 150 countries. I am always able to use my phone at no extra charge in other countries. If you travel a lot, I recommend T-Mobile. However, it is not the best if you want strong service in small towns throughout the US.
Security is Serious
We had to send a copy of our passports for everything we purchased. Each time we entered a tourist attraction, they scanned our passports.
There are cameras everywhere. You cannot go into sites with bags and have to lock them up away at major attractions. You must carry your passport with you at all times.
On other trips, I have left my passport in my bag at the hotel and carried a copy. You cannot do this in China! Carry it with you at all times—expect them to scan it everywhere you go and before you can buy a ticket into any tourist attractions.
China was an amazingly difficult first trip to plan. Most people go with a tour group to China. Traveling and planning by yourself is possible!
Things that helped make my trip to China easier:
- Flexible friends to travel with.
- A phone with a VPN (I used Express VPN)—it never stopped working and was very good the whole time I was there.
- Advice from family and friends who had already planned a trip.
- The glorious internet.
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Have you been to China? Have more questions? Feel free to comment below!
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