1 Week China Itinerary: Beijing + Xi’an
One week in China is enough to experience the country’s two most historically significant cities — Beijing, the imperial capital, and Xi’an, the ancient terminus of the Silk Road. This focused itinerary skips the sprawling megacities of the east and dives deep into the heart of Chinese civilization, where emperors ruled, armies were buried, and the Great Wall still marches across the mountains.
Overview
| Details | |
|---|---|
| Duration | 7 days / 6 nights |
| Cities | Beijing (4 nights) → Xi’an (2 nights) |
| Highlights | Great Wall, Forbidden City, Temple of Heaven, Terracotta Army, City Wall |
| Best For | First-time visitors with limited time, history enthusiasts |
| Budget Range | 700–1,800 per person (mid-range) |
| Transport | High-speed G-train |
| Best Season | April–May, September–October |
Trip at a Glance
You’ll spend the first four days in Beijing, giving you enough time to see the Forbidden City, Great Wall, Temple of Heaven, Summer Palace, and the hutong neighborhoods without rushing. On Day 5, a 4.5-hour high-speed G-train carries you to Xi’an, where the Terracotta Warriors, a cycling-friendly ancient city wall, and one of China’s best food scenes await.
Route: Beijing → Xi’an
By focusing on just two cities, you avoid the travel fatigue that comes with cramming four destinations into a week. You’ll actually have time to sit in a Beijing teahouse, cycle the Xi’an wall at sunset, and eat your way through the Muslim Quarter — not just check boxes.
Why This Route Works
- Depth over breadth. Four nights in Beijing means you can do the Great Wall one day, Forbidden City another, and still have time for the Summer Palace and hutongs. You’re not just passing through.
- The perfect train connection. Beijing to Xi’an is one of China’s best high-speed rail routes — 4.5 hours, ¥515 / $73, city center to city center. No airports, no security lines.
- History comes alive. These two cities are China’s historical heavyweights. Beijing was capital for the last 600 years; Xi’an was capital for 1,100 years before that. Together, they tell the story of Chinese civilization.
- Great food scene. Peking duck in Beijing, biangbiang noodles in Xi’an — two of China’s most iconic cuisines.
- Easy to extend. Add Shanghai (2 more days) or Chengdu (2 more days) if you have extra time.
Day-by-Day Breakdown
Day 1–4: Beijing — The Imperial Capital
Day 1: Arrival & Tiananmen Square
Arrive at Beijing Capital (PEK) or Daxing (PKX) airport. Take the Airport Express train (¥25 / 3.50,30minutestoDongzhimen)orDidi(¥80–120/11–17) to your hotel. Stay in Dongcheng or Wangfujing for central access to all major sights.
Afternoon: Walk through Tiananmen Square, one of the world’s largest public squares. Visit the National Museum of China (free, book online) for a primer on 5,000 years of Chinese history — it’ll give context for the rest of your trip.
Evening: First night in Beijing — try Peking Roast Duck at Siji Minfu (¥98 / $14 for half a duck). Stroll down Wangfujing Pedestrian Street to stretch your legs and fight jet lag.
Day 2: Forbidden City & Jingshan Park
Morning (8:30 AM): Enter the Forbidden City through the Meridian Gate. This was the imperial palace for 24 emperors of the Ming and Qing dynasties — 980 buildings, 8,700 rooms, 600 years of history. Book tickets online 7 days in advance at 8:00 PM Beijing time — they sell out in minutes. Entry: ¥60 / $8.40.
Spend 3–4 hours walking the central axis: Hall of Supreme Harmony → Hall of Central Harmony → Hall of Preserving Harmony → Imperial Garden. Then explore the side halls — the Treasure Gallery (¥10 / $1.40 extra) and Clock Museum are worth the add-on.
Tip: Exit the north gate and immediately climb Jingshan Park (¥2 / $0.30) for the classic overhead view of the Forbidden City. Best at sunset.
Evening: Explore Nanluoguxiang, a trendy hutong (traditional alleyway) with bars, cafes, and craft shops. Or join a [GetYourGuide affiliate link] hutong food tour to taste local snacks with a guide.
Day 3: Great Wall at Mutianyu
Full day: Head to Mutianyu Great Wall, 70 km northeast of Beijing. This is the best section for tourists — fully restored, less crowded than Badaling, and surrounded by forested mountains.
Getting there: Take a Didi (¥200–300 / 28–42eachway,1.5hours),orbus916ExpressfromDongzhimentoHuairou,thentransfertobus23oraminivantothewall(total¥24/3.40, 2 hours). Or book a [GetYourGuide affiliate link] day tour that includes transport.
At the wall: Entry ¥40 / 5.60+cablecar¥120/17 (round trip) or chairlift up + toboggan down ¥160 / $22. Spend 4–5 hours walking between watchtowers. The Wall stretches in both directions — go right for steeper, less crowded sections.
Evening: Back in Beijing, relax your legs. Try hotpot at Haidilao (famous for over-the-top service, ¥120 / $17 per person) or grab dumplings at a local joint.
Day 4: Temple of Heaven, Summer Palace & Train to Xi’an
Morning (8:00 AM): Visit the Temple of Heaven (¥34 / $4.80 combined ticket). Arrive early to see locals practicing tai chi, ballroom dancing, and calligraphy in the park. The Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests — a circular wooden structure built without nails — is one of China’s most iconic buildings.
Late morning: Quick visit to the Lama Temple (¥25 / $3.50), Beijing’s most beautiful Buddhist temple, with a 26-meter Maitreya Buddha carved from a single sandalwood tree.
Optional: If you have more time, visit the Summer Palace (¥30 / $4.20), the imperial family’s lakeside retreat. Allow 2–3 hours for Kunming Lake, the Long Corridor, and Marble Boat.
Afternoon: Head to Beijing West Railway Station for your high-speed train to Xi’an. Book the G87 (departs 2:00 PM, arrives 6:32 PM) or G89 (departs 3:00 PM, arrives 7:30 PM). Second-class: ¥515 / 73.First−class:¥824/115. Book on [Trip.com affiliate link].
Tip: Buy snacks and a instant noodle cup at the station for the journey — there’s free hot water on the train.
Arrive in Xi’an. Check into your hotel near the Bell Tower. Dinner at the Muslim Quarter — lamb skewers (¥2 / 0.30each),roujiamo(¥10/1.40), persimmon cakes (¥5 / 0.70),andpomegranatejuice(¥10/1.40).
Day 5–7: Xi’an — Ancient Silk Road Capital
Day 5: Terracotta Army
Morning (8:00 AM): Head to the Terracotta Warriors and Horses Museum, 40 km east of Xi’an. Take bus 5 (306) from Xi’an Railway Station East Square (¥7 / 1,70minutes)oraDidi(¥120/17, 50 minutes). Entry: ¥120 / $17.
The site has three main pits and a museum:
- Pit 1 — the largest and most famous, with 6,000 warriors in battle formation. This is the image you’ve seen in photos.
- Pit 2 — smaller, with cavalry, archers, and chariots. More detailed, less restored.
- Pit 3 — the command headquarters, with 68 high-ranking officers.
- Bronze Chariot Hall — exquisite bronze chariots and horses, perfectly preserved.
Hire a guide at the official desk inside the visitor center (¥150–300 / $21–42) or book a [GetYourGuide affiliate link] tour. Without context, the warriors are just clay soldiers — a guide makes them come alive.
Afternoon: Return to Xi’an. Visit the Big Wild Goose Pagoda (¥25 / 3.50complex,¥30/4.20 to climb). Built in 652 AD to house Buddhist scriptures brought from India by the monk Xuanzang. The evening music fountain show (8:00 PM, free) is the largest in Asia.
Evening: Deeper exploration of the Muslim Quarter. Try paomo (pita bread soaked in lamb soup, ¥35 / $5) at Lao Sun Jia, and biangbiang noodles at a small shop — look for the character “biang” (the most complex Chinese character, 57 strokes) on the sign.
Day 6: City Wall, Great Mosque & Shaanxi History Museum
Morning: The Xi’an City Wall is the most complete ancient city wall in China, dating to 1370 AD. It’s 14 km around, wide enough for several lanes of traffic on top. Rent a bike (¥45 / 6.30,2hours)andcyclethefullcircuit—theviewsovertheoldcityandintothemodernsprawlarestunning.Entry:¥54/7.60.
Midday: Visit the Great Mosque, founded in 742 AD. It’s one of the largest mosques in China, built in Chinese architectural style — pagodas, courtyards, and pavilions rather than domes and minarets. Entry: ¥25 / $3.50. The surrounding Muslim Quarter streets are older and less touristy than the main market street.
Afternoon: Shaanxi History Museum (free, but you must book online — limited daily entries, released 3 days in advance). This is one of China’s best museums, covering 1,100 years when Xi’an (then called Chang’an) was the world’s largest city. Allow 2–3 hours. Book a [GetYourGuide affiliate link] guided tour for deeper context.
Evening: Farewell dinner at Chang’an Impression or Lao Sun Jia for high-end Shaanxi cuisine. ¥100–150 / $14–21 per person. Then take a final stroll around the Bell Tower and Drum Tower square — beautifully lit at night.
Day 7: Departure from Xi’an
Morning: Last-minute souvenir shopping — terracotta warrior replicas (¥30–100 / $4–14), calligraphy brushes, or dried persimmons. Or visit the Small Wild Goose Pagoda (free, quieter than its big sister) and the adjacent Xi’an Museum.
Depart from Xi’an Xianyang International Airport (XIY). If you need to fly from Beijing, take a morning G-train back (4.5 hours) and fly from PEK/PKX in the evening.
Budget Breakdown
| Expense Category | Budget (Per Day) | Mid-Range (Per Day) | Luxury (Per Day) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Accommodation | ¥120–200 / $17–28 | ¥400–700 / $56–98 | ¥1,500–3,000 / $210–420 |
| Food | ¥60–100 / $8–14 | ¥150–250 / $21–35 | ¥500+ / $70+ |
| Local Transport | ¥20–40 / $3–6 | ¥60–120 / $8–17 | ¥300+ / $42+ |
| Attractions | ¥50–100 / $7–14 | ¥100–200 / $14–28 | ¥200+ / $28+ |
| Beijing→Xi’an Train | ¥515 / $73 (one-time) | ¥515 / $73 | ¥824 / $115 (first-class) |
| Daily Total (excl. train) | ¥250–440 / $35–62 | ¥710–1,270 / $99–178 | ¥2,000+ / $280+ |
| 7-Day Total | $450–750 | $700–1,800 | $2,500+ |
Where to Stay Each Night
Beijing (Nights 1–4)
- Budget: P.Loft Youth Hostel — dorms from ¥80 / 11,privatesfrom¥250/35. [Booking.com affiliate link]
- Mid-range: Hotel Cote Cour — boutique hutong hotel, from ¥600 / $84. [Booking.com affiliate link]
- Mid-range alternative: Ji Hotel Beijing Wangfujing — clean, modern, central, from ¥400 / $56. [Booking.com affiliate link]
- Luxury: The Peninsula Beijing — from ¥3,500 / $490. [Booking.com affiliate link]
Xi’an (Nights 5–6)
- Budget: Bell Tower Youth Hostel — from ¥60 / $8.50, perfect location near the Bell Tower. [Booking.com affiliate link]
- Mid-range: Grand Noble Hotel Xi’an — from ¥450 / $63, near Bell Tower and Muslim Quarter. [Booking.com affiliate link]
- Luxury: Sofitel Xi’an on Renmin Square — from ¥1,200 / $168. [Booking.com affiliate link]
How to Get Between Cities
| Leg | Transport | Duration | Cost | Booking |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Beijing → Xi’an | G-train (G87, G89, G91) | 4.5–5.5 hrs | ¥515 / 73(2ndclass),¥824/115 (1st class) | [Trip.com affiliate link] |
Train tips for this route:
- Book on [Trip.com affiliate link] 15 days before departure — tickets sell out fast on this popular route.
- Second-class (二等座) is 2+3 seating with generous legroom and power outlets. Perfectly comfortable for 4.5 hours.
- First-class (一等座) is 2+2 with wider seats and more recline. Worth the upgrade if you want extra space.
- Your passport is your ticket — scan it at the station turnstile. No paper tickets needed.
- Beijing West Railway Station is massive — arrive 45 minutes early to navigate security and find your gate.
- Free hot water is available on the train for instant noodles and tea.
What to Pack for This Trip
- Comfortable walking shoes — you’ll walk 15,000–25,000 steps per day, especially at the Forbidden City and Great Wall
- Light layers — Beijing and Xi’an have significant temperature swings between morning and afternoon in spring/fall
- Power adapter — China uses Type A, C, and I outlets
- VPN — Download and install before arrival (Astrill, ExpressVPN) for Google, Instagram, WhatsApp
- WeChat Pay & Alipay — Both now accept foreign credit cards. Set up before your trip — China is largely cashless
- DiDi app — China’s Uber, available in English. Download before arrival
- Passport — Required for train travel, attraction entries, and hotel check-in
- Toilet paper & hand sanitizer — Chinese public restrooms rarely provide TP
- Reusable water bottle — Bottled water is ¥2–3 / $0.30–0.40 at every convenience store
- Face mask — For high-pollution days, especially in winter
- Sunscreen & hat — The Great Wall has zero shade
Tips for This Itinerary
- Book Forbidden City tickets 7 days in advance. They go on sale at 8:00 PM Beijing time, 7 days before your visit. Set an alarm — they sell out in 5 minutes.
- Choose Mutianyu over Badaling for the Great Wall. Badaling is closer but mobbed. Mutianyu is better preserved, less crowded, and has a fun toboggan slide down.
- Arrive at the Terracotta Warriors by 8:30 AM. Tour buses arrive at 10:00 AM. Beat them for the best photos in Pit 1.
- Hire a guide at the Terracotta Warriors. The official guide desk inside the visitor center charges ¥150–300 / $21–42. Without a guide, the warriors lack context. Skip touts in the parking lot.
- Use Didi for city transport. It’s cheaper than taxis, shows the price upfront, and eliminates language barriers. Rides within Beijing/Xi’an: ¥15–40 / $2–6.
- Eat at the Muslim Quarter in Xi’an — twice. It’s that good. Go once at night for the atmosphere, once during the day for shorter lines.
- Cycle the Xi’an City Wall at sunset. The golden light on the old city rooftops is magical. Bike rental: ¥45 / $6.30 for 2 hours.
- Book your train the moment tickets go on sale. 15 days before departure on [Trip.com affiliate link]. The Beijing–Xi’an route is one of China’s busiest.
- Learn basic Mandarin. “Nǐ hǎo” (hello), “Xièxiè” (thank you), “Duōshǎo qián?” (how much?), and “Wǒ yào zhège” (I want this one) will serve you well outside tourist zones.
Alternative Routes
- Want to add Shanghai? Our China Golden Route adds Shanghai for an 8-day trip
- Have 10 days? The 10-Day China Itinerary adds Chengdu for pandas
- Two weeks? The 2-Week China Deep Dive adds 3 more cities
- Beijing to Shanghai only? The Beijing Shanghai Connection skips Xi’an
- On a tight budget? See our Budget Backpacking Route
- Want luxury? Our Luxury China Tour covers similar ground in five-star style
- Traveling solo? Solo Travel China has tips for independent travelers
FAQ
Is one week enough for China?
One week is tight but sufficient for Beijing and Xi’an — two of China’s most historically rich cities. You won’t see modern China (Shanghai, Shenzhen) or natural scenery (Guilin, Yunnan), but you’ll get a deep dive into ancient and imperial China. If you can add 3 days, extend to Shanghai or Chengdu.
Do I need a visa for China?
Most travelers need a tourist visa (L visa). However, China offers 144-hour visa-free transit in Beijing if you’re transiting to a third country. As of 2024, citizens of France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Netherlands, Malaysia, Australia, and New Zealand can visit visa-free for 15 days — check with your nearest Chinese embassy for the latest policy.
Which is better: Beijing or Xi’an?
They’re different. Beijing has the grandeur — Forbidden City, Great Wall, Temple of Heaven. Xi’an has the history — it was China’s capital for 1,100 years and has the Terracotta Warriors, ancient city wall, and a fantastic food scene. If you can only do one, Beijing has more headline sights. But doing both (easily connected by a 4.5-hour train) gives you the full historical arc.
Can I fly directly into Xi’an?
Yes — Xi’an Xianyang International Airport (XIY) has international flights from major Asian cities and some European hubs. But most international travelers fly into Beijing (PEK or PKX) and take the train to Xi’an. If you start in Xi’an, you can reverse this itinerary.
Is the Great Wall really worth it?
Yes. It’s one of those sights that exceeds expectations. The scale is staggering — the Wall stretches for 21,000 km across northern China, and at Mutianyu, you can walk between watchtowers on a restored section with mountain views in every direction. Go on a clear day for the best experience.
What should I eat in Xi’an?
Xi’an’s food is heavily influenced by its Silk Road history — Central Asian flavors meet Chinese technique. Must-tries: biangbiang noodles (wide belt noodles with chili oil), roujiamo (Chinese hamburger — pork in a flatbread), paomo (pita bread soaked in lamb soup), lamb skewers cumin-dusted, and persimmon cakes. The Muslim Quarter is the best place to try everything.
Is it better to start in Beijing or Xi’an?
Start in Beijing. International flights to Beijing are cheaper and more frequent, and Beijing’s larger airport and metro system make it an easier entry point. Plus, starting with the Great Wall and Forbidden City gives you the “wow” factor right away, then Xi’an’s more intimate historical sites feel like a deeper exploration.
Last updated: July 2026