Last Updated: 22 May 2023

 

In this page we describe a 2-week itinerary which makes for a good first journey to China. It is a classic itinerary focusing on the country’s main landmarks and cultural treasures. The route, centred on Beijing, Xi’An and Shanghai allows for many side-trips and day excursions.

The article is the result of numerous journeys taken in different seasons over the span of more than 10 years. As a consequence, when we give suggestions as to how choose the destinations and allocate time, we have a clear understanding of the priorities that most people might have.

Each day of the journey is given a full description, which includes tips for possible modifications and variations.

At the end we give suggestions on how to change the programme according to the specific time of year when you plan to travel.

 

Two-week China itinerary: essential information

Duration: 14 days (15-16 days depending on the flight itinerary)

Starting point: Shanghai

Ending point: Beijing

Suggested stopovers: Shanghai, Beijing, Hong Kong

Destinations: Shanghai, Suzhou, Hangzhou, Xi'An, PingYao, Beijing

Day excursions: HuaShan (from Xi’An), Wuzhen (from Hangzhou)

Main features of the journey: the itinerary includes the main must-see destinations for a first journey to China, especially the cities of historical significance. It is most suitable to those who are fond of exploring cultural differences and art. The pace is fast but not too hasty and allows for slow travelling and meaningful experiences.

Best time to travel: all seasons (best climate conditions at the beginning of spring or in autumn)

Budget:

• 700 – 1.900 euro (backpackers, young couples)

• 2.200 – 2.500 euro (mid-range, comfort without luxury)

Variants: by adding 2 days it is possible to include a visit to Mount Tai (Taishan) along the way from Beijing to Shanghai; with further 3-4 days it is possible to include a short visit to Chengdu and nearby Qingchengshan or Emeishan mountains

 

Day 1: arrival in Shanghai | walk in the centre

As you might be suffering from jet-lag, during the first day you can follow a very light programme revolving around the city centre. Shanghai’s modern centre is impressive and simply walking around is already an exciting experience.

 

Where to stay in Shanghai

For short stays it is advisable to choose a hotel located in the centre. The city is huge and if you cannot speak Chinese staying near the places you intend to visit is the best approach.

A good number of value for money hotels are available in the vicinity of People’s Square. Luxury high-end hotels abound near the Huangpu River.

There are also many hostels and cheap hotels near Nanjing Road, a popular commercial street in the city centre.

 

First visit to Shanghai

A walking itinerary is a good way to start your visit in Shanghai. A very common path includes the following destinations:

• Bund (外滩, WaiTan), a waterfront area along the western bank of Huangpu River where the International Settlement was established when China was forced to open up to foreign trade. Here you can see tens of historical buildings which housed once banks and trading houses of former colonial powers;

• LuJiaZui (陆家嘴), the core of the city’s financial centre, famous for its impressive skyscrapers, among which the Oriental Pearl Tower, the JinMao Tower and the Shanghai Tower;

• XinTianDi (新天地), a commercial affluent pedestrian area located south of People’s Square. Nearby you can see quite a few shikumen, communal houses in a style developed in Shanghai which combines elements of Chinese and Western residential architecture.

If you do not fancy walking, you can easily take advantage of Shanghai’s modern and efficient subway network.

 

Day 2: Shanghai, Old City

Despite devastation suffered during the last century there are still a few places when you can get an idea of how the city looked like in the past.

For the second full day in Shanghai we suggest an itinerary through the core of the ancient. Along the way you can visit the following places:

• Shanghai Old City (上海老城厢, ShangHai LaoChengXiang), the site of the ancient walled city. Within its limits are the Temple of the City Gods (城隍庙, ChengHuangMiao) and YuYuan Garden. The area is full of shops, restaurants and food stalls.

• Garden of Mandarin (豫园, YuYuan), a beautiful Ming Dynasty traditional garden. It offers a good introduction into appreciating this exquisite form of art (particularly valuable if you are to visit Suzhou next as suggested in this itinerary);

• Museum of Shanghai (上海博物馆, Shanghai BoWuGuan), an excellent introduction to China’s great civilization. The museum displays a rich collection of bronzes, ceramics, porcelain, paintings, seals, scrolls and other precious works of art. Entrance is free so you can exploit this circumstance by choosing to visit it twice;

  

 

Day 3: Shanghai, Hangzhou

On  the third day of the journey you can choose to spend the morning in Shanghai and the afternoon in Hangzhou. Alternatively you can simply devote the whole day to Hangzhou.

 

In the morning of the third day, you can either return to the Museum of Shanghai or visit QiBao, a small old town lying in the suburbs of the city.

Though not coming off as an authentic place but rather a tourist site, QiBao (七宝) offers pleasant images and plenty of opportunities to try the local food at cheap prices. Of historical and cultural interest is QiBao Temple.

 

There are many ways to reach Hangzhou from Shanghai. Considering the costs and time travel, we suggest you take advantage of the high-speed railway connection.

The journey by fast train from Shanghai HongQiao Station (上海虹桥站) to Hangzhou East Station (杭州东站) takes 45-60 minutes and costs 60-75 yuan. Trains are very frequent. Both stations are well-served by subway lines.

 

Where to stay in Hangzhou

The West Lake is the main tourist area of Hangzhou. We suggest you base yourselves near the lake.

Along the eastern shore is the ordinary city, a dense urban sprawl full of shops, restaurants and hotels of any category. Along the western shore, a quiet area, are few high-end structures.

If you want to stay in a more secluded environment you can choose to find a hotel near the LingYinSi and the LongJing Hills. Here are some family-run guest houses.

 

Hangzhou, evening walk

Viewing the sun setting on the XiHu (西湖 | West Lake) is an experience you should not miss out on.

We suggest you walk along the northern and eastern shores of the lake and spend time to contemplate the sunset near the JiXian Pavilion (集贤亭). The amazing sight will definitely form an everlasting memory.

 

 

Day 4: Hangzhou, West Lake area

The West Lake is one of China’s most important natural and cultural landscapes. Its beauty and harmony have become a paradigm and have been celebrated by countless renowned artists in China and the whole East Asia.

Many cultural and historical sites of outstanding architecture dot the area blending with the natural beauty of the lake. On three sides are hills and mountains. Their background often finds in the delicate shape of a pagoda an element of singularity.

Over many centuries poets and noblemen have identified a great number of poetic scenes. A common tourist path through the area touches upon the so-called Ten West Lake Prospects.

 

Related articles:

Shanghai 2-day itinerary

 

Day 5: Hangzhou - LingYin Temple, China National Tea Museum, LongJing Hills

At 7:00 o’ clock, when crowds are not to be feared, you can start your visit to LingYinSi, one of China’s most beautiful and historically significant temples.

LingYinSi (灵隐寺 | Temple of the Soul’s Retreat) was built by the Indian monk HuiLi during the Jin Dynasty Period. The monk was inspired by the spiritual nature of the beautiful valley, sheltered by a thick forest of tall trees and surrounded by mountains on three sides, in a peaceful atmosphere of seclusion.

The temple grew into one of the most influential centres of irradiation of Buddhism in China. At the peak of its development, it comprised tens of buildings and a large monastery providing accommodation to over 3.000 monks.

 

The complex is quite large and walking around is a pleasant experience amid Nature. You can then dine at the vegetarian restaurant located inside the temple (near the entrance).

Not far from LingYinSi are the LongJing Hills. They offer beautiful sights of the Chinese countryside, a landscape that is somewhat at odds with the modern city, a respite for the spirit and a scenery famous for the renowned green tea plantations.

In this area is China National Tea Museum, which probably is the world’s largest and most comprehensive museum entirely devoted to the culture of tea. 

 

 

In the evening you will most likely want to see the sunset over the JiXian Pavilion again. You may reach it as the final destination of an itinerary starting from the LongJing Hills and going along the northern shore of the West Lake. Nearby you can see the Temple of YueFei and BaoChu Pagoda.

Alternatively, you can visit the Six Harmony Pagoda and then stroll in QingHeFang Ancient Street.

 

More details:

Hangzhou 2-day itinerary

 

Day 6: WuZhen | Suzhou

On the sixth day of the journey you can join a tour that takes you to Wuzhen (乌镇), one of China’s most fascinating water towns. These picturesque small cities, built near rivers and crossed by networks of canals, which retain much of their original architecture, are present in a significant number in the region between Shanghai, Hangzhou and Suzhou.

Among all water towns in the area, Wuzhen stands out for its beauty enhanced by the careful preservation of its authenticity (both in its physical appearance and function). The city lies at about 80 km from both Hangzhou and Suzhou, which therefore makes it a perfect intermediate destination along a transfer between the two large cities.

Wuzhen was founded more than 5.000 years ago, in a region, near the lower reaches of the Yangtze River, blessed with abundant water and fertile land. It boasts one of the largest and best preserved historical centre, whose appearance is dominated by bi-chromatic patterns of black and white which echo the grace and harmony of Chinese traditional ink and wash painting. Narrow alleys, quaint canals, wooden boats, stone bridges form a landscape where time flows slowly in accordance with natural rhythms.

According to the four cardinal directions, the centre of Wuzhen is divided in four areas: DongZha, NanZha, XiZha and BeiZha. The first one, DongZha (东栅, Eastern Paling) survived in its original architecture. XiZha was reconstructed, fortunately in a respectful way.

 

More details:

Wuzhen 1-day itinerary

 

Transportation

If you choose not to join a tour you can arrange all transfers by yourself. As it will take more time, we suggest you leave as soon as possible in the early morning hours.

Travelling by bus is simpler as it provides direct connection.

 

Solution by bus:

• The journey by bus from Hangzhou JiuBao Bus Station to Wuzhen takes around 1 hour and a half and costs 31 yuan. Buses are frequent and the earliest departure is at 7:00 am.

• The journey by bus from Wuzhen to Suzhou takes around 1 hour and a half and costs 35 yuan.

 

Solutions by train:

• Frequent trains provide connection between Hangzhou, Suzhou and TongXiang. From the latter you can reach Wuzhen by local bus (K282).

 

How to get to Suzhou

After visiting Wuzhen you can reach Suzhou directly by bus or train. The journey takes less than 2 hours.

 

Where to stay in Suzhou

The city centre is the best place to stay at. Suzhou is one of the few large cities in China where you can pleasantly get around on foot.

Subway lines are present but they do not play much of a role when it comes to travelling for the purpose of tourism. Some tourist bus lines connect many places of interest. Using them is easy and very cheap.

In the city centre you can find a variety of guest houses, hostels and hotels of any kind. Value for money ratio is usually very good and quite a few hotels are housed in traditional houses, which makes for a charming experience.

 

Day 7: Suzhou

If you are interested in China’s traditional art you should never miss out on a visit to Suzhou, the ancient capital of the Kingdom of Wu and a historical town whose development exerted a huge influence on shaping the national culture of the Middle Kingdom.

For long time the most important and powerful city of the region, Suzhou has become famous for the production of silk and its magnificent gardens.

The Classical Gardens of Suzhou, enlisted as World Heritage, are definitely among the most exquisite and inspiring works of art that one can see.

 

Classical Gardens of Suzhou

In Suzhou you can find many traditional gardens. Nine of them, named the Classical Garden of Suzhou, are considered masterpieces of the art of the Chinese garden, an exquisite form of art that aims to create an idyllic reality of pure harmony.

Their beauty is intended as a way to illustrate the perfection of the metaphysical principles of the Chinese philosophy. The design resorts to a great number of methods and sophisticated techniques that condense a huge narration within the limits of a very small space. Meticulous details create an ever changing landscape. Even the slightest change in the position of the observer generates a completely different perspective.

A large number of elements, such as plants, flowers, pavilions, rocks, bridges, buildings of various nature are combined in wonderful compositions that never cease to amaze and constantly change with the weather and seasonal cycles.

 

 

First visit to Suzhou

The first day is spent within the limits of GuSu (姑苏) area, the city centre. You can get around on foot and by bus quite easily. Assuming that you choose to wake up early and begin your visit by 8:00 a.m. we suggest you include in your itinerary the following destinations:

• Master of the Nets Garden (网师园, WangShiYuan), the smallest among the Classical Gardens of Suzhou, it dates back to the Southern Song Dynasty Period. It is an excellent place where you can start to learn how to appreciate this form of art. The composition is built around a central pond, surrounded by pavilions and corridors. The observer follows a circular path that opens to a rapidly changing horizons. It is incredible what the meticulous design achieved in such a small area. Next to the central section around the pond, are the residential quarters. Here you can see many halls exquisitely ornate. Not to be missed is also the small courtyard DianChunYi (殿春簃), a real gem. There is a deep sense of harmony between architecture and Nature;

• Humble Administrator Garden (拙政园, ZhuoZhengYuan), the largest and most renowned garden in Suzhou, a masterpiece, a place where you could easily spend an entire day. Dating back to the Ming Dynasty Period, the garden was founded by a government official who chose seclusion after retiring from his post and the mundane world. The vast garden is divided in three main areas with marked differences in the way natural landscapes and architecture are combined. It comprises a large variety of scenes on different scales centred on ponds surrounded by a rich vegetation dotted with a great number of pavilions, bridges, buildings and works of art of remarkable artistic value. Large scale buildings of exquisite beauty occupy the southern side. You can also admire a valuable collection of penjing;

• Lion Grove Garden (狮子林园, ShiZiLinYuan), dating back to the Yuan Dynasty Period, it was built by the disciples of a Buddhist monk. It quickly became a gathering place for literati and followers of Buddhism as well as a source of inspiration for artists The garden comprises a number of artistic buildings, among which the True Delight Pavilion (真趣亭, ZhenQuTing) stands out. At the centre, surrounded by the pond, is a large rockery mostly made of Taihu Their shapes give rise to the most various impressions. Together with the trees, they are meant to recreate a mountainous landscape, a dimension most beloved by Zen practitioners.

 

The programme presented above is quite light. Visiting the classical gardens takes time as it is a unique experience that will change your way of observing and travelling. This opportunity should not be missed and it is better to see less and observe more.

Afterwards you can choose to stroll along PingJiangLu, a long street surrounded by old buildings. If you do not like crowds, at any time you can take a turn and continue along one of the many small alleys running along canals. Not far from PingJiangLu is another beautiful garden, the Couple’s Retreat Garden (耦园, OuYuan), an usual garden surrounded by water on three sides.

There are also important museums that you might consider to visit, such as the Suzhou Museum, which houses a large collection of porcelain, calligraphies, paintings and other ancient relics.

 

Day 8: Suzhou, Xi’An

The second week of the journey starts with a final visit to Suzhou. Outside of the city centre are two important places of interest that can be easily reached by busy (the tourist bus line marked by the character 游):

• Lingering Garden (留园, LiuYuan), one of the most renowned gardens of Suzhou, it is also associated to GuQin music. With a history of complicated vicissitudes that led to numerous reconstructions, the garden is most famous for the large rockery formations, the long and meandering covered paths and some of China’s most impressive Scholar stones. Change in perspective is often abrupt and surprising and the visitor feels like he is wandering in a maze. Corridors are a key element of space definition and buildings come in a variety of size, colour and shape. Of particular beauty are the elegant pavilions.

• Tiger Hill (虎丘, HuQiu), a scenic and historical site, for centuries if not millennia, a coveted destination poets and artists. On the slopes of the beautiful hill amid a lush vegetation are ancient temples, pavilions and gardens. Some of the vestiges date back to the period when Suzhou was founded. The hill emerges from the rather flat surroundings as a singularity and, as it often happens with mountains, it was regarded as a sacred place. Therefore it was here that the King of Wu was buried. Over the centuries its beauty was celebrated by men of culture who gave poetic names to many scenic spots. Poetry and calligraphy works are carved into rocks and cliffs. At the top of the hill stands the imposing seven-storey YunYan Pagoda (云岩寺塔, YunYanSiTa). Despite a consolidation intervention during the Ming Period its brick structure still exhibits a considerable tilt. The tomb of King HeLu lies beneath the Sword Pool (剑池, JianChi). There is also a museum with a collection of penjing.

 

Depending on when you decide to leave for Xi’An, you might add some extra time. You could then choose to visit PanMen Scenic Area and RuiGang Pagoda.

 

From Suzhou to Xi’An

Suzhou is connected to Xi’An by several railway services. You can also opt for flying (from either Hangzhou or Shanghai airports).

Travelling by train is quite convenient and you can choose between day-time high-speed and a night-time high speed trains. Details follow:

• High-speed G class trains: travel time is 7-8 hours; tariffs start from 640 yuan; there is a train leaving from Suzhou North Station (苏州北站, SuZhouBeiZhan) at 12:11 p.m.that arrives at Xi’An North Station (西安北站, Xi’AnBeiZhan) at 19:09 p.m..

• High-speed D class night train: travel time is a little more than 10 hours; tariffs vary from 430 yuan (seat), 800 yuan (sleeper), 900 yuan (deluxe sleeper); the train leaves from Suzhou Station (苏州站, SuZhouZhan) at 23:31 p.m. and arrives at Xi’An North Station (西安北站, Xi’AnBeiZhan) at 9:39 a.m..

• Ordinary Z class night train: travel time is a little less than 14 hours; tariffs start from 318 yuan (hard-sleeper); a convenient train leaves from Suzhou Station (苏州站, SuZhouZhan) at 19:18 p.m. and arrives at Xi’An Station (西安站, Xi’AnZhan) at 9:16 a.m..

 

Day 9: Xi’An, ancient temples, city centre

During the Tang Dynasty Period Xi’An (西安), then known with the name of Chang’An (长安 | Eternal Peace) was the capital of a unified Chinese nation. With a history of more than 3.000 years it is known as one of the Four Great Capitals of China.

The magnificent city became a model also for the neighbouring nations. Korean Silla capital, Gyeongju, and Japan’s ancient capitals, Nara and Kyoto were built by drawing inspiration on the layout and majestic architecture of Chang’An.

Though not much remains today of its glorious past, you can see feel a sense of history and visit a number of historical sites that display the scale and importance of the ancient city.

Located in central China, Xi’An grew into an important trade centre and and the eastern end of the Silk Road. The city still serves as gateway to Western China and Central Asia.

 

Where to stay in Xi’An

There is no reason to look beyond the city centre, where you can find any kind of accommodation suitable to any budget. The centre is considered to be the square area within the city walls.

Good hostels are near the southern gate. Mid-range and high-end hotels are near the Bell Tower, the central square of the city.

 

Orientation, how to ger around in Xi’An

Getting around in Xi’An is quite easy. Subway lines are still few but they serve connect the main transportation hubs and the centre. As anywhere in China, travelling by subway is easy and very cheap.

Buses in Xi’An are an option also for those who do not speak Chinese. Many places of interest can be reached on foot but if you seek maximum comfort you can get around by taxi. Distances involved for the most common visit itineraries such as the one presented here are small and rides are cheap.

 

First visit to Xi’An

To make the most of the little time available, we suggest you begin your visit from the main cultural sites. A good choice could be starting from the ancient pagodas.

 

Giant Wild Goose Pagoda

One of China’s most important temples, the Giant Wild Goose Pagoda (大雁塔, DaYanTa) had a fundamental role in the diffusion of Buddhism throughout China.

The beautiful ancient pagoda is part of the DaCi’En Temple (大慈恩寺, DaCiEnSi), which comprises a few halls, a bell tower, a drum tower and a spacious garden. It was built during the reign of Emperor GaoZhong of the Tang Dynasty.

It served as a temple and major collection centre of Buddhist scriptures. These along with Buddha images and relics were brought from India to China by the monk XuanZang. His incredible seventeen-year long journey through modern-day India, Nepal, Bangladesh, Pakistan became the theme of a renowned classic novel, the “Journey to the West” (西游记).

The impressive task of translating the sutras from Sanskrit into Chinese was supervised by XuanZang, who became a crucial figure in China and all East Asia.

The pagoda is located at around 5 km from the city centre. It can be reached by metro and a 15-minute walk or by taxi..

 

Small Wild Goose Pagoda

The Small Wild Goose Pagoda (小雁塔, XiaoYanTa) is part of the ancient DaJianFu Temple (大荐福寺, JianFuSi), another masterpiece of Tang China’s religious architecture.

The pagoda can be reached on foot in less than 10 minutes from NanShaoMen Station (Line 2). The area is also served by some bus lines.

 

City centre

At the centre of Xi'An is the city’s most iconic landmark, the Bell Tower of Xi’An (钟楼, ZhongLou). The tower is an elegant two-storey architecture dating back to the Ming Dynasty Period.

Nearby is another masterpiece of Ming China, the imposing Drum Tower of Xi’An (鼓楼, GuLou). Both buildings feature delicate decorations and vivid colours, which become particularly beautiful at night when they are lit.

Next to the Drum Tower is the Muslim Quarter (回民街, HuiMinJie), one of the few areas where the city retains ancient vernacular architecture.

 

Day 10: Xi'An, Terracotta Warriors Archaeological Site, DaMing Palace

The second day in Xi’An offers images of the city’s imperial grandeur. The morning is devoted to a visit to the Terracotta Warriors Archaeological Site while the remaining time is spent for a visit to the DaMing Palace Archaeological Site.

 

Terracotta Warriors Archaeological Site

The Terracotta Army (兵马俑, BingMaYong) is a vast collection of impressive life-sized terracotta statues that portray an army tasked with protecting Qin Shi Huang (秦始皇), the emperor who unified the nation for the first time.

The army is part of a huge necropolis, much of which has not been explored out of deference and preservation concerns. The sculptures, depicting soldiers, horses, chariots and generals, include a large quantity of details and some were painted, though colours have faded upon exposure to open air.

The site is best visited by joining a guided tour. You can also reach the site by bus. Buses leave regularly from the square south of Xi’An Railway Station.

 

DaMing Palace Archaeological Site

The DaMing Palace (大明宫, DaMingGong) was an enormous imperial residence of the Tang Dynasty Period. In the eyes of a westerner its grandiose architecture, impressive for its beauty and massive scale, can only be matched by Imperial Rome.

Hardly any vestiges survive but a large reconstructed building, the DanFeng Gate (丹凤门, DanFengMen) at the southern end of the area, and the platforms of the main halls offer eloquent sights of the former glory of the site.

Some models give an idea of the former magnificence of the site. An interesting 3-D virtual reconstruction can be admired at the National Museum of China in Beijing.

 

More details:

Xi'An 2-day itinerary

 

Day 11: Xi'An - HuaShan

The eleventh day can be devoted to an excursion to Mount Hua, one of China’s most scenic mountains, a place rich of vestiges of the past and a sacred destination.

Alternatively, you can choose to spend a day in PingYao, one of the best preserved ancient towns of China. The city lies along the railway lines between Xi’An and Beijing, the final destination of this journey.

 

HuaShan

One of China’s Five Great Mountains, HuaShan (华山, 華山), is a scenic mountain located in ShaanXi Province, around 120 km east of Xi’An. Associated to the Western cardinal direction, it is named the Western Mountain (西岳， 西嶽).

The mountain has five peaks. The are named after their relative position according to the five traditional cardinal direction (East, South, West, North and Centre). The 2.154 metre-tall Southern Peak (南岳, NanYue) is the highest peak one.

The steep and smooth cliffs of HuaShan with the imposing surrounding background of the region make for impressive and breathtaking views.

HuaShan has long been a major pilgrimage destination. Ascending the “the most precipitous mountain under Heaven” has always been an irresistible spiritual challenge. Reaching the summit is so dangerous that in the past people used to climb it at night, so to avoid seeing the precipices.

On the summits and along the slopes are numerous monasteries, temples and shrines and an enormous amount of poetic and devotional inscriptions can be seen engraved into the rock cliffs.

Some monasteries offer board and accommodation

 

Hiking on Mount Hua

Hiking on HuaShan is not too difficult but it requires some fitness, awareness of the dangers and good disposition of mind.

The most difficult trails have been closed, some paths have been widened and protections have been installed in many sections but in many places a mistake can still be lethal. The most difficult sections, comprising nearly vertical stairs and via ferrata are only optional.

Crowds pose a high risk. Therefore it is advisable to avoid ascending the mountain on week-ends and during the national holidays and high-season.

Fatalities are still not unheard of.

 

Ascending paths

There are two hiking paths. The main least strenuous one starts at the Jade Spring Temple (玉泉院, YuQuanYuan), near the West Gate. This is the path used by those who choose to do the ascent at night.

A shorter but more difficult hiking path starts at the East Gate, near the cable car station. This leads to the northern peak. The trail, made exclusively of steps, is called the Soldier’s Path and features the famous nearly-vertical stairs section.

A one-day excursion offers little time to attempt both the ascent and the descent on foot. Depending on your fitness, you can either choose to do the ascend on foot and get back by cable car or the other way around.

 

Main sights

Throughout the area is a large number of temples, shrines, monasteries, scenic sights, beautiful engravings alluding to poetry, history, myths and legends.

Some places have been identified as the most suitable locations to admire natural landscapes at dawn and sunset or during specific seasons and natural phenomena (sea of clouds, snow).

You will find plenty of information regarding this as well as detailed maps at the Visitor Centre near the East Gate.

Particularly loved by tourists are the via ferrata leading to the magnificent Chess Pavilion and the ChangKong plank way, a short path clinging to a precipitous cliff.

 

Suggested one-day excursion itinerary

A reasonable itinerary that goes through many of the most interesting spots is the following:

• Soldier’s Path, from the East Gate

• North Peak

• East Peak

• Chess Pavilion

• ChangKong plank walk

• South Peak

• West Peak, descent by cable car

This itinerary is suitable to people who are in reasonably good shape. If you cannot make it, you can simply backtrack and use the North Peak cable car.

 

From Xi’An to HuaShan

High-speed trains connect Xi’An North Station (西安北站, Xi’AnBeiZhan) and HuaShan Station (华山北站, HuaShanBeiZhan) in 30-40 minutes at a cost of 55 yuan.

Frequent free shuttle buses provide transportation between the railway station and the East Gate.

You can also reach the mountain by bus from Xi’An Station (the main historic railway). This option is less recommended because it takes more time.

 

Fees

You can buy the tickets (180 yuan per person; a 50% reduction is granted to students with a proper ID card) at the tourist office centres at both the East Gate and West Gate. These do not include the rides by cable car.

Visitors must carry their passports with them.

Cable cars are not too cheap. A one-way ride costs 80 yuan on the North Peak cable car and 140 yuan on the West Peak cable car. You also have to add the costs of the mandatory shuttle buses, respectively 20 and 40 yuan.

Overall, a visit to HuaShan is not cheap but the scenery is so amazing and unique that the monetary sacrifice is definitely reasonable.

 

From Xi’An to Beijing

The most comfortable way to reach Beijing from Xi’An is by high-speed train or night train. You can also opt for flying.

You can fly or take a night-train after visiting HuaShan or you can leave the next day early in the morning.

Basic information about train journey:

• High-speed G class trains: travel time is between 4 hours and a half and 6 hours; tariffs start from 516 yuan;

• Ordinary Z class night train: travel time is a little less than 13 hours; tariffs start from 289 yuan (hard-sleeper); a convenient train leaves from Xi’An Station (西安站, XiAnZhan) at 19:27 p.m. and arrives at Beijing West Station (北京西站, BeiJingXiZhan) at 8:22 a.m.. Subsequent trains leave at 20:56. 22:47.

 

Trains sell out quickly. It is advisable to purchase tickets in advance, either on-line or at any station.

 

Day 12: Beijing, National Museum of China, Summer Palace

The last destination of this journey is Beijing (北京, BeiJing | Nothern Capital), the modern-day capital of China. The city is immense but a significant part of the main places of interested is located in the centre.

 

Where to stay in Beijing

For a short visit it is recommended to find an accommodation in the centre or at least near the major subway lines, which for the purpose of tourism are Line 1, 4 and 5.

Popular tourist spots with a large number of hostels and cheap hotels is QianMen, south of Tian’AnMen Square. Around WangFuJing Avenue, east of the Forbidden City, is a wide range of mid-range to high-end.

Further away from the city but still an excellent location strategically served by Line 1 and Line 5 is Dongdan. Here are a few hostels and good value-for-money hotels.

Some of the city’s finest and most atmospheric hotels set inside ancient traditional courtyard houses can be found near ShiChaHai, south-west of the Forbidden City, an area occupied by lakes and parks.

The night-life spot for foreigners is SanLiTun and the most popular university district is WuDaoKou.

 

Orientation, how to get around in Beijing

Beijing is immense but getting around is not too difficult provided you have based yourself in the centre or at least in an area served by major subway lines.

The subway offers the most convenient way of getting around. Rides are incredibly cheap and you can reach almost all places of interest (at least all the places mentioned in this page) by subway.

Taxis usually use the metre and rides are cheap.

 

First visit to Beijing

For the first day in Beijing we suggest a light programme. Possible additions to the programme are listed below.

 

Summer Palace

The Summer Palace (颐和园, YiHeYuan) is an expansive imperial recreational residence. It was built in 1750 for the benefit of Emperor QianLong.

Following ravages and pillage by French and British invaders, who did not even spare the magnificent Old Summer Palace (or YuanMingYuan), large scale restoration works took place under the reign of Empress CiXi.

The scenic site is centred on a small mountain, the Longevity Hill, and a large pond, the Kunming Lake. It comprises a great variety of elegant buildings (pavilions, bridges, terraces, worship halls), gardens and as well as an interesting collection of artistic artefacts. The scenes were made to incorporate the surrounding natural landscape in harmony.

The Summer Palace lies in HaiDian District. It can be reached from the centre by subway (Line 4) in around 30 minutes.

 

Additions

Visiting the Summer Palace takes at least half-day. You can use the remaining time in many different ways:

• National Museum of China (中国国家博物馆, ZhongGuo GuoJia BoWuGuan): an extraordinary introduction to the culture and history of China. The section dedicated to Ancient China is particularly interesting and it would alone require days for a proper visit. Here are on display a great number of ancient relics and works of art of exceptional importance and beauty. Explanations are complete and the presentation is engaging;

• HaiDian university district: the university district of Beijing (located between the centre and the Summer Palace) is an impressive sight. Here are many of the country’s most prestigious universities. Some of them house interesting museums and can be accessed. If you are a student of Mandarin do not miss the bookshop of the University of Language and Culture (北京语言大学, BeiJing YuYan DaXue). You can then choose to spend the night in WuDaoKou (五道口), a popular night-life spot among foreign and Chinese students;

• ShiChaHai (什刹海) is a historic scenic area located in the centre, north-west of the Forbidden City. It is centred around three lakes surrounded by a lush vegetation. Around the lakes are quite a few hutong quarters where you can see traditional courtyard houses. The popular NanLuoGuXiang (南锣鼓巷) lies east of ShiChaHai. Non far are other ancient buildings such as the Bell Tower (钟楼) and Drum Tower (鼓楼).

 

Day 13: Beijing, Great Wall of China

The second day in Beijing is dedicated to a visit to the Great Wall of China (万里长城, WanLiChangCheng). Depending on which section you choose to visit, different programmes are possible.

As it is recommended to visit the Great Wall by taking part in a guided tour, your choice will somewhat depend on the general programme offered.

 

Excursions to the Great Wall

These are the main section that you can easily visit on a day-excursion from Beijing:

• BaDaLing (八达岭), the closest and most visited section of the Great Wall. Built during the Ming Dynasty Period, it features imposing, wide walls with large fortification works and watch towers. Winding up along the ridges of a rugged mountain landscape, it is a beautiful sight. While very impressive, it is not the best choice for those who seek to satisfy their fascination with ruins. Nearby is a large museum;

• MuTianYu (慕田峪), section of the Great Wall located in the Municipality of Beijing. Surrounded by a beautifule natural landscape dominated by forests, the section comprise numerous watchtowers in different configuration and style. Restoration works here have been more discreet and respectful of the material reality;

• SiMaTai (司马台), a beautiful section where restoration works have been limited to consolidation without lifting the wall from its state of ruin. The section is close to GuBei (古北水镇).

There are many other sections but these are the most popular and most tour operators include them in their programmes.

 

Depending on which sections of the Great Wall you choose to visit, you may have some extra time available in the evening. You can use it to visit one of the optional destinations we have listed in the previous paragraph (Day 12).

Alternatively, you can also consider a simple relaxing walk along the WangFuJing Avenue (王府井大街)  or QianMen Avenue (前门大街), popular avenues full of restaurants and shops, or an evening visit to the iconic Bird’s Nest (鸟巢, NiaoChao) the 2008 Olympic Stadium.

 

Related article:

Visiting the Great Wall from Beijing

 

Day 14: Beijing, Temple of Heaven and Forbidden City

The last day, perfect coronation of the journey, is dedicated to the Temple of Heaven and the Purple Forbidden City, invaluable testimonies to China’s civilization.

 

Temple of Heaven

The Temple of Heaven (天坛, TianTan) is a large ancient temple of paramount historical, cultural, artistic and spiritual importance located in the centre of Beijing.

It was the site where important rituals where performed by the emperors of China. As such the place of worship has always had a central role in the Chinese civilization.

The temple comprises a number of buildings of exquisite architectural and artistic beauty arranged along a central axis. The layout, constructive solutions, morphology and decorations of the halls and auxiliary structures reflect core principles of the Chinese traditional cosmology and bear testimony to the greatness of the ensuing civilization.

The beautiful temple is set in perfect harmony amid an expansive park which is integral part of the site. The temple was built in 1420 under the rule of the Ming Dynasty as the site of rituals for Heaven Worship.

The encircling wall separates the temple from the profane world. It is made of parts of different shapes, rectilinear and circular. The square shape alludes to Earth while the round one is a symbol of Heaven. This symbolism is also replicated many times throughout the area.

The main buildings are aligned along a north-south central axis. The path, the Sacred Way, is made by a monumental walkway marked by elegant gates, the DanBi Bridge.

At the southern end is Circular Mound Altar (圜丘坛, HuanQiuTan), which is stricto sensu the Temple of Heaven, i.e. the place where Heaven Worship rituals took place. The altar is the centre of a large three-level marble platform lavishly decorated. The composition resonates the number nine, a symbol for the emperor.

A long and monumental path leads from the Circular Mound Altar through elegant gates to the Imperial Vault of Heaven (皇穹宇, HuangQingYu), the hall where the Gods’ tablets were stored.

The path eventually leads to the Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests (祈年殿, QiNianDian). With its elegant round shape and the distinctive triple-layer roof, the iconic architecture is a masterpiece for the perfect combination of beauty and symbolism.

Numerous auxiliary buildings are located to the east and west of the central axis. They include the Imperial Kitchen, the Palace of Abstinence and other small scale constructions.

 

How to reach the Temple of Heaven

The easiest way to reach the Temple of Heaven is in most cases travelling by subway. The TianTanDongMen Station (天坛东门站, TianTanDongMenZhan) lies east of the temple. It is served by Line 5.

 

Forbidden City

The Purple Forbidden City (紫禁城, ZiJinCheng; also known as 故宫, GuGong, “Palace Museum”) is an expansive imperial residence which was the seat of power during the Ming and Qing dynasties.

The magnificent complex is the largest and finest exemplar of palatial architecture in China’s modern history. Impressive for its scale, beauty, importance and artistic value of its buildings and cultural treasures, it is a destination not to be missed and it should be visited with the support of a competent guide or at least after proper learning and study.

The Forbidden City was built by Emperor ZhuDi between 1406 and 1420. Located in the geographical centre of the Beijing, in its spatial arrangements the imperial residence was built in accordance with the traditional principles of urban planning formulated in Ancient China. The symmetric layout features is centred upon a central axis and distinguishes between an outer court (at the front) and an inner court (at the rear). The buildings, whose appearance and decoration reflects their rank in the hierarchy of functions are separated by landscaped courtyards.

The halls along the central axis are supreme models of beauty and harmony and they are not to be missed main destination of any visit itinerary.

Major architectures in the outer court are the Meridian Gate, (午门, WuMen), the Hall of Supreme Harmony (太和殿, TaiHeDian), the most important hall where the enthronement ceremonies took place, the Hall of Central Harmony (中和殿, ZhongHeDian), where the emperor would rest before performing his duties, the Hall of Preserved Harmony (保和殿, BaoHeDian), where imperial exams took place.

Through the Gate of Heavenly Purity (乾清门, QianQingMen) one gets access to the Inner Court. Here are the Palace of Heavenly Purity (乾清宫, QianQingGong), living quarter, later used for ceremonies,

 the Hall of Celestial and Terrestrial Union (交泰殿, JiaoTaiDian), the resting place for the empresses, the Palace of Earthly Tranquillity (坤宁宫, KunNingGong), used by the imperial couple after the wedding.

All buildings have elegant roofs with distinctive yellow glazed tiles, the only exception being the library, the WenYuanGe (文渊阁) whose roof is black, a colour associated with water and thus supposed to keep fire away.

Of great interest also the religious buildings whose architecture often beautifully combines different styles (of Han, Manchu, Mongolian and Tibetan origin).

The collection of artefacts housed by the Forbidden City is impressive. It includes paintings, works of calligraphy, porcelain, bronzes, ritual objects, sculptures, books and precious documents. What you can see on site is only a part. A substantial portion of it is now in Taipei.

A wonderful view of the Forbidden City, Tian’AnMen Square and the centre of Beijing can be had from the summit of JingShan Hill (景山). Located in front of the northern gate of the Forbidden City, this is a picturesque artificial hill dotted with graceful pavilions and the best place where you can conclude your visit.

 

Day 14: variants

If you have extra time and energy you can choose to conclude your sightseeing tour at BeiHai Park, a large and beautiful green area located north-west of the Forbidden City.

In theory it is also possible to add a short visit to another temple, such as the Lama Temple or Temple of Confucius . They are close to each other, both served from the subway line that provides access to the Temple of Heaven. Nevertheless, such a choice is not recommended to those who enjoy a slow-pace travel experience.

 

Longer stay: Beijing 4-day itinerary

 

How to modify the itinerary

The itinerary presented here can be modified in many ways without making the organisation effort too overwhelming.

 

With additional days: further destinations

Many interesting destinations can easily be included in the programme. Nevertheless if you choose to do so you should allocate more time because otherwise the journey would become an unpleasant tour-de-force.

Here are some possible suggestions on how to change the itinerary if you can add 1-7 days to your schedule.

 

One day

Beside going for one of the one-day excursions presented beforehand, if you have 15 days available you can use the additional day to spend more time in one of the major cities included in this itinerary, such as Beijing, Xi’An, Hangzhou or Suzhou.

We suggest you choose Suzhou, as this is a city where one more day makes really a difference in how you can learn and enjoy a deeper travel experience.

 

Two or three days

With 2-3 more days you can add short detours from this itinerary. We suggest you consider visiting Mount HuangShan, an amazing historic scenic mountain close to Hangzhou.

Another option is visiting ChengDe or DaTong from Beijing or TaiShan and QuFu, especially if you plan to travel back to Shanghai from Beijing.

 

Four or five days

With more days available you can include Chengdu, one of China’s most interesting large cities. Capital of Sichuan, Chengdu is famous for its relaxed atmosphere, a distinctive culinary tradition and the giant panda.

In 4-5 days you can visit Chengdu and nearby destinations such as two beautiful sacred mountains, i.e. QingChengShan and EMeiShan.

 

Six or seven days

With one more week available you can visit JiuZhaiGou and Chengdu. A good alternative is to add Hong Kong, GuangZhou and Changsha.

If you like mountains and history consider adding a visit to Mount SongShan and the ancient capital of LuoYang.

 

Other possible additions:

Hong Kong: Hong Kong 1,5 itinerary