Start with a classic Beijing jianbing (savory crepe) from a Tiananmen-area stall — quick, iconic, and usually open early (≈6:30am–10:30am). Good to fuel a walking morning.
Explore Tiananmen Square (open 24h) then tour the Forbidden City (Palace Museum) to see imperial halls and art collections; Palace Museum hours typically 8:30am–5:00pm (last entry ~4:00pm).
Enjoy refined Peking duck at Da Dong (Wangfujing or other branches), open for lunch and dinner; excellent introduction to Beijing cuisine and a great midday treat.
Climb Jingshan Park for the classic elevated view over the Forbidden City — park hours usually 6:30am–18:00 and the panorama is especially photogenic late afternoon.
Hike and enjoy restored sections with panoramic views; Mutianyu is open roughly 7:30am–5:30pm — choose cable car roundtrip for faster access or hike up for photo ops.
Take a high-speed G train from Beijing West to Xi'an North (approx 4–5 hours depending on service) for comfortable, scenic travel across northern China.
See the famous face-changing performance (Shu Feng Ya Yun Theatre or similar) — showtimes typically around 7:30pm–9:00pm and should be booked in advance.
Classic scenic cruise along the Li River through iconic karst landscapes — typical departures late morning, cruise duration ~4–5 hours; check seasonal schedule in advance.
Choose a gentle bamboo raft or bike along the Yulong River for pastoral scenery; bike rentals and raft operators typically run through daylight hours (≈8:00am–6:00pm).
Sample Shanghai xiaolongbao (soup dumplings) at a well-known spot such as Nanxiang Steamed Bun (Yuyuan) or Din Tai Fung; many locations open until ~9–10pm.
Visit the Shanghai Museum to view excellent Chinese art collections; museum hours ~9:00am–5:00pm (closed Mon) and many exhibits are free with timed tickets.
Ascend Shanghai Tower to the observation deck for sweeping city views; tower open ~9:00am–9:00pm (last entry varies), book tickets in advance to avoid lines.
If departing, transfer to the airport (allow 1–1.5 hours to Pudong); alternatively enjoy an evening Huangpu River cruise (commonly 7:30pm–9:00pm) for final skyline views.