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10-Day Ultimate Itinerary: Discovering Beijing and Shanghai

Viewed by 105 travelers

Day 1: Arrival in Beijing

Beijing, China

9:00 AM

Arrival and Check-in

Arrive in Beijing and check into your hotel to freshen up and prepare for your adventure.
Taxi from the airport to your hotel takes about 30-40 minutes.
CNY800, 1.5 hours

11:00 AM

Tiananmen Square

Start your exploration at Tiananmen Square, the largest public square in the world, filled with rich history.
Take Subway Line 1 to Tiananmen East Station.
Free, 1 hour

1:00 PM

Lunch at Dong Lai Shun

Enjoy a traditional Mongolian hot pot for lunch at Dong Lai Shun, famous for its delicious dishes.
Walk to the restaurant located nearby.
CNY100, 1.5 hours

3:00 PM

Forbidden City

Explore the Forbidden City, the imperial palace for Chinese emperors, and its stunning architecture.
Walk from lunch; it's a short 15-minute walk.
CNY60, 3 hours

6:00 PM

Dinner and Peking Duck

Savor Peking Duck at Quanjude, a century-old restaurant renowned for its culinary mastery.
Take a taxi that takes about 15 minutes.
CNY300, 2 hours
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Day 2: Great Wall Exploration

Beijing, China

7:00 AM

Breakfast at the Hotel

Enjoy a delicious buffet breakfast at your hotel, fueling up for the day.
On-site.
CNY100, 1 hour

8:00 AM

Mutianyu Great Wall

Venture to the Mutianyu section of the Great Wall, less crowded yet equally stunning and photogenic.
Take a pre-booked private car, about a 1.5-hour ride.
CNY200, 4 hours

12:30 PM

Lunch at a Local Restaurant

Indulge in local dishes at a nearby restaurant, refueling after your hike on the wall.
Nearby Mutianyu.
CNY80, 1 hour

2:00 PM

Summer Palace

Visit the Summer Palace, a royal retreat with beautiful gardens, temples, and lakes.
Private car back to Beijing, then a 20-minute taxi.
CNY60, 2.5 hours

5:00 PM

Explore Wangfujing Street

Discover Wangfujing Street, a bustling shopping area filled with exotic snacks and shops.
Taxi directly to the street.
Varies, 2 hours

7:00 PM

Dinner at Dumpling King

Enjoy a variety of steamed dumplings at Dumpling King, a favorite among locals.
15-minute walk from Wangfujing.
CNY150, 1.5 hours
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Day 3: Cultural Heritage

Beijing, China

8:00 AM

Breakfast at the Hotel

Start your day with breakfast at your hotel before getting ready for a cultural day.
On-site.
CNY100, 1 hour

9:30 AM

Temple of Heaven

Visit the Temple of Heaven, where emperors once performed rituals to pray for good harvests.
Take Subway Line 5 to Tiantan Dongmen Station.
CNY15, 2 hours

12:00 PM

Lunch at Wangjing Garden

Savor delicious local cuisine at Wangjing Garden, with a peaceful atmosphere.
Taxi for about 20 minutes.
CNY120, 1.5 hours

2:00 PM

Hutong Tour

Take a guided tour through the charming hutongs, learning about local life and history.
Back to city center, taxi ride.
CNY180, 3 hours

5:30 PM

Visit the Lama Temple

Explore the exquisite Lama Temple, renowned for its stunning architecture and peaceful ambiance.
Taxi ride 10 minutes.
CNY25, 1 hour

7:00 PM

Dinner at Din Tai Fung

Feast on xiao long bao (soup dumplings) at the world-famous Din Tai Fung restaurant.
Take a short taxi ride.
CNY250, 1.5 hours
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Day 4: Modern Beijing

Beijing, China

8:00 AM

Breakfast at the Hotel

Fuel your day with a hearty breakfast at your hotel.
On-site.
CNY100, 1 hour

9:30 AM

798 Art District

Explore the extraordinary 798 Art District, a vibrant hub of contemporary art and culture.
Take Subway Line 14 to Wangjing South Station, then a short taxi.
Free, 2 hours

12:00 PM

Lunch at Cafe de Reves

Enjoy a casual lunch at Cafe de Reves, offering a fusion of local and international dishes.
Walking distance in the district.
CNY100, 1.5 hours

2:00 PM

Beijing National Stadium

Visit the iconic Bird's Nest Stadium, a symbol of modern Beijing architecture.
Taxi ride, about 30 minutes.
CNY50, 1.5 hours

4:00 PM

Shopping at Sanlitun

Shop at Sanlitun Village, famous for its trendy boutiques and vibrant nightlife.
15-minute taxi ride.
Varies, 2 hours

6:00 PM

Dinner at Hunan Restaurant

Indulge in spicy Hunan cuisine at this local favorite known for its bold flavors.
Short taxi ride.
CNY150, 1.5 hours
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Day 5: Travel to Shanghai

Shanghai, China

8:00 AM

Breakfast at the Hotel

Enjoy a final breakfast in Beijing before your travel.
On-site.
CNY100, 1 hour

9:30 AM

High-Speed Train to Shanghai

Catch a high-speed train to Shanghai, where the journey itself is a remarkable experience.
Take a taxi to Beijing South Railway Station.
CNY550, 5 hours

3:00 PM

Check-in to Hotel

Arrive in Shanghai and check into your hotel, preparing for your city exploration.
Taxi from the train station.
CNY80, 1 hour

4:00 PM

Oriental Pearl Tower

Visit the iconic Oriental Pearl Tower and enjoy panoramic views of the city.
Take the subway from your hotel.
CNY150, 1.5 hours

6:00 PM

Dinner at The Bund

Experience dining along The Bund, with stunning views of Shanghai's skyline.
Short taxi ride.
CNY400, 2 hours
Find Hotels in Shanghai

Day 6: Exploring Shanghai

Shanghai, China

8:00 AM

Breakfast at Hotel

Start your day with a delicious breakfast served at your hotel.
On-site.
CNY100, 1 hour

9:30 AM

Yuyuan Garden

Explore the beautiful Yuyuan Garden, a classical Chinese garden with stunning architecture.
Taxi to Yuyuan Garden, approximately 30 minutes.
CNY40, 2 hours

12:00 PM

Lunch at Nanxiang Steam Buns

Enjoy a famous Shanghai meal at Nanxiang, known for its juicy steam buns.
Located near the Yuyuan Garden.
CNY50, 1 hour

2:00 PM

Shanghai Museum

Discover rich Chinese heritage at the Shanghai Museum, filled with ancient artifacts.
Take the metro from Yuyuan to People's Square.
Free, 2 hours

5:00 PM

Nanjing Road Shopping

Take a stroll on Nanjing Road, one of the world's busiest shopping streets.
Walking distance from the museum.
Varies, 1.5 hours

7:00 PM

Dinner at Macao Street

Relish Macanese cuisine at Macao Street, offering a unique dining experience.
15-minute taxi ride.
CNY200, 1.5 hours
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Day 7: Art and Culture

Shanghai, China

8:00 AM

Breakfast at Hotel

Fuel your day with a wholesome breakfast at your hotel.
On-site.
CNY100, 1 hour

9:30 AM

Shanghai Urban Planning Exhibition Center

Visit the Shanghai Urban Planning Exhibition Center for an insightful overview of Shanghai's development.
Taxi to the center, about 20 minutes.
CNY30, 2 hours

12:00 PM

Lunch at Café de l'Opera

Indulge in elegant lunch at Café de l'Opera, known for its delightful pastries.
Short taxi ride.
CNY150, 1.5 hours

2:00 PM

Fuxing Park & French Concession

Stroll through Fuxing Park, then wander the tree-lined streets of the historic French Concession area.
Taxi from lunch, about 15 minutes.
Free, 2 hours

5:00 PM

Visit Tianzifang

Explore Tianzifang, an artsy neighborhood filled with boutique shops and art galleries.
Walk from the French Concession.
Varies, 1.5 hours

7:00 PM

Dinner at Lost Heaven

Savor Yunnan dishes at Lost Heaven, renowned for its beautiful decor and unique flavors.
Short taxi ride.
CNY350, 2 hours
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Day 8: Day Trip to Zhujiajiao

Shanghai, China

7:30 AM

Breakfast at Hotel

Enjoy breakfast at your hotel before embarking on a day trip.
On-site.
CNY100, 1 hour

9:00 AM

Day Trip to Zhujiajiao Water Town

Discover the picturesque water town of Zhujiajiao, renowned for its ancient canals and bridges.
Take a private car; the drive is about 1 hour.
CNY300, 4 hours

1:00 PM

Lunch at Local Restaurant

Enjoy traditional local food at a scenic restaurant along the canals.
Located within Zhujiajiao.
CNY120, 1.5 hours

3:00 PM

Explore Zhujiajiao

Take your time wandering through the charming streets, shops, and historical sites of Zhujiajiao.
Walking distance from lunch.
Free, 2.5 hours

6:00 PM

Return to Shanghai

Travel back to Shanghai after an enchanting day, resting up for your evening.
Private car back to Shanghai.
Included in previous cost, 1 hour

7:30 PM

Dinner at Xibo

End your day with a delightful dinner at Xibo, specializing in Xinjiang cuisine.
Taxi from your hotel.
CNY250, 1.5 hours
Find Hotels in Shanghai

Day 9: Shopping and Relaxation

Shanghai, China

8:00 AM

Breakfast at Hotel

Enjoy a peaceful breakfast at your hotel.
On-site.
CNY100, 1 hour

9:30 AM

Visit Jing'an Temple

Visit the serene Jing'an Temple, an ancient Buddhist temple in the heart of the city.
Taxi ride, about 20 minutes.
CNY20, 1.5 hours

11:30 AM

Shopping at West Nanjing Road

Head to West Nanjing Road for a shopping spree at high-end boutiques and luxury shops.
Walking distance from Jing'an Temple.
Varies, 2.5 hours

2:00 PM

Lunch at The Kitchen Salvatore Cuomo

Indulge in Italian cuisine at The Kitchen Salvatore Cuomo, known for its pizza.
Short walk from the shopping area.
CNY200, 1.5 hours

4:00 PM

Visit Shanghai Tower

Experience breathtaking views from the Shanghai Tower, the tallest building in China.
Taxi to the Tower.
CNY180, 2 hours

6:30 PM

Dinner at The Commune Social

Conclude your trip with a delightful meal at The Commune Social, renowned for its modern cuisine.
Taxi ride from Shanghai Tower.
CNY300, 2 hours
Find Hotels in Shanghai

Day 10: Departure

Shanghai, China

8:00 AM

Breakfast at Hotel

Enjoy a hearty breakfast before you prepare for your departure.
On-site.
CNY100, 1 hour

9:30 AM

Morning at Leisure

Spend your last moments in Shanghai strolling around the hotel neighborhood.
Walking distance.
Free, 1.5 hours

11:00 AM

Check-out and Departure

Check out of your hotel and head to the airport for your departure flight.
Taxi to the airport, approximately 30 minutes.
CNY80, 1 hour
Find Hotels in Shanghai
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