7 Days in China: Itinerary and Tours

China is a treasure, boasting its glorious history, incredible landscapes, classic man-made wonders, and delicious cuisine. How can you spend your precious time in China if you only have 7 days there? You have another choice instead of joining traditional tours or having an expensive private tour. Our mini group tours make your trip more flexible and fun. Read on to discover why our mini group tours make your trip more flexible and significant.

Top 10 Things to Do in China in 7 Days

There are plenty of must-do activities you can’t miss in China, no matter how many days you are staying in the country for. Try to experience these as they will become the highlights of your trip.

  1. Climb the challenging Great Wall and “be a hero”, just like Chairman Mao said in his famous proverb.
  2. Visit the Forbidden City, which has 9,999 rooms, and listen to stories of its history, culture, and architecture. Discover what the imperial lifestyles were like with an in-depth exploration.
  3. Enjoy a pleasant afternoon at the Summer Palace, which was the largest and most luxurious royal garden during the Ming and Qing dynasties (1368–1912).
  4. Be shocked by thousands of human-like Terracotta Warriors and vivid horse sculptures in Xi’an.
  5. Explore ancient Chinese architecture in an interesting way as you ride on the ancient Xi’an City Wall.
  6. Taste famous and genuine Chinese food, such as Beijing roast duck, Xi’an roujiamo, Guilin rice noodles, and Shanghai soup dumplings.
  7. Admire the stunning karst landscape as you travel across the Li River, see the panoramic view from a hilltop, and take a trip on a bamboo raft.
  8. Hike in a Chinese minority area – the Longji Rice Terraces – and experience the local culture and taste some delicious food.
  9. See the modern face of mainland China in Shanghai and have a nighttime stroll along the Bund.
  10. Drink a glass of wine in a bar or enjoy the glorious nighttime view of Shanghai from one of the skyscrapers.
china The night of Shanghai

Itinerary for 7 Days in China

How can you arrange your 7-day trip in China? First, pick your favorite cities and attractions, such as Beijing, Shanghai, the Great Wall, and the Terracotta Army. Then try to divide your trip into several sections according to different cities. For example, 3 days in Beijing, 1 day in Xi’an, 1 day in Guilin, and finally 1 or 2 days in Shanghai. You will know how to arrange your trip after you have decided which cities you want to go to and which attractions you want to visit. However, you may be faced with a common embarrassing situation that you either don’t want a 7-day China tour without some free time to experience the local culture or that tailoring a private tour costs a lot of money. Sometimes, choosing a local 1-day tour is more convenient.

Two Days in Beijing

Time Things to Do
The First Day
7am to 8am Hotel collection and drive to Tian’anmen Square
8am to 11:30am Visit the largest city square, Tian’anmen Square, and the largest imperial palace, the Forbidden City
11:30am to 1:30pm Transfer to the Great Wall at Mutianyu and have lunch
1:30pm to 4pm Climb the popular section of the Great Wall at Mutianyu
4pm to 5:30pm Return to your hotel
The Second Day
7:30am to 11am Hotel collection and visit the Summer Palace
11:20am to 11:40am Visit the Olympic sites: Bird’s Nest and Water Cube
12pm to 1pm Have lunch at Da Wan Ju Restaurant
1:30pm to 2:10pm Visit Jingshan Park
2:40pm to 4:30pm Visit the Temple of Heaven
4:30pm to 5:30pm Transfer back to your hotel
  • Our recommended Beijing mini group tour: Two-Day Beijing Boutique Tour
  • Take the last train from Beijing West Railway Station to Xi’an North Railway Station at 6:55pm. It costs about 500 yuan for a second-class seat or 800 yuan for a first-class seat. You’ll arrive in Xi’an at 11:21pm.

One Day in Xi’an

Time Things to Do
7:30am to 8am Hotel collection
8am to 9am Transfer to the Terracotta Army Museum
9am to 12pm Visit the Terracotta Army and the Qin tomb
12pm to 1:30pm Have lunch at a local restaurant
1:30pm to 2:30pm Drive back to Xi’an City Wall
2:30pm to 5pm Visit Xi’an City Wall
5pm to 6pm Visit Xi’an’s famous food street — the Muslim Quarter
6pm to 6:30pm Drive back to your hotel

Two Days in Guilin

Time Things to Do
The First Day
8am to 10:30am Hotel collection and drive to Longji Ancient Zhuang Village
10:30am to 12pm Visit the ancient Zhuang village in Longsheng
12pm to 1pm Hike from Longji Ancient Zhuang Village to Ping’an Village
1pm to 2pm Have lunch: bamboo rice at Beidong’s Family Restaurant
2pm to 2:30pm Visit the “Seven Stars with the Moon” viewing point
2:30pm to 3pm Have an interview with a long-haired Yao lady
3pm to 4pm Visit the “Nine Dragons and Five Tigers” viewing point
4pm to 6pm Drive back to Guilin or Yangshuo
The Second Day
8am to 10am Hotel collection and drive to Xianggong Hill
10am to 10:50am Have a bird’s-eye view of the hills and the Li River from the peak of Xianggong Hill
10:50am to 12:40pm Enjoy a bicycle ride in Yangshuo’s countryside
12:40pm to 1:30pm Have lunch at a local family restaurant named Secret Garden
1:30pm to 3:20pm Discover the traditional Chinese handicraft of painted fans
3:50pm to 5:30pm Take a raft trip on the most popular section of the Li River
5:30pm to 7pm Transfer back to your hotel in Guilin or Yangshuo

One Day in Shanghai

Time Things to Do
8am to 9:30am Hotel collection and drive to Zhujiajiao Water Town
9:30am to 11:30am Visit Zhujiajiao Water Town
11:30am to 12:30pm Have lunch in the water town
12:30pm to 4pm Visit Shanghai World Financial Center
4pm to 5pm Walk along the Bund
5pm to 6pm Return to your hotel

One Day for Having a Rest or Transferring to Other Cities

This free day is for you to relax or transfer to other cities. This is a full trip that needs a lot of energy, both physically and mentally. Have a good rest and enjoy a better trip in China.

china The Longji Rice Terraces

Travel Tips

  • Cost: You have many choices available for your trip in China no matter whether you want to stay in a comfortable 5-star hotel or a clean bed and breakfast. The cheapest hostel costs about 30 yuan (5 USD) for a bed. A simple meal is about 20 yuan (3 USD).
  • Food: In most city centers, you can find both Chinese food and Western food, but you won’t have a choice in small towns or remote areas.
  • Don’t drink any tap water: Chinese people never drink tap water unless it has been boiled in a kettle. Buy bottled water wherever you go in China.
  • Transportation: Traveling by subway is best in big cities and taking a taxi is best in small cities. For trips under 4 hours, taking a high-speed train is more convenient than a flight.
  • Best times: Generally speaking, April, May, September, and October are the most comfortable months to travel in China.
  • Dates you should avoid: It’s not a good time to travel in China during public holidays, unless you want to experience the local culture.
  • How can you go to China? Apply for a visa, plan your trip, buy your tickets, and just start your trip. You can travel in China alone although you will face the language barrier. If you are going to transit in China, you can also benefit from the 72-hour visa-free policy and visit China without a visa.  

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