The two-headline version of China: imperial history in Beijing, then the 4.5-hour bullet train to futuristic Shanghai. Two cities, one unforgettable week.
Route
Estimated budget per person, excluding international flights. Actual costs may vary.
Morning
Land, Airport Express into town, check in near the hutongs.
Afternoon
Drum & Bell Towers and the surrounding hutong alleys on foot.
Evening
Peking duck welcome dinner, early night.
Food: Peking duck (¥100–160/person)
Transport: Airport Express ¥25 + metro
Est. cost: $90–160
Download Alipay + a VPN-or-eSIM plan BEFORE you fly.
Morning
Tiananmen Square, then the Forbidden City (book ahead).
Afternoon
Jingshan Park panorama, Qianmen street snacks.
Evening
Acrobatics show at Chaoyang Theatre.
Food: Qianmen street food (¥50)
Transport: Metro Lines 1/8
Est. cost: $15–30
Only book the afternoon show if your feet survived the palace.
Morning
Early transfer to Mutianyu, cable car up.
Afternoon
Walk the wall, toboggan down, late lunch, return.
Evening
Hotpot dinner on Ghost Street.
Food: Wall-side lunch (¥60), Sichuan hotpot (¥90)
Transport: Private driver ¥400–600/car
Est. cost: $70–120
Start no later than 7:30am to beat the crowds and the heat.
Morning
Temple of Heaven park with the morning tai chi crowd.
Afternoon
Lama Temple, then collect bags; transfer to Beijing South station.
Evening
High-speed train to Shanghai (4.5–6 h, ¥550–660 second class), check in near the Bund or Jing'an.
Food: Train-station noodles (¥40), arrival snack in Shanghai
Transport: Metro + G-train, Shanghai metro from Hongqiao
Est. cost: $90–130
Book the train ~15 days ahead; seat C on row 3 has window+aisle vibes if traveling alone.
Morning
Yu Garden and the old-town bazaar before the crowds.
Afternoon
Nanjing Road walk to the Bund; river ferry across and back (¥2).
Evening
Bund at full lights + xiaolongbao dinner at Jia Jia Tang Bao.
Food: Xiaolongbao (¥30–60), shengjianbao (¥20)
Transport: Metro Line 10/2, ferry ¥2
Est. cost: $15–25
The Bund lights are best 7–9pm; weekends are shoulder-to-shoulder.
Morning
Plane-tree streets of the former French Concession, by shared bike or foot.
Afternoon
Tianzifang lanes, coffee crawl on Anfu Road, then Shanghai Tower deck at dusk (¥180).
Evening
Farewell dinner: hairy crab in season or a smart Shanghainese bistro.
Food: Hongshao rou & river shrimp (¥90/person)
Transport: Metro + DiDi, maglev photo en route if departing tomorrow
Est. cost: $40–80
Shanghai Tower tickets are cheaper online — book the 5pm slot for day+night views.
Morning
Slow breakfast, last stroll along Suzhou Creek or a museum hour.
Afternoon
Maglev to Pudong airport (¥50, 8 minutes at 300 km/h) and fly home.
Evening
—
Food: Breakfast jianbing or brioche-style breakfast set (¥30)
Transport: Metro Line 2 or maglev
Est. cost: $10–20
The maglev is a thrill even with luggage — sit in the first rows.
Recommended
Reserve bullet-train seats with an English interface — much easier than the official 12306 app for first-time visitors.
Book Train TicketsRecommended
English-guided tours for the Great Wall, Terracotta Army and more — reserve now, pay later, free cancellation.
Browse China ToursThe train. City-center to city-center it's faster door-to-door than flying, infinitely more comfortable, and the countryside views beat any tarmac.
Yes. Fly into whichever city has the cheaper airfare; just reverse the days. Many find Beijing-first (history) → Shanghai-last (modern) a satisfying arc.
Roughly $1,350/person mid-range including hotels, food, tickets, train and transfers — excluding international flights. Budget travelers manage on $650.