With only 5 days in China, we recommend visiting no more than two cities. If it's your first trip, choose Beijing, Beijing + Shanghai, or Beijing + Xi'an.
If you've visited China before, consider basing yourself in one city and exploring the surrounding region. You'll spend less time traveling between distant cities and have more time to enjoy each place.
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- Is Beijing, Xi'an & Shanghai Possible?
- Beijing & Shanghai or Beijing & Xi'an
- Beijing
- Shanghai, Hangzhou, and Suzhou
- Zhangjiajie
- Guilin
- Chengdu
- Chongqing
Can You Visit Beijing, Shanghai, and Xi'an in 5 Days?
No. Five days is not enough to visit all three cities properly, even if you have five full days for sightseeing, excluding your arrival and departure days.
As China's three classic destinations, Beijing, Shanghai, and Xi'an each have major landmarks worth visiting. Beijing needs at least 2–3 full days to cover its must-see attractions, Xi'an needs at least 2 full days, and Shanghai needs at least 1 full day.
You also need to allow time for travel between cities. Beijing to Xi'an takes about 4.5 hours by high-speed train, while Xi'an to Shanghai takes around 2–2.5 hours by flight.
To visit all three cities without rushing, plan for at least 8–10 days. You could check out our 8-Day Beijing–Xi'an–Shanghai Highlights Tour.
If You Can Only Choose Two Cities, Visit Beijing and Shanghai or Beijing and Xi'an?
Before choosing, be clear about one thing: both options require 5 full days for sightseeing, excluding your arrival and departure days. If your five days include both, we recommend staying in Beijing only.
For either combination, allow around 3 days for Beijing and 2 days for the second city. Both routes also give you the chance to experience China's high-speed trains.
Beijing and Xi'an: A Deeper Dive into Chinese History
Xi'an continues the story of China's history and culture that you began exploring in Beijing.
Many of its main attractions are museums and historic sites, so a local guide can make the experience much more engaging and meaningful.
Suggested 5-day itinerary
- Day 1: Beijing. Visit the Forbidden City and explore the hutongs on a walking tour.
- Day 2: Beijing. Visit the Great Wall and learn about ancient sacrificial rituals at the Temple of Heaven.
- Day 3: Explore the Summer Palace, then take a high-speed train to Xi'an.
- Day 4: Xi'an. Visit the Terracotta Army, try a hands-on terracotta warrior-making activity, and walk or cycle along the City Wall.
- Day 5: Xi'an. Visit a famous pagoda and a museum to explore Chinese history.
Our 7-Day Beijing & Xi’an Highlights Tour includes your arrival and departure days, leaving 5 full days for sightseeing. Here's how we recommend spending those days.
Beijing and Shanghai: A Contrast Between Old and Modern China
Unlike Xi'an, Shanghai offers a striking contrast to Beijing. Imagine sipping a coffee as you stroll along a boulevard lined with European-style buildings, turn a corner into an old lane of traditional Chinese homes, and then find yourself surrounded by skyscrapers.
The contrast speaks for itself. You don't need a guide to explain it.
Suggested 5-day itinerary
- Days 1–3: Beijing. Visit the Great Wall, the Forbidden City, and the hutongs.
- Days 4–5: Shanghai. Explore the Bund, stroll through the Former French Concession, and enjoy a food tour.
You could follow our 6-Day Beijing and Shanghai Tour. This tour covers Shanghai's highlights in just one day, ideal if you're short on time. If you'd like to explore more, contact us to customize your itinerary.
What If Your 5 Days Include Arrival and Departure?
In this case, we recommend staying in Beijing rather than trying to squeeze in a second city.
Suggested 5-day itinerary
- Day 1: Arrival. Arrive in Beijing and settle into your hotel.
- Day 2: Imperial Beijing. Visit the Forbidden City and explore the hutongs.
- Day 3: The Temple of Heaven and Mutianyu Great Wall. Start early to make the most of the day.
- Day 4: The Summer Palace and Beijing Zoo. Enjoy the royal gardens and see China's giant pandas. Or spend a day in Universal Studios.
- Day 5: 798 Art District and departure. If your departure time allows, explore Beijing's contemporary art scene before leaving.
If It's Not Your First Time in China, What Other Options?
Five days gives you more options when you focus on one city and its surrounding area.
Compared with traveling between distant cities, exploring one region means less time in transit and more time sightseeing. You can enjoy a wider range of experiences without rushing from place to place.
1. Shanghai, Suzhou, and Hangzhou
Suzhou and Hangzhou are both easy to reach from Shanghai by high-speed train, making them natural extensions of a Shanghai trip.
You can explore traditional Chinese gardens and water towns in Suzhou, enjoy West Lake and a tea experience in Hangzhou, and see a more modern side of China through Hangzhou's technology scene.
Compared with combining Shanghai and Beijing in five days, this route offers a more relaxed pace and a greater variety of experiences.
However, if this may be your once-in-a-lifetime trip to China, we would lean toward Beijing and Shanghai. Beijing has many of China's most iconic landmarks, which are worth prioritizing on a first visit.
Suggested 5-day itinerary
- Days 1–2: Shanghai. Explore the Bund, the Former French Concession, and the city's food scene.
- Day 3: Hangzhou. Visit West Lake and enjoy a tea experience, or explore the city's technology scene.
- Day 4: Suzhou. Visit a classical Chinese garden and a traditional water town.
- Day 5: Return to Shanghai for your departure.
2. Zhangjiajie and Furong Ancient Town
If you love extraordinary scenery and places that stand out in photos, Zhangjiajie is a strong choice.
Its towering Avatar-like sandstone pillars are the main attraction. You can also visit the spectacular 72 Wonder Tower and nearby Furong Ancient Town, a historic town famous for its waterfall.
Just keep in mind that even with cable cars and elevators, you’ll still walk around 10,000 steps a day in Zhangjiajie.
Allow around three days for Zhangjiajie and two more days for the surrounding area, such as Furong or Fenghuang Ancient Town.
Suggested 5-day itinerary
- Day 1: Arrival in Zhangjiajie. A night visit to the 72 Wonder Tower.
- Day 2: Zhangjiajie National Forest Park. Explore its famous sandstone peaks.
- Day 3: Zhangjiajie. Visit the Grand Canyon Glass Bridge and Tianmen Mountain, depending on opening times and your pace.
- Day 4: Furong Ancient Town. Spend time exploring this waterfall-side town, about a two-hour drive from Zhangjiajie.
- Day 5: Departure.
Our 8-Day Zhangjiajie and Furong Tour starts in Shanghai and includes Fenghuang Ancient Town. If you only have 5 days, you could focus on Zhangjiajie and Furong Ancient Town only. Use our tailor-made tour service to tell us what you'd like to see, and we'll customize the itinerary for you.
3. Guilin and Yangshuo
Guilin is more of a relaxing holiday destination. If you want to unwind and take a break from the fast pace of work or daily life, Guilin and nearby Yangshuo are great places to slow down.
One day is enough to cover Guilin's main city sights. Spend the remaining time in Yangshuo, where you can ride an electric bike through the countryside, try bamboo rafting, or simply relax at your guesthouse and enjoy a head massage.
High-speed trains also make Guilin accessible from Guangzhou and Hong Kong.
Suggested 5-day itinerary
- Day 1: Arrive in Guilin from Guangzhou or Hong Kong.
- Day 2: Guilin. Visit the city's main sights.
- Days 3–4: Yangshuo. Enjoy the countryside, electric-bike rides, bamboo rafting, and time to relax.
- Day 5: Departure.
Can Longji Rice Terraces be added in 5 days?
Technically yes. You could take one day from Yangshuo and add one day in Longji. But I wouldn’t recommend it.
Slow time is the soul of Yangshuo. With only one day, it becomes another stop on a checklist rather than a place to slow down and enjoy. Longji is also worth an overnight stay for sunrise, rather than a rushed day trip.
If you have only 5 days but don’t want to miss Longji, we’d suggest skipping Guilin city sightseeing instead. Most city stops are quick photo opportunities, while Longji offers not only stunning photo spots but also a chance to experience rural life in the Guilin area. See our 5-Day Guilin Off-the-Beaten-Path Tour.
4. Chongqing and Wulong
Chongqing is famous for its crazy cityscape, where trains run through buildings, roads cross at different levels, and you can find yourself on the 10th floor one minute and back at street level the next. It's unlike anywhere else in China.
Allow two days for Chongqing itself. Explore Hongyadong, watch the light rail pass through a residential building at Liziba, sample the city's famous food, and take a city walk around Xiahaoli Old District.
Use the remaining time to visit Wulong, about a 2.5-hour drive from Chongqing. Its striking karst landscapes offer a dramatic contrast to the city's density. Another option is the Dazu Rock Carvings, known for their Buddhist sculptures carved into rock faces.
Suggested 5-day itinerary
- Days 1–2: Chongqing. Explore the city, enjoy its food, and visit its best-known sights.
- Days 3–4: Wulong.
- Day 5: Return and depart.
This 6-Day Chongqing, Wulong and Wujiang Gallery Tour would give you some ideas. If you have only 5 days, Wujiang could be deleted.
One thing to consider: Chongqing's steep terrain and many stairways can make sightseeing tiring, especially if you have knee problems or limited mobility. If you like the atmosphere of a lively Chinese city but want easier walking, consider Chengdu instead.
Can you combine Chongqing with a Yangtze River cruise in five days?
Yes, but the schedule will be tight. Cruises departing Chongqing at around 9 p.m. typically take four days and three nights, leaving limited time to explore the city. We recommend arriving in Chongqing before noon on the departure day so you can spend half a day sightseeing before boarding. Check out our 5-Day Chongqing and Yangtze River Cruise Tour.
5. Chengdu and Jiuzhaigou
Chengdu doesn't have Chongqing's dramatic cityscape, but it's a great place to see pandas, enjoy Sichuan food, and spend an afternoon sipping tea in a traditional teahouse.
Compared with Chongqing, Chengdu generally has fewer steep streets and stairways, making it a more comfortable city if you prefer easier walking.
You can spend two days in Chengdu visiting the panda base and enjoying a food tour, then head to Jiuzhaigou for its colorful lakes, waterfalls, and mountain scenery. Alternatively, combine Chengdu with Leshan Giant Buddha and Mount Emei for a trip focused on Buddhist heritage and mountain landscapes.
Suggested 5-day itinerary
- Day 1: Arrival in Chengdu. Take a relaxed walk around Chunxi Road if time allows.
- Day 2: Chengdu. Visit the panda base and enjoy a Sichuan food tour.
- Days 3–4: Jiuzhaigou. Explore its famous lakes and waterfalls.
- Day 5: Departure.
If you prefer Leshan and Mount Emei, you can use the same five-day framework but adjust the sightseeing and transport time.
Can You Visit Both Chengdu and Chongqing in Five Days?
Yes, but expect a faster-paced trip focused on the highlights of both cities rather than a deeper exploration of either region.
Allow around two days for each city, plus roughly two hours for the high-speed train journey between them. This combination works well if you want to experience two city atmospheres in one trip and may not return to this part of China soon.
However, if you prefer taking photos at your own pace, enjoying local experiences, and having time to explore beyond the main sights, spending all five days in one city and its surrounding area will usually give you a more rewarding trip.
Tour China with Us
All our tours can be customized based on your interests and needs. You can use our Create My Trip service to tell us your requirements. Our travel consultant will listen to and answer your inquiries carefully and promptly and prepare the best tour plan for you.