Written by Veronica |
Whether for a first trip or returned trip to China, a week is a good amount of time for an in-depth travel experience. You can visit some of the most famous destinations like Shanghai and Beijing, explore the vast, beautiful landscapes in Guilin and Zhangjiajie, or discover ethnic cultures in Yunnan and Tibet.
This article will help you plan your 7 days in China with a list of the best places to visit, suggested travel itineraries, and tips for planning your China tour. Let us know what your perfect holiday looks like, and we can create a 7-day China travel itinerary just for you.
Content Preview
- Top Destinations & Must-See Attractions for a 7-Day China Tour
- How to Make the Most of Your 7 Days in China
- Recommended 7-Day China Itineraries (with Detailed Daily Plan)
- Travel Planning Tips for a Smooth 7-Day China Tour
- FAQs about 7-Day China Tours
- Plan Your China Tour with China Xian Tour
Top Destinations & Must-See Attractions for a 7-Day China Tour
With 7 days in China, you can explore different aspects, natural landscapes and regional cultures, as well as multiple destinations. Here are some of the top destinations in China divided into different themes.
Iconic Destinations for First-Time Visitors:Beijing, Xian, Shanghai
Beijing
If you haven’t been to Beijing, you should definitely visit this ancient capital of China. You can witness the city’s 3,000 years of history at the Forbidden City, the imperial palace of the Ming and Qing Dynasties. Another must-see attraction is the Great Wall of China. There are many sections around Beijing to choose from. You can go on a hike, capture stunning images, and even take a night tour.
Xi’an
Xi’an is another ancient capital with lots of history to uncover. The famous Terracotta Army is a great example. The shocking archeological discovery is part of the Mausoleum of Qin Shi Huang, the first emperor of China. Thousands of clay soldiers and chariots are there to guard the emperor’s resting place. You can also visit the Ancient City Wall of Xi’an that is still standing in excellent condition.
Shanghai
Shanghai will give you very different travel experiences comparing to the two cities above. Its iconic image is the world-famous Shanghai skyline dazzling above the Huangpu River at night. You can take a walk along the Bund or take a night cruise for the best views. To discover the city’s cultural heritage, visit Yuyuan Garden or the Jade Buddha Temple when you travel to China.
For Natural & Scenic Beauty: Guilin, Zhangjiajie, Huangshan, Yangtze River
Guilin
Guilin is where you’ll discover the unique karst landform that is the greatest in the world. The city is built amongst the amazing karst hills along the banks of the Li River. These hills appear in strange shapes thanks to millions of years of erosion and weathering. Take a cruise down the river and immerse yourself in the otherworldly landscapes.
Zhangjiajie
The views of Zhangjiajie started to catch on global attention after it inspired the fictional world of Avatar. You will see the towering pinnacles in real life and even get to stand at a height among them by taking the Bailong Elevator, the tallest elevator in the world. There are also grand canyons and great hiking opportunities for China nature tours.
Huangshan
Huangshan is the home of the Yellow Mountain, one of the most beautiful mountains in China. You should see its infamous four wonders, the peculiar pines, bizarre rocks, Sea of Clouds, and ancient hot springs. The views in the mountains change with the season, from vibrant springs, lush summers, to colorful autumns, and snowy winter. After your hike, visit the ancient Hui villages at the foot of the mountain.
Yangtze River
Yangtze River is the longest river in China that flows past many stunning landscapes as well as regions with beautiful cultures. The best way to explore the area is by taking a Yangtze River Cruise between Chongqing and Yichang. You can sit back the enjoy the views as you cruise past them and stop at cultural attractions. Highlights of the journey include the Three Gorges and Fengdu Ghost City.
For Unique Cultural Experiences: Chengdu, Hangzhou, Suzhou
Chengdu
Chengdu is the major hub of southwestern China and is representative of the regional culture. It is the home of the adorable giant pandas. There are many preservation bases where pandas live in their natural environment. You can take a guided tour to learn about them. Chengdu is also known for its food culture, especially hotpot. You should taste the authentic dishes made with local ingredients.
Hangzhou and Suzhou
Hangzhou and Suzhou are two popular Shanghai side trip destinations. If you have 7 days in China, it’s a good idea to fully explore the Jiangnan region and culture. It is a birthplace of silk, tea, and has many of the best water towns in China. Apart from those, Hangzhou has the picturesque West Lake, and Suzhou is renowned for its many classical gardens with signature Jiangnan architecture.
For Exploring Ethnic Diversity: Yunnan, Tibet
Yunnan
Yunnan is a large province in Southwest China. Many ethnic minority groups live here like the Bai people, Naxi people, and Hani people. You can visit the ancient towns in Yunnan to see local architecture, learn about their cultural heritage, and the beautiful land they call home. Yunnan also has stunning alpine sceneries and world-class hiking trails for nature lovers.
Tibet
Apart from being the roof of the world, Tibet is also the holy land of Tibetan Buddhism. Countless people, believers or not, make the pilgrimage to witness Potala Palace, the highest ancient palace in the world. There are many temples and monasteries where you can see Tibetan architecture and the religious life of monks. If you want to explore Tibetan shops and stalls, head to Barkhor Street.
How to Make the Most of Your 7 Days in China
- With a week in China, it’s recommended that you fly or take the bullet train between your destinations, so you can save time on the road. Bullet trains are convenient and can take you to nearby cities quickly. For cities that are further away, flying is a good option.
- If it’s not your first time visiting China, it is recommended that you explore a destination in depth like Yunnan or the Silk Road. It will allow you to fully appreciate local culture and have the most fulfilling trip.
- For your 7-day China travel itinerary, you may want to consider visiting a region with multiple places to visit and concentrated attractions. For example, you can extend your Shanghai tour to Hangzhou, Suzhou, and Huangshan. When you travel to Hong Kong, you can explore the rest of the Greater Bay Area including Guangzhou, Macau, and Shenzhen. You will be able to save a lot of time.
Recommended 7-Day China Itineraries (with Detailed Daily Plan)
One Week China Tour to Beijing and Shanghai – Classic China Tour: Past to Future
- Highlights: best two cities to visit, history, iconic attractions, cityscapes
- Recommended for: first trip in China, China family tours, history lovers
Day 1: Beijing arrival, Wangfujing Snack Street
Day 2: Tiananmen Square, Forbidden City, Summer Palace, the Temple of Heaven, Beijing Hutongs
Day 3: Great Wall section of your choice, Ming Tombs, Bird’s Nest and Water Cube, flight to Shanghai
Day 4: Shanghai Museum, Yuyuan Garden and Bazaar, the Bund
Day 5: Zhujiajiao Water Town, Nanjing Road, Huangpu River Night Cruise
Day 6: Shanghai Disneyland Park
Day 7: Shanghai Old Street, Former French Concession, Xintiandi, Shanghai departure
One Week China Tour to Beijing, Xian, and Shanghai – The Golden Triangle of China
- Highlights: China’s golden triangle, history, museum lovers, iconic attractions, modern life in China
- Recommended for: first trip in China, history and culture lovers
Day 1: Beijing arrival, Beijing Hutongs
Day 2: Great Wall hiking tour, Ming Tombs, the Summer Palace, Wangfujing Snack Street
Day 3: Tiananmen Square, Forbidden City, the Temple of Heaven, bullet train or flight to Xi’an
Day 4: Terracotta Warriors and Horses Museum, Xian Ancient City Wall, Bell Tower and Drum Tower, Muslim Quarter
Day 5: Shaanxi History Museum, flight to Shanghai, Huangpu River Night Cruise
Day 6: Yuyuan Garden and Bazaar, Xintiandi, the Bund
Day 7: Zhujiajiao Water Town, Shanghai departure
One Week China Tour to Beijing, Guilin, and Shanghai – Scenic Beauty and Cultural Treasures
- Highlights: a mix of history, natural landscapes, and modernity
- Recommended for: first or returned trip to China, culture lovers
Day 1: Beijing arrival, Wangfujing Snack Street
Day 2: Tiananmen Square, Forbidden City, Summer Palace, Jingshan Park, Yonghe Palace, Beijing Hutongs
Day 3: Great Wall hiking tour, Ming Tombs, Bird’s Nest and Water Cube, flight to Guilin
Day 4: Li River cruise, Seven Star Park, Reed Flute Cave, Elephant Trunk Hill
Day 5: Longji Rice Terraces, flight to Shanghai, acrobatic show at Shanghai Circus World
Day 6: Yuyuan Garden and Bazaar, Lujiazui sightseeing, the Bund, Huangpu River Night Cruise
Day 7: Zhujiajiao Water Town, Shanghai departure
One Week China Tour to Shanghai, Suzhou, Hangzhou, and Huangshan – From Urban Charm to Landscape Paintings
- Highlights: Jiangnan water town culture, modern cityscapes, beautiful natural sceneries, hiking
- Recommended for: first or returned trip to China, culture and nature lovers
Day 1: Shanghai arrival, Huangpu River Night Cruise
Day 2: Shanghai Museum, Yuyuan Garden and Bazaar, Former French Concession, the Bund
Day 3: Bullet train to Suzhou, the Humble Administrator’s Garden, Tiger Hill, Shantang Old Street
Day 4: Zhouzhuang Water Town, bullet train to Hangzhou, Hefang Street
Day 5: The West Lake, Lingyin Temple, Meijiawu Tea Village, bullet train to Huangshan
Day 6: The Yellow Mountain hiking tour
Day 7: Hongcun Village, Huangshan departure
One Week China Tour to Guilin and Zhangjiajie – A Perfect Nature Tour
- Highlights: breathtaking sceneries, unique karst landforms
- Recommended for: returned China trips, nature, adventure, and photography lovers
Day 1: Zhangjiajie arrival, Xibu Street
Day 2: Zhangjiajie Grand Canyon, Zhangjiajie Glass Bridge, Golden Whip Stream, Tianzi Mountain
Day 3: Yuanjiajie, Bailong Elevator, Tianmen Mountain
Day 4: Flight or bullet train to Guilin
Day 5: Seven Star Park, Reed Flute Cave, Elephant Trunk Hill
Day 6: Li River Cruise to Yangshuo County, Yangshuo West Street, countryside cycling
Day 7: Longji Rice Terraces, village hiking, Guilin departure
One Week China Tour to Yunnan – A Perfect Blend of Nature and Ethnic Culture
- Highlights: ethnic cultures, stunning alpine sceneries
- Recommended for: returned trip to China, in-depth cultural exploration tour, nature, adventure lovers, hikers
Day 1: Kunming arrival, Dianchi Lake, Flowers and Birds Market
Day 2: Kunming Stone Forest, train to Lijiang, Black Dragon Pool Park
Day 3: Lijiang Old Town, Dongba Cultural Museum, Baisha Ancient Town
Day 4: Jade Dragon Snow Mountain, Tiger Leaping Gorge, drive to Shangri-La
Day 5: Songzanlin Monastery, Dukezong Ancient Town
Day 6: Yubeng Village hiking tour
Day 7: Pudacuo National Park, Shangri-La departure
One Week China Tour to Tibet – A Spiritual Healing Tour
- Highlights: Tibetan culture, Tibetan Buddhism, spirituality, plateau landscapes
- Recommended for: returned China tours, culture lovers
- Important Note*: international visitors traveling to Tibet are required to be accompanied by a local travel operator as well as a Tibet Travel Permit, which can take 7-10 working days to be issued
Day 1: Lhasa arrival (let your body adjust to the altitude and take it easy on your first day)
Day 2: Potala Palace, Jokhang Temple, Barkhor Street
Day 3: Chakpori Hill, Dzonggyel Lokang, Sera Monastery, Norbulingka
Day 4: Take the G318 Highway to Nyingchi, Mila Pass, Bayi Town
Day 5: Sekyim la Pass, Mt. Namjia Bawa, Lulang Forest
Day 6: Cypress Tree Reserve, Basomtso Lake
Day 7: Nyingchi departure
Travel Planning Tips for a Smooth 7-Day China Tour
Do I Need a Chinese Visa?
Before you apply for a Chinese visa, check the visa-free travel policies that China currently has in place. They may allow you to visit China without a visa if you meet certain requirements.
Transportation
Traveling to China is very easy these days with more and more direct international flights from major cities all over the world. You will find the most flights in gateway cities like Beijing, Shanghai, and Hong Kong. From these cities, you can either take a flight or high-speed train to your destination in China.
It’s also easy to get around within the cities. Most major cities have convenient metro lines that connect attractions and busy districts. Taxi services are also readily available. However, if you’re visiting more rural or remote areas, it’s recommended that you book a China tour with private transfers or local guides because the public transportation system may not be as developed.
Best Time to Visit China for a 7-Day Trip
The best time for your 7-day China tour varies depending on where you’re going and what you wish to see. In general, the best seasons for outdoor activities in China are spring and autumn. The sceneries also tend to be at their best. Check the local weather after deciding on your destination. Summers and China public holidays are when attractions are the busiest, so it’s best to avoid those times.
Seasonal Travel Guide for Your China Tour
- Spring:Everything comes back to life in spring, making it the best season to go out for flowers and trees. And the provinces in southern China become the dreamy land for most tourists, such as Jiangsu and Zhejiang. Besides, Wuyuan County in Jiangxi and Nyingchi County in Xizang are famous for rapeseed flowers and peach blossoms, respectively.
- Summer: During a tour in summer, avoiding the heat is the first and most important factor considered by tourists. You can choose Yunnan and Guizhou Provinces where the high plateau is the main type of landform. Or head to the vast grassland in Inner Mongolia. There are also two traditional summer resorts: Chengde City in Hebei Province and Mt. Lushan in Jiangxi Province.
- Autumn:Autumn is the best time to appreciate the autumn leaves. Every year, the video of golden populus euphratica forest in Kanas in Xinjiang and Ejin Banner in Inner Mongolia will receive a lot of attention on the internet and attracts many tourists. To enjoy colorful tree leaves, the Jiuzhaigou Valley and Daocheng Yading in Sichuan are famous all over China.
- Winter: In winter, two completely different travel experiences wait for you to choose. One is the ice and snow world in northeast China and the other is the warm tropical seaside cities in Hainan Province.
Cost for a 7-Day Trip to China
Wondering how much RMB will you need to spend in one week in China? Here’s a list of estimated essential costs for 7 days in China. This is only for your reference as prices can vary significantly during different seasons and depending on personal preferences.
- Transportation
- Flights to and from China (round trip): CNY 5,000-10,000 between China and the US or Europe; CNY 1,000-5,000 between China and Southeast Asian countries
- Traveling between cities in China: CNY 200-800 for flights or bullet trains
- Daily travels: CNY 20-80 per day
- Accommodations
- CNY 200-400 per day for budget hotels; CNY 500-1200 per day for higher end option
- Attraction Tickets
- CNY 40-150 on average per attraction
- Dining and Entertainment
- CNY 150-300 per day
Making Payments in China
The most prevalent way of paying in China right now is electronic payment, mostly through platforms like WeChat Pay and Alipay. You can add you bank cards and pay just by scanning or presenting a QR code. Cash and cards are rarely used. Cash is still accepted by vendors. However, you won’t be able to pay with cards at most stalls or family-owned businesses.
FAQs about 7-Day China Tours
Is 7 days enough to see China’s most famous highlights?
It is absolutely not enough, because the famous scenic spots in China are scattered across many cities. You will lose the fun of travelling if including too many places in one week, so just focus on 2 or 3 cities.
Which month is best to visit China?
Thanks to the vast territory of China, no matter which season you come, you can find the cities suitable for a travel. In general, April to May and September to October are the best months.
Should I focus on two major cities or attempt the “Golden Triangle” (Beijing, Xi’an, Shanghai) in seven days?
If you travel to only two cities, you will have more time for sightseeing and rest and can enjoy in-depth tour. So it is suitable for tourists seeking for high travel quality and travel experience. The Golden Triangle tour allows you to visit the most famous landmarks of the three cities, so it is best for tourists with extremely limited time.
What is the most efficient way to travel between cities for a 7-day trip?
If your travel distance is not more than 1,000 km, the high-speed train is absolutely the first choice. Compared with airports, the high-speed train stations are closer to the downtown area in most cities. And the processes for check-in and security check take less time. The flight is only recommended for long distance, such as from Harbin to Sanya. And do not forget to include the time needed for a round-trip to airport and waiting time.
What essential apps should I download for navigation, translation, and communication?
For foreign tourists, the essential apps for traveling in China are listed below. Hope this information can help you.
Navigation app: Amap, Baidu Maps
Translation app: Baidu Translate, Google Translate
Communication app: Wechat
Plan Your China Tour with China Xian Tour
Plan your one-week China tour with China Xian Tour. We have private tour packages as well as small-group tours. To tailor to your preferences, we can help you customize your own China experience. You will be accompanied by our professional guide with private transfers and will have nothing to worry about except for enjoying yourself.
Related Reading:
