Asia · Destination guide
China
A first China journey can start with two contrasting cities: Beijing for imperial landmarks and the Great Wall, and Shanghai for waterfront walks and city neighbourhoods. We plan the travel and everyday practicalities alongside the sightseeing.
- History
- Architecture
- City life
Your starting point
Give each city enough time
Consider 7–9 nights across Beijing and Shanghai as a starting discussion. Give Beijing several full days so a Great Wall outing does not compete with every city landmark. Keep the intercity move separate from your most important sightseeing. With fewer nights, a single-city stay may be the better choice.
Suggested lengths are starting points for a conversation. Your final route depends on your dates, interests and availability.
Beijing: choose the historic places that matter
The Great Wall: select the section first
Beijing’s official tourism portal lists sections including Badaling and Mutianyu. We talk you through the access, steps and transport for the section we propose, so you know the walking involved before you choose. [1]
Shanghai: waterfront and older neighbourhoods
The Bund, Yu Garden and the city’s shikumen streets offer a contrast to its modern skyline. Build a day around a few nearby areas, with time to explore on foot, instead of turning each stop into a separate cross-city journey. [3]
When to go
Choose dates around the actual route
Shanghai’s spring (March–May) and autumn (September–November) are its most comfortable walking seasons; its ‘plum rain’ season runs from mid-June to early July, and typhoons usually peak from late August to mid-September. Beijing’s spring and autumn are shorter, its summers hot and rainy, with the heaviest rain in July and August, and its winters cold and dry. [6] [7] Public holidays matter too: National Day starts a holiday of about a week on 1 October, and the Temple of Heaven and Summer Palace were among Beijing’s busiest parks during the 2026 Spring Festival holiday. Keep outdoor landmarks on flexible days where possible. [8] [9]
Getting around
Prepare transport, payments and connectivity together
Shanghai has metro, bus, ferry, taxi and intercity rail options. Beijing’s visitor services also offer help with transport, payment apps and local connectivity. Before departure, we go through the payment and ticketing methods you will use and make sure you have your hotel addresses in Chinese. We compare rail and flights for the exact journey, including transfers. [2] [4]
Follow your curiosity
More places to consider
If China caught your eye, follow the scenery, experiences or places that interest you.
- Culture & city days
Japan
Build a rail journey around city neighbourhoods, temple gardens and time for small discoveries.
- Culture & city days
South Korea
Explore city neighbourhoods, food and cultural visits, with Seoul and Busan as different starting points.
- Culture & city days
India
Choose one region for its heritage, landscapes and food instead of trying to cover the whole country.
Make it yours
Your trip. Your kind of days.
Share the cities you want to combine, your walking preferences, whether the Great Wall is a priority, and your passport nationality so we can guide you on entry.
A little clarity before you go
Questions before you plan
Does a transit visa exemption cover a normal holiday?
Not necessarily. Transit schemes and tourist entry have different conditions, depending on your nationality, route and purpose. We go through these with you against the official visa guidance as we plan, and our visa assistance can help with the application. [5]
What should we organise before choosing attraction dates?
Tell us the landmarks you do not want to miss, any walking limits and your preferred travel days. We then arrange the reservations and choose suitable hotel bases. This is especially useful when a Great Wall outing is part of a short Beijing stay.
Need help with the arrangements? Explore our travel services, or compare more destinations in Asia.
Official planning sources · checked 16 October 2026; additions checked 18 October 2026
- Beijing Government: landmarks and visitor planning
- Beijing Government: visitor services guide
- Shanghai Government: city introduction
- Shanghai Government: public transport
- Shanghai Government: visas and eligibility
- Shanghai Government: weather through the seasons
- Beijing Government: climate and geography
- Beijing Government: public holidays
- Beijing Government: Spring Festival holiday visits
Route lengths and pacing are our planning suggestions. Official sources provide destination background. We confirm the opening arrangements, transport and entry requirements for your dates while planning your journey.
