Is this doable, we have limited amount of days to travel

Question

Any advice please from fellow travellers for this itinerary. We have limited days for this trip. Not sure if flights from Ireland will ‘Sync’ in. Fly from Dublin to Beijing ( not sure of any flight details yet) 2nd April, arrive and stay Beijing 3rd 4th 5th (sightseeing to Great Wall etc) 6 April - night train to Xi’An, stay 2 night here (sightseeing Terracotta Army etc 9th April Hight Speed Train from Xi’An to Shanghai (sightseeing) Fly home 12th April to Dublin.

Answer

Your itinerary is ambitious but doable if you are comfortable with a fast pace and efficient use of transport. You will have a total of around 10 days in China, covering Beijing, Xi’an, and Shanghai, which are major tourist destinations with good transport links.

Here’s a breakdown of your plan and some considerations:

Beijing (3rd–5th April): Three full days in Beijing is sufficient to see the major sights like the Great Wall, Forbidden City, Temple of Heaven, Summer Palace, and Tiananmen Square. Prioritize which attractions are most important to you because some, like the Great Wall, require half to full-day trips.
Night train to Xi’an (6th April): Taking the night train is a practical way to save a day on travel. Make sure you book a soft sleeper for comfort as the train journey is approximately 12–13 hours. Arriving in Xi’an on the morning of 7th April gives you two full days (7th–8th) for sightseeing.
Xi’an (7th–8th April): Two days is sufficient to see the Terracotta Army, Big Wild Goose Pagoda, the City Wall, and explore the Muslim Quarter. Keep in mind that the Terracotta Army can take 3–4 hours including travel from the city.
High-speed train to Shanghai (9th April): The high-speed train takes about 6–7 hours. You may want to travel in the morning to maximize your first day in Shanghai. Even with one full day, you can see major highlights such as the Bund, Yu Garden, and Nanjing Road. A second day allows a visit to Pudong or a water town nearby if desired.
Shanghai (9th–11th April): Two full days is tight but workable. Flights back to Dublin on 12th April give you some flexibility depending on flight timing.

Additional tips:

Book all trains and flights in advance to avoid last-minute stress, especially for night trains and high-speed trains.
Consider using early morning or late evening trains to maximize sightseeing time.
Travel light to make transfers and overnight trains easier.
Prioritize your must-see attractions in each city to avoid feeling rushed.

Overall, your itinerary is tight but manageable. It balances sightseeing with travel efficiently, assuming you are comfortable with a fast-paced schedule and have your logistics pre-arranged.

Is this doable, we have limited amount of days to travel

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