First time China

Question

Hallo all,

I read very carefully stickies on China and particular cities but still have few questions.

My proposed agenda

7/Nov Europe to Beijing

8-10 Beijing

10-13 Ürümqi

13-16 Xi’An

16-19Chengdu

19-21 Shenzhen

21-22 Beijing flight back to Europe

Questions:

A) is this good amount of time for each city or should I take out or add day

B ) plan to fly between cities to minimalase time spend travelling

C) is any overnight trains I could take between some of the cities and if it is pls point me out towards website

D) main purpose of the visit is Beijing for Forbidden City and Wall of China , Chengdu for the pandas, and Xi’An for the terracotta warriors.

Added Üurumqi as is unusual city mix of Chinese and Central Asia and Shenzhen as I am told has particular "je ne sais quoi,

E) I am very big history buff and would love suggestions for interesting cities, and happy to swap Ürümqi and Shenzhen for something else.

I read so much here and on other platforms that now I am so confused and don’t know where to start and finish.

Found provisionally internal flights and hotels but I guess I will come back again with particular questions on particular cities.

Only confirmed flight is the one from Europe to Beijing

Please help!!!

Many thanks in advance of any help you can render

NLgirl06

Answer

Hi NLgirl06,

Your proposed itinerary covers a lot of ground and includes some very interesting cities. Here’s a detailed breakdown and advice based on your questions:

A) Time allocation per city

Beijing (3 days): Enough to see the Forbidden City, Tiananmen Square, Temple of Heaven, Summer Palace, and a day trip to the Great Wall (Mutianyu or Badaling). Three full days is sufficient if you move at a comfortable pace.
Ürümqi (3 days): This is more than enough for most visitors. You can explore the city, visit the Xinjiang Museum, Red Hill, and consider a day trip to Heavenly Lake. Logistics and domestic flights in Xinjiang can take longer than expected, so 2-3 days is practical.
Xi’an (3 days): Sufficient to see the Terracotta Warriors, Ancient City Wall, Muslim Quarter, and the Big Wild Goose Pagoda. Three days allows a relaxed pace.
Chengdu (3 days): Enough for pandas at Chengdu Research Base, Jinli Street, Wuhou Shrine, and perhaps a day trip to Leshan Giant Buddha. If you want to explore more remote areas like Mount Qingcheng, add another day.
Shenzhen (2 days): Enough for a quick city experience, museums, shopping, and parks. You could consider swapping Shenzhen for a city with more historical interest if your focus is history.

B) Flights vs trains

Flying is efficient for long distances like Beijing → Ürümqi and Chengdu → Shenzhen.
High-speed trains are good for shorter connections, e.g., Xi’an ↔ Chengdu (6-7 hours by high-speed train). Overnight trains are available but might not save time when considering boarding and comfort.

C) Overnight trains

Xi’an to Chengdu: overnight trains exist, but high-speed day trains are faster and more comfortable.
Beijing to Xi’an: overnight sleeper trains are available and convenient if you want to save a night’s accommodation, though flights are faster.
Websites for booking: 12306.cn (official, in Chinese), Ctrip, Trip.com (English, easier for foreigners).

D) Main highlights

Beijing: Forbidden City, Great Wall, Summer Palace.
Xi’an: Terracotta Warriors, City Wall.
Chengdu: Giant pandas, cultural streets.

E) Other historical/interesting options

If you love history, consider replacing Shenzhen with:
Pingyao (Shanxi) – well-preserved ancient walled city, traditional architecture.
Lijiang/Dali (Yunnan) – Old towns, minority culture, stunning natural scenery.
Datong (Shanxi) – Yungang Grottoes, Hanging Monastery.
Luoyang – Longmen Grottoes, historical capital.

Other tips:

Consider internal flights for long legs to save time and minimize fatigue.
Booking hotels near main attractions or city centers reduces commuting time.
Use apps like Didi for local transport.
Be flexible: some cities, especially Ürümqi, can have flight delays due to weather.

In summary, your proposed itinerary is feasible, though you might swap Shenzhen for a more historical city if your main interest is history. Flights are recommended for long distances, while high-speed trains are excellent for medium-distance city connections.