Country Itinerary
The Perfect 5-Day China Itinerary
China · Built from 6 real traveler plans · 39 spots
China is one of the most-planned destinations on Triply. We took 6 real traveler itineraries and distilled them into this 5-day plan — built around the 39+ places people actually saved, ranked by how often they show up. No filler, no tourist traps nobody bookmarks: just the spots real travelers keep choosing for China.
This is a whole-country plan, so the days below move between places rather than circling one base. Travelers who planned China on Triply averaged 5 days; the stops are ordered by how often they were saved, so the first days are the ones almost nobody skips. For a single base, see the city guides for Shanghai and Beijing.
Have 4 or 6 or 7 days instead of 5? 4-day China itinerary · 6-day China itinerary · 7-day China itinerary — same ranked list, cut to fit, further down this page.
5-Day China Itinerary
Day 1
Huge, free museum with extensive displays including bronze & jade artifacts, sculptures & paintings.
Stroll along the iconic waterfront promenade offering stunning views of colonial-era buildings and the futuristic Pudong skyline.
Day 2
Immerse yourself in the vibrant atmosphere of this historic district, known for its narrow streets, unique architecture, and bustling markets.
Iconic bell tower built in 1384 during the Ming dynasty with historic displays & city vistas.
Iconic, bustling stretch of road with many souvenir shops, street vendors, buskers & restaurants.
Futuristic TV tower (468-meters tall) offering city vistas, a history museum & revolving restaurant.
Day 3
Day 4
632-m. megatall skyscraper with 2 observation decks, plus restaurants, bars, shops & a hotel.
Marvel at the awe-inspiring collection of thousands of life-sized terracotta warriors, horses, and chariots protecting the tomb of China's first emperor.
Discover a charming maze of alleyways filled with art studios, boutiques, and cafes in a renovated Shikumen neighborhood.
Day 5
Ornate Tibetan Buddhist temple complex built in 1694 & featuring bronze statues & incense burners.
4-Day China Itinerary
Short on time? These are the 20 places travelers save most, in 4 days: skip the rest without regret.
- Day 1: Forbidden City → Yu Garden → Jingshan Park → Shanghai Museum → The Bund
- Day 2: Xi'an City Wall → Muslim Quarter → Bell Tower of Xi'an → Nanjing Road Pedestrian Street → Oriental Pearl TV Tower
- Day 3: Siji Minfu Roast Duck (Wangfujing) → Tiananmen Square → National Museum of China → Jia Jia Tang Bao (Huanghe Road) → Shanghai City God Temple
- Day 4: Shanghai Tower → Terracotta Army → Tianzifang → Xi'an Famous Foods (Muslim Quarter) → Haixinsha Island
6-Day China Itinerary
With 6 days you get past the headline sights into the places people only reach on a longer China trip. Days 6–6 are the extra stops.
- Day 1: Forbidden City → Yu Garden → Jingshan Park → Shanghai Museum → The Bund
- Day 2: Xi'an City Wall → Muslim Quarter → Bell Tower of Xi'an → Nanjing Road Pedestrian Street → Oriental Pearl TV Tower
- Day 3: Siji Minfu Roast Duck (Wangfujing) → Tiananmen Square → National Museum of China → Jia Jia Tang Bao (Huanghe Road) → Shanghai City God Temple
- Day 4: Shanghai Tower → Terracotta Army → Tianzifang → Xi'an Famous Foods (Muslim Quarter) → Haixinsha Island
- Day 5: Jia San Steamed Soup Dumpling Restaurant (Hui Min Jie) → Wang Ji Rou Jia Mo → Green Tea Restaurant (Longjing Branch) → Grand Canal (Hangzhou) → Lama Temple (Yonghegong)
- Day 6: West Lake (Hangzhou) → Feilai Peak → Canton Tower → The Terracotta Army → Din Tai Fung (Shanghai IFC Store)
7-Day China Itinerary
With 7 days you get past the headline sights into the places people only reach on a longer China trip. Days 6–7 are the extra stops.
- Day 1: Forbidden City → Yu Garden → Jingshan Park → Shanghai Museum → The Bund
- Day 2: Xi'an City Wall → Muslim Quarter → Bell Tower of Xi'an → Nanjing Road Pedestrian Street → Oriental Pearl TV Tower
- Day 3: Siji Minfu Roast Duck (Wangfujing) → Tiananmen Square → National Museum of China → Jia Jia Tang Bao (Huanghe Road) → Shanghai City God Temple
- Day 4: Shanghai Tower → Terracotta Army → Tianzifang → Xi'an Famous Foods (Muslim Quarter) → Haixinsha Island
- Day 5: Jia San Steamed Soup Dumpling Restaurant (Hui Min Jie) → Wang Ji Rou Jia Mo → Green Tea Restaurant (Longjing Branch) → Grand Canal (Hangzhou) → Lama Temple (Yonghegong)
- Day 6: West Lake (Hangzhou) → Feilai Peak → Canton Tower → The Terracotta Army → Din Tai Fung (Shanghai IFC Store)
- Day 7: Hefang Street → China National Tea Museum → Wenshu Monastery → Longchaoshou (Chunxi Road) → Lingyin Temple
Top Things to Do in China
- Forbidden City — ★ 4.6 (saved by 5 travelers)
- Shanghai Museum — ★ 4.3 (saved by 5 travelers)Huge, free museum with extensive displays including bronze & jade artifacts, sculptures & paintings.
- The Bund — ★ 4.2 (saved by 5 travelers)Stroll along the iconic waterfront promenade offering stunning views of colonial-era buildings and the futuristic Pudong skyline.
- Xi'an City Wall — ★ 4.5 (saved by 4 travelers)
- Bell Tower of Xi'an — ★ 4.5 (saved by 4 travelers)Iconic bell tower built in 1384 during the Ming dynasty with historic displays & city vistas.
- Oriental Pearl TV Tower — ★ 4.6 (saved by 3 travelers)Futuristic TV tower (468-meters tall) offering city vistas, a history museum & revolving restaurant.
- Tiananmen Square — ★ 4.4 (saved by 3 travelers)
- National Museum of China — ★ 4.4 (saved by 3 travelers)
Where to Eat in China
- Siji Minfu Roast Duck (Wangfujing) — ★ 4.5
- Jia Jia Tang Bao (Huanghe Road) — ★ 4.3
- Xi'an Famous Foods (Muslim Quarter) — ★ 5
- Jia San Steamed Soup Dumpling Restaurant (Hui Min Jie) — ★ 4.8
- Wang Ji Rou Jia Mo — ★ 4.7
China Travel FAQ
How many days do you need in China?
Most travelers planning China on Triply spend about 5 days there. That's enough to cover the top sights — Forbidden City, Yu Garden, Jingshan Park — without rushing. This page also has 4-day and 6-day and 7-day versions of the same plan.
What are the top things to do in China?
Based on 6 real China itineraries, the most-saved spots are Forbidden City, Yu Garden, Jingshan Park, Shanghai Museum, The Bund, Xi'an City Wall.
Where should I eat in China?
The most-saved places to eat in China are Siji Minfu Roast Duck (Wangfujing), Jia Jia Tang Bao (Huanghe Road), Xi'an Famous Foods (Muslim Quarter), Jia San Steamed Soup Dumpling Restaurant (Hui Min Jie), Wang Ji Rou Jia Mo.
Is China worth visiting?
China is one of the most-planned destinations on Triply, with 6 traveler itineraries covering 39+ spots — so yes, there's plenty to fill a 5-day trip.
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