Classic 3-Week China Travel Itinerary: Best Places to Visit & Tips

A three-week trip gives you plenty of time to experience China’s rich history, stunning landscapes, and modern cities. For first-time travelers, must-see destinations include Beijing, Xi’an, Guilin, and Shanghai. Depending on your interests, you can also explore Chengdu, Zhangjiajie, Yunnan, Tibet, Xinjiang, or enjoy a Yangtze River cruise.

If you're unsure where to start, take a look at our classic three-week China itineraries for inspiration. The carefully designed route combines famous attractions with hidden gems for a well-rounded adventure.

Is 3 Weeks Enough for Traveling to China?

Three weeks is a perfect amount of time for an in-depth exploration of China. From the iconic landmarks of Beijing to Shanghai’s modern skyline and the rich culture along the Yangtze River, you’ll be left with a deep impression of China’s 5,000 years of history.

A three-week trip means you won’t have to make any sacrifices with your itinerary. You can start by visiting the country’s most famous cities and attractions. Beijing, Shanghai, Xi’an, and Chengdu will give you a good look into Chinese culture and history across the country. Then, you can choose some out-of-the-way destinations like Yunan or Tibet, where authentic cultural experiences await surrounded by pristine natural settings.

Potala Palace in Lhasa, Tibet.

Where to Go for a 3-Week China Itinerary?

A trip to China has to include the biggest must-visit highlights of the country. These include the legendary sites and landmarks that are icons of Chinese history and culture.

Must-visit highlights for a 3-week China itinerary:
Beijing: China’s capital is a living museum with famous attractions like The Great Wall, Forbidden City, and Tiananmen Square. Tour the old hutong neighborhoods and try city delicacies like Peking Duck.
Xi’an: One of China’s ancient capitals, Xi’an is home to the world-famous Terracotta Warriors. Marvel at the 1000s of unique, lifelike statues, then visit the city’s Muslim quarter for delicious street food.
Shanghai: A dynamic, ultra-modern megacity where you can see colonial architecture and the futuristic Pudong skyline from the Bund waterfront area.
Chengdu: The best place for authentic, spicy Sichuan food and visiting the Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding for a close-up look at the beloved animals.
Guilin: Famous for its limestone mountains and caves, Guilin is a nature lovers paradise with scenic views of the Li River and Longji Rice Terraces.

10 Days China Tour to Beijing, Xian, Guilin, Shanghai

Beijing - Xi'an - Guilin - Yangshuo - Shanghai

Expand your journey based on your interest:
Go beyond the most famous spots to discover remote gems around China. Add 2–3 destinations to explore the diverse landscapes and ethnic cultures where traditions live on.

Tibet: Known as the ‘Roof of the World,’ Tibet is a place of deep Buddhist traditions and the towering Himalayan Mountains.
Yunnan: A place of natural and cultural wonders. Wander the streets of Lijiang Ancient Town and Dali City, and take the cable car up Jade Dragon Snow Mountain.
Zhangjiajie: A place of surreal beauty with landscapes that was the inspiration for the movie Avatar. Zhangjiajie’s National Forest Park is renowned for its pillar-like rock formations.
Yangtze River Cruise: See the thriving river culture and manmade marvels like the Three Gorges Damn. Multi-day cruises can take you along the Yangtze River on a picturesque and peaceful journey,
Xinjiang: The remote northwestern province is a multi-cultural land of stunning landscapes. Visit historic markets in Kashgar and see the famous grape vines in Turpan.

Scenery of Kashgar, Xinjiang.

Week 1: Discover Beijing & Xi’an by High-Speed Train

Start with China’s current and ancient capitals with a week in Beijing and Xi’an. You’ll be immediately wowed by the famous landmarks, vibrant city culture, and local cuisine.

Day 1-4: Highlights of Beijing
Beijing is a large city, but with four days you can take your time touring the major landmarks. Take an excursion to the Great Wall at Badaling or Mutianyu, and spend half a day exploring the endless wonders of the Forbidden City. Visit the Temple of Heaven and stroll through the old hutong neighborhoods for a taste of old city culture. At night you can feast on Peking duck and take in a Beijing opera performance.

Beijing Mutianyu Great Wall.

Day 5-7: Explore Xi’an
The high-speed train can whisk you from Beijing to Xi’an in 4 hours and 20 minutes. Spend three days in the ancient capital to see wonders like the Terracotta Warriors. You can walk on the ancient city walls for amazing panoramas of Xi’an and enjoy a peaceful escape at Big Wild Goose Pagoda. Visit the Muslim quarter to try delicacies like roujiamo.

10 Days China Tour to Beijing, Xian, Guilin, Shanghai

Beijing - Xi'an - Guilin - Yangshuo - Shanghai

Week 2: Explore Chengdu & Guilin – Pandas & Karst Landscapes

Chengdu is a two-hour flight from Xi’an and the best gateway to southwestern China. Focus your second week on discovering the diverse landscapes and cultures of this region of China.

Day 8-11: See Chengdu and the Giant Pandas
Chengdu is a laid-back place. Stroll through Jinli Ancient Street to see the traditional architecture and teahouse, and get your first taste of authentic Sichuan cuisine like mapo tofu and hotpot. At the Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding, you can get an up-close view of the animals and learn about conservation efforts. Spend some time exploring the natural scenery at the Toaist retreat in the Qingcheng Mountains, and take in a Sichuan opera performance.

Visit Giant Panda in Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding.

Day 12-14: Discover Guilin
Guilin is only 1 hour 45 minutes by flight. Arrive to see a land of stunning limestone karst mountains and winding rivers. Guilin is the China that you often see on postcards, with bamboo forests, terraced rice fields, and sleepy fishing villages. See the stunning stalactites of Reed Flute Cave and see why this land has inspired poets for millennia.

Elephant Trunk Hill in Guilin.

Week 3: Adventure in Zhangjiajie or Yangtze River Cruise & Finish in Shanghai

After seeing much of China’s top highlights, choose from other experiences before ending your tour in Shanghai.

Zhangjiajie National Park
Surreal is the best word to describe the landscapes of Zhangjiajie. The towering sandstone pillars in National Forest Park are draped in mist and vegetation, seeming to float in the sky. Trek beautiful nature trails and take one of the world’s longest cableways to soar over the cliffs and valleys of Tianmen Mountain up to the massive natural archway of Heaven’s Gate.

Zhangjiajie National Park glass bridge.

Yangtze River Cruise
The Yangtze River is the most important river in China with almost one-third of the country’s population living along its basin. River cruises travel between Chongqing and cities like Yichang, Nanjing, and even Shanghai. See sites like the massive Three Gorges Dam and ancient Fengdu Ghost City.

13 Days China Highlights Tour with Yangtze River Cruise

Beijing - Xi'an - Guilin - Yangtze Cruise Cruise - Shanghai

Shanghai
End your tour in Shanghai, a city that blends tradition with innovation. Walk through the tree-lined streets of the historic French Concession and visit trendy café and boutique shops. From the Bund waterfront area, you can see the city’s past and present with colonial-era buildings and the glittering, futuristic skyline of Pudong.

Visit the Bund in Shanghai.

How Much Does a 21-Day China Tour Cost?

The cost of a trip to China can vary widely. Expect to spend between 3,000-5,000 USD on a 21-day tour of China. That works out to 150-250 USD per day for an immersive and unforgettable experience.

Getting there is a big part of the expenses. International flights to China from North America, Europe, or Australia can be found for around 800-1800 USD round trip. You can find better deals by booking in advance, and by choosing connecting flights. Accommodations are the second biggest cost involved in traveling in China. Luxury hotels in tier-1 cities like Beijing and Shanghai are around 180 USD per night. In smaller cities like Xi’an and Guilin, they can cost as low as 130 USD.

Food prices depend on the type of establishment you go to. It is definitely worth trying street food and eating at small local restaurants where meals can be as low as 30 USD per person. Many cities in China have extensive subway systems where you can get around easily for 0.4-0.7 USD. Taxi fares depend on the distance you travel, but around 10 USD per trip is common. Entrance tickets for most famous attractions are around 20 USD per person.

Shanghai Metro map.

Insider Tips for 3 Weeks in China Avoid Tourist Traps & Save Time

- Citizens from 59 countries can travel in China visa-free for up to 30 days. If you need a visa, they can obtain it through the nearest Chinese Embassy, Consulate, or Visa Service Center in 3-4 business days.
- Most popular Western websites, such as Google and WhatsApp, are not accessible in China. Download a VPN before you travel.
- Mobile payment or payment in local currency, Chinese yuan, is the most common payment method. Download and install Alipay International before you travel to connect it to your credit card.
- Spring, April-May, and autumn, September-October are two of the best times to visit China. The weather is pleasant around the country.
- Avoid traveling to China during the golden week holiday from October 1st to 7th when everything is very busy and prices go up.
- Use common sense to keep yourself safe, and check reviews before choosing restaurants and shops.

8 Days Classic Golden Triangle China Tour to Beijing, Xi’an, Shanghai

Beijing - Xi'an - Shanghai

Conclusion

Your three-week China tour will be a once-in-a-lifetime experience exploring the deep history, rich culture, and amazing natural beauty of this exotic destination. See all the most famous landmarks around the country and have enough time to explore more remote destinations. With visa-free travel available for many tourists and an ever-expanding range of direct flights, it’s easier than ever before to visit China. Contact us today to start planning your tour.