What experiences will a 7-day, 6-night Beijing – Shanghai itinerary bring you? Check out the detailed Beijing Shanghai itinerary 7 days: What to do, where to go, tips & MORE below for your upcoming trip!
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Beijing and Shanghai are two typical cities in China, standing out with a harmonious combination of long-standing traditions and modern development. Beijing is famous for the Forbidden City and the Great Wall, while Shanghai possesses the most modern and bustling space. A 7-day, 6-night Beijing and Shanghai tour will be a promising journey with unforgettable experiences at each destination. Let’s explore the detailed itinerary with Living Nomads!
Beijing & Shanghai 7 Days 6 Nights Detailed Itinerary
Beijing Shanghai itinerary 7 days: Day 1: Vietnam – Shanghai
Shanghai Private Transfer to PVG/SHA Airport
You will depart from Vietnam to Shanghai Pudong International Airport (PVG). Currently, in Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi, there are direct flights to Shanghai operated by Vietnam Airlines, Vietjet Air, China Southern Airlines, China Eastern Airlines. So if you want to save time, you should choose this flight, with a total flight time of about 4 hours.
In addition, some other airlines also operate flights with 1 to 2 stops such as Cathay Pacific Airways, China Airlines, EVA Airways or Singapore Airlines. The connecting flight time will be longer, about 6 hours and 20 minutes.
When arriving at Pudong Airport, you can travel to the city center by subway line 2 or 10, it only takes about 3 – 9 CNY and the travel time is very fast. If you want to be more comfortable, taxi or airport car rental is also a good choice with costs ranging from 170 – 290 CNY. In addition, buses are also an economical means of transport, although the travel time is longer.
Mainland China Bus & Metro Card
After checking in at the hotel and resting, enjoy the specialties at a local restaurant. Shanghai is famous for its famous meatballs, seafood dumplings and crab soup. Don’t forget to stroll around the bustling streets after dinner to feel the vibrant life of the city.
Day 2: Shanghai – Yuyuan Garden, Shanghai Market, Nanjing Road, Shanghai Bund, Huangpu River Cruise
After breakfast, you will start your day exploring Shanghai with a visit to Yuyuan Garden, a masterpiece of Ming Dynasty-style garden design located right in the heart of the city. Here, you will admire ancient architectural works such as pavilions, tranquil lotus ponds and winding stone rows, creating a relaxing space amidst the bustling life of the city. In particular, you will admire the highlights such as Snow Jade Stone and Dragon Wall with exquisite dragon motifs.
Next, you will visit Yuyuan Market right next to Yuyuan Garden. This is the ideal place to find exquisite handicrafts, delicious tea and souvenirs with a strong local culture. In addition, you will have the opportunity to enjoy specialties such as xiao long bao, and sweet rice cakes, helping you to fully experience the flavor of Shanghai. The tour continues on Nanjing Road, the city’s bustling and famous shopping street. Here, you will learn about the long history of the street’s development since the early 20th century.
In the afternoon, the journey continues to Shanghai Bund, where you will admire ancient European-style architecture. At the end of the day, a relaxing cruise on the Huangpu River will end the second day’s journey. In the romantic space with sparkling lights reflecting on the river surface, you will feel the prosperity of Shanghai.
Huangpu River Cruise（Qingjiang Line）
Day 3: Shanghai – French Concession, Tianzifang Road – Beijing
On the morning of the third day, you continue to explore Shanghai at the former French Concession. Strolling through the cool streets, you will see a wonderful mix of old French villas, Art Deco buildings and traditional shikumen houses. Next, you will explore Tianzifang Road, a creative arts district located in the heart of the Old French Quarter. This area is not only rich in history but also a lively space, with interesting cafes, shops and art galleries, providing a relaxing and inspiring feeling.
After lunch, you will board the high-speed train to Beijing. The trip lasts about 4 hours, taking you through the beautiful landscapes of China, from vast fields to bustling towns. During the train ride, take the opportunity to rest well to prepare for the upcoming “adventure” in the capital of China, Beijing.
Day 4: Beijing – Tiananmen Square, Forbidden City, Summer Palace, Nanluoguxiang Alley
The fourth day of the journey takes you to explore the heart of Beijing. The tour begins at Tiananmen Square, one of the largest squares in the world, famous for its profound historical value. This is where important events in China’s past were recorded. From the square, you will see the huge Tiananmen Gate, where Chairman Mao Zedong proclaimed the founding of the People’s Republic of China.
Private Day Tour: Tiananmen, Forbidden City & Mutianyu Great Wall
Tiananmen is also the entrance to the Forbidden City, the ancient palace of Chinese emperors. Here, you will admire the magnificent architecture, majestic halls and beautiful gardens. Every corner of the Forbidden City bears the mark of history, telling the story of the power and splendor of the feudal dynasties of China.
In the afternoon, you will continue your journey to explore the Summer Palace, a wonderful work with Kunming Lake and Longevity Hill. This is where kings and queens used to rest and rule the country. Coming here, you will enjoy the beauty of the elegant architecture and charming nature in a peaceful, pleasant space.
Summer Palace (Yiheyuan) Ticket
At the end of the day, take a walk around the ancient town of Nanluoguxiang, where ancient houses and small streets are imbued with the traditions of Beijing. This is the ideal place to try typical snacks such as cold noodles, roast duck, grilled meat skewers, candied fruit,… and immerse yourself in the bustling, vibrant atmosphere of the capital. After a long day of experiences, you will return to the hotel, ending an impressive journey of discovery.
Day 5: Beijing – Great Wall (Mutianyu), Bird’s Nest Stadium, Water Transport Center
When you come to Beijing, you cannot miss the Great Wall – a typical work of China. After breakfast at the hotel, start with a trip to Mutianyu – a well-preserved part of the wall, with an open space that is ideal for you to feel the majesty of this world wonder.
To get to Mutianyu, you can travel by bus from the Qianmen tourist distribution center or stations such as Shaoyaoju, Dongzhimen, with a round-trip ticket of about 80 yuan. The buses operate from 7:00 to 10:00 am.
On the ancient city wall, the view of the watchtowers stretching along the mountain ranges evokes the majestic image of a world wonder. Not only can you admire the beauty of the architecture, you also have the opportunity to learn interesting historical stories about the construction process and military significance of the Great Wall.
After visiting Mutianyu, stop at a local restaurant and enjoy lunch with typical Beijing dishes. Hot hot pot, spicy garlic shrimp or soft and fragrant Shouba Rou braised pork will be great choices to recharge your energy for the next journey.
In the afternoon, you continue to visit two iconic buildings of modern Beijing – the Bird’s Nest Stadium and the Waterway Center. The stadium stands out with its unique architecture, where the 2008 Beijing Olympics took place. Not far away, the Waterway Center is like a giant water bubble, harmoniously combining aesthetics and convenience. These works are not only the pride of modern Chinese architecture but also a highlight that is hard to miss in the journey to explore Beijing.
Mutianyu Great Wall & Bird’s Nest Day Tour by Bus with Transfer
Day 6: Beijing – Beijing Zoo, Lama Temple, Shichahai Lake, Temple of Heaven
You don’t need to go to Chengdu to meet the lovely pandas right in Beijing. On the 6th day of your itinerary, take the time to visit the “national treasure of China” at Beijing Zoo! This place owns more than 450 species of animals, including rare species such as pandas, golden monkeys and Northeast tigers, polar bears, zebras, …
Beijing Aquarium and Beijing Zoo Ticket
Leaving the zoo, the journey continues to take you to Lama Temple, one of the prominent Buddhist temples in Beijing. With a sophisticated combination of Chinese and Tibetan architectural styles, the Lama Temple creates a quiet space, filled with incense, and sophisticated carvings, bringing a sense of peace and solemnity.
At noon, don’t miss the chance to enjoy the famous Peking duck, with its crispy skin and tender, carefully prepared meat. This dish has more than 600 years of history, an indispensable part of your culinary journey in Beijing.
After lunch, continue your journey to the Shichahai Lake area, where you will find the ancient beauty of Beijing through the alleys (hutong) and traditional gardens (siheyuan). A stroll around Nanluoguxiang will take you into a lively space, with interesting shops and cozy small eateries.
At the end of the day, the Temple of Heaven, an architectural work with the strong imprint of the Ming Dynasty, will be your destination. This is where ancient emperors prayed for a bountiful harvest. The vast space, the harmony between nature and architecture, creates a sense of peace and is an ideal end to a day of exploring Beijing.
Temple of Heaven Admission Ticket in Beijing
Day 7: Beijing – Vietnam
On your last day in Beijing, take your time to explore the city at your own pace. One of the most popular attractions is the Wangfujing area, famous for its bustling shopping malls and street food. This is a great opportunity to sample traditional Beijing food while experiencing the vibrant city life from every corner.
If you are looking for peace and relaxation, the Houhai area will be the ideal choice. There are clear lakes, ancient houses and traditional tea houses, creating a quiet space, helping you temporarily forget the noise of the city. In addition, if you love contemporary art, the 798 Art Zone is a destination not to be missed. This is Beijing’s prominent art center, where modern Chinese artworks are always ready to welcome you.
In the afternoon, you can visit the Panjiayuan antique market, which sells valuable antiques and typical Beijing souvenirs. After exploring the interesting experiences here, you need to move to Beijing International Airport, prepare for the flight back to Vietnam.
How much does it cost to travel to Beijing & Shanghai for 7 days and 6 nights?
Beijing and Shanghai are always the two most attractive destinations for international tourists in China. The blend of Beijing’s glorious history and Shanghai’s bustling modernity promises a memorable trip. However, before embarking on your journey of discovery, it is important to plan your expenses. Below are the basic costs for a 7-day, 6-night Beijing – Shanghai tour, to help you better prepare for your trip.
| Type of Cost | Estimated cost (VND) |
|---|---|
| Round-trip airfare | 10.000.000 - 18.000.000 |
| Traveling | 2.000.000 - 4.000.000 |
| Accommodation | 4.000.000 - 10.000.000 |
| Food | 3.000.000 - 7.000.000 |
| Tickets | 2.000.000 - 5.000.000 |
| Shopping | 1.000.000 - 5.000.000 |
| Utility costs | 500.000 - 1.000.000 |
| Other costs | 500.000 - 1.500.000 |
| Total | 23.000.000 - 51.500.000 |
The total cost for a 7-day, 6-night trip to Beijing and Shanghai can vary greatly, depending on your travel style, accommodation choices, and activities. A budget trip can cost between 15 million and 20 million VND, while a luxury trip can cost up to 50 million VND or more.
(*) Note: The above table is only an estimate, the actual cost may be higher or lower depending on many factors.
Beijing – Shanghai 7 Days 6 Nights Travel Tips
When traveling to Beijing and Shanghai for 7 days 6 nights, you will have the opportunity to explore famous scenic spots, but to make the trip smoother and easier, there are some useful tips you should keep in mind.
Before coming to China, download a VPN application to access the internet without restrictions. Apps like Facebook, Instagram or Google are all blocked, so VPN will help you maintain an easy connection. Besides, using a translation application like Google Translate or Pleco will be very useful when you need to communicate in Chinese.
When coming to China, you should buy a 4G SIM to use the internet easily. Just bring your passport and go to a China Mobile or China Unicom store to register. In addition, although electronic payment applications such as WeChat or Alipay are popular in China, if you do not have a Chinese bank account, you should prepare some cash (CNY) when traveling outside of major tourist areas.
Finally, you also need to check whether the travel time coincides with the peak tourist season in China. Famous tourist destinations such as the Great Wall or the Forbidden City are very crowded during the peak season. Therefore, go early or visit at the end of the day to avoid the crowds.
Beijing and Shanghai are two unique tourist cities, each with its own beauty and unique features, reflecting the perfect combination of tradition and modernity. A 7-day 6-night tour will give you the opportunity to experience the outstanding tourist attractions as well as the typical lifestyle, rich cuisine and unique culture.
Get ready for a fun 7-day 6-night Beijing Shanghai itinerary now!
Some best day tours, trips, activities and transfer services, tickets in, from and to Shanghai you can refer to
- Shanghai Museum Half Day Tour
- Shanghai Disneyland Admission Ticket
- Huangpu River Cruise（Qingjiang Line）
- Yu Garden Admission Ticket in Shanghai
- Shanghai Tower 118th Floor Observation Deck Ticket
- Shanghai Haichang Ocean Park Ticket
- [World Highest Skywalk] Shanghai Jin Mao Tower 88th Floor Exclusive Skywalk Experience
- Oriental Pearl Tower
- CMHK | HK 7 Days unlimited data + 200 HK Local Mins + 1GB Mainland China and Macau data (HK Airport Pick Up)
- [Thailand Pick Up] Dtac GO INTER SIM Card Zone 1(Asia, Australia, USA, exclude Thailand)
- [Unlimited Data] 4G Portable WiFi for Mainland China, Hong Kong and Macau from Uroaming (HK Airport Pick Up)
- 4G WiFi (HK Airport Pick Up) for Hong Kong/Macau/China (No Speed Limited) from Song WiFi
Read more: Shanghai travel blog — The fullest Shanghai travel guide for first-timers.
