If you have one week in any of China's Tier-1 cities, here's how to see the highlights without burning out.
BEIJING — 7 Days
Day 1: Tiananmen Square → Forbidden City (book tickets 7 days ahead!) → Jingshan Park for sunset views Day 2: Great Wall (Mutianyu section — less crowded than Badaling, toboggan ride down) Day 3: Temple of Heaven → Panjiayuan Antique Market → Peking duck dinner (Quanjude or Da Dong) Day 4: Summer Palace → Hutong walking tour (Nanluoguxiang → Houhai Lake) Day 5: 798 Art District → Sanlitun (shopping + international food) Day 6: Lama Temple → Confucius Temple → Ghost Street (Gui Jie) for midnight hot pot Day 7: National Museum (free, ID required) → Wangfujing snack street → departure prep
Pro tip: Buy Forbidden City tickets online exactly 7 days before at 8 PM Beijing time. They sell out within minutes.
SHANGHAI — 7 Days
Day 1: The Bund (morning) → Yu Garden → Nanjing Road → Bund night lights Day 2: Former French Concession walking tour → Tianzifang → Xintiandi dinner Day 3: Zhujiajiao Water Town (day trip, 1 hour by metro) Day 4: Shanghai Museum (free) → Jing'an Temple → West Nanjing Road shopping Day 5: Pudong skyline — Shanghai Tower observatory → Riverside Promenade → ferry across the river Day 6: M50 Art District → Moganshan Road → local craft beer bars Day 7: Propaganda Poster Art Centre → brunch in the Concession → departure
Pro tip: Get a ¥3 ferry from the Bund to Pudong instead of the ¥150 tourist cruise. Same river views.
GUANGZHOU — 7 Days
Day 1: Canton Tower → Zhujiang New Town → evening Pearl River cruise Day 2: Chen Clan Ancestral Hall → Shamian Island (colonial architecture) → Beijing Road pedestrian street Day 3: Yuexiu Park → Five Rams Statue → Museum of the Mausoleum of the Nanyue King Day 4: Day trip to Foshan (kung fu and ceramics, 30 mins by metro) Day 5: Temple of the Five Immortals → Qingping Market → dim sum feast at a classic teahouse Day 6: Chimelong Safari Park OR Chimelong Water Park (if traveling with kids) Day 7: Modern shopping in Tianhe → last-minute Cantonese barbecue → departure
Pro tip: Guangzhou has the best dim sum in China. Eat it for breakfast every day you're here.
SHENZHEN — 7 Days
Day 1: Shenzhen Bay Park → Nanshan tech district → Shekou seafood dinner Day 2: Huaqiangbei electronics market (half day) → Dafen Oil Painting Village Day 3: Day trip to Hong Kong (45 mins by metro) Day 4: Window of the World → Coco Park nightlife Day 5: OCT Loft (creative park) → OCT Harbour → Dameisha Beach Day 6: Wutong Mountain hike → hot springs Day 7: Shopping at Luohu Commercial City (bargain central) → departure
Pro tip: Shenzhen's metro accepts foreign cards at the gate — no need to set up local transit apps immediately.
Which Tier-1 city is your favorite? Or which one are you planning to visit first?
Posted on 2026-5-22 16:14:42