Itinerary · 7 days · relaxed
Family Beijing and Xi'an — 7 days, relaxed pace
Seven days in Beijing and Xi'an at a pace that works for children: fewer sites per day, breaks built in, and activities with hands-on appeal — the Panda Base of the north and hands-on history at the Terracotta Army.
This family-oriented itinerary keeps each day to one or two main activities. Children generally find the Forbidden City overwhelming unless split across two visits — this itinerary does that. The Great Wall toboggan at Mutianyu is a near-universal hit with school-age children. Xi'an adds a very different feel: the City Wall is good for cycling, and the Terracotta Army is one of the few ancient sites that genuinely holds children's attention. No overnight trains — all legs are by HSR during the day.
Day by day
Day 1 · beijing
Arrival, Tiananmen Square
Arrive Beijing. Drop bags and walk to Tiananmen Square — wide enough that children can run about without bumping into everyone. The giant flag-raising ceremony is at dawn if your group is up for it. Dinner near Wangfujing pedestrian street — Peking duck or dumplings.
Stay in: Wangfujing, Dongcheng — family hotels with large rooms recommended.
Day 2 · beijing
Forbidden City (south section)
Pre-booked tickets — children under 1.2m enter free. Do the outer courts and the first two main halls (allow 90 minutes). Exit at the north gate, buy a snack, and walk up Jingshan for the rooftop panorama. Afternoon free for a rest — children tire quickly in the palace.
Attractions: forbidden-city, jingshan-park
Day 3 · beijing
Great Wall at Mutianyu — toboggan descent
Hired minivan (seats 5–7) to Mutianyu (1.5h). Cable car up; walk a section of the wall (40 min is comfortable for most children). Toboggan down — the stainless-steel luge track is popular with children and adults. Bring packed lunch or buy at the site. Back in Beijing by 4pm.
Attractions: great-wall-mutianyu
Day 4 · beijing
Beijing Natural History Museum, Temple of Heaven
Morning at the Beijing Natural History Museum — dinosaur skeletons and life-size animal halls. Afternoon at Temple of Heaven park; the park is large enough for children to explore freely. Early dinner so the family can rest before the early HSR.
Attractions: temple-of-heaven
Day 5 · xian
HSR to Xi'an, City Wall bicycle ride
Morning G-train Beijing West → Xi'an North (4h 30m). Arrive lunchtime. Afternoon bicycle hire on the City Wall — tandems available, the 13.7km circuit takes 1.5–2h at a relaxed pace. Muslim Quarter food street for dinner: street food with lots of variety for picky eaters.
Attractions: xian-city-wall
Stay in: Inside the City Wall — walking distance to South Gate.
G-class HSR ¥515 adult second class. Children under 1.2m travel free; 1.2–1.5m half price.
Day 6 · xian
Terracotta Army
Full morning at the Terracotta Army — the sheer scale of Pit 1 holds children's attention. Bronze Chariots Museum has good child-level display labels. Back in Xi'an by 2pm. Afternoon rest. Evening: Datang Everbright City — Tang-dynasty costumes and street performances are good for children.
Attractions: terracotta-army
Day 7 · xian
Small Wild Goose Pagoda, depart
Morning at the Small Wild Goose Pagoda and surrounding park — green lawns, calm atmosphere, easy to navigate with children. Shaanxi History Museum if the group has energy (free tickets, book online). Afternoon depart from XIY airport or continue to Shanghai by HSR.
Attractions: small-wild-goose-pagoda, shaanxi-history-museum
Budget guide (CNY per day)
| Backpacker | ¥1200 |
| Mid-range | ¥3200 |
| Comfortable | ¥7500 |
Per adult total 7 days including HSR (approx ¥1,030 per adult). Children under 1.2m free on HSR and at most state museums.
Attractions covered
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