Itinerary · 10 days · balanced
Solo female — 10 days in Beijing, Shanghai and Chengdu
Ten days across three cities chosen for safety, English-language accessibility and a good solo-travel atmosphere — with practical notes on accommodation, transport and navigating China as a solo woman.
China is a relatively safe country for solo female travellers by global standards. The main challenges are language (Mandarin only in many smaller restaurants and shops), navigation (Didi taxi app requires a Chinese phone number — alternatives are noted below), and the occasional solo-female surcharge at some guesthouses (always book in advance). The cities in this itinerary — Beijing, Shanghai and Chengdu — have the densest concentration of English-signage, hostel communities, and app-accessible transport. Avoid unregistered taxis; use Didi (via a friend's account or a tourist SIM) or walk to the nearest metro station.
Day by day
Day 1 · beijing
Arrival Beijing, orientation walk
Arrive at PEK or PKX. Take the Airport Express to the city (¥25, safe and busy). Check in to a hostel or hotel in the Drum Tower or Nanluoguxiang area — both have lively solo-traveller communities. Evening walk along Nanluoguxiang hutong for food and atmosphere.
Attractions: nanluoguxiang
Stay in: Drum Tower area or Dongcheng — high density of reputable hostels and well-lit streets.
Day 2 · beijing
Forbidden City and Jingshan
Pre-book Forbidden City tickets online (required). The palace is busy but well-managed — do the central axis at your own pace. Jingshan Park for the roofline view. Lama Temple in the late afternoon.
Attractions: forbidden-city, jingshan-park, lama-temple
Day 3 · beijing
Great Wall at Mutianyu
Join a small-group tour from your hostel or book a shared car through the hostel reception — safer and more sociable than a private hire for solo travellers. The Juyong Pass section is also easily reached by the S2 commuter train if you prefer independence. Three hours on the wall. Peking duck solo at a restaurant on Qianmen Street in the evening.
Attractions: great-wall-mutianyu
Day 4 · beijing
Temple of Heaven, 798 Art District
Morning Temple of Heaven — the surrounding park is popular with local retirees doing tai chi, making it a pleasant and sociable place to wander. Afternoon: 798 Art District (Dashanzi) in northeast Beijing — galleries, coffee shops, English-speaking staff, good solo afternoon.
Attractions: temple-of-heaven
Day 5 · shanghai
HSR to Shanghai, French Concession
Morning G-train Beijing → Shanghai (4h 30m). Arrive Hongqiao Station. Metro to the French Concession. Afternoon walk on Wukang Road and Xinle Road — boutiques, cafés, European architecture. Dinner at a restaurant on Yongkang Road.
Attractions: french-concession
Stay in: French Concession — high density of solo-friendly accommodation, well-lit, busy at night.
G-class HSR ¥553 second class.
Day 6 · shanghai
The Bund, Tianzifang, Jade Buddha Temple
Morning Bund walk — busy during the day, excellent for photography. Jade Buddha Temple (still-active monastery; dress modestly). Afternoon Tianzifang for independent galleries and coffee. Evening: bar on the Bund or cocktail on the rooftop at a hotel — single women are welcome and the staff at Bund-area establishments are used to solo international guests.
Attractions: the-bund, jade-buddha-temple-shanghai, tianzifang
Day 7 · shanghai
Shanghai Museum, M50, Pudong
Morning at the Shanghai Museum on People's Square (free entry — one of the finest collections of Chinese bronzes and ceramics anywhere). Afternoon at M50 art district. Late afternoon cross to Pudong: Shanghai Tower observation deck for the skyline.
Attractions: shanghai-museum, m50-art-district, shanghai-tower
Day 8 · chengdu
Fly to Chengdu, Wenshu Monastery
Morning flight PVG → CTU (2.5h). Check in to a hostel near Kuanzhai Xiangzi — Chengdu has an excellent hostel scene popular with solo travellers from across Asia. Afternoon at Wenshu Monastery. Tea house sitting in the monastery garden.
Attractions: wenshu-monastery
Stay in: Kuanzhai Xiangzi or Jinli area — central, lively, good for solo travellers.
Domestic flight SHA → CTU, 2.5h, ¥500–800.
Day 9 · chengdu
Panda Base, hot-pot dinner
Early Panda Base visit — the 8am opening gives you time before the coach-tour groups arrive. Back by noon. Afternoon: leisurely exploration of Kuanzhai Xiangzi (Wide and Narrow Alley). Hot-pot dinner — hostels typically have staff who will take solo travellers to a good local restaurant and help order.
Attractions: panda-base-chengdu
Day 10 · chengdu
Jinsha Museum, depart
Morning at the Jinsha Site Museum (Bronze Age artefacts, well-curated English labels, uncrowded). Lunch at a local restaurant on Jinli Street. Transfer to CTU for departure.
Attractions: jinsha-site-museum
Budget guide (CNY per day)
| Backpacker | ¥1700 |
| Mid-range | ¥4000 |
| Comfortable | ¥9000 |
Per person total 10 days including HSR (¥553) and domestic flight (¥500–800). Solo supplement at some mid-range hotels adds 20–30%. International flights excluded.
Cities covered
Attractions covered