Suggested itinerary: China in 10 days for independent travellers

Day 1: Arrival in Shanghai

Arrive at Shanghai International Airport and take the magnetic train to the hotel. Stroll and dinner in the French Concession. Night in Shanghai. 

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Day 2: Shanghai

Visit the Jade Buddha Temple. Visit Yuyuan Garden and the lively Bazaar, typical place for buying all kinds of things. Walk to People's Square and continue shopping on Nanjing Street. Walk to the Bund and eat dinner in this area. Night in Shanghai.

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Day 3: Beijing

Flight to Beijing. Walk through the centre of Beijing, stopping in Tiananmen Square and the large commercial street Wangfujing Dajie (Golden Street). Night in Beijing. 

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Day 4: Beijing-Forbidden City

Visit the Forbidden City. Visit Beighai Park and go up to the White Pagoda. Stroll down one of Beijing's Hutongs: Yandai Xiejie. Walk along and have dinner at Lake Quian Hai. Night in Beijing (we recommend renting a bicycle while in Beijing). 

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Day 5: The Great Wall

Day trip to the Great Wall (better in taxi or minibus than normal bus). Better to visit the Simatai section, as it caters less to tourists than Badalin, which will enable you to enjoy the visit much more. Night in Beijing. 

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Day 6: Beijing-Olympic Zone

Visit the majestic Summer Palace. Visit the Olympic Park, where you'll find the different buildings that housed the 2008 Olympics. Night in Beijing. 

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Day 7: Pekín-Tiananmen

Visit Tiananmen Square. Enter the Mausoleum of Mao Zedong and the Parliament. Visit the Temple of Confucius and Lama Temple. Visit the Temple of Heaven. Overnight train to Xi'an. 

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Day 8: Xi'an

Visit the hangar containing the Terracotta Warriors. Stroll through Xi'an's Muslim district (the Great Mosque and street market). Visit Big Goose Pagoda and the audiovisual show in the square with the dancing fountain. Night in Xi'an. 

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Day 9: Return to Shangai

Go to the airport. Take a flight to Shanghai. Stroll through and have dinner in the French Concession. Night in Shanghai. 

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Day 10: Back home

Take the magnetic train to the airport and the flight back home.

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