Beijing, Xi’an and Chengdu make a strong first-timer route, but only with nine or ten days. With a shorter holiday, choose two of the three and do them properly.
It is easy to feel torn here. Each city has a headline sight your family will want, and each one is a long way from the others.
How do the three cities compare?
Compare them on the same basis, then decide which one your group can live without.
| City | Main draw | Best for | Next leg | Watch out for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Beijing | Forbidden City and the Great Wall | History, first-timers | High-speed train to Xi’an | Steps and crowds |
| Xi’an | Terracotta Army and the city wall | History, food | High-speed train to Chengdu | Early starts and long standing |
| Chengdu | Panda base and slow tea-house days | Families, food lovers | Flight home | Spice levels |
Our Beijing versus Xi’an guide helps if you can only keep one of the two history cities.
How long are the train legs?
The fastest Beijing to Xi’an high-speed trains take as little as about 4 hours 17 minutes, though other guides quote slightly different times[1]. The Xi’an to Chengdu high-speed railway opened on 6 December 2017, is 510 km long and cut the trip from about 16 hours to under three hours[2].
Foreigners must show a passport to buy a long-distance ticket and to pass the platform gates[3]. Tickets usually go on sale 15 days before departure[4]. Check the current times on 12306.
Can you fly in and out of different cities?
Yes, and it saves a day of backtracking. Malaysia Airlines said in July 2026 that it serves nine gateways in the China region, including Beijing and Chengdu[5]. Penang’s government counted nine Chinese cities with direct flights, Chengdu among them[6].
Fly into Beijing, go south by rail, and fly home from Chengdu. Compare it with a return ticket on rail versus flight. Confirm every schedule with the airline.
What should families check?
Book the Forbidden City early. Reservations open at 20:00, seven days before the visit[7]. Passports are needed for the Terracotta Army tickets and entry as well[8].
Chengdu sits at about 500 m, so there is no altitude concern[9]. Avoid National Day, which ran 1 to 7 October in 2026[10].
What should you do next?
Run your dates through the pace checker, then read the Sichuan overview to see what a Chengdu stay can add. Browse the regions topic page to compare other routes.