For ten nights, two or three hotels is the right range. Give each city at least two nights, and count every move as half a day. That means three cities is a comfortable ceiling, and two is calmer still.
It is easy to want six cities and feel guilty about leaving any out. Seeing fewer places properly will serve your family better than touching a long list of places briefly.
How can ten nights be divided?
Choose the pattern that matches your pace.
| Pattern | Nights | Hotel changes | What it feels like |
|---|---|---|---|
| Two cities | 5 and 5 | One | Unhurried, with time to wander. |
| Three cities | 4, 3 and 3 | Two | Varied, with two moves to plan. |
| Four cities | 3, 3, 2 and 2 | Three | Busy, and each city is a quick look. |
What does a move really take?
More than the train time, because you must also check out, reach the station, pass security and check in. The fastest Beijing to Xi’an high-speed trains take about 4 hours 17 minutes[1], and Beijing to Shanghai takes as little as 4 hours 18 minutes[2].
Shanghai Hongqiao to Hangzhou East takes about 45 minutes at best[3], and Chengdu East to Chongqing West takes roughly 1 hour 20 to 1 hour 30 minutes on typical fast trains[4]. High-speed trains between Kunming and Lijiang take about 3 to 3.5 hours[5].
These are the fastest times, so allow more on the day. The rail versus flight tool compares the two for your own pair.
Why two nights at least?
A one-night stop costs a morning of packing and a half day of travel for a few hours of sightseeing. Two nights give you one full day in the city, which is the minimum for a place to feel like more than a transfer.
If you must include a one-night stop, make it a city near the airport on your last day. Read our guide to check-in and check-out timing to use the hours between hotels.
How should you choose the order?
Put the gentlest city first if you land tired, and the one you most want to enjoy last. Our circuit chooser suggests shapes by interest and pace, and the Beijing, Xi’an and Chengdu route check tests the classic triangle.
Train tickets usually go on sale 15 days before departure[6], so settle the hotel nights first. Confirm the sale window on the official source, as rules can change.
What does it cost to change hotels?
Each move adds a train or a flight and a half day, so compare it with one longer stay. Our cost of changing hotels explains the trade-off, and the budget planner lets you plug in today’s quotes.
For a shorter trip, see the four-night hotel plan. Browse the cities topic page for area guides, and test your split with a pace check before you pay.