China rewards travelers who love contrasts: silent temple courtyards beside bullet trains, hand-pulled noodles minutes from a robotaxi, a 15th-century city plan reflected in a 21st-century skyline. This 15-day Beijing–Shanghai–Shenzhen–Hong Kong itinerary stitches together the country’s imperial heart, cosmopolitan edge, innovation hub, and world-famous harbor.

Across four cities, you’ll walk the Forbidden City’s central axis, wander a Ming canal town, sip single-origin coffee in an artist district, and ride a vintage junk boat at sunset. We’ve grouped days into easy blocks with clear travel times, neighborhoods to target, and specific places to eat—so your nights fill with dumplings, roast duck, and neon reflections.

Practical notes: high‑speed trains are punctual and easy to book; mobile payments (Alipay, WeChat Pay) now accept many foreign cards; some apps/websites remain restricted on mainland networks. Typhoon season can affect Hong Kong June–Oct; carry your passport for train and hotel ID checks. Book key sites (Forbidden City) in advance.

Beijing

China’s capital is a grand stage: imperial geometry, tea-scented hutongs, and dawn tai chi under cypresses. You’ll trace the city’s spine—Tiananmen to the Forbidden City—then head to the green dragon of the Great Wall at Mutianyu or Badaling.

Food here is elemental: lacquered Peking duck, sizzling lamb skewers, vinegar-bright dumplings. Evenings hum in Nanluoguxiang’s alleys and the 798 Art District’s galleries.

Days 1–4: Imperial Axes, Hutongs, and the Great Wall

• Forbidden City and Tiananmen Square. Start early to walk the Meridian Gate-to-Garden of Virtue axis. If tickets sell out, reserve ahead via this skip-the-line option: Forbidden City Ticket Booking.

  

• Best one-day “greatest hits.” If you want a guided overview including the Great Wall, this top-value small-group day is efficient and story-rich: Mini Group: Forbidden City, Tiananmen Sq, Great Wall, Hutong.

  

• Mutianyu Great Wall with a fun descent. Ride the cable car up and toboggan down—scenery and smiles: Private Tour to Mutianyu Great Wall.

  

• Eat like a Beijinger in the hutongs. Thread through alleys to family-run eateries on this foodie favorite: Hutong Walking Food and Beer Tour.

  

Local gems: the Temple of Heaven at dawn (locals practicing opera and kite-flying), Summer Palace’s Long Corridor, 798 Art District for contemporary Chinese art, and Beihai Park’s lakeside stroll.

Where to eat & drink

• Siji Minfu (multiple branches): famed for crisp-skin Peking duck carved tableside; book early.
• Da Dong Roast Duck: modern plating, lighter duck; try the sugar-dip skin bite.
• Zhang Mama: beloved, spicy Sichuan—mapo tofu and chili chicken; expect queues.
• Baoyuan Jiaozi: rainbow-hued dumplings stuffed with seasonal fillings.
• Cafes: Metal Hands (hutong espresso bar), Voyage Coffee (roastery), Jing-A Taproom or Great Leap Brewing #6 for Beijing craft beer.

Stay in Beijing

• Luxe: The Peninsula Beijing (all-suite grandeur near Wangfujing), The Opposite House (design-forward in Sanlitun).
• Upscale value: New World Beijing Hotel (rooftop terrace, near Temple of Heaven); Novotel Beijing Peace (central, reliable).
• Budget: 365 Inn Beijing (social, Qianmen area) or its listing 365 Inn Beijing Qianmen.
• Browse more: Hotels.com: Beijing | VRBO: Beijing

Getting to/around Beijing

• Search flights: Trip.com Flights or Kiwi.com.
• City tips: Subway is extensive; Airport Express trains connect PEK/Daxing to the center; taxis are metered—carry your hotel name in Chinese.

Travel to Shanghai (morning of Day 5)

• High-speed train Beijing South → Shanghai Hongqiao: 4.5–5.5 hours; ~$80–$140 (2nd/1st class). Book: Trip.com Trains.
• Flights to PVG or SHA: ~2h20; ~$90–$180. Compare: Trip.com Flights | Kiwi.com.

Shanghai

Shanghai is China’s time machine: 1930s Art Deco along the Bund, then a warp-speed leap to Lujiazui’s skyscrapers across the Huangpu. In between: shikumen lanes, leafy French Concession streets, and some of the country’s most exciting kitchens.

It’s a city for walkers and night owls—long boulevards, bubbling soup dumplings, and a skyline that glows like circuitry.

Days 5–8: Bund Views, French Concession, and Water-Town Daytrip

• Bund + Lujiazui by day and night. Cross for a VIP cruise to watch the city light up: VIP Huangpu River Cruise & Shanghai Lights.

  

• Old & New in one day. If you want a curated intro across eras, this private day nails the arc: Private Shanghai Full Day: Old & New.

  

• Zhujiajiao Water Town. Stone bridges, canals, and a boat glide—an atmospheric half or full day: Half-Day Private Zhujiajiao & Boat.

  

• Elevate the view. Ride the world’s fastest elevator to 546 m: Shanghai Tower Ticket.

  

Local gems: Fuxing Park’s morning dance troupes, Shaanxi Road’s indie boutiques, the new wing of Shanghai Museum (East) for blockbuster exhibits, and Yuyuan’s classical garden (go at opening).

Where to eat & drink

• Lin Long Fang: xiao long bao with perfect gelée; classic pork and crab roe versions.
• Yang’s: shengjianbao (pan-fried soup buns) with crisp bottoms—grab napkins.
• Jian Guo 328: homestyle Shanghainese—red-braised pork, smoked fish.
• Lost Heaven (The Bund): Yunnan flavors—lemongrass chicken, tea leaf salads.
• Cafes & bars: Seesaw Coffee (Shanghai-born chain), Starbucks Reserve Roastery (roasting theater), cocktails at Speak Low or Union Trading Co.

Stay in Shanghai

• Luxe: The Ritz-Carlton Shanghai, Pudong (Bund views), The Peninsula Shanghai (Art Deco icon).
• Upscale value: Kerry Hotel Pudong (wellness + dining complex), Radisson Blu Hotel Shanghai New World (People’s Square).
• Budget/boutique: Shanghai Fish Inn Bund, Campanile Shanghai Bund, or hostel option Blue Mountain Bund Hostel.
• Browse more: Hotels.com: Shanghai | VRBO: Shanghai

Travel to Shenzhen (morning of Day 9)

• Flight PVG/SHA → SZX: ~2h20; ~$90–$200. Compare: Trip.com Flights | Kiwi.com.
• High-speed train Shanghai Hongqiao → Shenzhen North/Futian: 8–9.5 hours; ~$110–$180 (2nd/1st). Book: Trip.com Trains.

Shenzhen

Once a fishing town, Shenzhen became the world’s rapid-prototyping lab—home to maker markets, gleaming towers, and coastal parks. It’s also green, creative, and mellow in pockets like OCT-LOFT and Dapeng Peninsula.

Expect tech demos, excellent Cantonese kitchens, and sunset walks along Shenzhen Bay.

Days 9–11: Tech, Design Districts, and the Sea

• Meet the future. Experience robotaxis, drone delivery, and flagship stores with a guide who frames the story: Shenzhen Tech Tour (Robotaxi & Drone).

  

• Design & nightlife glide. An evening circuit through OCT-LOFT, Sea World, and Bay Park: Private Shenzhen Evening Tour.

  

• Dapeng Fortress & seaside villages. Ming-era walls, beachy vibes, and seafood shacks: Dapeng Fortress & Jiaochangwei.

  

Local gems: Huaqiangbei Electronics Market for gadget-lovers, Free Sky Observatory at Ping An Finance Centre for panoramic views, and a sunset jog along Shenzhen Bay Park with Hong Kong across the water.

Where to eat & drink

• Ensue (Futian): fine-dining tasting menu blending Californian technique and Cantonese seasons—book ahead.
• Hai Di Lao: late-night hotpot excellence with legendary service; fun for groups.
• Sea World (Shekou): global choices—try Baia for burgers/steaks or Trattoria d’Angelo for Italian.
• HeyTea and Naixue: modern “cheese cap” teas that started in Guangdong.
• Cafes: M Stand, Seesaw Coffee (OCT-LOFT), and roasters tucked into creative parks.

Stay in Shenzhen

• Neighborhoods: Futian (central, shopping and transport), Nanshan/Shekou (expat dining, seaside), OCT-LOFT (artsy).
• Browse and book: Hotels.com: Shenzhen | VRBO: Shenzhen

Travel to Hong Kong (morning of Day 12)

• High-speed train Futian/Shenzhen North → Hong Kong West Kowloon: 15–23 minutes; ~$10–$15. Book: Trip.com Trains. Have passport ready for exit/entry formalities in-station.
• MTR option via Lo Wu/ Lok Ma Chau + East Rail to Kowloon: ~60–80 minutes.

Hong Kong

Hong Kong is vertical theater: forested peaks, glass towers, incense curls. Taste your way through dim sum carts, ride the Peak Tram, and sail past the skyline that launched a thousand postcards.

It’s also a city of neighborhoods—old trades in Sheung Wan, neon noodles in Yau Ma Tei, galleries in Tai Kwun, and fishing traditions on Lantau.

Days 12–15: Peaks, Dim Sum, and the Harbour

• Classic city circuit. Peak Tram priority boarding, Old Town Central, Man Mo Temple, and dim sum tasting in one polished day: Top-Rated HK Tour: Peak Tram & Dim Sum.

  

• Lantau Island day. Ngong Ping cable car, Big Buddha, Tai O stilt village and boat ride: Lantau: Giant Buddha & Cable Car.

  

• Harbour at dusk. Board a historic junk and watch the skyline ignite: Dukling Antique Boat Tour.

  

• Kowloon night eats. Michelin-rated street bites and market culture with a small group: Kowloon Street Food & Culture.

  

Local gems: ride the Star Ferry between Tsim Sha Tsui and Central, stroll the Tsim Sha Tsui Promenade for Symphony of Lights, explore Tai Kwun’s heritage compound, and shop temple offerings along Shanghai Street.

Where to eat & drink

• One Dim Sum (Prince Edward): wallet-friendly, steamy baskets—BBI-listed favorite.
• Tim Ho Wan (IFC or Olympian City): baked BBQ pork buns that made global waves.
• Yat Lok (Central): crackling roast goose on rice; no-frills, all flavor.
• Mak’s Noodle (Central/TST): springy wonton noodles in clear prawn broth.
• Cafes & bars: The Coffee Academics for specialty brews; rooftop cocktails at Ozone or laid-back pints in Stone Nullah precinct.

Stay in Hong Kong

• Luxe: The Upper House (quiet elegance above Admiralty), The Peninsula Hong Kong (grand dame in Tsim Sha Tsui).
• Family/theme: Hong Kong Disneyland Hotel or Disney Explorers Lodge.
• Great value: YHA Mei Ho House (heritage hostel), Hop Inn (TST) or Hop Inn on Carnarvon.
• Browse more: Hotels.com: Hong Kong | VRBO: Hong Kong

Putting It All Together: 15-Day Flow

• Days 1–4 (Beijing): Forbidden City, Temple of Heaven, Summer Palace, Great Wall (Mutianyu), hutong food night.
• Day 5 morning: Train/flight to Shanghai; evening Bund walk and river cruise.
• Days 6–8 (Shanghai): French Concession, Yuyuan Garden, museums, Shanghai Tower, Zhujiajiao daytrip.
• Day 9 morning: Train/flight to Shenzhen; OCT-LOFT at night.
• Days 10–11 (Shenzhen): Tech experiences, Huaqiangbei, Shenzhen Bay Park; Dapeng Fortress & seaside.
• Day 12 morning: HSR to Hong Kong; afternoon Peak & Central.
• Days 13–15 (Hong Kong): Lantau Island day, Kowloon night markets & food tour, Victoria Harbour cruise; departure.

Local logistics notes

• Transit cards: Beijing Yikatong, Shanghai Public Transportation Card, Shenzhen Tong, and Hong Kong Octopus make buses/MTR tap-and-go simple.
• Payments & SIMs: Alipay/WeChat Pay increasingly accept foreign cards; eSIMs work well. Keep some cash for small eats.
• Entry & visas: Hong Kong has separate entry rules from mainland China. 144-hour transit schemes exist in select mainland cities—confirm eligibility before travel.

This north-to-south route gives you China’s full spectrum: emperors and alleyways, neon and noodle shops, wave-washed islands and whirring drones. You’ll go home with Great Wall sunrises, Bund nightscapes, tech tales from Shenzhen, and a pocketful of Octopus-card stories from Hong Kong.