Family China: 10 Days with Kids

China is more kid-friendly than most parents expect — the challenge is pacing, not safety. This 10-day route keeps travel days short, front-loads the big wow moments and leaves afternoons free for parks, snacks and early bedtimes.

You start in Beijing for the Forbidden City and a cable-car ride up the Great Wall, swing through Xi'an for the Terracotta Army, and finish in Shanghai, the easiest city in China to travel with children thanks to its world-class transport and endless food options.

Why this works for families

• The pandas in Chengdu are swapped for closer stops, keeping every train ride under 6 hours.
• Three cities, not five — no one is living out of a suitcase.
• Each day has one big sight, then room to breathe.

Pack light, book hotels near metro stations, and let the kids pick one meal a day — food is half the adventure here.