China is vast — over 9.5 million square kilometers, 56 ethnic groups, and a civilization spanning 5,000 years. Two weeks can't cover it, but the classic 5-city circuit (Beijing → Xi'an → Chengdu → Guilin → Shanghai) hits the greatest hits while remaining logistically manageable. This itinerary balances history, nature, food, and urban energy across 14 days.
Overview of the Route
- Days 1–3: Beijing — The Great Wall, Forbidden City, hutongs
- Days 4–5: Xi'an — Terracotta Warriors, Muslim Quarter
- Days 6–8: Chengdu — Giant Pandas, Sichuan hotpot, Leshan Buddha
- Days 9–11: Guilin & Yangshuo — Li River cruise, karst landscape
- Days 12–14: Shanghai — The Bund, French Concession, departure
Transport strategy: All connections use high-speed rail or flight. Beijing→Xi'an: 5h by HSR (¥515 2nd class). Xi'an→Chengdu: 3.5h by HSR. Chengdu→Guilin: flight 1.5h (¥400–600). Guilin→Shanghai: flight 2h or HSR 8h. Book all transport on Trip.com.
Days 1–3: Beijing
Arrival + Forbidden City + Tiananmen Square
Take the Airport Express (20 min, ¥25) to the city center. After hotel check-in, walk to Tiananmen Square for the late afternoon light, then explore the hutong alleys around Nanluoguxiang for dinner. Order Peking duck at Siji Minfu (¥180/person for the full spread).
The Great Wall (Mutianyu)
Book a direct bus or tour transfer to Mutianyu from your hotel (2h each way; arrange through hotel or Airbnb experience). Spend 3–4 hours on the wall, take the toboggan ride down. Return by 5pm. Evening: Temple of Heaven (open until 6pm) or Wangfujing Night Market.
Summer Palace + 798 Art District
Morning at the Summer Palace — rent a rowboat on Kunming Lake (¥30/hour). Afternoon: taxi to 798 Art District for contemporary Chinese art and coffee. Evening: dinner in Sanlitun, then overnight train or morning flight to Xi'an. Book the D-class train (5h) for comfortable daytime travel.
Days 4–5: Xi'an
Terracotta Warriors
Spend the full day at the Terracotta Warriors site — 45km east of the city (Tourist Bus 5/306 from Xi'an Railway Station, ¥8). Hire a site guide for 2 hours (¥200–300) for essential context. Return for dinner in the Muslim Quarter — try Yangrou Paomo (lamb bread soup) and grilled lamb skewers.
City Wall + Shaanxi Museum + Evening departure
Morning: rent a bicycle on Xi'an's ancient city wall (¥45/hour) and cycle the complete circuit (2h). Afternoon: Shaanxi History Museum (free; book online). Evening train to Chengdu (G-class trains available from 8am–8pm; journey is 3.5h).
Days 6–8: Chengdu
Giant Panda Base
Book panda base tickets online before arrival (mandatory). Take Metro Line 3 or a DiDi to the base, arriving at 7:30am for feeding time. Allow 3 hours. Afternoon: Wenshu Monastery for incense and tea. Evening: Haidilao or a local hotpot restaurant — this is Sichuan, order boldly.
Leshan Giant Buddha
Full-day trip to Leshan (2h each way by bus from Chadianzi Station, ¥56 return). Take the boat tour for the full frontal view of the 71m Buddha, then walk the cliff-side stairs alongside the statue. Return for dinner: Dan Dan noodles and Mapo Tofu at a local Sichuan restaurant.
Jinli Street + Wuhou Shrine + Flight to Guilin
Morning at Wuhou Shrine (Three Kingdoms history museum) and the adjacent Jinli Street food market. Try rabbit heads, sticky rice cakes, and sweet dumplings. Afternoon flight to Guilin (book 1–2 months ahead for ¥400–600 fares).
Days 9–11: Guilin & Yangshuo
Li River Cruise to Yangshuo
The official Li River cruise (¥210–390, 4–5 hours) departs from Zhujiang Pier in convoy around 9am. Book through your hotel or a registered tour agency. Arrive in Yangshuo in the afternoon — check in to a guesthouse. Evening: dinner on West Street, then the "Impression Liu Sanjie" outdoor light show (¥200–330; book ahead).
Yangshuo Cycling
Rent an electric bicycle (¥60–80/day) from West Street and spend the day exploring the valley. Route: Moon Hill (20km from town) → Big Banyan Tree → Yulong River → back via rice paddies and village paths. The Yulong River bamboo raft experience (¥120/raft, 2 people max) is a highlight.
Longji Rice Terraces (optional) or return to Guilin + flight
Option A: Bus back to Guilin (1.5h, ¥25), then minibus to Longji Rice Terraces (2h). Stay overnight in a Zhuang village guesthouse for dawn views. Option B: Return to Guilin, explore Reed Flute Cave and Elephant Trunk Hill, evening flight to Shanghai.
Days 12–14: Shanghai
The Bund + Yu Garden + French Concession
Walk the Bund in the morning light, then cross to Pudong by ferry (¥2) for skyscraper views. Afternoon: Yu Garden and the Old City bazaar (arrive early or late to avoid midday crowds). Evening: Wander the French Concession's Wukang Road and Xintiandi for dinner and drinks.
Shanghai Tower + Markets + Optional Suzhou Day Trip
Morning: Shanghai Tower observation deck (118th floor; book online). Afternoon: Tianzifang arts district. Alternative: day trip to Suzhou (25 min by HSR, ¥39) for classical gardens — the best day trip from Shanghai. Evening: xiaolongbao dinner at Yang's or Din Tai Fung.
Departure
Allow 3.5 hours before departure for airport transfer (Maglev to Longyang Road, then metro to Pudong Airport: 45 min total, ¥55). Last breakfast: fresh scallion oil noodles at a neighborhood shop. Depart from PVG (Pudong) or SHA (Hongqiao, for domestic connections).
Estimated Budget (per person, mid-range)
| Category | Estimate (USD) |
|---|---|
| Flights/trains (all transport) | $300–450 |
| Accommodation (3-star hotels) | $500–700 (14 nights) |
| Food (eating well, mix of local & mid-range) | $250–350 |
| Attractions & entry fees | $150–250 |
| Local transport (metro, DiDi) | $50–80 |
| Total | $1,250–1,830 |
What to Prepare Before Departure
- China tourist visa (apply 4–8 weeks ahead; check if your country has visa-free access)
- VPN downloaded and tested on your home internet
- Alipay and WeChat Pay set up with your international card
- Trip.com account for train and hotel bookings
- Forbidden City and Terracotta Warriors tickets booked online
- Panda Base tickets booked (at least 3 days ahead)
- ChinaPass downloaded with offline data for all cities
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