Quick answer: For a first visit, consider Beijing for imperial history and the Great Wall, Xi’an for the Terracotta Army, Shanghai for the waterfront and city life, Chengdu for pandas and food, and Guilin or Zhangjiajie for landscapes. Choose a few places that fit your time rather than trying to see the whole country at once.
Beijing: palaces, the Great Wall and old neighborhoods
Explore the Forbidden City, Temple of Heaven and hutong lanes. Give the Great Wall a separate excursion day; different sections have different access and walking demands. Allow around three or four days for a relaxed first visit. Read the Beijing guide.
Xi’an: archaeology and the old city
Set aside time for the Terracotta Army outside the city, then explore the City Wall and food around the old center. UNESCO’s Qin mausoleum description explains the archaeological setting. Two or three days provide a useful starting point. Read the Xi’an guide.
Shanghai: the Bund, skyline and neighborhoods
Walk the Bund, explore historic streets and compare them with Pudong’s modern skyline. Shanghai also works well as an arrival or departure city. Consider two or three days. Read the Shanghai guide.
Chengdu: pandas, Sichuan food and a slower rhythm
Visit a panda center early, make time for Sichuan food, tea and local parks, and consider a separate excursion to Leshan. Two to four days give room to slow down. Read the Chengdu guide.
Guilin and Yangshuo: karst peaks and river scenery
Base yourself around Guilin and Yangshuo for river views, countryside walks and karst landscapes. Allow two or three days, and adjust boat and outdoor plans to the weather. Read the Guilin and Yangshuo guide.
Zhangjiajie: sandstone peaks and mountain walks
Plan a dedicated visit to Wulingyuan’s UNESCO-listed sandstone landscape. Scenic areas are extensive, so choose routes that fit your mobility and allow for queues and weather. Two or three days give you more flexibility. Read the Zhangjiajie guide.
Yunnan: old towns, mountains and local cultures
Combine Dali and Lijiang for lakeside scenery, old towns and mountain views. Distances and altitude affect the pace, so allow several days and avoid packing too much into each one. Explore Dali and Lijiang.
How many places fit in a trip?
For seven to ten days, two or three destinations are usually more comfortable than a different city every day. An example is Beijing and Xi’an, with Shanghai added if flight and train times fit. Allow time for arrivals, intercity travel and rest. These are flexible ideas, not fixed packages. Browse more itinerary ideas or tell us what you enjoy for a private trip designed around your group.