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Trip inspiration

China itinerary ideas

Explore a few ways to connect cities, then build your own trip around the places and experiences that matter to you.

Flexible ideas, not fixed packages

7, 10 or 14 days in China: compare your options

Each example includes arrival and departure. Intercity connections take time; use current train or flight schedules and tailor the pace to your group.

Explore 7-, 10- and 14-day Guilin & Yangshuo ideas ↗

TimeExample routeBest forChange the pace
7 daysBeijing → ShanghaiA first trip with two city basesStay in one city for a gentler week.
10 daysBeijing → Xi’an → ShanghaiHistory and a modern cityDrop Xi’an for more rest or add a day to one base.
14 daysBeijing → Xi’an → Chengdu → ShanghaiHistory, pandas, food and city lifeReplace Chengdu with Guilin or reduce hotel changes.

7 days: Beijing and Shanghai

Best for: first-time visitors who want two distinct cities without changing hotels every day.

  1. Arrive in Beijing; transfer to your hotel and rest.
  2. Forbidden City and nearby Jingshan, subject to booking.
  3. One Great Wall section, with a separate return journey.
  4. Travel to Shanghai by train or flight; allow station or airport transfers.
  5. The Bund and a nearby historic neighborhood.
  6. Choose a museum, gardens or a slower food-focused day.
  7. Easy morning and departure from Shanghai.

Customize: keep all seven days in Beijing and add a slower Great Wall or neighborhood day if you prefer fewer transfers.

10 days: Beijing, Xi’an and Shanghai

Best for: a mix of imperial history, archaeology and modern city life.

  1. Arrive in Beijing and settle in.
  2. Forbidden City and Jingshan.
  3. One Great Wall section.
  4. Temple of Heaven or hutongs; leave the evening open.
  5. Travel to Xi’an by train or flight; allow time for both transfers.
  6. Terracotta Army excursion.
  7. Xi’an City Wall and old-city food.
  8. Travel to Shanghai by flight or train; compare door-to-door times.
  9. The Bund and Shanghai neighborhoods.
  10. Departure, with a short activity only if time allows.

Customize: shorten Beijing or Xi’an, or choose two bases instead if you want longer breaks between travel days.

14 days: Beijing, Xi’an, Chengdu and Shanghai

Best for: travelers who want history, pandas and Sichuan food alongside the main cities.

  1. Arrive in Beijing.
  2. Forbidden City and Jingshan.
  3. Great Wall day.
  4. Temple of Heaven or a hutong walk.
  5. Travel to Xi’an.
  6. Terracotta Army.
  7. Xi’an City Wall and old-city food.
  8. Travel to Chengdu.
  9. Panda center and a relaxed local meal.
  10. Tea, parks and neighborhoods.
  11. Optional Leshan day or rest in Chengdu.
  12. Travel to Shanghai.
  13. The Bund and city neighborhoods.
  14. Departure from Shanghai.

Customize: replace Chengdu with Guilin for karst scenery, or remove one city to reduce transfers. Confirm the changed route and transport before booking.

Landscapes and local life

Include Guilin & Yangshuo in your China trip

See the Li River's karst scenery, spend time among Yangshuo's villages and choose a gentler Yulong River outing. Allow about 2–3 days for Guilin and Yangshuo; add more time for Longji's rice terraces rather than squeezing the mountains into a transfer day.

Explore the Guilin & Yangshuo guide ↗ · See the Li River ↗

A river bends around fields and a village among Yangshuo’s karst peaks

7 days: Beijing and Guilin

Best for: travelers who want the Great Wall and countryside scenery in a shorter trip.

  1. Arrive in Beijing and settle in.
  2. Explore the Forbidden City and nearby Jingshan, subject to booking.
  3. Choose one Great Wall section for a separate excursion.
  4. Travel from Beijing to Guilin by flight or train; allow time for both city transfers.
  5. Choose a Li River cruise or riverside outing and continue to Yangshuo; confirm the actual departure and landing.
  6. Enjoy Yangshuo countryside and an optional Yulong River raft or gentle walk.
  7. Return to your departure airport or station; allow transfer time from Yangshuo.

Adjust: Use all seven days for Guilin, Yangshuo and the rice terraces if you prefer a slower nature-focused trip.

10 days: Beijing, Guilin and Shanghai

Best for: a first China trip balancing history, landscapes and city life.

  1. Arrive in Beijing.
  2. Visit the Forbidden City and Jingshan.
  3. Make a Great Wall excursion.
  4. Fly or take a train to Guilin; allow time to reach your hotel.
  5. See the Li River and continue to Yangshuo, by a suitable cruise or overland route.
  6. Explore the Yulong River and Yangshuo countryside at your pace.
  7. Travel to Shanghai by flight or train; check the departure station or airport and transfers.
  8. Walk the Bund and explore nearby neighborhoods.
  9. Choose a garden, museum or a relaxed food day.
  10. Depart Shanghai.

Adjust: Add a day to Yangshuo or remove a city for fewer connections.

14 days: Beijing, Xi’an, Guilin and Shanghai

Best for: travelers who want classic historic sights and several days of karst scenery.

  1. Arrive in Beijing and rest.
  2. Forbidden City and Jingshan.
  3. Choose one Great Wall section.
  4. Temple of Heaven or a hutong walk.
  5. Travel to Xi’an by train or flight.
  6. Visit the Terracotta Army.
  7. Walk part of the City Wall and explore old-city food.
  8. Travel to Guilin by flight or train; keep the rest of the day easy.
  9. Choose a Li River journey and continue to Yangshuo.
  10. Yulong River and Yangshuo countryside.
  11. Stay in Yangshuo for another relaxed day, or arrange a separate Longji excursion if transport and walking suit your group.
  12. Travel to Shanghai; allow the full transfer and check whether you depart from Guilin or Yangshuo.
  13. The Bund and Shanghai neighborhoods.
  14. Depart Shanghai.

Adjust: Add a night for Longji, replace Xi’an with Chengdu, or remove a city to slow down.

Guilin has several railway stations, while Yangshuo Railway Station is outside Yangshuo town. Check the exact airport, station, pier, accommodation and onward transfers before booking. River trips and rafting depend on weather and operating conditions. All plans can be tailored to your dates, interests and walking pace.

All routes are starting points. We can adapt destinations, accommodation, walking, transfers and English–Chinese support for your family or friends. Discuss your own trip ↗