Grand China: Beijing, Xi'an, Chengdu, Guilin and Shanghai in 21 Days
Updated · By Carl
Trip facts
- Duration
- 21 days
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Pace
- Balanced
- Best season
- Autumn
- Budget
- Mid-range
- Cities on this route
- 6 cities
Three weeks through China's most iconic cities, balancing imperial history, natural scenery and modern energy.
Overview
Who it is for
This route suits first-time visitors to China who want to see the headline sights without sprinting. You spend four days in Beijing, three in Xi'an, four in Chengdu, five split between Guilin and Yangshuo, and four in Shanghai. That pace leaves room for a slow breakfast, an afternoon nap, or an unscheduled walk. You need comfort with crowded metro systems, some tolerance for smoke and noise, and willingness to navigate ticket machines in Chinese with the help of a translation app. If you have only two weeks, cut one day from Beijing and two from the Guilin leg.
How the route flows
You begin in the north at Beijing, China's political heart and home to the Forbidden City, the Temple of Heaven and three accessible Great Wall sections. A high-speed train west brings you to Xi'an, ancient capital of thirteen dynasties and gateway to the Terracotta Army. Another train southwest reaches Chengdu, where you meet giant pandas and eat the hotpot that defined Sichuan cuisine. A short flight south deposits you in Guilin, from which you bus to Yangshuo to cycle and raft among karst peaks. Finally, a ten-hour train east crosses Hunan and Zhejiang into Shanghai, where art-deco lanes meet glass towers. The sequence follows the rail spine and avoids doubling back.
Getting around
High-speed rail connects four of the five cities. Beijing South to Xi'an North takes 4h 30m on a G-train and costs ¥553 in second class. Xi'an North to Chengdu East runs 3h 30m for ¥263. Because the rail journey from Chengdu to Guilin requires two transfers and twelve hours, most travellers fly Chengdu Shuangliu to Guilin Liangjiang in 1h 40m for around ¥450. From Guilin North station, a G-train to Shanghai Hongqiao covers 1,360 km in 10 hours for ¥620. Within cities, metro day passes cost ¥18 to ¥20 and cover almost every sight. Book trains 30 days ahead on 12306.cn or Trip.com to secure window seats and avoid sold-out departures during national holidays.
Route highlights
- ◆Walk the Great Wall at Mutianyu and explore the Forbidden City's 980 surviving buildings over three full days in Beijing.
- ◆Stand in Pit 1 at the Terracotta Army Museum, face to face with 6,000 life-size warriors modelled on Qin Shi Huang's real soldiers.
- ◆Spend a morning at Chengdu Research Base watching giant pandas eat bamboo and tumble in outdoor enclosures, then fly to Guilin the same afternoon.
- ◆Cycle 24 km from Yangshuo to Xingping along the Li River, stopping at rice paddies and water-buffalo farms beneath limestone towers.
- ◆Ride the Maglev from Pudong Airport into Shanghai at 430 km/h, then walk the Bund at night to see the lit towers of Lujiazui across the Huangpu River.
Day by day
- 1Day 1 · Beijing
Arrive in Beijing
Land at Beijing Capital or Daxing airport and take the Airport Express to the city centre in 30 minutes for ¥25. Check in near Wangfujing or Dongzhimen to access Line 2 and Line 5. Walk Wangfujing street in the evening to see neon signs and try jianbing from a street cart for ¥8, then head to Donghuamen Night Market for grilled squid at ¥15 per skewer.
Stay: 4 nights, Dongcheng near Wangfujing station, Line 1. - 2Day 2 · Beijing
Forbidden City and Jingshan Park
Book the Palace Museum ticket online for ¥60 and enter at 8:30 a.m. via Meridian Gate, south of Tiananmen Square. Walk the central axis through the Hall of Supreme Harmony, the Palace of Heavenly Purity and the Imperial Garden in three hours. Exit at the north gate and climb Jingshan Park for ¥2 to photograph the golden roofs from Wanchun Pavilion. In the afternoon, walk east along Nanluoguxiang alley and stop at a courtyard cafe.
Stay: Dongcheng near Wangfujing station, Line 1. - 3Day 3 · Beijing
Temple of Heaven and Hutong walk
Ride Line 5 south to Tiantan Dongmen station and enter the Temple of Heaven complex for ¥15. The Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests sits on a three-tier marble terrace and locals practice taichi on the surrounding lawns from 7 a.m. Walk north into the hutongs around Guozijian street, where the Confucius Temple costs ¥30 and offers quiet courtyards away from tour groups. Have hand-pulled noodles at Yaoji Chaogan for ¥25 per bowl.
Stay: Dongcheng near Wangfujing station, Line 1. - 4Day 4 · Beijing
Great Wall at Mutianyu
Book a direct tourist bus from Dongzhimen Transport Hub to Mutianyu for ¥80 return, departing 7 a.m. and returning 4 p.m. Entry to Mutianyu costs ¥45, the cable car up is ¥100 return. Walk west along the wall for 90 minutes to reach the restored watchtowers and photograph the forested ridges. Bring water and snacks because kiosks on the wall charge ¥10 for a bottle. Return to Beijing by late afternoon.
Stay: Dongcheng near Wangfujing station, Line 1. - 5Day 5 · Xi'an
Beijing to Xi'an
Check out and take Line 4 to Beijing South Railway Station. Board a G-train to Xi'an North departing mid-morning and arriving early afternoon. The journey crosses Hebei and Shanxi provinces in 4h 30m. From Xi'an North, ride metro Line 2 south to Yongningmen or Bell Tower station in 25 minutes for ¥4. Check in near the South Gate inside the old city wall and walk the ramparts at sunset for ¥54. Dinner on Huimin Street features lamb skewers for ¥3 each and roujiamo for ¥8.
Travel: High-speed train to Xi'an, 4h 30m, second class ¥553.Stay: 3 nights, Beilin district near Yongningmen station, Line 2. - 6Day 6 · Xi'an
Terracotta Army Museum
Take bus 306 or 307 from the east square of Xi'an Railway Station to Terracotta Army Museum in 70 minutes for ¥7. Entry costs ¥120 in high season. Visit Pit 1 first to see 6,000 warriors in battle formation, then Pit 3 for the command headquarters and Pit 2 for kneeling archers and cavalry. Hiring an audio guide costs ¥30 and runs 90 minutes. Return to the city by 4 p.m. and visit the Small Wild Goose Pagoda for ¥30.
Stay: Beilin district near Yongningmen station, Line 2. - 7Day 7 · Xi'an
City Wall and Muslim Quarter
Rent a bicycle on top of the city wall at the South Gate for ¥45 for two hours and cycle the 14 km loop in 90 minutes. The wall offers views of the Bell Tower, modern apartments and the moat below. In the afternoon, walk into the Muslim Quarter via Beiyuanmen street and try yangrou paomo at Lao Sun Jia for ¥38, a lamb stew with torn flatbread. Browse the spice stalls and buy dried persimmons for ¥20 per bag.
Stay: Beilin district near Yongningmen station, Line 2. - 8Day 8 · Chengdu
Xi'an to Chengdu
Ride Line 2 north to Xi'an North station and board a mid-morning G-train to Chengdu East. The train follows the Qinling mountain range through tunnels for 3h 30m. From Chengdu East, take metro Line 2 west to Tianfu Square in 35 minutes for ¥5. Check in near Chunxi Road and walk Taikoo Li for glass atriums and designer boutiques. Dinner at a small hotpot restaurant costs ¥60 per person for a spicy beef broth and lotus root slices.
Travel: High-speed train to Chengdu, 3h 30m, second class ¥263.Stay: 4 nights, Jinjiang district near Chunxi Road station, Line 2 and 3. - 9Day 9 · Chengdu
Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding
Take metro Line 3 north to Panda Avenue station, then bus 198 for 20 minutes to the Panda Base. Entry costs ¥55. Arrive by 8:30 a.m. to watch pandas eat bamboo in the outdoor enclosures before they retreat indoors by noon. The cub nursery behind glass shows one-year-olds tumbling over logs. Spend two hours walking the shaded paths and return to the city for lunch. In the afternoon, visit Wenshu Monastery for free entry and vegetarian snacks at the teahouse for ¥25.
Stay: Jinjiang district near Chunxi Road station, Line 2 and 3. - 10Day 10 · Chengdu
Leshan Giant Buddha day trip
Take an intercity bus from Chengdu Xinnanmen station to Leshan in 2 hours for ¥45. Walk to the Leshan Giant Buddha scenic area, entry ¥80. The 71-metre-tall stone Buddha sits at the confluence of three rivers. Descend the steep staircase to the Buddha's feet for a close view, then climb back up and walk the clifftop path. Return to Chengdu by late afternoon and eat mapo tofu at Chen Mapo Doufu Restaurant near Wenshu Monastery for ¥28 per serving.
Stay: Jinjiang district near Chunxi Road station, Line 2 and 3. - 11Day 11 · Chengdu
Jinli Ancient Street and Sichuan Opera
Walk south from Tianfu Square to Wuhouci and enter the free Jinli street, lined with red lanterns and wooden shopfronts. Try sugar paintings for ¥15 and rabbit-head snacks for ¥10. In the evening, book a seat at Shufeng Yayun Teahouse for ¥280 to watch Sichuan opera with face-changing performers. The show runs 90 minutes and includes tea service. Dinner afterward at a small noodle shop near the South Gate costs ¥20 for dan dan noodles.
Stay: Jinjiang district near Chunxi Road station, Line 2 and 3. - 12Day 12 · Guilin
Chengdu to Guilin
Take metro Line 10 to Chengdu Shuangliu Airport and fly to Guilin Liangjiang in 1h 40m. Most morning flights cost ¥450 to ¥550. From Guilin airport, take airport bus line 1 to the city centre in 50 minutes for ¥20. Check in near Zhongshan Middle Road and walk to the Two Rivers Four Lakes area, where Riyue Twin Pagodas light up at night. Entry to Shanhu Lake park is free. Dinner at a riverside restaurant features beer fish for ¥55 per plate.
Travel: Flight to Guilin, 1h 40m, around ¥500.Stay: 2 nights, Xiangshan district near Zhongshan Middle Road. - 13Day 13 · Guilin
Guilin city sights
Walk to Elephant Trunk Hill on the Li River, entry ¥55. The rock formation resembles an elephant drinking water and takes 30 minutes to explore. Ride bus 3 north to Seven Star Park, entry ¥60, where karst caves and bamboo groves stretch across 120 hectares. Climb Putuo Mountain inside the park for a city view. In the afternoon, take bus 58 to Reed Flute Cave, entry ¥90, a limestone cave lit in neon colours with stalactites and underground pools. Return to the hotel by 6 p.m.
Stay: Xiangshan district near Zhongshan Middle Road. - 14Day 14 · Yangshuo
Guilin to Yangshuo
Take a direct bus from Guilin Bus Station to Yangshuo in 90 minutes for ¥25. Check in on West Street, the pedestrian lane lined with guesthouses and cafes. Rent a bicycle from your hotel for ¥20 per day and cycle along Yulong River in the afternoon, stopping at bridges and rice paddies. The ride to Yulong Bridge and back takes two hours. Walk West Street after dark for live music and street food, fried pumpkin cakes cost ¥5.
Travel: Bus to Yangshuo, 90 minutes, ¥25.Stay: 3 nights, Yangshuo town near West Street. - 15Day 15 · Yangshuo
Yangshuo to Xingping cycle
Cycle northeast from Yangshuo to Xingping along the Li River on a paved path, 24 km return. The route passes water buffalo in the fields and karst peaks reflected in the river. Stop at the famous 20-yuan-note viewpoint near Xingping, where a bend in the river frames the limestone towers. Pack snacks and water because roadside stalls are sparse. Return to Yangshuo by mid-afternoon and rest before dinner. A riverside restaurant serves stir-fried vegetables for ¥30.
Stay: Yangshuo town near West Street. - 16Day 16 · Yangshuo
Li River bamboo raft and Moon Hill
Book a bamboo raft ride from Yangdi to Xingping for ¥180 per raft, departing 9 a.m. and drifting three hours downriver. The views match the famous Li River cruise but cost half the price and allow you to stand on the raft. In the afternoon, cycle or hire a motorbike taxi to Moon Hill, entry ¥15, and climb 800 steps to the natural arch for a view of the valley. Return to Yangshuo for dinner at a small hotpot joint, ¥50 per person.
Stay: Yangshuo town near West Street. - 17Day 17 · Shanghai
Yangshuo to Shanghai
Take a morning bus back to Guilin Bus Station in 90 minutes for ¥25. Ride a taxi to Guilin North Railway Station for ¥30 and board an afternoon G-train to Shanghai Hongqiao. The journey crosses Guangxi, Hunan and Zhejiang in 10 hours for ¥620 second class. Arrive at Shanghai Hongqiao after 10 p.m., take metro Line 2 east to People's Square in 40 minutes for ¥6, and check in near East Nanjing Road. Walk the pedestrian street for late-night dumplings at Yang's Fry Dumplings for ¥12.
Travel: High-speed train to Shanghai, 10 hours, second class ¥620.Stay: 4 nights, Huangpu district near East Nanjing Road station, Line 2 and 10. - 18Day 18 · Shanghai
The Bund and Yu Garden
Walk east along East Nanjing Road to the Bund and photograph the colonial buildings facing the Huangpu River. Cross the river on the Bund Sightseeing Tunnel for ¥50 or take the metro to Lujiazui station on Line 2. Visit the Shanghai Tower observation deck on the 118th floor, entry ¥180, for a view across the city. In the afternoon, return to the west bank and walk to Yu Garden, entry ¥40, a Ming-dynasty garden with rockeries and koi ponds. Dinner at Nanxiang Steamed Bun Restaurant costs ¥60.
Stay: Huangpu district near East Nanjing Road station, Line 2 and 10. - 19Day 19 · Shanghai
French Concession and Tianzifang
Take metro Line 10 south to Shaanxi South Road station and walk the tree-lined streets of the French Concession. Stop at cafes in converted villas and browse boutiques along Wukang Road. Walk east to Tianzifang at Taikang Road, a warren of lanes with art studios, craft shops and dumpling stalls. Entry is free. Lunch at a rooftop cafe costs ¥80. In the evening, ride Line 2 west to Jing'an Temple station and visit the temple, entry ¥50, surrounded by shopping malls and skyscrapers.
Stay: Huangpu district near East Nanjing Road station, Line 2 and 10. - 20Day 20 · Shanghai
Zhujiajiao water town day trip
Take metro Line 17 west to Zhujiajiao station, then bus Zhujiajiao 1 to the old town in 80 minutes total for ¥10. Entry to the scenic area is free, individual garden entries cost ¥10 to ¥20. Walk the stone bridges over the canals, hire a wooden boat for ¥80 for 30 minutes, and try steamed pork buns at a canal-side vendor for ¥8. Return to Shanghai by late afternoon and eat xiaolongbao at Din Tai Fung near People's Square for ¥70.
Stay: Huangpu district near East Nanjing Road station, Line 2 and 10. - 21Day 21 · Shanghai
Shanghai museums and departure
Visit the Shanghai Museum on People's Square, free entry, to see bronze vessels, jade carvings and calligraphy across four floors. The museum opens at 9 a.m. and closing time is 5 p.m. In the afternoon, walk to the Shanghai Urban Planning Exhibition Center nearby, entry ¥30, where a scale model covers an entire floor. If your flight leaves in the evening, take the Maglev from Longyang Road station to Pudong Airport in 8 minutes for ¥50, reaching 430 km/h. For Hongqiao Airport, take metro Line 2 west for 40 minutes.
Cities on this route
Frequently asked questions
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