Beijing
4 nights · Dongsi / Dengshikou
A central base for the palace day and hutong walks, with a simple return after the Wall.
Beijing · 4 nights
Chengdu · 3 nights
Shanghai · 3 nights
Xi’an · 2 nightsThe grand loop: palaces, pandas and the Li River
Sixteen days from Beijing’s palace and Wall through Xi’an and Chengdu to the Li River, ending in Shanghai.
Why this itinerary works
Five regions in one trip only works if each move gets its own half day; trains in the north, two flights in the south.
The one-way river cruise doubles as the hotel change to Yangshuo, so the most beautiful journey is also a transfer.
A slow Yangshuo day and a gentle Shanghai finish keep a long route from turning into a checklist.
The itinerary
Beijing West (北京西) → Xi’an North (西安北)
Around 4.5–6 hours aboard.
Planning estimate; choose a dated service before booking.Xi’an
2 nights · Inside the South Gate
Walk to the city wall and keep evening food wanderings close to the hotel.
Xi’an North (西安北) → Chengdu East (成都东)
About 3–4 hours aboard.
Planning estimate; choose a dated service before booking.Chengdu
3 nights · People’s Park / Tianfu Square
Tea, old-city walks and metro connections fit around a central base.
Chengdu → Guilin & Yangshuo
Planning estimate; choose a dated service before booking.Guilin & Yangshuo
1 nights · Central Guilin, near Shanhu Lake
Keep the arrival stroll short and arrange the next morning’s Mopanshan pier transfer from one base.
Mopanshan Pier (磨盘山码头) → Longtoushan Pier, Yangshuo (阳朔龙头山码头)
About 4–5 hours on the water.
Planning estimate; choose a dated service before booking.Guilin & Yangshuo
2 nights · Yangshuo town edge, away from West Street nightlife
Stay close enough for meals and transfers while sleeping away from the busiest bar strip.
Yangshuo → Guilin & Yangshuo
About 90 minutes by road.
Planning estimate; choose a dated service before booking.Shanghai
3 nights · People’s Square / Nanjing West Road
Central rail connections and a useful base between the Bund, old city and tree-lined western streets.
Guilin & Yangshuo → Shanghai
Planning estimate; choose a dated service before booking.See the itinerary on a map
The moments you’ll remember
From Jingshan, the palace roofs spread out in golden rows.
Jingshan Park ›Morning wind follows the Wall from one watchtower to the next.
Mutianyu Great Wall ›
At the edge of Pit 1, clay ranks stretch further than you expected.
Terracotta Army (Emperor Qinshihuang's Mausoleum Site Museum) ›
Morning on the wall, the old city laid out square below you.
Xi'an City Wall ›Bamboo crunches as a panda settles into breakfast.
Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding ›
The red broth starts to bubble and the table leans in.
Eat hotpot at Shu Da Xia on Chunxi Road ›The boat rounds a bend and another line of peaks steps forward.
Li River Cruise (Guilin to Yangshuo) ›
Wheels slow beside the Yulong fields, limestone towers all around.
Ride the Yulong riverside path from Mountain Retreat ›After two journeys today, Pudong lights shimmer across the river.
The Bund (Viewing Platform) ›
A last coffee under Wukang Road’s plane trees.
Wukang Road ›10 moments · swipe →
Before you go
- Mutianyu Great Wall — Official English booking calendar: 30 calendar dates including today (up to 29 days ahead). Check that channel for your visit date.
- The Palace Museum — Official international website and 故宫博物院 mini-program: book before the visit day; same-day tickets are not sold. Sales open at 20:00 Beijing time seven days before the visit.
- Emperor Qinshihuang's Mausoleum Site Museum — Reserve your chosen date and time slot through the museum’s official website or account before travelling. Check the currently available dates in that booking calendar.
- Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding — Official WeChat channels: ticket sales open up to 14 days before the visit.
- Lijiang Samsung Sightseeing Boat (Mopanshan Passenger Port) — Full-route Li River cruise, scenic-authority purchase notice: buy at least one day before sailing.
- Chengdu Wuhou Shrine Museum — Official website and WeChat account: tickets can be booked up to 14 days before the visit.
Choose a dated rail or flight service before booking.
Day by day
MorningAfternoonEvening
Beijing · 4 nights
Day 1
Arrive in Beijing
Only a short lake-and-lanes walk after check-in; drop it after a late arrival.
Arrive in Beijing
Free
Day 2
The palace and its rooftop panorama
Enter through the Meridian Gate, walk north and leave by the back gate straight into Jingshan.
Day 3
Mutianyu gets the day
The afternoon is reserved for the outing and return. Leave the evening empty.
Reserved for the outing or journey
Free
Day 4
Temple morning, then time for yourself
One local morning visit, with the afternoon open before changing cities tomorrow.
Free
Free
Xi’an · 2 nights
Day 5
Train to Xi’an, then dinner in the food lanes
Keep morning and afternoon clear for the train, station access and check-in. Dinner is the only planned evening outing.
Train to Xi’an
Reserved for the outing or journey
Day 6
The Terracotta Army
Let the outing use the afternoon too. Nothing else is planned today.
Free
Free
Chengdu · 3 nights
Day 7
A wall-top morning, then rail to Chengdu
Walk one stretch of the wall near your hotel, then give the afternoon to the train. The evening is yours to settle in.
Free
Free
Day 8
Pandas early, masks after a break
Keep the afternoon free between the panda outing and the Shufeng Yayun show.
Free
Day 9
A shrine, a lane and a bubbling pot
Guilin & Yangshuo · 1 nights
Day 10
Fly south and settle in Guilin
The day belongs to the airport and check-in. A short riverside look is removable; prepare for the next morning’s pier transfer.
Fly south and settle in Guilin
Free
Guilin & Yangshuo · 2 nights
Day 11
The river is today’s route
The cruise and hotel change fill morning and afternoon. Keep the West Street walk short.
Free
Day 12
A slow day among Yangshuo’s fields
A short version of the Yulong ride, then the whole afternoon is free. This is the trip’s breathing day; keep it that way.
Free
Free
Shanghai · 3 nights
Day 13
Leave the valley and fly to Shanghai
Reserve morning and afternoon for the road to Guilin airport, the flight and check-in. The Bund walk can be dropped.
Free
Free
Day 14
Old garden, tall city
Free
Day 15
A gentle Shanghai finish
Sleep in. One plane-tree walk is the whole plan. For fourteen days, remove this day and day 4 (one Shanghai and one Beijing night); keep the Yangshuo slow day.
Free
Free
Day 16
Departure day
Keep the day for your booked connection.
Departure day
Free
Free
Comes with the plan
Before you go
- Mutianyu Great Wall — Official English booking calendar: 30 calendar dates including today (up to 29 days ahead). Check that channel for your visit date.
- The Palace Museum — Official international website and 故宫博物院 mini-program: book before the visit day; same-day tickets are not sold. Sales open at 20:00 Beijing time seven days before the visit.
- Emperor Qinshihuang's Mausoleum Site Museum — Reserve your chosen date and time slot through the museum’s official website or account before travelling. Check the currently available dates in that booking calendar.
- Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding — Official WeChat channels: ticket sales open up to 14 days before the visit.
- Lijiang Samsung Sightseeing Boat (Mopanshan Passenger Port) — Full-route Li River cruise, scenic-authority purchase notice: buy at least one day before sailing.
- Chengdu Wuhou Shrine Museum — Official website and WeChat account: tickets can be booked up to 14 days before the visit.
Rail or flight legs need a dated service before booking.
On the ground
Buying and boarding trains →Beijing practical card →Xi’an practical card →Chengdu practical card →Guilin & Yangshuo practical card →Guilin & Yangshuo practical card →Shanghai practical card →Perks on this itinerary
A small extra at selected Shanghai shops →Turn a long layover into a look at Beijing →Check the senior entry benefit before buying →Browse perks and check eligibility →Your dates, checked
Use the calendar to check holidays and typical weather. Published sessions and opening days depend on your exact dates.
Check dates →Not quite your case? Ask it.
Make it yours
Pick your dates and review how the itinerary fits your trip.