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
Shanghai · 3 nights
Xi’an · 2 nights
Guilin & Yangshuo · 2 nightsPalaces, warriors and river country in thirteen days
Palace roofs and clay warriors, then Li River peaks, a slow Yangshuo day and Shanghai’s skyline.
Why this itinerary works
Keep four Beijing nights and a proper Xi’an stop before flying south; the scenic section begins after a full transfer day.
The Guilin night makes the one-way cruise work, then two Yangshuo nights give you a full countryside day.
A slow Yangshuo day and gentle Shanghai finish protect the pace across this longer route.
The itinerary
Beijing West (北京西) → Xi’an North (西安北)
Around 4–5 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 → Guilin & Yangshuo
Approximately two hours in the air.
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
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
Approximately 2.5 hours in the air.
Planning estimate; choose a dated service before booking.See the itinerary on a map
The moments you’ll remember
From Jingshan, palace roofs spread beyond the afternoon chatter.
Jingshan Park ›Cool stone underfoot, Mutianyu’s watchtowers climbing the morning ridge.
Mutianyu Great Wall ›
Hot skewers and warm bread after the train to Xi’an.
Muslim Quarter (Huimin Street) ›
The first pit opens below, clay warriors row upon row.
Terracotta Army (Emperor Qinshihuang's Mausoleum Site Museum) ›Elephant Trunk Hill’s stone arch darkens over the evening river.
Elephant Trunk Hill ›The morning boat rounds a bend into another line of peaks.
Li River Cruise (Guilin to Yangshuo) ›
Morning wheels slow beside Yulong fields, limestone peaks beyond.
Ride the Yulong riverside path from Mountain Retreat ›From the Bund, Pudong lights shimmer across the evening river.
The Bund (Viewing Platform) ›
One more afternoon coffee beneath Wukang Road’s plane trees.
Wukang Road ›9 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.
- Lijiang Samsung Sightseeing Boat (Mopanshan Passenger Port) — Full-route Li River cruise, scenic-authority purchase notice: buy at least one day before sailing.
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
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 old city
Leave daytime for the move; dinner is the only planned outing.
Train to Xi’an
Free
Day 6
The Terracotta Army
Leave the rest of the day free for the distant outing and return.
Free
Free
Guilin & Yangshuo · 1 nights
Day 7
Fly south and settle in Guilin
The day belongs to airports 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 8
The river is today’s route
The cruise and hotel change fill morning and afternoon. Keep the West Street walk short.
Free
Day 9
A slow day among Yangshuo’s fields
Use a short version of the Yulong cycling route. The entire afternoon is free; leave rafting and distant viewpoints for a longer stay.
Free
Free
Shanghai · 3 nights
Day 10
Leave the valley and fly to Shanghai
Reserve morning and afternoon for the road transfer to Guilin, flight and check-in. The Bund walk can be dropped.
Free
Free
Day 11
Shanghai’s garden and skyline
Free
Day 12
A gentle Shanghai finish
Keep the morning free. For twelve days, remove this day and one Shanghai night; the Yangshuo slow day stays.
Free
Free
Day 13
Departure day
Keep the day clear for the actual station or airport 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.
- Lijiang Samsung Sightseeing Boat (Mopanshan Passenger Port) — Full-route Li River cruise, scenic-authority purchase notice: buy at least one day before sailing.
Rail or flight legs need a dated service before booking.
On the ground
Buying and boarding trains →Beijing practical card →Xi’an 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.