01
Day 1 · Beijing
Arrive in Beijing
Land, check in and keep the first night easy.
- Arrival
- Airport Express or taxi/Didi to Dongcheng; check in and keep the registration slip.
- Evening
- A short hutong walk and a simple meal; sleep at local time.
Itinerary
Cities and landscapes in 14 days
A broader first trip that combines the imperial cities, Sichuan food and the karst landscapes of Guilin and Yangshuo, with enough time to breathe.
At a glance
- Duration
- 14 days · 13 nights
- Route
- Beijing → Xi'an → Chengdu → Guilin → Shanghai
- Best time
- April–May or September–October
- Updated
- 21 October 2026
- Next review
- 15 January 2027
Full but balanced; one internal flightBest for: A complete first trip with cities and sceneryArrive: Beijing Capital (PEK) or Daxing (PKX)Depart: Shanghai Pudong (PVG) or Hongqiao (SHA)Updated 21 October 2026
Beijing → Xi'an → Chengdu → Guilin → Shanghai
On this page
Overview
Why this route works
Two weeks lets you add a landscape region without turning the trip into a checklist. This route keeps the classic Beijing–Xi'an–Chengdu spine, then flies south to Guilin for river and countryside days before finishing in Shanghai. It is ambitious but realistic if you accept one internal flight and protect a buffer day for weather.
The plan below is a route, not a rigid schedule. Keep the order, but move a museum or a meal if weather, jet lag or a sold-out ticket changes the day. Every transfer includes a buffer.
This route suits you if
- You have two full weeks and want both major cities and a landscape region.
- You are comfortable with one internal flight and several rail legs.
- You want a route that still leaves time for a weather buffer in Guilin.
Choose another route if
- You want a slow, single-region trip; this route moves every few days.
- You have limited mobility or want to avoid early starts and transfers.
Days
14 days
Cities
Beijing · Xi'an · Chengdu · Guilin · Shanghai
Pace
Full but balanced; one internal flight
Arrive
Beijing Capital (PEK) or Daxing (PKX)
Depart
Shanghai Pudong (PVG) or Hongqiao (SHA)
Best time
April–May or September–October
Before you book
The booking order that prevents most problems
Do these in order. Entry eligibility and the hard-to-get tickets matter more than a cheaper hotel.
1
Check entry for every stop
A visa-free entry covers the trip only if your route and length qualify. Confirm before booking the internal flight to Guilin.
Entry rules2
Book the internal flight early
Chengdu–Guilin is the key flight. Train alternatives are long; book a daytime flight and keep the rest of the day light.
3
Reserve the big sights
Forbidden City, Tiananmen, Terracotta Army, pandas and the Li River cruise all need advance planning in peak season.
4
Protect a Guilin weather buffer
River cruises and karst views depend on visibility. Keep one flexible day rather than booking every hour.
Travel calendar5
Pack for two climates
Beijing and Xi'an can be dry and cool; Guilin is humid and rainy. A light rain shell and grippy shoes matter more than a second pair of city shoes.
Health and safetyDay by day
14-day plan
Each day has one main purpose. Transfer days are deliberately light; do not add a second city.
02
Day 2 · Beijing
Tiananmen, Forbidden City and Jingshan
The imperial axis on foot.
- Morning
- Tiananmen with passport and reservation, then the Forbidden City; allow 45–60 minutes for security.
- Afternoon
- Jingshan Park for the roof view and lunch in the hutongs.
- Evening
- Beijing duck or a neighbourhood noodle shop; book ahead.
03
Day 3 · Beijing
Mutianyu Great Wall
An early wall visit and a quiet evening.
- Morning
- Pre-booked transfer to Mutianyu; arrive near opening and walk between towers.
- Afternoon
- Return and rest; Temple of Heaven park if energy remains.
- Book
- Check current Mutianyu tickets and transfer arrangements; carry water and grip shoes.
04
Day 4 · Beijing → Xi'an
Temple of Heaven, then rail to Xi'an
A light morning and a 4.5–5.5 hour train.
- Morning
- Temple of Heaven park early, then collect luggage and go to the station.
- Transfer
- High-speed train to Xi'an; arrive 45–60 minutes early and use your passport at the gate.
- Evening
- Check in inside the wall and eat in the Muslim Quarter.
05
Day 5 · Xi'an
Terracotta Army and the city wall
Archaeology in the morning, old city in the evening.
- Morning
- Terracotta Army early; Pit 1 first, then Pits 2 and 3. Allow 3 hours including transfer.
- Afternoon
- Bike or walk a section of the city wall; the full loop is 13–14 km.
- Evening
- Roujiamo, biangbiang noodles and lamb skewers in the side lanes.
06
Day 6 · Xi'an → Chengdu
Shaanxi History Museum and rail to Chengdu
One museum, then a 3–4 hour train southwest.
- Morning
- Shaanxi History Museum with a reservation; focus on the Tang and Han galleries.
- Transfer
- Afternoon high-speed train to Chengdu, about 3–4 hours. Check in near Tianfu Square or People's Park.
- Evening
- A first Sichuan meal; ask for less spice if needed.
07
Day 7 · Chengdu
Pandas and People's Park
Pandas early, teahouse afternoon.
- Morning
- Panda Base at opening; book the date-based ticket and allow 3–4 hours.
- Afternoon
- People's Park and Heming Teahouse; order tea and sit for an hour.
- Evening
- Sichuan hotpot or mapo tofu; go early or book.
08
Day 8 · Chengdu
Wuhou Shrine, Jinli and Sichuan opera
History, snacks and a performance.
- Morning
- Wuhou Shrine and Jinli; shrine first, snacks after.
- Afternoon
- Du Fu Thatched Cottage or a long teahouse break.
- Evening
- Book a Sichuan opera or face-changing performance; arrive early for tea.
09
Day 9 · Chengdu → Guilin
Fly to Guilin and stay by the river
A flight south, a riverfront check-in and an early night before the cruise.
- Morning
- Fly from TFU/CTU to Guilin (about 1.5–2 hours). From KWL, take a taxi or airport bus to the city centre.
- Afternoon
- Check in near the river, walk the Two Rivers and Four Lakes area, and keep the first afternoon free.
- Evening
- A simple Guilin rice noodle dinner; do not add a night tour after the flight. The Li River cruise leaves early tomorrow.
10
Day 10 · Yangshuo
Li River cruise to Yangshuo
The classic karst journey, with the afternoon free.
- Morning
- Take the Li River cruise from Guilin to Yangshuo (about 4 hours). Book the official cruise and confirm the transfer to the pier.
- Afternoon
- Arrive in Yangshuo, check in and walk the riverside. Avoid scheduling a second activity after the cruise.
- Evening
- Beer fish and a walk along West Street; the side lanes are calmer than the main strip.
11
Day 11 · Yangshuo
Yulong River by bamboo raft or bike
A slow countryside day between the karst peaks.
- Morning
- Cycle the Yulong River loop or take a bamboo raft. Start early; the light and temperatures are better.
- Afternoon
- A village lunch and a quiet café; return before the late-afternoon tour buses.
- Tip
- Check raft operating rules and weather; heavy rain can close the river.
12
Day 12 · Yangshuo → Guilin
Longji Rice Terraces, then Guilin
A long day trip to the terraces and a night in Guilin.
- Morning
- Transfer to Longji (about 2.5–3 hours). Walk the Ping'an or Dazhai terraces with a local guide; the paths are steep.
- Afternoon
- Return to Guilin in the late afternoon; check in near the centre for an easier airport transfer.
- Tip
- Do not attempt Longji and a Guilin city sight on the same day; the road time is the constraint.
13
Day 13 · Guilin → Shanghai
Fly to Shanghai and walk the Bund
A flight east and a soft landing in Shanghai.
- Morning
- Fly from KWL to Shanghai (about 2.5 hours). From PVG or SHA, take the metro or a taxi to People's Square.
- Afternoon
- Check in and rest; walk the Bund late afternoon.
- Evening
- Dinner in the French Concession or along the Bund; keep the last full day light.
14
Day 14 · Shanghai
Depart from Shanghai
A short morning and a generous airport buffer.
- Morning
- Breakfast and a neighbourhood walk; check out and go to PVG or SHA.
- Airport
- Arrive 3 hours before an international flight. Keep the passport and any exit documents accessible.
Where to stay
Choose the area before the hotel
A well-placed hotel saves more time than a cheaper room near the airport.
Beijing
The imperial core and the Great Wall.
Stay: Dongcheng, near Line 2 or Line 5
Xi'an
Terracotta Army and the old city.
Stay: Inside the city wall
Chengdu
Pandas, teahouses and Sichuan food.
Stay: Tianfu Square or People's Park
Guilin
Arrival night and the night before the Shanghai flight; the Li River cruise starts here.
Stay: City centre near the river
Yangshuo
Karst countryside, river and cycling.
Stay: Yangshuo town or a riverside village
Shanghai
A convenient international finish.
Stay: People's Square or the Bund
What to eat
Meals worth planning around
Book the one special meal; keep the rest spontaneous.
Beijing duck
One special meal; book ahead.
Sichuan hotpot
Choose a mild broth if needed; go early.
Guilin rice noodles and beer fish
Breakfast noodles in Guilin, beer fish in Yangshuo.
Shanghai xiaolongbao
A final breakfast or snack before the airport.
Getting around
Transfers, trains and city transport
The route assumes public transport plus Didi for the last mile. Book the long legs first.
Rail spine
Beijing–Xi'an 4.5–5.5 hours; Xi'an–Chengdu 3–4 hours. Book both with your passport.
Chengdu → Guilin
Fly, about 1.5–2 hours. A train alternative is long; the flight protects the landscape days.
Guilin → Shanghai
Fly, about 2.5 hours. Keep the last night near People's Square or the Bund.
Local transfers
Yangshuo and Longji need pre-booked transfers or taxis; do not rely on frequent public buses with luggage.
Budget
What drives the cost
Prices change; use these as the categories to check, not a fixed daily total.
Flights
Two internal flights are the main extra cost; book early and allow baggage.
Hotels
Five bases; Yangshuo and Guilin are better value than Beijing/Shanghai.
Attractions
Li River cruise, Longji, pandas and the imperial sights are the main tickets.
Common mistakes
What to avoid on this route
Booking every day
Weather can cancel the Li River or Longji views. Keep Day 11 or 12 flexible.
Staying only in Guilin
Yangshuo is the better base for the river and countryside; Guilin is the transport hub.
Underestimating Longji
The road transfer is 2.5–3 hours each way; do not combine it with a city sight.
Checking in late in Shanghai
The last night should be near the airport express or a short taxi ride, not across town.
Alternatives
If this route is not quite right
More nature, less city
Use the 10-day Zhangjiajie–Guilin route instead of the imperial cities.
Read the routeFAQ
Questions before you commit
Is 14 days enough for five bases?
Yes, but it is full. The route works because the rail spine is efficient and the Guilin flight replaces a long overland leg. It is not a slow trip.
Should I stay in Guilin or Yangshuo?
Yangshuo for the river and countryside; Guilin for the airport and the Li River cruise start. This route uses both.
What if the Li River cruise is cancelled?
Keep a flexible day and ask your hotel about the next available cruise. Do not book a non-refundable onward flight for the same evening.
Do I need a guide for Longji?
A local guide helps with the paths and village access, but it is not mandatory. Wear grip shoes and allow a full day.
Is this route good for families?
It can be, but the pace is fast. Cut one city and add a rest day; the Guilin/Yangshuo section is the easiest for children.
When is the best time?
April–May and September–October. Summer is hot and humid in Guilin; winter is quieter but the terraces are bare.
Updates
How this route stays current
This is a living article, not a one-off post. The route keeps the same URL and is revised in place.
2026–27 editionPublished 21 October 2026Updated 21 October 2026
What changed in this edition
Reordered the Guilin section so the Li River cruise starts from Guilin and the Longji night returns to the city.
- Next review
- 15 January 2027
- What triggers an update
- Rail timetable changes, ticket rules, closures, new transport links or a material change on the ground.
This library is reviewed on a quarterly cycle. The route stays here, at this URL, so bookmarks and links continue to work after an update.
Sources & review
How this route was checked
Officially sourced where the detail is volatile; recheck before booking.
Last checked 21 October 2026
Schedules, ticket rules and opening hours change. Check the official source for your dates before paying for non-refundable transport.
- National Immigration Administration — Entry and transit rules.
- China Railway 12306 — Rail timetables and passport booking.
- Guilin municipal government — Local transport and visitor information.
- Shanghai municipal government — Airport and city information.
