Arrive at Beijing Capital/Pudong airport (Plan for transport ~1h to city); check in, freshen up and pick up a local SIM and transit card. This helps you start smoothly and reduces wasted time later.
Sample Beijing street snacks or a casual noodle place near Wangfujing for a light first meal; Wangfujing vendors open daytime and let you try jianbing, dumplings and skewers.
Walk Tiananmen Square then visit the Forbidden City (open 08:30–17:00, last entry 16:00; closed some Mondays—check before travel). See imperial halls and courtyards for a strong historical overview of China.
Explore a short hutong walk or rickshaw tour and end at Houhai for lake views and bars; many hutong tours run until early evening (confirm with operator).
Visit Mutianyu (open ~07:30–18:00). It's less crowded than Badaling and offers restored wall, watchtowers and cable car options — arrive early to avoid busier midday periods.
Return to the city and visit the Summer Palace (open 06:30–19:00 in autumn/winter depending on season) or Temple of Heaven (open ~06:00–22:00). Both give peaceful gardens and imperial architecture.
Check into your Xi'an hotel, then head to the Muslim Quarter for Xi'an’s famous street food (yangrou paomo, roujiamo, biangbiang noodles). Many stalls open until late evening.
Early breakfast and transfer to Xi'an airport or station; choose a morning flight (~1.25h) or HSR depending on schedules—flights are fastest to Chengdu.
Early breakfast and flight Chengdu → Guilin (approx 1.5–2h). Flights are frequent; arrive in Guilin and transfer toward Yangshuo if you prefer countryside stays.
Visit Reed Flute Cave (scenic limestone cave, open ~08:00–17:30) or Elephant Trunk Hill for photo ops; both are classic Guilin sights and easy to fit in after arrival.
Early breakfast and transfer to Guilin for the classic Li River cruise (Guilin → Yangshuo) which departs in the morning; cruise duration varies (~4–5h) and is best in calm weather.
Early dinner and optional ticketed light-show by the river (Impression Liu Sanjie runs at dusk — seasonal times; check schedule) or a relaxed West Street meal.
Take an evening flight from Guilin (or nearby airport) to Shanghai Pudong/Hongqiao (approx 2.5h) — if you prefer less travel fatigue, take a morning flight next day instead.
Start with breakfast near Yu Garden, then visit Yu Garden and its bazaar (Yu Garden open ~08:30–17:30) for classic Ming/Qing-era landscaping and teahouse stops.
Dine at a high-quality restaurant such as Lost Heaven (Yunnan cuisine) or Din Tai Fung for excellent dumplings; both are open into the evening (check reservations).
Enjoy a classic West Lake boat ride and lakeside stroll (boats typically operate from morning through late afternoon). The scenery is the highlight of Hangzhou.