China Adventure: Shanghai • Guilin • Zhangjiajie • Xi'an • Beijing (May 31 – June 12)

Day 1: Arrival in Shanghai

Morning: Land at Pudong International Airport and transfer to your hotel in the Huangpu district. After checking in, enjoy a light brunch at a nearby café while soaking in the city’s bustling atmosphere.

Afternoon: Stroll along The Bund to admire the historic colonial architecture and the futuristic skyline across the Huangpu River. Take a short river cruise for panoramic views of the iconic Oriental Pearl Tower.

Evening: Dine on authentic Shanghainese cuisine at a restaurant in the Old City. End the night with a leisurely walk through the illuminated streets of Nanjing Road.

Day 2: Shanghai Exploration

Morning: Visit the tranquil Yu Garden, wandering through its classical pavilions and rockeries. Nearby, explore the historic City God Temple market for souvenirs.

Afternoon: Head to the Shanghai Museum in People’s Square for a deep dive into Chinese art and history. Follow with a visit to the modern art district of M50 for contemporary galleries.

Evening: Experience the dazzling lights of the Shanghai Tower observation deck. Afterward, enjoy a riverside dinner in the French Concession’s lively lanes.

Day 3: Shanghai → Guilin

Morning: Check out of the hotel and catch a high‑speed train to Guilin (approximately 7 hours). Enjoy scenic views of the countryside en route.

Afternoon: Arrive in Guilin and settle into your hotel near the Two Rivers and Four Lakes area. Take a relaxing boat ride on Erhai Lake to unwind after the journey.

Evening: Savor a dinner of Guangxi specialties, such as Guilin rice noodles, at a local restaurant. A gentle walk along the illuminated lakeside promenade rounds off the day.

Morning: Venture to the famous Li River for a scenic cruise to Yangshuo, marveling at karst peaks and lush valleys. Keep an eye out for the iconic Elephant Trunk Hill along the way.

Afternoon: Explore the mysterious Reed Flute Cave, illuminated by colorful LED lighting showcasing stalactites and stalagmites. Afterwards, wander through the charming streets of West Street in Yangshuo.

Evening: Return to Guilin and relax with a foot massage. Dine on fresh river fish at a lakeside restaurant while enjoying live traditional music.

Day 5: Guilin → Zhangjiajie

Morning: Depart Guilin by train or flight to Zhangjiajie, checking into a hotel near the national park. Brief orientation on park safety and ticketing.

Afternoon: Take the cable car up to Yellow Dragon Cave Scenic Area for sweeping views of the surrounding cliffs. Walk the Golden Whip Stream trail, spotting unique flora and fauna.

Evening: Enjoy a hearty Hunan‑style dinner featuring spicy cured pork. Early to bed for a full day of park exploration tomorrow.

Day 6: Zhangjiajie National Forest Park

Morning: Enter Zhangjiajie National Forest Park and ride the world‑famous Avatar Hallelujah Mountain (Hallelujah Peak). Hike the Golden Eagle Scenic Area for breathtaking vistas.

Afternoon: Explore the towering sandstone pillars of Tianzi Mountain, the inspiration for the floating mountains in the film “Avatar.” Take the glass skywalk for an exhilarating view over the abyss.

Evening: Return to the hotel to freshen up, then attend a cultural show featuring ethnic minority dances of the region.

Day 7: Zhangjiajie → Xi'an

Morning: Check out and travel by flight to Xi'an, the ancient capital of several dynasties. Transfer to a centrally located hotel near the City Wall.

Afternoon: Begin exploring the historic Ancient City Wall, renting a bike to cycle around its 13.7 km perimeter. Stop at the Bell Tower and Drum Tower for panoramic city views.

Evening: Sample the famous Xi'an street food at the Muslim Quarter, tasting roujiamo, yangrou paomo, and biangbiang noodles.

Day 8: Terracotta Army & Xi'an Culture

Morning: Visit the world‑renowned Terracotta Army at the Mausoleum of the First Qin Emperor, marveling at the thousands of life‑size soldiers.

Afternoon: Return to the city and explore the Big Wild Goose Pagoda and its surrounding gardens. Learn about Buddhist art at the nearby Shaanxi History Museum.

Evening: Enjoy a Tang‑dynasty themed dinner with traditional music and dance performances.

Day 9: Xi'an → Beijing

Morning: Depart Xi'an by high‑speed train to Beijing (approximately 5 hours). Check into a hotel in the Dongcheng district.

Afternoon: Take a leisurely walk through Tiananmen Square, visiting the Great Hall of the People and the National Museum of China.

Evening: Dine on Peking duck at a historic restaurant, followed by a stroll through the vibrant Wangfujing Night Market.

Day 10: Beijing – Imperial Splendor

Morning: Explore the magnificent Forbidden City, admiring its grand halls, imperial gardens, and priceless artifacts.

Afternoon: Wander through the serene Jingshan Hill for a panoramic view of the Forbidden City’s rooftops. Afterwards, visit the tranquil Beihai Park and its historic White Dagoba.

Evening: Enjoy a traditional opera performance at the Liyuan Theatre or a modern light show at the Olympic Park.

Day 11: Great Wall Excursion

Morning: Depart early for the Mutianyu Great Wall, taking a cable car up to the wall’s watchtowers.

Afternoon: Walk the restored sections, ride the toboggan down for fun, and capture sweeping views of the undulating wall across the mountains.

Evening: Return to Beijing, relax with a hot pot dinner, and unwind after a day of walking.

Day 12: Beijing – Summer Palace & Modern City

Morning: Visit the expansive Summer Palace, strolling along Kunming Lake and exploring the ornate Long Corridor.

Afternoon: Experience modern Beijing in the 798 Art District, browsing contemporary galleries and quirky boutiques.

Evening: Conclude the trip with a farewell dinner in a rooftop restaurant overlooking the city’s skyline.

Day 13: Departure

Morning: Pack and check out of the hotel, with optional last‑minute shopping in the Silk Market if time permits.

Afternoon: Transfer to Beijing Capital International Airport for your flight home, carrying memories of a diverse Chinese adventure.

Evening: Flight departure.

Time and Cost Estimates

• The Bund – 1 hour – $10 entrance (optional boat)
• Yu Garden – 2 hours – $12 admission
• Shanghai Museum – 2 hours – Free
• Shanghai Tower Observation Deck – 1.5 hours – $30 ticket
• Li River Cruise (Guilin–Yangshuo) – 4 hours – $45 per person
• Elephant Trunk Hill – 1 hour – $8 entry
• Reed Flute Cave – 1 hour – $12 ticket
• Yellow Dragon Cave Scenic Area – 2 hours – $15 entry
• Avatar Hallelujah Mountain (Zhangjiajie) – 3 hours – $25 cable car
• Tianzi Mountain – 3 hours – $28 ticket
• Terracotta Army – 3 hours – $35 admission
• Ancient City Wall (Xi'an) – 2 hours – $12 bike rental
• Forbidden City – 3 hours – $20 ticket
• Mutianyu Great Wall – 5 hours – $45 (cable car + entry)
• Summer Palace – 3 hours – $15 admission
• Beijing 798 Art District – 2 hours – Free
• Transportation (trains, flights, local transit) – 13 days – $650 total
• Accommodation (13 nights, mid‑range) – 13 nights – $1,300 total
• Meals & Miscellaneous – 13 days – $520 total
• Total Estimated Cost – $2,937

Tips

To extend the trip, consider adding a day in Yangshuo for bamboo rafting or a night market tour, and an extra day in Beijing to explore the Temple of Heaven and the historic hutongs. If you need to shorten the itinerary, you can combine the Guilin and Zhangjiajie legs by flying directly from Shanghai to Zhangjiajie and skipping the Li River cruise, or omit the 798 Art District in Beijing for a more streamlined schedule.