Start with a jianbing (Chinese crepe) from a street vendor near your hotel for an authentic, quick Beijing breakfast; hotels generally serve breakfast from 7:00–10:00. Perfect to fuel a half-day of sightseeing.
Walk Tiananmen Square (open 24/7) and tour the Palace Museum (Forbidden City) to see imperial halls and courtyards; Palace Museum typical hours 8:30am–5:00pm (last entry earlier), often closed or limited on some Mondays—book tickets in advance.
Stroll the Temple of Heaven park and see locals practising tai chi; the temple grounds are generally open 6:00am–5:00pm and the Hall of Prayer is typically 8:00am–5:00pm.
Reserve a table for classic Peking duck (restaurants open approximately 10:00am–10:00pm); Quanjude or Da Dong offer reliable roast duck experiences and are a quintessential Beijing meal.
Visit the Mutianyu section (less crowded than Badaling) for restored watchtowers and great views; Mutianyu open roughly 7:30am–5:00pm—arrive early to avoid buses and crowds. Cable car and toboggan options available.
Eat at a local restaurant near the Mutianyu entrance or The Schoolhouse cafe for western/Chinese options; mountain-side restaurants typically open 9:00am–5:00pm.
Explore the Summer Palace gardens, Kunming Lake and Longevity Hill; typically open 6:00am–6:00pm (main visiting hours 8:00/8:30am–5:00pm), so allow 2–3 hours to wander.
Take a short rickshaw tour through traditional hutongs and visit Yonghe Lama Temple (temple usually open 9:00am–5:00pm) to see Tibetan-Buddhist architecture.
Take an early high-speed train (~4.5–6h) from Beijing West to Xi'an North or a 2h flight; trains require advance booking, flights are quicker but allow 2–3 hours for airport transfer. Choose based on comfort and schedule.
Arrive and head to the Muslim Quarter for roujiamo (Chinese sandwich), lamb skewers and biangbiang noodles; stalls are open midday and make for a lively introduction to Xi'an cuisine.
Cycle the well-preserved ancient City Wall (open about 8:00am–8:00pm, seasonal variation); renting a bike gives panoramic city views and is a popular, relaxed activity.
Explore the central Bell and Drum Towers and the surrounding streets (towers open roughly 9:00am–5:00pm), then stroll the pedestrianised Muslim Quarter as shops open to evening.
Book a dumpling banquet at De Fa Chang to sample a variety of stuffed dumplings — a Xi'an specialty and a fun cultural meal; restaurants typically open until 9:00–10:00pm.
Visit the iconic Terracotta Army site — museum and pits open typically 8:30am–5:30pm; mornings are best for fewer crowds. Allocate 3–4 hours including travel time from the city.
Visit Big Wild Goose Pagoda and the surrounding archaeological museum and gardens (usually open 8:00am–5:00pm) for Tang-dynasty history and pagoda views.
Take a morning flight Xi'an→Chengdu (approx 1.5h); allow time for airport transfer and security. Flights leave frequently and reduce transfer time compared with trains.
Visit the historical Wuhou Shrine (open 8:00am–6:00pm) and stroll adjacent Jinli Ancient Street for snacks, crafts and teahouses — great for culture and photos.
Relax in People’s Park with a cup of Sichuan tea and watch local life and mahjong players; parks are open until evening and teahouses generally operate daily.
Enjoy a Sichuan hotpot experience — Haidilao or local hotpot restaurants operate late (often to 11:00pm), but bring a tolerance for heat and spice or order mild broth.
Early-morning visit to the Panda Base when the animals are most active (base typically opens 7:30am–6:00pm). Expect crowds—arrive at opening to see cubs and feeding times.
Return to the city for a relaxed lunch sampling Sichuan street snacks such as liangfen (cold jelly noodles) or spicy wontons; most eateries open 11:00–14:00.
Book an evening Sichuan Opera show with face-changing (shows commonly start 7:00–8:00pm); afternoons can be used to stroll tea houses or visit museums that may close on specific weekdays — check local listings.
Visit Reed Flute Cave (scenic limestone cave, typically open 8:00am–5:30pm) or Elephant Trunk Hill on the riverside (open 8:00am–6:00pm) for iconic Guilin scenery.
Stroll the lakes and rivers in the early evening for illuminated bridges and reflections; the area is public and open nightly but boat hours vary by season.
Take the classic morning cruise (approx 4–5 hours) downstream past dramatic karst scenery to Yangshuo; cruises commonly depart early (around 7:30–8:30am) and finish midday—book ahead in high season.
Choose a peaceful bamboo raft ride (short trips operate 8:00am–5:00pm) or rent a bicycle to explore the karst countryside and rice fields—both are relaxed ways to experience rural Guangxi.
Return to Guilin airport and fly to Shanghai (approx 2.5h); morning flights give you an afternoon in the city. Allow 2–3 hours for transfers and check-in.
Try Shanghai soup dumplings (xiaolongbao) at Jia Jia Tang Bao (popular — queues form) or a reputable dumpling house; many open from late morning through evening.
Stroll the Bund waterfront for views of Pudong skyline and then walk Nanjing Road for shopping; both areas are open public spaces (Bund accessible 24/7, shops typically 10:00am–10:00pm).
Take a short evening river cruise to see the illuminated skyline — cruises commonly depart 6:30–9:00pm but times vary by season; book ahead in high season.
Visit Shanghai Museum (excellent Chinese art and antiquities; usually open 9:00am–5:00pm, closed Mondays—check before you go) and walk People's Square.
Visit the Humble Administrator's Garden (Zhuozheng Yuan), Suzhou’s largest classical garden, typically open 7:30am–5:00pm — allow 1–1.5 hours to explore.
Afternoon visit to nearby Tongli or Zhouzhuang water town (boat rides and canals) — towns generally open 8:30am–5:00pm; they’re peaceful in the afternoon off-peak.
Take a short boat ride on West Lake and stroll lakeside paths to see Broken Bridge and Su Causeway; boat services typically run from around 8:00am–5:00pm.
Enjoy a relaxed hotel breakfast or a nearby café; leave luggage prepared for your transfer to the airport or train station depending on departure time.
If time permits, visit Shanghai Tower’s observation deck (open around 9:00am–9:00pm) for final skyline views, or do last-minute shopping on Nanjing Road; check opening hours before you go.
Have a final meal of xiaolongbao or a convenient travel lunch near your hotel or transport hub; many eateries near major stations/airports operate widely.
Allow 2–3 hours for airport check-in on international flights or 60–90 minutes for high-speed train transfers; confirm local travel times and add buffer for traffic.
Depart Shanghai. If you have a later flight, use the remaining time to relax in an airport lounge or do last-minute souvenir shopping in terminal shops (airport shops hours vary).