Dates are flexible. This day-by-day plan is provisional until you choose exact travel dates.
Start at Tiananmen Square before the crowds build; allow about an hour, including security checks. Entry is free, but advance reservation is generally required—check the official booking channel close to your visit and bring the passport used to book. Security can take time, so don’t plan a tight arrival. From the square, walk north to The Palace Museum (Forbidden City). Book admission well ahead, as entry is limited and tied to your passport; allow 3–4 hours to cross the vast complex at an unhurried pace. Check the museum’s calendar before settling on your day: it is usually closed on Mondays, with some public-holiday exceptions.
After leaving the museum through its north gate, cross to Jingshan Park for a breather and the classic view back over the palace roofs. The uphill walk to the pavilion takes around 10–15 minutes; admission is usually just a few yuan, and an hour is plenty. From there, take a taxi or a ride-hailing car south to Qianmen Street—roughly 20–30 minutes in traffic—or use the subway, allowing extra time for station walks and transfers.
Wander Qianmen Street and its nearby hutongs as the shopfronts light up, then choose a local Beijing restaurant for dinner; budget about ¥60–150 per person. The pedestrian street is easy to explore on foot, but the surrounding lanes feel quieter and more atmospheric if you step away from the main drag. If your visit falls on a Monday and the museum is closed, you’ll need to rearrange the day around its opening calendar rather than count on same-day entry.
The Beijing–Ürümqi flight, airport check-in and transfers will take roughly 7–9 hours door to door, so this is a sightseeing day only if you choose an early flight that gets you into the city with plenty of time left. After dropping your bags, head to the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region Museum in northwest Ürümqi; allow about 2 hours for its regional history and culture exhibits. Check current opening days, hours and entry arrangements before you go—hours can vary, and it may be closed on Mondays. Don’t count on entry without confirming any reservation requirements.
From the museum, take a taxi or a ride-hailing car to Hongshan Park (around 15–25 minutes, depending on traffic) for a leg-stretch and views over the city; budget 1–1.5 hours. Continue to the Xinjiang International Grand Bazaar in central Ürümqi, allowing roughly 20–30 minutes by car from the park. Browse the market, then try Xinjiang dishes nearby; set aside ¥50–120 per person for a casual meal. The bazaar is liveliest later in the day, but check current hours before setting out.
Even with a well-timed early flight, airport delays, transfers and museum entry arrangements could squeeze this plan. To comfortably visit all three places in order, consider arriving in Ürümqi the evening before; otherwise, keep the museum visit conditional on your actual arrival time and its opening hours.
Allow most of the day to reach Lhasa from Ürümqi, including airport formalities and the transfer into town. Flight schedules can be limited, and a connection may be needed, so don’t plan around arriving early unless your confirmed itinerary supports it. At roughly 3,650 metres, take it gently: rest, drink water, and avoid strenuous activity or alcohol. Foreign visitors generally need Tibet travel arrangements through an authorised agency; confirm the required permits before travelling.
Only attempt Potala Palace if you feel well, have acclimatized as much as possible, and have a confirmed advance-booked entry time. The steep climb and visit can take 2–3 hours; admission is controlled, so don’t assume you can buy a ticket on arrival. If those conditions are met, continue to Jokhang Temple in the Barkhor area for a respectful, unhurried visit of about 1–1.5 hours. Check current entry arrangements, follow any photography restrictions, and dress modestly. If your arrival is late or you feel unwell, postpone both visits rather than pushing through; this is not a realistic sightseeing day after a full travel day.
Choose a gentle meal at a restaurant near Barkhor Street and close to your accommodation; budget around ¥40–100 per person. Keep the evening quiet and get plenty of rest.
Allow 5–7 hours door to door for the flight from Lhasa to Chengdu, including airport access and your transfer into town. Check the confirmed flight schedule and Tibet travel arrangements before building the day around it. The Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding is in the northeast of the city; pandas are usually liveliest in the morning, and the visit takes about three hours. Given the travel time, this stop is realistic only if your arrival leaves enough time before closing and you have a confirmed entry booking. Otherwise, don’t try to squeeze it in.
If timing allows, head to Wenshu Monastery in central Chengdu for a slower change of pace: allow about 1.5 hours to see the temple grounds and sit down for tea. Check current visiting hours and any entry requirements before setting out. From the panda base, budget around 40–60 minutes by taxi, depending on traffic; the metro is a useful alternative if you’re not carrying luggage.
Finish at Chen Mapo Tofu, a celebrated address for the namesake dish and other Sichuan classics; budget roughly ¥50–100 per person. It’s near Wenshu Monastery, so you can walk over rather than crossing town again. This is a packed combination after a travel day, so keep the panda visit conditional on your actual arrival time and save the temple and dinner for the evening if you land too late.
Allow 3–4 hours door to door for the morning transfer and getting settled in Chongqing, so keep the first stop flexible until you know your train time. At Liziba Station’s viewing area in Yuzhong, watch the metro glide through the apartment block—30–45 minutes is plenty. The viewing platforms can get busy; take a moment to explore the nearby streets for a less crowded angle.
From Liziba, take a taxi or metro toward the Three Gorges Museum, beside the Great Hall of the People; allow roughly 20–30 minutes, depending on traffic and connections. Give the museum 1.5–2 hours for exhibits on Chongqing’s history and the Yangtze River. Admission is generally free, but check the official schedule and any reservation requirements before going: opening days and hours can vary, and the museum is typically closed on Mondays.
Continue to Jiefangbei Pedestrian Street in central Yuzhong, around 15–25 minutes by taxi from the museum depending on traffic. Wander the lively downtown blocks, then settle in for Chongqing hotpot nearby; budget about ¥80–160 per person. Ask for a milder broth if you’re unsure about the heat, and remember that local “mild” can still pack a kick.
Allow most of the day to reach Zhangjiajie and get settled; don’t plan the mountain visit unless your confirmed connection gets you into town early. Tianmen Mountain National Forest Park is a substantial outing—allow 4–6 hours for the cableway and mountain routes—and access depends on advance ticket arrangements, your chosen route and the weather. Check current operating hours and ticket availability before committing; tickets and route packages commonly cost a few hundred yuan. If the timing doesn’t work, save the mountain for the following morning rather than trying to squeeze it in after a long travel day.
Once it’s dark, head to 72 Qilou in Yongding District for about an hour among the illuminated traditional-style buildings. Opening times and entry arrangements can vary, so check locally before setting out; a taxi or ride-hailing car is usually the easiest way to reach it from your hotel. Finish with Hunan-style food at a nearby restaurant—look for dishes such as smoked pork, sour-and-spicy fish or stir-fried local vegetables, and budget around ¥50–120 per person. If you arrive late, prioritize dinner and a relaxed look around 72 Qilou; leave Tianmen Mountain for a day when you can give it the time it deserves.
The transfer from Zhangjiajie will take most of the day door to door, so this itinerary only works if your confirmed connection gets you into central Guangzhou with enough time before the Chen Clan Ancestral Hall closes. Check its current hours and last-entry time before setting out; it’s commonly open during daytime hours, with a modest admission fee (around ¥10). Allow about 1.5 hours to take in the carved wood, ceramic roof figures and courtyards. If you arrive too late, don’t count on squeezing in entry—an extra night in Guangzhou is the realistic way to see everything without rushing.
From the hall, take a taxi or metro toward Shamian Island; allow roughly 20–30 minutes depending on traffic and the route. The island is free to explore and especially pleasant in the softer late-afternoon light: wander its tree-lined lanes and waterfront past the old foreign-trading-era buildings, leaving 1–1.5 hours for an unhurried loop. Finish at Yue Kee Roasted Goose Restaurant in Liwan for Cantonese roast goose and other classic dishes; budget about ¥80–180 per person. If your arrival runs late, confirm the restaurant’s current service hours and prioritize dinner over trying to rush the museum and island.
Allow 3–5 hours door to door for the transfer and getting into town, so the early stops work best if your confirmed train gets you to Sheung Wan with enough afternoon left. At Man Mo Temple, set aside about 45 minutes for the incense-filled hall and its carved details. It’s generally open daily, but hours can change; check before you go. Dress respectfully, keep your voice low, and be mindful that it’s an active place of worship.
Walk or take the MTR from Sheung Wan toward Central–Mid-Levels Escalator; allow 1–1.5 hours to ride sections of it and wander the sloping side streets. The escalator runs downhill in the morning and uphill from around 10:30 a.m. until late evening, so check the direction if you’re planning to ride the full route. Browse the lanes around SoHo at your own pace, then head down to Mak’s Noodle in Central for wonton noodles—budget roughly HK$60–120 per person. It’s a compact, casual meal, and queues are possible at busy times.
Make your way to Central Pier 7 for the Star Ferry to Tsim Sha Tsui. The crossing itself is brief, but allow about 45 minutes for the walk, waiting and harbor views; the fare is typically just a few Hong Kong dollars, with prices varying by deck and day. Check the current sailing schedule, especially later in the evening. If the transfer or queues have eaten into your afternoon, keep the temple and Central stroll unhurried and treat the ferry as the day’s final outing.
Allow 5–7 hours door to door for the Hong Kong–Guilin transfer, including cross-border procedures and getting into town. That leaves time for the afternoon sights only if your confirmed connection arrives early; drop your bags near the center and head to Elephant Trunk Hill for about 1–1.5 hours among the riverside paths and karst views. Check current park hours, ticket arrangements and entry requirements before setting out—don’t count on walk-up access if reservations are required.
From Elephant Trunk Hill, take a short taxi or ride-hail to Jingjiang Princes’ City. Allow 1.5–2 hours to explore its historic walls and courtyards; check the day’s opening hours and last-entry time, as they can affect whether this stop is feasible after your arrival. If the transfer runs late, the two attractions won’t fit comfortably before closing: add a night in Guilin and visit the next day rather than rushing both.
Finish at Chunji Roasted Goose Restaurant in central Guilin. Budget roughly ¥60–130 per person; it’s a good place to try the local roast goose, and a taxi or ride-hail from Jingjiang Princes’ City keeps the evening simple. Check the branch’s hours and whether it takes reservations, especially if arriving late.
The Guilin–Kunming transfer takes most of the day door to door, and the rail itinerary may involve a change in Guiyang. Check the exact connection before committing; don’t assume you’ll arrive with time for sightseeing. If you reach central Kunming early enough, drop your bags and stroll Green Lake Park (Cuihu Park) for an hour or so. It’s a lovely place to watch locals dancing, playing cards, and walking the lakeside paths. The park is generally open daily and free.
Beside the park, Yunnan Military Academy adds a compact history stop; allow about 1–1.5 hours. Access and opening hours can change, so check locally before heading over, especially if you arrive late. If your transfer leaves too little time for both stops, don’t rush them: an extra night in Kunming is the realistic fix.
Finish with Yunnan’s signature crossing-the-bridge rice noodles at a central Qiaoxiangyuan branch. Expect roughly ¥30–70 per person; choose a location convenient to your hotel, as the chain has multiple branches. If you arrive late, confirm the branch’s closing time before making the detour.
This is a tight arrival day: allow 5–7 hours door to door from Kunming, then time to check in and get into central Xi’an. The sightseeing plan works best with an early flight and a hotel near the center; check the confirmed schedule before relying on it. Head to the Xi’an City Wall and spend 1.5–2 hours walking a stretch of the ramparts, or rent a bike if you’d rather cover more ground. Entry is roughly ¥54, with bike rental extra; opening times vary by season, so check the gate hours before setting out.
From the wall, take a taxi or metro toward the Muslim Quarter for 1.5–2 hours of browsing its busy food lanes and shops. It’s lively and crowded, especially in the evening, so keep an eye on belongings and follow the tempting side streets for a less hectic wander. Finish at De Fa Chang Dumpling Restaurant, near the Bell Tower, for a dumpling meal; budget around ¥80–160 per person. If your arrival is too late to fit the wall, quarter, and dinner comfortably, add a night in Xi’an rather than rushing through all three.
Route reality: Twelve days is not enough for this many far-apart destinations while allowing meaningful sightseeing, especially with Tibet entry arrangements and acclimatization. Add several nights—particularly in Lhasa, Zhangjiajie, and Guilin—or cut destinations; otherwise, many days become transfer days with little time to explore.
Allow 5–7 hours door to door for the flight from Xi’an, including airport access, check-in and getting into central Shanghai. Yu Garden is only realistic if your confirmed flight gets you settled early enough; otherwise, add a night in Shanghai rather than rushing through the sights. Check the garden’s current opening calendar and admission arrangements before you go, as hours and access can vary.
If timing works, spend 1.5–2 hours at Yu Garden, wandering its rockeries, pavilions and ponds before exploring the nearby old-town lanes. From the garden, continue toward the waterfront by taxi or metro; allow extra time for traffic and navigating the busy lanes.
Take in the river and historic skyline at The Bund for about 1–1.5 hours. Then head to Jia Jia Tang Bao in Huangpu for Shanghai soup dumplings—budget roughly ¥40–90 per person. Check its current hours before setting out, and expect a queue at busy meal times.
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