Dates are flexible. This day-by-day plan is provisional until you choose exact travel dates.
After immigration and baggage claim at Beijing Capital International Airport, allow about 1–2 hours door to door to reach your hotel near Shichahai, depending on traffic and where you’re staying. A taxi or ride-hail is simplest with luggage; expect roughly ¥100–180 plus any tolls. The Airport Express to Dongzhimen, then a taxi or subway onward, can be more predictable in heavy traffic, though it takes a little more effort with bags. Once checked in, keep the first outing easy: stroll beside the lakes at Shichahai for about 1–1.5 hours, taking it at an unhurried pace.
From the lakes, wander over to Yandai Xiejie, a narrow old lane lined with small shops and snack stalls. Give yourself around 45 minutes to browse; it’s more atmospheric than spacious, so it can feel crowded at busy times. Then head to Huguosi Snack Restaurant for a casual introduction to Beijing-style snacks—allow 45–60 minutes and budget about ¥30–80 per person. Check the nearest branch’s hours before setting out, especially if you arrive late; if your flight runs behind, enjoy the lakeside walk and lane first and keep dinner flexible.
Start at Tiananmen Square; allow 1–1.5 hours to pass security and walk the broad plaza. Access may require advance real-name reservation, so check the official booking process and bring the passport used to book. From the square, continue north toward The Forbidden City—the entrance is at the Meridian Gate, and security and the walk between sites take time, so don’t book a tight palace entry slot.
Give The Forbidden City 3–4 hours, following the central route through the main halls and courtyards before finishing at the north gate. Timed admission must be booked ahead and is subject to availability; the palace is generally closed on Mondays, so if your flexible day falls on a Monday, move this sequence to another day rather than counting on entry. From the north gate, cross the road to Jingshan Park and climb to the pavilion for the classic view back over the palace roofs; allow about an hour, with a small entrance fee.
Head to Siji Minfu Roast Duck Restaurant in Dongcheng for dinner, budgeting roughly ¥150–250 per person and about 1.5 hours. It’s popular, so expect a queue at peak dinner time; take a taxi or ride-hail from Jingshan Park (around 10–20 minutes depending on traffic), or walk if you’re happy to finish with a longer stroll.
After checking in, head to the Xi’an Bell Tower in the city center; from Xi’an North station, allow roughly 30–50 minutes by taxi or metro, plus time to drop your bags. Give the tower about 45 minutes. Then walk a few minutes to the Drum Tower for another 45 minutes and a look around its lively square. Both towers have seasonal hours, so check the closing time before setting out—if your train arrives late, admire them from outside rather than rushing an interior visit. Tickets are typically around ¥30 per tower, with a combo ticket sometimes available.
From the Drum Tower, stroll into the Xi’an Muslim Quarter and take your time among the food lanes; an hour or so is enough to sample a few snacks and soak up the atmosphere. Finish at Jia San Soup Dumplings for dinner—budget roughly ¥40–90 per person. It can be busy, so expect a possible wait; if you arrive after a long travel day, keep the rest of the evening unhurried.
Leave central Xi’an early for the Terracotta Army in Lintong: allow about 1–1.5 hours each way by taxi or ride-hail, longer in traffic, and 3–4 hours at the site. A metro-and-bus route is possible, but a direct car is simpler for this long day. Book admission in advance using the passport you’ll bring; check the official ticketing details for current entry arrangements. Budget roughly ¥120 for admission, plus transport. The excavation halls are large and can get crowded, so arrive near opening and wear comfortable shoes.
Return to central Xi’an and spend 1.5–2 hours on the Xi’an City Wall—walk a section or rent a bicycle at an open gate; allow extra time for the rental and return. Entry is roughly ¥54, with cycling extra. Then head to Defu Lane for an unhurried 45-minute browse through its old lanes and nearby cafés. Finish at De Fa Chang Dumpling Restaurant, where a meal of regional dumplings typically takes 1–1.5 hours and costs about ¥80–160 per person. This is a full day, so keep the wall visit to one stretch and use a taxi or ride-hail between the Lintong site and the city rather than adding extra stops. Check current opening hours and ticket prices before setting out.
Allow roughly 5–7 hours door to door for the train, station time, and transfers, then drop your bags before heading to Chunxi Road. Give yourself about an hour to wander the busy shopping streets; it’s an easy place to shake off the journey, and the side lanes are often more fun than the big stores. Continue into I.F.S. Chengdu, right beside the pedestrian area, and head up to the rooftop for the famous panda sculpture. The mall is generally open into the evening, but rooftop access can vary, so check locally if it’s closed.
Stay in the Chunxi Road area for dinner at Long Chao Shou, a well-known spot for Sichuan wontons and other local dishes; budget about ¥50–100 per person. It’s a comfortable first taste of Chengdu cooking without needing to trek across town. The central location makes getting back to your hotel straightforward by metro, taxi, or ride-hail.
Get to Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding early—aim to arrive around opening, usually 7:30 a.m. though hours vary by season. From central Chengdu, a taxi or ride-hail generally takes 40–60 minutes; public transport is cheaper but can take longer. Allow 3–4 hours to walk the grounds, where pandas are often livelier in the cooler morning. Check the current ticket and real-name booking rules before you go; budget roughly ¥55 for admission, with any shuttle-cart ride extra.
From the panda base, allow about 40–60 minutes by car to Wenshu Monastery. Spend 1–1.5 hours among its halls and gardens; check current visiting hours before setting out, and keep your voice low around worshippers. Then take an easy stroll into neighboring Wenshu Fang for about an hour. Its traditional-style lanes are a pleasant place to browse and pause for tea—choose a teahouse courtyard and take your time rather than treating it as a quick stop.
Have dinner at Chen Mapo Tofu, allowing 1–1.5 hours. Order the signature mapo tofu with rice and add another Sichuan dish to share; expect around ¥60–120 per person. It can be busy at peak dinner time, so arrive a little early or be prepared to wait.
Allow roughly 5–7 hours door to door for the flight option, including getting to Chengdu Tianfu, airport check-in, baggage and the transfer from Guilin Liangjiang. Nonstop service can be limited, so check schedules before planning around it; if there’s no suitable flight, the train—usually via Chongqing—takes roughly 8–10 hours and makes this a much longer travel day. After checking in, head to Guilin Central Square for an easy 45-minute orientation walk. It’s a handy downtown reference point, with shops and everyday city life around it.
From the square, walk or take a short taxi ride to Ronghu Lake for an hour on the landscaped paths. The lakeside is a relaxed first look at Guilin; leave time to pause by the water rather than trying to cover every path. Finish with Guilin rice noodles at a well-reviewed local shop downtown. Expect about ¥15–40 per person and allow 45 minutes; shops vary in hours, so check locally after you arrive. A taxi or ride-hail back to your hotel is easy if you’re ready to call it an early night.
Head to Reed Flute Cave early, before the tour groups build. A taxi or ride-hail from central Guilin usually takes about 20–30 minutes; allow 1.5–2 hours for the round trip and visit. The cave’s colored lighting brings out the limestone formations, though the paths can be damp and uneven, so wear shoes with grip. Hours and admission prices can change by season—check before setting out, and budget roughly ¥90–120 for entry.
Afterward, take a taxi or ride-hail to Guilin Museum in Lingui District; allow around 30–45 minutes in traffic. Give the regional-history and culture exhibits 1.5–2 hours. Check the museum’s current hours and admission arrangements before you go: it is often closed on Mondays, so if your flexible travel day falls on a Monday, confirm access and be prepared to move this visit to another day rather than count on entry. Admission is often free, but advance reservation or ID may be required.
From the museum, ride back toward central Guilin for Elephant Trunk Hill. Plan roughly 30–45 minutes for the transfer and 1–1.5 hours among the riverside paths and viewpoints; allow for an admission charge, which can vary. The park is a pleasant place to slow down after the museum—take your time along the water rather than rushing straight to the best-known view.
For dinner, head to Chunji Roasted Goose Restaurant in central Guilin. It’s a good spot for Cantonese-style roasted goose alongside local dishes; budget about ¥80–160 per person, and expect a wait at busy dinner times. A taxi or ride-hail from Elephant Trunk Hill should be a short trip, depending on traffic.
Allow 5–7 hours door to door for the flight day, including airport access, check-in, baggage and your transfer into Shanghai. A morning service gives you the best chance of fitting in the afternoon and evening; nonstop flights may be limited, so check schedules before building plans around one. Once you’re settled, head to The Bund for 1–1.5 hours along the Huangpu. The historic riverfront and the Pudong skyline are especially striking together; the promenade is free and easy to explore on foot.
Walk inland from The Bund to Nanjing Road Pedestrian Street—allow about an hour to browse the busy central stretch, dipping into side streets when the crowds get thick. Then continue toward Jia Jia Tang Bao in Huangpu District for soup dumplings; budget 45–60 minutes and roughly ¥40–90 per person. Hours and availability can vary, and popular dumplings may sell out, so check before setting off and expect a queue at busy times. If your flight lands late, keep in mind that the full sequence depends on reaching central Shanghai with enough evening left for dinner.
Start at Yu Garden when it opens; arriving early is the best way to enjoy the pavilions and winding paths before the busiest tour groups arrive. Allow 1.5–2 hours. Hours and entry arrangements can change, so check the current schedule and book ahead if required; admission is typically a modest fee, often around ¥30–40. The surrounding lanes get busy, so keep valuables secure and save time for a tea break if you find a quiet spot.
Walk next door to the City God Temple of Shanghai and allow about an hour for the historic complex. Check which halls are open on the day, and bring a little cash for any small entry or incense fees. For Tianzifang, take a taxi or ride-hail—usually around 20–30 minutes, traffic permitting—or use the metro and allow extra time for the walk from the station. Spend 1–1.5 hours browsing its close-set lanes and independent shops; it’s easy to get turned around, so pick a meeting point if you’re exploring with someone.
Finish with dinner at Lost Heaven in the Former French Concession. Allow about 1.5 hours for its Yunnan-inspired dishes; budget roughly ¥150–250 per person, and reserve ahead if you can. Confirm you’ve selected the Former French Concession branch when booking, since the restaurant has more than one Shanghai location. Between stops, taxis are convenient, while the metro is a good way to avoid rush-hour road traffic.
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