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7-Day Shoestring Budget Itinerary for China in August 2023

  1. Day 1: Beijing
    40 minutes (20 miles) from Beijing Capital International Airport

    In the morning, visit the iconic Tiananmen Square and the nearby Forbidden City. In the afternoon, climb the Great Wall of China at Mutianyu. In the evening, explore the bustling Wangfujing Street for local street food and souvenir shopping.

  2. Day 2: Xi'an
    2 hours 10 minutes (768 km) by high-speed train from Beijing

    In the morning, visit the Terracotta Army to see the impressive clay soldiers. In the afternoon, take a stroll on the ancient city wall and visit the Muslim Quarter for delicious food and souvenir shopping. In the evening, enjoy the colorful Fountain Show at the Big Wild Goose Pagoda Square.

  3. Day 3: Chengdu
    3 hours 15 minutes (1,062 km) by high-speed train from Xi'an

    In the morning, visit the Giant Panda Breeding Research Base to see the adorable pandas. In the afternoon, explore the lively Jinli Ancient Street for local food and handicrafts. In the evening, watch a Sichuan Opera performance for a taste of local culture.

  4. Day 4: Lijiang
    3 hours 30 minutes (1,883 km) by plane from Chengdu

    In the morning, stroll around the picturesque Old Town of Lijiang and visit the Mu Palace. In the afternoon, hike up Lion Hill for panoramic views of the town and the surrounding mountains. In the evening, enjoy a Naxi Orchestra performance for a unique cultural experience.

  5. Day 5: Dali
    2 hours 30 minutes (334 km) by bus from Lijiang

    In the morning, visit the Three Pagodas and the Chongsheng Temple. In the afternoon, take a boat ride on Erhai Lake and visit the Cangshan Mountain. In the evening, explore the Dali Ancient Town for local food and handicrafts.

  6. Day 6: Guilin
    6 hours 30 minutes (2,192 km) by train from Dali

    In the morning, take a scenic boat ride down the Li River to Yangshuo for beautiful karst landscapes. In the afternoon, explore the West Street for local food and souvenir shopping. In the evening, watch the Impression Liu Sanjie light show for a spectacular visual feast.

  7. Day 7: Hong Kong
    3 hours 30 minutes (580 km) by high-speed train from Guilin

    In the morning, visit the Victoria Peak for breathtaking views of Hong Kong skyline. In the afternoon, take the Star Ferry across the Victoria Harbour and visit the Avenue of Stars. In the evening, enjoy the Symphony of Lights show for a dazzling audio-visual experience.

Recommendations

Other local attractions to consider include the Summer Palace and Temple of Heaven in Beijing, the Bell and Drum Towers in Xi'an, the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding, the Tiger Leaping Gorge and Shangri-La in Yunnan Province, and the Longji Rice Terraces in Guilin. Side trips could include a visit to the Zhangjiajie National Forest Park or the Yellow Mountains. To maximize your fun, try to connect with locals for a more authentic cultural experience, and bring a good camera to capture all the amazing scenery. Lastly, don't forget to haggle for a good price when shopping at local markets.

For hotel and flight bookings, check out https://booking.tp.st/VhZsadPo.

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