China Itineraries: Day-By-Day Plans That Fit The Map
Each city sequenced around its geography rather than a wish list — what to see morning, afternoon and evening, with ticket prices, opening hours and walking distances.
3 Days in Beijing: The Order That Saves You Half A Day
One day on the central axis, one on the Wall, one in the south. No backtracking.
2 Days in Shanghai: Old City West, Skyline East
Fight the temptation to cross the river twice. Puxi in one piece, Pudong in another.
2 Days in Xi’an: The Buried Army East, The Walls In Town
Sights east on day one, everything within the walls on day two.
3 Days in Chengdu: Pandas At Dawn, Teahouses After
Pandas at 07:30, teahouse at noon, a mountain on the third day.
2 Days in Hangzhou: The Lake On Foot, The Temple At Dawn
Circle the lake on day one, climb into the tea hills on day two.
2 Days in Suzhou: Three Gardens, One Canal Street
Two gardens before nine, a third after dark, and the canal streets in between.
3 Days in Guilin And Yangshuo: River Down, Villages Back
Boat one way, bicycle the rest, and sleep in the countryside on the last night.
2 Days in Chongqing: Everything Worth Seeing Is After Dark
Sleep late, walk the old town in daylight, and keep the evenings for the river.