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.
What is in this section
This section currently holds 10 guides: 3 Days in Beijing, 2 Days in Shanghai, 2 Days in Xi’an, 3 Days in Chengdu, 2 Days in Hangzhou, 2 Days in Suzhou, 3 Days in Guilin And Yangshuo, 2 Days in Chongqing. Each one is written against published timetables, current fare tables and the version of the rules that is actually enforced — not against what a booking site claims.
How current it is
The most recently checked page here is 3 Days in Beijing: The Order That Saves You Half A Day, verified on 2026-09-17. Every guide carries its own date: if a figure is more than six months old, treat it as a starting point and confirm the official source before you spend money on it.
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.
5 Days In Beijing: Beyond The Imperial Centre
Five days means you can group the north of the city on separate days and stop commuting.
4 Days In Xi’an: Terracotta Army Plus The Things People Skip
The Warriors deserve a morning, not a day — which is why the rest fits in four.