Day-by-day itineraries
Two to five days in each city, sequenced around geography rather than a wish list.
A good itinerary is not a list of the best things; it is the shortest line through them. Beijing’s imperial sites cluster in the north-east of the centre, so visiting them on the same morning saves an hour of taxi time, while being clear saves almost none.
Every plan here states the ticket price, the opening time and the walking distance between stops, so you can see why the order is what it is — and change it with your eyes open.
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.