Two Weeks from Palaces to Peaks in China
Beijing, Xi'an, Chengdu, and the Li River
Trip Overview
This trip moves from northern imperial power to central terracotta legions, then to southwestern pandas and limestone peaks. You will stand on the Great Wall, hear the chatter of Chengdu's teahouses, watch mist wrap the Li River's karst towers, and taste Sichuan's numbing peppercorns. The pace is moderate. A few long train rides mix famous sites with local walks and meals. It answers key questions about China's weather, safety, and city highlights. The plan gives a solid first look at the country's size and variety.
Pace
Moderate
Daily Budget
$80-120 per day
Best Seasons
April to May and September to October for mild weather
Ideal For
First-time visitors to China, Culture enthusiasts, Moderately active travelers
Day-by-Day Itinerary
A complete plan for every day of your trip
1
Arrival in the Imperial Capital
Land in Beijing. Settle in. Take a first walk through a historic hutong neighborhood to fight jet lag.
Morning
Arrival and Hotel Transfer
Arrive at Beijing Capital International Airport. Notice the dry northern air. Transfer to your Dongcheng district hotel. Watch the mix of modern towers and older buildings pass by taxi window.
Pre-book a private transfer or use the official airport taxi queue
Lunch
Da Dong Roast Duck
Afternoon
Hutong Exploration near Houhai
Walk the narrow hutongs near Houhai lakes. See grey brick homes. Hear bicycle bells. Smell old coal stoves. Visit the Drum Tower for a performance on ancient instruments.
Evening
Dinner and Acclimatization
Eat a simple dinner. Try hand-pulled noodles and cumin-spiced lamb skewers at a small hotel-area restaurant.
Where to Stay Tonight
Dongcheng District, near Wangfujing (Mid-range hotel)
The location is central. You can walk to the Forbidden City. Subway access is good for later.
See all China accommodation options →Buy a rechargeable transit card at a subway station. It works on buses and trains. It saves time.
Day 1 Budget: 130
2
The Forbidden City and Tiananmen Square
Spend the day seeing Tiananmen Square's huge scale and the Forbidden City's detailed palace complex.
Morning
Tiananmen Square and Forbidden City Entry
Cross the open space of Tiananmen Square. See the Monument to the People's Heroes. Enter the Meridian Gate into the Forbidden City. Observe the yellow roof tiles of the Hall of Supreme Harmony. Feel the cool stone in the endless courtyards.
Book Forbidden City tickets online several days in advance. Entry is capped.
Lunch
Zhengyalou Hutong Noodle Shop
Afternoon
Jingshan Park and Beihai Park
Climb Jingshan Park's hill for a full view of the Forbidden City's red walls and gold roofs. Then walk to Beihai Park. See the white Dagoba temple on an island. Hear rowboat oarlocks squeak on the lake. Watch locals dance on shaded paths.
Evening
Peking Opera
See a short Peking Opera show at Liyuan Theatre. Hear the high-pitched singing. See the colorful, detailed costumes.
Where to Stay Tonight
Dongcheng District, near Wangfujing (Mid-range hotel)
Same base for continuity and convenience.
See all China accommodation options →Wear very comfortable shoes. You will walk on hard surfaces for hours.
Day 2 Budget: 100
3
The Great Wall at Mutianyu
A day trip to a well-kept, less busy Great Wall section. Cable car access is available.
Morning
Travel to Mutianyu
Take a booked car or bus for the 90-minute drive north into mountains. See the wall winding over forested ridges before arrival. Feel the crisp, clean air at the base.
Book a shared van tour from your hotel or online for a fixed price.
Lunch
Xin Shuang Quan Restaurant near Mutianyu
Afternoon
Walking the Mutianyu Section
Ride the cable car up. Walk the restored battlements. See watchtowers on steep slopes. Hear wind whistle through arrow slits. Touch the rough, cool granite walls. You can take a toboggan slide down for a fun ride.
Buy the combo ticket for entrance, cable car, and toboggan at the site.
Evening
Return and Casual Dinner
Return to Beijing. For dinner, visit a hot pot restaurant in Dongzhimen. Dip thin lamb slices into bubbling, spicy broth.
Where to Stay Tonight
Dongcheng District, near Wangfujing (Mid-range hotel)
Returning to a familiar base after a tiring day is easiest.
See all China accommodation options →Go early. Avoid the big Beijing tour groups. The wall is steep in parts. Bring water. Pace yourself.
Day 3 Budget: 120
4
Temple of Heaven and Summer Palace
See imperial prayer halls and a lakeside retreat. These show two sides of historical Beijing life.
Morning
Temple of Heaven Park
Visit the Temple of Heaven complex in the morning. Locals exercise here. See the circular, blue-tiled Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests. Hear the slap of playing cards and swish of tai chi swords. Smell pine trees in the ancient groves.
Lunch
Hong Qiao Market Food Court
Afternoon
Summer Palace
Travel northwest to the Summer Palace. Walk the Long Corridor with painted ceilings. See the marble boat pavilion. Take a short boat ride on Kunming Lake. Feel the breeze. See the Willow Pattern bridge. This imperial garden is huge.
Buy the basic entrance ticket. Boat rides are an extra cost on site.
Evening
Dinner in Sanlitun
Explore the Sanlitun area. Find international dining or modern Chinese cuisine there.
Where to Stay Tonight
Dongcheng District, near Wangfujing (Mid-range hotel)
Last night in Beijing before an early train.
See all China accommodation options →At the Summer Palace, consider walking up to the Tower of Buddhist Incense. The lake view is best. Prepare for many steps.
Day 4 Budget: 95
5
High-Speed Train to an Ancient Capital
Beijing to Xi'an
Take a morning high-speed train to Xi'an. Then explore the city's ancient Muslim Quarter.
Morning
Train to Xi'an
Take a high-speed train from Beijing West Station. Watch dry plains change to greener, loess landscapes from your window. Feel the train's smooth, quiet ride. The trip takes about five hours.
Book second-class train tickets online two weeks ahead. Get the best schedule.
Lunch
Train bento box
Afternoon
Bell Tower and Muslim Quarter
Check into your city-center hotel. Walk to the Bell Tower. Hear the occasional chime. Then enter the Muslim Quarter. See steaming food baskets. Hear vendors call out. Smell roasting meat and spices. Taste sweet persimmon cake.
Evening
Street Food Dinner
Eat dinner from the Muslim Quarter stalls. Try yangrou paomo, crumbled bread in lamb stew. Try cold liangpi noodles.
Where to Stay Tonight
Inside the City Wall, near the Bell Tower (Boutique hotel or guesthouse)
The location is atmospheric and convenient. Explore Xi'an's core sights on foot.
See all China accommodation options →In the Muslim Quarter, look for stalls with long local lines. That means quality and freshness.
Day 5 Budget: 130
6
The Terracotta Warriors
Xi'an
A full-day trip to the Terracotta Army. This archaeological wonder is east of Xi'an.
Morning
Travel to the Museum
Take a tourist bus or private car to the Emperor Qinshihuang's Mausoleum site. The drive takes about an hour. Feel the anticipation grow as you near the large hangar buildings covering the pits.
Public bus 306 leaves from Xi'an Railway Station's east square. It is reliable and cheap.
Lunch
Museum cafeteria or nearby village restaurant
Afternoon
Terracotta Army Museum
Explore the three main pits. In Pit 1, see the silent, gray ranks of thousands of life-sized soldiers. Each face is unique. Hear visitors' hushed voices in the vast space. See archaeologists still working in Pit 2. They restore figures carefully. The scale is humbling.
Buy tickets at the entrance. An audio guide gives good context. It is worth the extra cost.
Evening
Return and Dumpling Feast
Return to Xi'an. For dinner, enjoy a dumpling banquet at De Fa Chang. Taste dozens of shapes and fillings.
Where to Stay Tonight
Inside the City Wall, near the Bell Tower (Boutique hotel or guesthouse)
Return to your convenient base.
See all China accommodation options →Visit the pits in reverse order. Start with Pit 3, then Pit 2, then Pit 1. This builds up to the most impressive sight. It also helps you avoid the largest crowds at Pit 1 initially.
Day 6 Budget: 100
7
City Wall and Grand Mosque
Xi'an
Cycle on the ancient fortifications. Discover a serene Chinese-Islamic architectural gem.
Morning
Cycling the City Wall
Rent a bicycle at the South Gate. Ride along the top of the complete Ming-era city wall. Feel the bump of the ancient bricks under your tires. See the city develop on one side and the moat on the other. Hear the flags snapping in the wind at each gate tower.
Rent bicycles directly on the wall; a deposit is required.
Lunch
Fan Ji Zhi Lamb Intestines
Afternoon
Xi'an Great Mosque
Walk back into the Muslim Quarter to find the Great Mosque. Enter its peaceful courtyards. It feels a world away from the busy street. See Chinese pavilions and Arabic calligraphy blended together. Hear birdsong in the trees. Smell the faint scent of incense.
Evening
Tang Dynasty Show
Attend a performance of Tang Dynasty music and dance at the Shaanxi Grand Opera House. It is a spectacle of silk costumes and traditional instruments.
Where to Stay Tonight
Inside the City Wall, near the Bell Tower (Boutique hotel or guesthouse)
Final night in Xi'an.
See all China accommodation options →The best light for photography on the wall is early morning or late afternoon. That is when the sun is lower.
Day 7 Budget: 95
8
Flight to the Panda Capital
Xi'an to Chengdu
Fly to Chengdu, the capital of Sichuan province. Begin with its relaxed teahouse culture.
Morning
Flight to Chengdu
Take a morning flight from Xi'an Xianyang Airport to Chengdu. The flight is short. It lasts just over an hour. Feel the warmer, more humid air of the Sichuan basin upon arrival.
Book a domestic flight in advance for a good price.
Lunch
Long Chao Shou (Dragon Wonton)
Afternoon
Renmin Park Teahouse
Visit Renmin Park. Sit in the Heming Teahouse. Hear the clink of porcelain teacup lids and the chatter of locals. Smell the jasmine tea steeping. Feel the slow pace. You might see ear cleaners at work. You might see people dancing in the shaded paths.
Evening
Sichuan Opera and Hot Pot
See a Sichuan Opera performance that includes face-changing acts. Then dive into a classic Chengdu hot pot dinner. Taste the mouth-numbing sensation of Sichuan peppercorns.
Where to Stay Tonight
Jinli Ancient Street area (Hotel)
A lively area with good food options and walking access to several sights.
See all China accommodation options →At the teahouse, you buy a packet of tea leaves and get unlimited hot water. It is a ritual to stay for hours.
Day 8 Budget: 140
9
Giant Pandas and Ancient Irrigation
Chengdu
A morning with China's most famous animals comes first. It is followed by an afternoon at a brilliant ancient engineering site.
Morning
Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding
Arrive early when the pandas are most active. See the black-and-white bears munching on bamboo. Hear their occasional grunts. Watch the playful red pandas in the trees. The morning air in the leafy base is fresh and cool.
Go as soon as it opens at 7:30 am to avoid crowds and see feeding time.
Lunch
Base cafeteria or nearby local eatery
Afternoon
Dujiangyan Irrigation System
Take a train or car to Dujiangyan. The trip is about an hour away. See the clever, 2000-year-old system that splits the Min River. Hear the powerful rush of water at the Fish Mouth Levee. Walk across the swaying Anlan Cable Bridge. Feel the mist on your face.
Take a high-speed train from Chengdu to Dujiangyan station. Then take a short taxi to the site.
Evening
Return and Jinli Street
Return to Chengdu. Stroll and snack along Jinli Ancient Street. It is lit with lanterns at night. Try sweet glutinous rice balls and spicy rabbit heads.
Where to Stay Tonight
Jinli Ancient Street area (Hotel)
Convenient for evening exploration.
See all China accommodation options →At the panda base, the nursery area for baby pandas often has the longest lines. Go there first if that is a priority.
Day 9 Budget: 100
10
Wenshu Monastery and Flight to Guilin
Chengdu to Guilin
A peaceful morning at a Buddhist temple comes first. Then fly south to the gateway of the karst landscapes.
Morning
Wenshu Monastery
Visit this active Buddhist monastery. See the intricate wood carvings. Hear monks chanting. Smell the sandalwood incense. Taste a vegetarian meal in its tranquil courtyard restaurant. The atmosphere is one of calm reflection.
Lunch
Vegetarian meal at Wenshu Monastery
Afternoon
Flight to Guilin
Transfer to the airport for your flight to Guilin. Upon arrival, feel the subtropical humidity. See the first hints of the strange, pointed hills that define this region.
Book an afternoon flight to allow a relaxed morning in Chengdu.
Evening
Evening Stroll along the Li River
Check into your hotel near the city center. Take a walk along the banks of the Li River. See the illuminated pagodas. See the silhouettes of karst peaks against the twilight sky.
Where to Stay Tonight
City center near Zhengyang Pedestrian Street (Hotel)
It offers good access to river walks. It is near food streets and transport for the next day's trip.
See all China accommodation options →The vegetarian restaurant at Wenshu Monastery is popular. Go for an early or late lunch to get a seat easily.
Day 10 Budget: 140
11
Li River Cruise to Yangshuo
Guilin to Yangshuo
Take the classic scenic cruise down the Li River. It ends in the scenic town of Yangshuo.
Morning
Transfer to Zhujiang Pier and Cruise
Take a bus from Guilin to Zhujiang Pier. Board your cruise boat. As you drift downstream, see the well-known karst peaks draped in mist. Hear the boat's engine and lapping water. Watch cormorant fishermen on bamboo rafts. The views are like a traditional Chinese painting come to life.
Book the cruise in advance through your hotel or a reputable agent. It includes bus transfer from Guilin.
Lunch
Box lunch on the cruise boat
Afternoon
Arrival in Yangshuo and West Street
Disembark in Yangshuo and check into your guesthouse. Wander through West Street. Hear a mix of Chinese and foreign languages. See souvenir shops and cafes. Smell the scent of osmanthus from local pastries.
Evening
Impression Sanjie Liu Light Show
Attend the outdoor 'Impression Sanjie Liu' spectacle on the Li River. It is a performance with hundreds of actors. They use the natural karst scenery as its backdrop.
Where to Stay Tonight
Yangshuo, near West Street (Guesthouse or boutique hotel)
This is the heart of Yangshuo's activity. It has easy access to restaurants and tour operators.
See all China accommodation options →The best views on the cruise are from the upper deck. Go up early to secure a good spot. Bring sunscreen.
Day 11 Budget: 130
12
Karst Countryside by Bike
Yangshuo
Rent a bicycle. Explore the rural landscape of paddy fields and dramatic limestone peaks at your own pace.
Morning
Bicycle Rental and Ride to Yulong River
Rent a bicycle from a shop on West Street. Cycle along quiet paths through the countryside. See water buffalo in terraced rice paddies. Hear frogs croaking in the irrigation ditches. Feel the sun on your back as you pedal between the towering green peaks.
Test the bike's brakes and gears before you set off. Many are simple one-speed models.
Lunch
Nongjia Le (Farmer's Happiness) restaurant
Afternoon
Bamboo Rafting on the Yulong
Take a gentle bamboo raft down a calm section of the Yulong River. Feel the cool water splash your feet. See ducks swimming by. Hear the quiet poling of your raftsman. The perspective of the peaks from the river is even more impressive.
You can arrange rafts at several points along the river. Your bike can often be transported to your end point.
Evening
Cooking Class
Join a local cooking class. Learn how to make classic dishes like Guilin rice noodles or stuffed tofu.
Where to Stay Tonight
Yangshuo, near West Street (Guesthouse or boutique hotel)
Same convenient base.
See all China accommodation options →Carry small bills. Use them for buying water or snacks from village vendors along your bike route.
Day 12 Budget: 90
13
Moon Hill and Return to Guilin
Yangshuo to Guilin
Take a morning hike for a great view. Then travel back to Guilin for a final evening.
Morning
Hike up Moon Hill
Take a taxi or ride a scooter to Moon Hill. Climb the stone steps to the arch at the top. Feel the humidity. Hear insects in the dense foliage. See the sweeping view over the patchwork of fields and cone-shaped hills from the moon-shaped hole in the karst.
Start early to avoid the heat and the crowds. The climb involves over 800 steps.
Lunch
Local restaurant near Moon Hill
Afternoon
Return to Guilin and Reed Flute Cave
Take a bus back to Guilin. Visit the Reed Flute Cave. See the spectacular, multicolored stalactites and stalagmites lit by hidden lamps. Hear the drip of water in the cool, damp air. Feel the smooth handrails along the illuminated pathway.
Buses from Yangshuo to Guilin depart frequently from the main bus station.
Evening
Farewell Dinner on Solitary Beauty Peak
Enjoy a final dinner at a restaurant within the grounds of Jingjiang Prince City. You will have views of the illuminated Solitary Beauty Peak.
Where to Stay Tonight
Guilin city center (Hotel)
Convenient for your departure the next day, whether by flight or train.
See all China accommodation options →The view from the top of Moon Hill is worth the climb. You can get a good view from the first major platform. This is a good option if the full climb is too strenuous.
Day 13 Budget: 90
14
Departure from Guilin
Guilin
A final morning at leisure. Use it for last-minute souvenirs or a relaxed walk. Then transfer to the airport for your departure.
Morning
Free Time and Souvenir Shopping
Enjoy a leisurely morning. You might visit the Elephant Trunk Hill park for a last look at the well-known hill. Or stroll through the food market on Zhengyang Street. Smell dried spices. See piles of local fruits like longan and pomelo.
Lunch
Shi Wai Tao Yuan (Peach Blossom Spring) Restaurant
Afternoon
Airport Transfer and Departure
Check out of your hotel. Transfer to Guilin Liangjiang International Airport for your onward flight. You will carry memories of imperial cities, ancient armies, pandas, and misty peaks.
Allow plenty of time for the drive to the airport. It can take 45 minutes to an hour from the city center.
Evening
Departure
Flight departs.
Many hotels will store your luggage for free after checkout. This allows you to explore unencumbered. It is useful if you have a late flight.
Day 14 Budget: 60
Practical Information
Everything you need to know before you go
Getting Around
This itinerary uses a mix of high-speed trains, domestic flights, and local taxis or subways. Trains between Beijing, Xi'an, and Chengdu are efficient and comfortable. Book train tickets online in advance. Use official platforms or an agent. In cities, use the metro systems (Beijing, Xi'an, Chengdu). Use taxis or ride-hailing apps for convenience. For day trips, organized tours or pre-booked cars are practical.
Book Ahead
Book international flights and hotels well ahead. Secure high-speed train tickets at least two weeks in advance. This is true for Beijing to Xi'an. Book Forbidden City and Terracotta Army tickets online before you go. For the Li River cruise, book a reputable tour operator a few days before.
Packing Essentials
Pack comfortable walking shoes. Pack layers for variable weather (cool north, warm south). Bring a rain jacket, power adapter, and personal medication. Bring copies of passport and visa. Bring sunscreen, a hat, and a reusable water bottle.
Total Budget
Approximately 1450 for 14 days, not including international flights.
Customize Your Trip
Adapt this itinerary to your travel style
Budget Version
Stay in hostel dorms or budget guesthouses. Eat primarily from street stalls and local canteens. Use public buses instead of taxis for transfers. Skip some paid performances. Consider overnight hard sleeper trains instead of flights between some cities. This saves on accommodation and transport costs.
Luxury Upgrade
Upgrade to 4-5 star hotels in prime locations. Book private guides and drivers for all city tours and day trips. Dine at top-rated restaurants for each regional cuisine. Take the luxury panoramic train cabin for the Li River cruise.
Family-Friendly
Slow the pace. Consider spending three nights in each major city instead of moving so quickly. Prioritize interactive activities. These include the panda base, the toboggan at the Great Wall, and the bamboo rafting. Book hotels with family rooms or connecting rooms. Look for restaurants with varied menus to suit different tastes.
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