Introduction: Cracking the "China Code"
Planning a trip to China is intimidating.
The country is roughly the same size as the United States (or all of Europe). You wouldn't try to see New York, Los Angeles, Paris, and Rome in one week, right?
Yet, many travelers make the mistake of trying to do too much. They spend half their vacation in airport security lines and arrive at the Great Wall exhausted.
After planning over 500 customized trips for Western travelers, I have refined what I call "The Golden Loop."
This 14-day itinerary is the "Goldilocks" route: not too rushed, not too slow. It hits the "Big Three" (History, Culture, Modernity) but adds the two things everyone actually wants: Pandas and Avatar Mountains (or rural countryside).
The Route:
Beijing (4 Days) ➔ Xi’an (2 Days) ➔ Chengdu (3 Days) ➔ Guilin/Yangshuo (3 Days) ➔ Shanghai (2 Days)
Let’s break it down day by day.
Days 1-4: Beijing ( The Imperial Capital)
Theme: "Ancient Power & The Great Wall"
Day 1: Arrival & The "Jet Lag" Walk
Land at PEK or PKX.
Don't sleep yet! Take a walk around Houhai Lake or the Nanluoguxiang alleys. The fresh air helps you adjust.
Dinner: Peking Duck. (We recommend Siji Minfu—it’s worth the wait).
Day 2: The Forbidden City & The Axis
Start at Tiananmen Square. It is massive.
Enter the Forbidden City.
Pro Tip: Most people rush down the center axis. Instead, turn left immediately into the "Hall of Mental Cultivation" or the "Treasure Gallery." It’s quieter and the artifacts are better.
Afternoon: Climb Jingshan Park for the sunset view over the golden roofs.
Day 3: The Great Wall (Mutianyu Section)
Skip Badaling. Go to Mutianyu.
Take the cable car up to Tower 14. Hike to Tower 20 (the highest point).
The Highlight: Take the toboggan slide down. It is pure joy.
Evening: Watch a Kung Fu Show or the Acrobats (touristy, but impressive).
Day 4: Summer Palace & High-Speed Train
Visit the Summer Palace. Take a dragon boat across Kunming Lake.
The Transport: Take the afternoon High-Speed Train (G-Train) to Xi’an. It takes 4.5 hours. It’s faster and smoother than flying.
Days 5-6: Xi’an (The Beginning of History)
Theme: "Warriors & The Silk Road"
Day 5: The Terracotta Army
Go early (8:30 AM).
My Advice: Don't just look at Pit 1. Visit the museum to see the "Bronze Chariot." It’s intricate and beautiful.
Evening: The Muslim Quarter. Eat Roujiamo (Chinese Burger) and Biangbiang Noodles. It’s chaotic, loud, and smells like cumin. You’ll love it.
Day 6: Cycling the Ancient Wall
Xi’an has the best-preserved city wall in China.
Rent a bike (or a tandem!) and cycle the full 14km loop. It takes about 2 hours. You see the old city on one side and the skyscrapers on the other.
Afternoon Flight: Fly to Chengdu (1.5 hours).
Days 7-9: Chengdu (The Land of Ease)
Theme: "Pandas & Spice"
Day 7: The Panda Base
Visit the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding.
Critical: You must arrive by 8:00 AM. Pandas are active in the morning. By 11:00 AM, they are sleeping logs.
Afternoon: People's Park. Sit in a bamboo chair, order a jasmine tea, and just watch locals play Mahjong. This is the "Chengdu Vibe."
Day 8: The Giant Buddha (Leshan)
Take a train (1 hour) to Leshan.
See the 71-meter tall Buddha carved into the cliff.
Tip: Take the boat tour. Walking down the stairs is crowded and you only see his toes. The boat gives you the panoramic view.
Day 9: Hot Pot & Departure
You can't leave without eating Hot Pot. Ask for "Wei La" (Mild Spicy)—trust me, it’s spicy enough!
Flight: Fly to Guilin (2 hours).
Days 10-12: Guilin & Yangshuo (The Painting)
Theme: "Karst Mountains & Rural Life"
Day 10: The Li River Cruise
Take the 4-hour cruise from Guilin to Yangshuo.
This is the scenery printed on the 20 RMB banknote. It’s limestone peaks rising out of the mist. It feels like a dream.
Day 11: Countryside Scooters
Yangshuo is best explored on two wheels. Rent an e-scooter.
Ride through the Yulong River Valley. No tour buses are allowed here. It’s just you, the rice paddies, the water buffalo, and the mountains.
Activity: Take a bamboo raft ride (the manual ones, not the motor ones).
Day 12: Morning Hike & Shanghai Bound
Climb Moon Hill or Xianggong Mountain for sunrise.
Afternoon Flight: Fly to Shanghai (2.5 hours).
Days 13-14: Shanghai (The Future)
Theme: "Skyscrapers & Colonial Chic"
Day 13: Old & New
Morning: The Bund. Walk along the waterfront and see the colonial architecture.
Cross the river to Lujiazui. Go up the Shanghai Tower (the twisted one). It’s the second-tallest building in the world.
Evening: French Concession. Have a cocktail or a craft beer in the leafy streets of Xintiandi.
Day 14: Departure
Take the Maglev Train to Pudong Airport. It hits 431 km/h. It’s the perfect futuristic ending to your trip.
Why This Itinerary Works
Pacing: It mixes "heavy walking" cities (Beijing) with "relaxing" cities (Chengdu/Yangshuo).
Variety: You get History, Food, Animals, Nature, and City.
Logistics: The flow (North to South to East) minimizes travel time.
Want to Customize This?
Maybe you hate spicy food? Maybe you want to hike more?
At Sunny China Travel, we use this itinerary as a template. We can swap Chengdu for Zhangjiajie (Avatar Mountains), or add a Yangtze River Cruise.