China 2 Week Itinerary: Perfect 14 Days Travel Plan

Touch down in Beijing and get settled into your hotel. After a long flight, keep the day light. Take a short walk near your accommodation, grab a local meal, and rest up for the busy days ahead.

Stay Recommendation: Grand Hyatt Beijing is a five-star hotel located in the Dongcheng district, within walking distance of Wangfujing Street and major city landmarks.

Start your Beijing exploration with the big three. Visit the Forbidden City in the morning, walk through Tiananmen Square, and end the day at the Temple of Heaven. 

All three are within a manageable distance of each other.

Stay Recommendation:Waldorf Astoria Beijing is a luxury hotel sitting in the heart of the city, just minutes from the Forbidden City and Tiananmen Square.

Take a day trip to the Great Wall of China, specifically the Mutianyu section. It is about 1.5 hours from central Beijing. 

The cable car makes it accessible, and the views are worth every step. Head back to Beijing by evening.

Stay Recommendation:The Commune by the Great Wall is a design hotel built directly at the foot of the Great Wall, offering one of the most memorable stays in all of Beijing.

Spend your last full day in Beijing walking through Hutong alleyways, the old narrow lanes that give you a real feel for traditional Beijing life. 

Try local street food, visit a tea house, and do some shopping at the Silk Market or Panjiayuan Antique Market.

Stay Recommendation:Orchid Hotel Beijing is a boutique guesthouse tucked inside a restored Hutong courtyard, giving you an authentic feel of old Beijing life.

Board a high-speed train or take a short domestic flight to Xi'an. The train takes around 4 to 5 hours and is very comfortable. 

Arrive in the afternoon and head to the Muslim Quarter for your first taste of Xi'an's food scene. Try the famous lamb skewers and hand-pulled noodles.

Stay Recommendation:Sofitel Legend People's Grand Hotel Xian is a landmark five-star hotel located near the Bell Tower, offering easy access to the Muslim Quarter and city center.

The main event today is the Terracotta Army, located about 40 minutes from the city. Arrive early to beat the groups. 

In the afternoon, walk or cycle along the ancient city wall that surrounds Xi'an. It is one of the best-preserved city walls in China.

Stay Recommendation: Hilton Xi'an is a well-appointed hotel situated inside the ancient city walls, making it a convenient base for both the Terracotta Army and the city wall walk.

Travel from Xi'an to Chengdu by high-speed train, roughly 3.5 hours. Check into your hotel and spend the evening relaxing at one of Chengdu's famous teahouses. 

The city has a laid-back pace that feels different from Beijing and Xi'an.

Stay Recommendation:Shangri-La Chengdu is a well-known five-star hotel in the Jinjiang district, positioned close to local restaurants, teahouses, and the city's main attractions.

Start early with a visit to the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding. Morning is the best time to see the pandas active and feeding. 

In the afternoon, visit Jinli Ancient Street, a well-restored historic street with snacks, crafts, and Sichuan opera performances in the evening.

Stay Recommendation: Wyndham Grand Plaza Royale Chengdu is a full-service hotel located near Jinli Ancient Street, making it a practical and comfortable choice for this day.

Fly from Chengdu to Guilin. The flight takes about 1.5 to 2 hours. Arrive, check in, and take a relaxed walk along the city's scenic Two Rivers and Four Lakes route in the evening.

Stay Recommendation: Sheraton Guilin Hotel is a riverside property sitting along the Li River, offering easy access to the Two Rivers and Four Lakes walking route.

Today is one of the most memorable days of the trip. Board a cruise on the Li River from Guilin to Yangshuo. The 4-hour ride passes karst peaks, fishing villages, and green rice fields. Spend the afternoon exploring Yangshuo's West Street and local markets.

Stay Recommendation:Yangshuo Mountain Retreat is a countryside hotel set among rice fields and karst hills, just outside the town center of Yangshuo.

Take it slow today. Rent a bicycle and ride through the countryside around Yangshuo, passing through small villages and farmland. 

The karst landscape looks completely different from ground level. Alternatively, visit Reed Flute Cave or Moon Hill for a short hike with great views.

Stay Recommendation:Aiyuan Hotel Yangshuo is a mid-range hotel located in central Yangshuo, within easy reach of West Street, local bike rental shops, and the river.

Fly from Guilin to Shanghai. Check in and spend your first evening at The Bund, Shanghai's iconic riverside promenade. 

The contrast between the colonial-era buildings on one side and the glass towers of Pudong on the other is striking, especially after dark.

Stay Recommendation: The Peninsula Shanghai is a historic luxury hotel sitting directly on The Bund, offering some of the best waterfront views in the city.

Visit the Shanghai Tower observation deck for views across the entire city. 

Spend the rest of the day exploring the French Concession, a leafy neighborhood full of cafes, boutique shops, and historic architecture. Head to Yu Garden in the afternoon and finish with a street food dinner in the old town area.

Stay Recommendation:Capella Shanghai is a refined hotel set inside a restored heritage building in the Jing'an district, close to the French Concession and major metro lines.

Enjoy a relaxed breakfast and do any last-minute shopping before your airport transfer. Pudong International Airport is about 40 minutes from the city center by Maglev train or taxi.