Day-by-day plan
Imperial history with breathing room
Keep one flexible day for the Great Wall, museums, or a deeper hutong/neighborhood route. Book the Forbidden City in advance (tickets released 7 days ahead).
Forbidden City / 故宫 (book in advance, 7 days ahead)Great Wall / 长城Summer Palace / 颐和园
-- Transfer to Xi'an · HSR, 4.5-6 hours — G-trains on Beijing-Xi'an HSR. Book 15 days ahead via 12306.
Ancient capital and northwest food
Use Xi'an as the history bridge between Beijing and the southwest.
Terracotta Army / 兵马俑Xi'an City Wall / 西安城墙Tang culture context / 唐文化
-- Transfer to Chengdu · HSR, 3-4 hours — Xi'an-Chengdu HSR crosses Qinling Mountains. Scenic route.
Sichuan food, pandas, and slow city life
Add Chengdu when the traveler wants food and local rhythm, not just landmarks. Book panda base tickets in advance and arrive by 7:30-8:00 AM for best panda viewing. Chengdu has TWO airports (TFU and CTU) -- verify which.
Panda base / 熊猫基地 (book AM slot, arrive early)People's Park teahouse / 人民公园茶馆Sichuan food route / 川菜路线
-- Transfer to Shanghai · Flight recommended, 2.5-3 hours flight / 10-12 hours HSR — Long distance; flight is strongly recommended over HSR. Chengdu has two airports (TFU/CTU) -- verify which.
Modern China and neighborhood walking
Use Shanghai as a contrast to northern and western history.
The Bund / 外滩Former French Concession / 衡复风貌区Local shops and food / 本地店铺与美食
Days 13-14
Hangzhou or Suzhou
-- Transfer to Hangzhou or Suzhou · HSR, 30 min (Suzhou) / 1 hour (Hangzhou) — Frequent trains from Shanghai Hongqiao.
Soft landing before departure
End with gardens, lake, tea, or canal scenery instead of another intense city.
West Lake / 西湖Suzhou gardens / 苏州园林Tea or canal route / 茶或运河路线
What to book ahead
These route-specific items may sell out. Recheck official channels before travel:
7 days Forbidden City (Beijing)
Walk-up tickets are generally not available. Tickets are released 7 days ahead at 20:00; book promptly after release during peak season via official WeChat or en.dpm.org.cn. Bring passport.
1-7 days National Museum of China (Beijing)
Free but reservation required (released 1-7 days ahead). Closed most Mondays except national holidays. Passport required.
3-5 days Terracotta Army (Xi'an)
Book via official WeChat or on-site (longer queues). ¥120.
5-7 days Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding
Book morning slot in advance; arrive by 7:30-8:00 AM for best panda viewing (pandas are most active during early morning feeding). ¥55.
15 days Intercity HSR and flight tickets
12306 releases tickets 15 days before departure. Book Chengdu-Shanghai flight early for better prices.
Intercity transfer details
Beijing → Xi'an HSR · 4.5-6 hours
Door-to-door: 6-7 hours
G-trains on Beijing-Xi'an HSR. Book 15 days ahead via 12306.
Xi'an → Chengdu HSR · 3-4 hours
Door-to-door: 4.5-5.5 hours
Xi'an-Chengdu HSR crosses Qinling Mountains. Scenic route.
Chengdu → Shanghai Flight recommended · 2.5-3 hours flight / 10-12 hours HSR
Door-to-door: 5-6 hours by flight
Long distance; flight is strongly recommended over HSR. Chengdu has two airports (TFU/CTU) -- verify which.
Shanghai → Hangzhou or Suzhou HSR · 30 min (Suzhou) / 1 hour (Hangzhou)
Door-to-door: 1.5-2 hours
Frequent trains from Shanghai Hongqiao.
If you have fewer days
This is a 14-day route. If you have less time, cut one city rather than rushing through all of them.
For a shorter trip, focus on Beijing + one other city (Xi'an for history, Shanghai for modern China).
Seasonal alternatives
In summer (Jun-Aug), start all outdoor sights early to avoid midday heat. In winter (Nov-Mar),
Beijing and Xi'an are cold but less crowded; consider adding Harbin for the Ice Festival if traveling
in January-February.
Route shape
Use this route when the traveler wants a fuller first trip and can handle one longer intercity jump.
Draft flow
- Days 1-4: Beijing
- Days 5-6: Xi’an
- Days 7-9: Chengdu
- Days 10-12: Shanghai
- Days 13-14: Hangzhou or Suzhou
Nature extension options
With 14 days you have room to consider a nature add-on if you are willing to adjust:
- Chongqing (add 1-2 days after Chengdu, 1.5 hrs by HSR): Mountain city, hotpot, Yangtze cableway.
- Zhangjiajie (add 2-3 days): Avatar mountains, intense nature. Requires a flight or long train ride; best as a substitute for one of the later stops rather than an add-on.
- Guilin & Yangshuo (add 2-4 days): Karst landscape, Li River cruise, cycling. Best reached by flight or via Guangzhou.
Nature routes require dropping or shortening another stop.
Planning note
This route should keep one flexible day for jet lag, rail timing, or weather.
Practical reminders
- Tipping is NOT customary in China.
- Book major attractions (Forbidden City, Panda Base, Terracotta Army) in advance.
- See the Luggage & Domestic Flights guide if flying between cities (power bank rules, dual airport warnings).
- See the Budget guide for daily cost estimates by tier.
