Two weeks is enough for a complete China experience if you choose 5 cities and stay at least 2 nights in each. The Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirms visa-free access for 50+ nationalities simplifying multi-city planning. The classic circuit is below. The alternative western China route follows it. Both work. The classic is easier to navigate. The western route is less traveled and more varied. For a shorter version: 7-Day China Itinerary.
Classic 14-Day Itinerary: The Full Circuit
| Days | City | How to Get There | Highlights |
| Days 1-3 (3 nights) | Beijing | International arrival | Forbidden City, Great Wall (Mutianyu), hutong area |
| Days 4-5 (2 nights) | Xi’an | G-train, 4.5h, ¥464 | Terracotta Warriors, city wall, Muslim Quarter |
| Days 6-7 (2 nights) | Chengdu | G-train, 3.5h, ¥290 | Giant Panda Base, Sichuan hotpot, Jinli Street |
| Days 8-9 (2 nights) | Guilin/Yangshuo | Fly Chengdu to Guilin, 2h | Li River cruise, Yangshuo cycling |
| Days 10-12 (3 nights) | Shanghai | Fly Guilin to Shanghai, 2.5h | The Bund, French Concession, Hangzhou day trip |
| Day 13 | Shanghai | Rest day or Suzhou day trip | |
| Day 14 | Depart | Fly from Shanghai Pudong |
Alternative: Western China Route
For travelers who want to go beyond the main circuit and see a different side of China:
| Days | City/Region | How to Get There | Highlights |
| Days 1-3 | Beijing | International arrival | Forbidden City, Great Wall |
| Days 4-5 | Xi’an | G-train, 4.5h | Terracotta Warriors, Muslim Quarter |
| Days 6-8 | Chengdu | G-train, 3.5h | Pandas, day trip to Leshan Giant Buddha |
| Days 9-11 | Yunnan (Kunming/Lijiang) | Fly Chengdu to Kunming, 1h | Old Town Lijiang, Tiger Leaping Gorge, minority cultures. Yunnan guide. |
| Days 12-14 | Shanghai | Fly Kunming to Shanghai, 3h | Bund, French Concession, depart |
Key Planning Decisions
Train or fly between cities?
Beijing to Xi’an: train (4.5h, metro-connected, reliable). Xi’an to Chengdu: train (3.5h, scenic mountain section, better than flying). Chengdu to Guilin or Yunnan: fly (no competitive direct train option). Guilin or Yunnan to Shanghai: fly. Full comparison: China High-Speed Rail Guide.
What to book in advance
- Trains: as soon as the 15-day booking window opens for each leg.
- Forbidden City and Terracotta Warriors: book via WeChat mini-program as soon as your dates are confirmed.
- Giant Panda Base (Chengdu): book entry tickets online. Peak days sell out.
- Flights (domestic): 4 to 6 weeks ahead for best prices.
- Hotels: 2 to 4 weeks ahead. Earlier for Golden Week and Chinese New Year.
Budget for 2 Weeks
| Item | Budget Estimate |
| Accommodation (mid-range, 13 nights avg ¥450) | ¥5,850 (~$820) |
| Food (¥200/day) | ¥2,800 (~$390) |
| Beijing to Xi’an train (2nd class) | ¥464 (~$65) |
| Xi’an to Chengdu train (2nd class) | ¥290 (~$40) |
| Chengdu to Guilin flight | ¥600 to ¥1,000 (~$85 to $140) |
| Guilin to Shanghai flight | ¥700 to ¥1,200 (~$100 to $170) |
| Entry fees (major sites) | ¥600 to ¥800 (~$85 to $110) |
| Local transport (metro, DiDi) | ¥800 (~$110) |
| Total (excl. international flights) | ~$1,700 to $1,950 |
Frequently Asked Questions
For the 7-day version: 7-Day China Itinerary. For a family-focused 14-day route: China Family Itinerary. For Yunnan specifically: Yunnan Itinerary.