The 7-day Golden Triangle is right for most first-time visitors. The UNESCO Li River landscape is the natural highlight of the extension. Add three days and a short flight and you get the best natural scenery in China. The karst peaks around Guilin are the image on the ¥20 note. Cycling through those peaks in Yangshuo is genuinely one of the best days of travel available in Asia. Here is how to build the 10-day version. The 7-day base: 7-Day China Itinerary.
The Full 10-Day Itinerary
| Day | Location | What to Do |
| Day 1 | Arrive Beijing | Check in. Hutong walk. Peking duck dinner. |
| Day 2 | Beijing | Forbidden City. Jingshan Park. Evening at Wangfujing. |
| Day 3 | Beijing | Great Wall at Mutianyu. Full day. |
| Day 4 | Train to Xi’an | G-train, 4.5h. Arrive lunch. Muslim Quarter. |
| Day 5 | Xi’an | Terracotta Warriors morning. City wall bike ride evening. |
| Day 6 | Train to Shanghai | G-train, 7.5h. Arrive evening. Bund walk at night. |
| Day 7 | Shanghai | French Concession. Yu Garden. Xiaolongbao breakfast. |
| Day 8 | Fly Shanghai to Guilin (2h) | Arrive midday. Li River cruise to Yangshuo (4h). Arrive evening. |
| Day 9 | Yangshuo | Cycling through the karst valley (Yulong River loop or Xingping route, 20-30 km). |
| Day 10 | Yangshuo to Guilin (1.5h bus) | Morning at leisure. Afternoon bus to Guilin. Fly home from Guilin (KWL). |
The Guilin Extension: What You Need to Know
Shanghai to Guilin
Fly. Shanghai Pudong (PVG) to Guilin Liangjiang (KWL): about 2 hours. Multiple daily departures. Prices typically ¥400 to ¥800 booked 3 to 4 weeks ahead. Book on Trip.com. The high-speed train from Shanghai to Guilin takes 6 to 7 hours and offers no meaningful advantage over the flight.
Li River cruise from Guilin to Yangshuo
The classic journey. 83 km downstream by boat, 4 to 5 hours. The river winds between vertical karst peaks that look like a painting. Official cruise tickets: ¥210 second class. Departs from Zhujiang Wharf, 25 km south of Guilin (bus from the city, 1 hour). Book in advance during peak season. Full guide: Guilin and Yangshuo Guide.
Cycling in Yangshuo
This is the point of Yangshuo. Rent a bicycle from any hostel or shop on West Street (¥30 to ¥50 per day). The Yulong River cycling route (10 to 15 km loop) takes 3 to 4 hours at a relaxed pace. The Xingping route (20 km one way) passes through the most dramatic section of the valley. Both are flat and easy. Start at 7am to beat the heat.
Flying Home from Guilin
Guilin Liangjiang Airport (KWL) has direct flights to Hong Kong, Singapore, Bangkok, and major Chinese cities. Check your routing options before booking. Flying Shanghai to Guilin to home can sometimes be cheaper than flying Beijing or Shanghai to home directly, depending on your destination.
Frequently Asked Questions
For the 7-day base itinerary: 7-Day China Itinerary. For Guilin and Yangshuo in detail: Guilin and Yangshuo Guide. For 14 days: 14-Day China Itinerary.