Self-guided itineraries

Short on time? These no-tour-needed plans cover the highlights of China’s top cities in 1 to 3 days. Pick a city, follow the days you have, and adjust as you go.

Single-city plans

Beijing

Imperial history and the Great Wall
  • Day 1 — Tiananmen Square → Forbidden City → Jingshan Park for sunset views over the palace.
  • Day 2 — Great Wall at Mutianyu (cable car up, toboggan down), Peking duck dinner.
  • Day 3 — Temple of Heaven in the morning, hutong walk around Houhai.
Read the full Beijing guide →

Shanghai

Skyline, colonial charm and water towns
  • Day 1 — The Bund waterfront → Nanjing Road → Yu Garden and the old town bazaar.
  • Day 2 — French Concession cafés and boutiques → Jing’an Temple → Pudong skyline at night.
  • Day 3 — Day trip to Zhujiajiao water town, or the Shanghai Museum + Tianzifang lanes.
Read the full Shanghai guide →

Hangzhou

West Lake, tea hills and gardens
  • Day 1 — Cycle the Su Causeway across West Lake → Leifeng Pagoda at sunset.
  • Day 2 — Lingyin Temple → Longjing tea village tasting.
  • Day 3 — Xixi Wetland Park, then the Grand Canal and Hefang old street.
Read the full Hangzhou guide →

Chengdu

Pandas, hotpot and a slower pace
  • Day 1 — Giant Panda Breeding Base early morning (pandas are most active), then Jinli old street.
  • Day 2 — People’s Park tea house → Wuhou Shrine → spicy hotpot dinner.
  • Day 3 — Day trip to Leshan Giant Buddha, or Dujiangyan irrigation system.
Read the full Chengdu guide →

Guangzhou

Cantonese food and southern energy
  • Day 1 — Dim sum breakfast → Shamian Island → Pearl River night cruise.
  • Day 2 — Canton Tower → Chen Clan Ancestral Hall → Beijing Road shopping.
  • Day 3 — Yuexiu Park and the Five Rams statue, or a day trip to nearby Foshan.
Read the full Guangzhou guide →

Xiamen

Island life, seafood and colonial charm
  • Day 1 — Ferry to Gulangyu Island → Shuzhuang Garden → Sunlight Rock, seafood dinner.
  • Day 2 — Nanputuo Temple → Xiamen University → Zhongshan Road snacks.
  • Day 3 — Cycle the Island Ring Road, or a day trip to the Hakka tulou.
Read the full Xiamen guide →

Multi-city sightseeing routes

Want to combine cities? These classic routes link up well by high-speed rail. Tap a city for its full plan.

The Classic First-Timer Loop

7–10 days
Beijing → Shanghai → Hangzhou

China’s greatest hits — imperial Beijing, futuristic Shanghai, and serene West Lake in Hangzhou.

🚄 Beijing–Shanghai ~4.5 hrs by bullet train; Shanghai–Hangzhou ~1 hr.

Jiangnan Water Towns

4–5 days
Shanghai → Hangzhou

Canals, gardens, tea hills and silk — the gentle, scenic heart of eastern China. Add Suzhou for more classical gardens.

🚄 Shanghai–Hangzhou ~1 hr by high-speed rail.

Southern Food & Coast

5–6 days
Guangzhou → Xiamen

Cantonese dim sum and southern buzz in Guangzhou, then breezy island life on Xiamen’s Gulangyu.

🚄 Guangzhou–Xiamen ~3.5 hrs by high-speed rail.

The Grand Tour

2–3 weeks
Beijing → Chengdu → Shanghai → Hangzhou

The big one — the Great Wall, pandas and hotpot in Chengdu, then the east coast. Mix rail with a domestic flight for the long legs.

🚄 Fly Beijing–Chengdu (~3 hrs); rail Chengdu/Shanghai onwards.

Getting between cities? See our guides on high-speed rail, payments, and staying connected.