14-Day Grand China Tour for Foreign Travelers
Updated: July 25, 2026 · TravelChinaTip
If you have two full weeks and want to see everything China is famous for — imperial palaces, ancient warriors, pandas, karst mountains, and a modern skyline — this is the route. It combines our 7-day classic with southwest highlights, at a pace that allows two to three days per region without burning out.
Best season: April–May or September–October. You will cross climate zones from dry north to humid south — pack layers.
Budget (excluding international flights): USD 1,400–2,000 per person mid-range, including five inter-city transfers, hotels, meals, and entrance tickets.
Days 1–3: Beijing
Day 1: Arrive, settle near the Forbidden City. Wangfujing snack street and early night.
Day 2: Forbidden City (book timed entry) + Jingshan Park viewpoint + hutong dinner with Peking duck.
Day 3: Great Wall day trip to Mutianyu. Evening rest — you have an early train tomorrow.
Days 4–5: Xi'an
Day 4: Morning G-train from Beijing to Xi'an (4.5 hours). Afternoon bike or walk the ancient city wall. Muslim Quarter dinner.
Day 5: Terracotta Warriors full morning. Big Wild Goose Pagoda and fountain show in the evening. Overnight train or next-morning flight to Chengdu.
Days 6–8: Chengdu
Day 6: Fly or take overnight train from Xi'an. Afternoon People's Park teahouse and hotpot dinner.
Day 7: Panda Research Base early morning. Jinli Ancient Street and Sichuan opera in the evening.
Day 8: Leshan Giant Buddha day trip, or free day for Mount Qingcheng. Fly to Guilin in the evening.
Days 9–10: Guilin & Yangshuo
Day 9: Li River cruise to Yangshuo. Bicycle the countryside in the afternoon.
Day 10: Yulong River bamboo raft + Moon Hill hike. Evening flight or train to Shanghai.
Days 11–13: Shanghai
Day 11: Arrive, check in near the Bund. Sunset walk along the waterfront, Pudong skyline at night.
Day 12: French Concession morning. Yu Garden and Old City afternoon. Tianzifang laneway shops in the evening.
Day 13: Free day — Shanghai Museum, Nanjing Road, or a day trip to Suzhou or Hangzhou by high-speed train (30–60 minutes).
Day 14: Departure
Fly out of Shanghai Pudong (PVG) or Hongqiao (SHA). Allow 2+ hours for PVG. Most international flights depart from Pudong. If you have time, grab soup dumplings (xiaolongbao) near the airport at Hungry Buddha or Din Tai Fung in the terminal.
Transport Summary
Beijing → Xi'an: G-train, 4.5 hrs
Xi'an → Chengdu: Flight 1.5 hrs or overnight train
Chengdu → Guilin: Flight 1.5 hrs
Guilin → Shanghai: Flight 2 hrs or G-train via transfer (~10 hrs)
Packing tip: With five cities in fourteen days, travel light. Laundry services are cheap at hotels. A 40L carry-on backpack and a daypack beat dragging a large suitcase through high-speed stations.
FAQ
Is 14 days enough for Beijing, Xi'an, Chengdu, Guilin, and Shanghai?
Yes if you keep transfers efficient and limit side trips. Fourteen days covers the classic north-to-south arc without feeling like airport-only tourism, but packing light is essential.
Should I add a Yangtze cruise to this itinerary?
Only if you replace another segment. A 4-night cruise does not fit cleanly inside this 14-day plan without dropping Chengdu or Guilin time.
What is the hardest booking on this route?
Peak-season Forbidden City tickets, popular Chengdu panda morning slots, and Li River cruise seats. Book those first, then lock trains and flights.
Is this route good for first-time visitors?
Yes. It balances icons (Beijing, Xi'an), food and pandas (Chengdu), landscapes (Guilin/Yangshuo), and a modern finale in Shanghai.