1. Classic China Imperial & Modern Route (12–14 Days)
Route: Beijing (4 days) → Xi'an (2–3 days) → Chengdu (3 days) → Shanghai (3 days)
- Days 1–4 — Beijing: Arrive via PEK or PKX. Cover the Forbidden City + Jingshan Park, Temple of Heaven, Mutianyu Great Wall (least crowded restored section), Summer Palace, and a evening Peking Duck dinner in Qianmen or Dongcheng. Open Beijing Guide →
- Days 5–6 — Xi'an (4.5 hrs G-train from Beijing West): Terracotta Warriors on your first morning, bicycle ride atop the Ming Dynasty City Wall at sunset, and street food in the Muslim Quarter (roujiamo & biangbiang noodles). Open Shaanxi / Xi'an Guide →
- Days 7–9 — Chengdu (3.5 hrs G-train from Xi'an North): Arrive at Chengdu Panda Base by 7:30 AM, spend one full day combining Dujiangyan Irrigation System & Mount Qingcheng (UNESCO twin sites), and unwind at People's Park teahouses + Sichuan hotpot. Open Sichuan / Chengdu Guide →
- Days 10–12 — Shanghai (2.5 hr domestic flight from Chengdu Tianfu/Shuangliu): Walk The Bund from daylight into dusk illumination, explore Yu Garden & Former French Concession tree-lined streets, and depart home or onward to Hong Kong. Open Shanghai Guide →
2. Greater Bay Area 4-City Loop (7–10 Days)
Route: Hong Kong (3 days) → Macau (1–2 days) → Shenzhen (2 days) → Guangzhou (2–3 days)
- Days 1–3 — Hong Kong: Victoria Peak, Star Ferry across Victoria Harbour, Kowloon night markets, and Lantau Island Tian Tan Buddha. Open Hong Kong Guide →
- Day 4 — Macau (1 hr TurboJET ferry or HZMB shuttle bus): Walk from Senado Square to Ruins of St. Paul's, sample freshly baked Portuguese egg tarts, and tour Cotai Strip resorts. Open Macau Guide →
- Days 5–6 — Shenzhen (1 hr ferry from Macau to Shekou or 14 min HSR from Hong Kong West Kowloon): Dive into Huaqiangbei electronics markets, OCT Loft creative park, and Shenzhen Bay coastal promenade. Open Shenzhen Guide →
- Days 7–9 — Guangzhou (30 min HSR from Shenzhen North to Guangzhou South): Ride up Canton Tower, stroll colonial Shamian Island, admire Chen Clan Ancestral Hall carvings, and enjoy leisurely morning dim sum (Yum Cha). Open Guangzhou Guide →
Visa Tip: Hong Kong and Macau count as separate immigration regions outside Mainland China. Flying into Mainland China (e.g., Guangzhou) and exiting overland or by ferry into Hong Kong/Macau — or vice versa via qualifying 240h ports — requires matching a qualifying transit routing. Check our 240h Visa Guide before booking.
3. Southwest Pandas, Mountains & Neon Nights (7 Days)
Route: Chengdu (4 days) → Chongqing (3 days)
- Days 1–4 — Chengdu & Sichuan: Panda Base, Sanxingdui Bronze Age Museum, Wuhou Shrine + Jinli Street, and a high-speed train excursion to Dujiangyan & Mount Qingcheng (or 2-day add-on to Mount Emei & Leshan Giant Buddha). Open Sichuan / Chengdu Guide →
- Days 5–7 — Chongqing (1 to 1.5 hrs G-train from Chengdu East): Watch Metro Line 2 slice through Liziba apartment block, ride the Yangtze River Cableway at dusk, explore Hongya Cave stilt houses and Ciqikou Ancient Town, plus an optional day trip to Wulong Karst Three Natural Bridges. Open Chongqing Guide →
4. High-Speed Rail Booking & Station Quick Rules
- Where to book: Official Railway 12306 app (English version, zero service fee) or Trip.com (easier foreign card checkout, small fee).
- Passport is your ticket: Skip paper ticket machines. Go to the manual staff lane (or passport-enabled e-gate) at check-in and scan the photo page of your physical passport.
- Arrive 45 minutes early: Chinese rail hubs resemble airport terminals with baggage X-ray security checks and long concourses. Gates close 5 minutes prior to departure.