16 day Itinerary feedback

Question

Hello everyone again and thanks a lot for your help.

Can you take a look at this itinerary?

-day 1: arrival to Beijing from our home city at 12.55

-days 2-3-4: Beijing including great Wall

-day 5: transfer to Guilin (train or flight)

-days 6-7-8: yangshuo and Guilin area

-day 9: transfer to Zhangjiajie

-days 10-11-12: Zhangjiajie and surroundings

-day 13: transfer Zhangjiajie - Chonquing

-day 14: wulong karst day trip

-day 15: Chonquing and transfer to Chengdu

-days 16-17: Chengdu

-day 18: Flight Chengdu to our home city

What do you think?

Answer

Your 16-day itinerary covers many highlights of China and is ambitious but doable if you plan logistics carefully. Overall, the plan is well-structured, moving from north to south and covering iconic sights, nature, and city experiences. Here’s a detailed assessment:

Beijing (Days 1–4)

Three full days in Beijing is sufficient to cover the key sites, including the Forbidden City, Tiananmen Square, Summer Palace, and the Great Wall. Keep in mind travel time to the Great Wall can take 2–3 hours each way depending on the section (Mutianyu or Badaling are popular options).

Consider an early start for the Great Wall to avoid crowds and fatigue.
If your arrival day is at 12:55, allow some time for immigration and hotel check-in. You may only have a half-day for lighter activities.

Guilin & Yangshuo (Days 5–8)

Three days in this region is reasonable. Yangshuo is ideal for relaxing and experiencing countryside scenery.

Flying is faster than the train from Beijing to Guilin, saving time.
Stay in Yangshuo for at least 2 nights to explore the Li River, countryside cycling, and Moon Hill.
In Guilin city, consider Reed Flute Cave and Elephant Trunk Hill.

Zhangjiajie (Days 9–12)

Three full days here is good for exploring the national park, including the Avatar Mountains, Tianzi Mountain, and Golden Whip Stream.

Ensure you have a hotel near the park entrance to reduce travel times inside the park.
Use the cable cars and park buses to manage fatigue, as the area involves a lot of walking and elevation changes.

Chongqing & Wulong (Days 13–14)

One day for transfer and one day for Wulong Karst is doable, but prepare for long travel times. Zhangjiajie to Chongqing can take 5–6 hours by train or ~1 hour by flight.

Start early for Wulong to maximize sightseeing.
Consider a local guide for the karst formations to optimize your time.

Chengdu (Days 15–17)

Two full days in Chengdu is enough for the Giant Panda Base, Wuhou Temple, Jinli Ancient Street, and Sichuan cuisine experiences.

Day 15: Arrive from Chongqing; if possible, schedule a light evening activity like Jinli Street or a Sichuan Opera show.
Day 16: Visit the Panda Base early in the morning, as pandas are more active.
Day 17: Optional day trip to Leshan Giant Buddha if time and energy permit, otherwise enjoy local cultural experiences.

General tips

Double-check internal flight/train connections; using a travel agent or apps like Ctrip or Trip.com can help coordinate timings efficiently.
Consider the pace: this itinerary is active, so ensure rest periods especially after long transfers.
Weather: check regional weather for packing—north (Beijing) may be cooler, south (Guilin, Zhangjiajie) humid in spring.

Overall, the itinerary is feasible for a 16-day trip, giving a good balance of city, nature, and cultural experiences. Adjusting minor transfers and allowing extra time for rest can make it more comfortable.