Itinerary help for 16 days end of april

Question

Hi all,

planning an itineray for 15 full days end of april arrive in Shanghai and depart from Beijing

will arrive in Shanghai on 30 April at 6 pm ( tried to change date when I found out that it was not just one holiday on 1th May, but couldn't change flight day)

Was thinking of staying till the 3rd or 4th of May but then can't really find out the best ways to build the itinerary (trains/flights) to see the other cities I'am willing to visit:

Zhangjiajie (Avatar mountains and Tianmen mountain gate to heaven) Fenghuang

Guilin-Yangshuo-Xinping

Xian

and 1 day before departure in Beijing (already visited) departing on 00:50 on 16 May

Wanted also to see Chongqing but guess I'am already full

What itinerary should I follow to have the best routes by flights or trains?

Answer

For a 16-day China itinerary starting in Shanghai and ending in Beijing, including Zhangjiajie, Fenghuang, Guilin-Yangshuo-Xingping, and Xi’an, careful planning is required, especially around the 1st of May holiday when travel is extremely busy.

Here is a suggested route that balances flights and trains, and aims to minimize long travel times:

Day 1 (30 April): Arrive in Shanghai at 6 pm. Check into your hotel, rest, and perhaps take a short evening walk along The Bund if time permits.
Days 2–4 (1–3 May): Explore Shanghai. Note that early May is a busy holiday period; expect crowds. Recommended sites: The Bund, Yu Garden, Nanjing Road, French Concession, and Shanghai Tower. Use metro for efficient travel.
Day 5 (4 May): Fly from Shanghai to Zhangjiajie (approx. 3 hours). Arrive and check into your hotel near Zhangjiajie National Forest Park or Tianmen Mountain.
Days 6–7 (5–6 May): Explore Zhangjiajie National Forest Park (Avatar mountains) and Tianmen Mountain. Consider using cable cars to save time and energy.
Day 8 (7 May): Travel from Zhangjiajie to Fenghuang. Best option is by bus (~4 hours) or private transfer. Explore Fenghuang in the evening; the old town lights are beautiful.
Day 9 (8 May): Continue exploring Fenghuang in the morning. Travel to Guilin in the afternoon/evening by bus (~6–7 hours) or consider returning to Zhangjiajie to catch a flight to Guilin if time is tight.
Days 10–11 (9–10 May): Guilin & Yangshuo: Li River cruise, visit Reed Flute Cave, Elephant Trunk Hill, and explore Yangshuo countryside by bike or e-bike. Xingping is accessible by short boat or bike ride from Yangshuo.
Day 12 (11 May): Travel from Guilin/Yangshuo to Xi’an. Flight is recommended (approx. 2 hours) to save time compared to trains. Check into your hotel in Xi’an.
Days 13–14 (12–13 May): Xi’an sightseeing: Terracotta Warriors, Ancient City Wall, Muslim Quarter, Big Wild Goose Pagoda.
Day 15 (14 May): Fly from Xi’an to Beijing. Arrive, check in, and have a relaxed day or light sightseeing if desired.
Day 16 (15 May): Use this day to relax, do last-minute shopping, or visit a favorite spot in Beijing. Departure is at 00:50 on 16 May.

Tips for this itinerary:

Flights are recommended for longer distances (Shanghai → Zhangjiajie, Guilin → Xi’an, Xi’an → Beijing) to save time, especially during the busy May holiday period.
Book flights and train tickets as early as possible due to high demand.
Bus transfers are suitable for shorter distances (Zhangjiajie → Fenghuang), but allow extra buffer time for traffic.
Accommodations: Stay close to major train stations or airport hubs to minimize travel hassle, especially when moving cities.
If you want to add Chongqing, you could consider flying from Zhangjiajie → Chongqing → Guilin, but this may feel rushed and reduce time in Zhangjiajie or Fenghuang.

This itinerary allows you to experience both nature and culture while keeping travel times reasonable. Flying for the long legs ensures you can maximize sightseeing without feeling rushed.