Itinerary Review

Question

Looking to button down our itinerary for our for coming trip (may/ June). So far this is what I am thinking:

Day 1 Eve - arrive Beijing (International Flight booked)

Day 2 - Beijing

Day 3 Beijing (Tiananmen Sq, Forbidden City)

Day 4 Beijing Great Wall

Day 5 Beijing Temple of Heaven, Summer Palace

Day 6 Depart Xian by Train

Day 7 Xian

Day 8 Xian

Day 9 Xian to Guilin - flight (not yet booked)

Day 10 Guilin / Yangshou

Day 11 Guilin / Yangshou

Day 12 Guilin / Yangshou

Day 13 Travel to Chengdu

Day 14 Chengdu

Day 15 Chengdu

Day 16 Chengdu

Day 17 Chengdu to HK 2pm flight - booked

Day 21 late night depart from HK - booked

So specifically - does the balance here look OK - I do not want to spend every other day at the airport - or switching into a suitcase! How would time best be split between between Guilin and Yangshou - is it worth taking a stop in each of them or better to chose and use one of them as a base for this area? As we will be there in early June would this be a good place to flop/chill for a day or so? - and if so where. Thinking on the river somewhere,

We could flex time a bit between Guilin/ Yangshou and Chengdu.

Not sure how we will travel between Guilin/ Ynagshou and Chengdu - train seems long so maybe a flight would be better.

Definitely want to do at least one day with Pandas - is 2 days too much?

We are travelling as a family - parents with teen/20somethings.

Thanks in advance!

Answer

Your itinerary looks well-structured overall, balancing major cities, historical sites, and natural scenery. Here’s a detailed review and some recommendations, especially regarding Guilin/Yangshuo and Chengdu.

Beijing (Days 1–5)

The allocation here is solid. You have enough time for the key highlights without feeling rushed:

Day 2: Explore central Beijing neighborhoods, maybe hutongs, Wangfujing area.
Day 3: Tiananmen Square and Forbidden City — perfect allocation.
Day 4: Great Wall — recommend Mutianyu if you prefer less crowds or Badaling if more accessible; both are doable as a day trip.
Day 5: Temple of Heaven + Summer Palace — manageable in one day with early start.

Xian (Days 6–8)

Three days here is good. Key points:

Day 6: Travel from Beijing by train (ideally overnight train or high-speed morning train) so you arrive and have part of the day free.
Day 7: Terracotta Warriors and surrounding sites.
Day 8: City walls, Muslim Quarter, Big Wild Goose Pagoda — gives a full experience.

Guilin/Yangshuo (Days 9–12)

Since you’re going in early June (hot and humid but still reasonable for travel), I recommend using one base rather than splitting between Guilin and Yangshuo. Yangshuo is more scenic and relaxing along the Li River; Guilin is more urban. Suggested plan:

Fly from Xian to Guilin rather than train — faster and more convenient.
Base in Yangshuo (or a riverside hotel/guesthouse). Stay 3 nights:

Day 9: Arrive, transfer to Yangshuo, relax along the river.
Day 10: Li River cruise from Guilin to Yangshuo (half-day), explore countryside biking or scooter ride.
Day 11: Optional hike or visit Moon Hill, Silver Cave, or local villages. Chill day along riverside cafes and markets.

Day 12: Return to Guilin in the morning if needed for airport/train transfer to Chengdu; can spend a short city visit if time allows.

This setup minimizes packing/unpacking and allows for a real “chill” day in Yangshuo along the river. Guilin is better just for airport/train transfers.

Chengdu (Days 13–16)

Flights from Guilin to Chengdu are recommended (about 1.5–2 hours). For pandas:

One day is enough to see pandas at Chengdu Research Base, but two days allows a more relaxed pace, including morning feeding and possibly a second visit or visit to a smaller reserve.
Other attractions: Wuhou Shrine, Jinli Street, Sichuan Opera (face-changing show).

Overall, two days for pandas is optional but not excessive, especially if traveling with family and allowing a leisurely visit.

Additional tips

Traveling as a family with teens/20s, balance cultural/historical sites with outdoor activities and scenic experiences.
Book flights in advance for Xian → Guilin → Chengdu to minimize travel fatigue.
Yangshuo is ideal for a “flop and chill” day; early June is warm but riverside breeze helps.
Consider packing light for Guilin/Yangshuo, as bicycles, scooters, and river cruises are easier with minimal luggage.

In summary, your itinerary is well-paced. Use Yangshuo as the main base in the Guilin region, fly between major cities, and one day for pandas is sufficient, two days is nice if you prefer a relaxed pace.

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