is there any city or sight that i'm missing?

Question

I have visited a decent amount of China in my time here: Beijing, Xi'an, Shanghai, Zhangjiajie, Guilin/Yangshuo, Yunnan province, Chongqing, Yangtse river cruise, Chengdu (in addition Hong Kong, Tibet and Taiwan). I am in the midst of a trip now and am looking at places to add but nothing is really grabbing my attention. Here is what I'm considering and why I'm not crazy about the sight. I'm pretty much interested in anything from nature to culture as long as it's world class.

harbin - it's generally a winter destination and it's june

guangzhou - canton tower seems beautiful and I like cantonese food but outside of that, I don't know if it's worth the flights/etc. And I live in NYC and if you go to the right restaurants in chinese communities, you can find great cantonese food.

hangzhou - i should have visited when i was in shanghai. It doesn't seem worth flying just for it.

Is there any place i'm missing that is "worth" a flight and 2-3 days? Of course, I don't have to add a place by the way, I can just fly home.

i'm leaning towards going to dunhuang and then to shanghai to take day trips to nanjing and hangzhou and then flying out from there.

Answer

Given your extensive travel experience in China, it sounds like you have covered many of the iconic cultural and natural highlights. Since you are looking for something that justifies a short flight and 2–3 days of exploration, the options need to offer a unique experience not easily replicated elsewhere.

Here are some suggestions to consider:

Dunhuang: This is an excellent choice if you want something distinct. The Mogao Caves are world-class Buddhist art, and the nearby Singing Sand Dunes and Crescent Lake offer unique desert landscapes. A 2–3 day visit is sufficient to explore the caves and do some sand dune activities.
Qinghai/Tibetan Plateau region: If you haven’t explored beyond Lhasa, Qinghai offers vast, dramatic landscapes such as Qinghai Lake, Chaka Salt Lake, and the grasslands near Xining. It’s more of a nature-oriented experience than cultural, but it’s highly photogenic and less crowded than Tibet itself.
Mount Huangshan & Anhui Villages: Even if you’ve been to Yunnan and Zhangjiajie, Huangshan’s granite peaks, pine trees, and sea of clouds provide a classic Chinese mountain experience. Nearby ancient villages like Hongcun or Xidi add cultural interest. A 2–3 day trip is manageable from Shanghai.
Kaifeng or Luoyang: If you are interested in history, these Henan cities have ancient temples, old townscapes, and cultural relics. They are less touristy than Xi’an but provide insight into China’s imperial past. Ideal for a short cultural excursion from a nearby hub.
Nanjing: As you mentioned, day trips from Shanghai are feasible. Nanjing has the impressive Ming Xiaoling Mausoleum, Confucius Temple area, and the city’s historical walls. While closer to Shanghai, it offers a nice cultural contrast and can be done in 1–2 days.

Other considerations:

Chengde: If you enjoy historic imperial gardens and mountain scenery, the Mountain Resort and outlying temples near Beijing are beautiful and manageable in 2 days.
Hainan (Sanya): If you want a contrast with your mainland experiences, Hainan offers tropical beaches, nature reserves, and relaxed resorts, though it is more about leisure than cultural immersion.

Given your itinerary and interests, Dunhuang is probably the most compelling choice if you want something distinctly different from your previous travels, combining both nature and culture. From Shanghai, day trips to Nanjing or Hangzhou can complement the trip without requiring additional flights. If you prefer to avoid extra travel, skipping additional destinations and flying home from Shanghai is also reasonable.

is there any city or sight that i'm missing?

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