October itinerary suggestions: Beijing, Xi'an, Shanghai, HK

Question

Would love any pointers of things we're not considering on our itinerary below, or anything you'd change. We're a couple in our 30s coming from Ireland who like getting the feel for a city by walking around neighborhoods, natural beauty and taking 1-2 rest stops in a trip like this, and prioritising train travel instead of flights. We're leaving the daily itineraries light for now and will build in more things flexibly as we go, so I'm more looking for opinions on the overall structure of the trip, where we visit and where we stay, than exactly what to do in each location, but I'd welcome suggestions of must-dos we've missed. We had considered Chengdu but decided to prioritise a rest in Moganshan instead.

BEIJING - stay The Emperor Beijing Qianmen

October 10th: arrive PEK 5am, early check-in to rest and spend the day seeing local area

11th: Tiananmen

12th: Mutianyu Great Wall

13th Temple of Heaven

XI'AN - stay Eastern House

14th: 9:55 train to Xi'An, arrive 2pm, cycle city walls & visit muslim quarter

15th: Terracotta army in the morning, train to shanghai afternoon

SHANGHAI - stay The Middle House/SSAW Boutique/Fairmont Peace/Mandarin Oriental Pudong (TBC which one)

16th & 17th: Bund, Yu garden, Yuanminguan road, Nanjing road, People's square, Xintiandi, Tianzifang, Fuxing park

MOGANSHAN - stay naked stables

18th & 19th: private shuttle to resort, 2 days to chill out at resort

GUILIN & YANGSHUO - stay Shangri-la Guilin and Sugar House or Mountrain Retreat in Yangshuo (TBC which one)

20th: travel day getting taxi from naked stables to denqin, train to hanshuo, train to guilin, check into Shangri-la

21st: morning Li river cruise to Yangshuo, cycle around area

HONG KONG - stay The Figo

22nd: taxi to Yangshuo station + train to Hong Kong via Shenzhen, see central/Soho incl Man Mo Temple, PMQ, Tai Kwun if we can fit it all in

23rd: Victoria peak & Hong Kong Park, ferry to Tsim Sha Tsui Promenade in the afternoon-evening

24th: Tian Tan Buddha & flight home late that night

Answer

Your proposed itinerary for Beijing, Xi’an, Shanghai, Moganshan, Guilin/Yangshuo, and Hong Kong in October is well-structured and covers a good mix of cultural sites, urban exploration, and relaxation. The flow from city to city mostly aligns with train travel priorities, though some segments may be long and tiring. Here’s a detailed assessment and suggestions:

Beijing (Oct 10–13)

Your hotel choice near Qianmen is excellent for walking to Tiananmen Square, Wangfujing, and traditional hutong areas.
Arriving at 5am and checking in early is great for recovery, but consider a light morning; even a short nap can help you enjoy the day better.
Daily sights (Tiananmen, Mutianyu Great Wall, Temple of Heaven) are realistic. Mutianyu is a good choice for fewer crowds and cable car options.
Consider adding a short hutong walk or lunch at a local noodle/dumpling spot to experience local life beyond major monuments.

Xi’an (Oct 14–15)

Train from Beijing to Xi’an (high-speed, 5–6 hrs) works well; arriving at 2pm allows cycling city walls and Muslim Quarter exploration.
Terracotta Army in the morning of the 15th is ideal; ensure you book tickets in advance to avoid queues.
Afternoon train to Shanghai is long (approx. 6–7 hrs), so prepare snacks, water, and entertainment.

Shanghai (Oct 15–17)

Your hotel options are excellent. Middle House or Mandarin Oriental Pudong will provide good Bund/Pudong skyline access.
Two full days give you time to walk neighborhoods like Tianzifang and Xintiandi, and see highlights (Bund, Yu Garden, Nanjing Road, People’s Square).
If time permits, consider a short evening Huangpu River cruise for skyline views.

Moganshan (Oct 18–19)

Two days to relax at Naked Stables is perfect. Private shuttle from Shanghai ensures smooth transfer.
This provides a great balance between urban sightseeing and nature/rest days.

Guilin & Yangshuo (Oct 20–21)

The travel day from Moganshan to Guilin/Yangshuo is ambitious: taxi to train station, multiple trains—plan at least 8–10 hours and consider possible delays.
Li River cruise and cycling in Yangshuo on the 21st is excellent. Book cruise tickets in advance and allow flexibility if trains are delayed.

Hong Kong (Oct 22–24)

Train via Shenzhen is feasible; border crossings may take time, so leave some buffer.
Central, Soho, Man Mo Temple, PMQ, Tai Kwun in one afternoon is ambitious; prioritize top 2–3 spots to avoid rush.
Victoria Peak & Hong Kong Park and Tsim Sha Tsui promenade are realistic in a day.
Tian Tan Buddha (Lantau Island) is a full morning excursion; consider taking Ngong Ping cable car for scenic views.

General observations & suggestions:

Overall structure balances cities and rest days well, especially including Moganshan.
October weather is generally mild across the regions: Beijing & Xi’an cooler (12–22°C), Shanghai mild (15–23°C), Guilin/Yangshuo comfortable (18–26°C), Hong Kong warm (23–28°C).
Prioritize flexibility—train delays, border crossings, or fatigue may require swapping activities.
Consider travel insurance and download local apps (Didi, WeChat Pay, maps) for smooth navigation.
Be prepared for some long travel days (Oct 15 train, Oct 20 transit to Guilin); having light snacks, water, and entertainment will make them manageable.

In summary, your itinerary is well-planned, mixes sightseeing with rest, and emphasizes walking neighborhoods, natural beauty, and cultural highlights. The only adjustments are to ensure flexibility on long transit days and possibly prioritize certain Hong Kong sites to avoid overpacking afternoons.