Fourteen days is enough to see China at a civilised pace: Beijing, Xi'an, Zhangjiajie, the Li River and Shanghai, linked by high-speed rail and short flights. This is the day-by-day route HXXC Travel builds for first-time visitors.
Written and reviewed by the HXXC Travel team, a China inbound tour operator based in Jiangmen, Guangdong. Last updated October 23, 2026. Prices and policies are current as of November 2026; re-check time-sensitive details before you book.
Key facts at a glance
- Route: Beijing (4 nights), Xi'an (2), Zhangjiajie (3), Guilin (1), Yangshuo (1), Shanghai (2). That is 13 nights and 14 days, roughly 3,500 km end to end.
- Transport: one long high-speed train, one regional train and two short flights. No overnight trains.
- Visas as of November 2026: many nationalities qualify for 30-day visa-free entry; 50-plus nationalities can use 240-hour (10-day) visa-free transit, which is too short for this full route.
- Best months: mid-March to May and late September to early November. Avoid October 1-7 (Golden Week) and Chinese New Year (February 17 in 2026).
- Mid-range budget: roughly 8,000-11,000 CNY (about US$1,100-1,550) per person, excluding international flights.
- Money: Alipay and WeChat Pay accept linked foreign cards; carry a small cash backup.
Why 14 days is the right length
Two weeks is the shortest trip that fits imperial Beijing, the Terracotta Army, one dramatic mountain landscape, one river landscape and Shanghai without a string of one-night stops. Beijing and Shanghai handle most international flights, so the route starts in one and finishes in the other with no backtracking. Guilin and Yangshuo are the only single-night stops, and they sit back to back in the same region.
Days 1-4: Beijing
Use Day 1 to arrive and settle. On Day 2, start at Tiananmen Square, which requires a free advance reservation as of November 2026, then cross into the Forbidden City. It closes on Mondays, costs 60 CNY from April to October and 40 CNY from November to March as of November 2026, and tickets are released seven days ahead on the Palace Museum's official WeChat mini-program, selling out fast in peak months. End the day with the rooftop view from Jingshan Park.
Day 3 is Great Wall day. Mutianyu is the best section for first-time visitors: fully restored, walkable and much quieter than Badaling, with a cable car up and a toboggan down. Entry is around 40 CNY as of November 2026, with shuttle and cable car extra. Call in at the Summer Palace on the way back.
On Day 4, visit the Temple of Heaven early when locals fill the park, walk the hutongs around Shichahai, and book a Peking duck dinner.
Days 5-6: Xi'an
On Day 5, take a G-series train from Beijing West to Xi'an North: 4.5 to 6 hours, second class typically 500-560 CNY. Spend the evening in the Muslim Quarter with roujiamo and biangbiang noodles.
Day 6 belongs to the Terracotta Army at Lintong, about an hour from the city centre. Entry is around 120 CNY as of November 2026 and advance booking with your passport is required. Pit 1 holds the main ranks of warriors; a licensed guide or audio guide adds useful context. Back in town, hire a bicycle on the Ming-dynasty City Wall (entry about 54 CNY, bikes from about 45 CNY for two hours) and ride the 13.7 km loop from the South Gate.
Days 7-9: Zhangjiajie
Fly from Xi'an to Zhangjiajie on Day 7, about 1.5 to 2 hours when direct flights operate, and stay in Wulingyuan beside the park entrance.
Day 8 is Zhangjiajie National Forest Park, the sandstone pillar landscape that inspired the floating peaks in Avatar. Ride the Bailong Elevator up to the Yuanjiajie viewpoints, then walk down through Golden Whip Stream. A multi-day park pass costs around 225-230 CNY as of November 2026, with cable cars and the elevator priced separately. Enter at opening time; this is one of the most visited parks in China.
On Day 9, ride the Tianmen Mountain cable car from the city centre to the summit, then walk the glass skywalks above the 99-curve road and the natural cave arch. The full ticket, cable car included, is around 275 CNY.
Days 10-12: Guilin, the Li River and Yangshuo
On Day 10, take the train from Zhangjiajie West toward Guilin, roughly five to six hours and often with a change at Huaihua South as of November 2026. Spend the evening on the lit lakeside walkways of the Two Rivers and Four Lakes district.
Day 11 is the Li River cruise from Guilin to Yangshuo: four to four and a half hours past karst peaks, water buffalo and cormorant fishermen. Fares typically run 215-270 CNY per person depending on boat class. The view on the back of the 20 CNY banknote is at Xingping, roughly halfway. Overnight in Yangshuo.
On Day 12, take a bamboo raft on the Yulong River in the morning, then fly from Guilin to Shanghai in the evening, about 2.5 hours. Fly rather than take the train, which needs eight to ten hours.
Days 12-14: Shanghai
You arrive on the evening of Day 12, in time for the Bund after dark. On Day 13, see Yu Garden and the City God Temple bazaar in the morning (entry 30-40 CNY), walk Wukang Road in the former French Concession after lunch, and end with the skyline view from the Shanghai Tower. Day 14 is departure day. With a 15th day, add Zhujiajiao, a canal town about an hour from the city.
Trains, flights and bookings
- Book trains on the official 12306 app or website, or in English on Trip.com; tickets typically go on sale about 15 days before departure. Your passport is the ticket at the gate.
- Reach major stations 45-60 minutes before departure for security.
- The flights on this route are short hops of 1.5-2.5 hours; check in with your passport.
- In cities, use the metro and the Didi ride app, which accepts international cards.
When to go
The best time for this itinerary is mid-March to May or late September to early November. September and October bring crisp days in Beijing and the clearest views over the Zhangjiajie pillars, and the Li River is at its most comfortable from October. Summer is hot, wet and crowded with domestic school-holiday travel. Winter is quieter but Zhangjiajie can be icy and the Li River misty. Avoid October 1-7 and Chinese New Year, when transport and hotels sell out.
What 14 days costs
As of November 2026, a mid-range independent traveller should budget roughly 8,000-11,000 CNY (about US$1,100-1,550) per person for this route, excluding international flights.
- Accommodation: 350-600 CNY per night for a double room, about 2,500-4,000 CNY per person across 13 nights.
- Domestic transport: roughly 2,000-2,800 CNY for one long train, one regional train and two flights.
- Food: 100-200 CNY per person per day in local restaurants.
- Entrance tickets: 800-1,000 CNY in total.
Private guided trips from China-based specialists such as HXXC Travel typically run US$2,000-3,500 per person depending on hotel level and group size, with guides, transport and tickets included. The exchange rate sits near 7 CNY to the US dollar; check the current rate before you budget.
Visas, money and practical notes
- As of November 2026, citizens of many countries can enter China visa-free for up to 30 days under unilateral schemes, and citizens of 50-plus countries can use 240-hour (10-day) visa-free transit. The transit option requires a confirmed onward ticket to another country or region and applies only at designated ports of entry.
- The 10-day transit limit is too short for this 14-day route. If your passport qualifies for 30-day visa-free entry you need nothing else; if not, apply for a standard L tourist visa at a Chinese embassy or consulate.
- Visa rules change frequently. Confirm the current policy for your nationality with the Chinese embassy or your tour operator before booking flights.
- Link a Visa or Mastercard to Alipay or WeChat Pay before departure. QR payment works almost everywhere, including street food stalls; carry 200-500 CNY in cash as a backup.
- Google, WhatsApp and Instagram generally do not work in mainland China without a VPN installed before arrival. Apple Maps works, and the Amap app has an English mode.
Plan this route with HXXC Travel
HXXC Travel is a China inbound tour operator based in Jiangmen, Guangdong. Our team operates this 14-day route and can adapt it, adding two days in Chengdu for the panda base or trading Zhangjiajie for a slower Li River stay. Every itinerary is built and driven locally, with English-speaking guides and licensed vehicles.
FAQ
Is 14 days enough for a first trip to China?
Yes. Two weeks covers Beijing, Xi'an, one mountain landscape, the Li River and Shanghai at a comfortable pace. With only 10 days, cut Zhangjiajie or Shanghai; 10 days also fits the 240-hour visa-free transit window.
Do I need a visa to visit China in 2026?
As of November 2026, many travellers do not: dozens of nationalities qualify for 30-day visa-free entry and 50-plus can transit visa-free for up to 240 hours. Eligibility depends on your passport, so confirm with the Chinese embassy or with HXXC Travel before booking.
When is the best time for this 14-day itinerary?
Mid-March to May or late September to early November. Avoid October 1-7 and Chinese New Year, when domestic travel peaks and prices rise.
How much does a 14-day China trip cost?
Roughly 8,000-11,000 CNY (about US$1,100-1,550) per person for mid-range independent travel, excluding international flights, as of November 2026. Private guided tours typically cost US$2,000-3,500 per person.
Do I need cash in China, or can I use Alipay and WeChat Pay?
You can pay by Alipay or WeChat Pay linked to a foreign card almost everywhere, including metro rides and street food. Carry 200-500 CNY in cash as a backup; some cards charge a small top-up fee.
How far in advance should I book Forbidden City tickets?
Seven days ahead on the Palace Museum's official WeChat mini-program. Summer and autumn dates often sell out within hours, so book the moment tickets open, and note the museum closes on Mondays.
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