The Route
S-Curve Across China
North → South → East
Days 01 - 03
Beijing
Arrival in Beijing
Arrive at Beijing Capital (PEK) or Daxing (PKX). Check into a hotel near Wangfujing or the Hutongs. Evening walk through Jingshan Park for a sunset view over the Forbidden City. Dinner: Traditional Peking Duck.
The Great Wall
Take a private car or bus to the Mutianyu Great Wall (approx. 1.5h from city). Cable car up, toboggan down. Evening: Explore the Hutongs near Houhai Lake for drinks and local life.
History & the Night Train
Morning: Forbidden City (book 7 days in advance) and Tiananmen Square. Afternoon: Summer Palace (stroll around Kunming Lake).
The Night Train Strategy
On Day 3, board the D-Series High-Speed Sleeper. Wake up in Xi'an and save a day of travel time.
Days 04 - 05
Xi'an
Ancient Capital
07:30 – Arrive Xi'an. Drop bags at hotel. Morning: Terracotta Warriors (1h drive from city). Afternoon: Walk or cycle the Ancient City Walls. Evening: Muslim Quarter for street food — try the Roujiamo lamb burgers.
Culture & Transit
Morning: Big Wild Goose Pagoda and its musical fountain.
Evening: Arrive in the "Cyberpunk" city. Head straight to Hongya Cave to see the stilted buildings lit up at night.
Days 06 - 07
Chongqing
The Mountain City
Morning: Visit Liziba Station (monorail through an apartment building) and Ciqikou Old Town. Afternoon: Take the Yangtze River Cableway for skyline views. Evening: Famous Chongqing Hotpot dinner — be careful with the spice level!
Southward Bound
Afternoon: Stroll around Elephant Trunk Hill and the Sun and Moon Twin Pagodas. Evening: Taxi to Yangshuo (1.5h) to stay among the karst peaks.
Days 08 - 09
Guilin & Yangshuo
Nature & Rivers
Activity: Li River Cruise or a bamboo raft on the Yulong River. Afternoon: Rent bikes or scooters through the Ten-Mile Gallery (karst mountains). Evening: Watch the Impression Sanjie Liu light show on the water.
To the Modern South
Afternoon: Explore OCT-LOFT Creative Culture Park or "Window of the World" miniatures. Evening: Enjoy the skyline of Futian District and the light show at the Civic Center.
Days 09 - 12
Shenzhen & Hong Kong
Across the Border
Drop bags at hotel (Tsim Sha Tsui or Central). Take the Star Ferry across Victoria Harbour. Evening: Victoria Peak via the Peak Tram for the world's most famous skyline view.
Island Life
Morning: Lantau Island — see the Big Buddha (Tian Tan) via the Ngong Ping 360 cable car. Afternoon: Explore the markets of Mong Kok (Ladies Market, Sneaker Street). Dinner: Dim Sum at Tim Ho Wan.
The Longest Leg
Late afternoon: Walk along The Bund — colonial architecture vs. the futuristic Pudong towers.
Days 13 - 14
Shanghai
The Future & The Past
Morning: Yu Garden and the surrounding old bazaar. Afternoon: Explore the French Concession — leafy streets with boutiques and cafes. Evening: Shanghai Tower (world's second-tallest building) for a final view of China.
Departure
Take the Maglev Train (world's fastest commercial train) to Pudong International Airport (PVG) for your flight back to Europe.