Classic China Discovery: Self-Launched Beijing to Shanghai

Fly into Beijing Capital International Airport (PEK) or Beijing Daxing International Airport (PKX). Take the Airport Express train into the city centre (~£3.50, 25 mins from PEK) or a shared shuttle bus (~£5). Check into your hostel or budget hotel in the Drum Tower or Dongcheng area. Spend the evening exploring a nearby hutong neighbourhood and grab a welcome meal at a local dumpling or noodle restaurant — budget around £5–8 for dinner.

🚌Airport Express train from PEK (~£3.50) or shared shuttle bus (~£5)

🛏Budget hotel or hostel in Dongcheng/Drum Tower area, e.g. Beijing Downtown Backpackers or Leo Hostel (~£15–20/night)

• →Arrive at Beijing airport and take the Airport Express train to the city (~£3.50)
• →Check in to budget hotel or hostel in Dongcheng/Drum Tower area
• →Evening stroll through a hutong neighbourhood
• →Welcome dinner at a local dumpling or noodle restaurant (~£5–8)

A packed day hitting Beijing's most iconic landmarks. Start early at Tiananmen Square (free entry) before the crowds arrive. Head straight into the Forbidden City — book tickets online in advance via the official Palace Museum website (entry ~£8). After lunch at a local restaurant near the palace, take the metro to the Temple of Heaven park (entry ~£5). Book a guided walking tour of the Forbidden City on GetYourGuide for extra depth (~£15–20 including entry). Use the Beijing Metro throughout the day — single journeys from ~£0.25.

🚌Beijing Metro — all-day travel ~£1.50

🛏Budget hotel or hostel in Dongcheng/Drum Tower area (~£15–20/night)

• →Visit Tiananmen Square (free)
• →Explore the Forbidden City — pre-book tickets online (~£8)
• →Lunch at a local restaurant near Wangfujing (~£5–8)
• →Visit Temple of Heaven and its surrounding park (~£5)
• →Optional: Book a Forbidden City guided tour on GetYourGuide (~£15–20 inc. entry)

Head out to Badaling Great Wall — the most accessible section and the one included in the commercial tour. Book a day tour on Klook or GetYourGuide that also includes the Changling Ming Tomb and Sacred Way (~£30–40 including transport and entry). Alternatively, take a public bus 877 from Deshengmen bus stop (~£2 each way) to Badaling, then negotiate a local taxi or join a shared minivan to the Ming Tombs (~£5–8). On the way back, stop at the Olympic Green to view the Bird's Nest stadium and Water Cube from outside (free exterior viewing; internal entry optional ~£8 each).

🚌Public bus 877 from Deshengmen to Badaling (~£2 each way) or Klook/GetYourGuide day tour including transport (~£30–40)

🛏Budget hotel or hostel in Dongcheng/Drum Tower area (~£15–20/night)

• →Visit Badaling Great Wall — book via Klook/GetYourGuide day tour (~£30–40 inc. transport & entry), or DIY by public bus 877 (~£2 each way)
• →Visit Changling Ming Tomb and walk the Sacred Way (~£5 entry)
• →Stop at Olympic Green to view Bird's Nest and Water Cube exteriors (free)
• →Optional: enter Bird's Nest or Water Cube (~£8 each)

Take the high-speed G-train from Beijing West Railway Station to Xi'an North Railway Station — journey time around 4.5–5.5 hours. Book tickets in advance via the Trip.com or 12306.cn app (~£40–55 for a second-class seat). Trains depart throughout the morning. On arrival in Xi'an, take the metro or a local bus to your accommodation in the city centre (~£0.50). Check in, then spend the evening exploring the famous Muslim Quarter food street — try rou jia mo (Chinese burger), yangrou paomo, and street snacks for dinner (~£5–8).

🚌High-speed G-train Beijing West → Xi'an North (~£40–55 second class). Book via Trip.com or 12306.cn

🛏Budget hotel or hostel near Bell Tower/Muslim Quarter, e.g. Han Tang Inn or Shuyuan Youth Hostel (~£12–18/night)

• →Morning high-speed G-train from Beijing West to Xi'an North (~4.5–5.5 hrs, ~£40–55 second class)
• →Check in to budget hotel or hostel near the city walls or Bell Tower
• →Evening exploration of the Muslim Quarter food street
• →Street food dinner in the Muslim Quarter (~£5–8)

Start with the world-class Shaanxi History Museum — free entry (book timed slots in advance online; audio guide ~£3). Walk or cycle along the top of the ancient Xi'an City Wall (~£5 entry; bicycle hire on the wall ~£5/hr) for panoramic views. After lunch at a local restaurant (~£5–7), visit the serene Small Wild Goose Pagoda and its museum (free entry to grounds; pagoda entry ~£3). End the day back in the Muslim Quarter for evening street food.

🚌Walking and local bus/metro (~£0.50 per journey)

🛏Budget hotel or hostel near Bell Tower/Muslim Quarter (~£12–18/night)

• →Visit Shaanxi History Museum — book free timed tickets online in advance (audio guide ~£3)
• →Walk or cycle the Xi'an City Wall (~£5 entry; bike hire ~£5/hr)
• →Lunch at a local restaurant near the wall (~£5–7)
• →Visit Small Wild Goose Pagoda and museum gardens (~£3 for pagoda entry)
• →Evening street food in the Muslim Quarter (~£5)

The unmissable highlight of Xi'an. Take bus 306 or 914 from Xi'an Railway Station to the Terracotta Warriors Museum (~£1 each way, 45–60 mins) or book a day tour on GetYourGuide or Klook including transport and a local guide (~£25–35). Entry to the museum site is ~£17. Spend at least 3 hours exploring Pits 1, 2, and 3, and the bronze chariot exhibition. Return to the city and spend the afternoon in the Muslim Quarter — explore the Great Mosque (entry ~£7; one of China's best-preserved), browse the market lanes, and enjoy a long lunch or early dinner at one of the local restaurants on Muslim Street.

🚌Bus 306 or 914 from Xi'an Station to Terracotta Warriors (~£1 each way), or day tour including transport (~£25–35)

🛏Budget hotel or hostel near Bell Tower/Muslim Quarter (~£12–18/night)

• →Take bus 306/914 or Klook/GetYourGuide tour to Terracotta Warriors Museum (~£25–35 with guide, or DIY ~£1 bus + £17 entry)
• →Explore Pits 1, 2 & 3 and the bronze chariot exhibition (allow 3+ hours)
• →Visit the Great Mosque in the Muslim Quarter (~£7 entry)
• →Lunch or early dinner on Muslim Street (~£6–10)

Fly from Xi'an Xianyang Airport (XIY) to Guilin Liangjiang International Airport (KWL) — budget airlines like Air China or China Southern offer fares from ~£50–80 booked in advance. Take an airport shuttle bus or metro to the city centre (~£3–5). Check in to your accommodation, then head out to Reed Flute Cave in the afternoon — take bus 3 or a taxi (~£4–6 return). Entry to the cave is ~£10. The illuminated stalactite formations are spectacular. Return to the city for dinner near the Two Rivers and Four Lakes area.

🚌Domestic flight Xi'an → Guilin (~£50–80). Bus 3 or taxi to Reed Flute Cave (~£4–6 return)

🛏Budget hotel or hostel in central Guilin, e.g. Guilin Riverside Hostel or Duck & Swan Inn (~£12–18/night)

• →Morning flight from Xi'an (XIY) to Guilin (KWL) (~£50–80, book in advance)
• →Airport shuttle or metro to city centre (~£3–5)
• →Check in to budget hotel or hostel in central Guilin
• →Afternoon visit to Reed Flute Cave — bus 3 or taxi (~£4–6 return); entry ~£10
• →Evening dinner near Two Rivers and Four Lakes area (~£6–8)

The Li River cruise from Guilin to Yangshuo is one of China's most scenic journeys — dramatic karst peaks reflected in the glassy water, water buffalo on the banks, and bamboo groves lining the shore. Book an official cruise ticket directly at the pier or via Klook (~£25–35 for the 4-hour cruise). Arrive in Yangshuo and spend the afternoon exploring the town and the famous West Street (pedestrianised and full of cafes, craft shops, and local restaurants). Try rock climbing, a bamboo raft trip, or a bike ride to nearby Moon Hill (~£5–10) for the adventurous. Return to Guilin by public bus (~£1.50) or stay overnight in Yangshuo.

🚌Li River cruise boat (~£25–35). Return to Guilin by public bus (~£1.50)

🛏Budget hotel or hostel in central Guilin (~£12–18/night)

• →Li River cruise from Guilin to Yangshuo — book via Klook or at the pier (~£25–35, 4 hours)
• →Explore Yangshuo and walk West Street
• →Optional: bamboo raft trip (~£8), rock climbing (~£15–20), or bike ride to Moon Hill (~£5)
• →Lunch in Yangshuo (~£5–8)
• →Return to Guilin by public bus (~£1.50) or stay overnight in Yangshuo

Fly from Guilin (KWL) to Shanghai Pudong (PVG) or Hongqiao (SHA) — fares from ~£50–80 booked in advance. Take the Maglev train from Pudong airport to the metro network (~£5), or metro directly from Hongqiao. Check in to your Shanghai accommodation. In the afternoon, visit Yu Garden (Yuyuan) in the Old City — entry ~£5; the surrounding bazaar is free. As evening falls, stroll along The Bund waterfront promenade (free) for iconic views of the Pudong skyline glittering across the Huangpu River. Nanjing Road pedestrian shopping street is a short walk away.

🚌Domestic flight Guilin → Shanghai (~£50–80). Maglev or metro from airport (~£5)

🛏Budget hotel or hostel in Former French Concession or near People's Square, e.g. Captain Hostel or Phoenix Hostel Shanghai (~£15–22/night)

• →Morning flight from Guilin (KWL) to Shanghai Pudong (PVG) or Hongqiao (SHA) (~£50–80)
• →Maglev train or metro from airport to city centre (~£5)
• →Check in to budget hotel or hostel in the Former French Concession or near The Bund
• →Afternoon visit to Yu Garden (~£5 entry)
• →Evening stroll along The Bund (free)
• →Optional: browse Nanjing Road pedestrian street (free)

Take a morning trip to Zhujiajiao, a beautifully preserved ancient water town dating back over 1,700 years, with stone arch bridges, canal-side Ming and Qing dynasty buildings, and gondola-style boat rides. Get there by public bus from Pu'an Road bus terminal (~£2 each way, 1 hour) or book a half-day tour via Klook (~£18–25 including transport). Entry to the town is free; individual pavilions and boat rides cost extra (~£3–8). Return to Shanghai in the afternoon and explore Xintiandi (Xin Tiandi) — a stylish district of restored Shikumen (stone gate) houses converted into cafes, boutiques, and restaurants. Free to explore; budget ~£8–15 for lunch or drinks.

🚌Public bus from Pu'an Road to Zhujiajiao (~£2 each way), or Klook half-day tour (~£18–25 inc. transport). Metro within Shanghai (~£0.50–1 per trip)

🛏Budget hotel or hostel in Former French Concession or near People's Square (~£15–22/night)

• →Morning trip to Zhujiajiao ancient water town — public bus from Pu'an Road (~£2 each way) or Klook half-day tour (~£18–25)
• →Explore canals, stone bridges, and historic architecture in Zhujiajiao
• →Optional gondola boat ride (~£5–8)
• →Afternoon exploration of Xintiandi district (free to walk around)
• →Lunch or coffee at Xintiandi (~£8–15)

A free day to explore Shanghai at your own pace. Options include: visiting the Shanghai Museum in People's Square (free entry; book timed tickets online), taking the ferry across the Huangpu River to Pudong for views of the Bund from the other side (~£0.20), ascending the Shanghai Tower observation deck (world's second tallest building, ~£20), or exploring the trendy Tianzifang art and shopping lanes in the French Concession. In the evening, treat yourself to a farewell dinner at a local restaurant or splurge at one of the rooftop bars overlooking the Bund skyline (~£15–25 for a special dinner).

🚌Shanghai Metro (~£0.50–1 per trip) and Huangpu River ferry (~£0.20)

🛏Budget hotel or hostel in Former French Concession or near People's Square (~£15–22/night)

• →Visit the Shanghai Museum in People's Square (free; book timed entry online)
• →Ferry across the Huangpu River for Bund views (~£0.20)
• →Optional: Shanghai Tower observation deck (~£20)
• →Explore Tianzifang art lanes in the French Concession (free)
• →Farewell dinner at a local restaurant or rooftop bar (~£15–25)

Check out of your accommodation and head to the airport. Take the metro or Maglev to Pudong International Airport (~£5), or metro to Hongqiao Airport (~£2). Allow plenty of time — aim to arrive at least 2.5–3 hours before international departure. Grab a last bowl of congee or a scallion pancake from a street vendor before you go.

🚌Maglev from Longyang Road to Pudong Airport (~£5) or metro to Hongqiao (~£2)

🛏N/A — departure day

• →Hotel check-out
• →Maglev or metro to Pudong Airport (~£5) or metro to Hongqiao Airport (~£2)
• →Last breakfast — street congee or scallion pancake (~£2–3)
• →Departure