2-Week China Itinerary: The Best of China in 14 Days

The 2-Week Route

Two weeks allows you to add Chengdu and Chongqing to the classic circuit. This gives you imperial history (Beijing, Xi'an), Sichuan culture and giant pandas (Chengdu), China's most unique city (Chongqing), and cosmopolitan Shanghai.

• ✓Fly between cities rather than taking trains to save time with 14 days
• ✓Book Forbidden City, Terracotta Army, and Panda Base tickets at least 2 weeks ahead
• ✓Consider starting in Chengdu if flying from the US West Coast — the routing often works better

Days 1–3: Beijing

Three days covers the essential Beijing highlights.

1. 1Day 1: Arrive → evening hutong walk in Gulou area
2. 2Day 2: Forbidden City → Jingshan Park → Nanluogu Alley
3. 3Day 3: Great Wall at Mutianyu → Peking duck dinner at Da Dong or Quanjude

Days 4–5: Xi'an

High-speed train from Beijing (4.5 hours). Two days for Xi'an's highlights.

1. 1Day 4: Muslim Quarter → City Wall bike ride
2. 2Day 5: Terracotta Army → Big Wild Goose Pagoda → fly to Chengdu

Days 6–8: Chengdu

Three days in Chengdu for pandas, hotpot, and Sichuan culture.

1. 1Day 6: Chengdu Panda Base (arrive by 8am for feeding time) → Jinli Ancient Street
2. 2Day 7: Wenshu Monastery → Chunxi Road → hotpot dinner (order 微辣 if you cannot handle spice)
3. 3Day 8: Day trip to Leshan Giant Buddha or Mount Emei

• ✓The Panda Base gets very crowded after 10am — book the earliest time slot
• ✓Authentic Chengdu hotpot is extremely spicy — ask for a divided pot (鸳鸯锅) with mild broth on one side

Days 9–10: Chongqing

High-speed train from Chengdu (about 1.5 hours). Chongqing is unlike any other Chinese city.

1. 1Day 9: Arrive → Hongya Cave lights at sunset → hotpot dinner
2. 2Day 10: Ciqikou Ancient Town → Hongyadong → Jiefangbei pedestrian street → fly to Shanghai

Days 11–14: Shanghai

Four days for China's most international city.

1. 1Day 11: Arrive → French Concession → Xintiandi
2. 2Day 12: The Bund → Yu Garden → soup dumplings at Nanxiang
3. 3Day 13: M50 art district → Jing'an Temple → rooftop bar at sunset
4. 4Day 14: Last morning shopping → depart from Pudong or Hongqiao