First trip to China (Sept 13–27) help needed

Hi everyone! I am planning my first trip to China from September 13–27 and would really appreciate some advice.

Beijing · Sept 14–18

Hotel: HanTing Hotel (Beijing Wangfujing Xiehe Hospital), Wangfujing area.

I arrive at around 5:40 AM on Sept 14, so after getting to the hotel and resting a little, I should still have the afternoon.

Sept 14: Temple of Heaven in the afternoon, then Wangfujing in the evening.

Sept 15: Mutianyu Great Wall (already booked). Back in Beijing in the afternoon/evening, with the possibility of exploring Wudaoying Hutong, Guozijian Street or the Lama Temple area.

Sept 16: Tiananmen Square, Forbidden City and Jingshan Park. Afterwards possibly Nanluoguxiang, other hutongs or Beihai Park.

Sept 17: Summer Palace. Possibly Old Summer Palace afterwards, otherwise some free time for hutongs, shopping or anything else worth seeing.

Is this a good way to structure the four days, and is Wangfujing a good base?

Shanghai · Sept 18–22

Hotel: JI Hotel (Shanghai The Bund Jiujiang Road), East Nanjing Road / Bund.

Sept 18: High-speed train Beijing → Shanghai, arriving around 14:35. Check-in and explore Nanjing Road / Bund in the evening.

Sept 19: Yu Garden, possibly Tianzifang, then Pudong, Lujiazui and Shanghai Tower in the afternoon/evening.

Sept 20: Day trip to Suzhou: Humble Administrator’s Garden, Pingjiang Road, canals and Shantang Street in the evening. Possibly Lingering Garden or Tiger Hill if there is enough time.

Sept 21: Day trip to Hangzhou: West Lake, Three Pools Mirroring the Moon, Leifeng Pagoda, Yue Fei Temple and possibly Longjing Tea Cultural Village.

Sept 22: Morning flight Shanghai → Guilin.

Is the East Nanjing Road/Bund area a good base for this plan? I also have some free time in Shanghai, so I would love suggestions that are not just sightseeing: a good massage, spa, tea house, hair salon/barber, shopping, nightlife or another interesting local experience.

Guilin · Sept 22–23

Hotel: Venus Royal Hotel (Guilin Elephant Trunk Hill Sun and Moon Twin Towers), central/Shanhu Lake area.

I arrive around 13:40. The idea is to explore Shanhu Lake, Sun & Moon Pagodas, Zhengyang Road, Elephant Trunk Hill and possibly Jingjiang Princes’ Palace in the afternoon/evening.

Sept 23: Li River cruise to Yangshuo, around four hours.

Does this make sense for just one night in Guilin, and is the hotel location convenient for the cruise?

Yangshuo · Sept 23–24

Hotel: Guilin Yangshuo West Street Drum Tower Tour Hotel, West Street area.

After the cruise, I plan to explore Yangshuo and possibly do Yulong River bamboo rafting, visit Silver Cave / Gold Water Cave, cycle around the countryside and/or see the Impression Sanjie Liu show.

Sept 24: Morning in Yangshuo, then train to Chongqing at 14:30.

Would you use the time differently? Is there anything I absolutely should not miss in Yangshuo?

Chongqing · Sept 24–27

Hotel: Chongqing HongyaCave ChaotianmenGate Atour Light Hotel, Hongyadong / Chaotianmen area.

Sept 24: Arrive around 19:00, then Hongyadong, Qiansimen Bridge and Chaotianmen at night.

Sept 25: Yangtze River cable car, Longmenhao, Luohan Temple, Raffles City, Chaotianmen and Hongyadong. Possibly an evening river cruise.

Sept 26: Ciqikou, Testbed 2 and Eling Park. Alternative options: Three Gorges Museum, Danzishi Old Street or Jiefangbei.

Sept 27: Early morning flight home.

Is Hongyadong/Chaotianmen a good area to stay, or would Jiefangbei be better? What would you change?

I would especially appreciate advice on

• Anything I am missing in any of these cities.
• Things you would remove because they are overrated.
• How you would use the free time in each city.
• Whether the hotel locations make sense.
• Neighborhoods worth simply wandering around.
• Good food, tea, massage/spa, hair salon or other local experiences.
• Anything that would make the trip feel more like experiencing China rather than just visiting tourist attractions.

Thanks!