China Bucket List Express: Beijing, Guilin/Yangshuo, Hangzhou & Shanghai

An action-packed 6-day whirlwind tour covering China's premier historic, natural, and futuristic highlights. Fly south to the karst peak wonderland of Yangshuo, transition to Hangzhou's poetic West Lake, and finish in modern Shanghai.

Route at a glance

Beijing → Yangshuo → Hangzhou → Shanghai · 6 days

Day-by-day plan

Day 1 · Beijing

Imperial Beijing Essentials

Morning
Arrive in Beijing. Head directly to Tiananmen Square and enter the magnificent Forbidden City.

Afternoon
Climb Jingshan Park for a 360-degree view of the Imperial Palace, then explore the traditional hutongs around Nanluoguxiang.

Evening
Enjoy an authentic Peking Duck dinner in Dongcheng District.

Food to try Peking Roast Duck · Zhajiangmian (Fried Sauce Noodles)

Practical tip
Forbidden City tickets must be booked 7 days in advance online.,Keep your passport with you at all times for security checks around Tiananmen.

Day 2 · Beijing to Yangshuo

Great Wall Sprint & Flight to Karst Country

Morning
Take an early private transfer to Mutianyu Great Wall; ride the cable car up and toboggan down for maximum speed.

Afternoon
Transfer directly to Beijing Airport (PEK/PKX) for an afternoon flight to Guilin (approx. 3.5 hours).

Evening
Arrive in Guilin, take a direct 1-hour taxi/car to Yangshuo, and stroll down the vibrant West Street.

Food to try Yangshuo Beer Fish · Guilin Rice Noodles

Practical tip
Book a flight leaving Beijing around 14:00 to 15:00 to optimize your time.,Pre-arrange a car transfer from Guilin Airport directly to Yangshuo hotel.

Day 3 · Yangshuo to Hangzhou

Yangshuo Karst Landscapes & Flight to Hangzhou

Morning
Take a scenic bamboo raft along the Yulong River and visit Xingping to see the 20 RMB bill landscape view.

Afternoon
Transfer to Guilin Airport (KWL) and take a late afternoon flight to Hangzhou (approx. 2 hours).

Evening
Check into your Hangzhou hotel near West Lake and enjoy a lakeside dinner.

Food to try Dongpo Pork · West Lake Vinegar Fish · Longjing Tea Shrimp

Practical tip
Do bamboo rafting early in the morning to beat tourist crowds.,Pack light or use express luggage transfer service if available.

Day 4 · Hangzhou to Shanghai

West Lake Poetics & Bullet Train to Shanghai

Morning
Take a morning boat cruise on Hangzhou's West Lake and visit the nearby Longjing Tea Village.

Afternoon
Board a high-speed train from Hangzhou East to Shanghai Hongqiao.

Evening
Check into your Shanghai hotel and walk along The Bund to marvel at the illuminated Lujiazui skyline.

Food to try Xiaolongbao (Soup Dumplings) · Shengjianbao (Pan-fried Pork Buns)

Getting there High-speed rail: Hangzhou → Shanghai (about 1h).

Practical tip
Store your luggage at Hangzhou East station lockers if visiting sites before boarding.

Day 5 · Shanghai

Shanghai's Heritage & Futuristic Skyline

Morning
Explore the classical Yu Garden and the surrounding Old Town market bazaar.

Afternoon
Ascend the Shanghai Tower observation deck for panoramic views, followed by a walk through the tree-lined Former French Concession.

Evening
Take a evening Huangpu River cruise to admire the neon lights of modern Shanghai.

Food to try Scallion Oil Noodles · Braised Pork Belly (Hongshao Rou)

Practical tip
Pre-book Shanghai Tower tickets online to skip the main ticket booth line.

Day 6 · Shanghai

Modern Culture & High-Speed Departure

Morning
Visit Xintiandi for modern dining and shopping in converted traditional Shikumen architecture.

Afternoon
Take the Shanghai Maglev Train to Pudong International Airport (PVG) reaching speeds of up to 431 km/h.

Evening
Depart from Shanghai Pudong International Airport.

Food to try Crab Roe Soup Dumplings · Egg Tarts

Practical tip
Keep your airline ticket handy to receive a discount on the Maglev train ticket.

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