Suggested Summer Itineraries

 For first timers, Beijing, Xi’an, and Shanghai are the basic classic combination. If you want to have more China experience, we’ve given you their combos with featured cities for different interests.

All our sample schedules can be adjusted based on your group size, trip duration and dates, and other needs.

1. If You Prefer Outdoor Activities

Outdoor activities in Guilin

Beside the basic Beijing, Xi’an, and Shanghai elements, Guilin is recommended for outdoor lovers.

Guilin is suggested for its rich summer-activity selection and relaxing vibe. Guilin offers many interesting outdoor activities like biking, caving, and many water activities.

You may need to set aside 11–14 days for this trip. When it comes to scheduling, especially when traveling with children, we recommend a flexible schedule.

To avoid the heat, block out the afternoon or schedule activities after 4pm, like a sunset or night visit to the Great Wall.

Here is the sample itinerary:

• Days 1–3: Beijing sightseeing with all the must-see attractions and a special sunset visit to the Great Wall with a family picnic time.
• Days 4–5: Xi’an sightseeing with the Terracotta Army, a foodie tour, and a night walking tour.
• Days 6–9: Guilin with a Li River cruise and some interesting activities like caving, trying Chinese landscape painting, and SUP on a scenic river.
• Days 10–12: Shanghai with a visit to the Bund, a home visit and cooking experience, and some free time.

2. If You Are Looking for a Panda Tour

Panda volunteer programme

Chengdu should definitely be included in addition to Beijing, Xi’an, and Shanghai if you are panda lovers. We also recommend a Yangtze River cruise from nearby Chongqing — a good way to avoid summer heat while enjoying China’s natural views.

Here is the suggested itinerary, which takes about 2 weeks:

• Days 1–4: Beijing arrival and exploration with must-sees including the Great Wall and the Forbidden City
• Days 5–6: Xi’an sightseeing with a visit to the Terracotta Army and clay-warrior-making experience
• Days 7–8: Chengdu panda tour with a keeper program — make panda cakes, see pandas being fed at a close distance, and clean their enclosures.
• Days 9–11: Yangtze River cruise with excursions
• Days 12–13: Shanghai exploration with a visit to the Bund and some free time.

3. If You Want to Avoid Heat

If you want to enjoy a nice and cool weather conditions on your summer trip, Yunnan is definitely the best choice to combine with Beijing, Xi’an, and Shanghai.

For a Yunnan trip, Kunming, Dali, Lijiang, and Shangri-La are the four popular destinations.

Here is the itinerary:

• Days 1–4: Beijing arrival and exploration with must-sees including the Great Wall and the Forbidden City
• Days 5–6: Xi’an sightseeing with a visit to the Terracotta Army and clay-warrior-making experience
• Days 7–8: Kunming with a less-crowded Naigu Stone Forest exploration
• Days 9–10: Dali. Visit a local village to discover the daily life of the Bai people, dye a handkerchief, and taste home-cooked local cuisine.
• Day 11: Lijiang. Visit Jade Dragon Snow Mountain and a Naxi family to learn about the mysterious Naxi culture.
• Day 12–14: Shangri-La. Visit a local Tibetan family, experience a Tibetan ceremony of blessing, learn to paint a thangka (‘sacred tapestry’), enjoy a starry night with a bonfire on the grassland...
• Days 15–16: Shanghai exploration with a visit to the Bund and some free time.