China in 2 Weeks: Golden Triangle, Zhangjiajie & Yangshuo
A full two-week China itinerary — Beijing, Xi'an and Shanghai plus Zhangjiajie and Yangshuo. Day-by-day plan with train and flight legs.
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Two weeks is the classic length for a first China trip — long enough for the three great cities and two of the country’s best landscapes, without rushing. This plan strings Beijing, Xi’an, Zhangjiajie, Yangshuo and Shanghai into one coherent route with sensible travel days.
The route at a glance
| Day | Stop | Focus |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Beijing | Arrive, Tiananmen |
| 2 | Beijing | Forbidden City, hutongs |
| 3 | Beijing | Great Wall (Mutianyu) |
| 4 | Beijing → Xi’an | Train, City Wall |
| 5 | Xi’an | Terracotta Army |
| 6 | Xi’an → Zhangjiajie | Fly, settle in |
| 7 | Zhangjiajie | Yuanjiajie, Hallelujah Mountain |
| 8 | Zhangjiajie | Golden Whip Stream |
| 9 | Zhangjiajie → Guilin | Fly, Reed Flute Cave |
| 10 | Li River → Yangshuo | The 4-hour cruise |
| 11 | Yangshuo | Yulong River, countryside |
| 12 | Yangshuo → Shanghai | Train or flight |
| 13 | Shanghai | Bund, Yu Garden |
| 14 | Shanghai | Depart |
Days 1–3 — Beijing
Two and a half days in China’s capital: the Forbidden City and Tiananmen (day 2), the Great Wall at Mutianyu (day 3, book ahead), and the Temple of Heaven and hutongs if time allows. Full guide: Beijing.
Days 4–5 — Xi’an
Take the morning high-speed train to Xi’an (about 4.5 hours). Day 5 is the Terracotta Army — go early. In the evenings, walk the City Wall and eat your way through the Muslim Quarter. Full guide: Xi’an.
Days 6–8 — Zhangjiajie
Fly from Xi’an to Zhangjiajie (about 2 hours). Two full days in the park: Yuanjiajie and the Hallelujah Mountain on day 7, Golden Whip Stream and the glass bridge on day 8. This is the most physically demanding leg — pack for stairs and queues. Full guide: Zhangjiajie.
Days 9–11 — Guilin & Yangshuo
A short flight to Guilin, then the classic Li River cruise to Yangshuo (day 10) and a day on the Yulong River rafts and the countryside (day 11). The scenery half is gentler — the recovery from Zhangjiajie. Full guides: Guilin, Yangshuo.
Days 12–14 — Shanghai
Train or fly to Shanghai, then the Bund, Yu Garden and the French Concession across two relaxed days before flying home. Full guide: Shanghai.
Practical tips
- Book the two internal flights ahead (Xi’an–Zhangjiajie and Zhangjiajie–Guilin) — they fill up and the prices rise close to departure.
- Book high-speed rail with your passport for the Beijing–Xi’an and Guilin–Shanghai legs. How to book trains.
- Set up Alipay and an eSIM before you fly — Alipay and eSIM make every leg smoother.
- One pair of good walking shoes will carry the whole trip — you’ll walk more in a day here than a week at home.
Where this route fits
This is the definitive two-week first-time China trip — a fuller version of our 10-day golden triangle, and the scenery-heavy alternative to the classic 14-day plan. Start from the first-timer planner.
FAQ highlights
- Can I do it with no internal flights? You’d lose Zhangjiajie — the mountains are the leg that really needs the flight.
- Is 1.5 days in Xi’an enough? Yes for the essentials (Terracotta Army plus one evening), no if you love museums.
- Where should I fly into and out of? In via Beijing, out via Shanghai, is the natural flow.
Last updated: August 2026. Flight and train schedules change — confirm before you travel.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is two weeks enough to see this much of China?
Yes — this route is built around the two-week sweet spot: the three classic cities (Beijing, Xi'an, Shanghai) plus the two great scenery regions (Zhangjiajie, Yangshuo). You move roughly every second night, with the longest travel day being the flight to Zhangjiajie.
How does this differ from the classic 14-day itinerary?
Our classic [14-day plan](https://chinotrips.com/itineraries/china-14-day-itinerary/) does the golden triangle plus Guilin and Chengdu. This version swaps Chengdu for Zhangjiajie and bases the scenery half on Yangshuo instead of Guilin city — better for travelers who want the 'Avatar' mountains and the Li River in one trip.
What are the travel legs like between these cities?
Beijing to Xi'an is a 4.5-hour high-speed train, Xi'an to Zhangjiajie is a flight (about 2 hours), Zhangjiajie to Guilin is a short flight, and Guilin back to Shanghai is a train or flight. Two internal flights is the cost of including both scenery regions.
Is this route too packed for a family?
It's on the fuller side. For a family, drop Zhangjiajie (it's the most physically demanding) and keep the cities plus Yangshuo — see our [family itinerary](https://chinotrips.com/itineraries/china-family-itinerary/) for a gentler version.
When should I go?
Spring (April–May) and autumn (September–October) give the best weather across all six stops. Summer is hot and crowded in the cities; winter is fine in the south but cold in Beijing and Xi'an.