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Dubai to China: Beijing, Xi'an, Guilin and Shanghai

Dubai → Beijing → Xi'an → Guilin → Shanghai

Forbidden City
"The_Forbidden_City_-_View_from_Coal_Hill.jpg" by Pixelflake, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons· licence
Huangpu Park 20124-Shanghai (32208802494) (Shanghai)
Photo: xiquinhosilva, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

China highlights Best season (general guide): Apr–May, Sep–Oct (avoid Golden Weeks)

Covering a country as large as China in two weeks means making choices. This route links four very different cities: the imperial north, the ancient capital of Xi'an, the karst landscape of the south and the modern skyline of Shanghai. From Dubai there are flights straight to Beijing. Domestic flights join the stops, though high-speed rail is an option on several legs. The itinerary spends four nights in Beijing, two nights in Xi'an, three nights in Guilin and three nights in Shanghai.

Beijing comes first for its historic depth: the Forbidden City, Tiananmen Square, the Temple of Heaven, the hutong alleys and a day trip to the Great Wall at a less crowded section such as Mutianyu. Xi'an, the next stop, is the eastern end of the old Silk Road. Its city walls can be cycled, and the Terracotta Army lies a short drive away. Guilin, in Guangxi, is the scenic heart of the trip, with river trips through limestone peaks to Yangshuo and countryside that's easy to explore by bicycle. Shanghai brings you back to big-city energy, with the Bund, the old town gardens and the former French Concession.

Spring and autumn are generally the most comfortable seasons in these regions. Avoid the national Golden Week holidays, especially 1 to 7 October and early May, when trains, hotels and sights get very crowded. Summer in Guilin and Shanghai is hot and wet. Check visa requirements and any transit-exemption rules for your passport well ahead.

Mobile payments are now part of daily life in Chinese cities. Setting up an international card in a local payment app before you leave makes taxis, metro tickets and street food much easier. Many international websites and apps don't work in mainland China, so download offline maps and translation tools in advance. Major sights such as the Forbidden City need advance booking with your passport.

Suggested outline

  1. Dubai

    Start

  2. Beijing

    By air · 4 nights suggested

    Four nights, including a day at the Great Wall.

  3. Xi'an

    By air · 2 nights suggested

    Two nights for the walls, the Muslim Quarter and the Terracotta Army.

    Terracotta Army
    "51714-Terracota-Army.jpg" by xiquinhosilva, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons· licence

  4. Guilin

    By air · 3 nights suggested

    Three nights, including a river trip to Yangshuo.

    Li River
    "87318-Li-River.jpg" by xiquinhosilva, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons· licence

  5. Shanghai

    By air · 3 nights suggested

    Three nights to finish in China's largest city.

    The Bund
    "The_Bund_2.jpg" by 钉钉, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons· licence

Day by day

  1. Day 1 · Beijing — Arrive; Tiananmen Square· Dubai → Beijing (by air)
  2. Day 2 · Beijing — Forbidden City
  3. Day 3 · Beijing — Great Wall at Mutianyu
  4. Day 4 · Beijing — Temple of Heaven and hutongs
  5. Day 5 · Xi'an — Fly to Xi'an; cycle the city walls· Beijing → Xi'an (by air)
  6. Day 6 · Xi'an — Terracotta Army
  7. Day 7 · Guilin — Fly to Guilin· Xi'an → Guilin (by air)
  8. Day 8 · Guilin — Li River trip to Yangshuo
  9. Day 9 · Guilin — Countryside by bicycle
  10. Day 10 · Shanghai — Fly to Shanghai; the Bund· Guilin → Shanghai (by air)
  11. Day 11 · Shanghai — Old town gardens
  12. Day 12 · Shanghai — Former French Concession
  13. Day 13 · Shanghai — Travel home from Shanghai· Shanghai → Dubai (by air)

A suggested pace only; expedition days are set by the operator.

Flights, leg by leg

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Beijing

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Xi'an

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Guilin

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Shanghai

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