2 Weeks in China: In-Depth Itineraries for 14-Day Tours

If you have two weeks to travel in China, you will have enough time to go beyond the classic highlights and explore in-depth destinations. You might head to vibrant cities along the southeast coast, trace ancient cultures across the Silk Road in the northwest, enjoy a luxurious cruise through the Three Gorges, or even include a tour to Taiwan. With so many possibilities, there is always an itinerary that fits your interests.

Itinerary #1: Picturesque China Including Suzhou & Hangzhou

West Lake, Hangzhou

Day	Things to Do	Overnight
Day 1	Arrival in Shanghai, Explore at Leisure	Shanghai
Day 2	Dive into Shanghai's Culture and History	Shanghai
Day 3	Shanghai to Suzhou: Garden Wonders	Suzhou
Day 4	Tongli Water Town, then Train to Hangzhou	Hangzhou
Day 5	Hangzhou's West Lake and Cultural Gems	Hangzhou
Day 6	Hangzhou to Guilin: Enter the Scenic South	Guilin
Day 7	Longji Rice Terraces and Yao Villages	Guilin
Day 8	Li River Cruise to Idyllic Yangshuo	Yangshuo
Day 9	Guilin to Xi'an: From Scenery to History	Xi'an
Day 10	Xi'an's Terracotta Army and Cultural Insights	Xi'an
Day 11	Xi'an to Beijing: Capital Adventures	Beijing
Day 12	Beijing's Icons: Forbidden City and Hutongs	Beijing
Day 13	The Great Wall: A Soft Hiking Experience	Beijing
Day 14	Departure from Beijing, Saying Goodbye	-

This 2-week China itinerary combines modern cities with historic sites and offers a balanced introduction to local culture and landscapes.

Your tour starts in Shanghai, a city where futuristic skyscrapers stand beside traditional pagodas. Walk along the Bund to see the contrast between old architecture and modern towers, visit the Jade Buddha Temple, and explore the shops and restaurants on Nanjing Road.

Continue to Suzhou to visit classical gardens such as the Humble Administrator's Garden and enjoy the city's canals and peaceful neighborhoods. From there, head to Tongli, a nearby water town known for its stone bridges, narrow lanes, and riverside views.

In Hangzhou, West Lake is the main highlight. You can take a boat ride across the calm waters and visit historical sites like Lingyin Temple. The city offers a pleasant combination of natural scenery and cultural landmarks.

Travel south to Guilin for some of China's most distinctive landscapes. The Longji Rice Terraces provide wide views of layered fields, and a cruise along the Li River reveals karst mountains rising above the water.

Your next stop is Xi'an, home to the Terracotta Army. Visiting the site gives you a clear sense of the city's long history. The Muslim Quarter adds another side to Xi'an, with lively markets and a variety of local snacks.

The trip ends in Beijing. You will walk through the Forbidden City, explore traditional hutongs to see everyday life, and visit the Temple of Heaven. A visit to the Great Wall is the highlight for many travelers, offering open views over the surrounding hills.

Itinerary #2: China Luxury Vacation with Yangtze River

Day	Things to Do	Overnight
Day 1	Land in Beijing, Chill at The Opposite House	Beijing
Day 2	Tiananmen and Forbidden City Time-Travel	Beijing
Day 3	Great Wall Cable Car Ride, Temple of Heaven	Beijing
Day 4	Feast on Peking Roast Duck	Beijing
Day 5	Bullet Train to Xi'an	Xi'an
Day 6	Terracotta Warriors Exploration, Muslim Street Vibes	Xi'an
Day 7	Xi'an Family Fun, High-Speed Train to Chengdu	Chengdu
Day 8	Panda & Chengdu Tea Culture	Chengdu
Day 9	Sanxingdui Museum, Face Changing, Cruise Beginnings	Yangtze
Day 10	Fengdu Ghost Town Mysteries	Yangtze
Day 11	Gorge Beauty, Shennv Stream	Yangtze
Day 12	Three Gorges Dam, Shanghai Bound	Shanghai
Day 13	The Bund Walk, Yu Garden Peace	Shanghai
Day 14	Wave Goodbye to Shanghai	-

A two-week China tour covers major historical landmarks, natural scenery, and modern cities all in one trip. If you are looking for a luxurious and leisurely China vacation, here it is.

Start your trip in Beijing, where long-standing traditions and modern life come together. Visit the Forbidden City to learn about China's imperial past, walk along the Mutianyu section of the Great Wall for open mountain views, and explore the Temple of Heaven, a park where locals gather for morning activities. For dining, Beijing's classic Peking Roast Duck is an experience many travelers look forward to.

Travel by high-speed train to Xi'an. The Terracotta Warriors provide a clear look into the city's ancient history, while the Muslim Quarter offers lively streets, local snacks, and a mix of cultural influences.

Continue to Chengdu, known for its relaxed atmosphere. See the giant pandas, visit the Sanxingdui Museum to learn about early civilizations in the region, and enjoy an evening Sichuan Opera performance, including the well-known face-changing act.

Next, board a comfortable Yangtze River cruise. The sailing takes you through the Three Gorges, an area known for steep cliffs and river views. Along the way, shore excursions introduce local towns and cultural sites such as Fengdu.

Your trip concludes in Shanghai, a city where historic districts and modern skylines sit side by side. Walk along the Bund for views of both colonial-era buildings and new towers, explore Yu Garden, and spend time in the city's parks and traditional lanes to see daily life up close.

Itinerary #3: China Family Tour From Beijing to Taipei

Cute Giant Pandas, Chengdu

Day	Things to Do	Overnight
Day 1	Land in Beijing, Get Settled	Beijing
Day 2	Forbidden City & See the Local Life in Hutongs	Beijing
Day 3	Great Wall at Mutianyu & Night on Simatai	Beijing
Day 4	Discover Gubei Water Town & Temple of Heaven	Beijing
Day 5	Bullet Train to Xi'an	Xi'an
Day 6	Terracotta Warriors & Cooking with Locals	Xi'an
Day 7	Off to Chengdu by Bullet Train	Chengdu
Day 8	Panda & Sanxingdui Mysteries	Chengdu
Day 9	Flight to Guilin & Reed Flute Cave	Guilin
Day 10	Magical Li River Cruise	Yangshuo
Day 11	Head to Taipei	Taipei
Day 12	Taipei Highlights	Taipei
Day 13	Free Exploration in Taipei	Taipei
Day 14	Farewell to Taipei	-

Ready for a 14-day in-depth family tour in China? This itinerary suits travelers who want to experience iconic history, beautiful landscapes, and a close encounter with giant pandas.

Start in Beijing, where traditional heritage meets a modern city skyline. Visit Tiananmen Square and the Forbidden City to explore the stories of the imperial era. Then take a rickshaw ride through the Hutongs for a look at everyday life in old Beijing.

The next highlight is the Great Wall at Mutianyu. Take the cable car to enjoy open views of the mountains, and try the toboggan ride that children always enjoy. In the evening, head to Simatai to see the wall under the night sky. Stay in Gubei Water Town, a photogenic riverside village, and join family-friendly activities such as kite making. The Temple of Heaven offers a peaceful setting and a chance to observe local morning traditions.

Continue to Xi'an to visit the Terracotta Warriors. Each figure reflects the craftsmanship and history of ancient China. A cooking class with a local family adds a warm cultural moment as you prepare dumplings together.

In Chengdu, meet the giant pandas at the Panda Breeding Center. Afterwards, explore Sanxingdui Museum, known for its striking bronze masks and archaeological discoveries.

Cruise along the Li River from Guilin to Yangshuo. The karst mountains, quiet villages, and gentle river views create scenery that feels almost like a traditional Chinese painting.

Your trip ends in Taipei. The National Palace Museum displays masterpieces from across Chinese history. Spend time in the city's lively markets and neighborhoods to experience its modern energy and diverse food scene.

Itinerary #4: Iconic China and Silk Road

Terracotta Warriors, Xi'an

Day	Things to Do	Overnight
Day 1	Arrive in Chengdu, the Land of Pandas	Chengdu
Day 2	Meeting Cute Panda and Exploring Chengdu's Vibrant Streets	Chengdu
Day 3	Zip to Xi'an on a High-speed Train, Stepping into History	Xi'an
Day 4	Stand in Awe of the Terracotta Warriors, Cycle Xi'an's Ancient Walls	Xi'an
Day 5	Fly to Dunhuang	Dunhuang
Day 6	Discover Mogao Caves' Treasures, Play in the Singing Sand Dunes	Dunhuang
Day 7	Go to Turpan via Liuyuan, Uncovering Yulin Cave's Beauty	Turpan
Day 8	Explore Turpan's Ancient Ruins and Vibrant Village Life	Turpan
Day 9	Fly to Kashgar	Kashgar
Day 10	Wander through Kashgar's Bazaars, Mosques, and Tombs	Kashgar
Day 11	Take to the Skies: Kashgar to Beijing	Beijing
Day 12	Discover Beijing: Tiananmen Square, Forbidden City, and Summer Palace	Beijing
Day 13	Great Wall and Bask in the Temple of Heaven's Glory	Beijing
Day 14	Bid farewell to Beijing and Fly Home with Memories to Last a Lifetime	-

This 14-day itinerary presents an adventure through China's cultural landmarks and Silk Road heritage. It includes major historical sites, distinctive landscapes, and important archaeological treasures.

Begin in Chengdu, where you will visit the Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding to observe these well-known animals in a natural environment. The city is also known for its food culture. Local Sichuan dishes offer a direct introduction to regional traditions.

Continue to Xi'an to see the Terracotta Warriors, one of China's most significant archaeological discoveries. Cycling or walking on the Ancient City Wall provides a clear view of the old city layout. The local food scene adds another layer to your time in Xi'an.

Fly west to Dunhuang to explore the Mogao Caves, home to an extensive collection of Buddhist murals and sculptures. The Singing Sand Dune and Crescent Spring create a unique desert landscape. On the way to Turpan, Yulin Cave serves as an additional stop for those interested in Buddhist art.

Turpan presents history shaped by both desert and oasis culture. Visit the Jiaohe Ruins, the Flaming Mountain area, and local grottoes to understand the region's long-standing role along the Silk Road. In Kashgar, the Sunday Bazaar and the Id Kah Mosque showcase the traditions of western China and the influence of ancient trade routes.

End in Beijing, where you will walk a section of the Great Wall and visit key imperial sites, including the Forbidden City, the Summer Palace, and the Temple of Heaven. These landmarks provide a balanced view of architectural achievement and political history.