Routes

Routes built around trade-offs, not checklists — where the hours actually go, and what each choice costs.

A route is a set of trade-offs: fewer cities means deeper days; more cities means more train hours and hotel check-ins. Each route page shows the itinerary and the trade-off matrix behind it, so you can see what you're giving up — not just what you're getting.

Golden Triangle in 8 Days: The Trade-off Matrix

Golden Triangle in 8 Days: The Trade-off Matrix

The classic first trip — Beijing, Datong, Xi'an, Shanghai — with the trade-off matrix made visible.

Beijing Day Route: Forbidden City and Hutong Core

Beijing Day Route: Forbidden City and Hutong Core

One Beijing day on the imperial axis — Forbidden City at opening, Jingshan view, and hutong evening. Copy it as-is.

Beijing Day Route: Mutianyu Great Wall

Beijing Day Route: Mutianyu Great Wall

One Beijing day at the Mutianyu Great Wall — first buses up, a cable car, and a toboggan down. The low-crowd Wall day.

Shanghai Day Route: Yu Garden to the Bund

Shanghai Day Route: Yu Garden to the Bund

One Shanghai day from old town to the Bund — Yu Garden at opening, the Deco lanes after lunch, and the skyline at nightfall.

Xi'an Day Route: Terracotta Army and City Wall

Xi'an Day Route: Terracotta Army and City Wall

One Xi'an day — the Terracotta Army at opening, the city wall by bike, and the Muslim Quarter for dinner. The classic, correctly ordered.

Chengdu Day Route: Pandas and Teahouse Slow Down

Chengdu Day Route: Pandas and Teahouse Slow Down

One Chengdu day — pandas at feeding hour, a teahouse afternoon in People's Park, and hotpot for dinner. Slow by design.

Shenzhen Day Route: Makers, Mountains, and the Bay

Shenzhen Day Route: Makers, Mountains, and the Bay

One day through the world's biggest electronics market, a mountain viewpoint, and a sunset bay walk.

Guangzhou Day Route: Dim Sum to the Canton Tower

Guangzhou Day Route: Dim Sum to the Canton Tower

Dim sum at a century-old teahouse, island lanes, and the Canton Tower lit over the river by night.

Hangzhou Day Route: West Lake and Tea Fields

Hangzhou Day Route: West Lake and Tea Fields

Lake causeways at dawn, a tea-village lunch, and Song-dynasty streets after the crowds thin.

Chongqing Day Route: Cliffs, Cableways, and Hotpot

Chongqing Day Route: Cliffs, Cableways, and Hotpot

The vertical city in one day - stilt houses, a river cableway, hotpot, and the best night view in China.

Zhuhai Day Route: The Slow Seaside

Zhuhai Day Route: The Slow Seaside

A slow seaside day - Lovers' Road by bike, the Fisher Girl, and islands on the horizon.

Qingdao Day Route: Piers, Beer, and Red Roofs

Qingdao Day Route: Piers, Beer, and Red Roofs

German lanes, a pier, a beach lunch, and the brewery where the beer is hours old.

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