Smart China Trip

8-Day China Itinerary: Shanghai, Hangzhou & Guilin

Landscape photographers, couples and families seeking city culture and countryside scenery.

Shanghai · 2 nightsHangzhou · 2 nightsGuilin · 3 nights

Suggested: April–May and September–October; river activities depend on water and weather conditions.

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Day by day

  1. Day 1

    The Bund

    Arrive by noon and check in before afternoon sightseeing. Visit in this order: The Bund.

    Overnight: Shanghai

    Planned day
    6h 30m
    Local travel
    1h
    Arrival / departure
    2h
    Meals & breaks
    1h 30m

    The Bund

    Visit
    2h
    Address
    The Huangpu River's west-bank waterfront along Zhongshan East 1st and 2nd Roads, Huangpu, Shanghai.
    Admission
    Check admission or fares separately for cruises, building interiors and paid events.
  2. Day 2

    Yu Garden → Shanghai Museum

    Visit in this order: Yu Garden → Shanghai Museum.

    Overnight: Shanghai

    Planned day
    6h 30m
    Local travel
    1h
    Meals & breaks
    1h 30m

    Yu Garden

    Visit
    2h
    Address
    Huangpu, Shanghai: north gate at 168 Fuyou Road; south gate at 279 Yuyuan Old Street.
    Opening hours
    Tuesday–Sunday 09:00–16:30, last entry 16:00; closed Mondays except statutory holidays.
    Admission
    Adult admission to the classical garden. CNY 40 Apr–Jun and Sep–Nov, otherwise CNY 30; this is separate from the surrounding shopping streets and lantern events.
    Reservation
    Purchase through the official Shanghai Yuyuan WeChat account or on site; check notices for the visit date.

    Shanghai Museum

    Visit
    2h
    Admission
    General admission is free. Some special exhibitions require separate tickets; follow current entry arrangements.
  3. Day 3

    West Lake

    Allow about 4 hours from Shanghai to Hangzhou, including stations, waiting and hotel transfers. Visit in this order: West Lake.

    Overnight: Hangzhou

    Planned day
    10h
    Local travel
    30m
    Intercity travel
    4h
    Meals & breaks
    1h 30m

    West Lake

    Visit
    4h
    Address
    West Lake and its lakeside public parks, Hangzhou, Zhejiang.
    Admission
    Public lakeside parks. Public lakeside parks are free; boat trips, island facilities, separately ticketed sights and commercial services are excluded.
  4. Day 4

    Lingyin Temple → China National Silk Museum

    Visit in this order: Lingyin Temple → China National Silk Museum.

    Overnight: Hangzhou

    Planned day
    6h 30m
    Local travel
    1h
    Meals & breaks
    1h 30m

    Lingyin Temple

    Visit
    2h
    Address
    1 Fayun Lane, Lingyin Road, Hangzhou, Zhejiang.
    Opening hours
    Lingyin–Feilai Peak scenic area: 07:30–17:30, last entry 17:00; check separate notices for temple event days.
    Admission
    Lingyin–Feilai Peak scenic area, including Lingyin, Yongfu and Taoguang temples. Admission has been free since 1 December 2025. Booking is still required; previous separate scenic-area and temple ticket prices are obsolete.
    Reservation
    Book a real-name time slot through the official Hangzhou Lingyin Feilai Peak WeChat or Alipay mini-program. On-site registration ended on 1 February 2026; a waitlist operates under official rules.

    China National Silk Museum

    Visit
    2h
    Admission
    General admission and permanent exhibitions are free. Some special exhibitions, guided tours and audio devices cost extra. Check current entry arrangements.
  5. Day 5

    Elephant Trunk Hill

    Allow about 6 hours from Hangzhou to Guilin, including stations, waiting and hotel transfers. Visit in this order: Elephant Trunk Hill.

    Overnight: Guilin

    Planned day
    9h
    Local travel
    30m
    Intercity travel
    6h
    Meals & breaks
    1h

    Elephant Trunk Hill

    Visit
    1h 30m
    Opening hours
    07:00–21:30, last entry 21:00; after 18:00 use Gate 3.
    Admission
    Ordinary Elephant Trunk Hill admission. General admission has been free since 31 January 2022; cruises and combination products are separate.
    Reservation
    Free admission uses real-name booking, one identity document per visitor; consult official Two Rivers and Four Lakes–Elephant Hill channels.
  6. Day 6

    Guilin Solitary Beauty Peak and Prince’s City Scenic Area → Reed Flute Cave

    Visit in this order: Guilin Solitary Beauty Peak and Prince’s City Scenic Area → Reed Flute Cave.

    Overnight: Guilin

    Planned day
    8h
    Local travel
    1h 30m
    Meals & breaks
    1h 30m

    Reed Flute Cave

    Visit
    2h
    Admission
    Distinguish cave admission from the surrounding outdoor area when choosing your ticket.
  7. Day 7

    Li River

    Visit in this order: Li River.

    Overnight: Yangshuo, Guilin

    Planned day
    8h
    Local travel
    1h 30m
    Meals & breaks
    1h 30m

    Li River

    Visit
    5h
    Admission
    Check the route, vessel, seat class and included transfers for your chosen product.
    Reservation
    Choose a cruise or raft route first, then consult the scenic area's official ticketing entry. Confirm its pier, departure and any water-level restrictions.
  8. Day 8

    Shangri-La Scenic Area, Guilin

    Visit in this order: Shangri-La Scenic Area, Guilin. Choose an evening departure compatible with the allowance; end sightseeing the previous day for an early departure.

    Overnight: No overnight stay; departure

    Planned day
    9h
    Local travel
    1h
    Arrival / departure
    4h
    Meals & breaks
    1h

Travel, stays & reservations

Transport connections

Use each day’s travel allowance, including stations, waiting and hotel transfers. Verify trains or flights for your dates; omit secondary visits or add a night if connections do not fit.

Where to stay

2 nights in Shanghai; 2 nights in Hangzhou; 3 nights in Guilin. See daily overnight areas and choose transfer-accessible hotels. Shanghai: near People’s Square; Hangzhou: near Hubin or Longxiangqiao; Guilin: near central Guilin, then a transfer-accessible Yangshuo hotel

Book ahead

Check museum and temple reservations, verify a Hangzhou–Guilin flight connection, and confirm Li River cruise piers, baggage and transfers.

Adjusting the route

Swap sightseeing days within the same city for closures, reservations or weather. Keep full-day attractions separate from intercity moves. For late arrival or early departure, omit the affected visits or add a night rather than cutting travel and rest allowances.

Budget & trip preparation

Price intercity travel and accommodation for your dates first, then add attraction tickets, daily meals and local transport.

Useful guides before you go

Explore the cities on this route

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