Many travellers planning a first trip to China try to see the Great Wall, the Terracotta Army, and the Li River all in one go. That is possible in ten to twelve days if you fly between cities, but you need to book internal flights and train tickets at least three weeks ahead, especially during Chinese public holidays. Without early reservations, you risk losing a full day to queuing or finding sold-out options.
The Great Wall: Mutianyu or Jinshanling
Beijing has several restored sections of the Great Wall within a day trip. Mutianyu is the most popular choice for first-time visitors. It is about 90 minutes by bus from central Beijing. The cable car takes you up, and a toboggan ride brings you down. The walkways are wide and well maintained, making it suitable for families or anyone with limited mobility.
Jinshanling is a better option if you want a quieter experience with fewer crowds. It is further from Beijing, roughly three hours by car. The wall here is partly restored and partly wild. The hike between Jinshanling and the nearby section at Huanghu is about four hours and requires moderate fitness. Both sections have ticket offices and basic food stalls. Avoid weekends and national holidays if you want space to walk without bumping into tour groups.
Best time to visit: Mid-October to early November. The autumn colours are excellent, and the air is clear. Summer is hot and crowded. Winter can be bitterly cold and windy on the exposed wall.
Admission costs: Mutianyu charges around 50 RMB for entry, plus 60 RMB for the cable car round trip. Jinshanling is about 40 RMB for entry. Prices change occasionally, so carry cash or a payment app.
Pro tip: Arrive at the gate by 8:00 AM. You will have the wall almost to yourself for the first hour. By 10:00 AM the tour buses arrive.
The Terracotta Army, Xi'an: An Archaeological Wonder
Xi'an is a two-hour bullet train ride west of Beijing. The Terracotta Army is the main reason to go. The site has three pits under a large hangar-like building. Pit 1 is the biggest and holds the famous rows of life-sized soldiers. Pit 2 has archers and cavalry. Pit 3 is the command post, mostly empty but still atmospheric.
Most visitors spend two to three hours at the museum. The site is about 40 minutes by taxi from Xi'an city centre. Do not bother with the souvenir stalls outside the pits; they sell the same items at higher prices than the official shop inside.
Visit at dusk: The museum closes at 17:00 in winter and 18:00 in summer. If you arrive around 14:00, the morning crowds have thinned. By 15:30 you can stand at the railing in Pit 1 with only a few other people. That is the best time for photos without a crush of heads.
Best time: March to May and September to November. The museum is indoors, so weather matters less, but the city of Xi'an is more pleasant in spring and autumn.
What to do: After the army, walk the top of Xi'an's ancient city wall. You can rent a bicycle and ride the full 14-kilometre circuit in about two hours. Finish at the Muslim Quarter for street food like lamb skewers and pita bread in soup.
Admission: 120 RMB for the Terracotta Army site. The Xi'an city wall costs 80 RMB. Bike rental is extra, around 30 RMB per hour.
Li River Cruise: Guilin to Yangshuo
The Li River cruise is the classic way to see the karst limestone peaks that appear on Chinese banknotes. The full cruise from Guilin to Yangshuo takes about four hours on a tourist boat. The boats are comfortable, with air conditioning and a buffet lunch included in the ticket price. The scenery is best in the first two hours after departure, when the river is widest and the mountains are most dramatic.
An alternative is to take a smaller, locally run bamboo raft from the town of Liujiang to Yangshuo. These rafts are motorised and hold two to four passengers. They are slower than the big boats, but you sit much closer to the water. The raft trip takes three to four hours and costs about 200 RMB per person. You get wet feet on a raft, so wear sandals.
Yangshuo itself is a small town with a lively backpacker scene. You can rent a bicycle or scooter to explore the countryside. The famous rice terraces near Longsheng are a separate day trip from Guilin, not from Yangshuo.
Cost: The big boat from Guilin costs about 300 RMB per person, including lunch. The bamboo raft option is cheaper but cash only. Book your boat ticket at least one day in advance during peak season (April to October).
Stay Connected Throughout Your Journey
China blocks many international websites and apps, including Google, Gmail, Instagram, and WhatsApp. A standard international roaming SIM card from your home country may not work reliably. The easiest solution is an eSIM for China that you install on your phone before you leave home. An eSIM gives you a local data connection that works with China's Great Firewall restrictions. You can use WeChat and local mapping apps without problems. Buy the eSIM online and activate it when you land. It costs roughly 10 to 15 USD for a 10-day plan with 5 to 10 GB of data.
