Approved family 03 · China
China Southwest Landscapes
A landscape-first family drawn from the 20–22 day China itinerary. The representative ten-day brief below is intentionally compressed; the planner only adds the longer Yunnan, Hangzhou and Huangshan intervals when your calendar can carry them.
- Supported duration
- 7–21 days
- Best fit
- Nature · photography · slower pace
- Evidence
- 21-day China itinerary + Yunnan guide
Your day-by-day starting point
A practical 10-day route
This is a readable sample of the longer route spine. For a 14–21 day trip, generate the route to reveal the full Dali, Lijiang, Guilin, Hangzhou and Huangshan allocation.
- Day 1Guangzhou · arrive and eat locally
Use the first day for a gentle introduction to Guangzhou’s old neighborhoods, food culture and river-facing streets.
Open the 21-day China itinerary - Day 2Kunming · Green Lake and a soft landing
Settle into the highland rhythm, use Green Lake or a nearby neighborhood and keep the first long road day unhurried.
Open the Yunnan guide - Day 3Dali · old town and Erhai Lake
Walk the old town, then choose a measured lake loop or village visit with weather and road time in mind.
- Day 4Dali · Cangshan or a slower lake day
Use Cangshan or another reviewed landscape commitment, returning to the same Dali base instead of moving again.
- Day 5Lijiang · old town and waterways
Arrive, settle into the old town area and let the first day stay close to the lanes and waterways.
- Day 6Lijiang · Jade Dragon Snow Mountain
Plan around altitude, cable-car logistics and the weather window rather than stacking another far excursion.
- Day 7Guilin / Yangshuo · Li River
Travel toward Yangshuo and keep the river journey as the day’s anchor, with the evening in the riverside town.
Open the Guilin guide - Day 8Yangshuo · Yulong River and Moon Hill
Choose a raft or bike ride and one nearby landscape, allowing for weather rather than chasing every viewpoint.
- Day 9Yangshuo · Xingping and Xianggong Hill
Use the extra river day for Xingping and Xianggong Hill if conditions are clear, or keep a slower town day.
- Day 10Departure buffer · protect the next connection
Keep the final morning practical. The 21-day source continues to Hangzhou, Huangshan and Beijing when your trip has the time.
See the longer sequence
If you have more time
Reviewed extensions
Do not compress these landscapes into a single transfer day. Generate 14–21 days to see which optional modules fit your pace.
- +2–3 daysHangzhou · West Lake and tea country
Walk West Lake, visit Lingyin Temple and leave room for a slower tea-country day.
Read the Hangzhou guide - +2–3 daysHuangshan · mountain weather window
Use one focused hiking day and keep Hongcun or a descent buffer separate from the climb.
Read the Huangshan guide
Area first, room second
Where to stay
Live Booking.com results are unranked. Pick the base that matches the landscape day, then compare cancellation terms and transfer time.
Stay close to your food plan
Keep the old-city and rail connections realistic for a short opening interval.
Compare Guangzhou staysUnranked Booking.com resultsUse a gentle highland start
Choose a base that balances Green Lake, the station and your Stone Forest transfer.
Compare Kunming staysUnranked Booking.com resultsOld town or lake access
Decide which evening rhythm you want before comparing live rooms.
Compare Dali staysUnranked Booking.com resultsBalance atmosphere and altitude logistics
Check transfer time for Jade Dragon Snow Mountain and your onward route.
Compare Lijiang staysUnranked Booking.com resultsKeep the river days together
Guilin is practical for transfers; Yangshuo is better for the landscape interval.
Compare Yangshuo staysUnranked Booking.com resultsPrimary production source
Three weeks in China
The published 20–22 day sequence supplies Guangzhou → Kunming → Dali → Lijiang → Guilin → Hangzhou → Huangshan → Beijing. The Yunnan and city guides supply the daily texture.
Read the source itineraryLandscape rule
Mountain visibility, altitude, road time and seasonal weather can change the day. Treat the daily brief as a reviewed starting point and recheck live conditions.