China 14 days first time: Beijing + Xi'an + Shanghai, or swap Shanghai for Chengdu?

[ron]

My wife and I finally pulled the trigger on China for next October (we’re both late 30s, decent travelers but zero Mandarin). We have exactly 14 days on the ground.

The “classic” route everyone suggests is Beijing + Xi’an + Shanghai. But we’re not huge skyscraper people and honestly Shanghai feels like “a big modern city, we have those.” Chengdu with the pandas and the Sichuan food sounds way more us.

So the real question: would we regret skipping Shanghai? Is there something there beyond the Bund and shopping that’s actually unmissable? Or is Chengdu (+ maybe a day trip to Leshan) a better trade for the time?

Also unrelated but if anyone has recent experience with the 10-day visa-free transit thing in China, did it actually work smoothly? Saw some TourRadar tours that cover a similar route and I’m tempted just so I don’t have to figure out train tickets in Mandarin.

[TravelNotes]

I’ve been to China twice and still don’t speak a word of Mandarin, or Cantonese; except for ordering beer and rice, and to say thank-you.

China Travel - Chapter Five of Nomadic Gatherings

Beijing (Forbidden City) and Xi’ian (Terracotta Warriors) are essential.

The Big Buddha at Leshan is quite a sight.

Shanghai has grown much taller than since I was last there, but if you have a little fantasy, a walk along The Bund is still special.

One of the main reasons to include Shanghai would be to visit Suzhou.

Suzhou is famous for its canals, bridges and classical gardens; collectively an UNESCO World Heritage Site.

How are you travelling?

If you want the most beautiful scenery in China, then consider Guilin/Yangshuo.

This offers you spectacular landscapes you’ll remember forever (at least I do), but less cultural depth.

A cruise down the river, from Guilin to Yangshuo, passes through some of China’s most magnificent scenery. Nature has spent 70 million years perfecting the sculptures around this part of the Li River; revealing a landscape that is truly awesome.

Just to throw a spanner in the works.

Michel.