China Beyond Beijing & Shanghai: The Places I Actually Recommend to Clients

Slow down in Hangzhou (and don’t over-plan it)

Hangzhou is where I usually send clients right after Shanghai—and I always tell them to shift gears completely. The first time I went, I made the mistake of trying to “see everything” around West Lake. Now I do the opposite: Walk or bike part of the lake early in the morning, do one temple (usually Lingyin), and leave the rest open. If you stay at Amanfayun, the best part is actually just being there—the village setting, the quiet, and the slower pace.

Keep Xi'an focused & efficient

Xi’an is important, but I never overcomplicate it. What I recommend: Do the Terracotta Army early with a guide (this makes a big difference), spend an hour or two on the city wall (bike or walk), and explore the Muslim Quarter in the evening. I’ve found that trying to add too much here makes it feel heavy—it works best as a short, high-impact stop.

Eat your way through Chengdu

Chengdu is one of the most enjoyable cities in China, mostly because of how people live. One thing I always tell clients: Don’t over-plan meals here. Some of the best experiences I’ve had were sitting in a teahouse in People’s Park for longer than expected, and trying smaller, local hot pot spots instead of the well-known ones. Also, go to the panda base early—later in the day, it’s a completely different experience.

Base yourself in Yangshuo, not Guilin

This is one of the biggest adjustments I make to itineraries. Most people stay in Guilin, but I almost always move clients to Yangshuo instead. It has better scenery, is more relaxed, and feels much less like a transit stop. I usually recommend skipping the large group Li River cruise, doing a quieter bamboo raft on the Yulong River, and biking through the countryside. The first time I did this route properly, it completely changed how I saw this region.

Explore Yunnan slowly

Yunnan is one of the few regions in China where I completely change how I design the itinerary. Instead of trying to cover everything, I focus on Lijiang for a base, with Shangri-La for a completely different cultural feel. One mistake I made early on was trying to move too quickly between stops. Now I always slow it down—the transitions and the landscape are a big part of the experience.

Add Tiger Leaping Gorge as a curated experience, not a trek

A lot of clients assume this is a serious hiking destination—I don’t position it that way. Instead, I recommend staying at Songtsam Lodge Tiger Leaping Gorge, doing short, scenic walks only, and focusing on viewpoints and the overall setting. The first time I approached it this way, it completely changed the experience—it became about the landscape, not the effort.

Handle Zhangjiajie very strategically

Zhangjiajie is one of the most visually impressive places in China—but it can also be chaotic if done wrong. Go early—timing changes everything, don’t try to see every viewpoint, and plan routes in advance (this is not a place to improvise). When it’s done properly, it feels almost surreal. When it’s not, it feels crowded and overwhelming.

Hot pot in Chengdu (go local)

I usually steer clients away from the biggest names and toward smaller places—the experience feels more authentic and less staged.

Hotel dining in Hangzhou (especially Amanfayun / Four Seasons)

Some of the most consistent meals I’ve had in Hangzhou have been at the hotels, especially after a slower day.

Countryside meals in Yangshuo

Simple dishes, fresh ingredients—nothing overly formal, but often more memorable than structured dining.

Street food in Xi’an’s Muslim Quarter (with some guidance)

I like this for the energy, but I always suggest going in with a bit of direction instead of randomly picking spots.

Dining at Songtsam properties (Yunnan)

Some of the most memorable meals I’ve had in this region were at the lodges—local, seasonal, and very aligned with the surroundings.

Simple, local meals in Lijiang and Shangri-La

I usually recommend keeping things flexible here—some of the best meals come from smaller, unplanned stops.