7-Day Shanghai-Guilin-Guangzhou Adventure: A Whirlwind of Culture, Nature & Culinary Delights

Day 1-2: Shanghai — Where Skyscrapers Meet Timeless Alleys

Morning: Land in Shanghai and check into a boutique hotel near The Bund (we loved The Peninsula for its rooftop views). Start your day with a stroll along the Huangpu River, where 1930s architecture rubs shoulders with futuristic towers.

Afternoon: Wander the labyrinthine lanes of Tianzifang — a hipster haven of art galleries and tea shops. Don’t miss Old Shanghai Tea House for a dragon well tea ceremony paired with crab roe dumplings (trust me, the $5 price tag beats the Bund’s tourist traps).

Evening: Dinner at Nanxiang Steamed Bun Restaurant (Yuyuan Garden branch). Order the pork xiaolongbao — bursting with soup, just like the locals do. Pro tip: Arrive before 5pm to avoid queues.

Nightlife: Catch the huangpu river cruise at sunset. The neon-lit skyline feels like a scene from Blade Runner.

Avoid: Taxi drivers offering "cheap tours" — they’ll drag you to overpriced silk factories. Use Didi (China’s Uber) instead.

Day 3-4: Guilin — Karst Mountains & Misty Rivers

Morning: Fly to Guilin (2.5hrs from Shanghai). Rent a scooter (negotiate to $10/day) and head to Xiangbi Hill for panoramic views of the "elephant trunk" mountain.

Afternoon: Take a bamboo raft ride on the Li River (book via Ctrip to avoid scams). The 4-hour journey from Yangdi to Xingping is pure magic — karst peaks pierce the clouds like ancient dragons.

Evening: Stay in Yangshuo at Yangshuo Mountain Retreat — a rustic-chic hotel with infinity pools overlooking rice terraces. Dinner at Bamboo Stick Chicken for beer fish (a local specialty cooked in a wok with tomatoes and chili).

Day 4: Rent bikes and cycle the Ten-Mile Gallery. Stop at Moon Hill for a 20-minute hike to its iconic arch. At night, catch the Impression Sanjie Liu light show — a surreal performance on the river.

Warning: Street vendors selling "jade" are fake. Stick to markets like West Street for souvenirs.

Day 5-6: Guangzhou — Cantonese Feasts & Colonial Charm

Morning: High-speed train to Guangzhou (3hrs from Yangshuo). Check into The Ritz-Carlton near Pearl River for old-world luxury.

Afternoon: Explore Shamian Island — a colonial relic with European mansions and banyan trees. Sip pu’er tea at Lock Cha Tea House while watching the river flow.

Evening: Dinner at Jade Kitchen — order the roast goose, shrimp dumplings, and mango pudding. Pro tip: Arrive by 5:30pm to snag a table.

Day 6: Visit the Chen Clan Ancestral Hall for intricate wood carvings, then shop at Shangxiajiu Pedestrian Street for silk scarves and herbal remedies. End with a Pearl River Night Cruise — the illuminated bridges are straight out of a Zhang Ziyi film.

Avoid: "Free massage" offers near train stations — they’ll charge you $100 for a foot rub.

Day 7: Farewell, China!

Morning: Breakfast at Taotao Ju for cheong fun (rice rolls) and congee. Then, fly home via Guangzhou’s Baiyun Airport.

Final Tips:

• Weather: Pack a raincoat (April-September is monsoon season).
• Language: Download Pleco for Mandarin translations.
• Cash: Carry small bills — many vendors don’t accept cards.
• Vibe: China moves fast — slow down, sip tea, and let the chaos charm you.