See where our cities sit, explore a few routes, and give the journeys between them the time they deserve.
China, city by city.
Choose a number or a city below. Zoom in around your selected city, then drag to explore.
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China outline, provincial boundaries and city centres. City names stay visible; fine leader lines connect offset labels to their cities. Dashed red lines show suggested connections, not railway tracks.
China outlineProvincial boundaryCity guide
FEWER STOPS. MORE TIME THERE.
Places that travel well together.
Choose a route to highlight its connections on the map.
High-speed trainAbout 6–9½ hours1221 km · straight-line distance
For Xi’an to Shanghai, compare a direct flight with the train. A flight takes roughly 2–3 hours in the air; airport transfers, check-in and baggage add time.
About 8–12 days
Gardens, tea & mountains
A compact eastern route with shorter train journeys. Spend your time in gardens, neighbourhoods and landscapes.
High-speed trainAbout 1½–2½ hours186 km · straight-line distance
Huangshan on this map marks the city, not the mountain entrance. Add a separate transfer and a mountain visit day; check the exact station and entrance.
About 5–7 days
Two cities, many flavours
Tea houses and pandas, followed by hillside streets and river views. A rewarding pairing without crossing the whole country.
TrainAbout 1½–3 hours141 km · straight-line distance
Pins mark city centres, not railway stations or old-town entrances. Allow for those transfers and avoid a rushed high-altitude excursion after arriving.
Times are broad planning estimates for time on the train, not a live timetable or a door-to-door journey. Add hotel transfers, station checks and waiting time. Services vary by date and station; check your exact journey before booking.
The map will grow as we add city guides. Coordinates locate the city, not a railway station, airport or individual attraction. The map is for trip planning and cannot provide turn-by-turn directions.