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Beijing, China
Start with the Forbidden City and Tiananmen Square, then hike a section of the Great Wall at Mutianyu. Explore the hutongs around Nanluoguxiang for local street food and traditional courtyard architecture.
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Xi'an, China
Home to the incredible Terracotta Army, one of the greatest archaeological discoveries in history. Don't miss the Muslim Quarter for lamb skewers, roujiamo (Chinese meat burgers), and a stroll along the ancient City Wall.
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Chengdu, China
Visit the Giant Panda Breeding Research Base in the morning when pandas are most active. Chengdu is the capital of Sichuan cuisine — try hotpot and mapo tofu in the lively Jinli Street area.
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Guilin, China
Famous for its dramatic karst limestone peaks and the stunning Li River cruise to Yangshuo. The countryside around Yangshuo is perfect for cycling through rice paddies and traditional villages.
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Shanghai, China
Explore the contrast between the colonial-era Bund waterfront and the futuristic Pudong skyline. Wander the French Concession for cafes and boutiques, and visit Yu Garden for classical Chinese landscape design.