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Step out into the maze of Dongcheng’s hutongs at sunrise and take a slow rickshaw ride from Nanluoguxiang toward Shichahai, where the silver-green willows and boats along the lakes set a calm, explorative tone for your China adventure. You’ll feel the city wake up beneath you — shopkeepers sweeping thresholds, elders doing tai chi, vendors frying jianbing at corner stalls — and this is the perfect time to sample Beijing-style breakfast pancakes and point out small curiosities to kids or fellow travelers; aim to arrive before 9:00 when the light slants beautifully across grey-tiled eaves and crowds are still thin, and keep cash small-change ready for local snacks and entrance fees to courtyard museums.

From Shichahai, walk to the nearby Drum and Bell Towers to climb the staircases and look out across the patchwork of rooftops, then continue on foot into the narrow backstreets to visit a family-run siheyuan courtyard museum where guides explain traditional Beijing household life; this walk is short and immersive, planned with kids in mind so you can pause for ice cream or a mango juice while they explore safe, contained alleys. Look for playgrounds tucked beside the lakes and keep the pace relaxed — many alleyway stops reward curiosity more than fixed itineraries — and head toward the Houhai lakeside before midday so you have time to relax and sample local dumplings at a casual family-friendly restaurant nearby.

Finish the afternoon with a gentle ferry or pedalo on Shichahai, letting children spot carp at the water’s edge and adults breathe in the willow-scented air as you glide beneath arched bridges; May in Beijing is pleasant and green, so an outdoor boat ride is invigorating rather than sweltering, and the lakeside cafés and tea houses provide a comfortable wind-down. If energy remains, climb the nearby Bell Tower for panoramic views at golden hour and then choose a rooftop bar or a quiet courtyard teahouse to enjoy the evening glow before an early night — the following day’s Great Wall hike needs rested legs and clear weather, which May often provides.

Set out early with a certified local guide and head north by private minivan to the Jiankou section of the Great Wall, known for its raw, crenellated ridgelines and dramatic rock formations; the drive from Beijing’s Chaoyang area takes about 1.5–2 hours depending on traffic, and arriving near sunrise rewards you with cooler temperatures and soft light that transforms the stonework into lace against the sky. The Jiankou to Mutianyu route is an adventurous hike — parts are steep, with uneven steps and exposed sections where handholds are essential — and your guide will brief the family on safety, point out birdlife and historical features, and pace the group so children can enjoy castle-like watchtowers without rushing. Pause for a picnic on a protected ridge with panoramic views of the surrounding villages and terraced fields; in May the hills are carpeted in new growth and the breeze carries the scent of wildflowers, making breaks especially restorative. Late in the hike, descend toward the restored Mutianyu section where you can opt for the cable car or toboggan ride down for a fun, safe finish that’s especially appealing to kids and adds a playful contrast after the raw hiking sections; aim to return to Beijing by early evening so everyone has time to rest and compare notes about the day’s larger-than-life scenery.

Begin at Tiananmen Square in the early morning to see the monumental scale with fewer crowds, then cross into the Forbidden City for a guided exploration that highlights the palace’s defensive design, ceremonial halls and hidden garden spaces; a knowledgeable guide will animate the architecture with stories about court life and explain small details — lacquer work, dragon motifs, and the hierarchical layout — that bring the place to life, while pacing is adjusted for families so children can enjoy scavenger-hunt style prompts to spot painted beams and animal gargoyles. After a long palace walk, climb the short path up to Jingshan Park directly behind the Forbidden City for a rooftop view across the golden-tiled halls toward the modern skyline; this vantage point is an ideal photo stop and a gentle way to decompress from the palace’s broad avenues. In the afternoon, stroll over to Beihai Park if energy allows, or rest in a temple teahouse, then finish your day at the Temple of Heaven where you can join locals practicing tai chi and see families playing traditional instruments — in May the park is green and fragrant, and evenings are a perfect time to sit and watch communal life unfold. Practical tips: buy timed-entry tickets for the Forbidden City in advance to avoid lines, carry water and a sunhat for sunny spells, and plan shorter guided segments for kids so they remain engaged.

Transfer to Beijing Capital or Daxing airport in the morning for a domestic flight south to Zhangjiajie (expect roughly 2.5–3 hours door-to-door including airport transfer and security; schedule a mid-morning flight so you arrive with daylight to spare), and use the journey to rest legs and review the route through Zhangjiajie's pillars so the family knows what to expect — steep cable cars, boardwalks and dramatic overlooks. On arrival at Zhangjiajie Hehua Airport, take the short shuttle or private transfer to Wulingyuan Scenic Area and check in to a family-friendly guesthouse or hotel near the park entrance, then take a low-key orientation walk through the park’s visitor facilities to collect maps and reserve any timed cable car slots for the next day’s deeper hikes. In May the subtropical forests are fresh and blooming, with comfortable daytime temperatures and occasional light showers; pack a lightweight rain shell and slip-resistant footwear, and keep snacks and water handy for children during cable-car queues. Spend the evening in the small Wulingyuan town, sampling local Hunan flavors — mild to spicy — and get a good night’s sleep before a full day in the park.

Start early to catch the first cable cars into Zhangjiajie National Forest Park and ride toward Yuanjiajie and the Avatar Hallelujah Pillar, where narrow boardwalks and viewing platforms put you within arm’s reach of ancient stone pillars shrouded in mist; the light in May can create spectacular ribbons of fog around the columns, and your guide will choose viewpoints to maximize clear vistas while avoiding mid-day crowds. Hike the well-maintained trails that link major vistas — the paths are a mix of stone steps and forest track, and children usually enjoy the sense of exploration as you duck under overhanging roots and cross small wooden bridges; pack insect repellent and sturdy shoes because some sections can be damp after morning mist. After a picnic lunch, take the Bailong Elevator or another short cable run to explore southern parts of the park and descend into valleys where small temples and spring-fed streams provide mellow spots for photography and quiet listening to the forest. Finish the day with a sunset viewpoint if weather allows — May evenings are long and the sunset glow over the pillars is unforgettable — then return to Wulingyuan town for a relaxed dinner and local Hunan specialties suited to adventurous palates.

Board the long cable car up Tianmen Mountain and feel the landscape drop away beneath you as the vehicle climbs past steep cliffs and pine-clad slopes; arriving at the top, follow the protected cliffwalks and glass-bottom walkway that hang dramatically over the valley, giving children and adventurous adults a safe yet thrilling perspective on vertical space that is unlike most other mountain parks. Walk to the natural Tianmen Cave (the 'Heaven’s Gate' arch) via short hiking paths and stairways, where the scale of the arch and the drop below offer dramatic family photos — in May the vegetation is lush and birdsong accompanies the walk, creating a sensory contrast to the engineered cable car ride. If energy and nerves permit, descend a portion of the 99-bend Tianmen Mountain Road by bus for an iconic drive, then return by cable car to Wulingyuan; practical tips: book early-morning access to avoid commuter crowds, carry light layers for summit breezes, and allow extra time for the cable car queues so the day feels unhurried for kids.

Take a morning flight from Zhangjiajie to Guilin Liangjiang International Airport (direct flights commonly about 1–1.5 hours) and transfer to the city center, where a late morning stroll along the Two Rivers and Four Lakes circuit offers gentle views of Guilin’s iconic karst silhouettes rising from low-lying fields and waterways. After settling into your hotel, head to Reed Flute Cave for an hour of easy spelunking through grand limestone chambers — the colorful lighting highlights stalactites and stalagmites and is an almost theatrical contrast to the natural daylight outside, which in May tends to be warm and humid; children usually love the cave’s cavernous scale and the short, well-lit pathways are family-friendly. Finish at Elephant Trunk Hill in the evening for classic postcard views where the rock formation meets the Li River; consider an early riverside dinner and an early bedtime to prepare for the next day’s Li River adventure to Yangshuo.

Board a morning or mid-morning Li River cruise from Guilin to Yangshuo — pick a smaller, more local operator or private bamboo raft where possible to reduce crowds and keep kids engaged with riverbank life, fishermen on cormorant rafts and karst peaks rising like sentries around you; the scenic voyage lasts around 4–5 hours on most tourist boats, but private raft options are shorter and more intimate and ideal if traveling with children. On arrival in Yangshuo, switch to two-wheels for a gentle guided bike ride through the Yulong River valley, passing small hamlets, rice paddies and karst towers while stopping at local markets and roadside vendors for snacks; road surfaces are generally smooth and many rental shops provide helmets and child seats. In the late afternoon, take an introductory rock-climbing session at one of Yangshuo’s family-oriented climbing schools — routes range from easy to challenging and instructors will set top-ropes so beginners and children can enjoy the adrenaline in safe, fun conditions — or choose a guided bamboo-rafting trip on the Yulong for a peaceful, scenic float capped by a riverside dinner in Yangshuo town as the sun slides behind the karsts.

Depart Guilin early for the roughly 2–2.5 hour drive to Longsheng (Dragon's Backbone) and begin at the Ping'an or Dazhai village viewpoints where terraced paddies sculpt the mountainsides into cascades; in May many terraces hold water or young rice shoots, creating mirror-like surfaces and vibrant green bands, and the short trails between viewpoints are well-suited to families who want scenic hikes without long, technical climbs. Walk village paths to meet local farmers and see traditional stilt houses, bring small gifts for children in the villages (if you plan to interact) and enjoy a leisurely lunch featuring local mountain cuisine — sticky rice, mountain bamboo shoots and smoked meats that add local flavor to the adventure. In the afternoon, descend gradually to mix photography stops with shaded tea breaks and return to Guilin by early evening; practical tips: hire a driver familiar with village access roads, wear good walking shoes for stepped paths, and keep a rain jacket accessible in case of spring showers in May.

Take a morning domestic flight from Guilin to Chengdu (commonly around 1.5–2 hours flight time) and arrive in the city known for spicy cuisine, leisurely tea culture and a relaxed pace that families enjoy after consecutive days of hiking. Settle into your hotel in the Jinjiang or Qingyang district and then spend the afternoon visiting the Kuanzhai Alley (Wide and Narrow Alleys) for a walking orientation that mixes historic courtyard streets with modern cafés and spaces where children can sample sweet Sichuan snacks and watch craftsmen at work; the lanes are compact and easy to navigate on foot, ideal for a family acclimation day. In the evening, stroll along Jinli Ancient Street for lantern-lit food stalls and artisan shops, but keep spice levels in mind and ask vendors to make children's portions milder; May evenings in Chengdu are comfortable for outdoor dining and street exploration.

Rise early and head to the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding to catch the pandas at their most active during feeding time; guided tours here explain breeding programs, conservation science and the animals’ bamboo-based diet, and the paths are stroller-friendly and educational for children who will light up seeing pandas up close. Plan to arrive around opening to avoid busier midday crowds and to witness cubs and adult pandas during feeding routines — guides and interpreters offer contextual talks that make the experience both emotional and informative, and family-focused exhibits help younger travelers understand why habitat protection matters. In the afternoon, return to the city center and spend a restful hour in People’s Park visiting a teahouse where locals sip jasmine or flower-infused tea, practice calligraphy and play traditional games; the park scene is a living snapshot of Chengdu life and an excellent, low-cost cultural immersion that helps children see how everyday customs form the rhythm of a Chinese city. Practical tip: carry small, quiet toys or sketchbooks to keep younger kids engaged during quieter park moments and be ready for brief, friendly interactions with local families who often enjoy sharing smiles with visitors.

Depart Chengdu in the morning by private car or fast intercity train for the roughly 1–1.5 hour journey to Dujiangyan before proceeding to Mount Qingcheng, where shaded stone steps wind through bamboo groves and past Taoist temples nestled into the hillside; the mountain’s lower trails are family-friendly and offer an ascent that rewards hikers with temple courtyards, incense, and expansive valley views without technical difficulty. Pause to explore Dujiangyan Irrigation System — an ingenious 3rd-century BCE hydrological marvel still in use today — and have a local guide explain how the system tamed seasonal floods and enabled rice agriculture for millions, which is both an engineering lesson and a cultural story children can grasp through simple models and visible channels. Return to Chengdu in the late afternoon and celebrate with a relaxed supper sampling local dishes (ask for milder versions if traveling with children), and carry a light jacket for cooler, breezy evenings after mountain walks in May.

Catch a morning flight from Chengdu to Lijiang (direct flights commonly around 1.5 hours) and transfer to Lijiang Old Town, where wooden architecture, canal-lined streets and the looming presence of Jade Dragon Snow Mountain form an immediate alpine contrast to the southern lowlands. Spend the afternoon wandering the ancient streets of Dayan Old Town — observe Naxi music, visit the Black Dragon Pool for clear reflections of the nearby peaks, and stop in a local Naxi family house or small cultural museum to learn about Dongba script and traditional crafts; May in Lijiang brings clear air, so bring a camera and sun protection for bright mid-day light. For families who want a short outdoor immersion, take a gentle walk toward the outskirts to see terraced fields and local villages, keeping elevation (about 2,400 m) in mind and moving at a relaxed pace while staying hydrated. In the evening, sample Yunnan minority cuisine with milder spice options and get an early night to prepare for the next day’s alpine trek.

Leave Lijiang early for the roughly 2.5–3 hour drive to Tiger Leaping Gorge (transport varies by road), stopping at scenic viewpoints along the Jinsha River before arriving at one of the gorge’s trailheads for a day of hiking among steep cliffs and rushing rapids; choose the middle or upper gorge short-sections that suit your family’s energy and avoid the most exposed stretches if you’re traveling with younger children. The trail alternates between stone steps, packed dirt paths and short ridgewalks with spectacular viewpoints over the narrow river throat where legend says a tiger leapt across; a local guide will point out flora, explain Naxi and Tibetan village life, and ensure safety across steeper sections, while May’s clear weather often produces terrific visibility of the surrounding snowy peaks and verdant slopes. Midday, rest in a cliff-side teahouse or guesthouse for local Tibetan-style stews and butter tea, then complete your loop hike in the afternoon and return to Lijiang for a celebratory final dinner in Old Town — practical tips: wear grippy footwear, carry sun and rain protection in May, and keep a modest pace to enjoy cultural stops in villages along the route before your onward travel or departure plans.