26‑Day China Itinerary (June 2027) — Feedback on Pacing & Logistics

I’m planning a 26‑day trip to China in June 2027 with one travel partner. We’ll be using high‑speed trains, Didi, and a few private drivers. I speak basic Mandarin and will handle communication. I’d appreciate feedback on pacing, routing, and anything that looks inefficient.

Note: Dragon Boat Festival is June 9–11. Curious how much this affects crowds and transport.

Itinerary Overview

Beijing – 5 days

Tiananmen → Forbidden City → Jingshan Park

Hutongs, Houhai, Nanluoguxiang

Temple of Heaven

Mutianyu Great Wall

Summer Palace → train to Xi’an

Xi’an – 3 days

City Wall (bike), Bell/Drum Towers

Muslim Quarter

Terracotta Army (+ Huaqing Palace optional)

Giant Wild Goose Pagoda → flight to Zhangjiajie

Zhangjiajie / Wulingyuan – 5 days + buffer

Yellow Dragon Cave

Yuanjiajie → Tianzi Mountain

Golden Whip Stream

Tianmen Mountain

1 weather buffer day

Chongqing – 2 days

Hongya Cave

Liziba Monorail + Yangtze Cable Car

Dazu Rock Carvings

Chengdu – 6 days

Panda Base

People’s Park teahouse

Wuhou Shrine → Jinli → Kuanzhai Alley

Sichuan Opera

Leshan Giant Buddha

Hanfu photoshoot day

Free day

Hangzhou – 4 days

West Lake walk + boat

Lingyin Temple + Feilai Peak

Longjing / Meijiawu tea villages

Questions

Does the pacing look realistic for June

Any days that seem too rushed or too empty

Will Dragon Boat Festival significantly affect trains or major attractions

Is the Zhangjiajie order efficient

Any city where adding or removing a day would help

Thanks for any insight.