Which guide should you read first?
If you land late, start with the airport transfer guide. It covers the meeting point, Chinese hotel address and a second ride option.
If you change cities soon after arrival, read a transfer-day checklist. Write down the departure station, hotel checkout and next hotel check-in.
How do you plan a rail or flight day?
Read the exact station or terminal on the issued ticket. Large cities can have several transport hubs with similar names.
Work backward from departure: hotel door, ride, security and boarding. Keep the first attraction in the next city flexible.
How do you choose a useful hotel base?
Compare the hotel entrance with the places you will visit most often. A central district label cannot tell you the walking route with bags.
For a Guilin river day, the actual departure pier matters. For Chongqing, the street level and nearby stairs matter too.
When should you use a place guide?
Open a city or attraction guide after your route has a realistic number of days. Use it to choose two or three priority stops, not every possible sight.
Check opening arrangements for your visit date before buying a timed activity. Keep an indoor or nearby option for weather changes.
Which planning mistakes are easiest to fix?
Avoid treating a late arrival as a full sightseeing day. Leave room for luggage, food and sleep.
Avoid copying a multi-city route without counting hotel moves. A single good base can be easier than another one-night stop.
