Scenario Matrix
| Scenario | Beijing + Shanghai | Beijing + Xi'an | Beijing + Chengdu | Beijing + Hangzhou + Shanghai | |---|---|---|---|---| | 8 days, comfortable pace | ✅ Best | ✅ Good | ⚠️ Flight heavy | ⚠️ Tight | | 8 days, active pace | ✅ Good | ✅ Best | ✅ Good | ⚠️ Rush | | History/culture focus | ✅ Best | ✅ Best | ⚠️ Pandas | ⚠️ Overlap | | Foodie priority | ⚠️ Urban | ✅ Best | ✅ Best | ✅ Good | | Modern city / skyline photos | ✅ Best | ❌ None | ❌ None | ✅ Best | | Natural scenery (lakes, mountains) | ❌ None | ❌ None | ⚠️ Chengdu nearby | ✅ Best | | Panda visit (Chengdu) | ❌ No | ❌ No | ✅ Best | ❌ No | | HSR connectivity (ease of travel) | ✅ Best (4.5h HSR) | ✅ Best (4h HSR) | ❌ Flight needed | ⚠️ Mixed | | Repeat visitor | ⚠️ Classic | ✅ Good | ⚠️ Regional | ⚠️ Overlap |