Research-based city choices and route planning, with sources and conditions.
Explore matchstick notes
Your journey starts with a little curiosityChoose a city. Find your pace. Understand the trade-offs before you make a plan.
Original planning notes from Matchstick China, with public sources, clear assumptions and recommendations you can adapt to your own journey.
Public-source research · editorial recommendation
A panda visit and time for tea, or layered streets and riverside evenings? Start with the kind of days you want, then decide whether to combine the cities.
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Public-source research · editorial recommendation
The extra day is most useful when it protects time to explore, rest and move between cities. Compare two adjustable schedules before adding more attractions.
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Public-source research · editorial recommendation
Cantonese meals and historic streets, or creative neighbourhoods and a coastal city setting? Choose the experiences you want before deciding on one city or two.
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Public-source research · editorial recommendation
One full Guangzhou day, a planned hotel-to-hotel move and a Shenzhen day with a clear choice. See what five calendar days can reasonably prioritise.
Read the noteThese first notes are based on public-source research. Each article separates sourced facts from our planning judgement, explains when its advice applies and links to the material behind it.
Check dates show when we reviewed a source. Train schedules, reservations and other arrangements should be checked again for your travel dates.
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