Beijing to Vietnam - Itinerary Advice

We will be arriving in Beijing on the trans siberian. We are looking to spend about 3 weeks travelling from beijing with our destination being Vietnam.

So far we know will spend a couple of days in Beijing, some time in Yangshou, and maybe Chengdu. We plan on doing this via trains etc

Looking for advice on other places that fit in our time plan and are on our route? (we are not planning on going to Shanghai or Hong Kong)

Thanks

Beijing to Vietnam - Itinerary Advice

Beijing should have 4 days at least.

Perhaps then go to Xi%26#39;an (overnight train) and the Chengdu (overnight train).

Then on to Guilin (long train journey) for Yangshuo.

I would then go to Yunnan which you might enjoy. You can get there by train from Guilin to Kunming. From Kunming you can catch a train to Dali, and then buses to Lijiang and Shangri-la. In between is Tiger Leaping Gorge.

You then then cross the border into Vietnam - either to Sapa or Hanoi.