Originally Posted by
jiejie
Finally, if you think this is all too much history on this trip, then perhaps 3 days in Xi'an/nature reserve + 2 days in Jiuzhaigou/Huanglong National park (north Sichuan province) is an alternative plan.
I like this plan. I didn't reply to this thread sooner because the idea of visiting Xi'an in the summer strikes me as potentially unpleasant (smog, heat, dust), but I also didn't want to dissuade the OP. Throw Jiuzhaigou into the mix, and it's a different story; a nice balance of history and natural beauty.