What fits into your days
3–5 days
One region. For example Zhangjiajie with Fenghuang, or Shanghai with the nearby water towns.
7–10 days
Two or three regions. For example Beijing, Xi’an and Shanghai, or Shanghai, Hangzhou and Zhangjiajie.
Two weeks or more
Add places further out, such as Guilin, Yunnan or Sichuan, with rest days in between.
Linking the cities
Between cities, look at high-speed rail first: stations are mostly in town, you don’t need to arrive hours early and there are no airline baggage limits. Above roughly 1,000 km, flying usually saves time.
Avoid doubling back. Put the cities in geographic order, spend the first night in your arrival city and the last one in your departure city, and you save a long transfer.
A comfortable pace
- 1Arrival dayKeep it light: rest, beat the jet lag and get to know the area around your hotel.
- 2Sightseeing daysOne main sight a day, plus one or two smaller places on the way.
- 3Travel daysPlan fewer sights when you change cities, and leave time for the station and check-in.
- 4Spare timeEvery 4–5 days, keep half a day free for weather changes or simply to rest.
Before you go
- Check your passport’s validity and the visa or visa-free rules for your nationality
- Set up Alipay or WeChat Pay on your phone and link an international card
- Download maps and a translation app that work offline
- Sort out mobile data: roaming, an eSIM or a local SIM on arrival
- Some overseas websites and apps are not directly accessible in mainland China, so save what you need on your phone
- Buy travel insurance that covers medical care and trip changes
How we can help
If you already have places in mind, tell us your dates, group size and rough budget. A travel consultant will send you a private day-by-day plan with the trains or flights between cities, hotel areas and the order of each day’s visits. You pay nothing until you confirm.
Questions
Should I join a tour or travel independently?
Both work. Big cities are easy on your own; routes with mountain parks and many transfers are much easier with a driver and guide. Our tours are private, just your own group, and follow your pace.
How far ahead should I plan?
Two to three months is comfortable. Around National Day, Chinese New Year and other peak times, hotels and trains fill up, so start earlier.
What works for children or older travellers?
Choose routes with fewer city changes and manageable walking each day, for example two bases in one region. Our family and senior theme pages have ideas.
Do I need to speak Chinese?
No. Translation apps cover everyday situations, and when you travel with us, your guide and driver help you communicate.
Sources and verificationOpening hours, prices and booking rules change. We confirm them for your exact dates before you pay anything.