📍 China

CHINA CLASSICS: BEIJING, SHANGHAI AND KARST MOUNTAINS

Q: What weather should you expect?

Spring (April-May): Pleasant temperatures, blooming flowers, ideal weather, moderate crowds, excellent for most regions, comfortable travel. Fall (September-October): Perfect weather, clear skies, comfortable temperatures, peak tourist season, higher prices, autumn colors beautiful. Summer (June-August): Hot and humid, rainy season, crowded tourist sites, highest prices, but best for Tibet and western regions. Winter (November-March): Cold temperatures, fewer crowds, lower prices, perfect for southern regions, harsh in north, unique winter experiences. Regional Variations: Vast climate diversity, southern subtropical, northern continental, western plateau, plan according to regions visited.

Ancient walls stand beside glass towers, karst peaks pierce the clouds, lantern cities light up each evening. China is a civilization of many layers.

≈ 27

Days

5149

Stops

📖 12 min read 🔄 Last updated: 2026-01-17

Beijing and the Forbidden City, Shanghai, Huangshan mountains, Yangshuo karsts, Hong Kong, Fenghuang, Zhangjiajie, Chongqing. A journey through 3,000 years of Chinese history.

Beijing: forbidden city walls
Shanghai: skyline urban energy
Yangshuo: karst tower beauty
Zhangjiajie: floating mountain peaks
Hong Kong: harbor island magic

Your day-by-day itinerary

Day

Beijing

forbidden city ancient wall

4 photos

Day 1

🔍

Discover

Wangfujing district and historic shopping avenue

Olympic Zone of Beijing (Bird's Nest, Water Cube) — exterior walk

🎯

Activities

→

Walk on Dongdan square and illumination of Wangfujing by night

Day

Beijing

forbidden city ancient wall

4 photos

Day 2

🔍

Discover

Great Wall of China — Mutianyu section (access by cable car or walk up)

🎯

Activities

→

Panoramic walk on the western ridge of Mutianyu and descent by luge (optional)

🚗

Next stop

Distance: 135 km

Travel time: 2h30

Day

Beijing

forbidden city ancient wall

4 photos

Day 3

🔍

Discover

Summer Palace (Kunming Lake, Longevity Hill, Seventeen-Arch Bridge)

Lama Temple (Yonghe Gong)

Hutongs of Nanluoguxiang and Guozijian Street

Drum and Bell Towers — esplanade

🎯

Activities

→

Sunset at Jingshan Park — view of the Forbidden City

🚗

Next stop

Distance: 18 km

Travel time: 1h

Day

Beijing

forbidden city ancient wall

4 photos

Day 4

🔍

Discover

Forbidden City (central circuit — Meridian Gate to Imperial Gardens)

Tiananmen Square — access control and visit

Temple of Heaven and adjacent park

🎯

Activities

→

Walk on Qianmen Street and Dashilan

🚗

Next stop

Distance: 8 km

Travel time: 16min

Day

Shanghai

skyline glass tower energy

3 photos

Day 5

🔍

Discover

Nanjing Road (East & West) — shopping street

The Bund — daytime promenade along the Huangpu

🎯

Activities

→

The Bund by night — panorama of illuminated Pudong

→

Public ferry crossing from Pudong to the Bund

✈️

Next stop

✈️ Flight / transfer day

Distance: 1215 km

Travel time: 10h

Day

Shanghai

skyline glass tower energy

3 photos

Day 6

🔍

Discover

Yuyuan Bazaar and Yu Garden

French Concession — Xintiandi (shikumen architecture)

French Concession — Tianzifang (artistic alleyways)

Pudong District — Lujiazui (at the foot of the skyscrapers)

🎯

Activities

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Ascent of Shanghai Tower (observatory)

🚗

Next stop

Distance: 16 km

Travel time: 1h

Day

Shanghai

skyline glass tower energy

3 photos

Day 7

🔍

Discover

Water village of Zhujiajiao — canals and Fangsheng Bridge

People's Square — museums and urban park

🎯

Activities

→

Old street of Tunxi (Huangshan City) — heritage walk

🚗

Next stop

Distance: 94 km

Travel time: 2h

Day

Huangshan Tunxi

mist-veiled yellow mountain peak

6 photos

Day 8

🔍

Discover

Ancient village of Hongcun (crescent lake and alleys)

🎯

Activities

→

Preparation for Huangshan ascent (logistics tickets and shuttles)

🚗

Next stop

Distance: 450 km

Travel time: 3h

Day

Huangshan Tunxi

mist-veiled yellow mountain peak

6 photos

Day 9

🔍

Discover

Village of Xidi (Huizhou architecture listed by UNESCO)

Huizhou Museum of Tunxi — cultural introduction

🎯

Activities

→

Transfer to Guangxi (arrival in Guilin/Xingping region)

🚗

Next stop

Distance: 110 km

Travel time: 2h30

Day

Xingping

karst riverside village peace

5 photos

Day 10

🔍

Discover

Mount Huangshan (Lotus Peak, Sea of Clouds — weather permitting)

🎯

Activities

→

Sunset at Laozhai Hill Panorama

→

Twilight stroll along the Xingping quays

✈️

Next stop

✈️ Flight / transfer day

Distance: 820 km

Travel time: 10h

Day

Xingping

karst riverside village peace

5 photos

Day 11

🔍

Discover

Old street of Xingping and 20 RMB banknote viewpoint (Li River)

Short cruise or bamboo boat on the Li (Xingping section)

🎯

Activities

→

Outdoor sound & light show (optional) — riverside

🚗

Next stop

Distance: 6 km

Travel time: 20min

Day

Xingping

karst riverside village peace

5 photos

Day 12

🔍

Discover

Xingping hike — cormorant fishermen — Li River banks (round trip)

🎯

Activities

→

Central–SoHo walk — Mid-Levels Escalator

🚗

Next stop

Distance: 11.5 km

Travel time: 23min

Day

Yangshuo

karst tower rice paddy

3 photos

Day 13

🔍

Discover

Karst formations of Yangshuo — Ten-Mile Gallery scenic route

Dragon Bridge and Yulong countryside (bike ride)

🎯

Activities

→

Symphony of Lights — Victoria Harbour waterfront

🚗

Next stop

Distance: 25 km

Travel time: 45min

Day

Hong Kong

harbor island neon energy

4 photos

Day 14

🔍

Discover

Tsim Sha Tsui waterfront — Avenue of Stars

Victoria Peak (The Peak) — viewpoint

🎯

Activities

→

Short cruise on the Tuojiang River

🚗

Next stop

Distance: 570 km

Travel time: 4h40

Day

Hong Kong

harbor island neon energy

4 photos

Day 15

🔍

Discover

Lantau — Tian Tan Giant Buddha and Po Lin Monastery

Mong Kok district — street markets (Flowers/Ladies/Goldfish)

🎯

Activities

→

Sunset over Tuojiang and quay illuminations

🚗

Next stop

Distance: 52 km

Travel time: 2h

Day

Fenghuang

lantern town ancient heritage

6 photos

Day 16

🔍

Discover

Ancient town of Fenghuang — ramparts, covered bridges and stilt houses

🎯

Activities

→

Panoramic walkways on natural platforms

→

Internal park shuttles — connections between sectors

✈️

Next stop

✈️ Flight / transfer day

Distance: 900 km

Travel time: 10h

Day

Fenghuang

lantern town ancient heritage

6 photos

Day 17

🔍

Discover

Fenghuang Museum and Miao/Tujia style houses

Rainbow Bridge and ancient alleys

🎯

Activities

→

Tianmen Cable Car (round trip or combined with mountain bus)

🚗

Next stop

Distance: 4 km

Travel time: 15min

Day

Zhangjiajie

floating mountain peak wonder

6 photos

Day 18

🔍

Discover

Zhangjiajie National Forest Park — Yuanjiajie area (Avatar Columns)

Bailong Elevator (ascent/descent according to itinerary)

🎯

Activities

→

Chaotianmen Promenade — Yangtze/Jialing confluence

🚗

Next stop

Distance: 210 km

Travel time: 3h

Day

Zhangjiajie

floating mountain peak wonder

6 photos

Day 19

🔍

Discover

Tianzi Mountain area — Helong Park and Shentang Bay viewpoints

Golden Whip Stream — valley floor walk

🎯

Activities

→

Internal park shuttles — connections between sectors

🚗

Next stop

Distance: 26 km

Travel time: 1h

Day

Zhangjiajie

floating mountain peak wonder

6 photos

Day 20

🔍

Discover

Tianmen Mountain — glass walkway, 99 bends road

🎯

Activities

→

Tianmen Cable Car (round trip or combined with mountain bus)

🚗

Next stop

Distance: 8 km

Travel time: 30min

Day

Chongqing

river gorge mountain city

6 photos

Day 21

🔍

Discover

Jiefangbei District — urban center and monuments

Hongyadong (modern inspired stilt houses)

Yangtze River Cable Car (Yangtze River Cableway)

🎯

Activities

→

Chaotianmen Promenade — Yangtze/Jialing confluence

🚗

Next stop

⏱️ Long drive (5h+)

Distance: 470 km

Travel time: 5h

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🛡️ Travel advice - China

Check official recommendations

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❓ Frequently asked questions

What weather should you expect?

Spring (April-May): Pleasant temperatures, blooming flowers, ideal weather, moderate crowds, excellent for most regions, comfortable travel.

Fall (September-October): Perfect weather, clear skies, comfortable temperatures, peak tourist season, higher prices, autumn colors beautiful.

Summer (June-August): Hot and humid, rainy season, crowded tourist sites, highest prices, but best for Tibet and western regions.

Winter (November-March): Cold temperatures, fewer crowds, lower prices, perfect for southern regions, harsh in north, unique winter experiences.

Regional Variations: Vast climate diversity, southern subtropical, northern continental, western plateau, plan according to regions visited.

How many days should I plan?

We believe you will enjoy this itinerary best by dedicating between 22 and 32 days. The next step will allow you to adjust the duration of your stay.

What to discover in China?

Ancient civilization meets modern superpower with Great Wall, forbidden cities, and cutting-edge technology. Experience diverse landscapes, incredible cuisine, and 5000-year cultural heritage. The country offers bustling megacities, pristine nature, and traditional arts. China provides overwhelming cultural richness and geographical diversity in rapidly modernizing nation.