In this article we present what we deem to be the best two-week itinerary for the first journey to China. The article contains information and suggestions that help you outline the itinerary according to your needs.
First journey to China: where to go and what to visit
If you visit China for the first time and you want to travel independently, we suggest you plan a tour along the classic route: Beijing – Xi'An – Shanghai.
Though this area might seem rather limited compared to the size of the country, it encompasses many of China's best travel destinations, both of natural and cultural significance.
This tour strikes a good balance between different travel themes: historical heritage, traditional culture, modern culture, natural beauties, large city environment, small town context, sacred mountains.
Furthermore, the proposed itinerary allows for many interesting side trips, the only limit being the available time.
Beijing, Xi'An, Hangzhou and Suzhou are China's foremost must-see destinations. These cities offer a vivid and rich picture of the country's vast traditional and modern culture. They deserve many days (actually months) to be explored. In these cities you can discover the greatness of the Chinese civilization, its refined and elegant art, its glorious imperial past, its immense cultural heritage. And these are cities you should visit before travelling to neighbouring countries like Japan, Korea and Vietnam.
Beijing's temples and the Forbidden City, Xi'An's historical centre and Terracotta Army, Suzhou's traditional garden and Hangzhou's West Lake are some of the amazing landmarks you can visit along this route.
Not to be missed is a visit to one of China's sacred mountains, places where ancient monasteries, temples and works of art enrich amazing natural landscapes in perfect harmony.
Suggested 2-week itinerary
The following tour is aimed for those who visit China for the first time. The tour has a relatively intense pace. Those who enjoy slow travelling might want to drop a destination.
Starting point
The journey begins and ends in Beijing, China's capital and main air gateway. The tour can also start in Xi'An or Shanghai. Those who find a convenient multi-leg flight itinerary may opt for a different solution, typically with inbound and outbound flights through Beijing and Shanghai.
Duration
We assume that 14 full days are available for the journey. Depending on the inbound and outbound flights, the total duration of the journey may be longer (15-16 days).
How to allocate the available time
We recommend the following schedule: 3 days in Beijing, 3 days and a half in Xi'An, 2 days in Suzhou, 1 day and a half in Hangzhou, 1 day and a half in Shanghai, 1 day in Huangshan.
Approximately three half days are absorbed by long distance transfers (duration: 5-7 hours; i.e. Beijing – Pingyao – Xi'An, Xi'An – Shanghai, Hangzhou – Huangshan, Huangshan – Shanghai).
You can travel between Xi'An and Suzhou by night train or by plane.
Other transfers require less than 3 hours by fast train.
Where to stay
The best solution is to find accommodation only in Beijing, Xi'An, Suzhou, Hangzhou and Shanghai. The other travel destinations can comfortably be visited during one-day side trips from the cities mentioned above.
If you choose to visit one or two sacred mountains, we suggest you choose to spend a night there.
Itinerary |
|
|
Day |
Destinations |
| 1 - 3 | 3 days in Beijing (1 day for the Great Wall) |
| 4 | ½ day for the transfer to Xi'An, short visit during the afternoon |
| 5 - 7 | 3 days in Xi'An (1 or 2 days for side trips), night transfer to Suzhou |
| 8 - 9 | 2 days in Suzhou |
| 10 | 1 day in Hangzhou |
| 11 | ½ day in Hangzhou, transfer to Huangshan |
| 12 | 1 day in Huangshan |
| 13 | ½ day for the transfer to Shanghai, short visit during the afternoon |
| 14 | 1 day in Shanghai |
Brief description of the journey
Day 1 - 3
Beijing
During the first day of your stay in Beijing you can visit TianAnMen Square, the Forbidden City, JingShan Hill, neighbouring parks and hutongs. During the evening you can try some street food at WangFuJing.
The second day can be devoted to TianTan temple (Temple of Heaven) and the Summer Palace.
During the third day you can take a side trip to the Great Wall. We suggest you consider visiting the MuTianYu section.
Day 4 - 7
Xi'An - Huashan
On the fourth day you can reach Xi'An by high-speed train; the visit to the city can begin in the historical centre. You can stroll on the historic walls and wander through the Old Quarter.
During the first full day in Xi'An you can visit the Terracotta Army archaeological site; once back in Xi'An you can take your time to explore the city centre and enjoy a Tang Dinasty Show.
During the second day in Xi'An you can take a side trip to Huashan mountain.
The last day in Xi'An is devoted to visiting the Giant Wild Goose Pagoda, the Small Wild Goose Pagoda, DaMing Palace archaeological site or a museum.
In the evening you can take a plane or a night train to Suzhou.
Day 8 - 9
Suzhou
In two days in Suzhou you can see the iconic Tiger's Hill and 4 or 5 Chinese traditional gardens. As most attractions are quite close to each other and the transportation system is efficient, you will enjoy navigating the city on foot and discovering small alleys and traditional neighbourhoods.
During the evening of the last day you can transfer to Hangzhou by train or bus.
Day 10
Hangzhou
One entire day can be devoted to Hangzhou's amazing West Lake, a natural wonder which has inspired poets, artists, emperors which have all left beautiful traces of their refined appreciation.
The lake, an outstanding example of cultural landscapes, is surrounded by temples, pavilions, bridges, gardens, works of art of any kind.
Day 11
Hangzhou - Huangshan
In half day you can visit the LongJing hills area, a beautiful natural landscape where you can taste one of China's most precious tea variety. You can learn about China's vast tea culture by visiting the National Tea Museum.
In the afternoon you can transfer by bus to Huangshan. Otherwise you may want to opt for a 1-day tour in Wuzhen, one of China's best preserved water towns.
Day 12
Huangshan
Provided you use the cablecar at least for the way back, one full day will allow you to visit many of Huanshan's landmarks. The views will take you to the essence of Chinese poetry and figurative art.
Day 13-14
Shanghai
After Huangshan you head to Shanghai. In the afternoon you can visit the city centre, the Bund and Nanjing Road.
The next day can be spent visiting the YuYuan garden, Shanghai Old Street, Shanghai Museum or Xinchang traditional watertown.
Variants
In the short span of two weeks our recommended itinerary touches upon many of China's most important travel destinations. There are plenty of variants, even by keeping the same general route.
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Pingyao: on the way from Beijing to Xi'An you might include a one day visit to the ancient city of Pingyao. If you do so, it is advisable you drop one destination, either Huashan or Huangshan;
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Two days in Huangshan: visiting Huanshan requires considerable amount of time and is best done by spending one night there; if you choose to do so, you should drop another destination;
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If you like natural landscapes you might want to include the city of Guilin and spend there at least 2 days. Flying makes this variant possible as long as you cancel two other destinations.
Other variants are possible but we believe that our recommended itinerary makes for an ideal choice for a first-time traveller to China.
How to get around (by train, plane, bus)
You can use fast trains for all major transfers. Buses are needed only for transfers to/from Huangshan.
Duration of transfers
Taking into account also urban transfers (between hotels and stations), travel times can be estimated as follows:
Tenendo conto dei tempi di trasferimento tra gli alberghi e le stazioni, è possibile valutare in:
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6-7 hours for the Beijing to Xi'An leg by high-speed train;
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2-3 hours for the Xi'An to Huashan leg by high-speed train;
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1 night for the Xi'An to Suzhou leg by high-speed train;
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3-4 hours for the Suzhou to Hangzhou leg by high-speed train;
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6-7 hours for the Hangzhou to Huangshan leg by bus;
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7-8 hours for the Huangshan to Shanghai leg by bus;
First journey to China: suggested 2-week itinerary
