Panda and China’s Past & Present

This 10-day family tour is designed for first-time visitors who love history and pandas. Beijing and Xian are rich in history, culture, and architectural wonders, they are must-visit destinations for travelers interested in exploring China’s past and present.

Chengdu is home to the famous Giant Panda. You will have the chance to see these adorable creatures up close and personal in their natural habitat.

Here is a suggested itinerary. If your family wants to add any activities or change anything, just feel free to let your travel adviser know. We are happy to customize a tour according to your interests and needs.

Suggested 10-Day Family Tour

Tour Map

Tour ‘Wow’ Points

Hop on a toboggan and zip down from the iconic Great Wall

The toboggan ride offers a fun and slightly adventurous way to descend from the Wall, providing stunning views of the surrounding landscape as you weave down the hillside.

Discover the secrets of the Forbidden City in an interesting way with your kids

Besides the six main palaces on the axis, you will also explore some sites that interest kids more. You will play a game about the nine sons of the dragon and the auspicious beats in the Forbidden City.

Hop on a rickshaw to ride through the Hutong and enjoy the traditional Beijing afternoon tea

You can hop on a rickshaw to ride through the narrow alleys as well as visit a local family. Then enjoy a traditional afternoon tea in a Peking Opera-style teahouse.

Journey through time and uncover a magnificent archaeological marvel at the Terracotta Warriors

Marvel at the archaeological wonder of thousands of life-sized clay soldiers, chariots, and horses. then make a Terracotta Warriors by yourself at the family workshop in the countryside,

Explore Xian’s ancient beauty from atop the city wall on a bicycle

Riding around the perimeter of the well-preserved wall, which dates back to the Ming Dynasty, offers a unique perspective of the city and its surroundings.

Meet the cuddly pandas in Dujiangyan Panda base

There are fewer tourists at the Dujiangyan Panda Base, allowing for a closer observation of the pandas. Capturing the incredible moments as they laze about or showcase their acrobatic skills.

Savor Authentic Delights at Jinli Old Street

Try some famous food like bean jelly in chili source, sweet potato noodle, and wonton in Sichuan style.

Discover Ancient Mysteries at the Sanxingdui Museum

Marvel at the monumental bronzes, intricate masks, jade ornaments, and other archaeological finds that shed light on the cultural sophistication and artistic achievements of this ancient civilization.

Travel from the historic Bund area to Pudong’s modern skyline by taking a trip through the Bund Sightseeing Tunnel

Experience the mesmerizing transformation of the tunnel into a magical passage through time and space with its vibrant light displays, immersive sound effects, and captivating multimedia presentations.

Suggested Itinerary

Your preferences design the real journey. We’re ready to create a wonderful China family tour for you.

Hotel Selection

—the Icing on the Cake

Boutique hotels are recommended to enrich your travel experience.

Tour Price

Full of bustle, commerce, innovation and rocketing skyscrapers, Shanghai also has a thriving cultural scene. A trip to the city’s many landmarks and historical sites can offer a glimpse into both its past and future, but to truly experience the cultural richness that the city has to offer, consider catching a traditional puppet show or an evening of gravity-defying acrobatics.

Peking Opera with Shanghai Flair

Founded in 1955, the Shanghai Jingju Company (or Shanghai Peking Opera Troupe) is one of ten national troupes officially recognized by the Chinese Ministry of Culture. Along with implementing age-old techniques and performing traditional Peking operas, their repertoire also includes Western numbers adapted to the style of Peking opera. With over 300 performers, the company has two troupes that perform both in Shanghai as well as abroad.

Tianchan Peking Opera Center

• 701 Fuzhou Road
• 福州路701号

Learn more about the history, stories, costumes and roles of traditional opera in our article on Traditional Beijing Opera.

Shadowy Stories

The Shanghai Puppet Theater has been around for fifty years and has been entertaining families ever since its doors opened. Performing both traditional Chinese tales, such as those of the Monkey King, as well as Western pieces, the troupe showcases time-honored Chinese techniques such as rod puppets and shadow characters as well as integrating other puppetry art forms from around the world.

Shanghai Puppet Theater

• 5/F 388 West Nanjing Road
• 5/F 南京西路388号

Melodic Encounters

The Shanghai Symphony Orchestra was founded in 1879, then called the Shanghai Public Band, and has since grown to world-renowned fame. It’s current Director, Long Yu, has even been invited to perform with the Philadelphia orchestra. Working with musicians from around the globe, the Shanghai Symphony Orchestra has also showcased a number of up-and-coming Chinese composers to help introduce their music to the world. But its international notability has come from working with Tan Dun to create the original scores for the movies Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon and The Banquet.

While the Shanghai Symphony Orchestra Hall is under construction, the orchestra performs at a number of venues around the city including the Shanghai Grand Theater, Shanghai Concert Hall and the Shanghai Oriental Art Center. The location for the performance is given during booking and printed on the tickets.

Looking for more modern tunes? Check out our articles on live music venues in Shanghai as well as how to experience real Shanghai Jazz.

Flexible Form – Shanghai Acrobatics Shows

Shanghai Acrobatics Shows

Besides the glittering colonial buildings and bustling streets, Shanghai also offers spectacular acrobatic shows for those looking for eye-popping fun. Chinese acrobatics are widely known around the world. Nowadays performers put in more effort than ever to make their performances as incredible as possible.

Mind-bending in its expression, Chinese acrobatics take flexibility and show to a new level. From balancing acts to limb-contorting theatrics, these performances are ones you won’t soon forget. Routines vary and on any given night you might catch motorcycle shows, kung fu or even operatic elements mixed in with the exceptional acrobatics.

Some theaters we recommended are as follows:

ERA Intersection of Time at Circus World, Shanghai

上海马戏城时空之旅

Noted as a multimedia theatrical spectacular, the show is definitely a revolution of Chinese traditional acrobatics. The 2.5 hours plunge every audience into the river of time. Past, present and future are all vividly and magically narrated by the music, dancing and acrobatics

• Time: 7:30pm-10:00pm daily year round
• Location: Shanghai Circus World, 2266 Gonghe Xin Road, Xiabei Disctrict (闸北区共和新路2266号)
• From Pudong International Airport (上海浦东国际机场) to Shanghai Train Station (上海火车站) by airport bus route 5, then Shanghai Train Station to Shanghai Circus World (上海马戏城) by Subway Line 1.
• From Hongqiao International Airport (上海虹桥国际机场) to Shanghai Zoo (上海动物园) by bus 806 (or 807, 938), then Shanghai Zoo to Huangling Road South (黄陵南路) by Shanghai Business Line, and then Huangling Road South to Shanghai Circus World (上海马戏城) by Subway Line 1.

Ticket Pricing:

• VIP section: 600 CNY/person;
• A section: 400 CNY/person;
• B section upstairs and C section downstairs: 300 CNY/person,
• C section upstairs and D section downstairs: 200 CNY/person;
• D section upstairs: 120 CNY/person.

Note: Infants may not attend the show. Full price for children.

Incredible Acrobatics of China Show at Shanghai Magnolia Theatre

上海白玉兰剧场海派杂技与魔术

Shanghai Baiyulan Theater

Comparatively, the Magnolia Theatre shares more of a traditional tinge. The show boasts a refined and wonderful performance rooted in China’s long history. Audiences are awed at the well-arranged programs such as group contrition, jar juggling, barrel contortion and aerial ballet.

• Time: 7:30pm – 9:00pm daily year round (Additional act starts at 5:15pm)
• Ticket Pricing: 150, 200, or 280 CNY/person depending on the seat.
• Location: Luwan District Cultural Center, 308, Chongqing Road South, Luwan District, Shanghai 上海市卢湾区重庆南路308号上海卢湾区文化馆内
• From Pudong International Airport ( 上海浦东国际机场) to Dapu Bridge 打浦桥 by Airport Route 3, then from Dapu Bridge to Magnolia Theatre by foot.
• From Hongqiao International Airport (上海虹桥国际机场) to Dapu Bridge (打浦桥) by Bus 806, then walk to Magnolia Theatre by walk
• From Shanghai Train Station (上海火车站) to Huangling South Road (黄陵南路) on the Nanxin Line.

Shanghai Baiyulan Theater

• 308 South Chongqing Rd
• 重庆南路308号

Shanghai Circus World

Shanghai Circus World

• 2266 Gonghexin Rd
• 共和新路2266号

Shanghai Center Theater

• 1376 West Nanjing Rd
• 南京西路1376号

Huxi Theater

• 205 Wuning Rd
• 武宁路205号

See Shanghai Performances with China Highlights

Want to spend an evening in Shanghai taking in a great show, filled with cultural traditions and unbelievable skill? Let our travel team know and we’ll make sure to include a performance in one of our Shanghai tours. Interested in a more tailor-made option? We can create a completely customized tour for you as well.

History Hidden in Garden

In-depth discovery of Jiangsu province includes: leisurely trip to Suzhou gardens and Tongli Water Town, a visit to the must-see Yuantouzhu Park in Wuxi, and the historical sites of Nanjing, another ancient capital of China.

Highlights

• Take a gondola in Tongli Water Town
• Watch a performance of Pingtan in Lingering Garden
• Walk in Yuantouzhu Park at the bank of Taihu Lake
• Appreciate colorful clay figurines in Xihui Park.
• Visit magnificent Sun Yatsen Mausoleum
• Ride a boat along the Qinhuai River

Suggested Itinerary

Day 1 Shanghai Arrival, Tongli Water Town Leisure Trip

Private guide and driver will pick you up in the Shanghai airport. Enjoy a hassle free transfer with a comfortable non-smoking car. After about a 1.5h journey, you will arrive at one of top 6 water towns in China- Tongli Water Town. Take a gondola ride along the canal, see how people still live in a traditional way right along the canal, and photograph ancient houses setting on the bank. It’s a historic and quaint town with vendors, original old houses and waterways. This leisurely journey gives insight of Chinese ancient life.

Day 2 Appreciate Suzhou Gardens

Suzhou gardens and water towns are admired for two unique highlights.. First, the Humble Administrator’s Garden, a symbol of Suzhou’s great culture and history. Stroll along the ponds, wood carvings and rocks. Secondly, the Suzhou Museum is a small but enjoyable museum to see a nice selection of Chinese artifacts. Learn more about Suzhou’s culture and history with the help of your guide..

Lingering Garden is another well-preserved ancient Chinese garden. Record your special China trip with some amazing photos of the garden. Hear live ancient music is the air, watch a performance of Pingtan(storytelling and ballad singing in Suzhou dialect). Take a boat ride along Suzhou’s ancient canal to see local people’s lives.

The Lingering Garden

Day 3 Discovery of Wuxi City

After a western breakfast at the hotel, you will head out to explore Wuxi. It takes about 1h to arrive at the city. Take a walk at Yuantouzhu Park, this park is especially beautiful with blossoms in spring. It is the number one must-see place of Wuxi. Visit Liyuan Garden, a typical peaceful park on the bank of Taihu Lake. Listen to its love story dating back thousands of years. A charming sunset park – great for dusk walks.

Plum Garden in spring is full of blossoms. Stroll through the beautiful flowers, historic sites and gardens. Go to Xihui Park, an incredibly preserved old town. Appreciate the exquisite art of the colorful clay figurines in the park.

Yuantouzhu Park

Day 4Visit Sun Yatsen Mausoleum, Take a Cruise along the Qinghai River

Take a morning train to Nanjing, one of China’s ancient capitals. Visit magnificent Sun Yatsen Mausoleum. Sun Yatse was the father of modern China. Your guide will help you learn about the modern history of China.

Walk into Nanjing Confucian Temple, a quiet place for both travelers and local people. See the fantastic white buildings with black roofs, and double golden dragons with red walls. Enjoy a boat ride along the Qinhuai River, Nanjing’s mother river. The night cruise is full of atmosphere and is even more beautiful.

Good to know:

1. For Sun Yatsen Mausoleum: There are a lot of steps in front of the site, prepare for a long walk. 

2. If you are still energetic in the evening, you can have walk along the Qinhuai River to see a different side of Nanjing. Enjoy amazing night scenery of the city. 

Sun Yatsen Mausoleum

Day 5 Visit Xiaoling Tomb of Ming Dynasty, Shanghai Departure

Leave for Xiaoling Tomb of the Ming Dynasty, a peaceful natural locale coupled with historical sights. A very beautiful place especially if you come in autumn when the maple leaves all turn red. It’s A wonderful place to learn about the first emperor and culture of the Ming Dynasty. It’s a must visit place for history buffs. Take a stroll along the city wall which represents a true masterpiece of military architecture and design during the Ming Dynasty.

Take a train in the afternoon back to Shanghai, a 2 hour journey. Your guide will take you to the railway station and leave after you get into the security check queue.

Good to know:

The emperor of Zhu Yuanzhang, the owner of Xiaoling Tomb, is the first emperor of the Ming Dynasty. His tomb is the second most famous after the Ming Tomb Clusters in Beijing.

Xiaoling Tomb

Trip Notes

1. What’s the best time to visit Suzhou?

You can visit Suzhou at any time. Every season has different beautiful scenery. Beautiful flowers in spring and colorful leaves in autumn make them more popular. Avoid Chinese national holidays like May 1st, China National Day (Oct.1th-7th).

2. How to get there?

High speed train from Shanghai to Suzhou can be as short as 40 min. But we will arrange a non-smoking car to maximum your comfort and time.

3. Extend to Suzhou’s Neighbors

To Hangzhou (1-2 days)  
Arrange 1 to 2 days to experience the unique Hangzhou: the romantic and heavenly West Lake, Lingyin Temple, the Former Residence of Xueyan, an in-depth Dragon Well Tea culture exploration.  

To Shanghai (1-2 days)
Add Shanghai before or after the Suzhou tour: Yuyuan Garden, Oriental Pearl TV Tower, Shanghai World Financial Center, the Bund and Zhujiajiao Water Town.

Jiayu Pass is not only the western starting point of the Ming Great Wall, but also a vital pass on the ancient Silk Road. It’s the joining place of the cultures of the Silk Road and the Great Wall (along with Dunhuang, which has some Han Dynasty Great Wall relics).

In the Ming Dynasty Jiayu Pass was a vital area for defense against attack from the northwest. The Great Wall was built across this Gobi Desert pass. Jiayu Pass gets its name “the First and Greatest Pass under Heaven” for its strategic, commanding position and grand presence.

• Chinese: 嘉峪关城 Jiāyùguān Chéng /jyaa-yoo-gwan chnng/ ‘Excellent Valley Pass Fort’
• Location: Jiayuguan City, Gansu Province, Northwestern China
• Open: 8:30am–8:00pm (summer and autumn), 8:30am–6:00pm (winter and spring)

Where It Is — the Beginning Point of the Great Wall

Jiayuguan is in the Gansu Corridor, northwestern China, on the ancient Silk Road.

The Great Wall at Jiayu Pass got its name for being built at the foot of the Jiayu Mountain. The Great Wall First Abutment is 10 km (6 mi) southwest of Jiayuguan City center, while the Great Wall Fort is about 8 km (5 mi) to its north. Jiayu Pass is located at the narrowest point of the western section of the Gansu (Hexi) Corridor.

• 1-Day Beijing Layover Tour
• 1-Day Jinshanling Great Wall Hiking Tour
• 2-Day Jinshanling Great Wall Hiking and Camping Tour

Who Built it and When

The Great Wall at Jiayuguan was began by Feng Sheng, a Ming Dynasty officer in 1372 (the fifth year of Emperor Hongwu’s reign), nine years earlier than Shanhai Pass at the opposite end of the Great Wall. The whole construction lasted 168 years from 1372 to 1540.

In 1873, Zuo Zongtang, the governor of Shanxi Province, was reclaiming the territory of Yili in Xinjiang. When he went passed Jiayu Pass, impressed by its magnificence, he wrote down the inscription “天下第一雄关” on a tablet, meaning ‘the First and Greatest Pass under Heaven’, which enhanced its solemnity and magnificence.

Features

Jiayuguan’s Great Wall is built with loess.

Built with Loess: In the Gobi Desert, Jiayuguan’s Great Wall is not like other famous sections near Beijing, which are built with grey bricks and big stone slabs. This section is mainly built with loess. The loess soil was tamped together in layers, making the wall very solid. Each layer is 14 cm thick on average. The wall outside the fortress is one of the highest remaining parts at about 6 meters high.

Jiayu Pass Fortress

Jiayuguan’s fortress is quite impressive, especially considering its barren surroundings. There is a two-storey watchtower on each corner. It has a bailey with three storied-buildings with three-tiered gable-and-hip roofs, inner and outer walls, two gatehouses, a moat, and beacon towers. The bailey has a perimeter of 640 meters and an area of 25,000 square meters.

Jiayu pass is surrounded by towering mountains to the south and desert hills to the north, and an isolate dgroup of hills to the west, protecting a desert valley area about 15-kilometers wide. In the south of the valley, the Great Wall ends on the edge of the Beida River gorge, a natural barrier. Together with the Great Wall across the valley, the fort was an impregnable military defense system. So it deserved its name: “the First and Greatest Pass under Heaven”.

There is a spring in front of the Jiayuguan fortress, which forms an oasis. The spring is one of the reason why the fortress was built there.

The First Strategic Post of the Great Wall

The First Strategic Post of the Great Wall

The First Strategic Post of the Great Wall is also known as Taolai River (a.k.a. Beida River) Pier, built in 1539 by Li Han, an official of Suzhou in northwest Gansu Province. It’s the western starting point of the Ming Great Wall and an important part of the Jiayu Pass defense system. 7.5 kilometers south of the fortress, it stands 50 meters from a 80-meter-high river cliff. It’s known as “The First Strategic Post under Heaven” (万里长城第一墩).

The Hanging Great Wall

The Hanging Great Wall in Shiguan Gorge is 8.4 km north from Jiayu Pass. This Great Wall fortification was built by Li Han, another official of Gansu’s Suzhou, in 1540 (the 19th year of Ming Emperor Jiajing). Partially overhanging the north of the gorge, it seems like a hanging arm, so it’s also known as “the Badaling of the West”.

• 1-Day Beijing Highlights Private Tour
• 3-Day Jiankou to Jinshanling Great Wall Hiking Discovery Tour

Best Time to Visit — May to October

May–October is the best travel period for Jiayuguan. In January the temperature can drop to -28°C! In July, the hottest month, the temperature can reach 38°C, but the pass is usually much colder with cold air rolling down from the Qilian Mountains. There is a big day-night temperature difference.

How to Get There

People usually travel Jiayu Pass together with other places in a Silk Road Tour. If you are not interested in Silk Road tour, you need to get to Jiayu City first.

Get to Jiayu City

There are airport and train station in Jiayu City.

• By plane: You can take a flight to Jiayu City from Beijing, Xi’an, Lanzhou (capital city of Gansu).
• By train: You can also take a train to Jiayu City from Beijing, Shanghai, Chengdu, Xi’an, Lanzhou, etc.

Travel Independently by Public Bus from Jiayu City

There are public buses (bus 4, 6) to the Jiayu Pass Fort Tourist Area.

Bus 4 takes about one hour from the train station (1 yuan; first bus from train station 7am; last bus from the tourist area 8pm)Bus 4 goes through the city centre, so if you are in a hotel in the city center, you could ask the hotel reception for help to take the bus.

Bus 6 (1 yuan; last bus from the scenic area 7pm) takes the Lanxin East/West Road (兰新东西路 Z120) east-west road through the north of the city to Jiayuaguan Fortress Scenic Area. If your hotel is near that road, you could use this bus..

The bus stops are about 1 km east of the fortress. You can walk in or take the shuttle bus, which costs 10 yuan.

Tour with China Highlights — Hassle Free and Flexible

Tour Jiayuguan with China Highlights

Want a Silk Road Tour?

Jiayu Pass is a vital pass on the ancient Silk Road. Most travelers who travel Silk Road will visit this pass. If you are planning a Silk Road Tour, please see our 12-Day Beijing, Luoyang, Xian, Tianshui, Jiayu Pass, Dunhuang, Turpan and Urumqi Tour.

Your Tour Can Be Tailor-Made

if the above tour is not what you’re looking for, just tell us your requirements and interests, and China Highlights will help you design your Jiayuguan Tour.

• 2-Day Great Wall Mutianyu-Simatai Day-Night Tour
• 1-Day Jiankou to Mutianyu Great Wall Hiking Tour
• 5-Day Badaling to Huangyaguan Great Wall Hiking Tour

Accommodation and Restaurant

The tourist areas are about 10 km from the city center. You should spend at least a night in one of Jiayuguan’s 3–5-star city-center hotels.

The restaurants mainly offer mutton and noodles. Some restaurants cook Sichuan-style food, which is very spicy. With recent tourist development, you may also find cuisines from other places.

Nearby Attractions

• The Fresco Tombs of Wei and Jin Dynasty
• The Overhanging Great Wall
• The Mogao Grottoes — about 6 hours drive from Jiayuguan in Dunhuang

Further Reading

• Great Wall Sections — Which Section to Visit
• How long is the Great Wall of China?
• Who Built the Great Wall?

Tibet is on many travelers’ bucket list and is one of those dreamed-of destinations. Regarded as “the roof of the world”, Tibet has countless snow-capped peaks, topped by awesome Mt. Everest, and more than 1,000 lakes, which dot the vast highland plateau like blue or green jewels.

So where should you start your planning your Tibet trip? How many days are needed to explore Tibet’s beauty? This article will help you plan a perfect trip to Tibet.

Content Preview

• How Many Days to Spend in Tibet
• 4–5 Days Tibet Itinerary for First-Time Travelers
• 7–8 Days Tibet Itineraries for Scenic & Cultural Highlights
• 10–11 Days Tibet Itineraries for In-Depth Exploration

How Many Days to Spend in Tibet

Generally speaking, we recommend spending at least 1 week to explore Tibet for a better experience.

However, the number of days to spend in Tibet depends on places you want to see and experience.

If you have limited time, a 4–5 days trip to Lhasa would allow you to visit some of the major cultural and historical sites, such as the Potala Palace, Norbulingka, Jokhang Temple, Barkhor Street, and Yamdrok Lake.

If you want to go on a more adventurous trip such as trekking or mountain hiking, consider spending 10–14 days in Tibet.

Many people combine Tibet with a trip to Nepal, which would take you 10–12 days. If you want to connect with more neighboring countries, like Bhutan or India, it would need 2 to 3 weeks. The following are some of the tour options from Tibet.

• Nepal: Spend 4 days to explore Kathmandu’s historical and cultural sites. See more on How to Plan a Trip to China and Nepal
• Bhutan: Take 5 days to explore the top destinations in Bhutan, including Thimphu, Punakha, and Paro.
• India: Spend 7 days to visit top destinations, including Delhi, Agra, Jaipur, and Varanasi.

4–5 Days Tibet Itinerary for First-Time Travelers

Tibet covers a vast area, and travel between destinations can be time-consuming, so 4–5 days is only enough for a basic trip within Lhasa. 

Fortunately, many of Tibet’s most iconic landmarks are located here, giving you a taste of the region’s spiritual heart and local culture with low physical demands and enough time to adapt to the high altitude. 

Potala Palace

Itinerary Overview

This itinerary is perfect for first-time travelers with limited time. You’ll stay in Lhasa (where medical care is accessible), and we pace activities for comfort. 

• Day 1: Arrival in Lhasa (3,650m) – Acclimatization & Relaxing Walk
• Day 2: Monastic Life & Meditation – Norbulingka, Drepung & Sera Monasteries
• Day 3: Iconic Lhasa – Potala Palace, Jokhang Temple & Barkhor Street
• Day 4: Day Trip to Lake Yamdrok (4,718m) – Sacred Scenery & Picnic
• Day 5: Departure

If you only have 4 days:

You can skip Day 4 (Yamdrok Lake). Alternatively, if you’d still like to visit the lake, we suggest booking a departure flight after 7:00 pm on Day 4 (ideally to Chengdu, as it offers more late flight options). This allows for a short visit to Yamdrok before heading to the airport.

All our tours are customizable, so you can adjust based on your health, preferences, or pace. Check our 4-Day Lhasa Tour and 5-Day Tibet Highlight Tour.

Planning Tips：

1. Plan the first two days at a gentler pace to help your body adjust to Tibet’s high altitude. We arrange light, low-exertion activities such as monastery visits on Days 1 and 2, giving you time to acclimate and easing any discomfort commonly caused by the elevation.

2. Schedule the Potala Palace visit for Day 3, after you’ve had time to adapt to the altitude. Climbing its many steep steps will feel more manageable, allowing you to focus on appreciating the site’s spiritual depth and striking architecture.

3. Include a lakeside picnic as part of your Yamdrok Lake excursion if the weather is good. You can enjoy the peaceful scenery from a panoramic lookout. The drive from Lhasa to Yamdrok Lake takes about 2 hours.

Yamdrok Lake

7–8 Days Tibet Itineraries for Scenic & Cultural Highlights

With 7–8 days, you can explore beyond Lhasa and enjoy a schedule that’s still relaxed but offers more variety. 

You might take the classic train into Tibet, venture to Everest Base Camp, head east to Nyingchi and Bome for a completely different side of Tibet’s landscapes, or explore mysterious Tibetan Buddhist temples. Here are four well-paced routes designed to match different interests and energy levels.

Option 1: 7-Day Scenic Train Journey into Tibet (Xining to Lhasa)

If you prefer a train travel experience, this itinerary must be your first choice.

Your sightseeing trip begins the moment you step onto the train. You will pass through one of the most beautiful railway, the Qinghai–Tibet Railway. It would be a big highlight in your itinerary.

Qinghai–Tibet Railway

On the 22-hour ride from Xining to Lhasa, you’ll see China’s most pristine and breathtaking natural landscapes, including grasslands, sky-blue rivers and lakes, snow-covered mountain, Kekexili Nature Reserve,etc.

You may even have the chance to watch the sunrise over the Tanggula Mountains through your window. It must be your unforgettable train journey of your life.

Itinerary Overview

• Day 1–2: Overnight train from Xining to Lhasa
• Day 3: Arrival in Lhasa (3,650m) – Acclimatization & Relaxing Walk
• Day 4: Monastic Life & Meditation – Norbulingka, Drepung & Sera Monasteries
• Day 5: Iconic Lhasa – Potala Palace, Jokhang Temple & Barkhor Street
• Day 6: Day Trip to Lake Yamdrok (4,718m) – Sacred Scenery & Picnic
• Day 7: Departure

For more details, you can check our 7-Day Tibet Train Tour.

Planning Tips

1. Book your train tickets early, as they go on sale 15 days in advance and are in high demand. We can help secure them for you. All trains from different cities to Lhasa pass through Xining and switch to oxygen-supplied carriages there.

2. We suggest taking the train Z8991 (depart Xining 21:50 → arrive Lhasa 17:39). This late-night departure ensures you reach Golmud in the early morning, giving you a full 14 hours of daylight for the spectacular Golmud–Lhasa section—the most scenic part of the Qinghai–Tibet Railway.

Plus, if you’re connecting from another city to Xining, the later departure time gives you plenty of buffer to change trains without rushing.

3. Choose a soft-sleeper cabin for comfort, with four berths per compartment. If your group has fewer than four travelers and you prefer privacy, you could choose to reserve the remaining ones together.

4. Bring some candies and medication for altitude sickness though the train is equipped with a diffuse oxygen supply system. Be aware that taking the train to passing gradual ascent does not eliminate the risk of altitude sickness.

Option 2: 7-Day Lhasa + Nyingchi + Bomi Culture & Nature Combination

If you want to minimize the risk of altitude sickness while enjoying Tibet’s seasonal beauty, this itinerary is perfect for you. 

Beyond the cultural treasures of Lhasa, such as the iconic Potala Palace, you’ll travel east to Nyingchi and Bomi, Tibet’s two lowest-altitude cities. The journey is more friendly for those concerned about high-altitude sickness.

Known as the “Switzerland of Tibet”, these regions offer lush forests, winding river valleys, and snow-capped peaks, with some seasonal highlights: peach blossoms in April, stunning glaciers from late December to early February.

Peach blossoms and snow mountains in Nyingchi

Itinerary Overview

• Day 1: Arrive in Lhasa (3,650m) — Acclimatization
• Day 2: Lhasa — Norbulingka, Sera Monastery, Drepung Monastery
• Day 3: Lhasa — Potala Palace, Jokhang Temple, Barkhor Street
• Day 4: Drive from Lhasa to Nyingchi (3,100m) — Basumtso Lake
• Day 5: Drive from Nyingchi to Bomi (3,300m) — Lulang Forest 
• Day 6: Return to Nyingchi — Mt. Namcha Barwa
• Day 7: Depart from Nyingchi Mainling Airport

For more details, check our 7-Day Lhasa, Nyingchi, and Bome Tour.

Planning Tips：

1. Choose the best time for blossoms or glaciers.

• In spring (April), vibrant peach blossoms blanket the valleys, creating dreamlike scenes against the backdrop of Mt. Namcha Barwa. It’s a paradise for photographers. 
• In winter (late December to early February), Bomi’s ancient glaciers offer a different kind of raw beauty, with far fewer tourists.

Laigu Glacier

2. Even outside the blossom and glacier seasons, you’ll still enjoy highlights like the turquoise Basumtso Lake, the lush Lulang Forest, and sweeping views of Mt. Namcha Barwa, it often called the most beautiful snow mountain in China. If the weather is clear, you may even spot the golden glow of sunset on the snowy peak around 6–7 pm.

Mt. Namcha Barwa

3. You can travel comfortably between low-altitude towns. Lhasa, Nyingchi, and Bomi all have relatively low elevations, so they are ideal for travelers concerned about altitude sickness. 

4. The destinations are only connected by road, with about 5.5 hours’ drive from Lhasa to Nyingchi and 4.5 hours from Nyingchi to Bomi. When booking with us, we’ll arrange a comfortable private car for the entire journey.

Option 3: 8-Day Lhasa + Shigatse + Everest Base Camp

If standing at the foot of the world’s highest peak, Mount Everest, is on your bucket list, this itinerary is perfect for you. 

Except for the iconic buildings, monasteries and natural landscapes, you will spend a night at Everest Base Camp, where you can witness both sunset and sunrise over Mount Everest if the weather is good.

Itinerary Overview

• Day 1: Arrive in Lhasa (3,650m)
• Day 2: Lhasa — Norbulingka, Drepung Monastery & Sera Monastery
• Day 3: Lhasa — Potala Palace, Jokhang Temple & Barkhor Street
• Day 4: Drive from Lhasa to Shigatse (3,800m) via Gyantse — Karola Glacier & Pelkor Monastery
• Day 5: Shigatse to Everest Base Camp (5,200m) — Tashilhunpo Monastery (Shigatse)
• Day 6: EBC return to Shigatse — Rongbuk Monastery (EBC)
• Day 7: Return to Lhasa
• Day 8: Depart from Lhasa

For more details, check our 8-Day Tibet Classic Tour.

Travel Tips

1. You’ll stay one night near EBC on Day 5 to witness both the sunset and sunrise over the peak, but be prepared for very simple and basic facilities. Inside EBC, the only lodging option is Rongbuk Tent Guesthouse (5,200m), it’s similar to a 3-star hotel in other big cities, with a private toilet but no shower.

Sunrise on Mount. Everest

If you prefer better facilities or couldn’t sleep at high altitude, the Pingcuo Kangsang Everest Base Camp Oxygen Rich Hotel is a good choice. It’s located in a small town at the foot of Everest (altitude 4,100 m, 49 km from EBC, about a 40-minute drive). If staying here, note that you’ll need to wake up very early to drive to EBC for the sunrise.

2. We suggest taking a car from Lhasa to Shigatse and then taking the high-speed train back to Lhasa. This way, you can enjoy all the scenic highlights along the way without spending too much time on the return trip.

The drive to Shigatse takes about 6 hours with sightseeing stops, while the train ride back is only 2.5 hours, giving you more time to rest or explore Lhasa in the afternoon.

Our tours are fully customizable based on your preferences, time constraints, and physical condition. Let us help you tailor the perfect experience for your journey.

3. Book a guided tour for safety and better acclimatization. At over 5,000 m (16,400 ft), EBC poses a high risk of altitude-related discomfort. A guide can help you adapt, and provide emergency support. 

4. Pack warm cloths. Even in summer, nights at EBC can be freezing. 

Option 4: 8-Day Tsedang + Shigatse + Lhasa Cultural Discovery

If you are curious about Tibetan beliefs, culture, history, and Tibetan Buddhism, this itinerary will take you to some of the most spiritually and culturally rich places in Tibet. 

You will visit the birthplaces of Tibetan culture, explore the origins and development of Tibetan Buddhism, and see several important monasteries and historical sites. Along the way, you can join meditation sessions, try Tibetan incense making, and visit a local family to experience daily life. 

Yongbulakang Palace

You’ll also enjoy stunning natural scenery, including Yamdrok Lake and Karola Glacier, as well as Lhasa’s classic landmarks and religious sites.

Itinerary Overview

• Day 1: Arrive in Tsedang (3,100m)
• Day 2: Tsedang — Yongbulakang Palace, Samye Monastery, Chimpu Meditation Center
• Day 3: Drive from Tsedang to Shigatse(3,800m) — Yamdrok Lake, Karola Glacier, and a Tibetan family visit
• Day 4: Shigatse — Sakya Monastery, Tashilhunpo Monastery
• Day 5: Drive from Shigatse to Lhasa (3,650m) — stop for Tibetan incense-making workshop
• Day 6: Lhasa — Potala Palace, Jokhang Temple, and Barkhor Street
• Day 7: Lhasa — Tsurphu Monastery, Drak Yerpa Monastery Optional alternative: replace with Sera Monastery (monk debates) and Ganden Monastery (mountain-top complex)
• Day 8: Depart from Lhasa

For more details, check our 8-Day Tibet Tour including Tsedang, Shigatse, and Lhasa.

Planning Tips

1. After visiting Samye Monastery on Day 2, you can go to Chimpu Meditation Center, a revered retreat site in Tibetan Buddhism, to experience the peaceful atmosphere or even try a meditation like the Buddhist masters.

2. Tsurphu and Drak Yerpa represent two of the four major schools of Tibetan Buddhism and are ideal for travelers seeking a deeper understanding of Tibetan Buddhism. 

If you’re not particularly interested in these monasteries on Day 7, you can swap them for larger and more well-known ones like Sera Monastery (known for its lively monk debates) or Ganden Monastery, set dramatically on a mountainside.

3. Be prepared for several long drives, especially from Tsedang to Shigatse and Shigatse to Lhasa.  You can take high-speed trains from Shigatse to Lhasa, but you’ll have to skip the scenery and incense making experience on the way.

10–11 Days Tibet Itineraries for In-Depth Exploration

Option 1: 10-Day Across the Heart of Tibet

This trip takes you through some of the most important cultural sites and dramatic landscapes in Tibet, from where Tibetan civilization began to the foot of Mount Everest. We carefully design this itinerary to blend the experience of culture, nature and adventure in one trip.

Itinerary Overview

• Day 1: Arrive in Lhasa (3,650m) — rest and acclimatize
• Day 2: Lhasa — Drepung Monastery and Sera Monastery
• Day 3: Lhasa — Explore Potala Palace, Jokhang Temple, and Barkhor Street
• Day 4: Day trip to Yamdrok Lake (4,441m) — return to Lhasa
• Day 5: Lhasa to Tsedang (3,100 m) — Yongbulakang Palace and Samye Monastery
• Day 6: Tsedang to Shigatse (3,800 m) via Gyantse — Karola Glacier and Pelkor Monastery
• Day 7: Shigatse to Everest Base Camp (5,200 m)— Tashilhunpo Monastery 
• Day 8: Everest Base Camp to Shigatse — Rongbuk Monastery 
• Day 9: Return to Lhasa (by car or high-speed train)
• Day 10: Depart from Lhasa

You’ll start in Lhasa with enough time to adjust to the altitude while visiting the capital’s most iconic landmarks. This helps you better prepare for the more fast-paced days and higher elevations ahead.

Along the way from Tsedang to Shigatse, you can stop at Gyantse to visit the Karola Glacier and the Pelkor Monastery, known for its ancient murals and multi-tiered Kumbum stupa.

Pelkor Monastery

Because the drive from EBC back to Lhasa is very long, we recommend spending the night in Shigatse on Day 8 and returning to Lhasa the following day.

Option 2: 11-Day Overland Trip from Lhasa to Kathmandu

If you want to explore the unbelievable Himalayan Mountain Range, enjoy the amazing landscapes along the way and sense the differences and connections between Tibet and Nepal, this itinerary will be your best choice.

Himalaya Mountain

The “two worlds” created by Himalayas have different landscapes and climates on their two sides, but they have not blocked cultural and economic exchange.

During this 11-day overland trip from Lhasa to Kathmandu, you will start from the holy city of Tibet, drive by peaceful plateau lakes, cross vast grasslands, and stop at Everest Base Camp. Then you’ll go through a forested Himalayan pass to the warm and wet southern slopes of the mountain range, and finish by exploring old and mysterious Kathmandu.

Itinerary Overview

• Day 1: Arrive in Lhasa (3,650m) and rest
• Day 2: Lhasa — Drepung Monastery & Sera Monastery (monk debate)
• Day 3: Lhasa — Potala Palace, Jokhang Temple & Barkhor Street
• Day 4: Drive from Lhasa to Shigatse (3,800m) — Yamdrok Lake & Karola Glacier
• Day 5: Drive from Shigatse to Tingri (4,300m) — Tashilhunpo Monastery
• Day 6: Tingri — Everest Base Camp (5,200m) & Rongbuk Monastery (stay near EBC)
• Day 7: Drive from Tingri to Gyirong (2,800m) — Shishapangma & Lake Peiku
• Day 8: Drive from Gyirong to Kathmandu (1,400m) — cross the border into Nepal 
• Day 9: Kathmandu — Durbar Square, Pashupatinath Temple, Boudhanath Stupa
• Day 10: Kathmandu — Patan, Bhaktapur Durbar Square & Swayambhunath (Monkey Temple)
• Day 11: Depart from Kathmandu

For more details, see our 11-Day Overland Trip from Lhasa to Kathmandu.

Travel Tips

1. Expect multiple long drives throughout the journey. Due to the region’s geography, most destinations are only reachable by road. We’ll arrange a comfortable private vehicle for your entire trip to make the long distances as smooth and pleasant as possible.

2. For visa and permit reasons, as well as road conditions and altitude changes, we recommend traveling from Lhasa to Nepal rather than the other way around.

Entering Tibet from Nepal requires applying for a group visa at the Chinese Embassy in Kathmandu. This visa will automatically cancel any existing Chinese visa and must be used for both entry and exit as a group. 

Starting in Lhasa also means you’ll ascend in altitude more gradually, avoiding the challenging combination of a rapid climb, long drives, and altitude sickness.

3. Adjust your route between July and October due to weather risks. The Gyirong border is often affected by mudslides during this season, so it’s better to fly from Lhasa directly to Zhangmu Port for entry into Nepal. 

Outside this period, the original overland route through Gyirong is still the best choice.

4. Your Tibetan guide will accompany you to the border crossing point. You’ll need to complete some paperwork and present the necessary documents for exiting China. After reaching Nepal, your Nepalese driver will be waiting with a sign bearing your name.

5. The distance from Gyirong to Kathmandu is around 120 km (72 miles), but due to poor road conditions, the drive takes about 8 hours and includes multiple checkpoints. You may be asked to open your luggage for inspection.

6. You can leave the paperwork to us. We’ll assist you in preparing all required documents for entering and exiting Tibet and Nepal, so you can focus on enjoying your journey worry-free.

Tour China With Us

All our tours are customized to your needs, interests, travel length, and other requirements. Our private tours are designed to be the most convenient and fulfilling option for your trip to Tibet. We would create an itinerary according to your flight times, interests, and anything else you might need.

You can check our popular Tibet itineraries for inspiration.

Shanghai is the best place in China to discover the cruel and oppressive custom of foot binding, which Chinese women endured for centuries in order to woo their husbands with dainty, 10-cm feet.

Bound Feet – Beautiful Like Flowers

Chinese women’s feet were bound in feudal China. This corrupt custom originated from as early as the Sui Dynasty (581–618), and became popular among people in the Song Dynasty (960–1279). At that time a woman with a pair of small feet was regarded as a beauty. Though it caused severe pain, many women bound their feet to follow the custom.

Bound feet were called “lotuses”, ranked according to foot size. Feet longer than 4 cun (pronounced /tswnn/ 寸, “the Chinese inch”, is a Chinese unit of length, equal to 3⅓ cm) were ranked as “iron lotuses”; a pair of under-4-cun feet were called “silver lotuses”; and under-3-cun feet were called “golden lotuses”. A pair of “three-cun golden lotuses” (三寸金莲) was regarded as the most beautiful feature of a woman in feudal times.

The Pull to Bind

In ancient times, women’s small feet drew so much attention that foot shape and foot size became very important standards to judge a woman’s beauty by.

Whether a woman had bound feet or not, and how she bound them, directly affected her marriageability. At that time, every social class saw big feet as shameful and small feet as something to be proud of.

A girl began to bind her feet from 5 or 6 years old. A long strip of cloth was used to bind her four toes (except the big toe) and sole, breaking them off and bending them into the arch of the foot, so as to form a pair of “four-inch golden lotuses”.

The pain was hard to imagine, but elders forced young girls to do it, ignoring their shouts and tears, in order to fulfill their responsibilities and guarantee the girl’s future – her marriage.

Why Foot Binding Was Popular

There were two reasons behind the foot binding trend: the first was that the rulers’ will affected the lives of the people; the second was the seeking of appreciation and praise from well-educated men.

Imperial Origins

It was said that the practice of foot binding originated from Li Yu, the emperor of Southern Tang Dynasty (937–975), or possibly Emperor Yang of the Sui Dynasty (604–618). In order to please him, his concubines bound their feet into new moon shapes and danced on golden lotuses. Emperor Li Yu praised the feet as perfect, so foot binding became popular in the imperial palace, and later spread to the peasant class.

The trends among the folk class were decided by what the emperor preferred, so as Li Yu and future emperors appreciated women with small feet, foot binding became popular.

Currying Scholarly Favor

Besides the will of rulers, men of letters also influenced social customs a lot. The saying “headwear for the head, foot binding for feet” shows the educated class considered that the head and feet were the most important parts of a beauty. We can see it from their lavish descriptions, praising bound feet as “golden lotuses”, “fragrant hooks”, etc.

The Shoes of “Four-Inch Golden Lotuses”

Three-cun-golden-lotus shoes were specially made in China from the Tang Dynasty to more than 1,000 years later. Chinese women with bound feet all wore special small shoes.

After 1911, the imperial feudal system collapsed, and women didn’t have to bind their feet any more, but still some women were unwilling to change their habits, which meant there were a great number of women with small feet even after liberation. Some factories and companies did volume production of the shoes to meet the needs of the special group. However, with the development of society, foot binding gradually decreased, and the shoes lost their market.

In 1999, the owner of the last lotus-foot shoe factory in Harbin sent its golden lotus shoe tree to a museum for preservation.

Exploring the Three-Inch Golden Lotus Culture in Shanghai

Dongtai Road (上海东台路)

Dongtai Road

First visit the most popular antique street in Shanghai, Dongtai Road.

There are 125 shops lining the 200-meter street, selling artware like the “scholar’s four jewels” (writing brush, ink stick, ink slab, and paper), painting and calligraphy, clothes, and three-cun-golden-lotus shoes. You can feel close enough to touch to the Chinese culture of small feet by holding Dongtai Road’s small shoes and other authentic objects of the period.

Bailvtang (‘Hundred Shoes House’, 百履堂)

Bailvtang is a small personal museum in Shanghai, but it is the biggest ancient shoe museum in China.

First built in 1992, it is famous in China. Its owner is Yang Shaorong. His 20-square-meter hall is the exhibition area of the museum. Though it is not big, rows of colorful ancient shoes will catch your eyes when the curtains on the four walls are opened, all of which were collected by Mr. Yang over decades of collecting.

More than 1,500 shoes for “three-cun golden lotuses”, ancient women’s shoes, men’s shoes, and kid’s shoes of different patterns and from different places and ages are displayed there. More than 1,000 pairs are four-inch-golden-lotus shoes. The smallest are only 9 cm long and the biggest are 19 cm. These shoes systemically show you the development and history of China’s shoe culture.

Apart from shoes, the collections in the museum include strips of foot binding cloth. During the visit, the curator Mr. Yang will tell you some authentic anecdotes and stories he heard while collecting, which will make possible a zero-time-distance contact with small feet culture.

• Address:  Aosen Apartment, Hongzhong Road, Changning District (长宁区虹中路奥森公寓内)

Discover Tiny Feet Culture with China Highlights

Our flexible Shanghai tours can easily accommodate an excursion into the past to touch the exquisitely painful world of bound feet. Start by inquiring about a tour and customize it, or contact us and we’ll tailor-make a trip to suit your requirements.

More…

• Dongtai Road Antique Market Video
• Where to Buy or Tailor Make a Qipao in Shanghai?

Similar to air travel, train journeys also come with baggage allowances that must be observed. Continue reading to learn about the permissible number of bags for train travel in China and where they should be stowed.

Weight and Size Limits

The maximum weight and size for free carry-on baggage for each passenger is as follows. All items exceeding this should be consigned to a rail freight car (see How to Consign Your Baggage) or mailed separately.

Free Baggage Allowance

• Child (including those with a free ticket): 10 kg (22 lbs)
• Adult: 20 kg (44 lbs)
• Diplomat: 35 kg (77 lbs)

Baggage Size

For normal trains:

• The cumulative measurement of each item’s three dimensions (length + width + height) should not surpass 160 cm (63 in). For instance, an item measuring 70 cm x 40 cm x 50 cm would fall within the prescribed limit.
• Exceptions apply to rod-shaped items, such as a fishing rod in its case or a tube containing a painting, which should not exceed 200 cm (79 in) in length. While width restrictions are not explicitly specified, it is presumed that “rod-shaped items” must be less than approximately 10 cm (4 in) in diameter.

For high-speed trains (C, D, and G trains):

• The total of the three dimensions cannot exceed 130 cm (51 in).
• A rod-shaped item cannot exceed 130 cm (51 in).

The weight and size limits detailed above are not applicable to a wheelchair or a pushchair, which has unrestricted access for being taken on board.

In practice, unlike airports where steel boxes are provided for baggage, train stations typically lack such facilities. Generally speaking, passengers are not halted at security checks unless their belongings blatantly violate size or weight restrictions. It’s important to note that bikes are not permitted as carry-on baggage unless they are folded to meet the specified dimensions mentioned earlier.

Given the limited baggage space, it is advisable to store your belongings near you, emphasizing the importance of traveling with light luggage. Ensuring that your luggage fits securely on the overhead racks without any parts or straps overhanging is crucial. Loose items, such as water bottles, that have the potential to fall out of a bag or off the rack are routinely requested to be repacked or held securely.

Overhead racks on a high-speed train

Things You Can’t Bring on a China Train

Prohibited Items

The items listed below are not permitted on a train or in a train station:

• Weapons: Like knives and guns, as well as offensive items such as imitation guns, stun guns, steel ball guns, sports guns, starting guns, tear gas guns, and any type of bullets.
• Explosive product: Explosives, detonators, fuses, blasting cords, seismic sources, blasting agents, fireworks, etc.
• Compressed gases: petroleum gas, coal gas, oxygen, hydrogen, etc.
• Flammable liquids: adhesives, thinners, spray paint, gasoline and other fuel oils, etc.
• Highly-flammable solids: camphor, hexamine and other solid fuels, etc.
• Poisons: arsenic trioxide and all types of “toxins”, pesticide powder, termite powder, pesticide spray, etc.
• Things that interfere with the train’s signal, or make passengers panic.

For Animals

Please note that your pets like cats or dogs with quarantine certificates can be consigned, however, the ventilation might not be good enough in pets’ coaches. Dangerous animals like snakes or centipedes, can not board on a train.

Guide dogs with official work permits are allowed to accompany their owners on a train, and well-sealed fishes, crabs, shrimps, and aquatic animals are allowed to be taken as carry-on luggage.

Limited Quantity Items

You can take the following items on a train in limited quantities:

• Nail polish, declustering, or hair dye (up to 50 ml)
• Aerosol spray cans/bottles: mousse, hairspray, air freshener, insecticide, etc. Only one bottle or can for each of these kinds of liquid is allowed, and the volume for each bottle or can be within 150 ml, and the total within 600 ml.
• Perfume, floral water, and other liquids with inflammable components are permitted, with a limit of one bottle for each type of liquid. The volume of each bottle should not exceed 100 ml. 
• Two small boxes of safety matches
• Two ordinary lighters
• Mobile charger or lithium battery up to 100 watt-hours. Wheelchairs with lithium batteries can exceed 100 watt-hours.
• Well-sealed alcoholic beverage up to 3,000 ml; 24% to 70% alcohol by volume.

Where to Put Your Baggage on a Train

Baggage space is limited and it is better to store your baggage near you in your car, so it is recommended to travel lightly.

On a High-Speed Train (G, D and C Trains)

Luggage racks for 24-inch suitcases: There are luggage racks over the seats at either side of a carriage.

• Size: 45 – 50 cm wide, 50 – 60 cm high (suitable for a 24-inch suitcase)

Shelves for larger suitcases: At the joint between two cars, you can place your large suitcases on the shelves.

• Height: 1 m (suitable for a 28-inch suitcase)

Room behind the last row of seats: Usually there will be a certain amount of room between the last row of seats and the wall of a car to put large suitcases.

• Size: the length of the seats and the width of a standing passenger

Special notice:

1. Your luggage must fit safely on the overhead racks with no parts or straps overhanging. Loose items, such as water bottles, that may fall out of a bag or off the rack are routinely required to be repacked or held.

2. Be aware that the shelf space is very limited and suitcases may be piled on top of one another. It’s recommended to check-in early and place your items inward if you are going to have a long journey and don’t want others to move your belongings in and out.

3. Sometimes, the room behind the last row of seats will be occupied by passengers who purchased standing tickets.

Barrier-Free Wheelchair Car

Each D/G train has a barrier-free carriage with wide corridor access and a disabled toilet. This is usually, for example, the fourth car (central on a typical 8-car train), and so closest to the platform-access lift, and usually the bar car too. This includes:

• A place for wheelchairs to park, with a belt to fasten them.
• Sockets to charge electric wheelchairs for free.

Ordinary Speed Trains

For seat cars:

Luggage racks above the seats: The space available in racks in normal trains is bigger than that found in high-speed trains.

• Width and height: Each rack is about 55 cm wide and 50 cm high (22*19 in) and a large 28-inch suitcase can be placed on one.

Room under your seat: If there is no space on a rack to place your baggage, you can place it under your seat.

• Height: 30 cm

Room under the small table: There is a small table between the seats. If your suitcase is too heavy to place on the luggage rack, or too thick to place under your seat, you can put it under the small desk that is near your seat.

• Height: 70 cm

For Sleeper Cars:

If you are taking a sleeper car, you can place your baggage on the opposite side to the berths, under the lower berth, or under the small desk in your compartment.

• Height: 50 cm wide and 40 cm high in the luggage rack, 25 cm under a berth, and 70 cm under the small desk

Special notice:

1. It’s sensible to put your baggage on the luggage rack that is opposite your seat, so that you can keep an eye on it.

2. High-value items should be kept where they are accessible to you, especially when in a sleeper car. Lights will be turned off around 10pm in a sleeper car.

How to Consign Your Baggage

If you prefer not to carry excessive baggage, you have the option of consigning your baggage at the train station before departure. Typically, your baggage can be transported in a freight car on the same train as you, allowing you to retrieve it upon arrival at the destination train station.

How to Use Baggage Consignment

1. Find the Baggage Consignment Office

The baggage consignment office (in Chinese: 行李托运处) is usually just beside the ticket office.

2. Fill in the Form

The staff will give you a form to fill in (in Chinese) with your name, address, phone number, amount and weight of items. If you don’t know how to fill in the form, you can ask staff members for help.

When you show your train ticket and pay you’ll be given a consignment collection voucher for the equivalent journey.

Remember to pack your fragile items and electronic products carefully, as they may be damaged during transportation. You can buy consignment insurance for them there.

See Taking a Bike on a Train in China if you would like to consign your bicycle.

3. Pay the Consignment Fee

The consignment fee is calculated according to your baggage’s weight and the journey’s distance.

• Starting weight: 1 kg
• Starting distance: 20 km

Prices also vary with baggage type, so we can’t give you exact prices. But usually the price is much cheaper than express delivery. If your luggage exceeds 50 kg, the overweight baggage consignment price is double the equivalent price below 50 kg.

• Maximum weight: 50 kg (110 lb), 75 kg if a wheel chair is included in the baggage.
• Size: It must be able to fit through a luggage car (approx. 2m high and 1m wide), and must measure no less than 0.01 cube, which is the volume of a 21 cm (8 inch) cube.

Special notice:

1. High-value items should be escorted: Your consigned baggage should not contain high-value amounts of any currency, bonds, cultural and historical relics, gold, silver, and jewelry, or important documents or materials. You can arrange an escort service for these valuable items.

2. Prohibited/restricted items are also not allowed to be consigned. If your baggage contains items that are restricted by the government regulations, please provide transport certificates. See Customs Regulations for restricted items.

3. High-speed trains don’t currently provide a baggage consignment service.

Usually, there are closets for large baggage at the joint between two cars on high-speed trains.

If you still need a baggage consignment service, you can consign your baggage on an ordinary speed train. The disadvantages are that your baggage will not arrive at the same time as you and you may need to go to another train station to collect it.

Collecting Your Baggage

After you and your baggage have arrived, you can collect your baggage using the baggage collection vouchers that the carrier gave you.

The carriers will keep your baggage without charging a fee for three days. If you fail to collect your baggage within three days, you will need to pay a storage fee.

Luggage Porters

If your baggage is too heavy to carry by yourself, you can find a “red cap” luggage porter to help you take it on your train. There are usually some staff members in red caps or red jackets at a railway station. You can see them easily in front of the train station. The service fee is about 20 yuan (3 USD) for each item.

Recommended Train Travel Tours in China

If you are planning a tour in China and want to experience a high-speed train, please see the following itineraries for inspiration:

• 5-Day Shanghai and Its Neighbors Bullet Train Tour – modern Shanghai and traditional water towns

Not interested in the above tours? Our tours can be customized or tailor-made from scratch. Just tell us your interests and requirements and we will help you design your China tour.

The Hangzhou-Nanchang train route links the cultural and economic centers of two neighboring provinces – Zhejiang and Jiangxi. 59 pairs of high-speed trains operate on this route daily. The shortest travel time is 2 hours 13 minutes.

Hangzhou-Nanchang High-Speed Trains

Quick Facts

• Distance: 582 kilometers (362 miles)
• Terminals: Hangzhou East Railway Station, Nanchang West Railway Station / Nanchang Railway Station
• Duration: 2-3½ hours
• Main stops: Hangzhou, Yiwu, Nanchang

Hangzhou to Nanchang High-Speed Train Schedules

(Updated on May 15th, 2023)

• Please note: The trains listed above are only some of the ones in operation. The timetable is just for your reference.
• If you want up-to-date schedules, you can use the search tool at the top of this page or search via our China Highlights train ticket service.

Nanchang to Hangzhou High-Speed Train Schedules

(Updated on May 15th, 2023)

Hangzhou to Nanchang High-Speed Train Ticket Fares

Hangzhou-Nanchang Normal-Speed Trains

Quick Facts

• Terminals: Hangzhou East Railway Station / Hangzhou Railway Station, Nanchang Railway Station
• Duration: 7-10 hours
• Main stops: Hangzhou, Yiwu, Nanchang

Hangzhou to Nanchang Normal-Speed Train Schedules

(Updated on May 15th, 2023)

• Please note: The timetable is just for your reference.
• If you want up-to-date schedules, you can use the search tool at the top of this page or search via our China Highlights train ticket service.

Nanchang to Hangzhou Normal-Speed Train Schedules

(Updated on May 15th, 2023)

Hangzhou to Nanchang Normal-Speed Train Ticket Fares

Pay Attention to Your Train Stations

There is usually more than one railway station in most cities.

Most of the G trains on the Hangzhou–Nanchang route run between Hangzhou East Railway Station and Nanchang West Railway Station but a few run to/from Nanchang Railway Station.

Please pay attention to the stations for your train. You can double check with your travel advisor or the staff in your hotel before departure to make sure you go to the right one.

You might also be interested in reading our Nanchang Travel Guide.

Weather: July and August are the hottest months of the year in Guangzhou. It is scorching hot and rainy with the highest temperature at noon often hitting above 35 °C (95 °F). The average temperature in summer is 29 °C (84 °F), and at night the low temperature is still about 26 °C (79 °F). It rains most of the days of the month, and the humidity is 82%.

Clothing: Bring summer clothes such as shorts, T-shirts and skirts. Wear sun protection such as hats, sunglasses and sun cream. Try drinking the local herbal tea. It’s very popular in Guangzhou and is believed to be able to relieve heat and dampness inside the body. We recommended bringing an umbrella for the afternoon thunderstorms and occasional tropical storms. See the current weather and forecast>>

Things to Do

Depending on the weather, you might want to go to a museum or visit a local outdoor attraction.

The Sun Yat Sen Museum is a small museum in a park with pleasant surroundings. It is a place to learn about China’s history and about the life of the “Father of Modern China.” It is a short walk from Yuexiu Park.

Relax in Yuexiu Park: Walk around and enjoy the summer weather in Guangzhou’s biggest city park. It is more than 200 acres in area, and it features hills, many gardens, and three ponds. It is designed to be both beautiful and interesting. You can exercise there and watch the locals do morning exercises, play instruments, practice martial arts and walk around. Subway Line 2 goes there.

July Trade Fairs: The trade fairs in July include the Fastener Trade Show, the Building Decoration Fair, the International Packing Box Show, and others.

Shoulder Travel Month

July isn’t a high travel month for tourism and travel. Hotel rooms and train tickets and flight tickets are usually available. If you plan to visit, contact us, and we can help you make your arrangements in advance and find good prices.

Guangzhou July Tours

China Highlights arranges a variety of Guangzhou tour packages for corporate groups, families, and individuals.

Further Reading

• Top Places to Visit in July in China

Guangzhou Average Daily Temperatures Based on Historical Data

Guangzhou Climate Information by Month

• Guangzhou Weather in January
• Guangzhou Weather in February
• Guangzhou Weather in March
• Guangzhou Weather in April
• Guangzhou Weather in May
• Guangzhou Weather in June
• Guangzhou Weather in July
• Guangzhou Weather in August
• Guangzhou Weather in September
• Guangzhou Weather in October
• Guangzhou Weather in November
• Guangzhou Weather in December

There is an old Chinese saying that describes the beauty of Hangzhou and Suzhou: “In heaven there is paradise, on Earth there is Hangzhou and Suzhou”. Some people wonder how to choose between Hangzhou and Suzhou when planning a trip to China and which one is better. Read on to find the answers.

Both Hangzhou and Suzhou are filled with beautiful attractions. Hangzhou is renowned for West Lake and its activities to experience the tea culture there. Suzhou is renowned for its classic gardens and water towns with quieter environments.

Here are detailed reasons for touring Hangzhou and Suzhou that will help you make a decision when you have no idea how to choose between the two.

This chart helps you quickly understand the characteristics of Hangzhou and Suzhou:

Reasons to Tour Hangzhou

West Lake Is the Highlight of Hangzhou

West Lake is the most famous scenic spot in Hangzhou and one of the important reasons why Hangzhou is famous all over the world. It attracts millions of tourists from both home and abroad every year due to its beautiful scenery.

There are three ways to tour West Lake. Walk or bike around it, paddle a boat on the lake, or circle the lake in a battery car. You can choose your preferred way. At night, there is a wonderful show on the lake.

Hangzhou’s Longjing Tea Is the Best in China

Hangzhou is one of the most important tea production bases in China.

Hangzhou is known as the “Tea Capital” and is one of the most important tea production bases in China. In Hangzhou, it is very popular to visit a local tea farmer’s home in a tea plantation. Pick tea leaves, stir-fry tea, then appreciate a Chinese tea ceremony before finally drinking authentic Longjing tea and tasting tea food.

Meijiawu is a less commercial tea plantation in Hangzhou. It is a good place for a family tour. You can experience the Chinese tea culture there, and both kids and adults will enjoy it.

Hangzhou Has Many Attractions

Besides West Lake and Meijiawu Tea Plantation, there are various places to visit.

Lingyin Temple: It is one of the largest and most visited Buddhist temples in China. It has tranquil surroundings and attracts many tourists and pilgrims.

Xitang Water Town: It is a beautiful town with cobbled streets, old buildings, bridges arching over canals, and rowing boats lingering on the river.

Xixi Wetland Park: It is about 5 kilometers from West Lake and offers fresh air, a peaceful environment, and fewer tourists.

Qinghefang Pedestrian Street: It is a tourist-oriented shopping and dining street with shopping and dining facilities that are catered to tourists’ tastes. There are also some teahouses there that have a long history.

Reasons to Tour Suzhou

Classic Gardens

Humble Administrator’s Garden

When people think of classic Chinese gardens, they think of Suzhou. There is no doubt that Suzhou’s classic gardens are the best in China.

The Humble Administrator’s Garden is the largest garden in Suzhou. It is a masterpiece among Chinese gardens. Beautiful halls and pavilions, luxuriant trees and flowers, ponds, and ancient bridges are dotted in the garden. The design of the garden shows the simplicity and broadness of the Ming style.

Lingering Garden is one of the four famous classic gardens in China. It is famous for its exquisite architectural art, magnificent halls, changeable layout in the courtyard, and peculiar stones.

Water Towns

When you travel to the “Yangtze South” area, water towns are must-see attractions. Water towns in Suzhou are representative of these. The water towns retain the original look of old Suzhou.

Zhouzhuang Water Town is known as the most famous ancient water town in China with its interconnected waterways and beautiful environment. More than 800 local families live along the river, and more than 60% of the houses still preserve the architectural style of the Ming (1368–1644) and Qing (1644–1912) dynasties.

Tongli Water Town

Tongli Ancient Town is one of the six famous ancient towns. It is famous for its rivers, streets, bridges, civil residences, and gardens. Tongli Ancient Town is less commercialized than Zhouzhuang.

Suzhou Is Half an Hour Away from Shanghai

The distance from Suzhou to Shanghai is closer than that from Hangzhou to Shanghai. Bullet trains from Suzhou to Shanghai leave every 5 minutes from 5:30am to 11pm. Shanghai is the last stop in many tourists’ itineraries. The shorter distance between Suzhou and Shanghai gives you more time to visit each area.

A Suggested Itinerary Including Hangzhou and Suzhou

Hangzhou and Suzhou are both worthy of a visit. The duration of your stay in the two cities depends on your interests.

Here is a suggested itinerary for Hangzhou and Suzhou:

Day 1: Stay in Hangzhou. Arrive in Hangzhou: visit Meijiawu Tea Plantation and West Lake.

Day 2: Stay in Suzhou. Visit Lingering Garden and go to Tongli Water Town.

Day 3: Departure

See our detailed itinerary. You can set aside a free day to wander in your favorite city. Your local guide can give you good recommendations according to your interests.

Tour Hangzhou and Suzhou with Us

Tour Hangzhou and Suzhou with China Highlights

We are committed to customizing every customer’s tour. We have customized thousands of Hangzhou and Suzhou tours for foreign tourists. See our popular sample itineraries including Hangzhou and Suzhou:

• 5-Day Shanghai, Hangzhou, and Suzhou Bullet Train Tour: This is the most selected tour to experience the highlights of Shanghai, Hangzhou, and Suzhou.
• One-Day Dragon Well Tea Culture and West Lake Tour: Enjoy one day to get close to the beauty and culture of Hangzhou.
• Two-Day Suzhou Highlights Tour: Explore the Humble Administrator’s Garden and stroll around Tongli Water Town.

The above tours can be modified according to your requirements. Just contact us and tell us your interests and requirements. We’d like to create a pleasurable and hassle-free tour for you.

As the saying goes “民以食为天 People regard food as heaven (i.e. god).”, and in line with that sentiment food plays an important role in China. China’s eight distinct regional cuisines‘ different features are shown through Chinese folk snacks, which can be easily found on some food streets.

You can have a great feast in a low-budget and relaxing way on the food streets. We at China Highlights have put together a list of the best and most popular food streets, including some recommended dishes and restaurants.

1. ‘Ghost Street’ (Gui Street) – Beijing

Features

• Open all night
• Includes more than 100 restaurants
• Nice service and relaxed atmosphere
• Location: Inner Dongzhimen Street, Dongcheng District (东城区东直门内大街)
• Recommended dishes: Spicy Snacks 麻辣烫 (spicy peppery little lobsters, spicy crabs, scorpions, and stewed red mutton)
• Recommended restaurants: Jiangbian Chengwai Roasted Fish (江边城外烤全鱼) and Jingui Xiaoshancheng Spicy Food (金簋小山城麻辣烫)

Fried scorpion and starfish, famous snacks in Beijing

Other food streets in Beijing: Wangfujing Snack Street, Niu Jie Muslim Snack Street, Qianmen Snack Street, and Shichahai Snack Street

Check out more about Beijing food and restaurants.

Want to enjoy a feast of Beijing local food on Gui Street? We at China Highlights can tailor make a tour including Ghost Street. You can also contact us for a fully customizable tour of Beijing.

2.City God Temple — Shanghai

Features

Soup dumpling in Shanghai

• Shops ranging from jewellery to boutiques to snackeries
• An ancient building complex
• Dozens of kinds of local snacks
• Location: 249 Fangbin Middle Road, Huangpu District (黄浦区方滨中路249号)
• Recommended dishes: Shanghai steamed dumplings (上海小笼包) and other local dim sum
• Recommended restaurants: Kobayashi (小林煎饼) and Shanghai Chic (上海会馆)

Other food streets in Shanghai: Hongqi Square, Wujiang Road, Yunnan Road, Huanghe Road and Wukang Road Snacks Street

Click here to know more about Shanghai food and restaurants.

3.Muslim Street (Huimin Street) — Xi’an

Osmanthus cake in Xi’an

Features

• The hub of the Muslim community in Xi’an
• Ancient mosques
• Sells Muslim food and Xi’an local snacks
• Location: Bell and Drum Tower Square, Beilin District (西安市碑林区钟鼓楼广场鼓楼诚门内以北)
• Recommended dishes: Crumbled unleavened bread in mutton stew (yangrou paomo 羊肉泡馍), cold noodles (凉皮), fruit pies, rou jia mo (肉夹馍), jiasan steamed buns stuffed with juicy beef or mutton (贾三灌汤包) and pingwa baked meats (平娃烤肉)
• Recommended restaurants: Jia San Halal Soup and Bun Restaurant (贾三清真灌汤包子店), Wang Family Dumplings (王家饺子馆), Sun Family Mutton Steamed Bread (老孙家羊肉泡馍), and Tong Sheng Xiang Beef Steamed Bread Restaurant (同盛祥牛羊肉泡馍馆)

Other food streets in Xi’an: Beiyuan Gate, Huajue Lane, Xiyang Market, and Dapi Yuan

See more about Xi’an food.

4.Shangxiajiu Pedestrian Street — Guangzhou

Steamed vermicelli roll, famous food in Guangzhou

Features

• Cantonese Cuisine (粤菜) — fresh, smooth, delicate, and crispy
• Famous for authentic dim sum
• The morning tea and lunches are popular.
• Location: On the junction of Shangjiu Road and Xiajiu Road, Liwan District (上九路和下九路交汇处)
• Recommended dishes: fresh lobster sausage (鲜虾肠), pumpkin dumplings (南瓜饺), stewed milk beancurd (双皮奶), and tingzai porridge (艇仔粥)
• Recommended restaurants: Renxin Stewed Milk Beancurd (仁信双皮奶) and Yin’s Steamed Vermicelli Roll (银记肠粉)

See our Guangzhou food page to know more about the food and restaurants in Guangzhou.

Other food streets in Guangzhou: Huifu Snack Street and Beijing Road Pedestrian Street

5.Hefang Street — Hangzhou

Hefang Street

Features

• Zhe Cuisine (浙菜) — fresh and delicate
• An epitome of ancient Hangzhou
• Chinese crafts and local snacksArt hawkers, candy sculptors, pillow shops, caricaturists, old-fashioned movie players, storytellers, bonsai shops, teahouses, and an array of small eateries
• Location: at the east end of the pedestrian street next to Wu Mountain
• Recommended dishes: dingsheng cake (定胜糕), stinky tofu (臭豆腐), shortcake (油酥饼), mutton sumai (羊肉烧卖) and lotus root starch (西湖藕粉)
• Recommended restaurants: Tai Ji Teahouse (太极茶楼), Xi Le Yuan (西乐园), Chinese medicine at Hu Qing Yu Tang (胡庆余堂) and Bao He Tang (保和堂), and Wang Run Xing Restaurant (王润兴)

Other food streets in Hangzhou: Hedong Road, Jingzhou Road, Gaoyin Street, Jinjiang Seafood Snack Street, and Baochu Road

Check out more about the food in Hangzhou.

6.Jinli Ancient Street — Chengdu

San Da Pao, a sweet sticky rice snack

Features

• Chuan (Szechuan) Cuisine (川菜) — hot and spicy
• One of the busiest commercial streets during the Shu Kingdom (221–263) known as ‘First Street of the Shu Kingdom’
• Sells local handicrafts, souvenirs and snacks
• Permeated with traditional Chinese-style teahouses, inns, opera stages, artworks, hotels, restaurants, bars, and cafés
• Shows: Chuan Opera performances, shadow puppetry shows, and hand puppet shows
• Location: 231-1 Wuhouci Street, to the east of Wuhou Memorial Temple

• Recommended dishes: San Da Pao (三大炮), sticky rice balls (汤圆), wontons (馄饨), and Three Kingdoms dishes (三国菜)
• Recommended restaurants: San Guo Cha Yuan (Three Kingdoms Teahouse 三国茶园)

Other food streets in Chengdu: Wuhouci Street, Shaxi Line, Yangxi Snack Street, Funan New District Hotpot Street, and Caotang Food and Entertainment Circle

7.Pozi Street — Changsha

Spicy chicken lobster 

Features

• Xiang Cuisine (湘菜) — aromatic, sour and spicy
• One of the oldest streets in Changsha
• The top draw of Changsha’s nightlife
• Sells folk crafts and holds traditional performances
• Recommended dishes: Four Dishes from One Duck (一鸭四吃), Three Layer Chicken (三层套鸡), Changsha rice cakes (米糕), Changsha milk cakes (奶糕), stinky tofu (臭豆腐), glutinous rice dumplings (糯米糍), and spicy chicken lobster (口味虾)
• Recommended restaurants: Fire God Palace (火宫殿)

Other food streets in Changsha: Steamed Vegetable Street and Jar Street

See our Changsha food and restaurants page for more.

8.Nanbin Road — Chongqing

Chongqing hotpot

Features

• Chuan Cuisine (川菜)
• A leisure and hotpot paradise for locals and tourists
• Includes flower shops, handicrafts stores, teahouses, and scores of local restaurants
• Recommended dishes: Chongqing hotpot (重庆火锅), tea-smoked duck (樟茶鸭), dry-stewed fish (干烧鱼), chicken with spring water (泉水鸡) and dandan spicy noodles (担担面)
• Recommended restaurants: Yuxin Chuan Cai (Yuxin Chuan Cuisine Restaurant 渝信川菜) and Ba Wei Tang (巴味堂)

Other food streets in Chongqing: Jiefangbei Central Business District (解放碑), Bayi Street, and Chongqing night markets

Read more about the food and restaurants in Chongqing.

Travel with China Highlights and Taste Delicious Chinese Food

Want a trip to enjoy Chinese food? See our recommended Chinese food tour for inspiration:

• 12-Day Beijing, Xi’an, Chengdu, Guilin, and Hong Kong Cuisine tour— explore the most popular destinations in China and savor local Chinese food in each city

Our tours can be customized. If you are not interested in the above tour, we at China Highlights can help you design a tailor-made tour.

Are you planning a trip to Guilin in July? Are you concerned about the weather or crowded attractions? As a local, I’d love to offer you the most practical advice based on firsthand experience.

July is the hottest month of the year in Guilin. Daytime temperatures in the city usually range between 32-36°C (90-97°F), often exceeding 36°C (97°F) at noon. Combined with high humidity (80-85%), the weather can feel quite muggy.

However, most tourist activities take place in the surrounding countryside and mountainous areas (like Yangshuo and Longsheng), where temperatures are slightly lower – about 2-3°C (3-5°F) cooler than in the city.

In terms of rainfall, July sees significantly less precipitation (150-300 mm) compared to June, with only 5-10 rainy days. Most showers are short afternoon or evening thunderstorms, which generally won’t disrupt your travel plans.

This hot weather typically lasts until mid-August. So, if you’re visiting Guilin in July, be sure to prepare well for the heat – stay hydrated, wear light clothing, and take extra care with sun protection during outdoor activities.

Is July a Good Time to Visit Guilin?

July is generally considered a less ideal month for travel in most parts of China, as it is one of the two hottest months of the year (July/August). However, for Guilin, July is a relatively good time to enjoy its highlights – mountains and rivers, especially for water activities.

The most distinctive feature of Guilin’s mountains is their karst topography. Popular ways to explore them include caving, hiking, and via ferrata (climbing routes). Given the summer heat, we recommend exploring the caves. Temperatures inside stay pleasantly cool at 18-20°C (64-68°F). They offer a perfect natural retreat from the scorching weather.

If you want to enjoy water activities, head to Guilin’s most famous river – the Li River. There are plenty of ways to enjoy the Li River in Guilin:

• Cruise boat
• Hiking
• Cycling
• Bamboo rafting

Considering the heat, we suggest taking a cruise down the Li River. It is air-conditioned and less affected by the weather.

As for popular outdoor attractions like Elephant Trunk Hill and Reed Flute Cave, we recommend adjusting your schedule. Try to visit early in the morning or late in the evening to avoid crowds. Alternatively, you can admire them from unique vantage points. For example, sipping coffee at the rooftop of the nearby hotel (Guilin Jolie Vue Boutique ) for a panoramic view of Elephant Trunk Hill.

5-Day Guilin Family TourEndless Fun in the Countryside

Top Things to Do in Guilin in July

I was born in Guilin and have lived here for more than 30 years. Every summer in July and August, I take my kids to enjoy the cool, refreshing water of the Li River.

After years of firsthand exploration, I can confidently recommend the following activities and destinations – each thoroughly tested and absolutely worthwhile.

1. Exploring Cool Karst Caves

Guilin Swallow Cave

When it comes to Guilin’s caves, most people only know developed tourist spots like Reed Flute Cave and Silver Cave. But we suggest joining us to explore a pristine, lesser-known cave – Swallow Cave. This untouched cave has been explored by experienced local cavers and guides, ensuring both safety and an authentic wild experience.

During the exploration, you won’t be disturbed by crowds. Instead, you’ll get to fully immerse yourself as a true “field researcher,” examining ancient stalactites and stalagmites formed over millennia. You can even play shadow games or turn off your flashlight to experience complete darkness. This adventure is perfect for thrill-seekers and families with older kids (recommended for ages 10+).

It will take 1-hour drive from Guilin, followed by a 20-minute uphill hike. Then take a short 5-meter descent by rope to the cave floor. The exploration time is about 4-5 hours inside the cave.

If you prefer a quicker, more polished cave experience, head to Reed Flute Cave, just 20 minutes from downtown. The 1.5-hour tour takes you through a dazzling “crystal palace” of illuminated stalactites and stalagmites.

Pro tip: Reed Flute Cave gets crowded in summer, with waits often exceeding 40 minutes. For skip-the-line access, consider the VIP ticket (around $40 extra).

2. Hiking and Waterfall Via Ferrata at Hongxi

Hongxi Waterfall

While Guilin has countless water-themed summer resorts, I make it a tradition to bring my children to Hongxi every year. This valley with its mountains, streams and waterfalls is a veritable natural oxygen bar.

The lush forests provide ample shade, eliminating any sun exposure concerns. Along the stream, you can hike to view multiple waterfalls (about 1.5 hours round trip), play in the crystal-clear pools beneath the falls, experience the 200-meter forest slide, and capture rainbow (most visible on sunny afternoons).

The most thrilling experience at Hongxi is the exhilarating waterfall via ferrata. Under the protection professional guides, you’ll climb about 30 meters up the waterfall. Feeling the waterfall spray on your face during the ascent makes each step an adventure.

From the summit, you’ll enjoy a panoramic view of the entire valley before concluding with a 200-meter zip-line ride. This activity is particularly suitable for families with children (1.2m or taller) to experience the joy of conquering nature.

Hongxi Scenic Area is located about 40km from downtown (approximately a 1-hour drive). Since it’s on the way to Longji Terraces, we recommend spending half a day at Hongxi before continuing to Longji in the afternoon. The best visiting period is from May to October, with summer offering the most spectacular views when the waterfalls are at their fullest.

3. Stay One Night in Longji Terraced Field

Longji Terraced Field

Typically, most tourists opt for a day trip to Longji, visiting and returning on the same day. However, in July, we recommend staying overnight in Longji. This allows you to view the terraces in the early morning or around 6-7 PM, avoiding the midday sun.

You’ll also get to experience Longji’s tranquil dawn – listening to birdsong while gazing at the lush green rice terraces, far from the hustle and bustle of the city.

With our guides’ arrangements, you can visit local homes to make traditional bamboo-tube rice, sample authentic cuisine, and learn about the area’s culture and history. Read more about our 4-days Longji and Yangshuo scenic tour.

4. Relaxed by a Li River Cruise

Li River Cruise

Enjoying the landscape along the Li River is a must-do experience whenever you visit Guilin. In July’s hot weather, hiking and cycling are less ideal, so we highly recommend taking a cruise instead. This is actually the perfect time for photography – with abundant water flow, bright sunshine and lush greenery along both banks. You’ll capture stunning landscape shots.

The cruises are classified as 3-star or 4-star based on amenities and price. While similar in size, the 3-star boats typically have 120 hard seats with boxed meals. Whereas 4-star boats feature 75-80 leather sofa seats with buffet service (the selection is modest but better than boxed meals). The price difference is about $20. For the superior comfort, about 90% of our clients choose the 4-star option.

As July falls during peak summer vacation period, tickets sell out quickly. We strongly advise booking at least one month in advance. Plan your Li River cruise tour now.

5. Paddling Through Yulong River: SUP Adventure

SUP on Yulong River

The Yulong River, Yangshuo’s most famous waterway, is best known for bamboo rafting. However, in July when Yangshuo is crowded with tourists, raft tickets become extremely hard to book. The rafts are often crowded and waiting in line for 1-2 hours is common.

To avoid the misery of queuing under the scorching sun and to better appreciate the beauty of the Yulong River, we recommend trying stand-up paddleboarding (SUP) on the river – an activity even most locals are unaware of.

Besides the Yulong River, you can also take a 1.5-hour drive from Guilin to the upper reaches of the Li River. There are crystal-clear pools beneath waterfalls known as “natural jelly water.” Here, you can not only enjoy paddleboarding but also activities like via ferrata and diving.

What to wear in Guilin in July

July in Guilin is the height of summer. For daytime outdoor activities, we recommend wearing quick-drying, breathable T-shirts or light long skirts. Be sure to bring sun-protective clothing, a wide-brimmed hat, and sunglasses to block the strong UV rays. If you plan on water activities, it’s best to pack swimwear, swimming goggles, and a waterproof phone case.

Guilin’s cave attractions like Reed Flute Cave, Crown Cave, and Silver Cave maintain a constant temperature of 18-20°C year-round with high humidity. When visiting, it’s advisable to bring a light jacket and long pants and wear anti-slip shoes to navigate the damp cave floors safely.

Additionally, July in Guilin often sees sudden rain showers. We recommend keeping an umbrella or light raincoat handy, and using a waterproof backpack to protect your belongings. Don’t forget to apply insect repellent to prevent mosquito bites. If you choose our customized tour, our guides can provide some of the items for you.

Tailormade Your Trip to Guilin in July with China Highlights

During the summer peak season, there are large crowds of tourists in Guilin. With scorching weather, every traveler desires to avoid both congestion and sun exposure while still experiencing Guilin’s stunning landscapes in depth.

To address all your concerns, our customized Guilin tours provide considerate guides and drivers, complete with onboard cold drinks and sun protection gear. We also flexibly adjust itineraries according to weather conditions, ensuring you enjoy a comfortable and delightful Guilin tour experience.

Fujian’s Hakka Tulou (‘Earth Buildings’ 土楼 Tǔlóu /too-loh/) are unique, usually round, fort-like buildings, built with a mixture of clay and sandy soil. These rare buildings were designed by the circumspect Hakka minority as large fortresses and apartment buildings in one, and were inscribed by UNESCO as a cluster of World Cultural Heritage Sites in 2008.

In the first trailer for Disney’s lively action film Mulan (release date: March 27, 2020), Mulan’s home is a Fujian tulou.

Because of their large, round shapes in clusters, tulou satellite images produced great speculation during the Cold War. They were even believed by Western countries to be China’s nuclear missile silos!

History

Walled villages were built from the Song Dynasty (960–1279), when the Hakka Han moved from their original homeland in northern central China to the mountains of southeast China.

From then construction remained much the same, until conflicts with neighbors led to the development of fort-like housing from the Ming Dynasty (1368–1644) to the Republic of China era (1912–1949).

Today, the earth buildings are one of Fujian Province’s top tourist attractions, and most of the residents are involved in tourism, instead of farming.

Who are the Hakka People?

Tulou, Fujian

The Hakka origins are obscure. Like other Han people of China, their ancestors originated from someplace in the Yellow River basin in north China, but unlike other people of China, they tended to remain migratory for the last 1,000 years. They are a people who, either out of necessity or because they wanted to, migrated a lot, going from Central China to southern China and then overseas in the last several hundred years.

Distinct language, customs, and architecture: They have a distinct Hakka language that is somewhat related to Mandarin, and though they are Han Chinese, their customs are different. As the tulou in Fujian, Jiangxi, and northern Guangdong show, they had their own preferred style of construction too. In northeast Guangzhou, the Hakka built in the weilongwu and the sijiaolou styles as explained in the Architecture Features section.

Hakka cuisine: Hakka have their own cuisine style. They are good at making a salted pickled mustard cabbage, and one special Hakka dish combines steamed pork or fish with the salted mustard cabbage to make meicai kourou.

Overseas migrations: Also, many Hakka went overseas to settle when massacres against them started in the 19th century.

Many famous people in China’s history have been Hakka. They often had leadership roles in governments and armies of the past. Sun Yat Sen, called the “Father of Modern China,” was a Hakka for example.

Location

Fujian Province is in southeast China, north of Guangdong Province, where the majority of the Hakka live, and across the sea from Taiwan, which also has Hakka in the mountains. The Hakka only built tulou in Fujian.

The Yongding Tulou are mainly distributed in Nanjing County (南靖县), Yongding County (永定县), and Hua’an County (华安县), a region about 150 km across on the Fujian-Guangdong border, 2½–3½ hours by bus west from Xiamen.

Architectural Features

It cannot be denied that tulou are totally different to traditional architectural styles both in China and abroad. The closest things to them are the siheyuan (four-sided courtyards) in Beijing’s hutongs, or medieval castles in Europe.

Construction

The earthen buildings are mainly made of clay and sandy soil.

Hakka earth castles’ main building materials are clay, sandy soil and gray tiles, with bamboo strips playing the role of rebar in modern construction. Tulou were built with local raw soil without reinforced concrete and steel.

The foundation walls are three meters (10 feet) wide, able to withstand an earthquake, fire, or any attack at that time. The outer walls are mostly thicker than 1 meter (3’4″).

Shapes

The earthen buildings have two different shapes . The buildings are usually constructed round, but there are some square ones. All are about 10–20 meters tall, 30–80 meters in diameter; with dark, overhanging, shallow-pitch, apex roofs, and a hollow core (with lower buildings inside) 15–50 meters across.

When you look at them from afar, they (the round ones) are like thick tires or reels lying on their sides, with light walls, dark roofs, and large hollow centers. Their symmetry and simplicity are beautiful.

Chengqi Building

Round Earth Buildings

The round building style is the most famous tulou architecture. They usually have 2–4 floors, and with 2–3 inner rings of buildings. The most famous is Chengqi Building (承启楼 in Yongding Tulou Area), with 4 floors and 400 rooms.

Square Earth Buildings

Square buildings are mainly in Yongding Tulou Area. They can be rectangular or square. The locals call them sijiaolou (四角楼 sìjiǎolóu /srr-jyaoww-loh/ ‘four-corner building(s)’ ). Kuiju Building (奎聚楼 in Yongding Tulou Area) is one of the most famous square earthen buildings, with a height of 15 meters.

“Five Pheonix” Buildings

This kind of tulou is not as famous as the round and square ones. It has a stepped construction and the main building is at the highest floor, at the back. This kind of building has a beautiful layout and a strong symmetry. Fuyu Building (福裕楼 in Yongding Tulou Area) is the most famous five-phoenix-style earthen building.

Functions

Tulou had two main functions: communal living and defense. Each earth building usually holds the extended family of a single Hakka clan. These structures espoused equality and unity as family areas were the same size and shape, and everyone lived under the same roof, sharing communal areas.

Earthen buildings have comprehensive living functions.

Most earthen buildings have three or four floors with comprehensive living functions : the first floor is used for kitchens and dining rooms; the second floor is for grain stores; and the third and fourth floors are used for bedrooms.

Then comes the question, do they have no communal rooms or bathrooms? In fact, most have at least three concentric rings of buildings : the out ring is the main part of the building which has been described above; the second ring is set with bathrooms, and the center is the sitting room, as well as the ancestral hall of the family.

These buildings have a good ventilation and lighting and are warm in winter and cool in summer.

100–400 years ago, tulou played a significant role in protecting the Hakka from the attacks of land-hungry neighbors. Residents could easily mount an all-round defense, and the vulnerable entrances were strongly reinforced.

Which Tulou to Visit

Earthen building at Nanjing Tulou Area

There are three main tulou areas in Fuijan: Nanjing, Yongding, and Hua’an. The earthen buildings in each area may seem the same, so you may be confused which area to visit.

• Nanjing Tulou Area is the most recommended, as it’s only 2½ hours from Xiamen city.
• Yongding Tulou Area is about 3½ hours from Xiamen city, but it’s the largest tulou area in Fujian, with most of the top buildings.
• Hua’an Tulou Area is less popular, but also less commercial – worth a visit for a quieter experience of original tulou.

If you still can’t decide which one to visit, please see our detail introduction about Which Tulou Area to Visit.

Recommended Tulou Tours

We recommend you combine your tulou tour with Xiamen sights like Gulangyu Island. Take at least two days to see the amazing earthen buildings and China’s garden-by-the-sea city. See our recommended tours below for inspiration:

• 3-Day Gulangyu Island, and Yongding Tulou Relaxed Tour – Relaxed Weekend Tour
• 5-Day Xiamen, Nanjing Tulou, and Wuyi Mountain Tour – Cultural and Scenic Tour
• 9-Day Gulangyu Island, Yongding Tulou, and Xiapu Photography Tour – For Photography Lovers

Our tours can be customized according to your interests and requirements. If you’re not interested in the above tours, just let us create your own tulou tour!

Beijing Shougang Park not only epitomizes China’s steel industry but is also a successful example of urban renewal in China. Nowadays, Shougang Park integrates industrial, Winter Olympics, and innovation culture, transforming into a vibrant new cultural landmark of China’s capital.

This article covers the things to do, visiting methods, and transportation to help you plan your tour.

Content Preview

• What to Do and See
• How to Visit
• Best Times
• How to Get There

What to Do and See in Beijing Shougang Park

In this section, you could discover the most classic attractions and what to do.

Explore Cyberpunk-Style Industrial Ruins

The four blast furnaces and cooling towers are the best places for you to take cyberpunk-style photos.

The Third Blast Furnace

The Third Blast Furnace is not to be missed among the four blast furnaces because its historical relics and industrial style are the most intact. The 107-meter-high (351-foot-high) blast furnace and its matching crisscrossing pipes could easily turn you into a photography master.

The cooling towers

The cooling towers’ massive cylindrical structures and unique vent designs are full of industrial beauty, and their concrete texture offers a strong visual impact for your photos.

When there are special events or festivals, there may be projection shows on the cooling towers, turning them into dynamic art canvases.

Shopping, Eating, and Playing

In addition to looking at cyberpunk-style buildings, you could also enjoy many entertainment activities there.

If you want to have fun, SoReal Science Fiction Paradise is recommended. With mostly VR experiences, each of the floors has a play experience that could be played all day long. You would feel like you are at the junction of reality and virtuality.

If you are interested in cars or take your children with you, the park offers a great opportunity to experience a driverless car. This project has fixed areas, routes, and stations in the park. You only need to select the departure and destination on the phone to experience the advancement of technology.

If you want to take a break and have a bite to eat, there are some popular restaurants and cafés there, such as the Shougang Grand Canteen, the Chaganger Restaurant, Xiang Paifang, and Peet’s Coffee. During holidays or large-scale events, there would be long queues or you could have a picnic by the lake instead.

If you want to shop, you could go to Liugong Hui Shopping Plaza and Shougang Cultural and Creative Store, etc.

There are also weekend markets and other occasional markets there, including crafts, books, food, etc. Go and see if there is anything you like that you want to take away.

Explore the Sites of the Beijing Winter Olympics

Big Air Shougang and the Winter Olympic Ring are the buildings with the most Winter Olympics elements.

Big Air Shougang

The curved modern design and gradient colors of Big Air Shougang contrast sharply with the cold gray tones of the surrounding cooling towers, oxygen production main plant, and other old industrial buildings, offering a focal point for your photography.

Big Air Shougang and the city skyline in the distance form a spectacular picture, especially with a sunset and its afterglow, offering an excellent background for your photos.

The Winter Olympic Ring has a huge red circular spiral staircase. Its unique architectural form and structural details could offer many perspectives and creative ideas when you shoot photos.

We recommend taking photos in the morning or afternoon on a sunny day and using a wide-angle lens so that you could capture a stronger sense of light and shadow.

Enjoy the Lakes and Hills

If you love nature, you could also visit lakes and hills.

If you like to have a lively time or want to go boating, we recommend Qunming Lake near the south gate, surrounded by Big Air Shougang, cooling towers, Liugong Hui, and skywalks.

If you want to enjoy some quiet leisure time, we recommend Xiuchi Lake near the north gate, as the lake is smaller and more natural. You could get away from the urban hustle and bustle there, and see the blast furnaces in the distance.

If you want to climb hills, you could go to Shijingshan. At only 183.7 meters (603 feet) above sea level, it could be reached in 15–20 minutes. Gongbei Pavilion is on the hill and on its third floor, you could have a cup of coffee and a panoramic view of Shougang Park.

How to Visit

Main attractions of Beijing Shougang Park

You could enter from the small west gate, north gate, east gate, or south gate.

You could walk to enjoy the scenery along the way. Or, if you want to take it easy, there are many shared bicycles in the park for you to ride.

You could visit the most classic attractions in half a day on foot. The following route is recommended.

• South gate → McDonald’s → Big Air Shougang → Winter Olympic Ring → Skywalk → Qunming Lake → Liugong Hui → the Fourth Blast Furnace → the Third Blast Furnace → the First Blast Furnace → the Second Blast Furnace → north gate

If you have extra time, consider climbing Shijingshan. The following route is recommended.

• Small west gate → Xiuchi West Road → Shijingshan → Winter Olympic Ring → Big Air Shougang → McDonald’s → Qunming Lake → Liugong Hui → the Fourth Blast Furnace → the Third Blast Furnace → the First Blast Furnace → the Second Blast Furnace → Starbucks → north gate

If you like cycling, you could explore the highlights in half a day. The following route is recommended.

• East gate → the Second Blast Furnace → the First Blast Furnace → the Third Blast Furnace → Xiuchi → Winter Olympic Ring → Big Air Shougang → McDonald’s → south gate

If time permits, you could also ride a bike to Qunming Lake to take photos and visit Liugong Hui. The following route is recommended.

• Small west gate → Xiuchi North Road → the Third Blast Furnace → the First Blast Furnace → the Second Blast Furnace → the Fourth Blast Furnace → Liugong Hui → Qunming Lake → McDonald’s → Big Air Shougang → Winter Olympic Ring → small west gate

Best Times to Visit

Considering the need for long rides or walks, cool and pleasant spring and autumn are the best times. Autumn in particular is the most beautiful time of year in Beijing, with the best natural scenery.

In summer, we recommend arriving after 4pm to avoid the heat of the day. At night, Shougang Park would light up, and the lights would be reflected on the lake, allowing you to appreciate a different beauty from that during the day.

If you are interested in snow and ice sports, winter may be a good choice. You could skate on Qunming Lake and Xiuchi Lake.

Christmas and New Year Holiday Events

During the Christmas season, Shangri-La Hotel would have big Christmas trees and decorations, and you could take beautiful photos there.

If you visit at the end of December, you could consider attending the New Year’s Eve event, which would include a New Year’s Eve market, a light show, and a New Year’s countdown, welcoming the new year with the locals in a festive atmosphere.

How to Get There

You could get to Shougang Park via public transportation or a taxi.

Public transportation includes the subway and buses. Both types usually take 1½ hours to get from downtown Beijing to Shougang Park and may require a transfer.

If you don’t like crowds and want to get there quickly and directly, taxis are recommended.

If you want to save time and effort or have children or the elderly traveling with you, you could book our customized tour, including private transfers. We would tailor a relaxing and leisurely trip for you based on your needs. Just contact us.

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14-Day Beijing–Dunhuang–Xi’an–Zhangjiajie China Cultural and Natural Beauty Tour

Guangzhou Chimelong (长隆) Holiday Resort is Guangzhou’s top tourist attraction. The scale and variety and quality of its many attractions makes it unique in China. China’s second or third most popular theme park though it only opened in 2006, and it might be worth a special trip even from Hong Kong or Macau if you really enjoy animals, circuses or fun rides.

It is quite unusual to have two or three world-class entertainment and amusements, the big safari park, a world-class circus, and Asia’s largest water park together with other interesting sections of the park all in one big place.

For its quality and diversity, this resort and amusement park and zoo might be unique in Asia. Most tourists consider the safari park/zoo the best in Asia, and they rank the circus as among the best in the world and the best in Asia.

Chimelong Paradise Amusement Park

Roller coaster

• Chimelong Paradise is #4 on TripAdvisor in 2016.

Chimelong Paradise is an amusement park with some world-class rides and covers about 60 acres. Much of the design and technology for the rides are imported from Europe. The vertical roller coaster is considered one of the world’s best roller coasters. The ten-looped roller coaster has been mentioned by the Guinness World Records, and it is the first of its kind in Asia and second of its kind in the world after the one in the England.

Hours:

• Monday to Friday: 9:30 – 18:00
• Saturday and Sunday: 9:30 – 18:30

Chimelong Water Park

Kids like feeding animals

Chimelong Waterpark is the largest in Asia according to White Water company. It has some world-class rides and has received awards. It’s daily attendance is about the highest in Asia.

Covering an area of 40,000 square kilometers, Chimelong Water Paradise is one of the world’s largest. The park is the favorite of kids and families. Around 70% of its visitors are families with kids.

There are various water-slide and water activities that give visitors of all ages great fun. In addition, the park possesses a 1,280-meter floating river, the longest in the world, and many slides for kids.

The surroundings of the park have been landscaped like a subtropical garden with subtropical plants and flowers.

There are about 100 professional lifeguards patrolling the park to ensure the safety of visitors.

• Opening Hours: from May to October, 9:00 – 22:30

Xiangjiang Safari Park

Chimelong zoo

The Safari park/zoo features cart rides and walks past animals that are let to roam around. It covers about 130 hectares (320 acres), and is the biggest animal safari theme park in China. Some of the animals can be touched. There are more pandas than anywhere outside of Chengdu.

Guangzhou Safari Park integrates the protection, research and breeding of animals and plants with sightseeing and education. The wild animals are kept on a large, open area which visitors can drive through to get a close look.

It is the largest wildlife park in Asia. There are over 460 rare and endangered species and over 20,000 animals from all over the world including 13 Australian koalas, 10 giant pandas and Honduras anteaters. In addition, there are five animal shows of which the white tiger show is the largest of its kind worldwide.

The safari park is divided into two zones: one for walking through and one for traveling by bus. The riding zone is the first of its kind in the country. Visitors can opt for a train ride or for self-driving through the forests and grassland and experience the excitement of close contact with wild animals. Visitors will be amazed at white tigers roaming in their territory (the white tiger area is the largest in the world) and flocks of giraffes, zebras and antelopes wandering around in the grassland and highland of the South Africa area.

Chimelong Safari Park

• Opening hours: 9:30 – 17:30 every day

Guangzhou Crocodile Park

The Crocodile Park is the biggest crocodile farm in the world with 100,000 of them. It is a theme park which integrates crocodile watching, an ecological farm, animal shows, and science education. They might have about 70% of all the crocodiles in China. There are Chinese alligators (a very valuable species), ferocious estuarine crocodiles, eyed crocodiles, and duck-mouthed crocodiles.

In the park, visitors can also watch the life cycle of crocodiles, learn the method of making crocodile skins, pick fruits and vegetables in the ecological park, and enjoy delicious crocodile dishes in one of the restaurants in the park.

Chimelong Golf Center

Chimelong Golf Center is one of the world’s largest golf practice centers and covers an area of 400,000 square kilometers. There are over 50 fairways for teenagers and beginners and more than 100 private fairways of international standard. There are also several normal greens and an extra large green that can accommodate up to 3,000 people.

Opening hours:

• Normal days: 6:00 – 23:00
• Weekends and holidays: 6:00 – 24:00

Chimelong International Circus

Chimelong circus stage

• Circus/animal circus: Guangzhou’s #3 attraction (TripAdvisor 2016)

Chimelong International Circus might be the most exciting part. It has the largest circus stadium in the world. Chimelong keeps up with the current trends of the world’s circuses, and they constantly bring spectators the newest circus programs from around the world. Since its commencement, Chimelong International Circus has staged three highly successful shows. The most recent grand show, Forest Code, is a combination of styles of Eastern and Western circuses.

Chimelong has initiated spectacles that are performed by herbivorous and carnivorous animals together, and its show performed by 13 bears is something special.

There is an hour and half long comedic, musical, acrobatic, and performing animal show. The acrobatics are about the best in China, but the unusual performing animals puts the show in a class by itself.

• Opening Time: 7:30

How To Travel There

It is on Dashijie Street in Fanyu District. Using Subway Line 3, alight at the Hanxi Changlong Station. Bus 304 can take you directly to the Safari Park. Walk 300 meters from Xiangjiang Zoo Station (can be reached via bus 301 and 288 from the town) to the main entrance of the park.

Guangzhou Touring and Sightseeing

Canton Tower

We can help make a visit to Chimelong conveniently with our skills, contacts, and resources. Contact us for a quote on the kind of tour you’d like, and we can provide private drivers and arrange tickets, etc.

We specialize in tailor-making tours of China to customers’ requirements.

• Recommended tour: Four-Day Essence of Guangzhou and Shenzhen Tour Tell us how to modify this.

See our Guangzhou tours, or contact us to design your own.

Meet Panda and Discover the Real China

You can get rich cultural experiences with the 12-day China tour. Hong Kong is known for its vibrant city life and stunning skyline, while Guilin is famous for its picturesque karst mountains and the Li River. Chengdu is renowned for its giant pandas and delicious Sichuan cuisine. Beijing and Xi’an boast iconic landmarks like the Great Wall, the Forbidden City, and Terracotta Army.

The itinerary below is only one possibility. Tips to tailor-make your trip are offered as inspiration. Send us details of your preferences and our travel experts will customize this trip to suit your interests, tastes, and budget.

Suggested 12-Day China Tour

Tour Map

Tour ‘Wow’ Points

Say Hello to the Cute Pandas

Go to the Panda Breeding and Research Center early in the morning to see the pandas’ adorable appearance during feeding time. Visitors can observe pandas in a semi-natural habitat and learn about conservation efforts.

Making Traditional Rice Cake at A Picturesque Village

Glutinous rice cake with mugwort is a special pastry popular in South China. You will visit a traditional village, and learn to make glutinous rice cake with the help of the villagers.

Create Traditional Handicrafts as Souvenirs

Visit the ancient Cultural Street of Shuyuanmen, make traditional handicrafts with the help of artisans, and then take them home.

Leisurely Cruising Through the Breathtaking Karst Scenery

Cruise from Guilin to Yangshuo, you can expect to see picturesque scenery with lush greenery, bamboo forests, and local villages along the riverbanks. 

Biking Through the Picturesque Countryside

Biking in the breathtakingly beautiful scenery slows you down, with karst peaks, rice fields, clear waters, and green bamboo.

Witness the Ancient Army of the First Emperor of China

Our skilled tour guides will provide you with engaging and informative explanations that deepen your understanding of the history and culture associated with the Terracotta Warriors.

Hike the Most Beautiful and Interesting Part of the Great Wall

The Mutianyu section of the Great Wall is well-preserved, less crowded than others, and offers stunning views with its stunning mountainous backdrop and picturesque surroundings.

Explore Beyond the Usual Forbidden City Sightseeing Path

Your tour guide will help you explore 12 carefully selected places in the Forbidden City, while other group tours often visit only 6-8 spots briefly. You will visit some extra spots related to famous figures.

Suggested Itinerary

Your preferences design the real journey. We’re ready to create a wonderful private China tour for you.

Day 1Arrive in Hong Kong

After arrival at Hong Kong airport, your guide will meet you to check-in at your hotel and have some time on your own to relax or explore near your hotel.

Day 2Hong Kong | Free and Leisure

Breakfast

Enjoy a free day in Hong Kong to do some shopping or sightseeing. Hong Kong is a heaven for shoppers, high-end fashion, funky styles, and other choices are around every corner.

Most of the famous attractions are close to the city center, such as Victoria Peak, Avenue of Stars, and Wong Tai Sin Temple. They are easy to access with the public transportation.

Day 3Hong Kong to Guilin | Bullet Train

Breakfast

Later in the morning, you’ll board the high-speed bullet train to Guilin, completing the journey in just 3 hours.

Day 4 Guilin to Yangshuo | Li River Cruise and Rice Cake Making

Breakfast & Lunch

You will cruise downstream from Guilin to Yangshuo, to see the picturesque landscape. Bamboo groves, jagged, sharp-edged hills like broken teeth, a wide placid river, and peaceful farm and village terrain. During cloudy days, the hills are surrounded by mist and tourists may feel they are cruising in a mystical paradise.

This afternoon, go to a traditional village and learn to make glutinous rice cake with the help of the villagers.

Day 5Yangshuo to Chengdu | Countryside Biking

Breakfast

Yangshuo’s countryside is known for its idyllic scenery, and oddly-shaped hills thrusting to the sky. Your guide will show you around the countryside with the rice paddies and the mountains during the 1-hour biking.

You will be taken back to Guilin for your train to Chengdu. Transfer to your hotel and rest for the day.

Day 6Chengdu | Meet Pandas and Explore the Local’s Life

Breakfast & Lunch

Spend a whole morning with giant pandas at Panda Breeding and Research Center. Visit the nursery to see the highly successful breeding program, among the bamboo groves and shady walkways, and to view the pandas at rest or play

The People’s Park is a spiritual haven for the city’s citizens amidst the bustle of downtown. Take a seat and sip a cup of tea at a tea house, then visit the marriage market, and join Square dancing.

See old Chengdu and experience the traditional lifestyle at Kuan-zhai Lane.

Day 7Chengdu to Xi’an | The Wenshu Monastery and Wine Museum

Breakfast & Lunch

The Wenshu Monastery is still an active Buddhist temple where you can see both practicing monks and worshiping locals. Surrounded by the green garden you can enjoy a cup of coffee or tea in silent surroundings.

Visit a Rice Wine Museum which has kept brewing for over 600 years without interruption. and taste a glass of wine.

Have lunch at a popular Sichuan hot pot restaurant before taking the train to Xi’an.

Day 8Xi’an | The Terracotta Warriors and City Wall

Breakfast & Lunch

Discovered accidentally in 1974, the terracotta army of over 7000 soldiers, archers, horses and chariots in full battle array has guarded Emperor Qin’s tomb since 210BC. 1.5 hours from Xian, there is also an excellent museum and film about the history of the vaults.

The ancient city wall is a major landmark, the best preserved, and the oldest and largest city defense system in China. You can ride a bike on the wall.

Day 9Xi’an to Beijing | Big Wild Goose Pagoda and Making Traditional Handicrafts

Breakfast & Lunch

The Big Wild Goose Pagoda, also known as Dayan Pagoda, was built to house and protect Buddhist scriptures and relics brought back from India by the famous monk Xuanzang. It is a significant example of ancient Chinese architecture.

Visit artisans and make your traditional handicrafts at the ancient cultural street of Shuyuanmen. Choose one among paper cutting, rubbing, weaving Chinese knots, and shadow play.

After your Xian tour, you will take the Bullet train to Beijing.

Day 10Beijing | Forbidden City and Summer Palace

Breakfast & Lunch

Carry on your trip with more Beijing tour highlights, beginning with Tian’anmen Square, which is the largest city square in the world and can hold about one million people for public celebrations or gatherings.

Then visit the Forbidden City. Your tour guide will help you explore 12 carefully-selected places in the Forbidden City, while other group tours often visit only 6-8 spots briefly. You will learn some background on the city’s architecture, history, fengshui and art.

After lunch, you will visit the Summer Palace and take a relaxing boat trip on Kunming Lake.

Day 11Beijing | Great Wall and Temple of Heaven

Breakfast & Lunch

You will explore more of Beijing today: Temple of Heaven, which is seen as the most impressive imperial temple.

After lunch, visit the Mutianyu Section of the Great Wall. The section is known for its well-preserved condition and beautiful scenery. At the Wall, you have 2-hour free time to walk around, after your guide does some introductions. Round-way cable car would be arranged for you to save time and energy.

Day 12Beijing | Departure

Breakfast

Time to say Goodbye. Your Beijing tour guide will see you off at the airport. Thank you for exploring China with us. Hope to see you again!

More Tours From Hong Kong

Hotel Selection

—the Icing on the Cake

Boutique hotels are recommended to enrich your travel experience.

Tour Price

FromUS$3,249 p/p Based on a private tour for 2 people. Price varies depending on program, travel date, number of people and chosen hotel

Price includes:

• Private air-conditioned business car with big windows and ample space
• English-speaking local guide
• Activities, hotels, and meals listed in the itinerary
• Flights/trains between itinerary cities
• 24/7 helpline for while you are traveling

Tour Code: cht-hk-3

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Macau is a peninsula bordering Chinese Mainland by Zhuhai city. Hence, if travelers intend to travel between Macau and Guangzhou, the most convenient way is going to Macau via Zhuhai. Between Macau and Zhuhai, there is a river: Yayong River (鸭涌河).

There are two ports in Zhuhai available for your traveling between Macau and Chinese Mainland (including Guangzhou). However, the popular one is Gongbei Port (拱北口岸), while Hengqin Port (横琴口岸) is more used for goods.

There is no direct means of transportation (no flight, no ship) for traveling between Guangzhou and Macau, you need arrive at Gongbei Port in Zhuhai first (you will arrive at Macau by passing the port), and then get to Macau from Zhuhai or from Zhuhai to Guangzhou.

Guangzhou-Zhuhai Transportation

The distance between Guangzhou and Zhuhai is not far, being only about 160 kilometers (about 99 miles), and the transportation between these cities are very convenient. You can take a bus transport or by light rail (inter-city train transport) for traveling between Guangzhou and Zhuhai.

Inter-City Train Transport

Inter-city train transport is an economical and fast way for traveling between Guangzhou and Zhuhai, comparing with bus transport. 

Every day, there are 24 pairs of inter-city trains running between Guangzhou South Railway Station and Zhuhai North Railway Station. The length of the time for a voyage is about 1 hour. The ticket prices are 44 yuan for first-class seat and 36 yuan for second-class seat. 

You can visit China Highlights China train to check out the train schedule between Guangzhou and Zhuhai.

Bus Transport

There are lots of buses running between Zhuhai and Guangzhou every day. The length of the time for a voyage is about 2 hours, and the approximate price is 65 yuan. 

From Guangzhou to Zhuhai, you can catch a bus almost in every bus station in Guangzhou, such as Provincial Bus Station, Fangcun Bus Station, Guangzhou Passenger Transport Station and Tianhe Bus Station and so on.

Remember that you need arrive at Gongbei Port if you want to go to Macau. The nearest two bus stations are Gongbei Bus Station (拱北汽车站) and Xiangzhou Bus Station (香洲汽车站).

Zhuhai–Macau Transportation

Zhuhai serves as the gateway for the transportation between Guangzhou (even the whole Chinese Mainland) and Macau. All visitors to Macau need hold a valid passport or a valid travel document. 

However, passport holders of 66 countries are except from a visa to Macau (but they are supposed to stay for a certain period of time). You can check out whether you need a visa to Macau or not by clinking visa to Macau.

Gongbei Port: the Puporlar One

Brief Introduction of Gongbei Port

Gongbei Port, one of the major gates between Zhuhai and Macau

Zhuhai borders Macau to the south. One of the major gates between Zhuhai and Macau is Gongbei Port (拱北口岸), which is located in 23 Lianhua Road, Gongbei District (拱北区莲花路23号), and the telephone number is 0756-8162 538. The port is open from 07:00 to 24:00. 

Gongbei Port (aka Macau border crossing) is situated in the southern edge of Gongbei District, and the port has a cavernous underground shopping center, in which visitors can enjoy their shopping and tasting local snacks.

Passing the Gongbei Custom Building

It takes about 20 minutes for your walking pass the Gongbei immigration building. 

However, be prepared for long queues, which can make your total custom crossing time more than an hour (even 2 hours especially in weekends). When passing the Zhuhai side in Gongbei Port (take the way from Zhuhai to Macau for example), remember that the left passageway is for Macau people and Hong Kong people, and the right passageway (with the sigh of saying ‘Foreigner’) is for foreigners and people from Chinese Mainland and Taiwan. 

After that, you will arrive at the Macau side. As the same, if you are a foreigner, take the right passageway. At last, you will arrive at Macau after you getting out of the custom building.

Hengqin Port 横琴口岸

Hengqin Port, another gate for travelling between Zhuhai and Macau

There is an alternative gate: Hengqin Port, for traveling between Zhuhai and Macau besides Gongbei Port. The port is open from 08:00 to 20:00. Hengqin Port (tel: 0756-8688 760) is located in Huandao Road, Hengqin Island.

Zhuhai’s Hengqin Island (Chinese Mainland Side) and Macau’s Cotai Area (Macau Side) are linked by the Lotus Bridge (莲花大桥). After passing the customs, the shuttle bus which runs between Chinese Mainland Side and Macau Side (aka the two points of Lotus Bridge) is available for you. 

If you arrive at Hengqin Port from Macau, you can take city bus 14 to Xiangzhou (香洲), or one air-conditioned minibus to Wanzai (湾仔) or Gongbei (拱北).

Generally, Hengqin Port is not as crowded as that in Gongbei Port, and is closer to Macau International Airport (in Taipa Area). However, there is no bus to Macau International Airport after you getting across Macau side, and you can arrive at the airport via taxi, which costs you about MOP 45.

Note

• In the immigration hall, foreigners are required to fill up a blue-color slip, declaring your place of stay in Macau (or in Chinese Mainland) and your departure details.
• When paying for taxi fee, Macau Patacas, Hong Kong Dollars or Chinese RMB are all available, but these currencies are treated equally (With RMB being the most expensive) during payment.
• If you are to catch an international flight in Macau International Airport, remember to have more time for passing the port. However, express line is available for you when passing the customs, which means you can avoid the long queue and save more time.

Zhuhai–Macau International Airport

You can take a bus for travelling between Macau International Airport and Zhuhai border.

Bus API is available for your traveling between Macau International Airport and Zhuhai border. The bus makes stop at the ferry terminal on the peninsula on the way, and it takes MOP 4.2 per passenger and MOP 3 per luggage. 

The length of the time ranges from 40 minutes to 90 minutes, depending on traffic condition. Taking a taxi from Gongbei Port to the airport needs about 20 minutes.

Besides above Bus API and taxi, the airport’s Express Link is a convenience choice. This special bus service directly connects Macau International Airport and Zhuhai border, and is only available from 11:00 to 18:00. 

If you are traveling from Macau International Airport to Zhuhai border, this special bus service can help you to skip the Macau immigration and customs altogether.

After deboarding the flight, you need to look for the Express Link sign and follow it, instead of going through immigration. You need to pick up an Express Link Card when you passing a transit security scan station. Walk upstairs into the departure hall, and go to the ticket counter at Gate 8 to buy a ticket for the bus departing to Gongbei Port, with presenting your card.

Popular Tour Arrangement of Macau and Hong Kong

The Venetian Macau

Hong Kong and Macau are only an hour away by fast ferry. It is easy to take a tour including the highlights of Hong Kong and Macau.

• How to Plan a 1-Day Trip to Macau from Hong Kong
• How to Have the Best Tour of Macau in Two Days

Situated on a high plateau, Kunming is exposed to strong ultraviolet radiation, so visitors are advised to bring along sun cream with a high SPF (Sun Protection Factor).

Note also that in Yunnan in general, regardless of the region, the daily daytime-nighttime swing in temperature is actually greater than the seasonal swing in temperature, so adequate outer clothing is a must for evening and night use, and this is even more important during the fall, when the daily temperature changes can swing the greatest.

Not unlike in any other mountainous region of the world, the mountainous area in and around Kunming, and indeed, throughout this mountainous province, often results in mobile-phone signal “blackouts”, so if you have an important call to make, it is best to make it before you descend into a deep valley.

Compared with Kunming, the service in remote areas meets normal Chinese standards but the general service standard may be lower than other cities. Sometimes, tourists have limited choices. We suggest that you have a meal in the town before the visit or after wait until returning to town. Alternatively, bring a lunch box on the days outing. Our guide can assist in this.

Kunming is blessed with cultural diversity, thanks to its large and thriving population of ethnic minorities. Since each ethnic group may have certain unique customs and traditions, you are urged to show restraint in general when visiting ethnic villages.

For an outsider, it can be a daunting experience to ask for directions in Kunming, not because the people of Kunming are not friendly, but because there are so many dialects here that partial directions from three different people might send you in a circle! 

A better approach is to either hire a tour guide from a trustworthy travel agency such as — who else but China Highlights?! — or, if you know the names of your destinations (museums, restaurants, scenic sites, etc.), you can buy a map at a bookstore or at a travel agency and ask the salesperson to kindly pinpoint your destinations on the map.

Important Addresses

Post Offices

• Kunming Post Office: 225 Beijing Road
• Yunnan Post Office: 136 Beijing Road

Bookstores

• Kunming Xinhua Book Store: 308 Dongfeng Road
• Yunnan Foreign Language Book Store: Science Building, Nantai Qiao

Hospitals

• The First People’s Hospital of Kunming
  Tel: (0871) 3188200 / (0871) 3188092
  Address: 122 Xunjin Street
• First People’s Hospital of Yunnan Province
  Address: 157, Jinbi Road, Xishan District

Banks

• Yunnan Branch of Bank of China: 515, Beijing Road
• Kunming Branch of Bank of China: 288, Huguo Road, Panlong District

Emergency

• Fire: 119
• Police: 110
• Ambulance: 120

Tour Kunming with China Highlights

See the best of the “spring city” with China Highlights’ Kunming tours.

• 3-Day Kunming Highlight Tour — including historical sites and unique natural scenery at the Naigu Stone Forest.
• 8-Day Kunming, Dali, Lijiang, and Shangri-La Highlights Tour — taking you to visit the legendary Shangri-La and experience remote minority cultures.

Our tours can be customized. Just tell us your interests and requirements and we will help you to tailor-make a Kunming tour.

This train route connects the capital of Guizhou Province with Zhangjiajie. Only two pairs of normal-speed trains operate on this route. No direct high-speed trains are available yet.

Quick Facts

• Distance: 610 kilometers (379 miles)
• Terminals: Guiyang Railway Station, Zhangjiajie Railway Station
• Duration: 8-12 hours
• Main stops: Guiyang, Zhangjiajie

Guiyang to Zhangjiajie Normal-Speed Train Schedules

(Updated on June 4th, 2024)

Please note: The timetable is just for your reference. If you want up-to-date schedules, you can use the search tool at the top of this page or search via our China Highlights train ticket service.

Zhangjiajie to Guiyang Normal-Speed Train Schedules

(Updated on June 4th, 2024)

Please note: The timetable is just for your reference.

Guiyang to Zhangjiajie Normal-Speed Train Ticket Fares

Station Information

There are more than two railway stations in most cities in China. Please pay attention to the stations before departure and make sure you go to the right one.

The trains on this route operate between Guiyang Railway Station and Zhangjiajie Railway Station.

The addresses of these two stations are detailed below:

Guiyang Railway Station

• Chinese name: 贵阳站
• Address: 1 Sitong Street, Nanming District, Guiyang
• Chinese address: 贵阳市南明区四通街1号

Zhangjiajie Railway Station

• Chinese name: 张家界站
• Address: Xixiping, Yongding District, Zhangjiajie
• Chinese address: 张家界市永定区西溪坪

The Shenzhen–Kunming train route is one of the important high-speed railways for the Belt and Road Initiative in China. It takes 30 hours to travel on a normal-speed train from Shenzhen to Kunming but it only takes 7 hours on a high-speed train.

Four pairs of trains operate on this route (Three pairs of high-speed trains and one pair of overnight normal-speed trains).

Shenzhen–Kunming High-Speed Trains

Quick Facts

• Distance: 1,442 kilometers (896 miles)
• Terminals: Shenzhen North Railway Station, Kunming Railway Station
• Duration: 8.5 hours
• Main stops: Shenzhen, Guangzhou, Guiyang, Kunming

Shenzhen to Kunming High-Speed Train Schedules

(Updated on March 28th, 2024)

• Please note: The timetable is just for your reference.
• If you want up-to-date schedules, you can use the search tool at the top of this page or search via our China Highlights train ticket service.

Kunming to Shenzhen High-Speed Train Schedules

(Updated on March 28th, 2024)

Shenzhen to Kunming High-Speed Train Ticket Prices

Shenzhen–Kunming Normal-Speed Trains

Quick Facts

• Terminals: Shenzhen East Railway Station, Kunming Railway Station
• Duration: 30 hours
• Main stops: Shenzhen, Guangzhou, Nanning, Kunming

Shenzhen to Kunming Normal-Speed Train Schedule

(Updated on March 28th, 2024)

For up-to-date schedules, you can use the search tool at the top of this page or search via our China Highlights train ticket service.

Kunming to Shenzhen Normal-Speed Train Schedule

(Updated on March 28th, 2024)

Shenzhen to Kunming Normal-Speed Train Ticket Prices

Train or Airplane – Which Is Better?

The fastest way to travel is to take a flight. If you are traveling for business, it is better to take a flight.

If you are traveling as a tourist, it is better to take a high-speed train. This is because it’s fast, you can enjoy the views from the windows during the journey, and the price is reasonable.

Jade Dragon Snow Mountain, or Yulong Snow Mountain the most southerly always-snowcapped mountain in the Northern Hemisphere, is renowned for its breathtaking scenery. It’s called “Heavenly Mountain” in the Naxi language and features a chain of 13 snowcapped peaks that resemble a giant flying dragon.

Its black-and-white appearance, due to its limestone and basalt composition, has earned it the name ‘Black and White Snow Mountain’. Revered by the Naxi people, it represents their protector, the war god Sanduo.

• Location: Lijiang, Yunnan, China
• Elevation: 5,596 meters (18,360 feet)
• Main attractions: Glacier Park, Blue Moon Valley, Spruce Meadow, and Yak Meadow
• Time needed: half to one day
• Open times: 6am to 6pm (May to October), 6:30am to 6pm (November to April)
• Best time to admire snow: November to April

Content Preview

• Highlights of Jade Dragon Snow Mountain
• Take a Leisurely Cableways Tour
• Recommended Hiking Tour Routes
• Best Times to Visit
• How to Get to Jade Dragon Snow Mountain
• Do You Need to Stay Overnight Nearby

The Highlights of Jade Dragon Snow Mountain Scenic Area

Four Main Attractions

Admire the snow peaks from Blue Moon Valley

• Glacier Park (suggested visit 2–4 hours): At Glacier Park you could ascend to an elevation of 4,680 m (15,350 ft) — the highest that visitors typically reach. 
• Blue Moon Valley (1 hour): This crescent-shaped valley has similar scenery to Jiuzhaigou. The water is blue on sunny days, and the white mud at the bottom of the lake makes it look particularly moon-like, hence the name.  
• Spruce Meadow (2–3 hours): This flat meadow is surrounded by lofty spruces. You could immerse yourself in a peaceful forest vibe or appreciate the snowy mountain peaks from the meadow.
• Yak Meadow (2–3 hours): This is a large alpine meadow with rolling hills and a running river. It’s perfect for enjoying the snowy mountain peaks and hiking along the wooden boardwalk.

Other Popular Attractions/Activities

Sunrise at Jade Dragon Snow Mountain

• Ganhaizi Meadow (1–2 hours): An expansive meadow, it’s ideal for admiring the sunrise and reflection of the snow-covered mountain on the lake there.
• Impression Lijiang Show (1 hour): A grand outdoor performance set against the backdrop of Jade Dragon Snow Mountain, portrays the culture and charm of local ethnic minorities. 
• Enjoy snow activities (1–2 hours): With abundant snow during winter, the snow mountain becomes a fun place for snowball fights and skiing. An informal ski resort with a ski piste and snow tubing can be found on the mountainside.

Which Way to Visit: Cableway or Hiking

Typically, cableway or hiking are the two main ways to explore Jade Dragon Snow Mountain.

The cableways are a popular way to visit many attractions, from glaciers, valleys, and meadows to forests. Convenient and leisurely, they are suitable for all ages, especially for families with kids or seniors.

Alternatively, you could hike. The hidden hiking routes, ranging from entry-level to challenging, would lead you deep into nature and by local villages. You would traverse wild bushy terrain, forests, and meadows, and may even encounter grazing yaks.

Cableways up Jade Dragon Snow Mountain

There are three cableways in the scenic area — running to Glacier Park, Spruce Meadow, and Yak Meadow. No cableways lead to Blue Moon Valley or Ganhaizi Meadow, although you could reach these destinations by shuttle bus.

A shuttle bus would also take you to the respective cableway stations. After visiting an attraction, return to the cableway station entrance and take a shuttle bus to the next spot.

The Map of Jade Dragon Snow Mountain

1. Glacier Park Cableway: 10 Minutes

Glacier Park of Yulong Snow Mountain, 4506 meters

The cableway would take you to Glacier Park. Once you get off the cable car, there would still be stairs for you to climb to reach a viewpoint at an altitude of 4,680 meters (15,350 feet). The high elevation makes it difficult for very young kids and many seniors to climb. Beware of altitude sickness!

Portable oxygen canisters and warm clothes are necessary to recover when encountering altitude sickness. These could also be bought or rented (a down jacket rents at about 50 CNY) on the mountainside.

Normally, Glacier Park has abundant snow from November to April, with the most snow in March, while it has the least snow in July and August.

The cable car could be closed if it is too windy, which happens most often from December to February. Queues for the cableway could last for up to 3 hours during the summer peak season and Chinese public holidays. You’d best avoid those times, or start your tour early in the morning.

2. Spruce Meadow Cableway: 8 Minutes

SPRUCE MEADOW

This cableway has fixed ride times. You would need to arrive according to your reserved time. This avoids long queues. After getting off the cable car, you could walk through the spruce forests and green meadow with a 1½-hour leisurely stroll along a plank broadwalk. 

The interwoven meadows, forests, and snowcapped peaks form a layered landscape, making it a perfect spot for photography. The forests and meadows are verdant in summer, while it may seem a little bleak in winter when the grass is withered.

3. Yak Meadow Cableway: 20 Minutes

Yak Meadow

Few visitors go there since it is the farthest of the three cableways on Jade Dragon Snow Mountain. However, it has a wider view that offers a great position to admire the 13 snow mountain peaks. In addition, you would see yaks grazing on the highland grassland.

You would need a 40-minute shuttle bus ride to get to the Yak Meadow Cableway Station from the Tourist Center. The cable car is ventilated on all sides, providing fresh air, although this might make it less comfortable on rainy days.  

Suggested Tour Routes Using the Cableways

It would be too much of a rush to visit all of the mountain’s attractions in a day. We recommend selecting two main attractions to visit in half a day or spending a full day exploring three to four attractions.

You could skip some similar attractions, such as Spruce Meadow or Yak Meadow, for a better experience and to save time. Here are several well-chosen routes, for reference.

Recommended Half-Day Routes

• Spruce Meadow → Blue Moon Valley 

For families with little kids and elderly members, this route is suitable and popular. With a relatively low elevation, the risk of altitude sickness is much lower. Additionally, the direct shuttle bus from Spruce meadow to Blue Moon Valley means travel time is minimal.

Spruce Forest on the Meadow

• The Glacier Park  → Blue Moon Valley 

It is ideal for adults and teenagers who want to ascend to the snowy, glaciated, high zone of the mountain to see the glaciers and snow. However, in summer, there is only a little snow on the mountaintop. Nearby Blue Moon Valley can be easily appreciated afterwards with a direct shuttle bus ride.

Plank walkway on Glacier Park

A Full Day Trip Route 

• The Glacier Park →  Spruce Meadow →  Blue Moon Valley

Direct shuttle buses link these attractions, allowing for a leisurely travel pace without detours. The scenery of Spruce Meadow and Yak Meadow are quite similar, so we recommend Spruce Meadow because of its low altitude and convenience for transfers.

It’s best to skip Ganhaizi if you are not very there early to witness the sunrise. Further down the page we have some tips for admiring the sunrise if you’re interested.

Blue Moon Valley

Jade Dragon Snow Mountain Hiking

Jade Dragon Snow Mountain is a popular hiking destination. Skip the cable cars, and ascend the lofty mountain step by step to get close to its beauty and feel its awesomeness. Here are three popular hiking routes.

1. The Alpine Meadow Route (Entry Level)

Hike across the meadow

• Difficulty: 3-star
• Route: Start from Yuhu Village, ascend to Alpine Meadow, then return to Yuhu.
• Duration: The round-trip hike is only about 9 km (5 miles), but it normally takes about 6 hours.
• Elevation: There are about 900 meters (3,000 feet) of ascent. The highest point you will get to is about 3,600 meters (11,800 feet) above sea level at Alpine Meadow.

This route is suitable for casual hikers and people who want to have a feeling of ascent without too much of a challenge.

To reach the meadow at the southern foot of the mountain range, you would cross a grassland and pass through a forest where cows often graze. If you are lucky, yaks could be spotted in the meadow. From March to May, you would encounter slopes adorned with blooming azalea flowers.

With this hike, you could enjoy views of the peaks of Jade Dragon Snow Mountain, the surrounding mountains, and even Lijiang city in the distance (weather permitting).

If you are interested in this hiking route, contact us. We could help you arrange a Jade Dragon Snow Mountain hiking trip that’s tailored to your needs and interests.

18-Day Epic China Tour Including Yunnan and Tibet See the Incredible Beauty of Southwest China

2. Snow Mountain Canyon Park Route (Challenging)

• Difficulty: 5-star
• Route: Start from Yuhu Village to Snow Mountain Canyon then back to Yuhu Village
• Duration: The round-trip trip hike is about 19 km (12 miles), and usually takes 8 hours.
• Elevation: The highest point you will get to is about 5,100 meters (16,700 feet) above sea level at Snow Mountain Canyon Route, so the ascent is 2,400 m (8,000 ft).

This hiking route is the most challenging. Good physical strength and resistance to altitude sickness are needed.

Along the way, you would cross grasslands, climb steep mountain paths, and cross loose scree slopes to finally reach Snow Mountain Canyon Park, where you could face Shanzidou, the highest peak of the mountain at quite a close distance.

If you have some alpine hiking experience, are very fit and well-equipped, and want to see the main snowcapped peak across a vast canyon, you are recommended to challenge yourself with this route.

See more hiking tours in Lijiang.

Best Times to Visit Jade Dragon Snow Mountain

November to April: This period is ideal for admiring the pure snow-covered mountain and hiking, with abundant snowfall, more clear days, and a higher possibility of witnessing the mountain bathed in golden sunlight. But it could be quite cold, so dressing warmly is essential.

June to August: During summer, only the mountain peaks remain covered in snow, but Spruce Meadow and Yak Meadow are vibrant and green. It is the rainy season with frequent showers, and you also have to prepare for the large crowds due to the summer vacations.

May, September, and October: Apart from the first week of May and of October, these months have fewer tourists and good weather. Meadows and forests still appear green in September and October. However, the snow scenery is less prominent.

12-Day Yunnan and Xinjiang Scenic Tour Kunming – Dali – Lijiang – Urumqi – Turpan – Kashgar