Recommendations for 5 week "slow" trip in China with kids

Question

Hi, we are a British family of 4 with kids aged 11 and 7. We're planning 5 weeks in China in May as part of an extended 6 month trip around Asia and west coast USA. It's our first time to China.

As it's an extended trip, we want to take things quite slowly and not rush around too much, but still get to experience the main sights, culture, and get a sense of the economy and "real life" in the country, both cities and countryside. Also have fun / adventure and relaxation bits throughout the trip... We love nature, wildlife, history and culture.

We would like to spend between 5 nights - 1 week in each place so we don't have to move accommodation too often. Maybe with one or two places where we spend less time if really needed.

We're planning on taking the train from HK to the mainland, and flying out of Shanghai. We'd love some recommendations on itinerary as well as unique, family friendly places to stay that we can use as bases for activities in the area around.

I was thinking to do some combination of the following (I know we won't have time for everything if we want to move slowly!):

- Guilin / Yangshuo area 1 week (might be best area to start due to proximity from HK by train?)

- Chengdu and area around

- Jiuzhaigou National Park

- Tibet (Lhasa - but also happy to postpone this till the kids are older and we can do some real trekking)

- Xian

- Zhangjiajie

- Beijing (maybe camping on the Great Wall one night?)

- Hangzhou

- Yunnan - Dali/Shangri La/Kunming

- Shanghai (to maybe include a visit to Disneyland!)

I would love some advice on the following:

1) Which places out of the list should we prioritise for our purposes? Anything that isn't worth it as much? And any recommendations for places I may have missed?

2) Is it possible to base ourselves in once accommodation in each place and still see a lot of what that region / area has to offer? (eg. I see several trips to Guiling and Yangshuo as a 2 or 3 location trip)

3) I would also love any recommendations for awesome places to stay that are unique experiences where we can immerse ourselves in the local culture, history and/or nature. Budget can be flexible for a really amazing place, but they don't necessarily need to be luxurious

4) Any recommendations for must-see / must-do experiences that may not be so obvious or a little off the beaten track?

I know I've asked a lot, so any replies whether partial or full would be appreciated :-)

Thanks so much in advance for your help!

Answer

Planning a 5-week “slow” trip in China with kids is a wonderful idea, and your approach of spending 5–7 nights in each location will allow you to absorb the culture, scenery, and local life without feeling rushed. Here’s a detailed set of recommendations based on your outlined interests and itinerary:

1) Prioritization of destinations:

Guilin/Yangshuo: Excellent starting point from Hong Kong. The Li River cruise, Yulong River cycling, and karst scenery are very family-friendly. 5–6 nights allows you to explore both Yangshuo and nearby villages without rushing.
Chengdu: Great for panda experiences and Sichuan cuisine. You can spend 3–4 nights and take a day trip to nearby attractions such as Leshan Giant Buddha or Mount Qingcheng.
Jiuzhaigou: Stunning national park, but access may be tricky in May (sometimes roads or flights are limited post-winter). A 3-night stay is sufficient to explore the park.
Beijing: A must-see for history, the Great Wall, Forbidden City, and Temple of Heaven. Camping on the Wall is adventurous but consider age-appropriate activities for the kids. 5–6 nights allows relaxed exploration.
Xi’an: Home to the Terracotta Warriors. 2–3 nights is enough if combined with city exploration.
Yunnan (Dali/Shangri-La/Kunming): Very scenic and culturally rich. Ideal for slower travel, immersive experiences in traditional villages, and nature. 5–6 nights recommended.
Shanghai/Hangzhou: Shanghai Disneyland and the Bund are fun for kids; Hangzhou’s West Lake and tea plantations are relaxing. 4–5 nights combined.
Zhangjiajie: Unique pillar mountains; very photogenic. 3 nights is usually enough. Consider avoiding Tibet for this trip with young kids; altitude can be challenging.

Destinations you might consider skipping or shortening:

Tibet (Lhasa): Postpone for a future trip for kids’ safety and acclimatization.
If pressed for time, Jiuzhaigou or Zhangjiajie can be combined with nearby areas instead of spending a full week.

2) Base accommodations:

Yes, it is usually possible to choose one base per region and do day trips. For example, staying in Yangshuo and visiting nearby villages by bike/boat; staying in Chengdu and doing day trips to Leshan or Mount Qingcheng.
In Beijing, staying near the city center or a subway hub allows easy access to main attractions.
In Yunnan, Dali or Shangri-La can serve as bases for exploring surrounding villages and nature.

3) Unique, family-friendly stays:

Yangshuo: Boutique riverside guesthouses or farm stays along the Yulong River.
Chengdu: Family-friendly boutique hotels in Jinli Ancient Street area for cultural immersion.
Beijing: Hutong courtyard hotels for a local feel.
Yunnan: Dali ancient town guesthouses or Shangri-La Tibetan-style lodges.
Shanghai: Boutique riverside hotels or themed hotels near Disneyland.

4) Off-the-beaten-track experiences / must-dos:

Yangshuo: Bamboo rafting and small local village visits off the main tourist trail.
Chengdu: Cooking class for kids to learn Sichuan dishes.
Beijing: Evening rickshaw tour of Hutongs; cycling along the Great Wall sections less visited by tourists.
Yunnan: Hiking around Shaxi village or Tiger Leaping Gorge (short, safe sections for kids).
Xi’an: Explore the Muslim Quarter and street food stalls in the evening.

Additional tips:

Consider internal flights for longer distances (e.g., Guilin → Chengdu, Yunnan → Shanghai) to save time.
Use high-speed trains for medium distances (e.g., Beijing ↔ Xi’an).
Include some buffer days to allow rest and flexibility for children.
Carry cash and mobile payment options; some remote areas may not accept international cards.

Overall, prioritize Guilin/Yangshuo, Chengdu, Beijing, Xi’an, and Yunnan for a balanced mix of nature, culture, history, and family-friendly fun. Shanghai/Hangzhou can round off the trip for a modern city experience and Disneyland.