first time in China - solo travelera - about 6 weeks

Question

Hello, I have traveled to a lot of places and with that experience in mind, I’m trying to tackle China through solo travel which is a bit intimidating because of the language barrier. From a lot of internet and itinerary research, below is what I have but since I was never there, I don’t know how feasible everything is as an American who doesn’t speak Mandarin. Any tips are greatly appreciated for a first time in China traveler. I also have some basic questions I listed above. The itinerary isn’t a “final” one since much depends on the Tibet and Yangtze tours I have yet to book. Any advice or thoughts are greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance!

questions

1. what Tibet tour? Any recommendations to look into?

2. what Yangtze river cruise? Agaijn, any recommendation to look into

3. any suggestions on the 3 days in Guilin/Yuangshuo area? Especially in consideration of the best way to get in (possibly from zhangjiajie) and get out (possibly to hong kong)

4. any recommended places on booking lodging? just booking.com?

5. trains vs flights? is one generally preferred? Is there any problem with a foreigner booking the trains and how far in advance do they need to be booked?

day 0 - arrival

day 1 – shanghai – shanghai financial center, oriental pearl tv tower, the bund, nanjing road, shanghai museum, yu garden

day 2 – shanghai – zhujiajiao ancient town, yuanjin temple, sheshan basilica

day 3 – shanghai - xintandi area, tianzifang, French concession, propaganda art museum, jade buddha temple

day 4 – shanghai to Beijing late (nanjing day trip

day 5 – Beijing - summer palace/Confucius temple/lama temple/olympic park

day 6 – Beijing - jiankou to mutianyu hike, ming tombs?, night market, sanlitun

day 7 – Beijing - forbidden city (as early as possible), temple of heaven

day 8 – Beijing - tiananmen square, national museum of china (??), 798 art zone – night flight to xian

day 9 – xian – terra cotta warriors, mauseoleum (if open), big wild goose pagoda, xian museum or shaanxi history museum, everbright city or hua qing pool

day 10 – xian - xian city wall and bike ride, xian drum and bell towers, muslim quarters and great mosque, do gao family mansion, city god temple, everbright city or hua qing pool – xian at night

day 7 – xian to chengdu early – leshan giant buddha

day 9 – chengdu – chengdu research pandas, wenshu yuan monastery, kuanzhai alley, peole’s park, dun fu thatched cottage, wu hou shrine, jinli pedestrian road, chunxi road

day 10 – chengdu to chongqqing early – ciqiko, hongya cave (see houses light up)

day 11 – Yangtze 1

day 12 – Yangtze 2

day 13 – Yangtze 3 - yichang

day 14 – yichang to zhangjiajie

day 15 – zhangjiajie - huanjiajie

day 16 – zhangjiajie – grand canyon/glass bridge (book in advance)

day 17 – tianmen mountain – to guilin late

day 18 – day trip to longji rice terraces

day 19 – guilin – li river cruise to xinping

day 20 – xinping to yangshuo – cycle around??

day 21 – yangshuo to guilin to hong kong

day 22 – hong kong – mong kok, tsim sha tsui promenade, star ferry, hong kong park, peak tram to Victoria peak for sunset

day 23 – hong kong – ngong ping 360, lantau island, tian tan buddha

day 24 – hong kong - ??? day trip to macau?? hiking??

day 25 – hong kong to kunming

day 26 – kunming – stone forest

day 27 – kunming to dali

day 28 – dali to lijiang via shaxi

day 29 – lijiang

day 30 – lijiang to leaping gorge

day 31 – leaping gorge

day 32 – leaping gorge to shangrila

day 33 – shangrila

day 34 - shangrila to lhasa

day 35 – Tibet tour day 1

day 36 - Tibet tour day 2

day 37 - Tibet tour day 3

day 38 – Tibet tour day 4

day 39 – Tibet tour day 5

day 40 – Tibet tour day 6

day 41 – Tibet tour day 7

day 42 – Tibet tour day 8

day 43 – flight out

Answer

Traveling solo in China for six weeks is ambitious but feasible with planning. Language can be a challenge, but major cities, tourist sites, and transport hubs often have English signage, and translation apps work well. Here’s a detailed breakdown addressing your questions and itinerary:

1. Tibet Tour:

Most first-time travelers do a guided tour from Lhasa covering Potala Palace, Jokhang Temple, Sera/ Drepung Monasteries, and nearby attractions. Some include Shigatse or Yamdrok Lake. A typical 5–8 day tour is popular due to altitude acclimatization requirements.
Popular operators: China Highlights, Tibet Vista, or private local operators based in Lhasa. Tours include permits, which are mandatory for foreigners, so booking in advance is recommended.

2. Yangtze River Cruise:

Three-day cruises from Chongqing to Yichang are standard, with stops at Shibaozhai Pagoda, Three Gorges Dam, and scenic views. Options vary by ship: luxury, mid-range, and budget vessels.
Booking through cruise websites, local agencies, or tour operators in Chongqing works. Some hotels in Chongqing and Yichang can also arrange tickets.

3. Guilin/Yangshuo area:

From Zhangjiajie, the best option is to fly to Guilin or take an overnight train if available. Travel time by train can be long (8–10 hours), flights are ~1.5 hours.
Three days: Li River cruise, Yangshuo countryside cycling, Longji rice terraces, Reed Flute Cave, Elephant Trunk Hill.
Leaving to Hong Kong: flight from Guilin to HK is easiest; otherwise, high-speed train requires a transfer in Guangzhou.

4. Accommodation Booking:

Booking.com is widely used, but Agoda and Ctrip (Trip.com) often have more options in China.
For smaller towns or rural areas, local guesthouses or hostels may require direct booking or email contact.

5. Trains vs Flights:

High-speed trains are efficient for major cities (Shanghai-Beijing-Xi’an-Chengdu). Flights save time for long distances (e.g., Zhangjiajie to Guilin, Lhasa to Chengdu). Combine both for efficiency.
Foreigners can book high-speed train tickets online via Trip.com or China Railway official site; booking 1–2 months in advance is recommended for popular routes.

General Tips:

Carry a VPN if you rely on Google, WhatsApp, or other blocked services.
Download translation apps and offline maps.
Plan for altitude: Tibet, Shangri-La, Tiger Leaping Gorge can affect some travelers. Acclimate slowly and carry medication if needed.
Public transport is foreigner-friendly in cities; taxis, metro apps, and Didi (Chinese Uber) are widely available.
Check local weather; summer is rainy in Yunnan, so pack accordingly.

Itinerary Feasibility:

Shanghai, Beijing, Xi’an, Chengdu, Chongqing, Yangtze Cruise: feasible with flights/trains.
Zhangjiajie to Guilin is challenging; flying is recommended due to distance.
Guilin/Yangshuo to Hong Kong: flight is faster; train possible but involves multiple transfers.
Tibet: ensure sufficient acclimatization before high-altitude days; Lhasa tours usually start after 1–2 days in the city.
Kunming–Dali–Lijiang–Shangri-La–Tibet: manageable with buses or flights, but allow flexibility for weather delays.

Overall, the itinerary is intense but doable for a seasoned solo traveler with good planning. Focus on flights for long legs, high-speed trains for major city connections, and leave buffer days for unexpected delays or weather. Book Tibet permits, Yangtze cruise, and key accommodations well in advance.

first time in China - solo travelera - about 6 weeks

More China Travel Questions

The attractions mentioned in this question

Popular Destinations

Popular Travel Questions