6 week itinerary - how difficult for solo traveler?

Question

Hello everyone, thanks in advance for any advice or help.

I have posted before about my trip but it's been a while so thought i would start a new thread.

I have a visa and below is my planned itinerary but the language barrier intimidates me. I'm also worried something could go wrong with my phone since I'm completely dependent on it (but isn't everyone in china?). I've traveled through a lot of countries but china is especially intimidating, especially with the great firewall. I'm less worried about the big cities than travel through yunnan

Day 1 April 24 Thursday Arrival in Beijing

Day 2 April 25 Friday Beijing

Day 3 April 26 Saturday Beijing

Day 4 April 27 Sunday Beijing

Day 5 April 28 Monday Beijing to HK

Day 6 April 29 Tuesday HK

Day 7 April 30 Wed HK

Day 8 May 1 Thursday HK

Day 9 May 2 Friday HK to shanghai

Day 10 May 3 Saturday Shanghai

Day 11 May 4 Sunday Shanghai

Day 12 May 5 Monday Shanghai

Day 13 May 6 Tuesday Shanghai to xian

Day 14 May 7 Wed Xian

Day 15 May 8 Thursday Xian

Day 16 May 9 Friday Xian to chengdu

Day 17 May 10 Saturday Chengdu

Day 18 May 11 Sunday Chengdu to chongqing night 1 of Yangtze cruise that ends in yichang

Day 19 May 12 Monday Yangtze night 2

Day 20 May 13 Tuesday Yangtze night 3

Day 21 May 14 Wednesday Yichang to zhangjiajie

Day 22 May 15 Thursday zhangjiajie

Day 23 May 16 Friday zhangjiajie

Day 24 May 17 Saturday Tianmen mountain to guilin

Day 25 May 18 Sunday Yangshuo

Day 26 May 19 Monday Yangshuo

Day 27 May 20 Tuesday Yangshuo to guilin

Day 28 May 21 Wednesday Guilin to kunming

Day 29 May 22 Thursday Kunming – stone forest

Day 30 May 23 Friday Kunming to dali

Day 31 May 24 Saturday Dali to lijiang via shaxi

Day 32 May 25 Sunday Lijiang

Day 33 May 26 Monday Lijiang to leaping gorge

Day 34 May 27 Tuesday Leaping gorge

Day 35 May 28 Wed Leaping gorge to shangrila

Day 36 May 29 Thursday Shangrila

Day 37 May 30 Friday Shangrila to Tibet (one flight per day)

Day 38 May 31 Saturday organized trip in Tibet

Day 39 June 1 Sunday organized trip in Tibet

Day 40 June 2 Monday organized trip in Tibet

Day 41 June 3 Tuesday organized trip in Tibet

Day 42 June 4 Wed organized trip in Tibet

Day 43 June 5 Thursday organized trip in Tibet

Day 44 June 6 Friday organized trip in Tibet

Day 46 June 7 Saturday leave

Also, when i enter China do i need to have the exit flight booked already? i was hoping i can leave it open so i can leave early if i'm having trouble

Answer

Your 6-week itinerary through China is ambitious but definitely doable for a solo traveler with careful planning. The main challenges you’ve identified—language barrier, reliance on your phone, and travel in less urban areas like Yunnan—are valid, but there are practical ways to manage them.

Language Barrier: In big cities like Beijing, Shanghai, and Hong Kong, English is reasonably common in hotels, major attractions, and some restaurants, so you should be able to manage. For Yunnan, Tibet, and smaller towns like Leaping Gorge or Shangrila, English will be very limited. To mitigate this:

Download offline maps (Google Maps alternative like Maps.me) and translation apps that work offline (Google Translate offline packs or Pleco for Chinese).
Carry key phrases written in Chinese or have your hotel staff help with addresses and directions.
Book drivers or small tours for remote areas; your itinerary already includes organized trips in Tibet which is essential.

Reliance on your phone: This is a common concern in China due to restrictions (Great Firewall). To minimize risk:

Install a VPN on your phone or laptop before entering China, as many international apps (Google, WhatsApp) are blocked.
Have backup offline resources like PDF itineraries, addresses, and train/flight tickets.
Consider purchasing a local SIM card with data or renting a portable Wi-Fi hotspot.

Transportation & logistics: Your itinerary is packed, covering multiple cities, long-distance trains, flights, and cruises. A few tips:

Book high-speed train tickets in advance, especially for popular routes (Beijing-Xian, Guilin-Kunming, etc.).
Consider private drivers for Yunnan and rural areas—they can bridge language gaps and handle luggage.
Yangtze cruise and Tibet organized trips are essential—self-travel in Tibet is generally not allowed.

Exit flight requirements: Chinese immigration usually requires proof of onward travel when entering China. Even if you have a multiple-entry visa, it’s safest to have your flight out already booked. Many travelers use refundable or changeable tickets if they want flexibility. Without a confirmed exit ticket, you may face questioning at immigration.

Other practical tips:

Carry cash (RMB) for rural areas; not all places accept cards.
Have photocopies/photos of your passport, visa, and important documents stored separately.
Plan extra buffer time in case of delays, especially for multi-leg trips.
Check local holidays and crowds—your timing overlaps with busy periods (e.g., May 1 Labor Day holiday).

Overall, while your itinerary is intensive, careful preparation with booked transportation, offline resources, and some guided tours will make solo travel in China manageable. Embrace flexibility and local guidance, and your trip should be both safe and rewarding.

6 week itinerary - how difficult for solo traveler?

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