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Question

I asked a while ago and put together this itinerary for a June/July trip. Does it still sound reasonable . Getting ready to reserve some hotels. Thanks for all your suggestions

1) Depart USA

2)Arrive Shanghai

3) Fly to Chengdu

4) Chengdu /Leshan/Chengdu

5) Chengdu

6)Fly to Lijiang

7) Lijiang / Train to Diqing Autonomous Region/ Lijiang

8) Lijiang

9) Early train to Dali

10) Dali

10) Train to Kunming

11) Train to Guilin

12) Slow boat to Yangshuo

13) Yangshuo

14) Train to Zhuhai/Bus or ferry to Macao

15) Macao

16) Ferry to Hong Kong

17) Hong Kong

18) Depart

Answer

Your proposed itinerary for June/July in China is ambitious but doable if you are comfortable with frequent travel. Covering multiple provinces and cities in just over two weeks will require careful planning of transport and accommodation to avoid stress. Here’s a detailed look at each segment:

Initial Arrival and Sichuan: Arriving in Shanghai and then flying to Chengdu is efficient. Spending 2–3 days in Chengdu and Leshan is reasonable for seeing the main highlights, including pandas, Jinli Street, and Leshan Giant Buddha.

Day 3–5: Chengdu city exploration and a day trip to Leshan. Make sure to plan transport in advance, as traffic can be unpredictable.

Yunnan Province: Flying to Lijiang is ideal. Including Diqing Autonomous Region is possible, but train travel in that area can be long and sometimes high altitude might affect some travelers. Allow buffer time.

Days 6–8: Lijiang exploration, including Old Town and day trips to Diqing. Consider altitude acclimatization.
Day 9–10: Dali is only a few hours by train from Lijiang; one full day here is sufficient to see the old town and Erhai Lake.
Day 10–11: Kunming is feasible by train from Dali. Ensure you check train schedules and consider overnight trains if needed to save time.

Guilin & Yangshuo: The route by train to Guilin and then a slow boat to Yangshuo works well for scenic purposes. One full day in Yangshuo is fine for cycling, the Li River, and outdoor activities.

Days 11–13: Guilin city and Yangshuo. Book boat tickets in advance during peak season.

Zhuhai / Macao / Hong Kong: Traveling to Zhuhai, then taking a bus or ferry to Macao, and continuing to Hong Kong is logical. Make sure you check ferry schedules and visa/transit requirements depending on your nationality.

Days 14–17: Explore Macao’s historic center and casinos, then travel to Hong Kong for sightseeing. Hong Kong is compact, so 1–2 full days can cover major attractions.

Overall Recommendations:

Consider spacing out travel days with at least one lighter day per region to avoid fatigue.
Book flights and major train tickets in advance, especially in July which is peak summer travel.
Check local holidays and festivals which may impact hotel availability or transport schedules.
Always have some flexibility in case of delays, especially with trains and flights between provinces.

In summary, your itinerary is feasible but fast-paced. If you are okay with a tight schedule, it will allow you to see a wide range of China’s highlights from urban areas to scenic countryside. Just prepare logistics carefully and expect some early mornings and travel-heavy days.

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