China Trip Itinerary
Hi,
my partner and I are traveling to China for the first time in May. We have a fairly 'locked-in' itinerary at the moment, but most of it can still be changed around.
Travel dates: 10th May - 2nd June
10th - 16th of May - Shanghai
15th May - Suzhuo (day trip) from Shanghai
16th - 18th of May - Huangshan
18th - 21st of May - Xian
21st - 22nd - Pingyao
22nd - 24th - Datong
24th - 2nd of June - Beijing
We will be travelling with high speed train between cities.
Side note, we know 0 Chinese languages, only English, incase that changes things.
My concerns:
We were initially tossing up between Huangshan and Hangzhou (West Lake). I ended up picking the Yellow Mountain. Would this be considered the correct decision?
Are 3 days enough for Huangshan (1st day is Shanghai - Huangshan, 2nd day is full day, 3rd day is Huangshan - Xian).
I've seen some great pictures of Datong, but also heard that it's very polluted (or at least use to be). Is it better to spread the days allocated to Datong to the other cities? Or should we keep Datong.
on a side note, we were initially meant to go to the Longmen Grottoes from Xian but couldn't fit it in. Similarly, we were meant to go to Nanjing but decided on Suzhuo instead. Would it better to cut off Datong and go to one of these places instead
Your China itinerary covers a lot of ground and includes many highlights. Here’s a detailed assessment of your plans, along with advice regarding Huangshan, Datong, and alternatives.
Huangshan vs Hangzhou:
Choosing Huangshan (Yellow Mountain) over Hangzhou is perfectly reasonable, especially if you enjoy nature, hiking, and scenic landscapes. Huangshan is more dramatic and iconic for mountain scenery, whereas Hangzhou’s West Lake offers a more relaxed, urban-natural experience. Your choice depends on whether you prefer adventure over leisurely sightseeing.
Time allocation for Huangshan:
- Day 1: Shanghai → Huangshan. Depending on train schedules, you may arrive late afternoon/evening. Consider staying near Tunxi or Huangshan city for convenience.
- Day 2: Full day to explore Huangshan. This allows time for major peaks, cable cars, and short hikes.
- Day 3: Huangshan → Xian. High-speed train likely requires early departure.
This is feasible but quite tight. Three days is enough for a standard Huangshan visit, but you won’t have much time to explore Tunxi old town extensively. If your goal is mainly the mountain experience, your schedule works.
Datong concerns:
- Datong’s main attractions are the Yungang Grottoes, Hanging Temple, and Nine-Dragon Wall. While it has been industrial in the past, air quality has improved, but may still be less pleasant than other cities.
- If you value cultural sites and don’t mind potential smog, keep Datong for 2 days. Otherwise, you could reallocate these days to Beijing or Xian for more relaxed exploration.
Alternative options:
- If you wanted Longmen Grottoes from Xian, consider using part of the Datong days instead; however, it would mean cutting Datong entirely or shortening it to 1 day.
- Adding Nanjing instead of Suzhou is optional. Since you already have a Suzhou day trip, Nanjing could be sacrificed unless you prefer historical cities over gardens.
- Overall, prioritizing either Datong or Longmen Grottoes is a choice between unique grottoes (Datong) and the convenience of proximity to Xian (Longmen). Since Datong has the Yungang Grottoes, it may justify the visit if you enjoy Buddhist art and ancient architecture.
High-speed trains and English considerations:
- High-speed trains are generally convenient, with clear signage in English and staff at major stations who can assist. Booking tickets in advance is strongly recommended, especially in May (early summer, high demand).
- In major tourist cities like Shanghai, Beijing, Xian, and Huangshan, English is commonly understood in hotels and tourist areas, but in smaller towns like Datong, signage may be limited and translation apps can be helpful.
Summary advice:
- Your Huangshan choice is appropriate; three days is doable but tight.
- Datong is worth keeping if you want to see Yungang Grottoes, but it is optional if you prefer more relaxed travel or better air quality.
- If reducing Datong, you could consider adding Longmen Grottoes (closer to Xian) or Nanjing.
- Overall, your itinerary is ambitious but feasible if you accept fast travel days and plan high-speed train tickets in advance.
With this approach, your China trip will cover a mix of urban, historical, and natural attractions while remaining manageable within your 3-week timeframe.
