Father son trip June 2025

Question

Hi, I’ve booked a trip to meet my son in China. He’s 21.

All I have booked so far is return flights to Beijing, arriving 11th June at 5:20am and departing 24th June at 3:15am (lovely 😉)

We’d like a couple of days in Beijing, but are really interested in Chongqing and Zhangjiajie.

My son has been in Hong Kong for a little while and has been able to go to Shanghai and Beijing a couple of times as well as many of the regions in the south of China.

I’m keen to understand how time consuming it will be to travel between the three locations, and whether we should fit somewhere else in to break up the journey.

We’re happy to fly or catch trains. I’m comfortable driving, but have no clue how practice or useful that would be.

I’d also be interested in people’s thoughts on how long to spend in each location. My only must sees in Beijing are Tianamen Square and the Forbidden City. Other than that I’m open.

Also being June it seems like Zhangjiajie could be very busy with lots of queuing. Could a guide help with this in Zhangjiajie?

I plan to get a guide on the first day in Chongqing to get a jump on the layout.

Thoughts and tips very much appreciated.

Answer

Your father-son trip in June 2025 covering Beijing, Chongqing, and Zhangjiajie can be both exciting and logistically manageable with some planning. Here’s a detailed breakdown of travel, time allocation, and tips:

Travel between destinations:

Beijing to Chongqing: Flying is the most practical option. Nonstop flights take around 3 hours. Trains are much longer (approx. 30–35 hours for standard trains, faster trains still take ~12–15 hours), so for a short trip, flying is preferable.
Chongqing to Zhangjiajie: Flying is again recommended. Direct flights take around 1 hour, although schedules may be limited. An alternative is a train (~5–6 hours high-speed train), which can be scenic but less convenient with limited time.
Zhangjiajie to Beijing: Flights are the fastest, taking around 3 hours. Trains are possible but very long (approx. 15–18 hours) and would consume a day.
Driving between these cities is not practical for a short trip. Distances are long, roads can be busy, and navigation is challenging for non-locals.

Time allocation suggestion:

Beijing: 2–3 days. Must-sees: Tiananmen Square and Forbidden City (half to full day). Other options: Summer Palace, Temple of Heaven, or a short Great Wall visit (Mutianyu or Jinshanling).
Chongqing: 2 days. Use a guide on the first day to explore the city layout, hotpot culture, and the Yangtze riverside. Consider visiting Ciqikou old town, Hongya Cave, and taking a short cruise on the Yangtze if desired.
Zhangjiajie: 2–3 days. The park is large, and June is busy. A guide can help minimize queuing and prioritize scenic spots like the Avatar Mountains, Tianzi Mountain, and Bailong Elevator. Consider staying inside or near the park for early morning access and fewer crowds.

Tips for managing the trip:

Book flights well in advance, as June is peak travel season. Prioritize nonstop flights to save time.
Consider staying near the attractions in Zhangjiajie to avoid daily long transfers from the city to the park.
Use a guide in Zhangjiajie to help navigate crowded paths, manage tickets, and advise on efficient routes.
Local transport apps (Didi for taxis) are very useful in all three cities.
Pack light for internal flights to ease transfers, especially since some airports like Chongqing Jiangbei have long distances between terminals.
Check weather forecasts; June can be hot and humid in Chongqing and Zhangjiajie.

Overall, with 2–3 days per city and flying between them, your itinerary is tight but feasible. A guide in Chongqing and Zhangjiajie will enhance efficiency and reduce stress in navigating language barriers and crowded areas.

Father son trip June 2025

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