First time in China: need help with my itinerary

Question

Hello all! This will be a slightly lengthy post, but this is my first time traveling solo outside of Europe, so I’m not entirely sure where to begin with my planning.

Anyway, it looks like I’ll (hopefully!) be able to make a three-week trip to China (arriving and departing from Beijing) in the near future, and I’ve started working on my itinerary. It’s currently as follows (in brackets are half/full-day trips I’m considering from each city):

3 days in Datong (half-day trip to the Hanging Temple; half-day trip to Yungang Grottoes)

3 days in Pingyao (half-day trip to the Qiao Family Compound)

4 days in Xi’an (full-day trip to Luoyang)

4 days in Jinan (half-day trip to Mingshui Ancient City; full-day trip to Mount Taishan; full-day trip to Qufu)

7 days in Beijing (full-day trip to Chengde; full-day trip to Jinshanling Great Wall)

Is this plan feasible, or have I packed too much into three weeks? Should I shift a day from one city to another? For context: I’m young and in good shape, so early mornings and a lot of walking won’t be an issue.

I’m planning to use public transport and travel between cities via bullet train. How far in advance should I book bullet trains (e.g., Beijing to Datong) or more local ones (e.g., Jinan to Qufu)?

Also, how similar are the Longmen Grottoes and Yungang Grottoes — would it make sense to skip one if I see the other?

Any ideas or suggestions for improving the itinerary, must-sees in each city, or great day trips are very welcome.

Thanks in advance for your replies!

Answer

Hello! Your proposed three-week itinerary in China is ambitious but feasible, especially since you’re young, in good shape, and comfortable with early mornings and lots of walking. With careful planning, bullet trains, and efficient local transport, you can cover all the cities and day trips you listed. Here’s a detailed review and suggestions:

Feasibility and pacing:

Datong (3 days): Half-day trips to the Hanging Temple and Yungang Grottoes are realistic. Allocate extra time for train transfers and potential weather delays. The Yungang Grottoes are large, so a half-day is just enough to see highlights.
Pingyao (3 days): This is plenty of time for the ancient city and a half-day visit to Qiao Family Compound. Pingyao is compact and walkable, so you won’t feel rushed.
Xi’an (4 days): A full-day trip to Luoyang is possible by bullet train (2–3 hours each way for a high-speed train). Make sure to start early to maximize your day. Within Xi’an, the city wall, Terracotta Warriors, and Muslim Quarter will require 2–3 days.
Jinan (4 days): With half-day trips and full-day trips to Mount Taishan and Qufu, your schedule is full but manageable. Train rides from Jinan to Qufu are short (about 1–1.5 hours), so using local trains is convenient.
Beijing (7 days): This allows ample time for city exploration and day trips to Chengde and Jinshanling Great Wall. Seven days is comfortable, leaving room for museums, parks, and cultural experiences.

Train booking advice:

Long-distance bullet trains (e.g., Beijing–Datong, Xi’an–Luoyang) can be booked 30–45 days in advance online via Trip.com or official Chinese railway websites. Early booking is recommended during busy travel periods.
Local trains (e.g., Jinan–Qufu) are usually easier to book a few days in advance, but during holidays, book early to ensure a seat.

Longmen Grottoes vs. Yungang Grottoes:

Both are impressive Buddhist grottoes, but they differ in style and scale. Yungang Grottoes (Datong) are larger in scale and older (5th–6th century), with giant Buddha statues. Longmen Grottoes (Luoyang) are more intricate and detailed, with many carvings along the river cliffside. If pressed for time, you could skip one, but each has unique features worth seeing.

Additional itinerary suggestions:

Consider an overnight stay in Luoyang if you plan to visit Longmen Grottoes to reduce travel fatigue.
Pingyao can be combined with nearby attractions like Shuanglin Temple if you want an extra half-day.
Beijing day trips: Mutianyu Great Wall is less crowded than Badaling, and Chengde is quite far (approx. 3–4 hours each way), so plan for an early departure.
Xi’an: Include the Ancient City Wall and Muslim Quarter for a full city experience beyond the Terracotta Warriors.

In summary, your three-week plan is doable. Key points are to book bullet trains in advance, allow flexibility for day trips, and prioritize must-see sites if timing becomes tight. With this approach, you can enjoy a comprehensive and memorable first trip to China.

First time in China: need help with my itinerary

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