One month itinerary help Shanghai to Beijing

Question

Hey guys,

I'm here do to the usual itinerary check.

I was in Yunnan at the end of last year, and now I would like to go back for longer. I will be landing in Shanghai and flying out of Beijing.

I will take advantage of the 1 month free visa policy, probably taking it down to 29 days just to be sure I don't have problems.

I'm mostly interested in history, but nature and food are also attractive to me. I will not be driving and I am on a budget, so for nature suggestions I would ask you to keep in mind the transport needed to get there. Busses or trains are fine, private drivers aren't! Also, I will try to take the slower version of trains or overnight rides unless the savings compared to the high speed rail are less than 10 dollars for that section.

I've put down a rough plan, but I also realise that it is a lot of places so maybe I'm open to cutting some and adding more days to others, either in the city itself or maybe as a daytrip.

Here we go:

Day 1-3: Shanghai (I'm not a big city person, but I feel like I would be crazy landing there and not spend at least a couple full days to see how it is).

Day 4-5: Hangzhou

Day 6: Suzhou (this is the only place that I only allocated 1 night in, is it enough, or what I would you take one day off from to add it here? I could also just add a half day more before leaving to Nanjing)

Day 7-8: Nanjing (I considered doing 1 day only and 2 days in Suzhou, but I will be leaving with the overnight train so I can't really arrive there in the morning and leave the same night)

Day 9-10: Luoyang and Shaolin temple

Day 11-12: Kaifeng

Day 13-16: Xi'an

Day 17-18: Pingyao

Day 19-20: Datong

Day 21-22: Hohhot: definitely need suggestions here, I chose it as it is the main city in inner Mongolia, but I realise it is not the best way to experience this part of the country, I would appreciate any alternative to it or countryside activities that will not be too expensive.

Day 23-29: Beijing, including the Great wall (unless there is a better place to see it that is closer to Datong or Hohhot?) It is a lot of day compared to the other destinations, but I felt like it would give me some time to experience more of a "normal life" in China instead of being on the move the whole time. I'm willing to cut 1 to 2 days to add them somewhere else, though.

I tried to keep the transfers at 4-5 hours maximum, and use overnight trains for the longer sections, but in particular Nanjing to Luoyang would be pretty long. I have also seen some itineraries that put Luoyang on the Beijing leg instead of the Shanghai leg, would my best option be an overnight train from Nanjing to Xi'an, or would you stop in Luoyang on the way first? I opted for Luoyang first because the only direct train I see from Luoyang to Pingyao is at inconvenient times and from Kaifeng I see no option at all.

Do you guys think it's too many places? If so, what would you cut? The first place that comes to mind is Kaifeng because it is complicated to connect it with transport, but it looked interesting and I enjoyed my time in Jianshui while in Yunnan and I would like to add more smaller ancient cities to the itinerary.

Also, are there any short treks (2-4 hours) that are easily accessible from any of the areas I mentioned, or on the way between them? I have a lot of history in my list, but not many nature spots. I also had the romantic idea of seeing the Yangtze River, but I wasn't sure how to fit it in, as without even researching I'm sure any cruise that would move me between two places would be outside of my budget.

I hope everything is clear and thank you in advance for the answers, I am very excited to go back!

Answer

Hello! Your itinerary is very ambitious and detailed, and it’s clear you’ve put a lot of thought into it. Here’s a detailed breakdown and advice for making it smoother and enjoyable, keeping in mind budget, public transport, and a mix of history and nature.

Shanghai (Day 1–3)

Two to three days in Shanghai is reasonable. Focus on highlights like the Bund, Yu Garden, French Concession, and Nanjing Road. If you’re not a city person, two full days might be sufficient.

Hangzhou (Day 4–5)

Hangzhou is very accessible from Shanghai (1 hour by high-speed train). Spend a full day exploring West Lake, Lingyin Temple, and a tea plantation. One night is sufficient if you arrive early on Day 4.

Suzhou (Day 6)

One night in Suzhou is doable but tight. Consider arriving mid-morning and visiting main gardens, canals, and the silk museum. You could cut half a day from Hangzhou to give Suzhou more time.
Alternatively, consider doing Suzhou as a day trip from Shanghai or Hangzhou to reduce hotel changes.

Nanjing (Day 7–8)

Nanjing has rich history: Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum, Ming City Wall, Confucius Temple area. Two days is reasonable. Overnight high-speed train to Luoyang or Xi’an after Day 8.

Luoyang & Shaolin Temple (Day 9–10)

Luoyang is accessible from Nanjing via overnight train or early morning high-speed (~6–7 hours). Shaolin Temple is about 1.5–2 hours from Luoyang, best done as a day trip.
Consider Luoyang on the way to Xi’an, so you avoid backtracking.

Kaifeng (Day 11–12)

Kaifeng is charming historically but does add complexity to transport. If transport logistics are difficult, it could be skipped in favor of Pingyao or more relaxed time in Xi’an.

Xi’an (Day 13–16)

Four days in Xi’an is ideal. Terracotta Army, City Wall, Muslim Quarter, Big Wild Goose Pagoda, and optional day trips to nearby mountains or small towns.

Pingyao (Day 17–18)

Two days is appropriate. Ancient city walking tour, city walls, and Qiao Family Compound.
High-speed train connections to Datong are good from Pingyao.

Datong (Day 19–20)

Yungang Grottoes and Hanging Temple. One full day for grottoes, half day for Hanging Temple. One night is enough.

Hohhot / Inner Mongolia (Day 21–22)

Hohhot is more of a city; for natural scenery, consider visiting grasslands (Xilamuren or Gegentala), which can be done via local buses or organized budget tours.
If budget/transport is restrictive, you could replace Hohhot with a Great Wall segment north of Beijing (Simatai or Jinshanling), which is easier to access and scenic.

Beijing (Day 23–29)

Six to seven days in Beijing is generous. Highlights include Forbidden City, Temple of Heaven, Summer Palace, hutongs, and Great Wall day trips.
If you cut 1–2 days from Beijing, you could add to Suzhou, Pingyao, or nature options near Xi’an.

Nature / short treks

West Lake (Hangzhou) – walking loops around the lake (2–3 hours).
Mount Song / Shaolin Temple area (Luoyang) – light hikes.
Pingyao – city walls can be walked in 2–3 hours for views and photography.
Great Wall segments near Beijing – Jinshanling or Simatai for 2–4 hour treks.

Yangtze River consideration

Short 1–2 day cruises exist between Yichang and Chongqing, but costs can exceed budget unless very basic. Alternatively, view from Yichang city or riverbanks as a budget-friendly option.

Transport tips

Book high-speed trains at least 2–3 weeks in advance for popular routes (Shanghai–Hangzhou, Xi’an–Pingyao, Beijing segments).
Overnight trains save hotel costs but take longer. Compare costs carefully, as high-speed tickets sometimes are only slightly more expensive.
Use official railway apps or Ctrip for accurate schedules.

Suggested adjustments

Kaifeng could be skipped to reduce transport stress.
Add half a day in Suzhou or Hangzhou if you prefer less rushed sightseeing.
Consider replacing Hohhot with a Great Wall visit for convenience and scenic value.

Overall, your plan is doable for a month, but you should be prepared for a fast pace and some long train rides. Reducing one or two minor stops will make the trip more relaxed and enjoyable.