Shanghai - Zhangjiajie - Beijing - Shanghai trip in Dec 2025

Question

Hi All,

Me along with wife ,daughter any my parents who are 60+ are planning for China tour for 9 days from Dec 25 to Jan 3. I have finalized below itinerary, please help to see if this is fine and also advise if above cities will be very cold in December last week. I know Beijing is very cold so limited it to only 1.5 days. Your advise is very much appreciated.

Dec 25th - Bangalore to Shanghai

Dec 26th - Zhujiajiao Water Town half day, and 3nd half shanghai bund area explore.

Dec27th - Shanghai Disneyland ( must for my daughter)

Dec28th - half day shanghai and post afternoon flight to Zhangjiajie

Dec 29th - Avatar mountain Beylong elevator etc.

Dec 30th - Canyon, glass bridge, lake

Dec 31st - Tianmen Mountain first half, flight to Beijing in second half.

Jan 1st - Mutianyu Great Wall with cable car as parents cant walk too much. post evening forbidden city.

Jan 2nd - Tian'anmen Square in morning, afternoon bullet train from beijing o shanghai and take return flight from shanghai to bangalore

Taking bullet train from Beijing back to Shanghai to experience high speed bullet train and also return flights to shanghai is cheaper than Beijing.

Answer

Your 9-day itinerary covering Shanghai, Zhangjiajie, and Beijing in late December is generally feasible, but there are a few considerations regarding weather, travel logistics, and pacing, especially with parents in their 60s and a young child.

Weather considerations:

Shanghai: Late December temperatures are generally cold but not extreme, ranging from 3°C to 10°C. It is usually dry, but occasional rain or drizzle is possible. Warm layers and comfortable shoes are recommended.
Zhangjiajie: December is cold, especially in the higher areas like Tianzi Mountain and Avatar Hallelujah Mountain. Day temperatures can be 0–10°C, and mornings or evenings may dip below freezing. The glass bridge and cable cars can be chilly, so dressing in layers is important. Some trails may be slippery due to frost or ice.
Beijing: Very cold in December, typically -5°C to 5°C. Expect dry air and possible wind chill. For your parents, using cable cars on the Great Wall is wise to reduce walking. Dress in thermal layers, hats, scarves, and gloves.

Itinerary considerations:

Dec 25: Arrival in Shanghai—assuming a late evening arrival, rest and acclimate. No sightseeing planned, which is good.
Dec 26: Zhujiajiao Water Town half-day and Bund area exploration—this is reasonable and not too tiring.
Dec 27: Shanghai Disneyland—full day required; very suitable for your daughter.
Dec 28: Half-day in Shanghai then afternoon flight to Zhangjiajie—manageable. Make sure to schedule airport transfer time carefully.
Dec 29–30: Avatar Mountain, Bailong Elevator, Zhangjiajie Grand Canyon, Glass Bridge, and lake—these two days are appropriately planned for Zhangjiajie, but be prepared for cold and possible icy paths.
Dec 31: Tianmen Mountain in the first half of the day and flight to Beijing in the second half—tight but feasible if you depart early from Zhangjiajie and your flight schedules allow.
Jan 1: Mutianyu Great Wall with cable car and Forbidden City in the evening—well planned considering your parents’ mobility. Evening visit to Forbidden City may be limited if it closes early; double-check closing times.
Jan 2: Tiananmen Square in the morning, afternoon bullet train to Shanghai, and evening flight to Bangalore—tight schedule but doable if train and flight timings are well coordinated. Allow extra buffer for security checks and city transfers in Beijing.

Additional tips:

Book all flights and bullet train tickets well in advance, especially during the end-of-year holiday season.
Carry warm layers, windproof jackets, hats, and gloves, particularly for Zhangjiajie and Beijing.
Allow extra time for transfers between hotels, airports, and scenic spots.
Consider travel insurance covering cold-weather activities and flight delays.
For Zhangjiajie, check if some cable cars or trails are closed or limited in winter; some sightseeing spots may have reduced access.

In summary, your itinerary is well-structured for the cities and attractions you wish to visit. The main considerations are cold weather, transfer times, and pacing for your parents. With careful planning, this itinerary is realistic and should provide a memorable experience for your family.