21 days in China with 12yr

Question

Hi there, looking for advice or recommendations please, specifically for trustworthy guides as I'll be travelling solo with my child and for any must see attractions. I won't require a guide for every day and I'm sure I could manage the language barrier if I had to with only mild anxiety, however, I would like to make the most of this trip with as much knowledge and information from locals as possible. I know my itinerary is busy, but we are not a sit still family, and when we travel internationally, we try to do as much as we humanely can - we can relax at home!

Below is the itinerary any and all suggestions are welcome please - food, culture, history, a little shopping, not interested in Disney or theme parks with the exception of the animatronic dinosaurs in Guangzhou.

21 days in China this September the itinerary is set and is as follows - Shanghai 4 nights/3 full days early morning flight to Guangzhou 3 nights/2 days: Thinking highspeed rail (HSR) yet to book, to Zhangjiajie 3 nights/2 full days: HSR to Chongqing 3 nights/2 full days: HSR to Xi'an 3 nights/2 full days: HSR to Pingyao 2 nights; HSR to Shijiazhuang 2 nights and wrapping up with 5 nights in Beijing.

Thank you in advance to anyone who reads and responds

Answer

Your 21-day itinerary in China is ambitious but feasible with careful planning. Traveling with a 12-year-old means balancing sightseeing with enough downtime, especially on longer high-speed train (HSR) journeys. Here’s a detailed breakdown and suggestions for guides, attractions, and travel logistics.

General tips for traveling with a child:

Always keep a water bottle, snacks, and light entertainment for train journeys.
Download offline maps and translation apps like Pleco or Google Translate (VPN may be required).
Consider hiring private guides for a few key locations to get local insight, then explore on your own for lighter days.

City-by-city recommendations:

Shanghai (4 nights / 3 full days)
Focus on the mix of modern and traditional culture.
- The Bund and Pudong skyline for iconic views.
- Yu Garden and Old City for culture and food stalls.
- Optional day trip: Zhujiajiao Water Town, accessible via metro and bus.
- For guides: Consider half-day private tours for historical context, e.g., Shanghai Museum + French Concession walking tour.
Guangzhou (3 nights / 2 full days)
Must-see for a mix of history, modernity, and food culture.
- Canton Tower for views.
- Shamian Island for colonial-era architecture.
- Chen Clan Ancestral Hall for art and culture.
- Food: Cantonese dim sum is a must.
- Animatronic dinosaurs: check the Guangzhou Science Center or local kid-friendly museums.
Zhangjiajie (3 nights / 2 full days)
Nature-focused itinerary; HSR from Guangzhou to Zhangjiajie is limited, consider flight for speed.
- Zhangjiajie National Forest Park: Bailong Elevator, Avatar Hallelujah Mountains, and Tianzi Mountain.
- Optional short walk along Golden Whip Stream for light activity.
- Zhangjiajie Grand Canyon for the Glass Bridge and slides.
- Tianmen Mountain: Cable car, cliff walk, and 999 steps. Consider a half-day guided tour here for safety tips.
Chongqing (3 nights / 2 full days)
City and river scenery.
- Yangtze River Cableway for skyline views.
- Jiefangbei pedestrian street for shopping and food.
- Ciqikou Ancient Town for cultural experience.
- Private guide optional for river cruise explanation and local history.
Xi’an (3 nights / 2 full days)
Focus on historical landmarks.
- Terracotta Army (half-day guided tour recommended).
- Xi’an City Wall: rent bikes for child-friendly activity.
- Muslim Quarter for food exploration.
Pingyao (2 nights)
Ancient city atmosphere, compact and easy to explore independently.
- City wall and old town streets.
- Pingyao Ancient Government Office for historical context.
- One local guide can give a detailed half-day tour.
Shijiazhuang (2 nights)
Less touristy; mainly transit to Beijing, but you can see:
- Zhengding Ancient Town (day trip).
- Local cuisine exploration.
Beijing (5 nights)
More extensive, so guides recommended for key attractions.
- Forbidden City and Tiananmen Square (morning guided tour to avoid crowds).
- Great Wall: Mutianyu or Jinshanling; consider half-day private guide for safe climb and interesting stories.
- Summer Palace, Temple of Heaven.
- Hutongs: rickshaw tour optional for child-friendly experience.
- Food: Peking duck at a reputable restaurant; street food in Wangfujing for light adventure.

Transportation advice:

Use high-speed trains for most intercity travel; they are reliable and child-friendly.
Flights may be faster for long-distance legs (Guangzhou → Zhangjiajie, Zhangjiajie → Chongqing, Guilin if included).
Trip.com is a reliable platform for booking trains and flights; you can collect tickets at stations with passports or use e-tickets.
Book accommodations near metro/train stations for easier transit with a child.

Guides:

Private guides for full or half days at historical/natural sites are highly recommended for richer experience and context, especially at places like the Terracotta Army, Great Wall, and Zhangjiajie National Forest Park.
Local hotels often provide trustworthy guide recommendations, or you can use platforms like Trip.com or Klook to book verified guides.

With this approach, you’ll balance structured learning and exploration with flexibility for a child-friendly, manageable pace. September is generally warm but not too hot; bring light rain gear for occasional showers.