China Itinerary 14 days

Question

I am planning a trip to China in late Nov and below is the itinerary.

Flight from Mumbai to Shanghai

3 Nights in Shanghai

4 Nights in Zhangjiajie

4 Nights in Chongqing

3 Nights in Chengdu.

Return flight from Chengdu to Mumbai.

Questions

1) How I can travel from one city to another via flight or Bullet train?

2) Can you advise is the order of the above cities to visit is correct or I need to make any changes?

3) Is late Nov a good time to visit?

4) I am flexible with my dates and can visit in late Dec during Christmas week if all the attractions like Zhangjiajie National Forest, Tianmen Mountain are open.

Answer

Your planned 14-day itinerary covering Shanghai, Zhangjiajie, Chongqing, and Chengdu is feasible, but there are a few points to consider regarding transportation, city order, and timing for late November or December.

1) Traveling between cities:

Shanghai → Zhangjiajie: There is no direct high-speed train covering this distance efficiently. The fastest and most convenient option is a domestic flight from Shanghai to Zhangjiajie Hehua Airport (around 3 hours).
Zhangjiajie → Chongqing: You can take a direct flight (around 1.5 hours) or a high-speed train. The train takes 5–6 hours, depending on the service. Flying is generally faster for convenience and more predictable timing.
Chongqing → Chengdu: There are frequent high-speed trains (about 2 hours) connecting the two cities. Flying is possible but usually not necessary given the short distance and efficient train service.
Chengdu → Mumbai: Check for direct flights or flights via major hubs such as Guangzhou or Beijing if direct options are unavailable.

2) Order of cities:

The current order is reasonable in terms of geographic flow (east → central → southwest → west), but some travelers prefer finishing with Chengdu after Chongqing, since both are in Sichuan/Chongqing region and can be reached efficiently by train. Your current plan is consistent and workable.
Alternative: Shanghai → Chongqing → Zhangjiajie → Chengdu, if you want to minimize backtracking; however, flight schedules may dictate the most practical order.

3) Late November timing:

Shanghai: Comfortable autumn weather, mild temperatures (10–18°C), low rainfall. Very pleasant for city sightseeing.
Zhangjiajie: Late November can be chilly, especially in higher elevations like Tianzi Mountain, with temperatures ranging 5–12°C. Cable cars and main attractions are open, but check for maintenance closures.
Chongqing & Chengdu: Cooler and foggy in November, but generally fine for sightseeing. Average temperatures 10–15°C. Ensure you have warm clothes and plan for occasional rain.

4) Late December (Christmas week):

Weather will be colder, especially in Zhangjiajie (temperatures can drop to near freezing at high altitudes). Some trails may be slippery, but cable cars usually operate.
Shanghai is cold but manageable, similar to European winter.
Festive season can increase hotel rates and crowding in Shanghai, though national parks like Zhangjiajie are not overly crowded compared to peak Chinese holidays.

Summary:

Flights are recommended for long distances (Shanghai ↔ Zhangjiajie, Zhangjiajie ↔ Chongqing). High-speed trains are ideal for short regional connections (Chongqing ↔ Chengdu).
Your city order is workable; minor changes could optimize travel but are not essential.
Late November is suitable for your itinerary; expect cool weather in mountainous areas and plan warm clothing.
Late December is possible, but colder temperatures in Zhangjiajie and potential higher costs in Shanghai should be considered.

Overall, your itinerary is feasible and well-structured. Paying attention to flight/train schedules and weather in Zhangjiajie is the key for comfort and smooth travel.

China Itinerary 14 days

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