After my previous post here, I’ve done some more research and I’ve made a more elaborate plan:
4 days Shanghai including a day trip to Suzhou (fly on 4th day), 2 days Zhangjiaje (fly on 2nd day), 4 days Chengdu (fly on 4th day), 2 days Lijiang (travel on 2nd day), 2 days Kunming (leave on 2nd day)
How does this itinerary look? Are these good places to visit in December? I’ve heard Shanghai is not so great in December, is this true? Any suggestions for changes would be great
Alternate idea:
Shanghai 4 days including a day trip to Suzhou (fly on 4th day), Zhangjiaje 3 days (fly on 3rd day), Chengdu 4 days (fly on 4th day), Jiuzhaigou 3 days (leave on 3rd day)
I also can do the second half of November if that’s better
Feels rushed if it were me. It feels like the equivalent of “I want to visit NYC, LA, Yellowstone, the Grand Canyon and Chicago in 14 days”, maybe doable but you’ll be very tired by the end of it and you’ll miss a lot. A lot of these places the main attractions aren’t the city itself but the natural parks outside the city so you have to take into account travel time and park opening/closing times. Shanghai is fine. Zhangjiajie/Wulingyuan feels rushed. Chengdu if you are just visiting the city it’s fine, rushed/impossible if you are trying to see Jiuzhaigou. Not too familiar with Yunnan for Lijiang/Kunming.
Also warning food/hotel will be subpar in park areas but the views are worth it. Set up your Alipay and VPN as well, Astrill and 快连 work for me
If it were me I’d cut destinations to half. If it’s your first time in China I would even do just Shanghai/Suzhou/Hangzhou, Zhangjiajie and Chengdu so you don’t burn yourself out with the travel. Make sure you arrange tour guides especially if you’re a non-fluent speaker.
I think Lijiang and Kunming are great places for December since they have warm weather throughout the year. Other places might be better for Spring/Autumn visits. I would also add Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Macau if time permits
I don’t know for sure, but you may want more days in Zhangjiajie (if you like nature). It’s a big park. And do you have a direct flight from Shanghai to Zhangjiajie? If not it might be a good deal of time traveling that’ll eat into that 2 day itinerary.
Also am visiting Zhangjiajie and Chengdu next year. Mind sharing what things you’re planning to do there?
Tbh it’s really 3 days because I have a feeling that I’ll be trying to get adjusted to the time zone on the first day. Would you say I only need a day there? I could go to Nanjing on what would be the 3rd day in Shanghai
Lujiazui for skyscrapers, the Bund for colonial buildings and riverwalk, Yuyuan Garden for street food/xiaolongbao, Nanjing East Road is ok and a bit dated but you can take a look if you’re in the area.
Xintiandi for luxury shopping in restored buildings, also check out site of CPC first national congress while you’re there. Nanjing West Road is nice newish area for shopping and trendy food where the Starbucks Reserve is.
Jinan Temple is a famous Buddhist temple in the middle of the city.
French concession for western food and bars, and the tree-lined avenues.
Lots of viral instagram spots scattered around the area but I don’t know off the top of my head.
The modernity gets old after a bit so don’t spend too many days here especially if you’re traveling solo, I say this as a Shanghainese person.
Try out the Maglev and the Metro while you’re there.
If you’re grinding it out and skipping the museums it’s possible to do in 1 day and you’ll see all of the highlights. If you’re taking it easy then 2. I’d recommend going to one of the bars in the Lujiazui supertall skyscrapers to see the lights at night.