28 days in China Itinerary

As the political and cultural capital of China, Beijing stands at the heart of Chinese history, buzzing with the energy of its high population density and centuries of importance.

Beijing is known for historic sites, museums, and shopping. Your plan includes some of its best attractions: see Mutianyu Great Wall, tour the pleasant surroundings at Jingshan Park (Jingshan Gongyuan), get a sense of history and politics at Temple of Heaven, and get engrossed in the history at The Palace Museum.

To find other places to visit, photos, reviews, and tourist information, read our Beijing trip planner.

London, UK to Beijing is an approximately 13.5-hour flight. Due to the time zone difference, you'll lose 8 hours traveling from London to Beijing. Plan for a bit cooler nights when traveling from London in November since evenings lows in Beijing dip to -1°C. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 15th (Fri) so you can travel to Shanghai.

With a nickname like the "Pearl of the Orient," it's not surprising Shanghai offers some of the most rewarding attractions and activities in the Far East.

Shanghai is known for shopping, nightlife, and museums. Your plan includes some of its best attractions: don't miss a visit to The Bund (Wai Tan), take some stellar pictures from Jin Mao Tower, enjoy breathtaking views from Oriental Pearl Tower (Dongfang Mingzhu), and admire the natural beauty at Yu Garden (Yuyuan).

To see maps, reviews, and tourist information, go to the Shanghai day trip planning app.

Traveling by flight from Beijing to Shanghai takes 5 hours. Alternatively, you can take a train; or drive. Expect a bit warmer weather when traveling from Beijing in November: highs in Shanghai hover around 20°C, while lows dip to 13°C. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 19th (Tue) early enough to travel to Hong Kong.

Witness the vibrant skyline of Hong Kong, an impressive urban territory on the southern coast of China.

Hong Kong is known for shopping, theme parks, and parks. Your plan includes some of its best attractions: enjoy breathtaking views from Victoria Peak (The Peak), get engrossed in the history at Hong Kong Museum of History, appreciate the history behind Tian Tan Buddha (Big Buddha), and make a trip to Hong Kong Skyline.

For photos, more things to do, maps, and tourist information, use the Hong Kong route planning website.

You can fly from Shanghai to Hong Kong in 5.5 hours. Other options are to take a train; or drive. Traveling from Shanghai in November, expect Hong Kong to be a bit warmer, temps between 30°C and 24°C. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 23rd (Sat) early enough to travel to Yangshuo County.

Yangshuo County, the area surrounding a popular tourist resort town, boasts a landscape featuring all the ingredients necessary to attract a flood of tourists.

Step out of Yangshuo County with an excursion to Reed Flute Cave (Ludi Yan) in Guilin--about 1h 30 min away. The adventure continues: contemplate the waterfront views at Yulong River, get outside with Outdoor Activities, explore the landscape on two wheels at Bike Asia Cycling Tours, and identify plant and animal life at South China Karst.

Before you visit Yangshuo County, use our trip planner to discover what you can do and see there.

You can fly from Hong Kong to Yangshuo County in 5 hours. Other options are to take a train; or drive. In November, Yangshuo County is slightly colder than Hong Kong - with highs of 22°C and lows of 14°C. Cap off your sightseeing on the 26th (Tue) early enough to travel to Lijiang.

The cultural capital of the Naxi people, one of the 55 minority ethnic groups in the country, Lijang traces its history back over 800 years, with the city developing from a trading post on the ancient Southern Silk Road.

Take a break from Lijiang with a short trip to Baisha Naxi Embroidery Institute in Yulong County, about 30 minutes away. Spend the 28th (Thu) exploring nature at Three Parallel Rivers National Park. It doesn't end there: get to know the fascinating history of Old Town of Lijiang - China and tour the pleasant surroundings at Black Dragon Pond Park.

To see other places to visit, where to stay, photos, and other tourist information, read Lijiang travel planner.

Traveling by flight from Yangshuo County to Lijiang takes 7 hours. Alternatively, you can take a train; or drive. Traveling from Yangshuo County in November, you will find days in Lijiang are cooler (1°C), and nights are slightly colder (1°C). Wrap up your sightseeing on the 29th (Fri) to allow time to drive to Dali.

Combining a glorious past with modern conveniences and scenic natural surroundings, Dali stands out as one of the most popular tourist destinations in Yunnan, perched in a strategic location and boasting fertile fields for agriculture.

On the 30th (Sat), take in the awesome beauty at Weibao Mountain. Keep things going the next day: take in the exciting artwork at Da Li Shi Kong Guo Shi Museum, then pause for some photo ops at Monument of Shih-tsu Taking over Yunnan, and then get to know the fascinating history of Four Scenic Resorts of Dali.

Discover how to plan a Dali trip in just a few steps with Inspirock's itinerary builder.

You can drive from Lijiang to Dali in 2.5 hours. Alternatively, you can take a train; or take a bus. Finish your sightseeing early on the 1st (Sun) to allow enough time to travel to Xi'an.

Historians often describe Xi'an, capital city for over a dozen dynasties, as the birthplace of Chinese civilization.

Start off your visit on the 2nd (Mon): don't miss a visit to Kaiyuan Square, then contemplate the long history of Big Wild Goose Pagoda (Dayanta), and then take an in-depth tour of The Museum of Qin Terra-cotta Warriors and Horses. On the 3rd (Tue), you'll have a packed day of sightseeing: delve into the distant past at Xi'an City Wall (Chengqiang), make a trip to Muslim Quarter, and then walk around Celebration Palace Park.

For traveler tips, photos, more things to do, and more tourist information, use the Xi'an trip itinerary planner.

Fly from Dali to Xi'an in 5 hours. Alternatively, you can take a train; or drive. Expect a daytime high around 8°C in December, and nighttime lows around -5°C. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 3rd (Tue) early enough to travel to Kashgar.

Kashi remains a melting pot of Central Asian cultures and boasts one of the most important Islamic old towns in the region.

Kashgar is known for historic sites, nature, and shopping. Your plan includes some of its best attractions: see Off-Road Tours, take in the spiritual surroundings of Abakh Hoja Tomb, pause for some photo ops at Hongqilafu Mountain Boundary Marker, and contemplate the long history of Ga Er Ancient City.

For other places to visit, ratings, and other tourist information, go to the Kashgar day trip planning website.

You can fly from Xi'an to Kashgar in 7.5 hours. Alternatively, you can drive; or take a train. Traveling from Xi'an in December, expect nights in Kashgar to be about the same, around -8°C, while days are slightly colder, around 1°C. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 7th (Sat) to allow time to travel back home.