Self-Launched 30-Day In-Depth China Grand Tour: Beijing to Hong Kong

Fly into Beijing Capital or Daxing International Airport and take the airport express train or metro into the city centre (~£4). Settle into a budget hotel or hostel near the city centre. Pick up a metro card and get your bearings with an evening stroll around Wangfujing night market.

🚌Airport express train/metro from airport to city centre, ~£4

🛏Budget hotel/hostel near Wangfujing or Dongcheng, £18-25

• →Arrive at airport and take metro to city centre
• →Evening walk around Wangfujing street and night market

A full day of imperial Beijing. Start at the vast Tiananmen Square, then walk through the Gate of Heavenly Peace into the sprawling Forbidden City (buy tickets online in advance). In the afternoon visit the Temple of Heaven park with its iconic circular altar. Yonghe Temple (Lama Temple) is a short metro ride away in the northeast of the city.

🚌Metro within Beijing, ~£2

🛏Budget hotel/hostel near city centre, £18-25

• →Tiananmen Square
• →Forbidden City (Imperial Palace) entrance ticket ~£6
• →Yonghe Temple (Lama Temple)
• →Temple of Heaven

Take public bus 916 express from Dongzhimen to Huairou, then a local shuttle to the Mutianyu section of the Great Wall — one of the best-restored and less crowded sections. Ride a cable car up, walk the wall, and take the toboggan or cable car down. Evening: explore a hutong alleyway by foot or shared rickshaw ride near Houhai Lake and see the Bird's Nest Olympic Stadium lit up at night.

🚌Public bus to Mutianyu Great Wall, ~£5 round trip

🛏Budget hotel/hostel near city centre, £18-25

• →Mutianyu Great Wall with cable car (ticket ~£12)
• →Walk along Great Wall
• →Photo stop at Bird's Nest Olympic Stadium
• →Explore Hutong neighbourhood and rickshaw ride (optional ~£5)

Morning visit to the serene Summer Palace with its huge Kunming Lake and long corridor. In the afternoon take the high-speed train from Beijing West to Xi'an (about 4.5 hours, book on Trip.com or via train station). Check in near the Bell Tower in the old city.

🚌High-speed G-train Beijing to Xi'an, ~£35 (book in advance)

🛏Budget hotel/hostel near Xi'an Bell Tower, £15-20

• →Summer Palace
• →High-speed rail journey

Take the tourist line 5 bus (306) from Xi'an Railway Station to the Terracotta Army Museum (~1 hour, £1.50). Marvel at the thousands of warriors in three pits, then try making a small terracotta figure in the craft area. Back in the city, visit the Small Wild Goose Pagoda and adjoining Xi'an Museum before walking around the beautifully preserved City Wall.

🚌Public bus to Terracotta Army and local transport, ~£4

🛏Budget hotel/hostel near Xi'an Bell Tower, £15-20

• →Terracotta Army Museum entrance ticket (~£13)
• →Optional mini terracotta figure-making
• →Small Wild Goose Pagoda
• →Xi'an Museum
• →City Wall and City Wall Park (optional cycle on the wall ~£5)

Morning exploring the lively Muslim Quarter Bazaar with its street food stalls near the drum tower. Take an afternoon high-speed train from Xi'an North to Chengdu East (about 3.5-4 hours, ~£45). Evening: wander around the atmospheric Jinli Street with its tea houses and Sichuan snacks.

🚌High-speed train Xi'an to Chengdu, ~£42

🛏Budget hotel/hostel near Chengdu city centre, £15

• →Muslim Quarter Bazaar food walk
• →High-speed rail journey
• →Jinli Street evening stroll

Get up early and take the metro or bus to the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding — arrive by 8am to see the pandas most active at feeding time. Visit the panda nursery and red pandas. Afternoon: visit Xiaojiahe Community neighbourhood and enjoy a traditional Sichuan hotpot dinner (a must in Chengdu!).

🚌Metro/bus to Panda Base, ~£3

🛏Budget hotel/hostel near Chengdu city centre, £15

• →Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding (~£8)
• →Xiaojiahe Community visit
• →Sichuan hotpot dinner

Fly from Chengdu to Lhasa (about 2.5 hours, ~£110 one-way — cheapest flights early morning). On arrival spend the rest of the day resting to acclimatise to the 3,650m altitude. Drink plenty of water and take it very easy. All foreign visitors to Tibet require a Tibet Travel Permit arranged through a local agency in advance — factor ~£100 for this.

🚌Flight Chengdu to Lhasa, ~£110

🛏Budget hotel in Lhasa (Tangka Hotel equivalent), £20

• →Fly to Lhasa and acclimatise
• →Rest and hydration for altitude

Take a shared taxi or local bus to Drepung Monastery, once the largest monastery in the world, climbing its whitewashed buildings. Return to Lhasa to visit Ganden (Sera) Monastery in the afternoon where the famous monks' debating sessions take place (usually 3-5pm). Visit the peaceful Norbulingka, the Dalai Lama's summer palace park.

🚌Local bus/shared taxi to Drepung and Sera monasteries, ~£5

🛏Budget hotel in Lhasa, £20

• →Drepung Monastery
• →Sera Monastery and monk debates
• →Norbulingka Park

Visit the magnificent Potala Palace (tickets must be reserved in advance with your permit, ~£12). Descend into the old town and the sacred Jokhang Temple, then walk the kora around the temple along bustling Barkhor Street with its pilgrims spinning prayer wheels. Visit the Tibet Museum for context on Tibetan history and culture, and a small nunnery in the old quarter.

🚌Walking and local transport

🛏Budget hotel in Lhasa, £20

• →Potala Palace
• →Tibet Museum
• →Jokhang Temple
• →Barkhor Street kora
• →Old town nunnery visit

Fly from Lhasa to Lijiang (typically via Chongqing or Chengdu, ~£140, most of the day). Transfer into Lijiang Old Town (UNESCO-listed) — a maze of cobbled lanes, canals and Naxi architecture. Spend the evening exploring the lively old town lanes and listening to local Naxi music.

🚌Flight Lhasa to Lijiang (via hub), ~£140

🛏Guesthouse in Lijiang Old Town, £15

• →Fly to Lijiang
• →Explore Lijiang Old Town lanes and canals

Rent a bicycle or take a local bus to the atmospheric Baisha Village, home of the Naxi people. Visit the Baisha Murals (ancient frescoes blending Tibetan Buddhism, Taoism and local Naxi religion) and meet a local Naxi family. Return to town to visit the serene Black Dragon Pool with its view of Jade Dragon Snow Mountain reflected in the water, then explore the grand Mu Fu Mansion, home of the hereditary Naxi rulers.

🚌Local bus/shared transport to Baisha, ~£3

🛏Guesthouse in Lijiang Old Town, £15

• →Baisha Village and Naxi family visit
• →Baisha Murals (~£10)
• →Black Dragon Pool
• →Mu Fu Mansion (~£5)

Take the short high-speed train or bus from Lijiang to Dali (~£8). Explore Xizhou, a model Bai village where you can visit a traditional Bai house. Continue to Zhoucheng to watch the famous tie-dyeing craft being made by hand. In the afternoon walk or cycle part of the ecological corridor along beautiful Erhai Lake before wandering the cobbled streets of atmospheric Dali Old Town with its backdrop of the Cangshan mountains.

🚌Train/bus Lijiang to Dali, ~£8; local transport ~£3

🛏Guesthouse in Dali Old Town, £12

• →Bai traditional house visit in Xizhou
• →Traditional tie-dyeing in Zhoucheng
• →Erhai Lake ecological corridor walk
• →Explore Dali Old Town

Fly from Dali (or transfer via Kunming) to Chongqing (~£95). On arrival visit the Jie Fang Monument at the heart of the city and the quirky Hongya Cave with its stilted buildings lit up over the river. In the late evening board your Yangtze River cruise ship (book direct with a cruise line such as Victoria Cruises or Century Cruises) — book a standard cabin with balcony, around £300 for the 3-night sailing.

🚌Flight Dali to Chongqing ~£95; Yangtze cruise 3 nights ~£300

🛏Yangtze cruise cabin with balcony

• →Jie Fang Monument
• →Hongya Cave
• →Board Yangtze River cruise ship

Full day sailing the Yangtze aboard your cruise ship. Enjoy the ever-changing river gorge scenery from the sun deck. The afternoon brings a shore excursion to Fengdu Ghost City — a hillside complex of temples and statues dedicated to the afterlife — or the nearby ShuangGui Mountain. Evenings often feature a welcome party and cultural performances on board.

🚌Yangtze cruise (included)

🛏Yangtze cruise cabin with balcony

• →Gorge scenery from sun deck
• →Shore excursion to Fengdu Ghost City or ShuangGui Mountain
• →Captain's welcome party on board

The dramatic heart of the cruise. Sail successively through the three great gorges — Qutang Gorge with its sheer cliffs, the misty Wu Gorge, and the broad Xiling Gorge. In the afternoon transfer to a small wooden boat for a serene excursion on the Shennv (Goddess) Stream, threading through steep-sided tributary canyons.

🚌Yangtze cruise (included)

🛏Yangtze cruise cabin with balcony

• →Sail through Qutang, Wu and Xiling Gorges
• →Shennv Stream excursion in small wooden boat

Disembark at Yichang and take the onshore excursion to the colossal Three Gorges Dam — the world's largest hydroelectric project — viewing it from the observation deck. Transfer to Yichang airport and fly to Hangzhou (~£110). Evening: stroll along the shores of the fabled West Lake as the lights come up.

🚌Flight Yichang to Hangzhou ~£110; local transport

🛏Budget hotel near West Lake, Hangzhou, £18

• →Three Gorges Dam observation deck
• →Fly to Hangzhou
• →Evening West Lake stroll

Take a boat ride on West Lake and visit the classic gardens around Red Carp Pond (Huagang). Visit Lingyin Temple (Temple of Soul's Retreat), one of China's most important Buddhist temples with its famous carved grottoes. Morning visit to Meijiawu Tea Village to see Longjing tea being grown and to sip a fresh cup. Late afternoon take the high-speed train from Hangzhou to Huangshan (about 1.5 hours, ~£20).

🚌High-speed train Hangzhou to Huangshan ~£20; local transport

🛏Budget hotel near Huangshan, £18

• →West Lake boat ride
• →Red Carp Pond (Huagang Park)
• →Lingyin Temple
• →Meijiawu Tea Village

Rise early and take the Yungu cable car up Huangshan ('Yellow Mountain'), a UNESCO-listed sacred peak of granite pinnacles and sea-of-clouds views. Walk the high trails visiting Beginning-to-Believe Peak, Peach Blossom Valley, Lion Peak, the Flying-over Rock and the famous Bright Summit — one of the best vantage points for sunrise. Overnight on the mountain if you want sunrise views (book a dorm in a mountain hotel in advance), or descend the same day.

🚌Cable car and park buses ~£20

🛏Mountain guesthouse/hotel or budget hotel at base

• →Yungu cable car to Beihai scenic area
• →Beginning-to-Believe Peak / Lion Peak / Flying-over Rock
• →Peach Blossom Valley
• →Bright Summit sunset/sunrise

If staying on the mountain, catch sunrise at Bright Summit. Explore the Cloud-dispelling Pavilion and the dramatic Xihai Grand Canyon, then take the cable car down. Take the high-speed train from Huangshan North to Suzhou (~3.5 hours, ~£35). Evening: wander Suzhou's old town canals.

🚌High-speed train Huangshan to Suzhou ~£35; cable car down ~£12

🛏Budget hotel near Suzhou Railway Station, £18

• →Cloud-dispelling Pavilion
• →Xihai Grand Canyon
• →Cable car down the mountain
• →High-speed rail to Suzhou

Morning visit to the exquisite Humble Administrator's Garden, Suzhou's most celebrated classical garden, and the adjacent Suzhou Museum designed by I.M. Pei. Take a local bus or taxi to the nearby canal town of Tongli Water Town, ride a small boat through its canals and stroll its stone bridges. Late afternoon catch the high-speed train to Shanghai (~£8, 30 minutes).

🚌High-speed train Suzhou to Shanghai ~£8; local transport to Tongli ~£4

🛏Budget hotel near the Bund, Shanghai, £20

• →Humble Administrator's Garden
• →Suzhou Museum
• →Tongli Water Town and canal boat ride

Morning in Shanghai: visit the superb Shanghai Museum (often free), the classic Yu Garden with its rockeries, then walk the Bund waterfront promenade with its architecture and skyline views. Take an evening Huangpu River cruise to see the skyline lit up, then catch a late flight from Shanghai Pudong to Zhangjiajie (~£110).

🚌Flight Shanghai to Zhangjiajie ~£110; metro and local transport in Shanghai

🛏Budget hotel in Wulingyuan, Zhangjiajie, £15

• →Shanghai Museum
• →Yu Garden
• →The Bund waterfront
• →Huangpu River cruise (~£10)
• →Fly to Zhangjiajie

A spectacular day among the razor-thin sandstone pillars that inspired the floating mountains in Avatar. Enter the National Forest Park, take the park sightseeing bus to Bailong Elevator and ride up the sheer cliff in the world's tallest outdoor lift. Explore Yuanjiajie Scenic Area and Hallelujah Mountain (the 'Avatar' peak), then hike the Yangjiajie area and view the Natural Great Wall. Finish by visiting Tianzi Mountain with its Brush Peak and Helong Park before taking the cable car down.

🚌Park buses, Bailong Elevator and cable car (park ticket ~£25)

🛏Budget hotel in Wulingyuan, £15

• →Zhangjiajie National Forest Park entrance (~£25)
• →Bailong Elevator to mountaintop
• →Yuanjiajie and Hallelujah Mountain (Avatar peak)
• →Yangjiajie and Natural Great Wall
• →Tianzi Mountain, Brush Peak and Helong Park
• →Cable car descent

Explore Zhangjiajie Grand Canyon, walking the famous Yuntiandu Glass Bridge suspended hundreds of metres above the canyon floor — a thrilling glass-bottomed crossing. Then hike down into the canyon along the beautiful Golden Whip Stream, one of the park's loveliest walks with clear waters and green walls of vegetation.

🚌Local bus/shuttle to Grand Canyon and Glass Bridge, ~£5

🛏Budget hotel near Zhangjiajie city, £15

• →Zhangjiajie Grand Canyon trails
• →Yuntiandu Glass Bridge
• →Golden Whip Stream hike

Short morning visit to Elephant Trunk Hill, Guilin's emblematic hill shaped like an elephant drinking from the Li River — and indeed the Zhangjiajie airport transfers make this a travelling day. Fly from Zhangjiajie to Guilin (~£95, via a connection). Evening: stroll the lakes and riverside of Guilin with its town walls. Note the original itinerary routes through Guilin on day 25.

🚌Flight Zhangjiajie to Guilin ~£95; local transport

🛏Budget hotel in Guilin, £15

• →Elephant Trunk Hill
• →Explore Guilin riverside and lakes

Take the classic Li River cruise from Zhujiang Pier down to Yangshuo (about 4-5 hours, ~£45 including bus transfers) — gliding past the conical karst peaks and rice paddies immortalised on the ¥20 note. On arrival in Yangshuo take a countryside cycling tour through the fields and visit a local family home to see rural life and try local cooking.

🚌Li River cruise (includes bus transfers) ~£45; bicycle rental ~£3

🛏Guesthouse in Yangshuo, £10

• →Li River cruise to Yangshuo (4-5 hr, ~£45)
• →Yangshuo countryside cycling trip
• →Local family home visit

A free day to enjoy laid-back Yangshuo at your own pace. Options: rent a bike or e-bike to explore the karst countryside and Moon Hill, go bamboo rafting on the Yulong River, climb to Xianggong Mountain for sunrise views, try rock climbing on the limestone crags, or simply relax at a riverside cafe. West Street is lively at night with bars and craft shops.

🚌Bicycle/e-bike rental ~£4

🛏Guesthouse in Yangshuo, £10

• →Optional: bike to Moon Hill and countryside
• →Optional: bamboo rafting on Yulong River (~£20)
• →Optional: rock climbing or cooking class
• →Explore Yangshuo West Street independently

Early morning climb (or drive then hike) to Xianggong Mountain for a panoramic view over the Li River's most photogenic meander. Transfer back to Guilin and fly to Hong Kong via a connection (~£120). On arrival check in at a Kowloon hotel and take in the view across Victoria Harbour at night.

🚌Flight Guilin to Hong Kong ~£120; local transport to Xianggong ~£5

🛏Budget hotel in Kowloon (Tsim Sha Tsui area), £35

• →Xianggong Mountain panoramic viewpoint
• →Li River panorama
• →Fly to Hong Kong
• →Victoria Harbour night view

A full free day in Hong Kong. Optional highlights: ride the Star Ferry across Victoria Harbour, take the Peak Tram to Victoria Peak for panoramic views, wander the Temple Street Night Market, visit the Giant Buddha on Lantau Island, or explore the colourful markets of Mong Kok. Public transport (Octopus card) makes getting around easy and cheap.

🚌Metro, Star Ferry and Peak Tram ~£10

🛏Budget hotel in Kowloon, £35

• →Star Ferry across Victoria Harbour
• →Victoria Peak and Peak Tram (~£7)
• →Temple Street Night Market
• →Optional: Lantau Island and Giant Buddha

Final morning in Hong Kong — squeeze in a last dim sum breakfast before transferring to Hong Kong International Airport (Airport Express ~£13) or onward via the express rail to Shenzhen and beyond. A fitting grand finale to a month-long journey across the length and breadth of China.

🚌Airport Express to airport ~£13

🛏None (departure day)

• →Final dim sum breakfast
• →Farewell to Hong Kong
• →Transfer to airport for onward flight