24 day itinerary
China
Itinerary
Let’s craft an exciting 24-day itinerary for your family adventure in China, focusing on the cities and attractions you mentioned. I’ll sprinkle in some food recommendations, shopping tips, and budget-friendly accommodation options to make your trip memorable and enjoyable. Let’s dive in!
Day 1-3: Xi'an
Day 1: Arrival in Xi'an
- Morning: Arrive in Xi'an. Check into a budget-friendly hotel like .
- Afternoon: Visit the . Rent bikes for a fun family ride around the wall.
- Evening: Dinner at for the famous dumplings. Explore the for street food (try the yangrou paomo - bread soaked in lamb soup).
Day 2: Terracotta Warriors
- Morning: Head to the (take a bus or join a tour).
- Afternoon: Lunch at a local eatery near the site. Visit the afterward.
- Evening: Return to Xi'an and enjoy a with dinner (check out Tang Dynasty Dinner Show).
Day 3: Explore More of Xi'an
- Morning: Visit the and its surrounding gardens.
- Afternoon: Explore the (free entry, but get there early).
- Evening: Try biangbiang noodles at a local restaurant.
Day 4-6: Chengdu
Day 4: Travel to Chengdu
- Morning: Take a high-speed train to Chengdu (about 3 hours).
- Afternoon: Check into a budget hotel like . Visit and for shopping and snacks.
- Evening: Dinner at for spicy noodles.
Day 5: Panda Base
- Morning: Visit the (get there early to see the pandas active).
- Afternoon: Lunch at the base café. Explore and try tea at a local teahouse.
- Evening: Dinner at for hot pot (a must-try in Chengdu!).
Day 6:
- Day Trip: Take a day trip to Leshan to see the Giant Buddha (about 2 hours from Chengdu).
- Evening: Return to Chengdu and enjoy a Sichuan-style dinner at Chuan Chuan Xiang.
Day 7-9: Zhangjiajie
Day 7: Travel to Zhangjiajie
- Morning: Take a flight or train to Zhangjiajie.
- Afternoon: Check into a budget hotel like . Visit .
- Evening: Dinner at a local restaurant. Try local fish dishes.
Day 8:
- All Day: Explore the park, including the and the . Bring snacks and water for the day.
- Evening: Return to your hotel and enjoy a simple dinner nearby.
Day 9:
- Morning: Visit . Take the cable car for stunning views.
- Afternoon: Explore the and walk the glass skywalk.
- Evening: Dinner at a local restaurant. Try Zhangjiajie Tofu.
Day 10-12: Guilin
Day 10: Travel to Guilin
- Morning: Take a bus or train to Guilin.
- Afternoon: Check into a budget hotel like . Visit .
- Evening: Dinner at Guilin Rice Noodles.
Day 11: Li River Cruise
- All Day: Take a to . Enjoy the stunning karst landscape.
- Evening: Explore ’s West Street for shopping and dinner. Try beer fish.
Day 12:
- Morning: Rent bikes and explore the countryside (visit and ).
- Afternoon: Lunch at a local café. Try local dumplings.
- Evening: Return to Guilin and enjoy a night market stroll.
Day 13-15: Furong & Fenghuang
Day 13: Travel to Furong
- Morning: Take a bus to Furong (about 3 hours).
- Afternoon: Check into a local guesthouse. Explore the .
- Evening: Dinner at a local restaurant. Try Furong Tofu.
Day 14: Explore Furong
- All Day: Visit the and enjoy hiking in the area.
- Evening: Dinner at a local eatery.
Day 15: Travel to Fenghuang
- Morning: Travel to Fenghuang (about 2 hours).
- Afternoon: Check into a budget hotel like . Explore the .
- Evening: Dinner by the river. Try spicy fish.
Day 16-18:
Day 16: Travel to
- Morning: Travel to (about 3 hours).
- Afternoon: Check into a local guesthouse. Explore the Ancient City.
- Evening: Dinner at a local restaurant.
Day 17: Explore
- All Day: Visit and its attractions (like the ).
- Evening: Try Pingyao beef for dinner.
Day 18: Travel to Lijiang
- Morning: Travel to Lijiang (this may require a flight or a long train ride).
- Afternoon: Check into a budget hotel like . Explore .
- Evening: Dinner at a local restaurant. Try Naxi cuisine.
Day 19-21: Lijiang
Day 19:
- All Day: Visit . Take the cable car and enjoy the views.
- Evening: Return to Lijiang and have dinner at a local restaurant.
Day 20: Lijiang to
- Day Trip: Take a day trip to (about 2 hours). Visit .
- Evening: Return to Lijiang for dinner.
Day 21: Relax in Lijiang
- Morning: Explore and its surroundings.
- Afternoon: Visit the .
- Evening: Enjoy a farewell dinner in Lijiang.
Day 22-24: & Departure
Day 22: Travel to Luoyang
- Morning: Travel to Luoyang (this may require a flight or train).
- Afternoon: Check into a budget hotel like . Visit the .
- Evening: Dinner at a local restaurant. Try Luoyang Water Banquet.
Day 23: Explore Luoyang
- Morning: Visit the .
- Afternoon: Explore the .
- Evening: Enjoy a final dinner in Luoyang.
Day 24: Departure
- Morning: Last-minute shopping or sightseeing.
- Afternoon: Depart from Luoyang or return to your original city for departure.
Tips for Food, Shopping, and Accommodation:
- Food: Always try local specialties. Street food is often delicious and budget-friendly.
- Shopping: Look for local handicrafts, silk products, and tea. Bargaining is common in markets.
- Accommodation: Use apps like Booking.com or Airbnb for budget-friendly options. Hostels can be a great choice for families.
This itinerary balances sightseeing, cultural experiences, and relaxation, making it perfect for a family trip. Enjoy your adventure in China! If you have any questions or need adjustments, feel free to ask!
