Tips & Answers · Community post
7 days first time in China itinerary without tour group
I know China is huge and 7 days might not be enough to see everything, but 7 days is all I have. I'm hoping to hit the absolute highlights this time, and I can always explore other places on a future trip.
Comments (1)
China is massive, so with seven days the key is not trying to cover cities that are far apart. Stay close to your entry and exit points and you will enjoy the trip much more.
If you fly in and out of Shanghai, consider the nearby high-speed rail corridor: Nanjing, Suzhou, Hangzhou and Shaoxing are close together and work well in a one-week trip. If you arrive in Beijing and leave from Shanghai, three days in each city is a solid first visit, with the remaining time for the rail transfer and a flexible day.
If you are flying in and out of Hong Kong, Guilin and Yangshuo make another classic combination. The right answer depends on where you land and depart, but avoiding long cross-country detours is usually the best move.