china 2023
china itinerary for second timers
This marks our second visit to China. In 2015, during our first trip, we covered the classic destinations for first-timers: Beijing, the Great Wall, Xi'an and the Terracotta Army, Pingyao (a charming historical village resembling a fairytale), Shanghai, and Zhouzhuang Water Town; Guilin, Yangshuo, and Xingping (the area with karst mountains and river scenery seen in the 20 yuan pictures); and Guangzhou (to try the original dim sum in famous teahouses with the locals).
This time, we aimed to explore less-trodden paths: rural areas, scenic landscapes, historically preserved towns frozen in time, spiritual retreats, and immerse ourselves in Tibetan culture since we cannot visit that part of China.
This time, we aimed to explore less-trodden paths: rural areas, scenic landscapes, historically preserved towns frozen in time, spiritual retreats, and immerse ourselves in Tibetan culture since we cannot visit that part of China.
our itineraries in china
Surviving in China: must have apps
Returning to China after 8 years, we noticed a lot had changed. But one big thing stayed the same, nobody speaks or understands English. Nowadays everybody has a smartphone, even the minorities in the isolated mountains. Almost nobody uses cash anymore. It is obligatory to buy a SIM CARD and install WeChat and Alipay applications on your phone, connecting your information with your credit card details to pay anywhere. In case of technical problems which only foreigners have, they accept cash, but they do not prefer it. Almost nowhere accepts credit cards except for the big hotels or maybe high-end restaurants. Even in temples, they collect donations through apps. Street beggars are using these apps too!
Another obligatory app is Didicar to survive the overpricing of taxis and understand where you are in China as Google Maps doesn’t work at all. All the map applications are in Chinese, so Didicar was the unique option, though not the best, to understand where we were.
Another indispensable app for survival is Didicar, not only to overcome the overpriced taxi but also to understand your physical location in a China, where Google Maps is obscured. There are no map applications in English.
Another obligatory app is Didicar to survive the overpricing of taxis and understand where you are in China as Google Maps doesn’t work at all. All the map applications are in Chinese, so Didicar was the unique option, though not the best, to understand where we were.
Another indispensable app for survival is Didicar, not only to overcome the overpriced taxi but also to understand your physical location in a China, where Google Maps is obscured. There are no map applications in English.
2 WEEKS ITINERARY IN CHINA
16 DAYS 15 NIGHTS IN CHINA
beijing - 1 night
HUTONGSEnjoy strolling around the hutongs in Nanluoguxiang Area
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LAMA TEMPLEVisit the Lama Temple.
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GHOST STREETAt night, enjoy Ghost Street, full of restaurants and joyful locals.
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LUOYANG -1 NIGHT
Longman grottoesExplore the Longman Grottoes upon arrival as the site is close to the city.
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luoyang by nightEnjoy beautiful lights of the city, historical center and very clean night market
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SHAOLIN TEMPLEThe morning day after, 2 hours by bus to the Shaolin Temple Complex, to enjoy the spritual atmosphere and watch the martial art show of the novice monks
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CHENGDU -1 NIGHT
SICHUAN CUISINEExplore famous Sichuan cuisine which is very trendy in all China
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GIANT PANDA BREEDING CENTERFrom the city center by bus in 50 min. you can adore the cute Pandas. Calculate at least 3-4 hours as the complex is huge!
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CHENGDU OLD TOWNStrolaround Kuangzay Alley; visit the beautiful Wenshu Monastery.
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CHONGQING
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LESHAN
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EMEIsHAN
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JIANSHUI
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YUANYANG RICE TERRACES
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KUNMING
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DALI
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SHAXI
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SHANGRILA
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LIJIANG
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