Planning The Perfect China Holiday
One of the most diverse and fascinating countries I’ve ever visited, China is what travel is all about and I experienced it all… including a stint in a Chinese military hospital. It’s intense, surprising, sometimes challenging, but never boring. If you’re thinking about a China holiday, then let's go!
Why Choose China?
China is not a one-note destination. Every stop is completely different. You’ve got:
- ancient history alongside huge modern cities
- iconic sights like the Great Wall and Terracotta Warriors
- incredible regional food
- landscapes that change dramatically from place to place
Where To Go In China
Beijing and The Great Wall
Beijing was our first stop and it’s an assault on the senses in the best way. We were really glad to be travelling with a guide here, it made a big difference in a city where the language barrier can be a thing.
Highlights included the Great Wall at Simatai, one of the less crowded sections and a long zipline from the wall over a lake (slightly terrifying!) .
We explored the Forbidden City, Tiananmen Square and the traditional Hutong streets.
Beijing takes a bit of getting used to, from chopsticks to squat toilets, but once you settle in, it’s a fascinating place to explore.
Shanghai and Eastern China
We travelled to Shanghai by overnight train (though there’s now a much faster high-speed option). Shanghai feels completely different to Beijing. The Bund skyline is stunning with its Art Deco buildings a glimpse into the city’s 1920s past.
From there we headed inland to Nanjing, where the tone shifts again. It felt more like “real” China, and parts of the history here are difficult.
Chongqing and The Yangtze River
Next stop was Yichang, where we boarded a local boat along the Yangtze River. This is a very industrial part of China, and home to the Three Gorges Dam, which is vast. We ended up in Chongqing, one of the largest cities in the world. This is also where things took a turn...
Trying to be adventurous, I tried a Sichuan hotpot… fish heads included. It didn’t seem too spicy at the time, but 24 hours later I was in a Chongqing military hospital with food poisoning on a drip while the rest of the group went to see endangered pandas. Not exactly part of the itinerary, but definitely a few days I'll never forget! Shout out to Dragon, our guide, who helped get me to hospital!
Xi’an and The Terracotta Warriors
After recovering and missing the train, we flew to Xi’an. I had the best McDonalds of my life here. This is home to the Terracotta Warriors, one of China’s most famous sights. Thousands of life-sized figures, all slightly different, and an incredible insight into ancient China.
Yangshuo and the Countryside
Yangshuo was my favourite part of the trip. After the intensity of the cities, this felt like a completely different country - limestone karsts rising out of the landscape, boat trips along the Li River, cycling through the countryside, visiting rice terraces and local cooking classes. It was just so peaceful, scenic and a totally different side to China.
Hong Kong
We finished in Hong Kong with skyline views day and night, great food (dumplings are a must) and we loved the nightlife around Lan Kwai Fong. Hong Kong is a really fun place to end a trip.
Where To Combine With China
If you're planning a China honeymoon or holiday, there is so much to see and do that you could easily spend a month here. But if you’re travelling that far and want to make the most of it, some of my favourite combinations are:
- Japan - A brilliant combo if you want to experience two very different sides of Asia
- A tour of Vietnam and/or Cambodia – Ideal if you want to continue the trip into Southeast Asia with a mix of scenery, food and a slightly slower pace
- A beach holiday or honeymoon in Bali, Thailand, Malaysia or The Philippines
Planning Your China Tour
I'm dying to plan another China holiday for myself and see more of the country like Lijiang and Longji - there is much to explore! For a China holiday, I recommend a small group tour or a private tailor-made itinerary with selected guided tours along the way. You might need help deciding
- how much ground you want to cover
- about mixing cities with countryside
- how to travel between stops (train vs flights)
- the pace - there is so much to see / do
And that's where I can help! At Travel Counsellors we work with a range of trusted tour operators and other local partners to put together the perfect tour of China for you.
Ready to start planning a China holiday?
