37 days in China Itinerary

As the political and cultural capital of China, Beijing stands at the heart of Chinese history, buzzing with the energy of its high population density and centuries of importance.

Step off the beaten path and head to Back Lakes (Hou Hai) and Peking Former Residence of Soong Ching Ling (Song Qingling Guju). Mutianyu Great Wall and Temple of Heaven are good opportunities to explore the local culture. Next up on the itinerary: take an in-depth tour of The Palace Museum, examine the collection at Temple of Confucius and Guozijian Museum, get to know the fascinating history of Summer Palace (Yiheyuan), and explore the galleries of 798 Art Zone.

To find where to stay, other places to visit, and other tourist information, read Beijing trip planner.

Birmingham, UK to Beijing is an approximately 16.5-hour flight. Traveling from Birmingham to Beijing, you'll lose 8 hours due to the time zone difference. Traveling from Birmingham in June, you will find days in Beijing are warmer (°C), and nights are somewhat warmer (°C). Finish up your sightseeing early on the 5th (Fri) so you can travel to Hohhot.

Hohhot, abbreviated Hushi, formerly known as Kweisui, is the capital of Inner Mongolia in North China, serving as the region's administrative, economic and cultural centre. Start off your visit on the 5th (Fri): delve into the lush surroundings at Wusutu National Forest Park, delve into the distant past at Qing Princess House, and then contemplate in the serene atmosphere at Dazhao Temple. Here are some ideas for day two: take in the spiritual surroundings of Hohhot Five-Pagoda Temple (Wuta Si), thentake your sightseeing to a higher altitude at Greater Khingan Range, thencatch the contagious excitement of Inner Mongolia Racecourse, and finally examine the collection at Inner Mongolia Museum.

For ratings, more things to do, and tourist information, you can read our Hohhot road trip site.

Traveling by flight from Beijing to Hohhot takes 4 hours. Alternatively, you can drive; or take a bus. Traveling from Beijing in June, things will get a bit cooler in Hohhot: highs are around °C and lows about °C. Finish your sightseeing early on the 7th (Sun) to allow enough time to travel to Shanghai.

With a nickname like the "Pearl of the Orient," it's not surprising Shanghai offers some of the most rewarding attractions and activities in the Far East.

Step out of the city life by going to Jinshan City Beach and Shanghai Wild Animal Park. Do some cultural sightseeing at The Bund (Wai Tan) and Former French Concession. And it doesn't end there: examine the collection at Shanghai Jewish Refugees Museum, take in the exciting artwork at Shanghai Propaganda Poster Art Centre, take in the spiritual surroundings of Shanghai Confucian Temple, and stroll around Fuxing Park.

For ratings, more things to do, reviews, and other tourist information, use the Shanghai vacation planner.

Traveling by flight from Hohhot to Shanghai takes 5.5 hours. Alternatively, you can take a train; or drive. Traveling from Hohhot in June, expect a bit warmer with lows of °C in Shanghai. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 10th (Wed) to allow time to drive to Hangzhou.

Hangzhou, the scenic capital of Zheijang Province, remains a popular vacation choice for tourists interested in the area's numerous cultural and natural sights.

On the 10th (Wed), take an in-depth tour of Hangzhou Museum and then steep yourself in history at Xiang Lake Tourist Resort Area of Hangzhou. Get ready for a full day of sightseeing on the next day: tee off at Westlake International Golf and Country Club and then examine the collection at Liangzhu Museum.

Use Inspirock's suggestions to plan your Hangzhou trip and find the best activities and attractions for your vacation.

Traveling by car from Shanghai to Hangzhou takes 3 hours. Alternatively, you can do a combination of train, bus, and taxi; or do a combination of train and taxi. June in Hangzhou sees daily highs of °C and lows of °C at night. Cap off your sightseeing on the 12th (Fri) early enough to go by car to Huangshan.

Named after the "Yellow Mountains" with which the region has long been associated, Huangshan offers access to UNESCO-listed sites both natural and man-made.

On the 12th (Fri), admire the striking features of Huangshan Wanan Ancient Town and then take your sightseeing to a higher altitude at Mt. Huangshan. Keep things going the next day: steep yourself in history at Former Residence of Cheng Dawei, thendelve into the distant past at Huizhou Ancient City, thendon't miss a visit to Book Case Peak (Stalagmite Peak), and finally get engrossed in the history at Huangshan Qiankou Residence Museum.

Plan a trip to Huangshan easily and quickly by telling Inspirock to suggest an itinerary.

You can drive from Hangzhou to Huangshan in 2.5 hours. Alternatively, you can do a combination of taxi and train; or do a combination of taxi and bus. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 14th (Sun) so you can travel to Shenzhen.

A fairly humble collection of farming and fishing villages and towns until 1979, you wouldn't guess as much when taking a tour of Shenzhen.

Start off your visit on the 14th (Sun): don't miss a visit to OCT Loft Creative Culture Park and then kick back and relax at Xichong Beach. Here are some ideas for day two: get to know the fascinating history of Xianhu Botanical Garden (Shenzhen), thensee the interesting displays at Shekou, and then identify plant and animal life at Shenzhen Wild-life Zoo.

To find reviews, maps, where to stay, and other tourist information, use the Shenzhen online trip builder.

You can fly from Huangshan to Shenzhen in 4 hours. Other options are to take a train; or drive. In June, daily temperatures in Shenzhen can reach °C, while at night they dip to °C. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 16th (Tue) to allow time to drive to Hong Kong.

Witness the vibrant skyline of Hong Kong, an impressive urban territory on the southern coast of China.

On the 16th (Tue), trek along Dragon's Back, get engrossed in the history at Hong Kong Maritime Museum, and then head off the coast to Po Lin Monastery. Here are some ideas for day two: get a new perspective on things with Boat Tours & Water Sports, kick back and relax at Repulse Bay Beach, and then examine the collection at Liang Yi Museum.

For traveler tips, photos, ratings, and tourist information, refer to the Hong Kong road trip website.

Hong Kong is just a stone's throw from Shenzhen. Expect a daytime high around °C in June, and nighttime lows around °C. Finish your sightseeing early on the 18th (Thu) so you can travel to Guilin.

The riverside karst landscape around Guilin has long made it a favorite with Chinese poets, photographers, and travelers.

On the 18th (Thu), look for all kinds of wild species at Guangxi Maoer Mountain Reserve. Get ready for a full day of sightseeing on the 19th (Fri): delve into the distant past at Jiangtouzhou Ancient Dwellings, see the interesting displays at Guilin Museum, thencontemplate the long history of Eighth Route Army Guilin Office, and finally explore the fascinating underground world of Baxian Cave of Guilin.

To find other places to visit, ratings, and other tourist information, read Guilin road trip planning site.

You can fly from Hong Kong to Guilin in 4.5 hours. Alternatively, you can take a train; or drive. Traveling from Hong Kong in June, you can expect nighttime temperatures to be a bit cooler in Guilin, with lows of °C. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 19th (Fri) early enough to travel to Xi'an.

Historians often describe Xi'an, capital city for over a dozen dynasties, as the birthplace of Chinese civilization.

Your inner history buff will appreciate Xi'an Mosque and Dacien Temple. You'll discover tucked-away gems like Tomb of Emperor Jingdi (Hanyangling) and Forest of Stone Steles Museum. When in Xi'an, make a side trip to see Niubeiliang Mountain Nature Reserve in Zhashui County, approximately Zhashui County away. There's much more to do: get engrossed in the history at The Museum of Qin Terra-cotta Warriors and Horses, examine the collection at Xi'an Museum, explore the world behind art at Tang Bo Art Museum, and contemplate the long history of Big Wild Goose Pagoda (Dayanta).

To see more things to do, ratings, reviews, and more tourist information, read our Xi'an holiday planner.

Fly from Guilin to Xi'an in 4.5 hours. Alternatively, you can take a train; or drive. Plan for slightly colder nights when traveling from Guilin in June since evenings lows in Xi'an dip to °C. Finish your sightseeing early on the 23rd (Tue) to allow enough time to travel to Chengdu.

The home of giant pandas for more than two million years, Chengdu's vast human history cowers in comparison to the natural heritage of the area.

On the 23rd (Tue), see the interesting displays at Chengdu Museum (Old Hall) and then see the interesting displays at Sichuan Opera Museum.

To see where to stay, ratings, more things to do, and other tourist information, you can read our Chengdu sightseeing planning app.

Fly from Xi'an to Chengdu in 5 hours. Alternatively, you can take a train; or drive. Expect somewhat warmer evenings in Chengdu when traveling from Xi'an in June, with lows around °C. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 25th (Thu) so you can travel to Songpan County.

Though the area remains largely rural and the economy mostly geared towards agriculture, tourism in Songpan County has begun to develop, with a host of scenic areas and cultural sites to explore.

On the 25th (Thu), admire the sheer force of Zhaga Waterfall and then admire the verdant scenery at Huanglong Valley. On your second day here, examine the collection at SongPan LiShi WenHua ZhanLanGuan, appreciate the extensive heritage of Huanglong Scenic Valley, and then contemplate the waterfront views at Erdaohai Lakes Scienc Spot.

To find ratings, reviews, maps, and more tourist information, you can read our Songpan County online holiday maker.

You can fly from Chengdu to Songpan County in 3.5 hours. Other options are to drive; or take a bus. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 27th (Sat) so you can travel to Lhasa.

The capital of the Tibet Autonomous Region, Lhasa possesses a wealth of Tibetan Buddhist sites of historical and cultural importance.

Step off the beaten path and head to Jokhang Temple and Barkhor Street. Your inner history buff will appreciate Potala Palace and Sera Monastery. Go for a jaunt from Lhasa to Dranang County to see Qingpu Ashram about 1h 50 min away. And it doesn't end there: steep yourself in history at Norbulingka (Precious Stone Garden), take in the spiritual surroundings of Drepung Monastery (Zhebang Si), admire the landmark architecture of Ani Tsankhung Nunnery, and Head underground at Chimpu Caves.

For other places to visit, maps, ratings, and tourist information, you can read our Lhasa road trip site.

Traveling by combination of taxi and flight from Songpan County to Lhasa takes 10.5 hours. Alternatively, you can drive; or do a combination of bus, taxi, and train. June in Lhasa sees daily highs of °C and lows of °C at night. Finish your sightseeing early on the 4th (Sat) to allow enough time to travel to Urumqi.

As one of China's fastest-growing cities, Urumqi is a melting pot of international people and cultures set against a mountainous backdrop.

On the 5th (Sun), grab your bike and head to Karakoram Highway, see the interesting displays at Xinjiang Regional Museum (Qu Bowuguan), thentake in the spiritual surroundings of Southern Mosque, and finally take in breathtaking views at Tianshan Grand Canyon. Here are some ideas for day two: visit Dabancheng Ancient Town, take some stellar pictures from Red Hill, and then identify plant and animal life at Tianshan Mountain Wildlife Park.

For more things to do, other places to visit, reviews, and other tourist information, go to the Urumqi day trip website.

You can fly from Lhasa to Urumqi in 9.5 hours. Other options are to take a train; or drive. Expect a bit warmer temperatures when traveling from Lhasa in July; daily highs in Urumqi reach °C and lows reach °C. Finish your sightseeing early on the 6th (Mon) to allow enough time to travel back home.