China is a humongous country and who ever want to explore will be confused where to start and where to end. China has many beautiful places apart from its popular cities like Beijing, Xian, Shanghai. Most tourist packages will only take you to these cities. But apart from these there are several places in China for nature lovers and also for those who want to witness the wonders of china like glass bridge and huge skyscrapers.
I started exploring China from its capital Beijing. Best time to visit this country is March and April during autumn with pleasant weather to hike great wall or even to explore the cities.
Beijing has many interesting places and most important is one of the seven wonders of the world ie, The Great wall of China and other places like Tiananmen square, Forbidden City, Jingshan park, Summer palace and Temple of heaven.
Day 1 -2
Tiananmen square and forbidden City is at the downtown Beijing, so the tourist can easily access. Tiananmen square or the gate of heavenly peace is a city square in the city of Beijing built in 1651.
Tiananmen Square
The Forbidden city was declared as World heritage site in 1987 by UNESCO as the ” Imperial palace of the Ming and Qing dynasty”. It is a palace museum which was formerly the residence of the emperor of China.
The Forbidden city 
Day 3 – 4
You can explore the great wall of China for one whole day. The most popular is Badaling section which is best preserved and complete section. Most stairs are not very steep and equipped with handrails. And moreover it has cable car which helps senior citizens and also disabled. It is 73 kms away from the downtown and easily accessible through train.
Badaling section of The Great wall of China 
It is advisable to hike the great wall to get the amazing view and also the photographs of lifetime. Moreover you will be given certificate to certify that you have hiked the great wall of China.
Next day you can explore summer palace which is a vast ensemble of lakes, gardens and palaces of Qing dynasty. It covers total area of 2.9 sq kms and three quarters of which is lakes. And on the same day you can also visit the Temple of heaven in which emperor’s worshipped the god of heaven for good harvests. It has been described as a masterpiece of architecture and landscape design.
Temple of Heaven 
Summer palace
Day 5 – 6
Walking through the pedestrian street which is so colourful with trams and the statues in the street gives you a glimpse of Chinese culture and heritage. Also you can visit pearl market to bargain and buy freshwater pearl, clothing and jewels.
Pedestrian street 
It is advisable to stay in downtown Beijing so that you can easily walk to Pedestrian street, Tiananmen square, forbidden City which is the most happening place of Beijing.
The same day evening I left to Xi’an and I reached next day morning around 8am.
Day 7 – 8
After relaxing till afternoon, I went to see the popular food street of Xi’an know as Muslim street. It is a heaven for meat lovers and you find varieties of food and also fruit juices and chips.
Muslim street 
You can’t go all the way to Xi’an and miss the Terracotta warriors known as 8th wonder of the world. It is a day trip from Xi’an.
Terracotta warriors 
Day 8 – 9
It is advisable to stay near to the drum tower and bell tower in Xi’an as you can explore the city by walk.
The two-storey rectangular drum tower stands in a brick structured pedestal of 52.6 metres long, 38 metres wide and 7.7 metres tall. The drum tower faces the bell tower across Zhonggulou Square in the north of which is the famous muslim food street.
Bell tower 
Drum tower in Xi’an
My next destination was Shanghai which was 1,383.4 kms from Xi’an. If you are traveling by high speed train also called bullet train you can reach within 5 to 6 hrs from Xi’an but if you are traveling by fast train it will take 14 to 15 hrs. Travelling night time saves time as well as hostel rent. You can have good sleep in the train and you will be reaching other place which is thousands of kilometres away.
So I took train to Shanghai from XI’an on 8th day evening and reached Shanghai on next day at 8am. And my friend Jeff and his wife was waiting in railway station at Shanghai. I stayed with them for 3 days and they guided me to explore Shanghai infact Julia took me around the city. Their daughter Catherine was so adorable and can never forget their hospitality.
Downtown Shanghai 
Day 9- 10
After relaxing till afternoon, we visited The bund in Shanghai, a waterfront area in central Shanghai. It has been one of the most recognisable symbols and the pride of Shanghai. If you have not seen The Bund means that you had never been to Shanghai. You can just walk along to appreciate the historical buildings. The historical architecture and modern skyscrapers are a treat to your eyes.
Oriental pearl TV tower, Shanghai 
The Bund
Suzhou, popularly known as “Venice of the East” is mainly famous for its watertowns and has lot of canals, bridges and classical gardens and is just 107 kms from Shanghai which can be reached within 15 minutes by high speed trains. It is a must visit if you want to see the ancient watertowns of China.
Tongli Watertown 
There is also Suzhou museum and Zen temple which I skipped due to heavy rain on that day.
Day 10-11
How can we miss Shanghai Disneyland in Pudong? Yes it is an amazing place where everyone can enjoy irrespective of their age. Scary rides, thrilling adventures, comedy shows, taking pics with Mickey mouse, 7d show of the seven wonders of the world. It was just amazing. The ticket price is 370 RMB but worth it. You will not know how the time passes in such a happening place. One whole day is not enough in this amazing Disneyland.
Amazing Disneyland 
Next day went for shopping in Shanghai near The Bund and Nanjing road and took a long walk in The Bund before bidding a goodbye to Shanghai.
Same day evening took a train to Hangzhou from Shanghai and it took 3 hrs to reach. Hangzhou, famous for its West Lake and it’s natural landscape.
Day 11 – 12
This was the day to explore Hangzhou. It has a huge lake covering the whole city from one corner to the other and the natural beauty of the gardens and the lakes will blow your mind. I have never seen such a breathtaking natural beauty anywhere. The city has the most picturesque lakes and gardens.
West lake, Hangzhou 
Hangzhou is a perfect place to enjoy the nature. Felt like staying there forever but have to move on.
Day 12 – 13
My next destination was Zhangjiajie which is 1,406 kms but there was no high speed trains in this route and journey in the fast train took around 22 hrs. On 13th day evening, I reached Zhangjiajie and was time to take rest after a long journey.
Day 14
Tourists visit Zhangjiajie only to see the highest and longest glass Bridge in the world hanging over Zhangjiajie grand canyon which is 270 metres above the ground. Tickets should be booked in advance as no tickets are sold in the spot. It can be booked one day before to 2 months in advance. The ticket price is 259 RMB plus 3 RMB for insurance for grand canyon and the glass bridge. The entering time is also set while booking the ticket. It is a thrilling experience to walk in the bridge Paved with transparent glass. All visitors have to wear shoe covers which will be given before entering the bridge. This is a must see if you are in China.
The glass bridge, Zhangjiajie
Day 15 – 16
Started journey to Kunming in the evening which is about 1,323 kilometres from Zhangjiajie and took almost 27 hrs. So this was the longest routed travelled in China.
Day 17-18
Kunming is known as spring city and boast it’s natural scenery with many tourist attractions like stone forest, green lake, Yunnan ethnic village, railway museum.
Kunming railway station 
Yunnan ethnic village 
Green lake, Kunming 
Day 19-20
Reached Dali the ancient town of China which was around 334 kms from Kunming. It is a town full of historic sites and Traditional culture. Three pagodas, Erhai lake, Dali ancient town is around 3 sq kms and can be fully explored by foot.
Erhai lake 
Ancient city, Dali
Dali also has a interesting food street for the foodies. Stayed two days in Dali exploring ancient city and Erhai lake. Left to Lijiang, in the evening which was just 140 kms from Dali. Lijiang is another popular ancient town and is much bigger compared to Dali. Visiting ancient town gives a in-depth view of the Chinese culture and traditions. The ancient town in Lijiang is more colourful and much bigger than any other ancient towns of China.
Popular landmark of Lijiang 
Day 21
Lijiang also has jade dragon snow mountain and tiger leaping gorge which I skipped as I wanted to visit Shangri-la and Lhasa the capital of Tibet.
Day 22
Left to Shangri-la which is 120 kms from Lijiang and can be reached within four hours. An average altitude of more than 3000 meters, the county is very difficult to be reached. Without railways leading there the chief means of transport is motor vehicles. Visitors usually start their journey from Kunming to Dali and Dali to lijiang and then take a bus to reach Shangri-la and while going back again the same way backb as there is no other route. Majority of them are Tibetians and has a influence of Tibetians in food and culture.
Bell tower, Shangri-la 
From Shangri-la there are many tourist agents with whom you can get Tibet travel permit which allows you to enter only Lhasa.
Day 23
Took a flight of two hrs to Lhasa, the world’s seventh highest city. The Potala palace is the main attraction in Lhasa. The weather was extremely cold due to high altitude.
Day 24
My next destination was Guangzhou which was 3,570 kms from Lhasa. So flight was the best option or you have to come back to shagrila, Lijiang, dali, Kunming and then Guangzhou which would have taken 3 to 4 days.
Guangzhou is one of the four biggest cities of China the other three being Beijing, Shanghai and Shenzen. It is a port city in the northwest of Hong Kong on the pearl river. It has Canton tower skyscraper and many other architectural landmarks and Buddhist temples.
Canton tower, Guangzhou 
Food street in Guangzhou
Day 25 – 26
Two days sightseeing in hop on hop off bus is the best way to travel around the city sitting back relaxed and enjoying the skyscraper view of the city
Day 27
Guangzhou City has many wholesale cloth markets where buying clothes in bulk will be much cheaper. Baima market is more popular among them. One whole day is also not enough to explore many markets of clothes, bags and other accessories.
Day 28 – 29
Guangzhou to Shenzhen is 138 kms and was the last city of my month long trip. Shenzhen as mentioned before is one of the biggest cities and there are both high speed and fast trains running between these two cities. Approximately there are more than 220 trains running in this route. This is the city which connects China to Hong Kong through a metro train or you can also travel by ferry to Hong Kong. It is known for its shopping destinations, huge skyscrapers and massive malls.
Amazing skyscrapers of Shenzhen
The skyscrapers are amazing in this city. It is a visual treat to your eyes. Two days was also not enough as you have lots of cloth and bag markets and food streets and lots of malls and is a popular shopping destination.
Day 30
Thought this was the last day of my month long trip in China but little did I knew that it will extend for four more days. Went to Hong Kong by a metro from Shenzen. But my visa was rejected and was sent back to China again from where I took a flight back to India. Overall it was the most memorable days I spent in that country. The people were great even though they don’t speak english, they are always ready to help. There are so many other places like Chengdu famous for pandas and Nanning which I skipped due to lack of time. This was my itinerary to cover maximum number of places in one month. Definitely will pen the most amazing experience in the next blog as it is becoming too long. China is undoubtedly the most wonderful country for backpackers. Don’t miss it.
World travel 