Bonjour,
Nous partons à la fin du mois pour 3 semaines en chine sachant que nous restons 6 jours à pékin et les 4 derniers jours à hong kong.J'ai quelques difficultés à construire mon itinéraire car j'ai peur que nous ne puissions nous rendre dans les différentes villes que nous souhaitons visiter en temps et jours à cause de la difficulté d'obtenir un billet de train.Est-il possible de visiter datong, pingyao, xian, guilin et ses environs longshen(pas sur de l'orthographe) , yangshuo en 10 jours?faudrait-il supprimer une villes?datong?combien de temps est-il nécessaire pour visiter pingyao?, et sinon comment se rendre de pékin à datong(train express de jour?) et pingyao pour réussir à voir ses 2 villes.Voilà c'est beaucoup de questions dans un seul message mais je n'arrive pas à avançer dans l'élaboration du parcours. Je précise aussi que nous partons avec nos 2 enfants de 10 et 14 ans ceci explique aussi cela.Merci de l'aide que vous pourrez m'apporter.
Est-il possible de visiter datong, pingyao, xian, guilin et ses environs longshen(pas sur de l'orthographe) , yangshuo en 10 jours?
franchement non même en courant.
Datong, les grottes sont superbes mais le monastère suspendu est à 130 yuans par pers, je suis pas sûre que ça les vaille.
Pingyao, une journée complète pour visiter
Ne pas oublier que les trajets en train sont longs, de nuit, que c'est quand même crevant, et qu'il faut de la place dans le train, notamment le Pingyao-Xian qui pose problème : on a vu un couple bloqué 2 nuits suplémentaires à Pngyao par manque de place : c'était pas la joie.
Moi en 10 jours, j'irais de Pékin à Xian puis Guilin-Longshen-Yangshuo (prendre son temps à Yangshuo)
Je comptais effectivement prendre un train de nuit pingyao xian mais je pensais eventuellement pékin pingyao de nuit en otant datong soit 2 jours dans chaque ville et rester environ 4 jours dans les environs de guilin?C'est bien l'assurance du train pingyao xian qui me tracasse.
Pour guilin et ses environs comment optimiser mon temps entre les transports et la visite de yanshuo, longshen(es-ce bien le pays des femmes aux longs cheveux?)
a mon avis, prend le train de nuit pekin-pingyao, tu dors une nuit a pingyao et ensuite tu prends le train de pingyao à xian en demandant a ton hotel de l'acheter pour toi.
Pour etre certain d'avoir une place en couché dur, tu peux demander a ce qu'ils t'achetent les billets au depart de taiyuan mais tu ne monteras dans le train qu'a pingyao.
pour guilin et alentours, le mieux serait de louer une voiture pour optimiser tes deplacements en prevoyant de rester 2 à 3 jours a yangshuo
Je te remercie de ta réponse rapide et qui me rassure sur la possibilité d'obtenir un billet de train.Dans les couchettes durs y-a t-il des draps fournis?Sinonconait tu l'ascension du mont hua shan, est-ce faisable avec 2 enfants?
pour le train couchette dure, tu as une couverture et drap.
pour le huashan il faudra rester plus longtemps a xian. on peut le faire avec des enfants il y a un telepherique, de toute facon il faut un peu de courage pour tout faire en marchant.
Merci de ces précisions, du coup j'hésite entre aller à pingyao ou l'annuler et rester une journée de plus à xian pour faire l'ascension du mont hua shan.Une opinion?
si je devais choisir je pencherais pour pingyao avec des enfants et profiter en meme temps d'aller visiter la maison de la famille qiao entre taiyuan et pingyao
Tu penses qu'une nuit est suffisante la deuxième étant consacrée au trajet jusqu'a xian soit 2 jours de visites.Sinon l'avion jusqu'à taiyuan+bus jusqu'à pingyao en s'arrêtant visiter la demeure des qiao est-il meilleur marché? je viens de voir qu'il existe aussi un train en 3 heures pour taiyuan, au final pingyao direct ou taiyuan afin de visiter la maison?
Bonjour,
Nous partons à la fin du mois pour 3 semaines en chine sachant que nous restons 6 jours à pékin et les 4 derniers jours à hong kong.J'ai quelques difficultés à construire mon itinéraire car j'ai peur que nous ne puissions nous rendre dans les différentes villes que nous souhaitons visiter en temps et jours à cause de la difficulté d'obtenir un billet de train.Est-il possible de visiter datong, pingyao, xian, guilin et ses environs longshen(pas sur de l'orthographe) , yangshuo en 10 jours?faudrait-il supprimer une villes?datong?combien de temps est-il nécessaire pour visiter pingyao?, et sinon comment se rendre de pékin à datong(train express de jour?) et pingyao pour réussir à voir ses 2 villes.Voilà c'est beaucoup de questions dans un seul message mais je n'arrive pas à avançer dans l'élaboration du parcours. Je précise aussi que nous partons avec nos 2 enfants de 10 et 14 ans ceci explique aussi cela.Merci de l'aide que vous pourrez m'apporter.
Les grottes de Datong sont superbes mais se méritent ...
Une nuit en train pour faire Pekin Datong. Expérience originale ..
Et ceci évite une nuit d'hotel.
Pingyao = 1 à 2 journées selon votre rythme
- Viste des Grottes de Yungang à Datong
Temple suspendu de Xuankong
Route pour Taiyuan
Train de nuit pour Xian en couchette molle
Et arrivée tôt le matin à Xian.
- Sinon compter 1 à 2 nuits supplémentaires ( selon transport et temps sur place ) pour Pingyao que nous n'avons pas pu faire. ( A priori très bien mais il faut faire des choix. Et puis selon ce que vous aimez déjà beaucoup l'occasion de visiter des villes, temples .... )
Exemple de notre programme au départ de Xian
Jour 1 : Xian
Jour 2 ; Xian – Guilin
Jour 3 : Guilin - Région des rizières Longsheng/longji - Ping’an - Yangshuo
Jour 4 : Yangshuo
Jour 5 : Yangshuo – ( Via Guilin ) – Shanghai
...
A priori donc, cela doit tenir en 10 jours mais attention au rythme des enfants.
Même si grands, les journées seront longues et rythme soutenu.
Mais quelle expérience.
Vous avez fait le choix de mettre Shanghai de coté ?
Je vois que tu as fait les rizières au départ de guilin ainsi que les villages en une journée, tu as pu tout visiter?shanghai il faut faire un choix je préfère rester plus longtemps à yangshuo et 3-4 jours sur hong kong la foule et l'attente pour l'expo universelle me fait un peu peur.
Nous avons pris avion à Xian dans l'AM pour vol sur Guilin.
1 nuit à Guilin.
Le lendemain route pour ping'an. ( départ matinal ).
Nous avons fait sur place une marche de 2 à 3h pour profiter du paysage superbe.
Les femmes au très très longs cheveux sont devenus un peu une attraction !
Un petit plus - Mais bon nous venions surtout pour les vues, l'ambiance.
En arrivant tôt ou en dormant sur place on évite la foule.
Les visiteurs se concentrent dans le village et sur les promontoirs les plus proches.
On vous conseille de partir faire le tour dans les rizières un peu plus loin ( pas de panneaux - étions avec un guide pour nous 2 qui marchait bien et très intéressant pour nous raconter le lieu, les traditions et prendre les bons chemins )..
Le tourisme fait mieux vivre aujourd'hui les villageois que les rizières en terasses...
Il faut entretenir les secondes pour les touristes que nous sommes ...
Avons déjeuné dans resto du village ( sympa ) et
Si on veut prendre son temps, possible dormir sur place mais là vraiment pour les amoureux de la montagne et ceux qui ont du temps.
1/2 journée suffisante pour touristes recherchant un bon rapport "efficacité visites".
Après repas avons repris voiture pour route assez longue jusqu'à Yangshuo.
Yangshuo est superbe.
Très bon hotel tenu par des français en plein centre de la rue piétonne dans ancien petit palais mandarin.
Il faut prendre du temps à Yangshuo. ( même si bcp de touristes chinois .. )
Avons passé 2 jours.
C'est bien ! 1 de plus avec plaisir ...
Le centre est très tourisme de masse.
Durant nos 2 jours, bien remplis...
Il faut prendre les vélos pour sortir et faire grand tour dans les rizières.
Plat donc bien mais à éviter si du style 5 km "c'est quand qu'on arrive !".
Nécessite également certain sens de l'orientation. Et équilibre sur les berges à vélo ( surtout si un peu de pluie ...). Loc de vélo dans les rues du centre.
Boucles variables. Nous avions du faire 20 km +/-
Sinon avons fait tour en bateau sur rivière Li ( à organiser avec l'hotel ), vous pouvez aussi louer radeau en bambou avec chaises et parasol ! ( un peu moins sur mais sympa .... )
et le TOP : Un vol en montgolfière. C'était génial et "raisonnable" en prix. Sommes passés là aussi par un français implanté sur place qui nous a tout organisé avant notre départ.
Spectacle son et lumière le soir à Yangshuo :
Kitch, pas vraiment apprécié à vrai dire.
1 ou 2 jolis tableaux mais bon.
Très ambiance chinoise ( spectateurs bruyants, se levant pendant le spectacles, nombreux commentaires des voisins, et partant avant la fin spectacle pour ne pas raté le bus .... mais c'est ça aussi le charme du dépaysement ... ).
On a vu mieux comme spectacles pour touristes en Chine...
Et pour finir tôt le matin, un petit cours de Ti Shi. sympa aussi.
Sommes partis le soir par vol intérieur de Guilin à Shanghai.
Attention bien prévoir transport Yangshuo-Guilin...
Nemo, je sais, suite à certains de nos posts sur une autre discussion, que tu n'apprécies pas trop les agences,
notre rythme a été assez soutenu je te l'accorde.
après cela dépend du rythme et des attentes de chacun, cependant à aucun moment avons eu sentiment de nous sentir pressés, ou impression de regret ...
Ceci a été possible grace à un peu de chance ( 0 galère sur place ), et surtout beaucoup d'organisation en amont.
Tout a été réservé et organisé de la France avec contact email des français sur place et avec une agence touristique chinoise qui a été à notre goût vraiment top.
Voila une experience. La notre.
Enfin concernant les train couchette dur.
A réserver d'avance en effet.
Il existe des cabines de 2, 4, 6.
Voyez mais comme vous êtes 4 cela fait une cabine complète = idéal.
C'est confortable et oui les draps sont fournis.
coté WC = A éviter. Coté toilette = Vous verez après ...
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We’re back from a one-month trip to China and wanted to share our itinerary. Hopefully, this can give future travelers some ideas for exploring this beautiful country.
Beijing → Temple of Heaven / Forbidden City
Jinshanling → Great Wall
Zhangjiajie → Tianmen Mountain and Heaven’s Gate
Wulingyuan → Avatar Mountains / sandstone pillars
Fenghuang → riverside houses
Ping’an → terraced rice fields
Tiantouzhai → village / rice terraces
Yangshuo → Li River / karst mountains
Shanghai → skyline with the Oriental Pearl Tower
Our travel journal is available on our travel journal, written day by day. You’ll find lots of photos and some travel tips there.
j'ai réserve mon voyage du 5 au 26 mai 2027 , je commence préparer mon itineraire et chercher des hotels , ( je sais que c'est tot ) et si j'ai trouve des hotels a séoul et a busan , je trouve que ailleurs (Yeosu par exemple ) énormement d'hotel ne sont pas disponible (sur booking par exemple presque tous non disponible ) , l, IA me dit de ne pas m'inquieter car les hotels en coree du sud n'ouvrent leur réservation que 6 mois a l"avance donc c'est normal de voir non disponibles pour la majorite des hotels sur les sites de réservation
Pourriez vous me confirmer cela et evidemment me rassurer (!) , merci beaucoup
philippe
I’m looking for advice from seasoned travelers about a roughly one-month trip to Japan.
From late October to late November 2026.
We often travel in Southeast Asia but have never been to Japan.
Based on what I’ve read, I’d love to hear your thoughts on:
- Is traveling day-to-day, without booking hotels or trains in advance, possible in Japan?
(I’ve read many travel journals and blogs that say everything was booked way in advance… but that’s not how we usually travel.)
- Will the Japan Rail Pass be worth it for us?
(According to an old simulator, I’m looking at around 400 € for trains compared to 570 € for the JRP.)
Here’s our rough itinerary (which may change):
- Arrival Osaka: 3 nights with Nara
- Hiroshima and Miyajima Island: 3 nights
- Kurashiki or Naoshima: 2 nights
- Himeji: 1 night
- Kyoto: 4 nights
- Kanazawa: 2 nights
- Takayama and Shirakawa-go: 3 nights
- Around Mount Fuji: 3 nights
- Tokyo with Nikko: 6 nights (no theme parks)
Departure from Tokyo
We’re arriving as a group of three in Tokyo on Saturday, October 17th, then heading straight to Kyoto by direct train.
On Sunday and Monday, we’ll explore Kyoto, and in the evening, we’ll take a train to Osaka to spend the night.
On Tuesday, we’ll pick up a rental car at Itami Airport for a 6-day/5-night road trip around Shikoku:
- 2 nights in the Iya Valley
- Thursday morning, we’ll head to Matsuyama for 2 nights.
- Saturday, we’ll visit Mima (town, a few temples + overnight stay) and return on Sunday to drop off the car in Osaka.
We’ll leave very early on Monday the 26th by plane for Aomori in northern Honshu, where we’ll pick up another rental car at the airport for a 5-day/4-night trip:
- Day 1: Tsugaru Peninsula (Takayam Inari, Cape Tappi, Kanita); overnight in Kanita
- Day 2: Ferry transfer to the Mutsu Peninsula (cliffs, Lake Usori); overnight in Shimofuro
- Day 3: Head to the Hakkoda Mountains and onsens galore; overnight TBD
- Day 4: Return the car in Aomori by noon and explore the city before taking the train to Tokyo in the evening
We’ll spend Friday night in Tokyo, wander around on Saturday, and head home on Sunday.
Thoughts on the road feasibility of this trip? We’ll be there right in the middle of Koyo season, so it’ll be busy...
I know it’s a lot of driving, but there are two of us who can take turns. We’re not afraid of driving, even in the mountains and on the left side! Just wondering, are we going to be rushing, or is this manageable? AI says it’s all good, but it’s not the one driving...
Any tips for booking accommodations in the Iya Valley? Not many places have email addresses or websites (I know Booking.com exists, but not all listings are on there... and given the season, I think it’s better to book ahead!). Same question applies for northern Honshu.
For the rental car, I’m thinking of going with Alamo since at least it’s in French and straightforward, but are there any direct rental companies with user-friendly websites (Toyota Rentacar, ugh... 🏴☠️)?
Another question: With so many trains, is it even necessary to book them in advance? Can we just go to the ticket counter and grab seats on the spot?
For paying for the rental car, do we need a credit or debit card?
I’m starting to look at neighborhoods in Seoul, and I’m leaning toward staying in a hotel in Insa-Dong—I’ve spotted one really close to Unhyeongung.
Is this a good area—nice and convenient for exploring the city?
Otherwise, I’ve also found another hotel in Yongsan-Gu, right near the station of the same name. Is that station useful for getting around Seoul?
Since I’ll be in South Korea for nearly two months, I plan to spend at least a week in Seoul to recover from jet lag (it takes me a while to adjust...). So, I’d love a neighborhood that’s pleasant and a hotel not too far from a subway station.
Hi,
My departure is coming up soon—two months backpacking in Taiwan, so much to discover! I’d love to hear about your travel experiences.
My main interests are meeting people, understanding how things work, hiking, and nature in general. I’ve also done a lot of reading about Taiwan’s complex situation.
I do stone sculpture.
I also want to visit Orchid Island for its history.
Marie
I could really use your help to finalize our trip to Japan.
We’re heading there for three weeks with my partner, starting November 10th. Our plan was to visit Tokyo, Kyoto, and a few stops in between (nothing too original so far…).
However, we’re more into nature and hiking, so even though we do want to explore Tokyo and Kyoto, we’d like to maximize nature stops between the two. Initially, we’d considered places like Kamikochi, but I understand it’s not accessible this late in the season.
Hi there,
I’d like to do this cycling route over 2 or 3 days. I’m struggling to figure out and find a (good) bike rental that lets me start in Onomichi and drop off in Imabari. Can anyone help with great tips for rentals and accommodations along the route? How do I get back to Onomichi afterward?
Next year, we’re celebrating 20 years of marriage (and travel 🙂), and we’re looking for something new, pretty legendary, and something the teens will enjoy too.
The family council has settled on Japan for now. And it’d have to be a summer trip—no choice there.
The catch: I keep reading that August isn’t the right season for southern Japan. It’s hot, humid, and there’s a risk of typhoons… Okay, but what does that *actually* mean in practice? Are there any travelers who’ve been there during this time? Is it *that* unbearable?
We’re pretty familiar with Southeast Asia—last year, we dealt with scorching heat in Vietnam and insane humidity, plus a typhoon we experienced from a distance, and visiting Angkor in the blazing sun. Is it worse than that?
I’m back with my detailed itinerary for 20 days in South Korea—it’s my first trip to the country. Our idea is to experience a more rural and cultural Korea. Here’s the rough plan: Seoul for 4 nights at the start and 1 night at the end, Gurye for 4 nights, Suncheon for 4 nights, Namhae for 4 nights, and Gyeongju for 2 nights. The goal is to pick a base and explore the surrounding areas. What do you think of this itinerary? Anything you’d change?
thanks
hi everyone, we're heading out for a 12-day trek in the Japanese Alps. We're bringing freeze-dried meals like we always do. We just found out that importing meat is banned, even freeze-dried. Is that true? We already bought them. They're commercially made freeze-dried meals. Online, it's not specified that they have to be "commercially made" because you can make your own freeze-dried food. And since we've heard they're really strict in Japan, can anyone confirm this for us? thanks
I haven’t found what I’m looking for despite my searches!
For a 15-day trip next spring, I’d like to buy a card (preferably an eSIM, but a physical SIM is fine too) that also lets me make calls in the country (to contact a hotel, a tourist spot, etc.).
You can easily find options just for data, but I haven’t come across any that include calls, texts, or even MMS.
Could you recommend something?
hi there
I’m planning a trip in September—here’s my rough itinerary. What do you think? Is it easy to rent a car to get around between my stops? Thanks so much!
Philippe
StopNightsFull daysSeoul44Gurye (Jirisan)43Suncheon43Namhae43Gyeongju21Seoul1—
Hi,
July 2026: I’m writing to you from Dali.
First, I got scammed on Booking—AI-retouched photos. No tourists at this hotel (Yishanju Designer Hotel), and the reality was horrible: dirty, with a disgusting breakfast. It’s better to use Trip.com here.
Next, the old town was an infernal cacophony, packed with tourists who shoved past without a care. Some vendors harassed you to buy things. All the stalls sold the same cheap plastic junk or other uninteresting stuff. The beautiful scenery was ruined by vendors lining 100% of the alleys. Impossible to walk, crushing heat, nothing good to eat except fresh fruit. Horrible experience.
Day 2: We went to Cangshan Mountain by cable car—the ride was short and nothing spectacular. We were at 2,600 m.
My plan was to see Erhai Lake. Unfortunately, I followed the advice of an AI chatbot: take the boat at Langkan Dock. The Didi dropped us off in the nearest area, which was full of charming little alleys but packed with Chinese tourists. The three-wheeled yellow cabs zoomed through the narrow streets, forcing you to hug the walls, on top of the scooters and other pedestrians to deal with. Crossing the neighborhood was hellish and suffocating. Once out, we hit the "corniche," which was also packed with Chinese tourists. The lake’s edge was all pebbles, and everyone was standing around taking photos. I was with my 5-year-old son. I would’ve liked to sit down and let him play with stones by the water, but it was clear we didn’t belong. They were even shoving each other for a shot! There were no boats in sight. In short, we’d had enough, and there was nothing interesting there either.
On the way back, we had to cross that maze again under the scorching sun. My son was braver than me—I even had a little dizzy spell from all the chaos. Add to that Dali’s altitude (2,200 m), so altitude insomnia, fatigue, and vulnerability during the day...
The restaurants weren’t inviting—the staff served sticky rice in a little bucket. The dishes were wrapped, and you had to figure it out yourself. After that, they ignored you completely, even if you were the only tourist.
On the 3rd day, it was time to leave for Shaxi. I hope to see beautiful villages. But honestly, I’m exhausted by this atmosphere where everything is complicated, communication is never smooth, noise is everywhere, and the behavior of some Chinese people is abusive...
Silver lining: not a drop of rain in 4 days and blue skies.
I couldn’t visit the villages in southern Yunnan because of rain and storms there...
But I was expecting to see a few more tourists.
We’re planning a 17-day trip to South Korea in October 2026 with my husband and our daughters, who’ll be 9 years old.
I’d love to get your thoughts on our draft itinerary.
First, some key details:
1/ Jeju Island is a must for us. I’ve personally dreamed of going there for years after reading a novel about it.
2/ Our girls are used to road-trip style travel since they were born, so this kind of trip won’t be an issue for them.
3/ We plan to travel by train, except on Jeju where we’ll rent a car (we already have an international driver’s permit).
Itinerary:
Seoul: 1 arrival day at 10 AM + 4 full days
Gyeongju: 2 days
Busan: 3 days
Jeju: 4 days
Seoul: 2 days
Hi there,
My girlfriend (23) and I (24) are heading to Japan for the first time from October 20th to November 6th. Here’s our itinerary:
6 nights in Tokyo
1 night in Hakone (ryokan already booked)
4 nights in Kyoto (hotel already booked)
2 nights in Osaka
4 nights back in Tokyo
I’d like to book hotels for Tokyo (both stays) and Osaka, but I’ve gotten so many different recommendations.
I’ve read that Shinjuku is the place to be for its huge hub, accessibility, and things to do, but I’ve also heard about Shibuya, Asakusa, and Ueno.
I’ve looked at hotels, and first off, I’m surprised by the prices compared to what I’ve seen on forums (I guess inflation’s hit here too… and maybe I’m late to the booking game?). I’m feeling a bit overwhelmed with all the options.
For our first stay in Tokyo, I’d prefer a hotel (not a residence or Airbnb) since we’ll be arriving at night, and it’s our first time in Japan. It’d be great to have a place with a reception, staff who speak at least a little English, and can give us some guidance. For the second stay, we could consider other options if it’s better.
Budget-wise, we can go up to 150–180 € per night, but if we can save some money to spend elsewhere, that’d be amazing!
I’m open to all recommendations, hotel suggestions, or any other tips for Tokyo (first stay), Osaka, and Tokyo (second stay).
Hi there,
I’m getting ready for a classic tourist trip to China in May 2026.
The "Terres Lointaines" itinerary looks good to me, and the price is interesting.
Has anyone traveled with them before? Any feedback?
Is there a better option?
Thanks so much for sharing your experiences on this!
Michel
I just booked my hotel in Seoul—it’ll be near Unhyeongung, on Samil-Daero 30-Gil—and I’m wondering if there’s public transport from the airport to this address (bus or subway)? If not, what’s the taxi fare? I read it’s around 50 or 60 €.
I’m traveling to Japan with a young adult with autism (ASD) from July 28 to August 8, following a pretty classic route: Osaka, Hiroshima, Kyoto, and Tokyo. I’m looking for a schedule of the most spectacular fireworks displays during that time. So far, the dates for the major *hanabi* events aren’t available online yet. If anyone has them, I’d really appreciate it if you could share!
We’ll be doing a self-drive trip using public transport in May 2026.
On Day 6, we’ll arrive in Hakone by train from Tokyo in late morning. We’ll spend the night in Hakone before heading to Kyoto.
The main goal of this stop is clearly the view (no hiking) of Mount Fuji, not so much exploring Hakone, where the sights seem limited.
I’ve read on the forum that the view is great from Gotemba, but it also takes a good hour by bus to get there. And, apart from that view, there’s nothing else to see in Gotemba!
So, I’m not sure what to choose. Any thoughts? Or alternatives to suggest?
Maybe some spots in Hakone or Gotemba for a great view?
Hi everyone, I’m Julien!
This summer, from late June to late July, I’m planning a one-month solo trip to Japan—my first time!
I’d love to hear your thoughts and advice on the itinerary I’ve put together to explore this amazing country.
Here are the routes I’m considering:
**Option 1: More mountain and nature-focused**
Tokyo: 8 nights, with day trips to Nikko and maybe the Izu Peninsula
Kawaguchiko (Lake Kawaguchi/Mt. Fuji): 1 night. The place looks stunning, but I’m worried Mt. Fuji might not be visible due to the weather
Kyoto: 6–7 nights (including a trip to Nara)
Osaka: 1–2 nights, where I’d like to drop off my things to make the Kumano Kodo easier
Kumano Kodo: 3 nights—an experience I haven’t seen much elsewhere, but I thought it sounded really interesting
Hiroshima: 2 nights
Miyajima: 1 night
Takayama: 3 days
Kanazawa: 3 days (From what I understand, the Osaka–Takayama–Kanazawa–Tokyo route is convenient for transport)
Tokyo: 1 night (return)
**Option 2: More varied but a bit vague in parts**
Tokyo: 8 nights
Kyoto: 7 nights (+ Nara)
Osaka: 2 nights
Kobe + Himeji: just passing through—I’m not sure if it’s worth a night
Naoshima: 1 night—still pretty unclear for me
Takamatsu: 2 nights. An interesting city, but I’m not sure how long to stay
Shimanami Kaido: biking from Imabari to Onomichi, then heading to Hiroshima
Hiroshima: 2 nights
Miyajima: 1 night
Kyushu road trip (Aso + onsens + Fukuoka): 5 nights (also pretty vague—I could fly from Fukuoka back to Tokyo)
Tokyo: 1 night
**Option 3: More balanced/simplified**
Tokyo: 8 nights
Kawaguchiko: 1 night
Kyoto: 7 nights (+ Nara)
Osaka: 2 nights
Koya-san: 1 night
Kumano Kodo: 3 nights
Takayama: 3 nights
Kanazawa: 3 nights
Tokyo: 1 night
A few key points:
I haven’t made any reservations yet, except for the flight tickets.
I know my plans are too packed and will need to be adjusted.
I’m specifically looking for advice on which stops to cut or shorten.
Hello everyone,
Like Cedric13600, I’ve booked a flight ticket for 30 days / 29 nights in September 2026, from Beijing to Shanghai. We’re a couple in our sixties who love independent road trips.
I’d like to draw inspiration from the following private itinerary suggested by a travel agency:
Day 1: Arrival in Beijing
Day 2 to 4: Beijing
Day 5: Datong
Day 6 & 7: Pingyao
Day 8 to 10: Xi'an
Day 11: Luoyang
Day 12: Dengfeng
flight
Day 13 & 14: Chongqing
flight
Day 15 & 16: Lijiang
Day 17: Dali
Day 18: Kunming
Day 19: Jianshui
Day 20 & 21: Yuanyang
Day 22: Travel via Guilin
Day 23 & 24: Yangshuo
Day 25: Guilin
Day 26 & 27: Zhangjiajie
flight
Day 28 & 29: Shanghai
Day 30: Departure from Shanghai
But to do this itinerary independently:
1. This schedule seems very ambitious to me—what do you think?
2. If it’s too packed, what would you remove as a priority?
Thanks so much in advance for your help.
I’m planning a 5-week trip between Yunnan and Sichuan from mid-October to the end of November 2026:
Arriving in Kunming, I’ll do a loop in the far south of Yunnan via Thonghai, Jhiansu, Zhemi, Yuanyang, Nafa, Jinping, Mengzi, and Shilin (visiting markets, villages, and hiking), then head to northern Yunnan/southern Sichuan on the same theme (passing through Kunming again) via Dongchuan, Huize, Qiaojia, Puge, Xichang, Lanba, Butuo, Huolie, Dimo, Riha, Niuniuba, Meigu, Mabian, and Leshan, before arriving in Chengdu (where I’ll take my return flight to Paris).
This would be a trip with a strong ethnic/rural focus. Since I’ve never traveled in China, I’d love to hear your thoughts on doing this solo. Are there public transport options in the region? What tips do you have for traveling through this area as smoothly and enjoyably as possible? I’ve done quite a bit of backpacking in the mountains of northern Vietnam and really enjoyed using local motorbike drivers. Is something like that available in this region (through local tourist agencies or hotels)?
What should I be cautious about? Are local tourist agencies (or hotels) offering tours and guides reliable? If you know of any specialized sites sharing tips or experiences, or names of local agencies, hotels, etc., please don’t hesitate to share them! :)
In short, all your advice (on any topic that comes to mind!) is very welcome.
Thanks so much!
While researching South Korea, I came across the term "templestay," which refers to a Korean program that lets you stay in a traditional temple to discover Buddhism and Korean culture by living like the temple residents and doing activities like making lanterns.
A templestay isn’t just for foreign tourists—on the booking site, I saw that some temples are more geared toward foreigners, with English-speaking monks.
I was wondering if it’s still worth it, especially in temples where the monks don’t speak English?
I'm 69 years old and heading to China, where most tourist sites are free or discounted for me. However, trip.com either refuses to let me book because the sites are free or doesn’t apply the discount. Does WeChat apply this discount if I book through them? How can I just reserve without paying and pay on-site? Is that possible?
