Voila, on termine ce soir nos 17 nuits en Coree. J'avais promis de faire un post dessus, donc...
si vous devez avoir une raison de visiter la Corée, c'est de rencontrer les Coréens, ils sont super curieux sur nous et très amicaux. Une vraie révélation. Sur les sites et villes, mon coup de coeur va à Sokcho et au parc national du Seoraksan, on a eu de la chance niveau temps, on a pu faire les balades que l'on voulait.
aidez-vous du blog de Sunhae : 1bouteillealamer, très bien, très utile
Busan :
- logement : Indybusan, 50 000 wons pour une double avec salle de bain partagée, clim et petit-dej, très bien située dans quartier étudiant, à 2 minutes du métro
- visites :
- si vous voulez voir la forteresse et le temple Beomosa, commencer par la forteresse (en y montant en téléphérique) puis descender vers le temple, c'est plus simple surtout s'il fait chaud (nous avons commencé par le temple er ensuite plus de courage pour monter a la forteresse). visites gratuites sauf téléphérique
- le marché aux poissons de Jagalchi, gratuit, vaste, très coloré, même en venant vers 10h, vous avez de quoi voir
- marché de Gukje : à faire après le marché aux poissons, c'est à côté, bien pour les vêtements
- les plages : nous avons préféré celle de Kwang Allie à celle de Haeundae, plus longue, moins peuplée
- pour les courses, nous sommes allés dans un mega store près de la plage de Kwang Allie
- pour manger : le quartier étudiant est vraiment nickel
- déplacement en métro (max 1300 wons pour un trajet avec changement)
Gyeongju :
- logement en love motel 40 000/nuit, l'auberge préconise par Sunhae était fermée juste quand on y allait
- visite : il existe un "bus tour" à 15 000 wons/pers qui dépose à différents sites et vous attendent, mais personne ne dit qu'il s'agit d'un tour guidé (entrée aux sites et repas non-inclus, et pas possible de manger ailleurs mais à 7 000/pers....), autrement bus 10 et 11 (un dans un sens et l'autre dans l'autre), 1000/trajet/pers
- temple Bulguksa, 4000/p, très chouette
- Seokguram grotto, 4000/p, peut paraitre décevant car il n'y a qu'une grotte à voir, mais c'est l'un des plus beau Boudha qu'on est vu en Asie
- Cheonmachong (parc des tumuli), 1500/p, il y a un parc à côté où il y a aussi des tumuli et c'est gratuit
- location vélo possible : 15000/jour
- courses : il y a un supermarché en plein centre-ville
Daegu :
- ne pas y rester, seulement s' arrêter pour aller à Haeinsa. Je conseille aussi de ne pas dormir au village de Haeinsa, c'est un parc national mais il n'y a pas de balade à faire hormis 2 montées vers des sommets (ou on nous les a bien cachées)
- pour aller à Haeinsa, prendre le métro à la station près de la gare bus express, ligne 1 et descendre à la station Seongdangmot, 1100-1200 wons, le bus pour le temple ou le village coûte un peu plus de 6000 wons, 1h-1h15 aller
- logement : 35000 Haeinsa en motel, 40000 Daegu en love motel près de la gare express
- tripikata Koreana : magnifique, 2000 wons (en fait prix de l'entrée du parc national)
- marché aux plantes médicinales de Daegu : que des boutiques, n'a de marché que le nom
Andong :
- logement : petit motel, 35000, près de la food street
- resto : goûter absolument au galbi(sorte de ragout de poulet avec des glass noodles, patates...), aller dans les resto au niveau du marché couvert (22000 pour 2, et on a eu de trop pour des grosses bouffes comme nous), on a réussi à l'avoir sans piment
- visites : le problème de Andong, c'est que tout se trouve à l'extérieur de la ville, ils ont un bon réseau de bus mais les temps de trajet peuvent être long pour visiter plusieurs sites, trajet entre 1000 et 1100/p
- Hahoe : village folklorique, 2000/p, spectacle de danse du masque samdi et dimanche à14h maintenant, inclus dans le billet, sympa, doit être drôle quand on comprend le coréen, car ils se marraient tous comme des baleines
- musée folklorique et pont de bois, 2000/p : musée simple mais intéressant, beaucoup d'explications en anglais
à noter 2 bus par jour relie directement Angong et Sokcho, dans ce sens à 8h40 et 16h30, 22800/p dans mon souvenir
Sokcho :
- logement : ALLER CHEZ MONSIEUR YO AU HOUSE HOSTEL, voilà, c'est dit, c'est pas cher, 30000 la double propre avec salle de bain, clim et petit-dej, c'est bien situé, en plus M. Yo est vraiment de très bons conseils, il prend facilement 1/2h pour expliquer ce qu'il y a à voir à Sokcho..... notre meilleur logement en Corée, et quel plaisir de trainer dans la cuisine le matin!!!
- parc Seoraksan, 2500/pers l'entrée journalière, balade sympa pour la chute d'eau, les grottes, moins sympa pour le fameux Ulsan Baui (bordel les marches) mais vue magnifique. Il y a un téléphérique pour monter à une autre montagne, 8500 A-R/p, mais c'était très nuageux, donc on n'y est pas allé
- courses : un supermarché E-Mart à un coin du lac... je n'ai plus le nom, mais c'est le central
- transport : bon réseau de bus, 1100/trajet
Seoul :
- logement : Jongnowon, 38000/double avec petit-dej, clim, salle de bain et frigo... seulement parce que ce n'est pas cher, ça a mal vieilli... mais très central (resto, métro, temples, qurtier commerçant)
- transport : métro très pratique, 1200/trajet max
- visites :
- il y a un pass, 10000 valable 1 mois, pour visiter les 5 palais et temples principaux (comprenant le jardin secret du Changdeokgung, 5000 à lui tout seul)
- quartier Insadong, bien pour manger et se balader, on a préféré le soir
- la balade le long du canal
nous n'avons pas pu faire de balade dans les "montagnes" aux alentours car vraiment trop lourd et couvert (saison des pluies qui a commencé)
remarques sur la Corée :
- avoir l'estomac accroché car c'est pimenté, il paraitrait moins qu'en Thailande (... mon oeil oui)
- c'est le premier pays où il nous a semblé qu'il valait mieux être motorisé, car la majeure partie des sites sont en dehors des villes, et malgré le système des bus, c'est un peu galère niveau temps de transport... envisager une loc de voiture n'est pas une option à négliger
- les visites des sites coûtent très peu, vive la culture pour tous!!
- les bus inter-ville sont très nombreux et vraiment pas cher, le plus que nous ayons payé? 45800 pour 2 pour relier Andong et Sokcho
- n'ayez pas peur des love motels, c'est propre et pas cher
maintenant, c'est vrai que sur nous, la magie du pays n'a pas opéré, toujours une sensation de rester sur ma faim, une impression de : "c'est bien, c'est beau mais.."
mais on a visité la Corée (seulement 17 nuits) après la Chine et le Japon (en 3 mois), trop de temples tuent les temples??? Peut-être... d'où notre engouement pour le parc national? Je ne sais pas... enfin si, surement...
nous n'avons visité aucune île, il parait que celle de Jeju en vaut le coup...
Les retours d'expériences comme celui-ci sont plein de réponses pour les futurs visiteurs.
ça change car souvent on passe du temps à renseigner les voyageurs et après on n'a plus de nouvelles d'eux, alors que justement on aimerait savoir si nos conseilles sont encore valables, à jour ou s'ils ont découvert des choses que l'on ne connaissait pas.
je pars pour 3 semaines en Corée le ,2 aout prochain et j'aimerais savoir l'adresse de votre hotel à Séoul ainsi que le téléphone ou le mail si vous l'avez ?
j'ai regardé votre blog - c'est intéressant... par hasard avez vous le guide Lonely planet sur la Corée et seriez vous intéressé pour le vendre, il est impossible à trouver, je dispose du Petit Futé et du guide visa qui est + ancien
Je vous remercie pour votre aide;
désolé pour le guide, on n'avait pas de guide papier, on utilisait le blog de Sunhae "unebouteilleàlamer", très bien. Tu trouveras dans son blog l'adresse de notre motel Jongnowon. C'est petit, ça paye pas de mine, mais c'était propre, central.
je voulais savoir quel moyen aviez-vous pris pour traverser du Japon à la Corée? j'essaie de trouver des billets d'avions aller simple, mais il semble qu'un aller-retour soit obligatoire.......J'ai vérifier avec Asiana airlines, et c'est le message que j'ai....
Je reviens sur ma croisière de 10 jours au Japon et en Corée du Sud pour partager mon expérience. Avant de partir j’ai cherché sur les forums et j’ai trouvé…
Voici un retour d’expérience suite à un voyage de 2 semaine en Corée du Sud, destination encore assez peu touristique. Ceci reflète juste mon expérience…
Je reviens d’un voyage de 8 jours en Corée du Sud, dont l’itinéraire a été établi à partir des guides petits futés, Michelin et de ce forum, et voici quelques…
Voyager à petits prix › Thaïlande / Corée du Sud · 2 replies
Je suis actuellement resident en Coree et je doit me rendre à Bangkok pour une courte periode en juin (du 2 au 5 pour être précis). J'ai fait pas mal de sites,…
Asie du Nord-Est › Corée du Sud / Japon · 12 replies
Voilà, je pars de Bruxelles pour Séoul le 28 Novembre. Je vais y rester deux semaines (visiter Séoul, Jéju, les plages d'Incheon). La troisième semaine je veux…
je demande vos avis de connaisseurs sur un voyage de env 1 mois au Japon.
De fin octobre à fin novembre 2026.
Nous voyageons souvent en Asie du Sud-Est mais avons jamais fait le Japon.
D'après mes diverses lectures j'aimerais bien que vous me dites si :
- voyager du jour au jour, sans avoir pris les hôtels, ni le train en avance...est possible au Japon.
(j'ai lu plein de carnets de voyage ou blogs qui indique que tout a été réservé longtemps en avance .. mais ce n'est pas notre façon de voyager habituellement).
- le Japan Rail Pass sera favorable pour nous ?
(d'après un simulateur (vieux ??) je suis à environ 400 euros de train par rapport à 570 pour JRP)
Voici notre circuit prévu en gros lignes (qui peuvent bouger) :
- Arrivée Osaka 3 nuits avec Nara
- Hiroshima et île de Miyajima 3 nuits
- Kurashiki ou Naoshima 2 nuits
- Himeji 1nuit
- Kyoto 4 nuits
- Kanazawa 2 nuits
- Takayama et Shirakawa go 3 nuits
- autour Mont Fudji 3 nuits
- Tokyo avec Nikko 6 nuits (sans aucun parc d'attraction)
départ 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
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.
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?
I’d love to get some feedback on our 30-day / 29-night itinerary in China. We’ll be there in September as a family with two kids (6 and 10 years old).
Do you think I should cut a few nights between Wulingyuan (Avatar Mountain) and Yangshuo? I’ve planned 15 nights total there.
We’ll be on a round-the-world trip starting May 2026 and will need to do schoolwork with the kids. Hoping to fit it in during train rides!!
Ever since I started planning this China itinerary, I’ve been discovering completely mind-blowing places I’d never heard of before—30 days feels way too short for China!!!
Here’s our itinerary:
Beijing - 4 nights
Forbidden City
Great Wall of China
Temple of Heaven
Xi’an - 3 nights
Terracotta Army
Muslim Quarter & Great Mosque
Chengdu - 3 nights
Zoo - Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding
Wenshu Yuan Temple