Je viens finalement de terminer mon itinéraire de 3 mois en Chine. J'ai hésitée à le poster de peur de me faire réponde que les réponses se trouvais déjà sur le forum...
J'ai lue je ne sais plus combien de messages et de pages de mon guide LP, mais il est impossible de tout lire. C'est mon premier voyage en Chine et j'aimerais bien profiter de votre expérience pour réviser mon itinéraire. Même si je serais 3 mois en Chine, j'ai du faire des compromis et couper certaines destinations.
Malgré mes lectures un doute persiste en moi côté faisabilité des transports et du temps consacré à chaque ville. Est-ce logique, trop ambitieux, vous en pensez quoi ? Je serais seule, donc le rythme devrait peut-être plus lent ?
Si quelqu'un a encore le courage de donner un avis sur un itinéraire.... je serai ravie de l'avoir !
Milles merci à ceux qui auront la gentillesse de me répondre !!!
Pinceau 🙂
Jours Ville A> Ville B >> Ville C >>>Ville D ~ Transport Durée
J1 Arrivée Shanghai PVG Airport 4 Août 2011
J2 Shanghai
J3 Shanghai
J4 Shanghai > Zhujiajiao >> Shanghai
J5 Shanghai
J6 Shanghai > Suzhou ~ Train 35 min.
J7 Suzhou > Tongli ~ Bus1 hr
J8 Suzhou > Luzhi ~ Bus1 hr
J9 Suzhou > Shanghai >> Hangzhou ~ TGV90 min.
J10 Hangzhou
J11 Hangzhou > Tangkou ~ Bus 6 hrs
J12 Huang Shan
J13 Huang Shan
J14 Buffer day18 août 2011
J15 Tangkou > Wuyuan (ou Qinghuan)
J16 Wuyuan et ses environs~ Moto taxi : Xiao Likeng, Sixi, Da Likeng
J17 Wuyuan > Jingdezhen (bus 1h40) >> Nanjing (bus 6hrs )
J18 Nanjing
J19 Nanjing > Ji'nan ~ Train 5 hrs
J20 Ji'nan
J21 Ji'nan > Zhujiayu (bus 1h30) >> Ji'nan (bus 1h30) >>> Beijing (train 3h30)
J22 Beijing
J23 Beijing
J24 Beijing
J25 Beijing
J26 Beijing > Chengde ~ Train 4 hrs
J27 Buffer day31 août 2011
J28 Chengde
J29 Chengde > Datong ~ ? Dois-je revenir à Pékin ?
J30 Datong
J31 Datong > Pingyao ~ Train 8 hrs
J32 Pingyao
J33 Pingyao
J34 Pingyao > Xi'an ~ Train nuit
J35 Xi'an
J36 Xi'an
J37 Xi'an
J38 Xi'an > Hua Shan ~ Bus 2 hrs
J39 Hua Shan > Xi'an ~ Bus 2 hrs
J40 Xi'an > Yichang ~ Avion
J41 Yichang
J42 Yichang ~ Croisière sur la Yangzi
J43 Croisière sur la Yangzi
J44 Croisière sur la Yangzi > Chongquing
J45 Chongquing > Songji ou Zhongshan ~ Bus 2h45 ou 3h15
J46 Chongquing > Dazu ~ Bus2h30
J47 Chongquing > Chengdu ~ Bus6 hrs
J48 Buffer day21 septembre 2011
J49 Chengdu
J50 Chengdu
J51 Chengdu
J52 Chengdu > Leshan ~ Bus2 hrs
J53 Leshan > Jiajiang ~ Bus1 hr
J54 Leshan > Éméi (bus 1 hr) >>Baoguo~ Taxi 15Y ou 2 bus !
J55 Émei Shan
J56 Émei Shan
J57 Buffer day30 septembre 2011
J58 Baoguo > Éméi (bus 20 mn) >>Chengdu (bus 2 h) >>>Guilin ~ Avion
J59 Guilin
J60 Guilin > Longshend ~ Bus 2 hrs
J61 Longshend > Sanjiang (bus 1h30) >> Chengyan (bus 30 min) >>> Dàzài
J62 Dàzài > Ping'ân ~ Rando 5 hrs
J63 Ping'an > Longshend (bus 1 hr) >> Guilin (bus 1h30)
J64 Guilin > Yangshuo ~ Croisière riv. Li 4h30 ou bus 1hr
J65 Yangshuo > Fuli ~ Bus 15 min
J66 Yangshuo > Yangdi (bus 30 min) >> Xingping (radeau 1h30) >>> Yangshuo
J67 Yangshuo > Guilin (bus 1hr)>> Kunming ~Train ou Avion
J68 Buffer day11 octobre 2011
J69 Kunming
J70 Kunming > Shilin
J71 Kunming > Dali ~ Bus5 hrs
J72 Dali
J73 Dali > Lijiang ~ Bus3h30
J74 Lijiang
J75 Lijiang > Qiaotou ~ Bus (fin de journée, dernier à 17h)
J76 Qiaotou > Gorge du tigre ~ Bus
J77 Gorge du tigre > Qiaotou > Lijiang
J78 Lijiang > Chengdu ~ Avion
J79 Chengdu > Pingle ~ Bus
J80 Buffer day23 octobre 2011
J81 Buffer day
J82-90 Chengdu > Lhasa ~ Train 48 hrs
J91 Tibet > Népal
Chengde - Datong, il me semble qu'il faille changer à Beijing en effet (et même changer de gare si je ne m'abuse)
D'accord avec Nemo, tu devrais passer plus de temps à Beijing qui est une ville fascinante, véritable musée vivant, je pense qu'une semaine serait méritée.
Point visa
J'ai un léger doute sur la durée légale sur place mais tu t'es certainement renseignée. il me semble que la politique des consulats chinois est la suivante : 30 jours par entrée. Donc pour un visa simple entrée : 30 jours. Certains forumistes ont déjà eu 60 jours, mais 91 jours me semblent impossible à avoir (déjà 90 c'est pas gagné...). Par ailleurs, attention, le Tibet est parfois fermé aux étrangers sans préavis. Je ne suis pas certain du tout que tu as intérêt à parler du Tibet dans ta demande de Visa, mais il faudra alors prouver ta sortie autrement.
Bref, je pense que c'est un point que tu as tout intérêt à bien creuser avant de finaliser ton itinéraire.
Au départ j'avais effectivement compté 7 jours pour Beijing, mais je n'arrive plus à couper. Je me dit que ça va se faire naturellement sur place à moins que j'ai des suggestions ici.
En ce qui concerne l'obtention du visa, je me suis informée au tout début de mes préparatifs et l'agence qui m'a vendu mon billet d'avion m'a dit que je pouvais obtenir un visa touristique double entrés de 6 mois. J'ai également fait la vérification sur le site internet de la compagnie qui m'a été recommandée pour faire la démarche, la même info. Voici le lien http://www.goldenmile2000.com/index.html
Est-ce possible que ce soit différent pour les Canadiens ? Tu as réussit à me mettre un doute, je vais passer quelques coup de téléphone pour avoir la certitude que je puisse obtenir un visa de plus de 3 mois.
j'ai trouvé ceci sur le site du consulat chinois à Ottawa :
"
5. Q: Information on your web site indicates a Chinese visa normally permits the holder to stay in China for 30 days. What if I have to stay in China for over 30 days?
A: If you do need to stay in China for over 30 days, please specify that in your application form. But it does not mean that you can be granted the exact length of stay you want. If you decide to stay longer than the duration allowed by the visa, you can always go to the local public security bureau for an extension.
6. Q: What's the validity of a Chinese visa? What's its connection with my duration of stay in China?
A: A single entry Chinese visa is usually valid for 3 months from the day you drops off your application. It means that you may enter China any time before the expiry date and the duration of stay allowed by the visa is counted starting from the date of entry."
Concrètement, il y a souvent une méprise entre validité et durée sur place.
La validité est la durée maximale entre la date de dépôt de ta demande et celle de ton entrée en Chine ; elle est normalement de 3 mois par entrée, soit 6 mois pour un visa double entrée.
Si tu obtiens un visa aujourd'hui, tu as jusqu'au 15 décembre pour rentrer en Chine.
Concernant la durée sur place, c'est, comme indiqué dans leur FAQ, normalement de 30 jours par entrée, soit 60 jours pour un visa double entrée.
Comme indiqué aussi, tu peux demander plus, mais tu n'as aucune garantie de les avoir.
Je te suggère très très fortement de vérifier ça directement avec le consulat chinois car ta compagnie d'aviation et ton agence de visa me semblent être des gens pas sérieux...
C'est ce que j'ai fait aujourd'hui, mais trop tard dans la journée et l'ambassade était déjà fermé. Au boulot en ce moment c'est la folie et je n'arrive pas toujours à me libérer comme je veux. Donc prise 2 demain !
Le 1 ier octobre, je savais que ce serait la galère...mais pas pendant 7 jours !
Merci pour les conseils en ce qui concerne la province de Guizhou, mais là je suis plus à l'étape il faut couper le circuit et non le rallonger. Je pense peut-être couper la portion de Huang Shan, qui je crois a de grande chance d'être dans les nuages en Août...dure sacrifice.
Je viens tout juste de recevoir mon visa, 60 jours double entrées.
Ce qui veut dire que je peux voyager 60 jours et je dois sortir (quelques jours à Hong Kong suffit), pour ensuite revenir un autre 60 jours. Donc au total j'ai 120 jours pour voyager en Chine. Ce visa est valide 6 mois.
Lorsque j'ai contactée l'agence, on m'a dit que ce serait exceptionnel d'obtenir un visa 3 mois. La meilleure tactique pour obtenir mon 90 jours était de demander 2 mois doubles entrées, ce que j'ai fait. Avec ma demande j'ai ajoutée un itinéraire, copie de ma réservation d'hôtel des premiers jours, copie du billet d'avion et une petite lettre expliquant pourquoi je voulais rester aussi longtemps en Chine.
Lorsque je parlais au téléphone avec la dame de l'agence, à plusieurs reprises elle m'a demandée pourquoi je voulais rester aussi longtemps. Elle m'a expliquée que la Chine avait peur que l'on travail sur place lorsqu'on demande plusieurs mois.
Alors voilà l'information la plus à jours que j'ai eu.
Moi je quittes dans 20 jours, merci à tous sur ce forum qui m'ont inspirée et conseillée.
je comprend ma consoeur d'avoir hésiter a écrire car ton opinion pas très constructive apparaît régulièrement sur le forum. Si tu ne veux pas répondre au gens alors ne le fais pas, mais cesse de tous nous faire passer pour une bande de con dans nos discussions, avec un ton presque méprisant. A plusieurs, réprise je te vois répondre bien informe, toi tu regarde pas etc... C'est exactement ce que nous faisons et ce nest pas parce que la question a déjà été poser ou que lOn na pas trouver la reponse avant que l'on a pas chercher. Ce n'est tout le monde qui est bien avec le forum et les recherches. Plutôt que de juste nous retourner dans nos petits soulier donne donc de linfo CONSTRUCTIF sinon abstien toi! yen a marre!!!!
Désolé, pour les autres mais j'en avait marre, normalement je ne saute pas les plombs en public de cet facon, mais je crois que parfois il faut remettre certain a leur place
Je viens tout juste de recevoir mon visa, 60 jours double entrées.
Ce qui veut dire que je peux voyager 60 jours et je dois sortir (quelques jours à Hong Kong suffit), pour ensuite revenir un autre 60 jours. Donc au total j'ai 120 jours pour voyager en Chine. Ce visa est valide 6 mois.
Alors voilà l'information la plus à jours que j'ai eu.
Moi je quittes dans 20 jours, merci à tous sur ce forum qui m'ont inspirée et conseillée.
Bonjour, je lis un peu tardivement ton message mais pour moi, "60 jours double entrée" ne signifie par 120 jours de visa !!!! mais 60 jours avec possibilité de sortir 1 fois de Chine pendant la durée".
Maintenant que tu dois être rentrée, peux tu nous indiquer la réalité ? merci à toi
non non non!
60 jours double entrees peut bien se transformer en 120 jours sur place...
ton "premier volet" est valable jusqua 60 jours. (a entrer avant la date de peremption du visa)
ensuite tu sors (par ex)le dernier jours, le soixantieme pour un autre pays (tu y passe une heure a quelques jours) et ensuite tu reviens pour 60 autres jours...
si, a la fin de ton premier séjour, tu si tu sors au bout de, par ex, 45 jours, tu auras perdu 15 jours! mais tu pourras rester 60 jours lors de to "second volet"
rassure toi! j ai pas mal d'expereience avec les visas chinois...je lesa ait quasi tous eu, du lisa L au permis de travail et au certificat d expert...et effectivement tout ce qui concerne les visas, les paseeports, les extentions de sejours etc est assez compliqué et en plus les regles et surtout leur applications changent en fonction de la nationalité, de l ambassade ou du bureau de police qui est en charge!
donc ton visa te permettera bien de reste au total 120 jours sur place plus en théorie 3 extentions d un mois chaqunes a la fin desdit 120 jours...mais la, encore une fois cela dependra du lieu ou tu fera la demande et ils appliqueront (ou pas) les regles "spéciales" pour les francais!!!!!!
en tout cas tu as eu bien de la chance avec ton 60J double entree, car la tendence actuelle de l administration est de donner uniquement des 30 jours une entree, ils pensent "que c est suffisant our un etranger qui visite la chine" et specialement pour les francais...combien d expats francais ici en ce moment sont en difficultés soit pour renouveler leur permis de residence, leur working permit ou simplement avoir un visa L...et aussibon nombre de voyageurs ulong cours francais bloques en mongolie ou en indochine car impossible d obtenir un visa pour la chine!!!!
crois -tu que pour ma demande de visa chinois ce soit suffisant de leur presenter une reservation pour un auberge dans hong kong a titre de preuve de billet de sorti
je pense que tu est canadienne? je suis belge, donc les pieces demandes ne sont pas les memes...je crois que la difficultée est uniquement pour les francais.
quand j ai fait une demande de visa L a HK, ils ne m ont rien demandé...
olivier
oui effectivement jsuis canadienne et pour linstant je metais dit que j'essairais d'Obtenir mon visa seulement avec une reservation a bejing et comme sortie du pays une reservation dauberge a hong kong. Et je me demandais si cela suffirais d'ailleur pourquoi est ce plus compliquer pour les francais....
comme toujours en chine, les raisons lointaines sont compliquees et simples a la fois
un, ya sarko...hu et sarko sont pas potes...
deux , y a eu les manifs sur le passage de la flamme olympique a paris a cause du tibet...en 2008 et ce au moment ou la fran ce presidait l union europeenne...
trois, ilde vient de plus en plus difficille pour les etudiants chinois d obtenir un visa pour la france, la chine applicant la reciprocité diplomatique, il est maintenant plus aise pour un ivoirien ou un ganheen d obtenir un long visa chinois qu un francais
oli
enfin t inquete pas le canada n est plus frzncais depuis 1759...a mon avis ca le fera...lol
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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’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?
We’re flying to China in a few days for a four-week trip—our first time in this fascinating country! 🇨🇳
We’ll be sharing our adventure live on our travel journal, with photos and daily updates. Our itinerary, though classic, will let us discover the wonders of this vast country:
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 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
Hi there,
We just got back from a 2-week trip to China as a couple, and before we left, the budget was the hardest thing to picture concretely. We found plenty of info on visas, apps, transport, and itineraries, but way fewer detailed breakdowns of what you *actually* spend on the ground.
So, we took the time to share our real budget for 14 days. In our case, we spent around 1,800 € per person, with a big chunk of that going toward round-trip flights at about 600 € per person. We were also pretty surprised by how affordable China can be once you’re there—transport is often cheap, and a lot of everyday expenses stay reasonable.
The trickiest part, in the end, was figuring out how to pay while you’re there, since it’s not always obvious if you’re not prepared. But once everything’s set up and you get the hang of it, it’s really smooth.
If this can help other travelers get a better idea before they go, we’ve broken it all down here:
https://aventures-sans-mesaventure.com/budget-2-semaines-de-voyage-en-chine/
Hi everyone,
I’ve been planning several itineraries for a trip to Japan with my wife but would love your insights before we start booking!
In short, we want to go during Golden Week, see late-blooming cherry trees, and have the freedom to get around with a rental car.
Here’s the plan:
18-day itinerary in Japan (April 25 → May 12)
Goal: freedom, late cherry blossoms, culture & nature
---
Days 1–3: Tokyo (April 25–27)
Arrival and adjustment (no car needed yet).
Neighborhoods to visit: Shinjuku, Asakusa, Meiji Jingu, Shibuya, Odaiba.
Suggested activities: Ghibli Museum, Sumida River cruise, izakaya meals.
Late cherry blossoms (yaezakura) possible at Shinjuku Gyoen.
Pick up the rental car on the morning of April 27.
---
Days 4–5: Mount Fuji & Hakone (April 27–28)
Route: Tokyo → Kawaguchiko/Hakone (~2 h).
Activities:
Lake Kawaguchi, Chureito Pagoda (Fuji views + late cherry blossoms)
Onsen baths, Hakone Open-Air Museum.
Stay: ryokan with onsen and views of Mount Fuji.
Activities:
Preserved old town, sake breweries, UNESCO village of Shirakawa-go.
Stay: traditional minshuku (thatched-roof house).
Cherry blossoms are finishing at this altitude — beautiful mountain/nature contrasts.
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Days 8–10: Kyoto & Nara (May 1–3)
Route: Takayama → Kyoto (~4 h 30).
Activities in Kyoto:
Fushimi Inari (red torii gates), Golden Pavilion, Arashiyama, Gion (geisha district).
Day trip to Nara:
Free-roaming deer in Nara Park, Todai-ji Temple, Kasuga Taisha Shrine.
Stay: Kyoto (3 nights).
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Day 11: Osaka or Himeji (May 4)
Route: Kyoto → Osaka (~1 h) or Himeji (~1 h 30).
Option 1: Osaka → modern vibe, street food, castle.
Option 2: Himeji → stunning UNESCO-listed castle.
Stay: Osaka.
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Days 12–13: Kanazawa (May 5–6)
Route: Osaka → Kanazawa (~4 h 30).
hi! Is it easy to use for paying for all the small purchases at the markets? INSTALLATION AND USE WITHOUT ISSUES—do you also need a VPN for China?
Secondly, for using phone and internet, I have Orange—is it reliable, or should I go with Airalo instead?
The info I found on the forum is a bit outdated, so I’m asking again!
1) What budget should I plan for 15 days, given that hotels with breakfast, transfers, and transport are already paid for? I know it depends on the person, but I’d love a rough idea. For meals, we’re thinking simple street food or small local restaurants.
2) I’ve heard that credit cards (we each have a Revolut + 1 Visa Premier) aren’t widely used and that it’s better to have cash. Can you confirm?
3) Are foreign credit cards still not accepted at bank ATMs? Still 7-Eleven or the Post Office? And what about American Express?
I'm planning a 19-day itinerary in Japan this summer.
For a first trip, Kyoto seems like a must. For the rest, I'm torn between:
- Matsumoto, Takayama, Kanazawa for 5 to 6 days
- Kyoto 4 days
- Nara 2 days
- Koyasan 1 day
- Hakone/Mount Fuji 2 to 3 days
- Tokyo 3 days
Or dedicating the first 6 days to Kyushu.
Maybe there’s less traditional Japan in Kyushu compared to the Japanese Alps?
Maybe Kyushu is less crowded?
Thanks for your thoughts!
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
I’ll be in Hong Kong from December 31 to January 3, 2027.
Any recommendations for things to see or do?
I’ll be staying in the Kowloon district.
I’d love to visit Lantau Island—what’s the best way to get there? And would you recommend buying a skip-the-line ticket for the cable car? Also, is there an entry fee for the Big Buddha?
I’m heading to Taiwan soon and would love some up-to-date info on Wi-Fi.
From what I’ve gathered, Taiwan offers it for free, but I’ve heard it’s not secure since it’s not protected by a "password." Since I’ve been traveling outside the EU for years without a local SIM card, I only use Wi-Fi in hotels, restaurants, and cafés. For me, that’s more than enough. So, my question is: Do these places secure their Wi-Fi with a "password"? If not, does buying a SIM card or eSIM seem like the only alternative?
Also, if any of you have recommendations for budget-friendly hotels in the main "cities," I’d love to hear them!
We’re planning a trip to China for two at the beginning of April and want to spend 2 nights in the Longji Rice Terraces—either in Dazhai, Tiantouzhaï, or Ping'an. I’ve seen that most of the hotels are made of bamboo, and you can hear every little noise. Since my husband is a very light sleeper, he’d really like to be sure he’ll get a good night’s rest. Can you recommend any quiet, well-soundproofed hotels in the area?
I’m reaching out to you because I’m planning our next big trip (Japan is really tempting us for the autumn!) and I have to admit, I’m feeling a bit overwhelmed.
My husband and I have always loved traveling, and at 75, we have no intention of stopping... But I find that everything’s getting so complicated. I try to be "modern" by booking online, but as soon as there’s a problem, we hit a wall.
A friend nearly missed her departure last year because of a visa issue that wasn’t explained properly on a website... and no one to call for help, just automated messages.
It makes me a little nervous to be alone in front of a screen so far away, especially since at our age, we like knowing there’s real support if our health takes a turn while we’re there.
Anyway, I’m tired of seeing my file passed from one person to another without ever having the same contact... Do you know of any small, trustworthy agencies or people who still work the "old-fashioned" way and really look after their clients? I love my independence, but I need a real face behind my project.
Thanks in advance for your advice, and I look forward to reading your replies,
Catherine
I’m planning our trip to Japan from March 21 to April 11, 2026. We’re planning to travel by plane for long distances (Okinawa) and by train for the rest. I’d like to know if renting a car is easy and, most importantly, if driving with road signs written in Japanese isn’t too complicated. For trains, are there any tips to save money?
hi everyone, and first of all, I wish you all a happy new year and good health!
This coming October or November, we’re planning our first trip to Japan. The only downside is we’ll only have two weeks off.
For this first visit, I’m thinking of sticking to the Kyoto and Osaka area… saving Tokyo for another trip. Do you think that’s a good choice for a first-time visit?
I’ve put together a little itinerary below to get some feedback from those in the know. I’m only counting the days we’re actually there, not travel days.
Day 1: Kyoto
Ginkaku-ji – Philosopher’s Path with stops at a few shrines
temples Eikan-dō and Nanzen-ji
visit to the Samurai Ninja Museum in the late afternoon
Day 2: Kyoto
Fushimi Inari (allow 4 hours for the hike through the park)
visit to Sanjūsangen-dō temple
Shōseien garden
participate in a tea ceremony
Day 3: Kyoto
Kiyomizu-dera temple
stroll through the historic district up to Kennin-ji temple
visit Kennin-ji temple
Yasaka-jinja shrine and Gion district in the late afternoon
return to the hotel via Pontochō Street
Day 4: Kyoto
visit Kinkaku-ji and Nijō Castle
visit the Imperial Palace gardens
end the day in the shopping streets (Shibkyogoku and Teramachi, among others)
Day 5: Kyoto
Arashiyama area
Togetsukyo Bridge, walk along the river, visit the Bamboo Forest
explore the area up to Otagi Nenbutsu-ji temple
Day 6: Kyoto
hike from Kibune to Kurama
Day 7: Kyoto
day trip to Nara (full day)
Day 8:
stroll around Kyoto before heading to Osaka
Day 9: Osaka
Katsuo-ji temple, then head to Minoh Falls and hike back via the Minoh Trail
end the day in the Osaka Castle area
Day 10: Osaka
Himeji Castle and an afternoon in Osaka
Day 11: Osaka
Osaka and return to the airport in the late afternoon for the flight home
Do you think this itinerary is doable? Are some days too relaxed or too packed?
I was thinking of adding a trip to Lake Biwa and Uji, but in that case, I’d have to cut some things. Are those places worth dropping some of the planned spots? And if so, which ones would you recommend cutting or shortening?
Thanks in advance—I’m all ears for both positive and negative feedback!
stephane
Hi there,
I’m planning a trip to Japan in April/May.
I’ll start my journey in Tokyo for 3 to 4 days.
I’d love your advice on accommodation, transportation, an itinerary, and whether a guide would be useful.
I’m traveling solo and could use a little reassurance.
Before I forget... how do payments work?
Hi there,
I’m looking for someone who could help me organize a trip to Japan for my niece and her son. I’ve seen that French-speaking guides are expensive, and the same goes for going through a tour operator.
Airline, local transportation, hotels, etc.
Thanks for your replies!
Betsyl
