Ma femme et moi arrivons en Chine (a Shangai) le 14 mai et quittons la Chine le 12 juin de Bejing. Cela signifie que nous avons pres d'un mois pour visiter le nord-est de la Chine.
Nous ne sommes pas surs de l'itineraire et ne disposons pas de guide de voyage pour le moment (nous sommes sur une petite ile des Philippines).
Nous attendons donc vos suggestions avec impatience!
Ou aller, ou ne pas aller, ...
Nous pensons couvrir plus ou moins les regions se situant dans un triangle forme par les villes de Hangzhou, Xian et Bejing.
Quel itineraire nous conseillez-vous?
Ce que nous aimerions plus que tout, c'est VOIR DES PANDAS (de preference pas dans un zoo).
Savez-vous s'il existe des reserves dans ce triangle?
Nous avons entendu de la reserve qui se trouve a Yangxian, dans la province Shaanxi, mais il semble difficile d'y apercevoir des pandas. Est-ce que quelqu'un a visite cette reserve? Connaisssez-vous d'autres reserves?
Merci d'avance pour vos suggestions,
Pierre et Chris.
Tout d'abord, si vous êtes sur une petite île des Philippines, vous n'avez peut-être pas suivi les dernières péripéties sur les visas chinois ? Si vous ne l'avez pas déjà, où aviez-vous l'intention de le faire ? Contactez l'ambassade en question pour savoir quelles sont leurs conditions pour les visas.
Pour les pandas, j'ai visité la réserve Wolong du Sichan. Le Sichuan est le meilleur lieu pour voir des pandas (dans des enclos, un peu comme dans un zoo, mais en mieux). Pour le Shaanxi, le lonely planet reproduit à la page 94 de sa dernière édition française un article de David Andrew sur ses difficultés à entrevoir des pandas dans la réserve de Changqing. Il cite le site
Huayang Village is a tiny Chinese village where people still live a traditional lifestyle and practise traditional agricultural methods. The village's one hotel is modern, and equipped with air conditioning/heating, ensuite bathroom and televisions. Famous local dishes and Shaanxi Province specialties can be eaten in the restaurant opposite the hotel.
The village is half an hour's drive from Changqing Nature Reserve, one of the few remaining sites in China where Giant Pandas can be seen in the wild. Changqing Nature Reserve is also home to Golden Monkeys, Golden Takin and Crested Ibis, along with 39 other threatened animals and 31 threatened plants.
Hainan Airlines fly twice daily from Xian to Hanzhong City. Two trains also depart daily from Xian railway station to Hanzhong City. Changqing Nature Reserve staff will pick visitors up from Hanzhong City airport or Hanzhong City railway station and drive them to Huayang Village. To organise a visit, see the Changqing Nature Reserve website at www.cqpanda.com or telephone +86 091682263044.
J'ai trouvé ça aussi à propos de la réserve du Shaanxi sur les pandas, il y a un mail pour avoir des informations :
Giant Panda Ecotourism Project Opportunity top
The Sustainable Tourism CRC and Changqing Nature Reserve are inviting university lecturers from around the world to consider running field trips or training courses in Changqing Nature Reserve, home of the STCRC’s Giant Panda Ecotourism Project. The Reserve is the perfect location for courses in ecology, conservation biology, ornithology, botany, zoology, environmental studies and ecotourism.
Changqing Nature Reserve has 248 species of vertebrates, 336 species of birds and 2, 039 species of seed plants. Our hotel has facilities for teaching, including classrooms, projectors and blackboards. There are a huge number of experts on staff who are available to assist with teaching and field trips, including a botanist, a large number of wildlife experts, bird experts, and GIS and mapping experts. As well as staff, vehicles and drivers, a small number of GPS units, plant and bird identification guides, and powerpoint and DVD presentations on the plants, wildlife, and other features of the Reserve can be provided.
There are a number of interesting lessons which students can learn from Changqing Nature Reserve. The staff at Changqing Nature Reserve conduct wildlife surveys of the Reserve four times a year, using a survey system recognised throughout China and overseas as one of the best survey systems used by government reserves. The management of Changqing Nature Reserve is also a good example of managing a Reserve surrounded by extremely poor local villages and assisting with community development. The ecotourism project in Changqing Nature Reserve is also of interest because it is the first time such a development has been considered for a Reserve in China.
For more information on this opportunity, email Narelle King (n.king@griffith.edu.au), or for more information on Changqing Nature Reserve visit the Changqing website (www.cqpanda.com).
To keep up-to-date with what’s going on with the Giant Panda Ecotourism Project, join our mailing list by sending an email to Narelle.
Bonjour,
A 12 km de Chengdu dans le Sichuan, il y a une base de reproduction des pandas. Je pense que ce ne sera pas facile de les voir dans une réserve en toute liberté
Pascal
le panda n'aime pas etre dérangé. Je rejoins l'avis ci dessus: le mieux est le centre de reproduction de Chengdu (se visite de bonne heure les pandas sont matinaux). Le centre sans etre une reserve est un cadre plus agreable que de nombreux zoos (larges enclos...)
Tout à fait d'accord avec vous, le Sichuan avec ses centres de Chengdu et Wolong est le meilleur endroit pour voir les pandas, je l'ai écrit. J'ai visité Wolong il y a deux ans et j'ai adoré la demi-journée que j'y ai passé, notamment la nurserie, mais il faut dormir à côté pour pouvoir y aller à l'ouverture : pour éviter le gros des touristes et avant que les pandas ne s'endorment. Mais pierreyvesb écrit qu'il veut visiter le nord-est de la Chine, et le Sichuan n'est pas exactement sur sa route.
De toutes façons, s'il n'a pas déjà un visa, il est bien possible qu'il ne puisse pas en obtenir un aux Philippines, car plusieurs ambassades chinoises refusent jusqu'aux JO de faire les visas pour les personnes qui ne résident pas dans le pays où se trouve l'ambassade. C'est le cas des ambassades au Népal (voir post d'une VFiste dans une autre discussion) et au Kirghizistan (j'ai reçu une confirmation par mail hier d'une agence de Bishkek, cela m'ôte toute chance d'aller en Chine cet été). Donc la première chose à faire est de contacter l'ambassade où il comptait faire son visa.
Je ne sais pas si on va descendre jusque dans le Sichuan (en effet, c'est pas du tout sur notre route), mais comme on dispose d'un mois, ca vaut peut-etre le coup ( on a tres envie de voir des Pandas)...
Je crois comprendre que je ne pourrai voir que des pandas en captivite (ou semi-captivite), et c'est pourquoi je me demande s'il n'existe pas un centre de protection/ de reproduction des Pandas plus au nord?
Il serait idiot de faire 2000 kilometres aller-retour ( j'ai auccune idee des distances) pour voir des pandas derriere une grille alors qu'on peut sans doute voir la meme chose a Shangai ou a Bejing (dans des centres de protection ou des zoos).
Cela dit, on est pas fans des zoos, sutout en Asie. Quelqu'un a deja visite celui de Bejing (ou un autre sympa dans le nord-est de la Chine)?
D'un autre cote, vous avez l'air enthousiastes par vos visites dans le centre de repro, donc j'imagine que ca doit etre sympa. Peut-on descendre par train de nuit jusqu'a Chengdu depuis Xi'an?
On se pose aussi la question d'aller a Xi'an... Quelqu'un a deja ete voir l'armee de terracota?
D'apres ce qu'on a entendu, c'est assez decevant, mais ca fait longtemps que je reve de la voir...La deception en sera peut-etre d'autant plus forte...
En gros, si on va jusqu'a Xi'an et que Chengdu n'est qu'a une nuit de train de la, on y ira. Si c'est plus galere d'y aller (j'attends vos eclaircissements), on verra...
Il faut compter environ 17 heures de train entre Xi'an et Chengdu. J'ai fait 2 fois le trajet AR mais par avion.
Exact, il ne faut pas faire plus de 2000 kms rien que pour voir des pandas. Il y a beaucoup de choses à voir à Chengdu et aux alentours (San Xing Dui, Emei Shan, Leshan, Qingcheng shan, la campagne....) ou plus loin, qui peuvent vous inciter à passer qq jours au Sichuan, d'autant plus que le mois de mai est un des meilleurs du point de vue du climat. Et, pour faire plaisir à Chinois, n'oublions pas la cuisine locale (très épicée).
Je vous rassure, pas de grille, mais fossé et barrières. Plus d'infos sur www.panda.org.cn Rien à voir avec le zoo de Pékin que nous avons revisité il y a 3 ans (toujours les pandas).
N'hésitez pas, allez à Xi'an. Outre l'armée en terre cuite: remparts, pagodes, musées, mosquée et quartier musulmans.
N'allez pas au Sichuan seulement pour voir des pandas. Il y a aussi de belles réserves naturelles et des sites bouddhiques. Je ne parle pas des zones tibétaines qui sont fermées aux touristes.
Le dernier Lonely Planet donne les renseignements suivants (moi je ne suis pas allée à Xi'an et à Chengdu lors du même voyage) : 18 h en train entre Chengdu et Xi'an (122 Y, soit environ 12 €) et 1 h 20 en avion (630 Y, soit environ 63 €).
Personnellement j'ai été intéressée mais peu émue par la grande armée, je pense que c'est à cause de l'éloignement et de l'immense hangar qui la protège, difficile de rêver dans ces conditions. J'ai préféré les quelques pièces exposées dans le musée du site, mais il y a du monde et c'est difficile de s'approcher, il faut prendre son temps. Maintenant c'est vraiment affaire de goût personnel.
On va passer trois jours a Shangai, deux a Hangzhou, deux a Suzhou puis deux a Nanjing. Apres, on verra...
On a toujours pas de guide ( on en achetera un demain, on passe dans une ville), mais si on va jusqu'a Xi'an, il est probable qu'on aille jusqu'a Chengdou. Ou alors, on laisse tomber les deux pour decouvrir plus tranquilement le nord et on fera le sud de la Chine plus tard...
Le probleme, c'est que si on va vers le sud, on aura que peu de temps a consacrer au Sichuan et donc pas le temps de voir tout ce dont vous parler.
Si on choisi de zaper Xi'an et Chengdou, on se pose la question d'aller en Mongolie interieure. Quelqu'un connait?
J'ai pas relus tes messages précedant, mais 4 jours pour Huangzhiou et Suzhou ca fait beaucoup, vous aller vite vous ennuyé à mon humble avis, c'est jolie crete, mais les jardins se resszemble tous beaucoup, il y'as d'autres villes d'eau sympas autour de shanghai ...
Philo
"J'ai refait tous les calculs, notre projet est irréalisable, il ne nous reste plus qu'une chose à faire, le réaliser". Latecoere
dyslexique
Je te confirme ton choix !!
Qu'en est il de Wuh Zhen, il parrait sue maintenant c'est envahie de touristes locaux ... si ce ne n'est pas le cas, c'est une trés chouette ballade à faire ..
Philo
"J'ai refait tous les calculs, notre projet est irréalisable, il ne nous reste plus qu'une chose à faire, le réaliser". Latecoere
dyslexique
Si, si j'ai repondu a la question (fin du mail du 29), mais je reconfirme : oui, j'ai mon visa!
Quelles villes autour de Shangai?
4 jours, c'est trop? on a lu sur le forum qu'un jour pour chaque, c'est pas assez, donc y rester 2 jours semblait logique!
2 jours sur Hangzhou et un a Suzhou, c'est bien?
Faut-il aller a Nanjing? Combien de temps rester la-bas?
Il y a-t-il des endroits sympas ou s'arreter sur la route Nanjing-Xi'an? (on est pas encore surs qu'on va a Xi'an, mais s'il y a des endroits sympas sur le chemin, ca vaut peut-etre le coup). A choisir, plutot Hefei ou Zhengzou? ou aucune de deux?
Cher pierreyvesb,
J'ai beau regarder, je ne trouve pas trace de cette réponse sur le visa dans aucun de tes posts antérieurs, mais peu importe, cela veut dire que tu seras libre de composer ton voyage à ton gré, sans être obligé de réserver tous tes hôtels à l'avance, félicitations, c'est un privilège rare en ce moment !
Selon mon expérience (2 fois 6 semaines en été en Chine), après quelques villes en Chine, on aspire à voir de la nature, des villages plus petit, car une ville moyenne en Chine fait déjà plus d'un million de personnes. En plus les grandes villes de Chine sont tellement polluées qu'on y voit jamais le ciel, c'est toujours une couleur blanchâtre à grisâtre avec plus ou moins de smog (mon expérience à Beijing, Xi'an et Chengdu).
Je n'y suis pas allée, mais à quelques heures de bus ou de train de Shanghai se trouve l'Anhui avec Tunxi qui se trouve à une heure de la montagne sacrée du Huang Shan et à une heure aussi de villages historiques. Ça vaut peut-être le détour. A mon avis, la visite d'une montagne sacrée est un des moments forts d'un voyage en Chine (personnellement j'ai vu le Wutai Shan dans le Shanxi au sud de Datong et l'Emei Shan près de Chengdu dans le Sichuan).
Ensuite sur ton trajet entre Shanghai et Xi'an se trouve le Henan avec au nord (un petit détour qui vaut la peine) la ville de Luoyan, qui n'est plus qu'à 4 h en bus de Xi'an ou 6 h en train. De Luoyan tu peux aller en 1 à 2 h de bus dans une région montagneuse avec des temples dont le célèbre temple de Shaolin, berceau du Kung Fu (je n'ai pas eu le temps de voir cette région) et surtout, tout près de Luoyan se trouvent les grottes de Longmen, un de mes souvenirs les plus forts de Chine. Je pense que la visite de grottes bouddhiques est aussi un des moments forts d'un voyage en Chine et de toutes celles que j'ai visité en Chine, celles de Longmen sont celles qui m'ont le plus transportées (j'y suis restée une journée, un lundi de juillet 2004) ; car en dehors de leur beauté artistique et de leur valeur historique, il y a aussi le cadre naturel : elles sont situées au bord d'un fleuve et de l'autre côté se trouvent des jardins (on visite) où le gong d'un temple résonne jusqu'aux grottes, c'est mieux que le bruit des camions transportant le charbon à Datong ou le brouhaha des groupes de touristes dans le site encaissé de Dazu.
Enfin sur la route Luoyan-Xi'an, dans le Shaanxi, à 2 heures de bus avant Xi'an, se trouve une des autres montagnes sacrées très célèbres de Chine : le Hua Shan ; je n'ai pas vu non plus, mais tu peux essayer de demander aux VFistes quelle est la plus intéressante entre le Huang Shan et le Hua Shan.
A toi de choisir, la Chine est si riche, mais je te conseille de ne pas rester seulement dans des villes, d'aller voir aussi une montagne et un village au moins, pour voir une autre Chine que celle moderne et urbanisée.
Bon voyage !
Pour revenir au pandas, Huolong (du coté de Chengdu)la réserve naturelle en zone tibétaine est réouverte depuis peu. Si vous tenez à en voir un en pleine nature avec le risque d'échec que cela comporte.
Le panda c'est effectivement dans l ouest que vous en verrez si cela vous tient à coeur.
Sur les autres sites de l'ouest je viens d'ouvrir un site : 318offroad.com
Merci pour vos éventuelles critiques
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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
The Sustainable Tourism CRC and Changqing Nature Reserve are inviting university lecturers from around the world to consider running field trips or training courses in Changqing Nature Reserve, home of the STCRC’s Giant Panda Ecotourism Project. The Reserve is the perfect location for courses in ecology, conservation biology, ornithology, botany, zoology, environmental studies and ecotourism.
Changqing Nature Reserve has 248 species of vertebrates, 336 species of birds and 2, 039 species of seed plants. Our hotel has facilities for teaching, including classrooms, projectors and blackboards. There are a huge number of experts on staff who are available to assist with teaching and field trips, including a botanist, a large number of wildlife experts, bird experts, and GIS and mapping experts. As well as staff, vehicles and drivers, a small number of GPS units, plant and bird identification guides, and powerpoint and DVD presentations on the plants, wildlife, and other features of the Reserve can be provided.
There are a number of interesting lessons which students can learn from Changqing Nature Reserve. The staff at Changqing Nature Reserve conduct wildlife surveys of the Reserve four times a year, using a survey system recognised throughout China and overseas as one of the best survey systems used by government reserves. The management of Changqing Nature Reserve is also a good example of managing a Reserve surrounded by extremely poor local villages and assisting with community development. The ecotourism project in Changqing Nature Reserve is also of interest because it is the first time such a development has been considered for a Reserve in China.
For more information on this opportunity, email Narelle King (n.king@griffith.edu.au), or for more information on Changqing Nature Reserve visit the Changqing website (www.cqpanda.com).
To keep up-to-date with what’s going on with the Giant Panda Ecotourism Project, join our mailing list by sending an email to Narelle.
