Je mets la touche finale à mon itinéraire de 7 semaines (46 jours pleins) en Chine - Tibet - Japon en solo. Je le soumets ici afin de m'assurer que je ne rêves pas en couleur ou que je n'oublie pas quelques chose. Alors voici ce que j'ai de prévu jusqu'à maintenant.
moi : Jeune homme, 31 ans, très bonne condition physique, sac 33 litres (que l'essentiel et des vêtements chauds donc pas besoin de mettre en consigne pour les expéditions de trek). Budget environ 50$ par jour.
Arrivée - le 26 février 2010 à Hong-Kong
J1 - Hong-kong (hébergement Lee Garden guesthouse, Kowloon), je me remets du décalage horaire donc exploration de la ville, p-e victoria peak si j'en ai le courage.
J2 - Boudha de Lantau Island et exploration de la ville
J3 - Exploration de la ville en AM et départ vers Shenzhen pour train de nuit vers Guilin
j4 - Arrivée Guilin et embarquement direct pour Yangshuo (soit par la très tourisitque croisière ou par bus express). Yangshuo (hébergement Yangshuo 11 hostel). Randonnée bicyclette dans les environs.
j5 - Escalade et exploration
j6 - Départ ou continuer exploration (dépendement de mon envie)
j7 - Départ pour Kunming en train de nuit
j8 - Arrivée Kunming, embarquement direct pour Dali vieille ville en bus express. Arrivée Dali (hébergement SleepyFish Lodge). exploration vieille ville. C'est ici à Dali que je prévois faire ma demande pour mon permis pour le Tibet, pour l'instant je m'enligne pour le Tibet Cafe Inn, départ à partir de Zhongdhiang (Shangri-La)
j9 - Trek mont Cangshan
j10 - Départ ou continuer exploration (dépendement de mon envie)
j11 - Départ pour Lijiang (hébergement OldTown Garden), eploration de la ville
j12 - Exploration et trek dans les environs
j13 - Départ vers Quiaotou pour gorge du saut-du-tigre. Trek dans les gorges. nuit dans une des guesthouse de la piste du haut.
j14 - Trek jusqu'à Daju et puis je pars vers Baishutai. Exploration Baishutai. Nuit à Baishutai (pas trouvé d'hébergement encore) ou départ pour Zhongdhian directement.
j15 - Arrivée ou départ pour Zhongdian (Shangri-LA), exploration environ, monastère.
j16 - Trek dans les environs ou départ vers Deqin.
j17 - Trek vers Feilasi
j18 - Trek vers Yubeng
j19 - Trek autour de Yubeng (chute sacrée)
j20 - Retour vers Zhongdhian.
j21 - Départ vers Tibet en avion, arrivée Lhassa
j22 - Visite et exploration Lhassa, Potala, etc.
j23 - Visite temple environs de Lhassa
j24 - Retour sur Shanghaï en train (ou en avion si je manque de temps)
j25 - Arrivée Shanghaï, exploration
j26 - Exploration Shanghaï
j27 - Départ vers Suzhou, exploration Suzhou.
j28 - Départ vers Huangshan, monte le mont par les escaliers et dort en haut.
j29 - Levée de soleil au sommet et descente pour retour sur Shanghaï.
j30 - Exploration shanghaï et shoping. Je vais envoyer par la poste mes achats.
j31 - Départ vers Osaka en bateau.
j32 - Sur le bateau et arrivée Osaka.
j33 – Exploration Osaka (aucun hébergement prévu encore pour le Japon)
j34 – Départ vers Koya-San, nuit sur place.
j35 – Retour vers Kyoto
j36 – Exploration Kyoto
j37 – Exploration Kyoto
j38 – Exploration Nara
j39 – Exploration environ de Kyoto
j40 – Exploration environ de Kyoto
j41 – trajet en shinkansen vers Tokyo
j42 – Exploration Tokyo
j43 – Exploration Nikko
j44 – Exploration Tokyo
j45 – Exploration Tokyo
j46 – Exploration Tokyo (c'est moins détaillé vers la fin, à travailler encore ou p-e me débrouiller sur place)
j47 – Vol de départ et retour au Canada.
Ça ressemble à ça, je n’ai aucune réservation ni d'idée arrêté sur les hébergements alors si vous avez des coups de coeur à partager ne vous gênez pas. Si vous avez des idées, des commentaires, des suggestions, des mises en garde ou autres informations utiles je suis preneur.
Merci !
selon moi ton circuit en chine est vraiment trop dense. Et de plus rester au tibet que 2 jours c'est tres surprenant et j'ai des doutes que tu puisses réellement faire les visites dans le lapse de temps
Tu as choisi de ne rien prévoir, rien préparer, tu sais tout juste où tu arrives et d'où tu repars ...
En plus, j'ai l'impression que tu n'as aucune idée des distances en Chine, ni de la problématique des billets de train !
Comme tu pars dans 15 jours, tu n'as plus beaucoup de temps pour élaborer un circuit, alors ce sera vraiment l'aventure, j'espère au moins que tu baragouines quelques mots de chinois (à Yangshuo tu n'en auras pas besoin, mais ailleurs ça vaudrait mieux).
Bon voyage, n'oublie pas qu'il te faut un visa pour entrer en Chine🙂
Danielle
A man, a plan, a canal, Panama - palindrome, auteur inconnu
Ma premiere remarque c'est que ca me semble hyper-tendu comme planning... en Chine au moins. A mon avis tu devras adapter ton planning sur place.
Quelques remarques generales :
- pense que pour aller au Tibet il te faut un visa particulier dit "visa de groupe" et que je ne suis pas certain que tu puisses l'obtenir en voyageant seul. Au printemps dernier il fallait etre 2 personnes de la meme nationalite
- l'achat des billets de trains en chine peut reserver quelques surprises... et il en faut pas etre surpris de devoir perdre une journee surtout sur de si longues distance
- les avions en Chine sont souvent en retard de plusieurs heures
- il n'y a a ma connaissance pas de vol Shangri-la -> Lhassa... il te faudra passer par Chengdu certainement
Quelques remarques pratiques :
- au lieu de loger a Yangshuo, tu ferais mieux d'aller a XingPing... c'est plus joli et sympa
- a Hong Kong, le buddah de lantau n'est pas indispensable a voir
- pense a voir des rizieres vers Kunming ou Guilin... ca vaut le coup
En plus des remarques (avec lesquelles je suis plutôt d'accord) faites plus haut, j'ajouterai que ton budget me paraît un peu limite pour un circuit de ce type s'il comprend les transports. Je suppose que tu n'inclus pas les vols domestiques dans ces 50 $ mais peut-être inclus-tu les trains et bus. Si c'est le cas, tout ça me paraît un peu chaud étant donné que tu vas beaucoup te déplacer et que certains de ces déplacements couvriront de longues distances. Il te sera peut-être possible d'équilibrer le tout les jours où tu partiras en rando (comptes-tu partir seul en trek ou prendre un guide ?) mais ça risque de faire juste. Le Tibet, à supposer qu'il te soit possible d'y aller seul, l'accès aux montagnes, tout se paie en Chine. Il faut, par exemple, compter 20 euros pour accéder au Huang Shan soit environ 27 $... Si la Chine sait être très abordable quelquefois, elle peut s'avérer très chère aussi. Et particulièrement dès qu'il s'agit de tourisme. Concernant le Tibet, tout y est plus onéreux. A noter aussi que l'hébergement dans les grandes villes n'est pas toujours bon marché. Difficile de trouver une chambre individuelle à moins de 10 euros à Hong Kong, Kunming, Lhassa etc... Mais peut-être as-tu opté pour l'option dortoir.
Une petite remarque sur la journée 28. Quitter Suzhou le matin et dormir au sommet du Huang Shan le soir me semble impossible. Le trajet en bus est assez long, tu risques d'arriver en milieu voire en fin d'après-midi. Il peut aussi se révéler bien fatiguant. Les bus non touristiques, donc moins chers, sont très bruyants et les chinois fument non stop. Sorti de là, tu n'aspires qu'à une chose : respirer un bol d'air, prendre un comprimé pour ton mal de crâne et aller te coucher 😏. A noter aussi que ces bus sont aussi les plus vétustes, tu n'es donc jamais sûr d'arriver à l'heure. Les bus les plus reposants (fauteuils pas mal, interdiction de fumer, DVDs souvent nuls etc...) coûtent quelquefois le double d'un tarif normal. Kunming - Dali dans un bus de ce type : environ 140 yuans soit 14 euros ou 19 $. J'avais trouvé ça assez cher.
Comme dit précédemment donc, ton timing est beaucoup trop serré. Je suis d'avis qu'il te faudrait supprimer une ou deux étapes. Si tu tiens absolument à tenter le Tibet, tu pourrais éventuellement zapper Dali et faire ta demande à Kunming. Concernant cette demande de permis tibétain, je te conseille tout de même d'envoyer un mail avant ton départ à une agence du Yunnan afin d'avoir une idée quant à la faisabilité de ton projet. Pour ce qui est de Dali, si ça ne tenait qu'à moi je ferais sauter cette halte. La vieille ville de Dali, si elle reste plutôt jolie, ressemble trop à un parc d'attraction. Les environs comme Shaxi, les petites villes de marché au nord du lac etc... méritent vraiment le détour par contre mais pour ce faire il faut passer quelques jours sur place.
Une remarque supplémentaire concernant le Huangshan, qui rejoint l'avis des autres : Shanghai - Tangkou en bus, on met 6 heures. Hangzhou - Tangkou, 4 heures. De Suzhou je ne sais aps, mais ça doit être dans ces eaux là.
Donc si tu pars le matin de Suzhu, tu arrivera dans l'après-midi au Huangshan (et pour peu que tu arrives à Tunxi et non Tangkou il faudra que tu refasse encore une heure de bus). Si tu montes directement, sans avoir rien reservé, sans connaitre les lieux... Bref tu ne vas rien voir. Et le lendemain après le lever du soleil tu ne fais que redecendre et tu repars direct à Shanghai.
Donc je me demande l'interet de faire des heures et des heures de bus pour juste quelque heures de descente du Huagshan et un lever de soleil, en esperant en plus que le temps soit correct, sinon ça risqe d'être décevant.
Bref, si tu veux aller au Hugshan, et je te le conseille, c'est franchement magnifique, prevois au minimum 3 jours. Vraiment au minimum. C'est ce que j'ai fait, et c'est court. Et j'ai eu de la chance d'avoir du beau temps.
Va lire cette discussion, elle est bourrée d'info sur le Huangshan.
Pareil pour le budget, ça me parait vraiment juste si tu inclus les transports.
Moi, personnellement au Japon j'aurais pas pu avec ce budget. Trop de tentations à tous les niveaux ...
Au Chine aussi d'ailleurs !😏
Mais par exemple, au Japon je ne me voyais pas dormir ailleurs que dans un Ryokan traditionnel (50€ en chambre simple minimum), en Chine dans le Yunnan j'ai jamais dormi à plus de 4€ en dortoirs, mais dans des supers auberges.
Après c'est une histoire de goûts. Donc 50$ faisable ou non ? Je sais pas ... Ce qui est sur c'est que tu devras te priver de certaines choses (qui seront pour toi peut être pas du tout importantes, et tant mieux).
Moi, personnellement au Japon j'aurais pas pu avec ce budget. Trop de tentations à tous les niveaux ...
Au Chine aussi d'ailleurs !😏
En Chine ca depend ou... et comment. Personnellement en chambre double on paie rarement plus de 70 RMB (7euros) par nuit, on mange des nouilles pour 2*5 RMB le midi et le soir on fait bombance pour 2*40RMB... donc tout seul ca fait du 12-13 euros la journee. Reste a rajouter les excursions et les trajets.
En Chine ca depend ou... et comment. Personnellement en chambre double on paie rarement plus de 70 RMB (7euros) par nuit, on mange des nouilles pour 2*5 RMB le midi et le soir on fait bombance pour 2*40RMB... donc tout seul ca fait du 12-13 euros la journee. Reste a rajouter les excursions et les trajets.
Je suis d'accord avec toi, je ne dis pas le contraire.
Mai à 50$, on oublie les repas plus élaborés, l'alcool, le shopping ...
Par exemple dans le Yunnan, j'ai acheté 11 poupées de minorités ethniques (pas les touristiques qu'on trouve partout à Dali ou Lijiang). Elles sont splendiiiiiiiiiiidessssssssssss. C'est ce que j'appelais la tentation. Et avec un budget de 50$, on oublie.
Moi j'y arriverais pas. Je préfère rester chez moi qu'aller quelque part et me priver. C'est comme le lèche vitrine, j'aime pas.
Encore une fois, c'est une histoire de goûts, de personnalité ....
Mais je te confirme qu'à 12/13€ par jour, on peut manger et dormir convenablement en Chine (et dans les 20/23€ au Japon)
Je suis d'accord avec Vorko et toi, on peut dépenser peu en Chine. Maintenant, ça chiffre vite dès que tu te mets à te déplacer souvent (dans beaucoup de circuits établis sur ce site, certains changent de lieu tous les jours ou presque), encore plus quand tu effectues de longs trajets. Ca peut passer du simple au double si tu fais des visites de parcs, temples etc... Ca devient bien plus cher si tu as envie de te rendre dans des coins comme le Tibet.
Concernant la tentation, je dois avouer que je craque souvent en Chine. On y trouve des petites merveilles, difficile de résister. Enfin moi je n'y arrive pas... 😊
Concernant la tentation, je dois avouer que je craque souvent en Chine. On y trouve des petites merveilles, difficile de résister. Enfin moi je n'y arrive pas... 😊
J'ai adoré chiner en Chine. 😏 J'ai trouvé 1 ou 2 pièces splendides. Je me souviens d'une négociation mémorable avec une vieille dame pour un objet à Lijiang, alors qu'on comprenait strictement rien de ce qu'on se disait l'un et l'autre.
Au Japon, la tentation est encore plus forte. Enfin moi j'ai trouvé.
Wow ! un GROS MERCI pour vos réponses détaillés et les précieux conseils. Je prends en compte chacune de vos remarques et retravaille mon plan en conséquence.
Pour mon budget je crois comprendre que je le dépasserai tout simplement.
Travailler, étudier et vivre à l'étranger › Chine / Japon / Tibet · 1 reply
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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’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
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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.
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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!
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
