ne pouvant pas pour le moment mettre à jour mes pages et étant donné que vous êtes nombreux à (me) poser cette question sur les trajets Pekin -UB et Ikourst-Ulan De-UB et vice versa ici des infos utiles (tarifs, horaires, reservations...)
OPTION MINI BUDGET: PEKIN – UB - PEKIN
prix environ 50$ au lieu de 200-350$ (prix 2009)
prendre le bus de nuit à la gare des bus de Pekin LuiliQiao ou bien le train local pour Erlian (Ereen, Erenhot), ville frontière Chine/Mongolie. Trajet 12h
passer la douane en taxi ou prendre le bus de midi pour Zamyn Uud (côté mongol)
prendre le train quotidien pour UB ( depart Zamyn uud à 16.00 arrive vers 7.00 UB, environ 20 €)
attention risque d’attente 1 jour à Erlian!
Idem pour retour (UB- Zamyn Uud train quotidien vers 16.00 e dim/jeu direct Ub- Erlian 12-15h trajet)
Existe aussi la solution Pekin- KHOKH KHOT - UB et retour avec changement à Jinning 2/ semaine (UB-KHOKH KHOT : lun/ven)
TRAJET IRKOUST-ULAN DE-UB- IRKOUST
BUS: Irkoust –Ulan De- UB et retour depuis 2009 il faut changer à Ulan DE. Prudent réserver en été: agence efficace, payement par Money Transfert: ZA BAIKALOM, touroperator in Buryatia 670034 RUSSIA Ulan Ude, p.o.b. 11978 tel. +7 (9025) 648-278 fax+7 (3012) 463-828 zabaikalom@mail.ru www.uude.info, basé sur Ulan De a partenaires a Irkoust pour vous délivrer billets à l'hotel de votre choix
•Irkoust – Ulan De - Irkoust: toutes les 2h de 7.30 a 21.00 en micro bus 15 places 500 roubles en 2009
•Ulan De- UB- Ulan De: 12h de trajet ( départ 7.30 de Ulan De arrivée 21.00 à UB, 7.00 de UB et arrivee Ulan De 20.00) 1200 roubles (2009) formalités de douane 2h
SOLUTION BUS ET TRAIN: Irkoust – UB et retour: train #361 prix 4000 roubles (2009) trajet 36h (2 nuits) 6 h attente à la frontière. De Irkoust le train arrive à 6.00 à Ulan De et on peut prendre le bus de 7.30 pour UB à la gare de bus 15 minutes à pied. Les formalités de douane en train prenent 6h et en bus 2h.
pour autres infos plus detaillées et bons plans pour découvrir la Mongolie comme vous en avez toujours rêvé et en totale liberté voir www.terramongolia et me contacter
bon voyage à tous
un mongol nait sous la yourte et meurt à cheval (proverbe mongol)
Je m`apprete a faire ce trajet dans 2 ou 3 jours.
Faut-il reserver le bus Pekin-Erlian et le train Zamyn-UB a l`avance ou on peut juste arriver sur place au moment voulu?
J'ai vu un ancien post venant de toi egalement disant d'aller a la station de bus Dong Zhi Men a Pekin. Il s'agit bien aujourd'hui de la station LuiliQiao a partir de laquelle partent les bus pour Erenhot?
mon hotel (far east international youth hostel) me propose ce trajet tout compris pekin-UB pour 800yuan et le bus seulement pour pekin-erlian pour 280yuan (et juste pour info, le train direct de pekin a UB pour 1240yuan)... je pense que ca revient un peu moins cher si on s'y prend tout seul, n'est-ce pas?
oui seul si on peut cela revient tjs moins cher donc le faire si il y a une reelle ecomonie
pas besoin de reserver masi enfin si tu es là qq jours a pekin et en pleine saison touriatique cela ne gene en rien de reserver afin de aprtir le jour que l'on veut surotu si le temps est un peu compté
oui pour la gare!
plus sur www.terramongolia.com
au besoin pour ton arrivee en mongolie on peut encore te donner bons plans et adresses si cela peut aider ou etre agreable (pas d'intermediaire!)
bon voyage
un mongol nait sous la yourte et meurt à cheval (proverbe mongol)
Bonjour Nemo,
oui et dans ce cas la commission est de plus de 30euros, soit environ 60% du prix initial indiquer par meridiania de 50 euros.
pour ce prix-la je veux bien faire un petit effort meme si ca doit me couter en temps, je ne suis pas presser.
ou peut-etre le prix de 50euros n'est plus actuel??
ai verifer mes sources il y a 15-20j donc je pense que la base des 50euro est encore bonne, et le plus simpel encore puisque tu es a pekin passe a la gare et demande le prix!
un mongol nait sous la yourte et meurt à cheval (proverbe mongol)
ayant maintenant fait le trajet, je peux rapporter mon experience.
il y a donc effectivement un bus pour Erlian a partir de la station LuiliQiao qui est accessible par metro (ligne1 gongzhufen) puis taxi ou 30-40 minutes de marche. le bus pars a 16h30 chaque jour et coute 180 yuan (18 euros). Seulement voila, le jour ou j'ai voulu le prendre, le bus etait en panne. Heureusement il y a un autre bus quotidien qui part d'une autre station de bus longue distance a 2km au sud de LuiliQiao. Ce bus part a 17h et coute egalement 180yuan.
Arrivee a 5h du matin a Erlian. Attention tous les taxi veulent vous emmener mais ce sont des taxis speciaux pour grand bagages et plus cher que les autres. Vous pouvez finir votre nuit en dortoir ou bien errer dans les rues de cette ville jusqu'a ce que la frontiere ouvre a 9h30. Pour la suite, le mieux est de se trouver des amis mongoles qui traversent aussi, pour partager une jeep avec eux (60-70 yuan par personne) et pour qu'ils vous aident a acheter les billets de train a zamyd uud.
Le train quotidien a zamyd uud part a 17h55 et coute 27300 tougrout (13-14 euros). Arrivee a ulan bator vers 10-11h.
total = un peu moins de 40euros, contre les 80 proposes par mon hotel, ca vaut quand meme le coup, et ya vraiment rien de plus facile, il faut juste etre un peu patient pour la journee d'attente de 5h du matin a 18h le soir entre Erlian et Zamyd uud.
ah et au fait, meridiana, merci beaucoup pour le bon plan, mejet et bilegt sont effectivement tres sympa et l'appart bien qu'un peu excentrer est vraiment genial... seul petit soucis, il y a en ce moment une panne d'eau chaude apparemment donc pas trop pratique mais on survit quand meme :-) merci encore!
gael
merci pour ces infos fort utiles... et pour l'eau chaude là vraiment je n'y peux rien... tout ne marche pas comme par chez nous... l'important c'est que mon plan ai pu t'aider à poursuivre au mieux ton voyage en mongolie
un mongol nait sous la yourte et meurt à cheval (proverbe mongol)
Nous sommes une grande famille voyageuse et sur le point (9 juillet) de partir pour un périple route- train de France jusqu'à la Mongolie (Mini bus) puis en train Pékin Xian Kunming Hanoi Pékin et retour à Ulan Bator. Les jours de départ du train Pékin UB (le mardi) nous posent un peu problème. Il semble qu'il y ait des possibilités bus + train avec Bus tous les jours au départ de Pékin et Train ZAMIIN UUD- UB également tous les jours. Nous sommes huit au total. La solution est elle viable et faut il au nieau des bus réserver éventuellemnt? Merci d'avance pour toute réponse.
oui on peut partir pour la solution locale sans souvcis et sans devoir reserver en avance même si vous etes 8 au pire vous prendrez le bus a pekin le jour apres si vraiment tout plein
en arrivant a pekin passer a la gare et voyez si vous pouvez reserver, cette info je ne l'ai pas
plus sur la Monggolie sur www.terramongolia.com et me contacter certes
bon voyage
un mongol nait sous la yourte et meurt à cheval (proverbe mongol)
OPTION MINI BUDGET: PEKIN – UB - PEKIN
- prix environ 50€ au lieu de 200-350€ (prix 2009)
- prendre le bus à la gare des bus de Pekin LuiliQiao (la station LuiliQiao est accessible par metro :ligne1 Gongzhufen, ensuite taxi ou 40 minutes à pied) départ 16.00 (vérifier) prix 2009: 180 yuans (18€) pour Erlian (Ereen, Erenhot), ville frontière Chine/Mongolie. Il existe aussi une autre gare des bus à 2km au sud de la gare LuiliQiao qui a des depart pour Erlian vers 17h et même prix
- Trajet 12h environ, arrivée au petit matin, pour finir la nuit dans un hotel prendre un taxi special grands bagages pour 10 yuans par personne ; ensuite de votre hotel en Chine à la gare de train en Mongolie le coût du trajet est 90 yuans par personne
- il existe aussi un train qui relie Pekin à Erlian et Zamyn Uud (verifier à la gare horaires, prix)
- ouverture de la douane a 9.30
- passer la douane en jeep (70 yuans par personne, se grouper) ou prendre le bus de midi pour Zamyn Uud (côté mongol)
- prendre le train quotidien pour UB ( départ Zamyn Uud à 16.00 arrive vers 7.00 UB, environ 16 €, verifier sur place)
- Idem pour retour (UB- Zamyn Uud train quotidien vers 16.00 e dim/jeu direct Ub- Erlian 12-15h trajet)
Existe aussi la solution Pekin- KHOKH KHOT - UB et retour avec changement à Jinning 2/ semaine (UB-KHOKH KHOT : lun/ven)
http://www.china-train-ticket.com/index.html#beijing
le transmongolien par contre n'est pas quotidien en ete 2-3 fois semaine et pour juillet je criant que si vous n'avez pas encore reserver vous n'ayez pas de place, mais vous pouvez voir avec l'agence ocean travel a pekin qui eux sont tres efficace et fiables, voir l'adresse de cette agence sur mes pages pratiques mongolie: www.terramongolia.com dans le chapitre comment y aller et ne pas hesiter a contacter reponse rapide. voir aussi les liens qui portent aux sites des trains chinois pour verifier els dates de departs du trasnmongolien car pas sur que pour votre date il y ai un depart puisque pas quotidien
le transmongolien met environ 30h et la solution locale 7 a 8h de plus (c'est approximatif masi enfin dans ces eaux là!)
donc le bus de pekin sur la frontiere chinoise-mongolie (erlian )est quotidien et 2 x semaine il y a un train qui relie directement pekin a zamydd udd donc en Mongolie, voir a la gare de pekin quels sont les jours de departs de ce train
en fonction des departs et de la possiblites des places sur le trasnmongolien vous verrez quelle sera la meilleure solution pour vous , voir aussi a niveau budget car la solution locale ne coute que 50 euro environ contre 4 a 5 fois la solution trasnmongolien
ensuite en mongolie comme nous allons souvent la bas on peut vous briefer, vous donnez bons plans et adresses au besoin. une partie de ces bons plans a lire sur mes pages de terramongolia.com et ne pas hesiter a me contacter pour plus
y avons des amis fiables et serieux depuis notre tout premeir voyage la bas il y a dejà 10 ans qui pourront si cela peut vous etre agreable ou utile venir vous prendre a votre arrivee gratis, vous loger dans modeste guest house et plus selon vos besoins (jeep, cheval, sejour en famille, ...)
bon voyage
un mongol nait sous la yourte et meurt à cheval (proverbe mongol)
je compte faire le trajet avec quatre amis dans l'autre sens , juste de UB a Pekin.. Nous avons des billets de transsib jusuq'a UB (venant de Moscou) mais impossible de reserver la derniere partie du voyage... Est ce que je prends des risques de ne rien avoir reserver? On arrive le 29/09 a UB a 7h30 du mat, penses tu qu'il sera possible de trouver un train pour la journee allant jusqu'a Erlian?
Ca vaut le coup de rester une journee a UB?
vous etes hors saison donc oui de la place et en plus vous voulez prendre un train local donc vous pouvez tenter la chance et etre quasi sur de trouver de la place et acheter le billet sur place le jour du depart ou la veille vous verrez cela sur place. si je ne m'abuse le train pour erlian part dans l'apres midi, a peine vous serez à la gare renseignez vous sur l'horaire.
plus? www.terramongolia.com et me contacter pour plus mais attention absente du 5/9 au 5/10 pour voyage en Mongolie!
bon voyage
un mongol nait sous la yourte et meurt à cheval (proverbe mongol)
Je déterre les vieux sujets...
D'abord, concernant le train de Zamyn Uud à UB, mieux vaut ne pas être pressé! La semaine dernière, tous les trains étaient complets pour les 5 prochains jours! Si vous vous retrouvez dans cette situation, essayez de trouver des Mongols qui puissent vous aider en négociant directement avec les contrôleurs au départ du train pour vous faire monter à bord!
Ensuite...
Quelqu'un sait-il où s'achètent les billets de bus UB-Ulan Ude? Faut-il réserver à l'avance?
Merci pour votre aide!
A la Dragon Station, ou dans n'importe quelle guest house, et d'après les retours que j'avais eu, il y a plus d'affluence dans le sens inverse, donc je ne pense pas qu'il soit vraiment nécessaire de réserver mais a cette période la de l'année je ne sais pas si il y a des départs tout les jours, si tu connais ta date de départ, va acheter ton billet maintenant.
Voyager, c'est bien utile, ça fait travailler l'imagination. Tout le reste n'est que déceptions et fatigues. Céline.
il faut penser que certaines dates hors saison sont completes comme reportées quand les etudiants mongols repartent pour reprendre les etudes en chine ou russie...
on pourrait dire qui si on peut reserver le faire pour plus de securité surtout si jours comptés...
le train local est quotidien quoi qu'il en soit sauf certes changement intempestif des chemins de fer chinois et mongols...
bon voyage à tous
un mongol nait sous la yourte et meurt à cheval (proverbe mongol)
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
