15 Days in China: Cities, Scenery, and Hiking Itinerary

Begin your day with breakfast at Baker & Spice, a popular cafe in Shanghai. Then, visit Jing’an Temple, an ancient Buddhist temple located in the heart of the city. Take some time to explore its halls and courtyards.

For lunch, try dim sum at Din Tai Fung. Afterward, head to Shanghai Museum (Shanghai Bowuguan) to admire its extensive collection of Chinese art and artifacts. Don't miss the bronze gallery and calligraphy exhibits.

Enjoy dinner at Fu 1088, offering refined Shanghainese dishes in an elegant setting. In the evening, take a leisurely stroll along Nanjing Road (Nanjing Lu), one of Shanghai's busiest shopping streets. End your day with a nightcap at one of Nanjing Road's rooftop bars.

Start your morning with breakfast at Kommune Cafe in Tianzifang. Then embark on a tour to explore the charming water town of Zhujiajiao. Wander through its ancient streets, cross stone bridges, and take a boat ride along its canals.

For lunch, enjoy local delicacies at one of Zhujiajiao's riverside restaurants. Afterward, return to Shanghai and visit Tianzifang, an artsy neighborhood filled with narrow alleys lined with boutiques, galleries, cafes, and studios.

Conclude your day with dinner at The Commune Social, known for its tapas-style dishes. In the evening, enjoy a relaxing cruise along the Huangpu River to see Shanghai's illuminated skyline from a different perspective.

Begin your day with a hearty breakfast at Wagas, known for its healthy and delicious options. After breakfast, visit the Shanghai History Museum (Shanghai Lishi Bowuguan) to delve into the rich history of Shanghai. The museum offers fascinating exhibits that cover various periods of the city's development.

For lunch, head to Lost Heaven Silk Road, which offers a unique blend of Yunnan and Silk Road cuisine. In the afternoon, take a trip to Meijiawu Tea Village, located in the outskirts of Hangzhou but easily accessible from Shanghai. Here, you can learn about traditional Chinese tea culture, participate in tea tastings, and enjoy the scenic beauty of tea plantations.

Return to Shanghai for dinner at Mr & Mrs Bund, offering modern French cuisine with a view of The Bund. In the evening, explore Tianzifang if you haven't had enough time before or revisit it for its vibrant nightlife and artistic atmosphere.

Start your morning with breakfast at Bread Etc, a cozy bakery known for its fresh pastries. Then, embark on a tour to explore the picturesque water town of Tongli Water Town. This ancient town is famous for its well-preserved architecture, stone bridges, and tranquil canals.

For lunch, enjoy local specialties at one of Tongli's traditional restaurants by the water. Spend your afternoon wandering through Tongli's narrow streets, visiting historical residences like Gengle Hall and Jiayin Hall, and taking a boat ride along its serene waterways.

Return to Shanghai for dinner at Wei Jing Ge, located in The Peninsula Hotel and known for its exquisite Shanghainese cuisine. In the evening, take a relaxing walk along The Bund to enjoy Shanghai's stunning skyline illuminated against the night sky.

Begin your day early with breakfast at Element Fresh before departing Shanghai for Huangshan (Yellow Mountain). Upon arrival in Huangshan City, have lunch at Laojie Diyi Lou, which serves authentic Anhui cuisine.

In the afternoon, take a cable car up to Mt. Huangshan (Yellow Mountain), renowned for its breathtaking scenery including granite peaks, ancient pine trees, hot springs, winter snow scenes and views above clouds. Spend your time hiking along well-marked trails such as those leading to Bright Summit Peak or Lotus Peak.

Stay overnight on Huangshan Mountain in one of its mountain hotels like Xihai Hotel or Beihai Hotel. Enjoy dinner at your hotel while taking in panoramic views of this UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Start your day with breakfast at your mountain hotel. After breakfast, descend from Mt. Huangshan and head to the ancient village of Hongcun, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Explore the well-preserved traditional architecture and picturesque landscapes that have inspired many artists.

For lunch, enjoy local Anhui cuisine at a restaurant in Hongcun. In the afternoon, visit another ancient village, Xidi, known for its beautiful Ming and Qing dynasty buildings. Wander through its narrow alleys and admire the intricate woodwork and stone carvings.

Return to Huangshan City for dinner at Tunxi Ancient Street Restaurant, located on Tunxi Ancient Street. After dinner, take a leisurely stroll along Tunxi Ancient Street to explore its shops selling local handicrafts and specialties.

Begin your day with breakfast at Café 126 in Huangshan City before departing for Hangzhou. Upon arrival in Hangzhou, have lunch at Lou Wai Lou, a historic restaurant famous for its West Lake cuisine.

In the afternoon, visit West Lake (Xi Hu), a UNESCO World Heritage Site renowned for its natural beauty and cultural significance. Take a leisurely walk or bike ride around the lake, visit scenic spots like Broken Bridge and Leifeng Pagoda, or enjoy a boat ride on the tranquil waters.

For dinner, savor Hangzhou's famous dishes at Zhi Wei Guan. In the evening, explore Hefang Street, an ancient pedestrian street lined with shops selling traditional crafts and snacks.

Start your morning with breakfast at Four Seasons Hotel Hangzhou before visiting Lingyin Temple, one of China's largest and wealthiest Buddhist temples. Explore its grand halls, intricate carvings, and serene surroundings.

For lunch, dine at 28 Hubin Road, known for its elegant setting and delicious Hangzhou cuisine. Afterward, visit Leifeng Pagoda, offering panoramic views of West Lake from its top floor. Learn about the legends associated with this historic pagoda.

Conclude your day with dinner at The Grandma's, a popular restaurant chain serving homestyle Hangzhou dishes. In the evening, enjoy a relaxing night cruise on West Lake to see it illuminated by lights.

Start your day with breakfast at Zhangjiajie Pullman Hotel before embarking on a Full-Day Private Tour of Zhangjiajie National Forest Park. This park is famous for its towering sandstone pillars, lush forests, and breathtaking views. Begin your exploration with a visit to the Yuanjiajie Scenic Area, which inspired the floating mountains in the movie Avatar.

For lunch, enjoy a picnic within the park or dine at one of the local restaurants. Continue your tour by visiting the Tianzi Mountain Nature Reserve, known for its stunning peaks and panoramic vistas. Take a cable car ride to appreciate the beauty of this UNESCO World Heritage Site from above.

Return to your hotel for dinner at Tujia Folk Restaurant, offering traditional Tujia cuisine. In the evening, relax and unwind at your hotel or take a leisurely walk around Zhangjiajie's city center.

Begin your day with breakfast at Zhangjiajie Sunshine Hotel before heading out on a Private Day Tour to Grand Canyon&Glass Bridge & Baofeng Lake. Start with a visit to the Zhangjiajie Grand Canyon Glass Bridge, the world's longest and highest glass bridge, offering thrilling views of the canyon below.

For lunch, enjoy local dishes at a nearby restaurant. Afterward, continue your tour with a visit to Baofeng Lake. Take a boat ride on this serene lake surrounded by lush mountains and listen to traditional Tujia songs performed by local boatmen.

Return to Zhangjiajie city for dinner at Xiangxi Indigenous Restaurant, known for its authentic Hunan cuisine. In the evening, explore Zhangjiajie's night market or relax at your hotel.

Start your morning with breakfast at Zhangjiajie International Hotel before embarking on an exciting Zhangjie National Park Grand Canyon MT Tianmen 2 days tour. Begin with a visit to Tianmen Mountain, famous for its natural arch known as Heaven's Gate. Take the world's longest cable car ride up the mountain and walk along its thrilling glass skywalks.

For lunch, dine at one of Tianmen Mountain's restaurants while enjoying panoramic views of the surrounding landscape. Afterward, explore more of Tianmen Mountain's scenic spots such as Guigu Cliffs and Tianmen Temple.

Return to Zhangjiajie city for dinner at Dongtian Hotpot Restaurant, offering delicious hotpot dishes in a cozy setting. In the evening, relax and reflect on your day's adventures or take an evening stroll through Zhangjiajie's vibrant streets.

Start your day with a traditional Chinese breakfast at Baoyuan Jiaozi Wu (Baoyuan Dumpling House), known for its delicious dumplings. After breakfast, embark on a Beijing Mutianyu Great Wall Bus Tour with Options to witness the magnificence of the Great Wall of China at Mutianyu. This section of the wall is less crowded and offers stunning views of the surrounding countryside.

Enjoy a local lunch at the Great Wall before descending. In the afternoon, visit the Ming Tombs (Ming Shisan Ling), the royal burial complex of the Ming dynasty. Explore the Sacred Way and one of the tombs to learn about China's imperial history.

For dinner, savor the flavors of Beijing's imperial cuisine at King's Joy Vegetarian Restaurant, a unique dining experience. Conclude your day with a stroll in the Wangfujing area, known for its vibrant night market and traditional snacks.

Indulge in a leisurely breakfast at Capital M Beijing with a view of the iconic Qianmen Gate. Then, explore the grandeur of the Forbidden City (Palace Museum) on a guided tour, immersing yourself in the history of Chinese emperors and their opulent lifestyles.

For lunch, experience a modern twist on Chinese cuisine at Hatsune Japanese Restaurant & Bar. Afterward, visit Tiananmen Square (Tiananmen Guangchang), one of the largest public squares in the world, and pay respects at Chairman Mao Memorial Hall (Maozhuxi Jinian Tang).

In the evening, enjoy a traditional Peking Opera performance at Lao She Teahouse. After the show, take a leisurely walk around Houhai Lake area and have dinner at one of its local restaurants.

Begin your day with a calming visit to Temple of Heaven (Tiantan), where you can observe or participate in traditional morning exercises. Afterward, enjoy a cup of tea at Green T. House Living within or near temple complex.

For lunch, taste famous xiaolongbao at Din Tai Fung, renowned restaurant for dumplings. Then explore artistic treasures within National Museum China (NAMOC), home extensive collection Chinese art spanning millennia.

Conclude Beijing journey visiting 798 Art District admire contemporary Chinese art scene; farewell dinner local restaurant before heading airport next destination.