1 Month China Travel Itinerary, Plan Your 30-Day Tour of China

• Are you planning a one-month trip to China? If so, take a few minutes to explore the four 30-day itineraries below—each one thoughtfully crafted based on our 20 years of travel planning experience.

If you have special ideas or specific plans in mind, feel free to contact us. As experts in tailor-made China tours, we’re here to customize your journey according to your unique preferences!

"First, thank you for organizing our first trip to China. We loved it! You did a great job and we would be more than happy to recommend your services to others. Meanwhile, here are some general and specific comments about our first trip that might help plan our next one...More about this 30 Days China tour feedback"

30 Days/1 Month Leisure and Luxury Tour Itinerary

4 nights in Beijing, 2 nights in Xi'an, 2 nights in Chongqing, 2 nights in Chengdu, 2 nights in Jiuzhaigou Valley, 8 nights in Yunnan, 5 nights in Guilin area, 2 nights in Hangzhou and 2 nights Shanghai.

Beijing – 4 Nights

Beijing, a cultural capital blending thousands of years of history with modern vitality, is the perfect starting point for exploring China.

• Top Attractions: Tiananmen Square, Forbidden City, Temple of Heaven, Mutianyu Great Wall, Summer Palace, Imperial College, Confucius Temple, Bird Nest, Panjiayuan Sunday Market, etc.
• Cultural Experiences: Hutong rickshaw ride, Siheyuan (courtyard home) visit, Peking opera mask painting, Tai Chi lesson
• Evening Activities: Wangfujing night market food exploration, Kung Fu show or Peking Opera performance
• Local Cuisine: Peking duck, mutton hotpot
• Recommended Hotels: Mandarin Oriental Wangfujing (Forbidden City view room) or The Ritz-Carlton Beijing (renowned service)

Xi'an – 2 Nights (Arrive by high-speed train)

Xi'an, the ancient capital of thirteen dynasties, is famed for the Terracotta Army and as the starting point of the Silk Road, making it an ideal place to delve into Chinese civilization.

• Top Attractions: Terracotta Army, Ancient City Wall(Morning Market), Giant Wild Goose Pagoda, Bell & Drum Towers, Muslim Quarter
• Cultural Experiences: Terracotta figurine making, Chinese calligraphy workshop, dumpling making
• Evening Activities: Grand Tang Dynasty Ever-Bright City light show, The Song of Everlasting Sorrow or Tang Dynasty Dinner Show
• Local Cuisine: Biangbiang noodles, Roujiamo (Chinese hamburger), Lamb stew with bread, Dumpling banquet
• Recommended Hotels: W Hotel (near city wall, trendy design),  Sofitel Legend Peoples Grand Hotel

Chongqing – 2 Nights (Arrive by high-speed train)

Chongqing, the city of mountains and rivers, captivates travelers with its spicy hotpot cuisine, stunning night views along the rivers, and its surreal monorail weaving through buildings.

• Top Attractions: Jiefangbei Pedestrian Street, Hongya Cave, Liziba Monorail through building, Ciqikou Ancient Town, Dazu Rock Carvings, Wulong Karst Landscape
• Cultural Experiences: Sichuan cuisine cooking class – learn to make Mapo Tofu or Spicy Chicken
• Evening Activities: Yangtze & Jialing River night cruise (Two Rivers Cruise), Hongya Cave night view photo stop
• Local Cuisine: Peijie Spicy Hotpot (authentic), Mountain City sweet rice balls, spicy noodles snack combo
• Recommended Hotels: Niccolo Chongqing (prime location in Jiefangbei), JW Marriott Chongqing (excellent river views)

Chengdu – 2 Nights (Arrive by high-speed train)

Chengdu, known as the “City of Slow Living,” is an ideal travel destination beloved for its giant pandas, delicious cuisine, teahouse culture, and laid-back street life.

• Top Attractions: Kuanzhai Alley, Wuhou Shrine, Du Fu Thatched Cottage, Giant Panda
• Cultural Experiences: Panda Keeping Volunteer, Sichuan Cuisine Cooking
• Evening Activities: Night stroll at Jinli Ancient Street, Sichuan Opera show with face-changing and fire-spitting (dinner included)
• Local Cuisine: Original Chen Mapo Tofu restaurant, Long Chao Shou + Zhong dumplings combo
• Recommended Hotels: The St. Regis Chengdu (quiet and comfortable with excellent service), Niccolo Chengdu (modern location at Taikoo Li)

Jiuzhaigou – 2 Nights (Arrive by high-speed train or flight)

Jiuzhaigou, known as a “fairyland on earth,” is famous for its dreamlike landscape of colorful lakes, waterfalls, and pristine forests.

• Natural Highlights: Full-day Jiuzhaigou Scenic Area tour (Five-Flower Lake, Mirror Lake, Nuorilang Waterfall)
• Cultural Experience: Optional Tibetan folk performance
• Evening Activies: Stargazing (weather permitting)
• Local Cuisine: Tibetan yogurt, butter tea, upscale hotel buffet or traditional Tibetan restaurant
• Recommended Hotels: Hilton Jiuzhaigou Resort (modern facilities), Banyan Tree Jiuzhaigou (eco-luxury with hot springs)

Kunming – 1 Night (Elevation: 1,900m)

Kunming, known as the "City of Eternal Spring," is famous for its pleasant year-round climate, vibrant flowers, and rich ethnic minority culture.

• Top Attractions: Stone Forest UNESCO Global Geopark, Green Lake Park, Yuantong Temple, Historic Campus of Yunnan University (classic Chinese garden style), Dounan Flower Market, Flower & Bird Market
• Cultural Experience: Flower pastry making workshop
• Evening Activities: Stroll around Zhengyi Fang / Nanping Street Night Market
• Local Delicacies: Crossing-the-bridge rice noodles, wild mushrooms
• Recommended Hotels: Sofitel Kunming (centrally located)

Dali – 2 Nights (Arrive by high-speed train, Elevation: 2,000m)

Dali, the land of wind, flowers, snow, and the moon, draws countless free-spirited travelers with its Erhai Lake scenery, ancient town charm, and rich Bai ethnic culture.

• Top Attractions: West Shore Erhai Cycling Route (best section: Xizhou to Shuanglang), Three Pagodas of Chongsheng Temple, Erhai Eco Corridor, leisure stroll in Dali Old Town, Xizhou traditional residences
• Cultural Experience: Tie-dye or silver jewelry crafting workshop (in Xizhou)
• Evening Activities: Watch the sunset by Erhai Lake, slow walk through the Old Town at night
• Local Cuisine: Ice jelly, rice noodles, Xizhou baba (local pastry)
• Recommended Hotels: Hotel Indigo Dali Erhai (lakeside views), Yueyun Bieyuan (boutique design hotel)

Shaxi Ancient Town – 1 Night (Elevation: 2,100m)

Shaxi Ancient Town, serene and timeless, is the only surviving market town on the ancient Tea Horse Road—a place where time seems to stand still.

• Top Attractions: Shaxi Ancient Town – Caravan Trail Heritage Sites, Traditional Opera Stage, Sideng Street, Jianchuan Wood Carving Houses / Museum
• Cultural Experience: Handmade pottery or wood carving workshop
• Evening Activities: Stroll through the ancient town, stargazing photography, enjoy live folk music at a local bar
• Local Cuisines: Shaxi tofu feast, handcrafted cured meat with rice
• Recommended Hotels: Shaxi Kogongdi Culture Hall

Lijiang – 2 Nights (Elevation: 2,400m)

Lijiang Old Town, nestled at the foot of Jade Dragon Snow Mountain, is renowned for its ancient stone-paved streets, flowing canals, and rich Naxi culture—an enchanting town where nature and tradition meet in perfect harmony.

• Top Attractions: Jade Dragon Snow Mountain, Black Dragon Pool, Shuhe Ancient Town, Lijiang Old Town, Lashi Lake, Baisha Ancient Town
• Cultural Experience: Naxi Ancient Music performance, Dongba pictograph workshop
• Evening Activities: Impression Lijiang live show (directed by Zhang Yimou), folk music or bar hopping in the Old Town
• Local Cuisines: Black goat hotpot, preserved pork ribs, gourmet dining at He Fu Yan or Shi Wei Tian
• Recommended Hotels: Jinmao Purelax Mountain Hotel Lijiang (at the foot of the snow mountain), Banyan Tree Lijiang (spectacular resort views)

Shangri-La – 2 Nights (Elevation: 3,200m – altitude acclimatization recommended)

Shangri-La, a hidden paradise in the clouds, is a poetic haven where snow-capped mountains, vast grasslands, and rich Tibetan culture blend into a breathtaking dreamscape.

• Top Attractions: Dukezong Ancient Town, Songzanlin Monastery (a major Tibetan Buddhist site), Pudacuo National Park (lakes, meadows, alpine forests), Napa Lake – horseback riding or hiking
• Cultural Experience: Tibetan family visit with yak butter tea and tsampa making, Tibetan incense or thangka painting workshop
• Evening Activities: Sunset and stargazing photography, Tibetan-style bonfire party (in-hotel)
• Local Cuisines: Highland barley cakes, yak butter tea, yak hotpot; dining at Songtsam Lodge or Makye Ame
• Recommended Hotels: Songtsam Linka Shangri-La (top luxury on the plateau), Banyan Tree Ringha

Guilin – 1 Night

Guilin's landscape is the finest under heaven, with its picturesque karst mountains and winding rivers creating scenery like a living painting—making it one of China’s most iconic destinations for natural beauty.

• Top Attractions: Reed Flute Cave, Elephant Trunk Hill, Fubo Hill, Diecai Hill
• Cultural Experience: Chinese landscape painting workshop
• Evening Activities: Explore Zhengyang Pedestrian Street and Dongxi Lane, view the Sun and Moon Twin Pagodas, Two Rivers & Four Lakes night tour (on foot or by boat)
• Local Cuisines: Guilin rice noodles, stuffed river snails, beer fish
• Recommended Hotels: Shangri-La Guilin (riverside rooms), Sheraton Guilin Hotel

Yangshuo – 2 Nights (Laid-back countryside lifestyle)

Yangshuo, with its picturesque karst landscapes, tranquil countryside, and abundant outdoor activities, has become one of China’s most beloved natural travel destinations.

• Top Attractions: Li River cruise (essence section from Guilin to Yangshuo – upper deck recommended), Yulong River bamboo rafting (two-person raft, best in early morning), outdoor activities like biking, rock climbing, cave exploring, hiking, and paddleboarding
• Cultural Experience: Tea Picking, Cooking Class, Kung Fu Lesson
• Evening Activities: Impression Liu Sanjie live show, Ancient Love performance, night stroll in West Street, enjoy music at cozy bars (highly recommend “Xiao Ma’s Sky”)
• Local Cuisines: Yangshuo beer fish, stuffed river snails
• Recommended Hotels: Banyan Tree Yangshuo (riverside at Fuli Ancient Town), Yangshuo Mountain Retreat (scenic Yulong River location)

Longji Rice Terraces – 2 Nights (Terraced villages hidden in the clouds)

The Longji Rice Terraces, like the fingerprints of the earth, cascade layer by layer across the hillsides, presenting a magnificent panorama of the harmonious coexistence between humans and nature over centuries.

• Top Attractions: Ping’an Village Terraces, Ancient Zhuang Village, Jinkeng Dazhai Terraces, hiking from Dazhai to Xiaozhai (4–6 hours through untouched natural scenery)
• Cultural Experience: Visit Zhuang/Yao minority families, learn to make zongzi or bamboo rice, dress in traditional ethnic costumes for photos
• Evening Activities: Stargazing and night photography (no light pollution), bonfire performances by local villagers
• Local Cuisines: Bamboo tube rice, homemade rice wine, braised rice with cured meat
• Recommended Hotels: Baike Hotel, No.1 Courtyard (panoramic wooden cabins with stunning views)

Hangzhou – 2 Nights (Elegance of Jiangnan)

Hangzhou, long praised as "Heaven on Earth," is renowned for its West Lake scenery, classical gardens, and rich Jiangnan culture.

• Top Attractions: West Lake, Lingyin Temple, Feilai Peak stone carvings, Longjing Tea Village, Leifeng Pagoda, Hu Qingyu Traditional Chinese Medicine Museum, Hefang Street, Former Residence of Hu Xueyan, Liuhe Pagoda
• Cultural Experience: Tea ceremony or handmade herbal sachet workshop
• Evening Activities: Impression West Lake performance, Romance of the Song Dynasty live show at Songcheng
• Local Cuisines: West Lake vinegar fish, Dongpo pork, Beggar’s chicken, Longjing shrimp, Wushan butter pastry
• Recommended Hotels: Four Seasons Hotel Hangzhou at West Lake (lakeside), Park Hyatt Hangzhou (modern luxury design)

Shanghai – 2 Nights (International Metropolis)

Shanghai, a cosmopolitan metropolis where Eastern and Western cultures blend seamlessly, attracts visitors from around the world with its dazzling skyline, bustling streets, and rich historical heritage.

• Top Attractions: Nanjing Road, Jade Buddha Temple, People’s Square, The Bund along the Huangpu River, Yu Garden, Old City God Temple, Shanghai Museum, Urban Planning Exhibition Center, Tianzifang Art District, and ascending the three skyscrapers in Lujiazui (Pudong)
• Cultural Experience: "Haipai" qipao photo shoot, “Be a Local for a Day” experience to explore old Shanghai life
• Evening Activities: Night view of the Bund, stroll along Nanjing Road, Huangpu River night cruise, acrobatic show
• Local Cuisines: Eight-treasure duck, oil-braised shrimp, crystal shrimp, soup dumplings (xiaolongbao), rice cakes, Shanghai pancakes
• Recommended Hotels: Fairmont Peace Hotel (historic and prestigious), Waldorf Astoria Shanghai on the Bund (unbeatable river views)

1 Month World Cultural and Natural Heritages

• Beijing 4 nights
• Shanxi 5 nights
• Xian 2 nights
• Lhasa 3 nights
• Yunnan 7 nights
• Guilin 3 nights
• Zhangjiajie 3 nights
• Shanghai 2 nights

More about Chinese World Heritage Tours »

30 Days Natural Wonders

• Chongqing 3 nights
• Chengdu 2 nights
• Jiuzhaigou Valey 2 nights
• Emei Mountain 1 nights
• Lhasa 3 nights
• Yunnan 7 nights
• Guilin 4 nights
• Zhangjiajie 3 nights
• Hangzhou 2 nights
• Shanghai 2 nights

30-Day Coastal Cultural Exploration and Homecoming Tour for Overseas Chinese

• Hong Kong 3 nights
• Macau 2 nights
• Guangdong 6 nights
• Fujiang 6 nights
• Hangzhou 2 nights
• Suzhou 1 night
• Yellow Mt. 3 night
• Shanghai 2 nights

You Might be Interested in Private China Tours and Tailor-made Travel Itineraries

We specialize in Tailor-made Tours, providing personalized 1-on-1 service. You can explore our exclusive private China tours or create a custom tour of China and even design a unique tour across Asia.

• 5 Days China Itinerary »
• 7 Days China Itinerary »
• 10 Days China Itinerary »
• 12 Days China Itinerary »
• 14 Days China Itinerary »
• 3 Weeks in China »
• 4 Weeks in China »
• 30 Days China Itinerary »
• 5 Weeks in China »
• 2 Month China Itinerary »