Long China Trips for "Not-so-young people"

How to Plan a Datong Tour

It usually needs 2 days to cover the highlights in Datong. Without any doubt, Yungang Grottoes is a must. It consists of 53 grottoes with 51,000 statues and is a real treasure of traditional Chinese art. After that, you can go to Shanhua Monastery to appreciate a set of well-preserved buildings of Liao Dynasty (905-1125). Then, continue to have a look at Nine Dragon Screen, the oldest and largest glazed screen in China and later head to Huayan Temple, which keeps the largest wooden structure of Buddhist temple hall with elegant mural and scriptures. The next day is for the attractions a little far from downtown such as Hanging Temple, an unusual temple standing on the precarious cliff built over 1500 years ago, and Yingxian Wooden Pagoda, the highest wooden pagoda in the world.

☛ 2 Days Datong Yungang Grottoes Tour
☛ 3 Days Datong Culture Tour with Hanging Temple

How to Plan a Pingyao Tour

Pingyao is noted for the World Heritage Site - Pingyao Ancient City. It is well-preserved, keeping the architecture style of the Ming and Qing Dynasty (14th-20th centuries). Most people will choose to visit them both. You can leisurely stroll and get to learn about the traditions of the northern Chinese, especially during the Chinese Spring Festival. Usually, 2 to 3 days are enough for you to explore the attractions in Pingyao, including scenic sites and ancient streets of Pingyao Ancient City, Qiao's Family Compound, Shuanglin Temple, etc.

☛ 2 Days Classic Pingyao Tour
☛ 3 Days Pingyao Discovery Tour

How to Plan a Hukou Waterfall Tour

Generally speaking, it needs about 1 day to travel Hukou Waterfall, including transfer time and sightseeing time.

If you visit Hukou Waterfall Scenic Area Shanxi (山西), it is strongly recommended to travel it with Shanxi’s other top destinations together, including Datong, Pingyao and Mount Wutai. A classic Shanxi tour takes about 7 days, with 1~2 days to visit the cultural wonders in Datong, 1 ~ 2 days to appreciate the old city and nearby attractions of Pingyao and 1~2 days to pay pilgrimage to Mount Wutai.

☛ 3 Days Yellow River Hukou Waterfall Tour from Pingyao

If you visit Hukou Waterfall Scenic Area Shaanxi (陕西), it is a pity if you skip Xian – one of the top tourist destinations of China. 2 ~ 3 days are needed to explore the highlights of Xian, including Terracotta Warriors, Xian Ancient City Wall, Shanxi History Museum, Muslim Quarter and Giant Wild Goose Pagoda.

☛ 3 Days Best Xian City Tour Plus Hukou Waterfall

How to Plan a Xian Tour

p>For a classic Xian tour, it normally costs 2 – 4 days, and you can choose the most interested attractions to visit. Except the most famous Terracotta Warriors and Horses, you can also visit the Ancient City Wall, Drum Tower and Bell Tower, Muslim Quarter, Shaanxi History Museum, Giant Wild Goose Pagoda, Grand Tang Dynasty Ever Bright City, Great Mosque, etc. It’s also doable to take side trips to Luoyang (about 1 day) and Mount Huashan (about 2 days) from Xian.

☛ 3 Days Classic Xian Tour (Flight/Train Pickup)
☛ 4 Days Xian Highlights Tour with Mount Huashan Hiking

How to Plan a Kanas Tour

Kanas Nature Reserve is vast. Its highlights are Kanas Lake, Kanas Rivers, Kanas Three Bays, Hemu Village, Beautiful Peak, etc. To explore Kanas to the fullest, you should stay at least 3 full days in the nature reserve, usually 1 day for Hemu Village and 2 days for Kanas Lake Scenic Area (Kanas Lake, Kanas Rivers, Kanas Three Bays...). Below are two recommended Kanas tour packages. They are all flexible private tours which can be tailored to meet your own needs.

☛ 4 Days Kanas Hemu Village Best Hiking Tour
☛ 4 Days Relaxing Kanas Holiday Tour

How to Plan an Ili Tour

Usually, tourists travel to Ili from Urumqi, Xinjiang’s gateway and the most important transfer center. In Urumqi, you can take 1 day to visit the Xinjiang Museum and other landmarks, one more day for the Heavenly Lake of Tianshan Mountains. Spending a one-day trip in the Nanshan Pasture is strongly recommended during summer. The most popular Ili trip itinerary is to spend 2 or more days exploring the highlights like the Sayram Lake, Kalajun Grassland, Nalati Grassland, lavender ocean of Huocheng, Guozi Valley, Tekes Town, etc. Most travelers like to extend the Ili tour to cover the northern Xinjiang including the famous Kanas Lake.

☛ 10 Days Stunning Ili Apricot Blossom and Naraty Grassland Tour
☛ 11 Days Best Xinjiang Landscape Tour

How to Plan a Leshan Emeishan Tour

Leshan Giant Buddha is located about 2 hours’ driving from downtown Chengdu. Most tourists choose to travel Leshan Giant Buddha and Mount Emei together from Chengdu, for the transportation is very convenient and the natural scenery is distinct, cultural link is profound and impressive. After your Panda tour in Chengdu, you will be transfer to Leshan in the morning. You’re suggested to make a Buddha boat tour within half a day, if your schedule is tight and you plan to visit Mount Emei in the afternoon. Of course, you can choose to hike if there are less visitors and you get to the scenic area very early. When time permits, you may have an in-depth exploration of Leshan Giant Buddha, try the two visiting ways together to enjoy different views and scenery, even go to nearby spots in Leshan, such as experiencing the only existing coal-burned railway in China - Jiayang Steam Train in Qianwei County, etc. Extended Emeishan Tours usually takes about 1 to 2 days, depending on your hiking route, physical condition and length of holiday.

☛ 2 Days Mount Emei Leshan Giant Buddha Smart Tour
☛ 4 Days Classic Leshan Giant Buddha & Mount Emei Tour from Chengdu

How to Plan a Jiuzhaigou Huanglong Tour

Travelers usually spend one or two days in Jiuzhaigou Valley, and explore Huanglong Valley in a half day, excluding the arrival and departure days. Most travelers transfer to Jiuzhaigou from Chengdu by flight or driving. Some other cities also have flights to Jiuzhaigou, such as Beijing, Chongqing, etc. After arrival, spend a half day to tour the Huanglong Valley, and another full day to visit Jiuzhaigou. If you want to take a walking or photography tour, we recommend spend one more day.

☛ 3 Days Classic Jiuzhaigou Tour by Flight
☛ 4 Days Classic Jiuzhaigou Tour from Chengdu
☛ 7 Days Sichuan Discovery Tour

How to Plan a Zhangjiajie Tour

Zhangjiajie is an incredible place with absolutely beautiful landscape under heaven. Travelers usually spend 3 to 5 days in and around Zhangjiajie. There is no doubt that Wulingyuan National Forest Park is the highlight of all the stunning attractions which needs to spend 2 days inside. If you have one more day, you should add Zhangjiajie Grand Canyon with Glass Bridge Experience or Tianmen Mountain into the trip. Some travelers choose to visit Yellow Dragon Cave or Baofeng Lake for one day. If you prefer Zhangjiajie day tours, you can always find a tour.

If you want to enjoy the antique beauty of ancient town, Fenghuang Ancient Town is the best choice for one to two days' escape. And, you can also consider of Fanjingshan Mountain to see the mushroom stone and odd mountains.

☛ 4 Days Zhangjiajie Exciting Adventure with Glass Bridge and Tianmen Mountain
☛ 3 Days Classic Zhangjiajie Natural Wonders Tour

How to Plan a Fenghuang Old Town Tour

Normally, tourists spend  1~2 days in Fenghuang Ancient Town to visiting the 8 core attractions in the town and nearby attractions such as Furong Ancient Town, South Great Wall, Dehang Miao Village etc.

☛ 5 Days Amazing Zhangjiajie & Fenghuang Ancient Town Tour
☛ 6 Days Zhangjiajie Tour with Antique Furong & Fenghuang Ancient Towns