China Spring Itinerary

Trip Overview

🛤️ Transport: Train-based journey
⏱️ Duration: 3 weeks
💲 Budget: $2,500-$4,000 total per person
🌡️ Best Time: March-May
🏃‍♂️ Pace: Moderate
🗺️ Route: Beijing → Wuhan → Chongqing → Kunming → Dali → Lijiang
🚂 Total Train Time: ~20 hours

This trip is a variation of an itinerary we did in February/March 2024 combined with elements of September 2024 trip.

It combines varied landscapes and is created to create a logical route with easy transit and a variety of regions that have optimal weather for spring and are often too hot to visit in the summer.

Itinerary Snapshot

Route Overview

Beijing: Days 1-4
- Key highlights: Great Wall, Forbidden City, Temple of Heaven, hutongs
- Train to next city: 4 hours to Wuhan

Wuhan: Days 5-6
- Key highlights: Cherry blossoms, East Lake, Yellow Crane Tower
- Train to next city: 5 hours to Chongqing

Chongqing: Days 7-9
- Key highlights: Ciqikou Ancient Town, Three Gorges Museum, hotpot dinner
- Train to next city: 5 hours to Kunming

Kunming: Days 10-11
- Key highlights: Stone Forest, Green Lake Park, Flower Market
- Train to next city: 2 hours to Dali
Dali: Days 12-14
- Key highlights: Dali Ancient Town, Erhai Lake, Three Pagodas
- Train to next city: 2 hours to Lijiang
Lijiang: Days 15-17
- Key highlights: Lijiang Ancient Town, Jade Dragon Snow Mountain, Tiger Leaping Gorge
- Optional extension: train to Shangri-La (4 hours)

Is This Route Right for You?

✅ Perfect for travelers who:

Want to experience diverse landscapes and cultures in one trip
Enjoy a mix of urban exploration and natural scenery
Prefer train travel over multiple domestic flights
Want to experience spring blossoms and comfortable temperatures

❌ Consider a different route if you:

Have less than 2 weeks available (see our shorter variations below)
Prefer staying longer in fewer places
Want to focus solely on major cities or solely on natural attractions
Are traveling during peak summer or Chinese holidays

Best Time for This Route

Seasonal Route Considerations

Early Spring (March):
- Weather: Cool in Beijing (5-15°C), warming in Wuhan (10-18°C), pleasant in Yunnan (15-25°C)
- Highlights: Plum blossoms in Beijing, early cherry blossoms in Wuhan
- Train booking difficulty: Moderate (avoid Qingming Festival, usually early April)
Mid-Spring (April):
- Weather: Mild in Beijing (10-20°C), warm in Wuhan/Chongqing (15-25°C), ideal in Yunnan (15-25°C)
- Highlights: Peak cherry blossom season in Wuhan, wildflowers in Yunnan
- Train booking difficulty: Moderate to hard (book 30+ days in advance)
Late Spring (May):
- Weather: Warm throughout the route (20-30°C), some rain possible
- Highlights: Lush green landscapes, fewer crowds before summer
- Train booking difficulty: Easier (except Labor Day holiday, May 1-5)

🌟 Pro Tip: April is generally the sweet spot for this route, with optimal weather and flowers in bloom.

Getting Around China

If it is your first time in China, make sure to check out my posts about China travel essentials:

China Train Guide

Train Types

High-Speed (G trains)
- Speed: 300+ km/h
- Cost range: ¥300-900 ($20-100) depending on distance and class
- Best for: Long-distance travel between major cities
- 🎟️ Book high-speed trains
Fast Trains (D trains)
- Speed: 200-250 km/h
- Cost range: ¥200-700 ($10-80)
- Best for: Routes without G train service
Normal Trains (K, T, Z)
- Speed: 60-160 km/h
- Cost range: ¥100-500 ($15-70)
- Best for: Budget travel, overnight journeys with sleeper berths

Booking Train Tickets

How to book: Online via Trip.com (most convenient for foreigners) or at train station ticket offices
When to book: 30 days in advance for high-speed trains (bookings open exactly 30 days before departure)
Seat classes:
- Second Class: Comfortable and affordable
- First Class: More spacious seating, worth the upgrade for longer journeys
- Business Class: Luxurious but expensive, rarely necessary

Visa Requirements

China requires a visa for most foreign visitors. As of 2024, increasing number of countries don't need a visa for up to 30 days of travel.

Visa options:

Standard Tourist Visa (L): Most common, valid for 30-90 days
30 days Visa Exemption: applicable for many European countries and beyond
144-hour Transit Visa-Free: Available in major cities if continuing to a third country
Group Visa: For organized tours

For families, note that each person (including children) needs their own visa. Plan to apply 1-2 months before your trip.