Use your 10–14 days well
Count your days on the ground after international travel. The 10-day China itinerary connects Beijing, Xi’an and Shanghai with two intercity moves. With two weeks, the 14-day cities and mountains itinerary adds Zhangjiajie and another transfer. Compare the available sightseeing days, not just the number of destinations.
Allow space after arrival
Leave your first day light and check hotel arrival arrangements against your actual flight. Compare the full journey from your Australian departure airport, including connections and luggage conditions. Arriving in one Chinese city and leaving from another may save a return journey, but compare the total fare before deciding.
Make room for the outdoors
A Great Wall day involves different walking from a city visit. Zhangjiajie adds park transport, steps and weather-dependent views. Read the Zhangjiajie travel guide before deciding how many days to allow. Our 14-day example has two full mountain days; seeing the forest park and Tianmen Mountain at a slower pace calls for more time or one fewer city.
Check the calendar in both countries
Australian school holidays and Chinese holiday periods may overlap with busy travel dates. Check both calendars before settling on a route and ask about the effect on prices and reservations.
Use Australian official travel advice
Check Smartraveller’s China advice and insurance considerations before booking. Passport nationality and your route determine entry requirements.
Australian government China travel advice
Source checked 20 October 2026. Route lengths are planning suggestions, not measured market preferences.
Comparing China tours from Australia
Ask whether a quote starts on arrival in China or includes international flights from Australia. Check the currency, domestic connections, room nights and guiding days. A price in USD is different from an AUD quote; confirm the payment currency and any fees before comparing totals.
Use our first-trip planning guide to narrow down your route and the practical China travel guide for payments, trains and arrival preparation. Then send your departure city, travel month, group size and preferred pace through the trip enquiry form.