01
Build the journey around the days you have
Mark arrival, departure and intercity moves first. Ten holiday days are not ten full sightseeing days. Choose two priorities before adding bases.
These existing SACTOUR routes are starting points. Extra nights and revised services require a new quote.
| Time in China | An existing starting point | Where to keep the breathing room |
|---|---|---|
| 3 days | Guilin & Yangshuo, 3 days | A focused regional escape; arrival and departure times matter. |
| 5 days | Beijing, 5 days | One base with time for landmarks and local streets. |
| About 7 days | Chengdu & Chongqing, 6 days, or South China family, 7 days | Choose one theme; use an extra day for rest or an extended stay. |
| About 10 days | Beijing–Xi’an–Zhangjiajie, 8 days, or the classic 10-day city idea | Add buffers to the eight-day route instead of chasing early and late connections. |
| About 14 days | Five-destination China, 11 days, or the 14-day cities-and-mountains idea | The five-stop route is full; give extra nights to places already on it. |
02
Choose the month together with the region
Compare spring (roughly March–May) and autumn (September–November) city routes without assuming mild, dry weather everywhere. Allow for summer heat and rain; assess winter conditions by region and elevation.
Compare each stop’s climate, then recheck forecasts, attraction notices and that year’s holidays. Family routines matter alongside the calendar.
Official & provider information: [4] Shenzhen Meteorological Bureau: regional climate and seasons ↗
03
Book in a sequence that protects the whole route
Check eligibility and connections before restrictive bookings. Passport, purpose, route, ports and stay length—not departure country alone—determine entry requirements.
Check documents and entry first
Use official Chinese immigration or consular guidance; check visa procedures and flexible reservation options before committing.
Connect international travel with the first night
Compare arrival time, airport, hotel transfer and realistic first-day plans.
Join domestic travel to hotel nights
Check stations, passport details, rooms and dates. A requested train booking is not an issued ticket.
Confirm reservations and support
Agree key visits, guiding language, meeting points and cancellation conditions. Write independent time into the plan as well.
Official & provider information: [2] China Railway 12306 official English website ↗
04
Give preparation four checkpoints
These organising windows are not official booking deadlines. With less notice, prioritise documents, transport and the first night.
Around 4–8 weeks out
Choose a route, check entry, explain ages, walking needs and dietary restrictions, and compare cancellation terms.
Around 2–4 weeks out
Review hotels, transport, payments and insurance; check names and bookings awaiting issue.
The final week
Prepare payment, connectivity, translation and transport tools using the specialist guides. Save Chinese addresses and confirmations offline.
The final 48 hours
Recheck travel, pickup, weather, luggage and tomorrow’s plan; share your itinerary summary.
05
Make the first 48 hours easy to adjust
Keep arrival plans adjustable. Dropping a walk is easier than missing a paid, timed visit after a delay.
Arrival: get the essentials right
Check the transfer contact and meeting place, collect belongings and reach your hotel. Never share payment codes with unverified people.
The rest of day one: stay local
Settle in, try a small payment and check that you can contact your planner. Eat nearby or take one short walk. Arriving late can simply mean rest.
Day two: one main experience and a flexible pause
Follow the reservation, then add a nearby walk or meal. Know the return address and meeting time before exploring separately.
06
Pack for the route, and describe your needs clearly
Bring familiar shoes, adjustable layers, light rain protection and offline plans. Keep documents and valuables organised. Check your actual carriers’ luggage, power-bank and cabin-item rules.
- Walking and access: explain comfortable walking time, steps, heights, lift needs, breaks and room requirements. A private vehicle does not make every visit step-free.
- Food and allergies: describe ingredients, sauces and cross-contact concerns before booking; prepare a clear Chinese note. “Not spicy” and “free from an ingredient” are different requests. Confirm what a restaurant can provide.
- Medicines: availability at home does not establish permission to bring an item into China. Check the relevant official requirements and seek suitable professional advice.
Official & provider information: [5] UK government: health and insurance preparation for China ↗
07
Keep a backup beyond your phone
Save insurance, assistance, planner and consular contacts where companions can find them. Ask the insurer about destinations, activities, cancellation and emergency assistance. An operator’s liability cover is not a substitute for personal travel insurance.
In mainland China, call 110 for police, 119 for fire or 120 for medical emergencies. Give your location, Chinese address and callback number. Contact your planner, insurer or consulate afterwards as appropriate; a planner’s contact channel is not a substitute for emergency services.
- Keep the first hotel address, transfer instructions and important booking references offline or on paper.
- Store document backups separately from originals; avoid sharing full documents, card details or codes through public chats or unknown links.
Official & provider information: [3] Shanghai government: public service and emergency hotlines ↗ [5] UK government: health and insurance preparation for China ↗
08
Turn preferences into an itemised proposal
Share the month, days, arrival and departure cities, party, budget and two priorities. Add walking, room, food and language requirements rather than a long city wish list.
Review hotel nights, rooms, transport, transfers, guiding, admissions, meals and options. Check currency, per-person or party pricing, group basis and cancellation terms. Ask about extra nights, fewer stops or independent time.
Q & A
A few useful questions
Is seven days necessarily too short for a first visit?
No. Focus on one region or convenient destination pairing. Subtract travel time before counting sightseeing days; not every landmark belongs in one trip.
Should I book international flights before choosing the domestic route?
Check entry, arrival and departure cities and a workable route together before comparing flights. Follow official visa requirements and reservation conditions; an application is not an approval.
Can I explore independently and arrange help for selected days?
Yes, discuss assisted and independent days while planning. Availability, services and price follow your personal proposal.
Official sources & service links
Recheck policies, fees, device support and reservation requirements for your travel dates, documents and account through these official or provider channels.