15-day Alternative trip to China: the most surprising places
This 15-day alternative trip to China is designed for those who want to visit the stunning and impressive Avatar Mountains (Zhangjiajie). In addition to:
- Fenghuang, the city often said to be the most beautiful ancient city in China.
- Huangguoshu, the largest and most magnificent waterfall in China.
- And the most exotic province in the country, Yunnan, with its rice terraces and ancient cities and villages.
Moreover, with this alternative route, we aim to avoid the typical China trip to: Beijing, Shanghai, the Terracotta Warriors of Xi’an, and the Guilin mountains. Instead, we visit other places that are famous within China but not as well known to foreign tourists. Of course, apart from the Avatar Mountains, which not many foreigners visit either.
This is also a route for those willing to move around a lot during the two-week trip, as we will take several trains and two domestic flights.
If you prefer a more relaxed trip, focusing on a single Chinese province, I recommend you check out the 13-day organized route through Yunnan, the province of ethnic minorities, temples, and ancient cities.
Itinerary of the Alternative Trip to China: 15-Day Route
| Day | Daily Activities | Accommodation |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Arrival in Beijing. Transfer to Lijiang by plane. Airport pick-up. | Overnight in Lijiang |
| Day 2 | Visit to Lijiang Old Town and its main attractions. | Overnight in Lijiang |
| Day 3 | Travel to Dali. On the way, discover Shibao Mountain and Shaxi. | Overnight in Dali |
| Day 4 | Visit the Three Pagodas of Dali and tour around Erhai Lake. | Overnight in Dali |
| Day 5 | Departure to Kunming by high-speed train. Visit to the Stone Forest of Shilin. | Overnight in Shilin |
| Day 6 | Journey to the Yuanyang rice terraces, stopping at mountain villages. | Overnight in Yuanyang |
| Day 7 | Day exploring the Yuanyang rice terraces. | Overnight in Yuanyang |
| Day 8 | Travel to Jianshui. Visit the Double Dragon Bridge and the old town of Jianshui. | Overnight in Jianshui |
| Day 9 | Morning in Jianshui. Travel to Kunming to catch a train to Anshun. | Overnight in Anshun |
| Day 10 | Visit to the Huangguoshu Waterfall and its surroundings. | Overnight in Anshun |
| Day 11 | Early morning train trip to visit the old town of Fenghuang. In the afternoon, train to Zhangjiajie. | Overnight in Zhangjiajie |
| Day 12 | Full day to explore the Zhangjiajie National Park in-depth. | Overnight in Zhangjiajie |
| Day 13 | Morning to visit other areas of Zhangjiajie. Afternoon flight back to Beijing. | Overnight in Pekín |
| Day 14 | Visit to the Great Wall, Beijing city center, and its landmarks. | Overnight in Pekín |
| Day 15 | Transfer to the airport for your return home. | – |
Alternative trip to China: The Avatar Mountains, Fenghuang, and Yunnan
In this section, I’m sharing a few photographs of the destinations we will visit on our alternative trip to China. These images will give you a glimpse of the incredible landscapes and cultural gems awaiting you.
Additionally, on my blog, you can find posts about almost all of these places, such as Beijing, Lijiang, Dali, and Yuanyang Rice Fields, where I share more detailed information and tips to help you make the most of your journey.
Alternative route through China: Included and Not Included Services
Good news! Currently, it is not necessary to apply for a visa for stays of up to 30 days in China. Spanish passport holders are exempt from a visa for tourism, business, family visits, transit, or cultural and academic exchanges.
To make your trip through Yunnan easier, most services are included in the price of the route we offer. Here’s a table with the included and not included services on the Yunnan route:
| Included services | Not included services |
| 14 days of hotel with breakfast included. | Flight ticket. We can advise on dates, combinations, and flights, but it is recommended to pay for the flight individually. |
| Private Spanish-speaking guide for the entire trip. | Meals and dinners: We have not included them to offer more flexibility on the trip, as sometimes you may want oriental or western food. One important note: you will hardly spend more than 10-20 euros per day per person on meals and dinner! |
| Local English-speaking tourist guides. | Travel insurance, as it’s better to do them individually. (Recommendation: Mondo insurance: 5% discount on your MONDO travel insurance) |
| Private vehicle with a qualified driver. Includes fuel, tolls, and parking fees. | |
| Entrance tickets to temples and parks. | |
| High-speed train tickets. | |
| Transfers to airports, places of interest, train stations, and pick-ups and drop-offs at the indicated hotels. | |
| Operation fee and government taxes. | |
| 24-hour Spanish-English telephone service, 7 days a week. | |
| 2 bottles of bottled water per person per day. |
Price of the 15-day trip through China
The price of the trip varies depending on the number of people traveling. The more people, the cheaper it becomes!
| Number of People | Price per Person |
| 2-3 People | From 2550 € per person + Flight tickets |
| 4-6 People | From 2350 € per person + Flight tickets |
| 7-8 People | From 2250 € per person + Flight tickets |
| 9-10 People | From 2150 € per person + Flight tickets |
Alternative trip through China: Travel as a couple, with friends, or in an organized group
- You can choose to travel as a couple or with friends in a private group. We can organize a private trip through China for you at any time of the year.
- On the other hand, if you prefer to join an organized group with more people, these usually take place in July and August, as there are typically more travelers during this time.
- Attention! We have started opening groups for July and August. If you want to join one and know the exact dates, feel free to contact me!
Alternative 15-day trip through China: Frequently Asked Questions
- Who organizes the trip to Yunnan? We work with an agency in China that handles the legal procedures, insurance, hotel bookings, transport, and drivers. My role is to plan the route, coordinate the details, act as your guide, and ensure everything goes according to plan.
- What if I can’t be your guide? If I can’t accompany you due to prior commitments, you’ll have another Spanish-speaking guide, a resident of Yunnan with experience.
- How much does the flight ticket cost? A round-trip flight from Madrid or Barcelona to Kunming usually costs between 800 and 1200 euros.
- What type of hotels are used? Most accommodations are 4-star hotels, combining modern and traditional styles, and are located in the city center.
- What is the best season to visit China, especially Yunnan, the Avatar Mountains, and Huangguoshu Waterfall? The best time is during spring (March to May) and autumn (September to November). These seasons offer pleasant weather, with moderate temperatures and clear landscapes. In summer, although the weather remains warm, it is the rainy season, which can affect some outdoor activities.
- Are there many tourists at these places? Although most of these places are less known to international tourists, they have gained popularity within China, so during peak seasons, you may encounter overcrowding at some tourist spots.
- Can I customize my trip? If this route doesn’t suit your interests, we can design a customized itinerary or include other destinations according to your preferences.
Contact us to plan a trip to China
Don’t hesitate to contact me if you’re interested in this route through China or if you need more details about our China travel itinerary, the specific places we’ll visit, or if you have any questions. You can reach me at contacto@sindestinoaparente.com.
You might also be interested in other posts, such as The best places to visit in Yunnan or The stunning Huangguoshu Waterfall: The largest in China, to learn more about each destination.
And remember, for now, you don’t need to pay a visa to travel to China for tourism as long as your stay doesn’t exceed 30 days. It’s definitely a great time, so take advantage of the opportunity to travel to China now!
“Everything in excess is bad, except traveling.”
