13 Days in China: 4 Best Itinerary Ideas

From the serpentine slumber of the Great Wall to the rickety riddles of the Yangtze, you're about to embark on a jamboree journey through the Middle Kingdom. Welcome to China - where history winks and the future nods in greeting. Are you ready to step into a world where history laughs, cuisine sings, and landscapes tell tales?

Itinerary #1: The Great Wall Galavant & Yangtze Yacht Yarn

Step into a 13-day whirlwind tour of China, where ancient walls whisper stories and rivers glide through poetic landscapes. This journey dances from the historic beats of Beijing to the rhythmic waves of the Yangtze, culminating in Shanghai's electric embrace. It's an adventure across centuries, serving up a feast of cultural wonders and natural splendors.

First stop: the Great Wall, absorbing vistas that poets and painters have struggled to capture. Hike it, or just stand and gawk - both are great options to admire this ancient architectural wonder. The Forbidden City reveals the secrets behind each scarlet wall. Walking through the Meridian Gate, feeling the weight of imperial gazes in the vast courtyards, explore the intricacies of palace life through engaging descriptions of ancient customs and tangible artifacts with your knowledgeable guide. At the Summer Palace, prepare for a serene yet spirited stroll.

Next, Xi'an. Here, the Terracotta Warriors stand in eternal formation, each with a face different from his comrade - talk about attention to detail! The Muslim Quarter buzzes with bites and banter, and the food, you gobbling up every tasty morsel in sight as Pac-Man. And atop the Ancient City Wall, you can race the sunset on a bike.

Onward to Guilin! Glide along the Li River, through a landscape so surreal, you'll pinch yourself to make sure it's real. Yangshuo is a pastoral paradise. Cycle through, feel the wind in your hair, the sun on your back, and maybe a bit of farmer's mud on your shoes.

The Yangtze calls next, with a cruise that's anything but ordinary. Beginning in Chongqing and ending in Yichang, your trip will pass through the breathtaking Three Gorges - Qutang, Wu, and Xiling; each with its own special allure. Excursions to Shibaozhai and Shennv Stream put you in the middle of nature. And don't miss the "wow" factor of the Three Gorges Dam.

Your curtain call is Shanghai, where the Bund struts like a fashionista, showcasing future glam, while the French Concession whispers stories of a Shanghai that once was. Don't forget the Shanghai Museum, a treasure trove of ancient artifacts, offers a silent dialogue with history.

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Itinerary #2: Journeys Through China and Tibet's Mystic Realms

Step into a world where ancient legends meet skyscraper tales! This 13-day adventure spins you through China's greatest hits, from the Great Wall's stoic stones in Beijing to the spiritual heights of Tibet and the electric pulse of Shanghai. It's a perfect blend for nature-hungry travelers.

Touchdown in Beijing! A stone's throw away lies the Forbidden City, once a citadel of mysteries, now an open book of architectural marvels and royal lore.

As twilight descends, the Hutongs invite with their narrow alleys, a mosaic of old-world charm and sprightly banter. Rickshaws zip through, offering a glimpse of life untouched by the ticking clock. Here, amidst the Houhai bar street, with its pulsating rhythm, invites you to indulge in nocturnal revelries, a symphony of modern beats and traditional melodies. Evening? Optional Kung Fu show - because who doesn't want to see people break bricks with their foreheads?

Awakening with the sun, you embark on a tour to the Great Wall at Mutianyu. Each step on this serpentine marvel, a step back in time, your footsteps echoing the toils of ancient hands. The Sacred Road lies ahead, a path trodden by departed emperors, a passage to celestial realms, guiding you in quiet contemplation.

Visit the Temple of Heaven, it's where emperors prayed for good harvests - whisper your own little wish; who knows, it might come true! From here, your journey leaps on a bullet train's wings, choo-choo your way into history, leaving one ancient capital for another.

Xi'an, a name that resonates with the echoes of a distant past. Here, an army awaits - the Terracotta Warriors. These clay celebrities have been standing guard for over 2000 years, their earthen gaze piercing through millennia. The Ancient City Wall beckons, here, one can cycle atop this age-old barrier, the city's heartbeat audible in the rhythm of pedaling feet and the distant hum of the modern world.

Tibet. The name itself a chant, a hymn to the heavens. Here, the Potala Palace stands out as a symbol of Tibetan Buddhism. Jokhang Temple whispers tales of faith, and Barkhor Street envelops you in a vibrant tapestry of pilgrims' prayers.

In Lhasa's embrace, you wander through Norbulingka Park, once the Dalai Lama's summer retreat, now a canvas of nature's art. Drepung and Sera monasteries are on the list, famous for their debating monks.

In Chengdu, get ready for a panda rendezvous. These cuddly furballs aren't just cute: they are the real emperors of chill! At the Giant Panda Research Base, witness these bamboo-munching bundles of fluff in their playful glory.

Finally, Shanghai's dichotomy enchants, where history and modernity dance. The Shanghai Museum, Yu Garden, and the Bund's colonial grandeur narrate tales of time's passage. The French Concession's lanes whisper stories of a colonial past, a serene farewell to your journey.

Potala Palace, Lhasa

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Itinerary #3: China Historical Odyssey Tour

Dive into a 13-day saga across China, a tour that's less about 'seeing' and more about 'living' history. Not only snapping photos at the Great Wall, but tracing its ancient stones, weaving stories of yesteryears. In Xi'an, stand in awe amidst the Terracotta Army, not as mere spectators but as part of a timeless tale. Each stop, from the serene pagodas of Luoyang to the poignant echoes of Nanjing, is a chapter in your adventure book.

Beijing, a city where imperial echoes resonate. Scale the verdant reaches of the Mutianyu Great Wall, feeling its age-old bricks beneath your feet. The Forbidden City, a maze of regal splendor, reveals stories of emperors and their courts. Learn about the stories behind each palace with the company of your guide. Conclude your Beijing journey at the Temple of Heaven, where you may watch residents exercising and perhaps join them if you're interested.

Your journey continues with a train to Datong, a cradle of artistic heritage. Witness the Yungang Grottoes, where Buddhist tales are sculpted in silent stones. The Huayan Temple and the iconic Nine Dragon Screen offer further insights into China's religious and artistic evolution.

In Pingyao, walk through living history. Its streets, a mosaic of Ming and Qing narratives, invite you to explore. Discover the Rishengchang Former Bank, a relic of financial ingenuity, and let the City God Temple whisper Taoist secrets. Each corner of this ancient town is a testament to the timelessness of Chinese culture.

Xi'an, a melting pot of history, awaits. The Terracotta Warriors stand guard over forgotten empires, each figure a story in earthenware. Meander through the Muslim Quarter, a bustling tapestry of cultures, tastes, and sounds, reflecting the city's Silk Road legacy.

Luoyang, a beacon of Chinese enlightenment, offers a spiritual retreat. Witness the physical embodiment of discipline and strength in a Kung Fu show, and explore the Longmen Grottoes, a treasure trove of Buddhist art carved into the very heart of mountains.

In Nanjing, history's many facets converge. Visiting the Nanjing Massacre Memorial, expect detailed exhibits, harrowing photographs, and artifacts that bring to life the tragic events of the 1937 massacre. It's immersive and impactful, laying bare the enormity of the atrocity. The Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum honors a dream of unity, while the Confucius Temple imbues the air with ancient wisdom, offering insights that deepen your understanding of this enigmatic land.

Shaolin Kongfu Show

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Itinerary #4: A Gastronomic Trip through China

Dive into a 13-day tour across China's culinary landscape, a banquet of flavors waiting to be discovered! From the towering Great Wall, where history whispers tales of yore, to the sizzling woks of Chengdu, where hotpot dances tantalizingly on your tongue. Traverse ancient Xi'an, biting into history with every local treat, and end your journey in Hong Kong, where tea rituals and street eats weave a tapestry of taste. This journey is a gourmet's dream, perfect for adventurers ready to feast on China's cultural and culinary riches.

Welcome to Beijing, where history is served on a platter! Your journey kicks off with a duck! Yes, Peking Duck - crispy, juicy, and just the right kind of greasy. But before you get your hands greasy, let's trot over to the Great Wall. To climb this ancient marvel, each step a crunch in time, and thinking, 'Did they deliver take-out up here?'

The Forbidden City awaits, its red walls and golden roofs a silent testament to bygone imperial grandeur. But let's not linger on aesthetics alone. The real journey lies in a simple bowl of Zha Jiang Mian in a quaint eatery, where flavors of fermented beans and fresh noodles blend in a symphony of simplicity and depth.

Here, the Terracotta Army stands guard, not just over China's first emperor but over a culinary heritage rich and robust! Dive into the Muslim Quarter, where the food is halal and the flavors are off the charts. Think Rou Jia Mo (aka Chinese hamburgers) and Biang Biang noodles that are as fun to eat as they are to say. Participate in a cooking class where you learn to make dishes that could impress even the Terracotta soldiers.

Chengdu, home of the giant pandas and the hot pot that's not for the faint-hearted. Visit the furry celebrities, then brace yourself for the Sichuan hot pot challenge. Can you handle the heat, or will you be reaching for the nearest glass of milk? It's a spicy ordeal followed by a tea ceremony to soothe your scorched taste buds.

In Guangzhou, it's all about Yum Cha and Dim Sum. Chitchat, sip, munch, repeat. Those tiny dishes pack a punch, and the tea washes down more than just food; it's every gulp of local culture. Hong Kong, a city where the food scene is as dazzling as the skyline. From Michelin Star street food that could outshine some top-tier restaurants to exploring the Aberdeen floating community, where the fish is as fresh as the gossip. End your journey at Victoria Peak, overlooking the city you've just eaten your way through.

Peking Duck

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You've traveled through the corridors of history, from the stoic grandeur of the Great Wall to the playful pandas of the Chengdu. You've tasted the bold flavors of Xi'an and felt the gentle caress of the Shanghai breeze. Yet, the story, much like the serpentine Yangtze, flows on, unending, ever-inviting. Now, poised at the crossroads of reminiscence and anticipation, Odynovo extends an invitation to delve deeper into China. 2 weeks in China is your treasure map to the unseen, the untasted, the unexperienced, it offers secrets and surprises that await your discovery.