If it's your first time visiting China, you may want to explore several cities in one trip. But with China being such a large country, how you arrange the route, when to take the high-speed train, and when to fly can make a big difference to your experience.
The key to a successful multi-city trip is not visiting as many places as possible, but planning your route, transportation and time properly.
1. choose your cities first, then plan the route
Start by choosing 2–4 cities based on your interests, then decide the best order to visit them.
For example, food lovers could consider:
Chengdu → Chongqing → Xi'an → Beijing
For modern cities and beautiful landscapes, consider:
Shanghai → Hangzhou → Suzhou
Try not to change hotels too frequently just to visit more cities. Otherwise, you may spend a large part of your trip travelling.
2. use high-speed rail for shorter distances
China's high-speed rail network connects many major cities, so high-speed trains are often the best option for shorter distances.
For example:
Chengdu → Chongqing
Shanghai → Hangzhou
Beijing → Xi'an
High-speed rail stations are often relatively close to city centres, making them convenient for travellers.
3. consider flights for longer distances
For longer journeys, flying can be a better option.
For example:
Beijing → Chengdu
Shanghai → Xi'an
Chengdu → Beijing
However, remember to allow time for travelling to and from the airport, security checks and boarding. Flying isn't always significantly faster once the entire journey is considered.
4. don't make your schedule too tight
A good approach is sightseeing in the morning → travel in the afternoon → check into your hotel in the evening.
Try to avoid scheduling major attractions, long-distance transportation and flights all on the same day. Delays can easily affect the rest of your itinerary.
5. for your first trip, consider professional help
China's high-speed rail, flights and public transportation are convenient, but for first-time international visitors, booking tickets, choosing the right stations, arranging airport transfers and managing luggage can sometimes be complicated.
A private customised tour or group tour can arrange your hotels, transportation, attractions and transfers in advance, making it easier to move smoothly between different cities.
A great multi-city trip isn't about visiting as many places as possible. It's about planning your transportation and time well so you can actually enjoy each destination.