planning
All travel guides tagged with "planning".
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toolkit4 Weeks in China Itinerary 2026: The Grand Tour from Beijing to Yunnan
A 4-week China itinerary covering the country's highlights — Week 1 in Beijing (Forbidden City, Great Wall, Xi'an), Week 2 in Sichuan (Chengdu, Jiuzhaigou, Leshan), Week 3 in Yunnan (Lijiang, Dali, Xishuangbanna), Week 4 in Shanghai and Suzhou. Train connections, what to cut if time is short, and the logical flow that avoids backtracking.
Updated May 2026
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luxuryLuxury Travel in China 2026: Private Transfers, Premium Hotels & Exclusive Experiences
High-end China travel — the private train carriages that can be booked for the Shanghai-Beijing route, the best China luxury hotel brands (Aman Resorts has properties in Beijing and Lijiang, the Capella has extraordinary properties), private guide + driver packages, skip-the-line solutions for Forbidden City and Terracotta Warriors, and the money-can't-buy experiences in China.
Updated May 2026
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toolkitChina in May 2026: Best Destinations, Weather & Avoiding the Labour Day Holiday Crowds
China in May — the full picture of what to expect across different regions, the May 1st Labour Day Golden Week (how to avoid or embrace the crowds), which destinations are at their peak in May (Luoyang peony season ends, Yunnan is stunning, Beijing is perfect), and specific destination recommendations for a May trip.
Updated May 2026
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Northeast China Itinerary 2026: Harbin, Changbai Mountain & Shenyang in 10 Days
Northeast China (Dongbei) 10-day itinerary — Shenyang's Manchu Imperial Palace (1 day), the ice festival in Harbin (2-3 days), the Siberian Tiger Park, the rime ice phenomenon in Jilin City, Changbai Mountain and the Heaven Lake crater (2 days), and the Korean food culture of Yanbian. Best done in winter when everything is at its most extreme.
Updated May 2026
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toolkitChina SIM Cards & eSIM Guide 2026: Which to Buy & Mobile Data Options for Foreigners
Mobile data in China for foreign visitors — buying a local SIM on arrival (China Unicom 'Tourist SIM' at major airports, ¥100-200 for 30 days), using an international roaming SIM (expensive but setup-free), Hong Kong SIM cards that work in mainland China, eSIM options for 2026, and the relationship between your SIM and Alipay/WeChat (they need separate verification).
Updated May 2026
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seasonalChina in Spring 2026: Best Destinations March, April & May
China in spring — the cherry blossoms in March (Wuhan University campus, Yuyuantan Park in Beijing), the rapeseed flower fields of Wuyuan in April, the Luoyang peony festival, Yunnan in perfect weather, Jiuzhaigou re-opening after spring snowmelt, and the Labour Day Golden Week crowds in early May to plan around.
Updated May 2026
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