solo tours china

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China Tours for Solo / Single Travelers

250+ china tours for singles / solo travelers with 342 reviews.

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China Express - 8 days

Leo was brilliant with the right balance of history, geography and social skills

Great Wall & Warriors - 10 days

What an amazing experience from start to finish! Matthew was incredible, and after a few days with him we went on to the next part of the trip where we met Andrew, we were worried Andrew woudl not be as welcoming and professional and friendly as Mathew - but he was as confident, well versed and delightful. Next came Faye who was also as good. Matthew stayed with us from the beginning to the end. What a respectful and kind charector - we were a roudy bunch and he handled us all so well. He went the extra mile on several ocassions - someone left and I pad at a venue, another left clothes at the last hotel - he went out of his way to make sure all items got back to their owners. The food was never ending -I am sure we recieved more than we bargained for! at one point we couldn't make a part of one of the excursions due to weather - Matthew refunded this part of the trip! this was most unexpected. well done ! best trip ever - I'll be looking for the next On The Go trip

8-Day Small Group China Tour to Beijing, Xi'an and Shanghai

This was the best step we made to explore China. This tour was more and beyond our expectations. Maggie was our guide and I cannot recommend her highly enough. Maggie was so giving in her knowledge, so we could soak up the culture.

• 10% deposit on some dates Some departure dates offer you the chance to book this tour with a lower deposit.

China Delights Small Group Tour

This is a great tour that packs a lot in. Time flies as you see so much although you won't spend long at many of the sites. My favourite bits of the itinerary were: - The Great Wall at Mutianyu (Beijing) we took the chair lift option which meant we could ride the toboggan back down. - Terracotta Warriors (Xian) half day - Li River Cruise (Guilin) - Huangpu River Cruise (Shanghai) which luckily turned into an evening cruise as we couldn't get on the earlier one. Those are the highlights but there are so many other things such as the Tang Dynasty Dancing and Dumpling Dinner and Summer Palace in Beijng and Reed Flute Caves in Guilin. In particular Guilin so picturesque and Shanghai so modern. We were lucky with our first two guides, Tina (Beijing) and Celine (Xian) who were both excellent. Autumn in Guilin and Mindy in Shanghai were good too. Autumn stayed with us to help us find and order food in the evenings so a couple of long shifts for her. Celine helped arrange a birthday cake for one of our younger travellers. Included meals were excellent. Full banquets usually in local restaurants but we really enjoyed the home cooked lunch as well. Food was plentyful. We even enjoyed the set meal box on the cruise. Hotels were generally of a good standard. Check-in at The Great Wall Hotel in Beijing was really slow though and trying to find a table for breakfast was difficult and located a fair distance away from where the restaurants are (need to get the subway to reach them) The hotel in Guilin was the worst one, the rooms being some distance away from the lift and lobby and small bathrooms. The hotel in Shanghai was excellent. It was nice touch that we got framed photo souvenirs of our trip from Beijing although I think both myself and my sister should have received one each as we paid for single supplements. Some feedback I'd give would be that they need to let us know about the optional night tours that are available on the website/ itinerary before we come out so that we can budget properly. There was a night visit for the Big Goose Pagoda in Xian with the musical fountain light show which we would have liked to have gone to didn't go to due to the weather. We found that the night cruise in Guilin was expensive as the premium we paid for the guide to buy the tickets and come onboard with us was excessive. We could have just walked to the ticket office and bought the tickets ourselves. The night tour of Shanghai was just as expensive but at least that included a coach to drive us around as well as the guide. Having said that, we could have used the subway and got around ourselves and because it started so late, we didn't see much. It is worth going up Jin Mao Tower. Overall, we had a great time on this trip and would recommend Travel China Guide.

• Book With Flexibility This operator allows you to rebook your dates or tours with them for free, waiving change fees.

Wild Yunnan 8D: Kunming-Dali-Lijiang- Shangri-La

Since we were traveling in an unpopular travel time, we had our own private tour guide. Our guide, Nancy, was also our driver for Dali, Lijiang and Shangri-La. The whole itinerary was very good scheduled and not to packed, so we had time to stroll around the cities by ourselves as well. We were very happy overall and will definitely recommend this tour

China Express

Firstly the accommodation for the first night was moved to another hotel the day before the tour started. The hotel where we were moved to had no record of us. The same thing happened to the rest of our tour group. This defeats the purpose of booking through an agent. We waited in the foyer for hours (after a very long flight) to get a room in the hotel. The hotel was far from the original hotel and before we started the tour we planned to see sites and researched metro stops etc.

• Train & Rail
• Sightseeing

China Highlights (5 destinations)

11-Day Small Group China Tour to Beijing, Xi'an, Guilin and Shanghai

Very educational, cultural tour. organization was perfect, Would like to congratulate every one who played a role in organizing this tour.

11 Days China Natural Wonders Small Group

Would recommend to anyone looking to travel to China. TCT looked after us very well, collected from airports and stations without issues, helped us check in etc. The guides were excellent, and very helpful. The itinerary was well put together, fitted a lot in without being exhausting. Just a couple of hotels could have been better, would recommend to the company to use a different hotel in Beijing and Zgangjijie.

Great Wall to Great Cities: Beijing to Shanghai China Journey

I took their Beijing tour back a few years ago and loved it!! I still can't believe I saw so much of China in just 3 weeks! The hostels were actually really nice, and the experiences were incredible. Guides were all super friendly and had fun recommendations. When meals weren't provided, we'd get a group dinner together which was super fun. At times I was the most exhausted I've ever been, but the guides were super motivated and kept the energy up. I know people who have gone on more expensive tours of China and didn't get to do the cool stuff we did like camping on the great wall of china or training with shaolin warriors.

• 5% deposit on some dates Some departure dates offer you the chance to book this tour with a lower deposit.

Real China Highlights

Very good, it was a very pleasant trip, I will participate in other China tours.

• River Cruise

14-Day Impression China Group Tour

Almost everything went to plan so am very happy :). Had bad weather on one day, and central government restrictions prevented seeing lesser known sights, so that is okay. Most of the guides where excellent. Thanks to those guides who made extra effort to make our tours special. Special thanks to Lexi who was always around to help, and managed to organise the trip so perfectly :).

• Walking Adventure

Beijing & Xian Essentials Group Tour

The tour was very well organized and the tour guides (Kevin in Beijing and Lily in Xian) were great. It was certainly very nice it was only the two of us with the guides, so everything could be on our pace. The sights we visited were partly very crowded, but with the small group and the great help of the guides, we were flexible and could enjoy everything very much. We also profited a lot from the great knowledge of Kevin and Lily, who are extremely knowledgeable and gave us very good explanations and answers to our questions.

Best of China Small Group Tour

China Group Tour to Beijing, Xi'an, Yangtze River Cruise and Shanghai

We liked: travelling in a small group: having informed and caring guides: easy, supported acess to main sites: Kung Fu Show in Beijing: Variety show in Xi'an, most authentic and fabulous lunch meal in Shanghai with Chris.

What people love about China Solo Tours

What an amazing tour of china, we visited the great wall twice, the forbidden city, terracotta warriors, overnight train from Beijing to Xian and tasted some wonderful local food with some night time entertainment. Would recommend this tour to anyone.

A perfect taste of China!

As a couple surprised by an fantastic individual tour by three very articulate guides and proficient drivers around Beijing, Xian and Shanghai. Learnt not only about history but culture and language today. Felt very safe even when venturing out alone around cities without guides. Our only issue was we could not get internet to connect but that is going to be more us being technophobic. However so supported by guides that not required.

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12 tips for solo travel in China (from a self-proclaimed expert)

Posted by Gayle Aggiss | Updated August 15, 2022 | Travel

Have you ever dreamed of traveling solo through China?

Some people may try to convince you that it’s too dangerous to travel solo in China. But in fact, the opposite is true.

China has a very low crime rate, the public transport is great, and even though you’ll struggle to communicate with the locals outside of the main cities, that issue will apply whether you’re alone or with someone else.

In fact, solo travel in China can be amazing. Trust me, I’ve done it!

It will allow you to immerse yourself in a way you just can’t manage when you’re with other people. It will force you to engage with people and with the country. And it will encourage you to have a truly adventurous and unique trip based on what you most enjoy to do.

That being said, traveling by yourself in China can be difficult. That’s why I’ve created this list of top tips for solo travel in China.

1. Expect a safe place

China is a safe country all around, with a low crime rate . But you’re even safer when you’re a tourist in China.

The Chinese government is very concerned about their public image on the world stage, so any criminals harming tourists are given hefty sentences. And to most of them, it really isn’t worth the risk.

You should still take the same precautions when traveling in China that you would take anywhere else. But you’re at very low risk of physical attacks of all kinds.

In fact, while you’re there, you’ll probably feel safer than you did back home.

I know that when I was in China, I was shocked at the fact that I could walk home at 3 am after a night out with friends.

Not only was I perfectly safe, but I felt safe too, in a way I hadn’t experienced when doing the same in Australia, where I’m from.

2. Get a visa

Know the visa rules before you travel to China. Image by i viewfinder on Shutterstock.

You may need to get a visa when you travel to China. It depends on where you’re going, how long you’re staying, and what country you’re from.

For really quick trips (i.e. less than six days), you could be eligible for what’s called Visa Free Transit. But if you’re not, you’ll need to compile some documentation and pay a visa fee – again, this depends on where you’re from.

You can check the Chinese visa page for more information and help.

3. Be prepared for culture shock

Culture shock will affect independent travelers. Image by Ulrich & Mareli Aspeling on Unsplash.

Unless you’ve traveled extensively in Asia, or even if you have, you’ll experience culture shock when you get to China. I know I did.

For the first few weeks (or months) I felt as if I was wandering around with my mouth wide open at just how different it was to my home.

But that’s half the fun, isn’t it? Everything’s different in China, from the food to the sights , smells, and ways of doing things. And this can bring on feelings like disorientation, anxiety, irritability and even fear and depression.

It can be particularly bad for solo travelers, who don’t have someone with them to discuss and debrief after a shock.

So, go easy on yourself. Take breaks when you need to. And with a bit of time, you’ll find yourself adjusting to the way they do things in China.

Some travelers like to learn a lot about the country before they get there, so the culture shock isn’t as intense. If that’s you, check out some of the best China blogs before you go, or even a China documentary on Netflix .

4. Don’t expect the locals to speak English

You’ll need to find other ways to communicate in China. Image by SteveMushero on Pixabay.

Traveling throughout China is very different to being a tourist in the major cities like Shanghai or Beijing.

Outside of the big cities and the main tourist areas, you’ll find that the locals speak very little English, let alone other European languages.

This can be a huge barrier for any kind of traveler, but here are some tips to overcome it:

• Don’t be embarrassed to use body language to communicate (but counting with your hands is different in China, so be careful)
• Always have your hotel/destination names on your phone in Chinese so you can get back to your base
• Also have any dietary restrictions written down in Chinese on your phone
• Download a translation app on your phone (choose one like Pleco that doesn’t need internet access).

If you’re addicted to Google (for translation, maps, etc), make sure you get a VPN before you arrive in China. Otherwise, your access will be blocked by The Great Firewall of China.

5. Stay in hostels

Great hostels like this one (Hantang Inn, Xi’an) are ideal for solo travel in China. Image by Matyas Rehak on Shutterstock.

As long as you’re reasonably careful, then hostels are a great choice for solo travelers.

They’re generally safe and will give you the chance to meet other travelers so you can have company when and if you want it.

Most hostels in China have dorm and private rooms. So, if you don’t mind sleeping in a room with lots of strangers, you can take a dorm room and travel really cheaply.

And if you need more privacy, you can have your own room and still enjoy access to the shared facilities for friend-making time.

I recommend using Hostelworld as it specializes in budget accommodation and has a huge range of hostels in China.

6. Beware of scammers

Counterfeit notes are in circulation in China. Image by Ton Anurak on Shutterstock.

You’ll find scammers in almost every country and as a solo traveler, you’ll be an easy target. Most scammers set up shop in the popular tourist cities like Shanghai and Beijing , but you need to be careful everywhere.

Here are some tips for staying safe from scammers:

• Beware of anyone who comes up to you and speaks good English (Chinese people are usually pretty shy)
• Don’t exchange your money on the street – do it at a Chinese bank
• Check any change you get for counterfeit ¥50 or ¥100 bills
• Don’t go for a drink (even tea) with a friendly local who approaches you on the street, as they may leave you with a huge bill
• Try to use proper bank ATMs
• Be careful and cautious when giving money to people begging
• Always ask the price of your meal/snack/drink before consuming them.

You can read more about the most common scams in China here .

7. Be careful what you buy

Blink and you’ll miss the fake Nike shoes. Image by StreetVJ on Shutterstock.

If you’re from most Western countries, then you can be reasonably certain that the items in the shops are authentic. However, China is famous for its knockoffs, and these can appear in some unexpected places.

For example, don’t just assume that a bottle of your favorite perfume actually is the brand that the bottle says. Always check the bottle carefully, just in case it’s a knockoff.

And remember that fake goods may get confiscated at the airport, so this is an important thing to do when you buy branded products.

8. Be prepared for the toilets

When you travel solo in China, you have no one to remind you to bring toilet paper! Image supplied by Gayle Aggiss.

If you’re only traveling in the major tourist areas on a tour, then you probably won’t have major problems with the toilets. But if you’re traveling independently or outside of the tourist areas then things will be different.

Most of the toilets you find in China will be squat toilets , which means you will have to get used to them pretty fast.

You should also carry toilet paper with you at all times, because most toilets won’t have any. And remember that the used toilet paper goes in the trash can, not in the toilet.

9. Learn to haggle

You should haggle at places like this in China. Image by LapaiIrKrapai on Shutterstock.

One of the bad things about traveling alone is the fact that you have to do everything yourself. And that applies to haggling too.

Haggling is common in China outside of chain stores and high-end boutiques, so be prepared to argue the price you want.

And don’t worry if you don’t speak the language, the shopkeeper will have a calculator that you can use to exchange prices.

It would be worth getting familiar with counting money in Chinese so you’re not short-changed.

10. Wear sturdy shoes

Make sure you’ve got good walking shoes for China. Image by Tom Wheatley on Unsplash.

When you get to China, you’ll see lots of young women wandering around in very high heels. Don’t try this yourself unless you’re as sure-footed as an acrobat in heels.

China’s roads, pavements, and everything else are often uneven, covered with rocks and other debris, or made of a slippery type of rock or tile. So, unless you like tripping over, avoid shoes that are hard to walk in.

I remember taking a big fall in the middle of a street in Shanghai, where roadwork was going on in the middle of a busy intersection. I went straight down on my hands and knees, ripping up my hands and my nice jeans.

Not to mention, there were plenty of locals around, all of them staring curiously at the scene. Try to avoid doing that yourself if you can!

The guide on what to pack for China covers shoes as well as every other item you’ll need in your suitcase or backpack.

11. Stay on the path

Stick to the places you want to visit, and you’re comfortable visiting. Image by Gualberto Becerra on Shutterstock.

China is a fairly safe place to travel as a solo traveler, much safer than other parts of the world. However, it’s still important that you stay on the beaten path unless you’re super-adventurous, fluent in Mandarin or not very risk averse.

Some parts of China, most notably the western and remote regions, are so isolated that you might have trouble getting into and out of them. For example, you need a special permit to visit Tibet  and even then you’ll be in a tour group.

Venturing off on your own in a place like this could get you into a lot of trouble. Plus, you don’t want to get stranded in the middle of nowhere in such a huge country, with no one around who speaks English and not a single embassy in sight.

So, stick to the beaten path, at least for your first trip to China. And why would you want to stray from it anyway when the beaten path is so exciting, filled with delicious food, beautiful nature spots, and amazing cities?

You can check out Mike’s article on China travel tips for more helpful info like this.

12. Ask for help

Locals will be generous with their time. Image by Maud Beauregard on Unsplash.

This may surprise you a little, but the locals will be incredibly helpful when you’re in China despite their shyness. That’s been my experience, anyway.

They won’t usually come up to you and ask if you need help, which is where the surprise comes in, but if you ask for help then they’ll often be extremely helpful and friendly.

They’ll work hard to understand what you need, help you read your maps, and giggle as they practice their English on you.

In fact, some of the most heartwarming interactions you’ll have while you’re in China will probably be when you ask the locals for help.

Just remember that tipping is not customary in China , so please don’t pull out your wallet when you do receive help.

Are you ready for solo travel in China?

Traveling solo in China can be an amazingly rewarding experience.

It will test you, teach you, frustrate you, and enthrall you, and you’ll return home a different person than you were when you left.

Just make sure you keep these tips in mind when you’re planning a trip to China, and traveling across the country. And don’t forget your China VPN !

Want to keep reading? Then check out my article, “ Is China safe? ” for more helpful advice about traveling around this crazy country.

Main image credit: Vonnahmed1 on Shutterstock.

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Gayle Aggiss

Gayle loves learning and is intensely curious about the world. This curiosity has driven her to travel and work overseas, including China and Vietnam. Gayle is from Perth, Western Australia. You can follow her on LinkedIn .

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Traveling Alone in China

So you're considering going solo in China? Actually, traveling alone is very doable in China as the country is relatively safe, and its main issues (such as language barriers and scams) are relevant whether or not you are alone. They are also easy to avoid with a little bit of preparation.

Here are the things that we think are most important to know before you decide to take on China by yourself, and what to keep in mind while you're there.

Culture Shock

Culture shock in China is felt more acutely by solo travelers , particularly if you haven't been to a developing country before. If you have no one to talk to and process your experiences with, you may feel very isolated very quickly.

You will find behaviors, food, sights, sounds, smells, ways of doing things, etc. can be very different in China. This bombardment of the senses and mind can lead to emotions ranging from fear and anxiety to frustration and irritability, to disorientation and depression.

Culture shock often follows a period of enchantment, awe and wonder (the honeymoon period), but may happen the moment you step off the plane. It is followed by a sense of adjustment to and tolerance of new surroundings, if you stay in China long enough.

See more on How to Deal with Culture Shock in China Easily .

The language barrier is the biggest problem for most travelers in China. Not many people outside China's big cities speak English, never mind any other European languages.

This can make it hard to travel around especially if you are by yourself. If you have any food allergies make sure you have this written down in Chinese too.

It is also a good idea to download a translation app on your phone, this way you can translate anything you come across, as many translation apps (for example, Pleco), do not require Internet access.

Hostels in China are generally safe and a great way to meet other travelers.

The larger dorm rooms tend to have lots of people in at the same time, but if you still feel uncomfortable you can always ask the staff to change your room for you or find another place to stay, your safety comes first! Many hostels also provide single-sex dorms if you feel more comfortable staying there.

Take your valuables with you if staying in a dorm, or if your door or window looks vulnerable to thieves.

China's registered taxis are generally safe, but avoid illegal taxis . Cars with red lights in the windows are black taxis, and unregistered. Also make sure you take the taxi receipt every time you leave, as that will increase your chances of retrieving something if you've accidentally left it in the taxi.

Make sure you always carry the name card of your hostel or hotel, including an address in Chinese characters , so that you can show it to a taxi driver, and they can help you get home if you get lost. The same thing goes for when you are visiting tourist attractions: make sure you always carry around the name or address of the place in Chinese. Many people, including the taxi drivers taking you around, will really appreciate it so there is no confusion as to where you are going.

As a solo traveler you are an easier target for scammers. This is why it is extra important to keep an eye out on these popular scams especially in cities with China's most popular tourist destinations.

Although it might seem distrusting, when people who speak good English come up to you at tourist destinations it is generally safer to politely tell them you don't want to talk to them, as you never know what their intentions are.

Personal Safety

This advice counts for people traveling alone as well as people traveling in groups. Keep your money and valuables hidden away when you are traveling, so that when you open your wallet nobody can see how much money you are carrying around.

On top of that, make sure you carry your health insurance information on you , so that if something does happen the hospital staff will be able to find your documentation.

It is also advisable to have your medicine allergies and any illnesses such as diabetes translated and written down in your documentation. If you aren't keen on carrying your passport around, make sure you have copies of your passport photo page, your Chinese visa, and your entry stamp on you at all times.

When you are out in bars and clubs make sure you are always watching your drink and your valuables. iPhones cost nearly as much as the average person earns a month in China's big cities, never mind the smaller cities, so they are popular targets.

If large groups of people come up to you you while you are out, and are acting extremely friendly, keep in mind that they might be after your valuables rather than just wanting to chat.

We Can Guide as Much or Little as You Want

Are you thinking of traveling to China alone, but do you have no idea where to start? We can help you while you are planning your first trip . See our most popular first trip to China tours:

• The Golden Triangle — 8 days in Beijing, Xi'an, and Shanghai
• Classic Wonders — the above with scenic Guilin, in 11 days
• The Flavor of China — savor local sights and foods in Beijing, Xi'an, Chengdu, Guilin, and Hong Kong — 12 days

If you do decide to come to China with us, we can also guide you as much or as little as you like. Want to be taken around the whole time? No problem, just let us know. Or would you rather we only take you to the more difficult to reach tourist destinations? That's also not a problem. All you have to do is contact us and tell us exactly what you are looking for.

Further Reading

• Are you a woman looking to travel to China alone or with fellow women? China is generally a safe place for this. Check out this article with tips for female travelers in China .
• Eating alone is all about convenience. We're prepared a list of the top travel-friendly Chinese snack foods , so you can eat conveniently, while exploring China.
• We have an entire database of articles to help you explore China, whether before your trip or during. For more travel tips in particular, check out the travel tips section of our articles .
• Check out our guidebook for more practical information.
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• 9-Day Beyond the Golden Triangle
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The best solo trips and solo holidays in China. We currently offer 220 China solo tour packages, many of which are guided tours . You can also read 185 customer reviews for solo vacations, often written by solo travelers.

231 solo trips in China

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China Highlights

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• Tour Type Small Group Tour
• Activities Cultural, religious and historic sites & Walking tours Cultural, religious and historic sites , Walking tours , Art and architecture , Countryside and village visits & City sightseeing 'data-more-tripid='3085'>+3 more
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• Starts Beijing, China
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Epic China Adventure

• Free cancellation
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• Tour Type Private Tour
• Activities City sightseeing & Trekking and Hiking City sightseeing , Trekking and Hiking , Natural landmarks sightseeing , Cultural, religious and historic sites & Adventure 'data-more-tripid='24747'>+3 more
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• Age Range 11-85 yrs

Imperial China & Yangtze River Cruise

• Activities Cultural, religious and historic sites & Natural landmarks sightseeing
• Accommodation Hotel & Ship Cabin
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• Age Range 16-95 yrs
• Brochure Price: US$ 5,398
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China Express

• Activities Cultural, religious and historic sites & Art and architecture Cultural, religious and historic sites , Art and architecture , Culture shows and excursions & City sightseeing 'data-more-tripid='4405'>+2 more
• Transport Train, Private Vehicle, Bus & Bullet Train
• Age Range 12-95 yrs
• Brochure Price: US$ 1,499
• Special Deal (15%): - US$ 225
• Total Price from: US$ 1,274
• May 17 Only 1 seat left
• May 31 Only 1 seat left

Historic China Tour - Small Group

• Activities Cultural, religious and historic sites & Museum and gallery visits Cultural, religious and historic sites , Museum and gallery visits & City sightseeing 'data-more-tripid='15238'>+1 more
• Transport Private Vehicle, Flight & Rickshaw
• Age Range 1-79 yrs

Walking the Great Wall

• Activities Trekking and Hiking & Cultural, religious and historic sites Trekking and Hiking , Cultural, religious and historic sites & Adventure 'data-more-tripid='7832'>+1 more
• Brochure Price: US$ 1,948
• Special Deal (5%): - US$ 88
• Total Price from: US$ 1,860
• May 25 Only 2 seats left
• Sep 21 Only 8 seats left

North China Getaway

• Activities Cultural, religious and historic sites & Art and architecture Cultural, religious and historic sites , Art and architecture , Walking tours , Natural landmarks sightseeing & City sightseeing 'data-more-tripid='3080'>+3 more
• Accommodation Hotel, Sleeper Train, Guest House & Hostel
• Transport Train, Bus, Private Vehicle & Sleeper Train
• Brochure Price: US$ 1,345
• Special Deal (15%): - US$ 202
• Total Price from: US$ 1,143
• May 15 Only 9 seats left
• Jun 12 Only 6 seats left

China Tour: Beijing, Xian & Shanghai - No Shopping Stops

• Activities Cultural, religious and historic sites & Museum and gallery visits Cultural, religious and historic sites , Museum and gallery visits & City sightseeing 'data-more-tripid='15234'>+1 more
• Transport Flight, Rickshaw & Private Vehicle
• Age Range 1-99 yrs

Best of China Small Group Tour: 11 Days

• Tour Type Group Tour
• Activities Natural landmarks sightseeing & Sightseeing Tours Natural landmarks sightseeing , Sightseeing Tours , Cultural, religious and historic sites , Classes and workshops & River cruise 'data-more-tripid='24225'>+3 more
• Transport Train, Flight & Private Vehicle
• Age Range 1-70 yrs

Yin and Yangtze - 15 days

• Activities Cultural, religious and historic sites & Art and architecture Cultural, religious and historic sites , Art and architecture , Wildlife , Natural landmarks sightseeing & Safari 'data-more-tripid='16144'>+3 more
• Transport Train, Boat & Flight
• Age Range 18-80 yrs
• Brochure Price: US$ 4,575
• Special Deal (25%): - US$ 1,144
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• Jun 08 Only 8 seats left
• Jul 06 Only 8 seats left

Explore China

• Activities Cultural, religious and historic sites & Local culture Cultural, religious and historic sites , Local culture , Countryside and village visits & Art and architecture 'data-more-tripid='3079'>+2 more
• Transport Train, Private Vehicle, Bus, Flight, Bullet Train & Taxi
• Jul 14 Only 7 seats left

Two-Week in China Including Yangtze River Cruise

• Activities Cultural, religious and historic sites & City sightseeing Cultural, religious and historic sites , City sightseeing , Cruise & Art and architecture 'data-more-tripid='25013'>+2 more
• Transport Train, Flight, Private Vehicle, Rickshaw, Boat, Bullet Train & Cruise Ship
• Operated in Chinese, English

• Ends Xian, China

China 7 Days Historical Tour: Beijing, Luoyang & Xian

• Activities City sightseeing & Cultural, religious and historic sites
• Transport Train, Bus & Private Vehicle
• Age Range 1-80 yrs

• Starts Lhasa, China
• Ends Lhasa, China

Mount Everest Base Camp from Lhasa: 8-Day Group Tour

• Activities Natural landmarks sightseeing & Cultural, religious and historic sites
• Accommodation Hotel, Camping & Guest House
• Transport Bus & Train
• Age Range 5-70 yrs

Traveling to China alone? Chat with a local travel expert in China who can help build the perfect solo trip in China.

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• Ranald Van Noord

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The ultimate solo travel in china guide.

China is many things. Crazy, overwhelming and unique are all words that could be used to describe this Asian country. Solo travel in China can seem pretty daunting – it’s often near impossible to know exactly what is going on while exploring the country, especially if you have little grasp of the language.

If you’re thinking about solo travel in China, you may have some concerns for your safety in this enigmatic country. Rest assured – one thing that China isn’t is dangerous. Actually, throughout all of the times I have been in this country (four now!), I have never felt my safety questioned or threatened once.

Considering that I travelled some tremendous distances (including a 44 hour train journey!) and have spent most of my time alone in the country, this is an enormous credit to the safety of the country.

There isn’t really that much difference between travelling as a solo male or female in China; the crime rate is so low that women just aren’t threatened, and there is less of a ‘chauvanistic’ culture than there is in the UK. I have never been harassed or catcalled in China; and sadly this still happens weekly back home in London.

So, if you want to solo travel in China, don’t worry – you’re going to be perfectly safe. The local people are some of the kindest I’ve ever met, and I always felt watched over and looked after by whoever was around me. Travelling in China is safe.

BUT, safe doesn’t always mean easy. And China is not easy. But it is so worth it.

What Makes China Such a Challenging Place to Travel?

So, if China is so safe, why is it such a difficult travellers’ destination, and why is it still relatively unexplored by backpackers? There’s a few reasons why so few backpackers venture to China on their Asia trips.

The Language

The language barrier is there, and it’s intense. Chinese couldn’t be further from European languages and the way that it is written makes it an incredibly complex one to master. While it’s entirely possible to learn Chinese if you’ve got a spare few years, being able to converse after one China trip might be difficult.

I picked up some basics (including the very useful phrase ‘this is my foot’, a great starter to any conversation), but anything beyond asking how much something was (and probably not understanding the answer) and asking for aubergine without meat in a restaurant was kind of beyond me.

English is Not Commonly Spoken

In other Asian countries, a language that’s hard to grasp isn’t necessarily a problem because lots of locals speak English. One of my biggest pet peeves is when English-speaking people go abroad and just expect everybody to speak Englishh, so I didn’t mind nobody speaking my language at all, but it definitely made travelling very challenging at times.

In the larger cities, some younger people have a good grasp of English and most of them are very keen to practice with tourists, but you really can’t rely on it anywhere in China (until you get to Hong Kong that is, where English is everywhere!). Travelling in China gives you an appreciation for hand gestures and body movements that you never thought you’d need!

The Road Signs Could be a Little More Informative

Signs in China can be a tad baffling.  Whether you find yourself confused at a station, where the signs are so sparse you could end up being fast-tracked to the Russian border, or be left wondering (or trying not to wonder) what the miscellaneous in ‘Sheep Casserole Miscellaneous’, chances are at some point you’ll be completely baffled by a Chinese sign.

Westerners are Stared at A LOT

Be prepared to be a local celebrity! In China, Western travellers are so uncommon that they are subject to constant staring and photo requests.

It gets a little bit tedious after a while, but it’s important to remember that the staring isn’t considered rude in their culture – they’re actually staring because they’re fascinated with Westerners – and as we’re in their country we should be respecting their cultures. Full stop.

The Food is Amazing… And Awful… At The Same Time

Being vegetarian in China is an interesting experience. Meat is everywhere; for breakfast lunch and dinner, all over market places, on the side of the road at service stations…. If you’re a strict vegetarian, you’ll struggle in China.

I had to desensitize myself to a lot of what surrounded me and remind myself that I was there to respect the culture, and this culture does view meat completely differently to the Western world.

Even if you’re a meat fan, you might find some of the specialities a little stomach turning – we’re talking cow stomach or pig liver, or the occasional white rubbery organ-shaped delicacy which doesn’t quite have a decipherable name…

But China’s not a complete hell for vegetarians. The Chinese actually love tofu, which can be found in many Chinese restaurants. And their veggie dishes are often AMAZING.

Aubergine fried in garlic, cauliflower in a spicy sauce and huge bowls of thick noodles were my favourites when I was out there. The food just took a bit of adjusting to – another rung to the complicated ladder of backpacking in China.

The Distances Are Large

Unless you want to take internal flights (which I wouldn’t recommend – the trains are an experience and are much more environmentally friendly ), you’re going to be covering some serious ground in China.

My longest train ride was 44 hours – while I always had a bed and enough space to get up and walk around, I can’t say that they were exactly comfortable, and sometimes just standing outside the toilets was enough to turn my stomach!

That being said, I have also taken some new trains, like the amazing bullet trains that connect different cities, and the ultra-modern slow train between Shanghai and Beijing. These trains are absolutely fab.

They were all part of the experience of travelling in the country and I do believe that travelling by train through China was one of the best things that I’ve ever done .

The Culture is Completely Unique

The culture of China, which developed independently of outside influence for thousands of years, is the polar opposite of everything that I’ve ever experienced before.

There’s 1,300,000,000 people in China and the way that they are doing things may well make a great deal more sense than the Western way of doing things. But it’s different for Western tourists, and takes some adjusting to.

Why Should I Solo Travel in China?

All of this shouldn’t scare you! Despite China being confusing as heck and the opposite of user friendly, there’s so many reasons why you should still explore this country on your own, ESPECIALLY if you’re on your own!

Why is that? You may ask. I’ll tell ya…

• Travelling in China is a humbling experience. You realise how large the world is and how many different ways there are to do things other than your own.
• China boasts incredible nature and scenery (like Jiuzhaigou and Zhangjiajie) as well as the most jam packed manic cities, which are equal parts frustrating and completely awesome. You can check out the 20 best places to visit in China here .
• There’s a distinct sense of pride you can achieve by conquering certain countries, and China definitely is one of them. And solo travel in China makes that experience all yours.

Tips and Tricks for Solo Travel in China

Due to China being a really safe place, solo travelling in China as a girl or guy doesn’t make much difference. Obviously use common sense – if somewhere seems dodgy don’t go there, and if a situation is uncomfortable get out of it.

Common sense is enough to keep you safe in China – even though I quite often have no idea what’s going on there, I never feel my safety questioned in China.

But safe doesn’t always mean easy. And solo travel in China is not easy. But there are some ways to travel through China without feeling like the world is upside down!

Here’s how to travel solo in China and absolutely boss it.

Make a Cheat Sheet

As soon as you land in China and arrive at your accommodation, get someone there to make you a cheat sheet. Generally, you’ll find someone at your hostel or hotel who can speak good English (hostels generally have younger people employed and many speak excellent English, or you may also find Chinese guests who can speak good English).

Write down some basic words in English – certain foods that you like ordering or places around the city you might want to visit are a good start – and ask your helper to translate these into Mandarin Chinese characters.

Your cheat sheet will become your best friend. Make it pretty, keep it safe and add to it!

If you want to have a cheat sheet organised before you get to China, contact me on Instagram – I can offer a translation service of basic words and phrases written by a Chinese native for a good price.

Try to Learn Some Chinese

Yes, Mandarin Chinese is hard, and some of the words are accented so simliarily that it can often seem that you’re trying to say something completely different to what you mean. But this doesn’t mean that you can’t learn a little bit! People can and do learn Chinese when in travelling in China. It is a language that will take you a while to master, but if you’re travelling in the country for over a month, the bare basics can easily be grasped.

By the time I left China on my first seven-week trip, I could ask how much items were in a shop, I could occasionally understand the price of said items, I could ask for aubergine, rice and watermelon and I could say make me a cup of tea.

While my culinary options were somewhat limited by this, it was good to know that if I became completely stuck without my cheat sheet, I could at least make a simple transaction and get some food. (By the way, the Chinese cook aubergine in such a delicious way that I was more than happy that it was nearly all I asked for. I ate it most days for three months and I have no regrets. Hence the copious mention of aubergines in this post. Just keepin it real).

Before I visited China I learned the incredibly useful phrase ‘this is my foot’ and the words for ‘zebra’ and ‘hippopotamus’. The opportunity for these didn’t arise too much when navigating China, but honestly, you really can learn a bit of Mandarin with some effort. It also looks super impressive when you travel to other places!

Completely Open Your Mind

Lots of things in China are completely different to the way that they may be in Western societies. Embrace this and love the change – there’s over a billion Chinese people and you know what? What they’re doing might actually make more sense than what we’ve been fed our whole life.

Revel in the culture, even if it confuses the heck out of you. Enjoy queueing – nobody queues like the Chinese after all. Smile and wave to the people staring – and remember that they’re only staring because they’re fascinated because it’s so rare that they see Westerners. Let kids have their picture taken with you!

Make Yourself Known (very loudly) to EVERYONE

This strategy will definitely land you in the idiot abroad category, but you have to be one of the world’s savviest travellers to not be lumped in this category whilst travelling in China in the first place.

I developed the tactic of boarding a train, giving every staff member a big and cheerful ‘Nihao!’ (hello) and pointing at the name of my destination on my ticket, with an I HAVE NO IDEA WHAT’S GOING ON look in my eyes. The staff always got the message and made sure that I was alerted before my train stopped at its destination.

Make Use of some Fantastic Apps

I wasn’t the best at doing this but there are some great mobile apps that you can use while attempting to navigate China – many of which I was made aware of – and wished I used more of! – after I left the country.

Make sure you have a decent smartphone on your China packing list – it will make getting around the country much easier.

• Maps ME lets you download detailed maps of your local area which you can browse at your leisure.
• Google translate has a fantastic voice function that can translate what you need to say into Chinese and Chinese speech into English.
• DiDi is the Chinese Uber.

These will really help you explore China with very few hiccups. If you have an Android phone, download these before you enter the country, as Google Store is blocked in China.

Always Have a Map of the Local Area and Your Accommodation Address Written Down in Chinese

These are two of the most valuable things that you will keep in China. Mobile apps are great, but you never know when a phone will break, run out of battery or get lost (in my case, A LOT). Oh, also, remember your power bank when travelling in China or anywhere in the world.

If you keep these two things on your person whenever possible, it will be pretty impossible to be completely lost.

Get in the habit of getting these sorted as soon as you get to a new place, or even before – they’re perfect to show taxi drivers at a station!

Relax, Know that Everything Will be ok and Enjoy the Crazy Rollercoaster that is Travelling in China

As I said before, China is safe . You’re more secure walking the streets of Beijing than Berlin, and I’d feel so much more at ease rocking up to Shanghai train station at 3am than walking the streets of South East London. You won’t come to any harm in China .

You’re going to be confused, you’re going to slip up a few (hundred, maybe) times, and you may even end up lost somewhere in Inner Mongolia when you meant to get off the train in Xi’an (edit: the latter never happened, I made sure of that through careful practice of making everyone aware of my presence at all times while on trains).

Your China travelling experience will be bonkers and ridiculous and fascinating and amazing. It will all come together to be a perfect yet flawed trip. You’ll wonder how it’s possible to feel so much frustration and amazement at the same time, and laugh at how bizarre it is to revel so much in bewilderment. Just open your heart and mind and enjoy the ride. You’ll have a blast. 

5 thoughts on “ The Ultimate Solo Travel in China Guide ”

This was such a great text of info!! Now it really makes me wanna go!! I’m a 62 years old lady with white hair and when i travelled solo to Thailand , Vietnam and Bali this year , i absolutely Loved it!! Go when i want to go and where i want to go! Loved it!! I never dined alone! But there was no language barrier so when i go to China, i will definitely depend on my phone translator and carry a big battery with me. This is very exciting.!! I going to a wedding in Hong Kong in January and will more then likely continue to China. Which city and places do you highly suggest? And I’m gonna do cheap hotel accommodation. Hows the youth hostels in china? Is it fairly unexpensing to visit China? Have you been sick from food poisoning? I know that can happen anywhere but in all my travel i haven’t been sick anywhere and i ate everywhere i felt like. Hows the trains accommodations? I normally travel by plane to save time since it was so cheap in Asia. Thank you very much for all the great tips.

Hi Odette, amazing! I’m sorry for the late response, but I’ll answer your questions now and hope that you see them. You sound like such an adventurer, I hope I’m the same at age 62!

Definitely take your phone translator, Google translate is a life saver! Younger people in the cities do speak some English – some very good – but in the countryside and older people won’t speak it.

For a first time, I’d definitely recommend checking out my first time China itinerary. If you type into Google China itinerary Claire’s Footsteps it will come up. Those are all of the places that I think are essential to get a real feel for China just by one trip. There are some hostel recommendations too. Hostels in China are great! Most are really clean and high standard and serve food and drinks. Wifi not great but that’s to be expected and talking to people is much more fun. I’ve met so many interesting people in Chinese hostels, both locals and other travellers.

Yes, it’s very cheap, especially if you stay in hostels and eat at local places. I didn’t get sick in China – although I don’t eat meat which may help! I have got sick a few times in Latin America though so I know I’m not immune!

I would recommend taking a sleeper train once as they’re quite an experience! I’ve never actually flown internally in China (trains are cheaper and I’ve always found it a good way to save money on a night’s accommodation when booking the right one) but I’ve used Chinese airlines when flying internationally and have always found them to be very good.

I hope that helps! Do come back and let me know how your trip goes, I’d love to hear about it!

Hi Claire, I was just wondering what your experience of hostels out there was? Was it easy to meet other backpackers along the way. I’m interested in going to south west China but wondering hat it will be like out there? Katie

Thanks so much for this!! I’m going to Xiamen for four months on exchange then will be backpacking across China for two months. This post is so helpful and has got me so excited!! Just discovered your website and I’ll defs be coming back to it <3

Thanks Holly, so glad it’s helped your trip planning!

Comments are closed.

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Solo Travel in China

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If you are planning to tour China during a   solo trip to Asia , below is my solo travel to China travel guide on how to travel China solo including where to travel in China, the best places to visit in China for solos, where to stay, the best tours to China for solos, and how to get around when you are travelling China alone. Find out how to get from the airports and what to do in each place.

All companies included have been recommended by myself and other solo female travellers and come with our Solo Female Friendly endorsement. Just choose the relevant section or read the full article for solo female travel China. 

N.b. For every booking made through this article, I donate money to projects helping vulnerable girls about the globe. Thank you for helping to make a difference to their lives. 

About China

Tours in china, accommodation in china, travelling around china, from the airport, how long do i need, plan a trip to china, map of china.

Is China safe for solo female travellers? China is relatively safe for female travellers but be prepared for a bit of a culture shock. Staring, spitting, shoving in queues and using a microphone for practically everything can leave you feeling a bit overwhelmed, especially in Beijing, the capital. That's why we've given it 2 out of 5 stars. Most people are curious but once you get outside of the city, people are welcoming and friendly.

The language barrier can be a challenge. If you are lost or in need of help, younger people are more likely to speak English than older people. When in doubt, look for a high-school student. Keep an eye on your belongings, and be cautious venturing out on your own at night, just as you would anywhere else.

China is a fascinating country to explore but if it is your first time to the country and you are unsure of where to visit in China and what to see in China alone, you may prefer to take a tour of China instead.

If you're thinking of going to China, Global Work & Travel helps you to organise au pairing placements in China and around the world. Choose from a working holiday, summer camp, internship, volunteering or tutoring and teaching abroad. Their placements include all the support you need for a life-changing adventure.

Vast, timeless, and exotic, China mixes the ancient and the modern in a not-always-seamless but continuously fascinating manner. Rich in history, full of natural beauty, and constantly evolving, the country is endlessly alluring and has something for everyone. In addition, China is safe for solo female travellers and still relatively inexpensive – what’s not to love?

* Before you travel, check what paperwork or visas are required for China .  

Start in the capital city of Beijing , home to many of the country’s best-known monuments. Ease your transition into the unfamiliar culture by visiting the Summer Palace, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and one of the places to visit in Beijing. Its grounds cover almost 3 square kilometers and feature pavilions and temples against a backdrop of perfectly manicured lakes and gardens.

Take your time touring the Forbidden City as well. The Forbidden City was once the Imperial Palace and is now a beautifully preserved site and home to a fantastic museum. For a dose of more recent history,

Temple of Heaven in Beijng

Other Things To Do in Beijing Alone

Tiananmen Square is literally right across the street. Here you can both pay homage to the anti-communist protesters who made the square famous as well as visit the mausoleum housing Mao Zedong’s body.

Is Beijing safe for solo female travellers? Yes, and Beijing also has excellent shopping, nightlight, and restaurants. Head to the hip 798 Art District, full of galleries, cafes, and trendy boutiques, and enjoy a lazy afternoon wandering about. If your budget allows, be sure to check out the Peking Opera, which puts on spectacular shows in centuries-old tradition.

One of the best things to do in China, is to see the famous Great Wall. Beijing is also a good base for exploring the Great Wall of China . As one of the famous things in China, numerous tour operators organise everything from day trips to multi day expeditions along the city wall. 

Tiananmen Square (photo @ Tracey Petrass)

Pingyao 

From Beijing, head south on an overnight train to Pingyao , home to the best preserved walled city in China. Rent a bike, or simply wander the car-free alleys of this ancient city– you’ll feel as though you have been magically transported centuries back in time in the old town. 

After spending a day or two soaking up Pingyao, hop on another overnight train to Xi’an . The city was the capitol of China for over 1,000 years and is home to the famous Terracotta Warriors, one of best things to do in China, as well as numerous other museums and historic sites.

As the eastern terminus of the famous Silk Road, Xi’an is also a melting pot of cultures. Check out the Muslim quarter for delicious street food and a different perspective on China.

The Terracotta Army in Xian

From here, consider a side trip to Chengdu in the west, famous for its Giant Panda reserve. Chengdu is also an excellent base for organising trips further west into China or into Tibet . Dunhuong , once a stop on the Silk Road, is one highlight of western China.

The city is home to the Mogao Caves, once a treasure trove of Buddhist art and manuscripts. Today, the caves remain picturesque and extremely enjoyable to explore. You can also organise camel treks into the surrounding desert from Dunhuong.

Two hours from Chengdu is another of the top things to see in China, Leshan Giant Buddha, called giant due to its 71 metre size. What makes it one of the country’s tourist attractions is that it is the tallest stone Buddha statue in the world, and majestically carved out of a red-coloured cliff with a river below its mighty feet. To reach here, it's easier to take a day tour . 

Great Wall of China

Even further west is the city of Kashgar . A meeting place of cultures and religions for thousands of years, you’ll enjoy wandering the city’s back alleys and traditional Muslim neighbourhoods. Try to make it to the Sunday market, an experience you’ll never forget. Flying is generally the best way to make it from place to place in western China as the distances are unimaginably vast.

Yangtze River

If your itinerary doesn’t allow you to explore western China, simply continue south from either Chengdu or Xi’an and explore the Yangtze River region. The river itself is over 6,000 kilometers long, but the most breathtaking section is far and away the Three Gorges.

Take a three-day cruise from Chongqing to Yichang through a mystical landscape of fog, greenery, and mountains rising from the water. Cruise routes have changed in recent years due to the construction of a controversial damn that displaced over a million of the river valley’s residents.

Your next stop – Yangshuo – is equally scenic and awe-inspiring. Yangshuo is surrounded by twisting karst mountains, streams, and rice paddies, and you’ll enjoy relaxing in this beautiful outpost. Rent a bike and explore the countryside, go for a hike, give rock climbing a try, or simply kick back and enjoy this tranquil town.

Take a side trip via bus to Longsheng and the nearby Longji rice terraces (literally, Dragon Backed Mountain). This hilly, somewhat remote area is home to some of China’s most photographed rice paddies, as well as to numerous ethnic groups found nowhere else in the country. The Yuanyang rice terraces are also one of the beautiful areas to see.

For those planning a south China trip, one of the best places to visit in southern China is Macau. This entertainment hub with its Vegas-style dazzling lights of its casinos was once a Portuguese colony, and you can see its unique blend of multi-cultural heritage amongst the temples, gardens and fortresses, making it one of the unique places in China.

One of the main reasons that people flock here is for its nightlife. As a city that never claims to sleep, it’s definitely one for the fun, party solo. If you’re at a loss at what to do in China in the evenings in the rest of the country, the Chinese appear to love karaoke, so find a karaoke bar and join in.

Near Macao is Guangzhou , one of the lesser known places to visit in China. But this mega port city on the Pearl River has one of the country’s best amusement parks and is a hub for the bullet train. There are many free things to do in Guangzhou from seeing the Five Ram Statue in Yuexiu Park, to the European-style buildings on Shamian Island.

The glittering lights of Macau

Another of the major cities in China is Shanghai . If you need a break from Chinese culture, Shanghai is more cosmopolitan and you will feel less conspicuous here, as it is one of the best cities to visit in China for a more western feel.

Walking along the Bund riverfront promenade, admiring the old French buildings are just one of the things to do in Shanghai alone, as well as visiting the Shanghai Museum and the pink building of the Oriental Pearl TV Tower that’s shaped like a baby’s rattle.

For amazing views of the city, the Jin Mao Tower is one of China’s tallest towers and the perfect place to see this city in all its glory. If you’re in need of adventure, the Skywalk allows you to ‘wander in the cloud’ along the tower’s 60 metre long glass walkway, 340 metres above the ground. It’s one of those crazy Shanghai attractions to get your heart pumping.

Other Places To See in China

Zhangjiajie National Forest Park is one pf the best places in China to transport yourself to a movie scene. This National Park with the Wulingyuan Scenic Area with its majestic Hallelujah Mountains were the inspiration for the floating mountains in the movie, Avatar. This spectacular canyon is also where you’ll find one of the unusual things to do in China – take a thrilling walk along the World’s longest and highest glass bridge that sits 270 metres above ground.

Another best place to visit in China is West Lake. This scenic area in Hangzhou has enough temples and gardens to keep you mesmerised for an afternoon. The lake is split into 5 areas and you can hire a bike to leisurely explore their beautiful destination at your own pace, stopping to shelter from the sun, or hopping aboard a boat ride to explore the island within it.

China is the World’s second-largest country, and this is only a small sample of what awaits you. With time and money, you could spend a lifetime exploring it and still touch only the tip of the iceberg. Solo travel China and your first visit is unlikely to be your last as China will enchant you and lure you back again and again.

Thinking of going to China? Global Work & Travel helps you to organise au pairing placements in China and around the world. Choose from a working holiday, summer camp, internship, volunteering or tutoring and teaching abroad. Their placements include all the support you need for a life-changing adventure.

G Adventures China

If you feel more comfortable in a group for either part of your trip or the whole duration, G Adventures is a responsible tour company which offers trips to China and mainly caters for budget travellers. Most tours have an average of 10 people and there is no upper age limit. Once you book your China travel tour you pay extra for any excursions you want to do when you’re there.

Adventures start from a 4 day Habin Ice Festival to 21 days Ultimate China on a Shoestring including Hong Kong. I have personally used G Adventures and recommend them as a solo female friendly company.

Intrepid Travel China

Intrepid Travel also offer tours of China. They are similar to G Adventures with an average of 12 people on each tour. Over 50% of people using their trips are solo travellers. They tend to use hotels instead of hostels and have a more comfortable style of accommodation hence the trips can appear more costly than G Adventures.

Intrepid Tours China start from 9 days of China Highlights experiencing the best of China, and include 2 week itineraries to Yunnan & Tiger Leaping Gorge. In addition to their guided China tours they also offer tours to Tibet. With both tour companies you share a room with another female or you can pay extra for your own room. Read our  Intrepid Travel Reviews

Get Your Guide – Get Your Guide helps you to find top-rated activities and tours in worldwide destinations including China. Choose from a ticket to the Forbidden City in Beijing, a trip to Mutianyu Great Wall, or a visit to the Terracotta Warriors in Xian. There are several to choose from including Beijing tours, and it’s really simple to use. Just check the reviews, price and availability then book online. * Check all tours and prices here

If you are planning a solo China trip, expect all types of accommodation from luxury to budget. In Chinese cities such as Shanghai and Beijing you’ll find everything from hostels to five star international hotels.

If you pre-book your accommodation through a platform online expect to pay a service charge on top. Mid-range hotels are everywhere but choose a newly opened property instead of an older one to ensure better quality. There are chain hotels as well as independent budget ones. If you are staying in a rural village in China, don’t be surprised if you hear Karaoke at full blast during the evenings.

For budget GatGs there are several hostels and if you are planning on being in China for a while, it may be worth becoming a member of the International Youth Hostel Association (IYHA) where you can get a discount on your hostel stays (perfect for backpacking China alone). You could also save money on your accommodation by taking an overnight train from Beijing to Xian.

The cost of the train then includes your bed for the night. Whether you take a hard seat or a soft sleeper. When you arrive at a train or bus station you may be greeted by tourist touts offering you a cheap room in their local guesthouse.

If you’ve ever wanted to experience a capsule hotel then the Art Hotel Beijing is a great option. It’s a great experience even if only for one night. For all accommodation you may have to pay a deposit which you get back at the end with the receipt.

China doesn’t really offer camping but you can stay with a local through Airbnb, a platform where you can rent a local’s spare room or even the whole accommodation for the duration of your stay. You can save $20 off your first stay with this Airbnb link . 

• To book, check prices or availability for all accommodation in China

How to get around in China by train – When you're travelling in China, trains and buses are the best types of transportation in China to experience the country. While both options cover an extensive network, trains are slightly safer, quieter, and the fastest means of China transportation with the famous bullet trains (speed trains) which reach speeds of nearly 200 mph and offer a wider range of options in terms of seating, meals, etc. You can buy train tickets at the ticket offices in the train stations (take your passport to purchase them), and make sure you buy them with plenty of time in advance. You can purchase them online too.

China has four class trains. You can choose from a soft sleeper which has 4 beds in a carriage and are the most comfortable and costly or a hard sleeper, a more popular choice with backpackers on a budget who don’t mind sharing a cabin with 5 other strangers. Seat61 is a great resource for these ways of transportation.

For intercity travel , buses can be the best way to travel China for shorter distances. To work out which bus stations you need, you’ll need to know which direction you’re heading in for the specific bus station (north, south) etc. There are also sleeper buses. 

For longer distances, the best way to travel in China is by plane. Domestic flights are relatively inexpensive and can save time for travellers on tight schedules. China Eastern Airlines, China Southern Airlines, and Air China all operate flights within China.

How to travel around China by car – Renting a car is unfortunately not an easy option. On the mainland, a Chinese driver’s license is required to rent a car . If you are determined to rent a car, you can attempt to obtain a provisional Chinese driver’s license in larger cities. However, this is not recommended. Either hire a car along with a Chinese driver, or use the country’s excellent train travel and bus networks.

Beijing – If you fly into Beijing, you have many options for reaching the city centre. Your least expensive option is to take a public bus but special airport shuttles offer more options and drop-off points within the city.

Airport Express trains are another option but only serve two locations within Beijing. Taxis are also relatively inexpensive, but be sure to take one from the “official” queue or risk traveling in a vehicle with a faulty meter and paying more than you should.

Shanghai  – Hongqiao airport is only 10 miles away from the city centre. The cost is approx CNY 100 and takes 25 – 40 minutes. Make sure that you take a metered taxi instead of opting for a taxi tout in the terminal which will cost double the price. Take the Subway Line 2 for just CNY 57 to People's Square then onto your destination. Buses from across the terminal.

Shanghai – Pudong airport is 19 miles from the city. Take a metered taxi for CNY 180 which takes from 45 – 90 minutes. Buses run every 20 minutes from 0730 until 2300.

Ten days is the minimum you’ll need to begin exploring China. In this amount of time, you can visit Beijing and its attractions, see the Great Wall, and make quick side trips to one or two other nearby cities. To really explore China, set aside at least three months, especially if you intend to venture into western China.

Travelling Overland from China

Many of China’s neighbours – for example, Myanmar, Pakistan, and North Korea – likely have quite stringent visa procedures).

Where can I fly from here?

• Mongolia – 2 hrs 30 mins
• Japan – 3 hrs 15 mins
• South Korea – 2 hrs

* All flying from Beijing

Is tipping expected? Tips are generally not expected (and may even be refused). Exceptions include hotel porters, and tour guides (especially on multi-day tours).

Fixed price or barter? Expect fixed prices for hostels, rooms, and hotels. Bargaining is acceptable at markets and in family-owned shops, while larger stores have fixed pries.

Any ATMs? ATMs are available in larger towns and cities, as well in popular tourist destinations. Be sure to keep some cash on you, as credit cards are not accepted everywhere in China.

Which side of the road do they drive?  The right-hand side.

Good for vegetarians? China can be hit-or-miss for vegetarians. In larger cities and popular tourist areas, you will likely be able to find good vegetarian options. In more out-of-the-way places or “locals-only” restaurants, you may experience difficulties communicating your needs due to the language barrier.

Many so-called “vegetarian” dishes may contain fish or meat stock, and locals may be baffled as to why you choose not to eat meat. Buddhist temples sometimes have vegetarian-only restaurants attached to them, and these can be wonderful options.

Any seven wonders of the world?  The Great Wall of China.

If you are planning a trip to China, here are some useful websites including vaccinations required, airlines that fly there and local customs and etiquettes to help you travel alone in China. 

Budget – £70 a day

Capital – Beijing

Population – 1,360,000,000

Language spoken – Chinese, various other languages

Local Currency – Renminbi

Do I need a visa? 

Vaccinations Required 

Flying time to China – 10 hrs 

Useful Info

Airlines to China

The Best Time to Travel to China – May & June

Which Plugs Do I need? 

UNESCO World Heritage Sites in China

Events and Festivals in China

Local Cost Guide 

Driving Distances

Local Customs & Etiquette

Lingo – Useful Mandarin phrases

Did you know? Contrary to popular belief, fortune cookies are not a traditional Chinese custom. It is believed that they first appeared in San Francisco and that they are based on a traditional Japanese recipe. At any rate, you won’t find them in China!

Weather in China – below is the annual weather in China

Responsible Tours

Tours with Gadventures

Group Tours with Explore

Yangtze River Cruises   (multiple itineraries possible) 

Leo Hostel – Beijing-based Great Wall tours (they have a “private” portion of the wall and offer camping on top of the wall)

Big Bus Tour – Explore the city of Shanghai from an open-top bus.

Yangshuo Village Inn

Yangshou Mountain Retreat

Volunteering

Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding  –  offers internships in the summer

Cultural Experiences

Peking Opera – Beijing (worth the price)

Local Projects

Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding – Chengdu

Where to Stay

Stay in a capsule hotel at Peng Heng Space Capsules Hotel

Treat Yourself in Hotel Eclat Beijing

Mind Body & Soul

Meridian Massage Center – Beijing (offers massage and variety of traditional Chinese medicine modalities)

China Cultural Center – Beijing & Shanghai (offers a variety meditation retreats, traditional Chinese medicine, and other healing and relaxing treatments)

Yoga retreats at Snow Mountain Retreat

Current Time in Beijing

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Solo Traveler

Solo travel tips, destinations, stories... the source for those who travel alone.

Solo Travel to China: 32 Tips You Need to Know

April 11, 2018 by Janice Waugh

Westerners, in China, are known as “Big Noses.”

Doesn't sound too flattering does it?

But learning this does put one in one's place. We are the outsiders. We are the guests. And we should learn how to behave.

Hopefully the tips below, which were gathered with the help of my fellow travelers, will help you navigate and negotiate China with grace as well as greater ease.

I say my fellow travelers because I was in China for three weeks as the guest of Overseas Adventure Travel (OAT). And though we had the benefit of an expert resident in each city and a local trip leader, we still noticed many things ourselves about traveling China that would be helpful to know before arriving. So, at one dinner, I got everyone brainstorming for this post. Here are the results plus a little research from me.

Yes, prepare for all weather possibilities when you pack. We climbed the Great Wall of China in the rain.

Table of Contents

Planning Your Solo Trip to China

• If you're transiting through a Chinese airport you Do NOT need a visa.
• If you're transiting through some ports of entry in China to a third country within 72 or 144 hours and if you are a national of certain countries, you can apply for a visa exemption.
• It takes four days but you can pay more for express or rush service.
• It costs $100 for Canadians and $180 for Americans.
• Use Booking.com for your hotel reservations. Because you can cancel almost all bookings, you can show reservations and still be flexible with your itinerary.
• Alternatively, you can use an invitation letter issued by a relevant entity or individual in China.
• Read the visa application instructions for your own country carefully and give yourself lots of time to get it.

• Pack light and with lots of layers. When I went (in April) the weather was warm in the day, cold at night. We had some rain. Your clothes need to cover many conditions.
• Take yuans with you. While the official name of Chinese currency is Renminbi, abbreviated to RMB, it is commonly referred to as the yuan. While credit cards are accepted some places, prepare yourself for a cash economy.
• Buyer beware . Shopping in China can be quite exciting but beware that if you buy knockoffs, for which they are famous, they could be confiscated at the airport.
• If you're not on a tour, take a guide book . This is one country that would be very difficult to navigate without one.

Knitting circle in the market in Fengdu.

Solo Travel to China – basic tips

• Drink bottled water. As is the case for many countries, this is the most important tip. Drink bottled water. Make sure that the cap cracks as you open it so that you know that it is the original, clean water in the bottle.
• An ATM is your best bet for getting cash. Not all banks accept foreign debit cards. Look for an HSBC to bank in person or check that the symbols that are on your debit card are also on the ATM.
• Learn a few words with these very phonetic spellings :  Knee-how (hello for any time of day); Shay Shay (thank you); Gum Bye (cheers); Dui Bootse (sorry); How (yes/okay); Boo (no). You're not going to get the tones right but with these basic words coming out of an obviously non-Chinese mouth, everyone seems to understand.
• Carry toilet paper with you at all times . It's not always available in the toilets. Used toilet paper goes in the basket, not the toilet.
• Most toilets outside your hotel are squat toilets. If you're not familiar with them, read up on how to use them before you go.
• There is only one time zone in China.  Even though it's a huge country. the time is always the same and your difference in hours to home is always the same.
• Crossing the street can be hazardous . Follow the lights if necessary but you're actually much safer in the center of a crowd when crossing the street.
• Tipping is not expected.  Tipping is not common in China however tour guides and drivers make their living from tips. $3 – $4 American dollars for a full day tour is fair. In high-end restaurants and hotels catering to westerners, tipping is expected.
• Haggling is expected. Don't try this in chain stores or high-end boutiques but elsewhere haggling over the price of something is common.
• Wear footwear with really good traction . China uses a lot of polished granite outdoors and I slipped a few times. Oddly, when I got to Hong Kong, what looked like the same granite was not slippery.

Despite the fog, the Big Buddha of Hong Kong was still impressive.

Solo Travel to China. My Favorite Experiences in Five Cities

• Beijing and everywhere. Find the public parks. The Chinese have an amazing sense of community and their parks are full with people participating in shared activities from drawing to calligraphy to badminton and hacky sack. I particularly enjoyed the mornings when people were doing tai-chi.
• Xian is famous for the Terracotta soldiers.  Unless you enjoy watching cheesy films, skip the movie-in-the-round. It's terrible and a ploy to get you into the gift shop. To take really good pictures, make sure that you have a camera that's decent in low light and has a good zoom.
• Chendu is known for the Pandas. Seeing the pandas is a beautiful experience but don't miss the People's Park. It's wild. Activity is everywhere. From amateur acts on stage to matchmaking services to a massive tea house… you could spend hours there.
• Lhasa . Here's a wonderful book about Lhasa, Trespassers on the Roof of the World: The Secret Exploration of Tibet . Lhasa is a challenging city from a political and cultural perspective but also due to the altitude. If possible, take the train to Lhasa and give yourself a couple of days to adjust before climbing the Potala Palace.
• Hong Kong   It is possible to get out of the bustle of Hong Kong and enjoy nature. There is a 10K hiking trail to the Big Buddha that I have not yet done. Read  Meetup.com Got me Hiking in Hong Kong: And it was #$@&%*! hard!

Getting out of the cities into a village where we stayed at a guest house showed us the contrasts of China.

Solo Travel to China – Where to Stay

• Hotels.  All the major chains have hotels in China's major cities, but why stay at a western hotel? The hotels selected by Overseas Adventure Travel were all Chinese owned and gave a more local flavor.
• Guest Houses.  Guest houses are a wonderful opportunity to get closer to the local culture. We stayed one night in a guest house in a village outside of Xian. OAT arranged for us to eat our evening meal there and help with the cooking which was a bonus for me as I learned how simple the basic dishes are. Also, our host took us to the local park in the evening where the whole village gets together for line dancing. It was a great time!
• Hostels.  I met a number of solo travelers traveling independently in China. They were staying at Hostels and (with one exception in Chendu where the hostel was under a massive renovation) had good things say. You can check out hotels, starting in Beijing, here.

The food was wonderful. These are stir-fried garlic stems. Such a delicate, delicious garlic flavor.

How to Stay Healthy in China

• Drink bottled water . It was our first tip but it bears repeating.
• Pharmacies have western and eastern medicine. They can often fill prescriptions as well.
• Carry your travel insurance information.  I travel with World Nomads insurance. One of the benefits of World Nomads is that should you decide to extend your trip (or you forgot to buy travel insurance before leaving) you can buy it on the road.
• Protect yourself from smog. Many Chinese cities have serious smog problems. A mask is a good idea but you may want to avoid too much exertion on particularly bad days.
• Carry hand sanitizer. Just as there is often no toilet paper in public restrooms, there is often no soap and water as well.
• If you need medical attention , make sure that you have a translator with you. Your hotel will likely help you find someone. Read  I was a Guest of the Chinese Healthcare System .

The subways are crowded but very efficient and surprisingly easy to navigate.

Transportation for Tourists in China

The infrastructure of subways, roads, rails and flights in China is excellent.

• Subways.  The subways in Beijing, Shanghai and other large cities are extremely busy but also efficient and inexpensive. During rush hour, there are people whose job is to push people on the subway. Don't be alarmed. This is normal though you may want to avoid the busiest of hours.
• Taxis.  I took taxis in Xian and Hong Kong and both were quite inexpensive. In Xian (and the rest of mainland China), tipping is not necessary. In Hong Kong, tipping is. In mainland China, have the name of your destination written in Chinese for you as your driver may not speak English.
• You need your passport to enter the train station.
• The toilets are mostly squat toilets however in first class you may find a western toilet at one end of the car and a squat toilet at the other end.
• Left luggage rooms are available at large railways stations making it possible to take an overnight train into a city for a day and leave that evening.
• Flights . Because China is such a large country, you may want to consider flights between destinations. The cost of domestic airfare is reasonable by North American standards.

If you go to China with a tour company, I suggest that you go with a small group. OAT takes a maximum of 16 people per trip which means that you can go into people's kitchens and learn things like how to make dumplings. It was a lovely experience.

Solo Travel in China – communications

• Internet.  There are lots of sites that are not available in China. For example, you can't see Solo Traveler in China unless you have a VPN. Using a VPN can make it look to the Internet like you are in another country. A VPN also increases your online security protecting your identity as you manage your banking online. I use StrongVPN. Get full details on how to buy and use a VPN here.  VPN for Travel: What, Why and an Easy Setup Guide
• Stay in touch  – For the latest on staying in touch while traveling read  Use Your Phone Anywhere in the World: Free and Low-cost Options

If you travel to China independently, these tips should be really valuable to you. If you go with a group, I hope they help you get the most out of your tour.

What an experience! What a fabulous time! My thanks to Overseas Adventure Travel for making my trip to China possible.

Sharing is caring!

Publisher Janice: info @ solotravelerworld.com

Editor Tracey: tracey @ solotravelerworld.com

Sales Simon: simon @ solotravelerworld.com

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China Singles Holidays & Solo Tours

Escorted holidays to China designed exclusively for solo travellers

Singles Holidays & Solo Tours to China

China Escorted Tours for Solo Travellers

A country where ancient riches meet modern marvels, China is an excellent choice when it comes to deciding where to travel solo. 37 of its attractions are UNESCO-listed – including the Great Wall, Terracotta Army and the Forbidden City - with its natural scenery also making it the prime choice for an unforgettable holiday. With Just You, you don't simply visit China; you see it as a place of inspiration, and one you'll undoubtedly want to come back to again and again.

Made for a holiday of harmonious contrasts, exploring China in a group of like-minded solo adventurers is exactly what you need. Whether you're looking forward to a traditional Chinese dumpling making experience in Xian or are most excited about seeing giant pandas in Chengdu, we promise every part of your solo China tour will be incredible. There’s even the opportunity to visit a traditional tea house and sample some local jasmine tea. Explore China with Just You for truly awesome experiences you’ll never forget!

We’re delighted to have received the World Travel and Tourism Councils (WTTC) Safe Travels stamp, which recognises businesses and destinations worldwide that have adopted a new set of global protocols to support the return of 'Safe Travel' around the world. 

Find out more >

FEATURED SOLO TOURS TO CHINA

Inspirational china & yangtze cruise.

This is the ultimate tour exploring China, start in the buzzing city of Shanghai, joining a majestic four night cruise on the Yangtze River, before travelling onto to Chengdu, Xi'an and finally into Beijing.

• Return flights
• 9 nights in 4 and 5 star hotels, 4 nights cruising the Yangtze and 1 night in flight
• 13 breakfasts, 12 lunches and 9 dinners

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT SOLO GUIDED HOLIDAYS IN CHINA

With so many highlights to see you’ll need a good amount of time to explore, and a well organised tour so you don’t miss anything. Our inspirational China tour is comprehensive.

Your exciting journey begins in Beijing and ends in Shanghai, two major cities. On-route you'll discover highlights including the Summer Palace, Tiananmen Square and the Forbidden City. Walk along a section of the iconic Great Wall whilst taking in spectacular views as you go, then board the bullet – a high-speed train to Xian, where you'll view the awe-inspiring Terracotta Army! Immerse yourself in the Chinese tradition of the Chengdu tea ceremony and grab your camera for a visit the Chengdu Panda Breeding Research Centre, if you’re really lucky you might just get to see some panda cubs! Finally take a cruise on the Huangpu River before heading home.

China has an endless list of highlights, so much so, that it will keep you wanting to come back time and time again.

Some not to miss out on are:

• The Great Wall of China - incredible 5,500-mile long wall is jaw-dropping. A series of fortifications many thousands of years old, it would take nearly 18 months to walk its entire length!
• The Terracotta Army - Discovered in 1974, this staggering, 2,000-year-old mausoleum in Xian contains more than 8,000 terracotta soldiers, nearly 700 horses and 130 chariots, all made to protect the Emperor Qin Shi Huang in his afterlife. Seeing the sheer scale of this undertaking in situ is absolutely breath-taking.
• Exciting Cities - China’s two main cities, Beijing and Shanghai, are the two biggest in the world – a staggering 20 million people living in each of them. But that doesn’t mean they’re overwhelming to navigate – far from it. Beijing boasts both ancient history, in places such as the Imperial Palace, and contemporary culture, while Shanghai is a modern vision of China’s future.
• Delicious Food - Chinese food is famous across the globe, make sure to try some local dishes
• Beautiful Wildlife - Pandas have been considered important creatures in China since the Western Han Dynasty. Today, The Panda Breeding Research Centre in Chengdu is a wonderful place to get up close to this fascinating creature while supporting their preservation.
• The Forbidden City & the Imperial Palace, Beijing - The Palace Museum is a national museum housed in the Forbidden City at the core of Beijing. It was established in 1925 after the last Emperor of China was evicted from his palace, and opened its doors to the public. Constructed from 1406 to 1420, the museum consists of 980 buildings and covers 72 hectares

The best time to visit China tends to be April, May, September and October. During these months you’re more likely to experience a warm, dry heat compared to the humid heat in the summer months and the contrasting intensely cold winter months. China is however a large country with regional temperature differences and as such you can travel to different regions at different times of the year and likewise you cannot guarantee perfect weather even in the preferred months. We suggest checking an up-to-date forecast before travelling.

Chinese cuisine is one of the most important components of Chinese culture. It’s long history dates back four thousand year ago, with an archaeologist finding the oldest noodle in the upper reaches of the Chinese Yellow River - It dated back 4,000 years!

Chinese food is exquisite, appealing to the senses with its bright colours, aroma, taste, appearance, feel and meanings. There are of course many regional differences across the country due to climate and soil conditions altering the local ingredients but in all sense and purpose it is high quality version of your local Chinese take-away.

For those yet to try their local Chinese, a Chinese meal consists of two main elements: a staple of rice or noodle and a meat and/or vegetable dish . In Chinese dining every member of the family will have their own rice or noodle dish whereas the meat/vegetable dishes will shared. Very different to British traditions whereby we chose our met or vegetable main and share our rice’s/noodles.

The Chinese do not use a knife and fork to eat their dinner, they dine with chopsticks for rice, noodle, meat and vegetable dishes and use a small ceramic spoon for soups. Although the locals will not be offended if you ask for cutlery, it is fun to try and have a go with chopsticks, especially eating rice….. with is particularly tricky!

For those of you that are dessert lovers , great news! You don’t have to wait till you’ve eaten dinner for dessert. Desserts are not typically eaten with dinner but are considered a snack that can eaten between meals! As an added bonus if you want a dessert after dinner you can still enjoy some locally sourced fresh fruit!

Etiquette - In China, leaving behind an empty plate is a sign to the host that you’re still hungry. If you are full and don’t want to eat more food, consider leaving a little behind to let the host know you have had enough.

Read all about it... more about China

China - the inside track.

Holiday Director, Sharron Henry, dreamed of visiting China as a child. Since then, her dream has come true many times over and she shares with us what makes China such an amazing country to visit...

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Exploring the Hidden Gems: Top Solo Travel Destinations in China

Updated on: October 12, 2023

Are you a wanderlust-filled adventurer seeking to embark on a thrilling solo travel journey? Look no further, because we have unveiled the hidden treasures of China that are just waiting to be discovered by intrepid travelers like you! From ancient temples nestled amidst towering mountains, to vibrant cities buzzing with captivating culture and history, join us as we delve into the top solo travel destinations in China. Get ready to immerse yourself in unforgettable experiences and create memories that will last a lifetime. So pack your bags, fuel your adventurous spirit, and let’s begin this extraordinary expedition together!

Table of Contents

Introduction to solo travel and its benefits

Introduction to Solo Travel and its Benefits Solo travel has gained immense popularity in recent years, with more and more people embracing the idea of exploring new destinations on their own. It involves traveling alone, without the company of friends or family members. While some may find the thought of solo travel daunting, it can actually be a highly rewarding experience. There are several benefits to embarking on a solo trip. First and foremost, it allows you to have complete control over your itinerary. You can choose where you want to go, what activities you want to do, and how long you want to spend at each destination. This level of freedom is often difficult to achieve when traveling with others as everyone may have different preferences and schedules. Moreover, solo travel also offers a sense of independence and self-discovery. When you’re alone in a new place, you are forced out of your comfort zone and have to rely on yourself for navigation, decision-making, and problem-solving. This not only helps build self-confidence but also allows for personal growth as you learn more about yourself. Another advantage of solo travel is that it provides ample opportunities for meeting new people from different cultures and backgrounds. When traveling with others, we tend to stick within our own group; however, when traveling alone, we are more likely to strike up conversations with strangers and make new connections along the way. Additionally, solo travel can also be seen as a form of self-care. Taking time away from our busy lives and responsibilities can be rejuvenating

Why China is a great destination for solo travelers

China, the world’s most populous country, has always been a popular destination for tourists. However, it is also an ideal place for solo travelers to explore. With its rich history, diverse culture, breathtaking landscapes and modern cities, China offers a unique and unforgettable experience for those traveling alone. Here are some reasons why China should be at the top of your list for solo travel destinations: 1. Safe and Welcoming Environment: One of the most important factors for solo travelers is safety. China has a low crime rate and strict laws that make it a safe destination for anyone traveling alone. The locals are known to be warm and welcoming towards foreigners, making it easy to navigate through the country without feeling intimidated or lonely. 2. Efficient Public Transportation: Navigating through a new country can be daunting, especially when you’re alone. However, in China, you don’t have to worry about this as the country has an efficient public transportation system that connects all major cities and towns. From high-speed trains to buses and subways, getting around in China is both effortless and affordable. 3. Affordable Accommodations: Solo travelers often have budget constraints which can limit their choices in terms of accommodation options. Luckily in China, there is no shortage of affordable accommodations such as hostels or guesthouses that cater specifically to solo travelers on a budget. These accommodations also provide opportunities to meet other like-minded travelers from around the world. 4. Endless Cultural Experiences: China boasts a rich cultural heritage with

Top hidden gems in China for solo travelers

China is a vast and diverse country, with a rich history and culture that dates back thousands of years. While popular tourist destinations such as Beijing, Shanghai, and the Great Wall are well-known to most travelers, there are many hidden gems in China that are perfect for solo travelers seeking an off-the-beaten-path experience. 1. Yangshuo: Located in the Guangxi region of southern China, Yangshuo is a picturesque town surrounded by karst mountains and rice paddies. It’s a popular spot for outdoor activities like hiking, biking, and rock climbing. Solo travelers can easily rent a bike and explore the countryside at their own pace or take part in organized group activities like bamboo rafting on the Li River. 2. Zhangjiajie National Forest Park: This stunning national park in the Hunan province was famously featured in the movie ‘Avatar’ for its towering sandstone pillars covered in lush greenery. It’s a paradise for hikers and nature lovers, with trails leading to breathtaking viewpoints and natural wonders like the Tianzi Mountains and Baofeng Lake. 3. Pingyao: For solo travelers interested in Chinese history, Pingyao is a must-visit destination. This ancient walled city has been remarkably preserved since its heyday as a bustling financial center during the Ming and Qing dynasties. Walking along its narrow streets lined with traditional courtyard homes gives visitors a glimpse into life during imperial times. 4. Jiuzhaigou Valley: Located in S

– Lijiang, Yunnan Province

Lijiang is a charming city located in the Yunnan Province of southwestern China. It is a popular destination for solo travelers, as it offers a blend of traditional Chinese culture and modern amenities, making it an ideal place to explore on your own. Lijiang’s picturesque landscapes, rich history, and diverse ethnic communities make it one of the top hidden gems for solo travel in China. The city is best known for its well-preserved old town, which has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The cobbled streets and traditional architecture give visitors a glimpse into ancient China. As you wander through the narrow alleyways, you will come across beautifully decorated wooden houses adorned with colorful flowers. The old town also features numerous temples, museums, and shops selling local handicrafts and souvenirs. One of the must-visit attractions in Lijiang is the Black Dragon Pool Park. This scenic park boasts stunning views of the surrounding mountains and features a tranquil lake with crystal clear water. It is also home to several ornate pavilions and bridges that are perfect for photo opportunities. For those interested in learning about Lijiang’s history and culture, a visit to the Mu Palace Museum is highly recommended. This former residence of the Naxi rulers offers insight into their way of life through its impressive collection of artifacts and exhibits. Nature lovers will also find plenty to do in Lijiang. The city serves as an excellent base for exploring some of Yunnan Province’s most

– Zhangjiajie National Forest Park, Hunan Province

Located in the Hunan Province of China, the Zhangjiajie National Forest Park is a hidden gem that is waiting to be discovered. With its breathtaking natural beauty and rich cultural heritage, this national park has become one of the top solo travel destinations in China. The landscape of Zhangjiajie National Forest Park is like something out of a fairytale. It is home to over 3,000 towering sandstone pillars, which are said to have inspired the floating mountains in the popular movie ‘Avatar’. These pillars are covered in lush vegetation, creating a stunning contrast against the clear blue skies. This unique geological wonder has earned Zhangjiajie National Forest Park a spot on the UNESCO World Heritage List and it’s not hard to see why. Aside from its natural beauty, this national park also offers a glimpse into China’s rich history and culture. The area is inhabited by several ethnic minority groups such as Tujia, Bai, Miao and Yao people who have preserved their traditional way of life for centuries. Visitors can immerse themselves in these cultures by exploring local villages, trying traditional cuisine and participating in cultural activities. One of the best ways to experience Zhangjiajie National Forest Park is by taking a hike through its scenic trails. The most famous trail being the Avatar Hallelujah Mountain Trail which takes you up Tianzi Mountain where you can witness panoramic views of the surrounding landscape. For more adventurous travelers, there are also options for rock climbing and zip-lining through

– Yangshuo, Guangxi Province

Yangshuo, located in the breathtaking Guangxi Province of China, is a hidden gem that should not be missed by any solo traveler. Surrounded by stunning karst mountains and the tranquil Li River, this picturesque town offers a perfect blend of natural beauty and cultural experiences. One of the must-visit places in Yangshuo is West Street, also known as ‘Foreigner’s Street’. This bustling pedestrian street is lined with traditional buildings dating back to the Qing Dynasty, offering a glimpse into the town’s rich history. Here, you can find an array of local handicrafts, delicious street food, and lively bars where you can mingle with fellow travelers from all over the world. For nature lovers, Yangshuo offers endless opportunities for outdoor activities such as hiking and biking. The Yulong River Bike Trail is a popular route that takes you through rice fields and quaint villages while offering stunning views of the surrounding countryside. You can also take a bamboo rafting trip along the Li River to admire its crystal-clear waters and towering karst mountains up close. For those seeking a more serene experience, head to Moon Hill – an iconic landmark in Yangshuo named after its crescent-shaped hole in the middle. A hike up to this natural wonder rewards visitors with panoramic views of the surrounding landscape. Another must-see attraction in Yangshuo is Xianggong Hill viewpoint. Located just outside of town, this spot offers arguably one of the best views in all of China. Watching the

Budget-friendly accommodation options for solo travelers

When embarking on a solo trip, budget-friendly accommodation options are essential for keeping your expenses in check. Luckily, China offers a wide range of affordable and comfortable places to stay for solo travelers. From hostels to homestays, here are some top budget-friendly accommodation options in China for solo adventurers. 1. Hostels: Hostels are the go-to option for backpackers and budget travelers. They offer dormitory-style rooms with shared bathrooms, making them an excellent choice for solo travelers looking to socialize and meet other like-minded individuals. Hostels in China usually have English-speaking staff and organized activities such as city tours or group dinners, making it easier for solo travelers to make new friends. 2. Guesthouses: Guesthouses are small family-owned accommodations that offer private rooms at affordable prices. These guesthouses can be found all over China, from big cities to countryside villages. They provide a more intimate experience compared to hostels, as you get to interact with the local hosts and learn about their way of life. 3. Homestays: For a more immersive cultural experience, consider staying at a homestay during your solo trip in China. Similar to guesthouses, homestays offer private rooms in a local’s home, but they usually include meals cooked by the host family as well. This is an excellent opportunity to try authentic home-cooked Chinese cuisine while learning about the country’s culture firsthand. 4. Couchsurfing: Couchsurfing is another popular option among

Safety tips for traveling alone in China

Traveling alone can be a thrilling and empowering experience, especially in a country as diverse and fascinating as China. However, it is important to keep safety in mind while exploring this beautiful country on your own. Here are some essential tips to ensure a safe and enjoyable solo trip in China: 1. Research the destination before your trip: Before embarking on your journey, make sure to research the destination thoroughly. This includes learning about the local customs, culture, laws, and potential safety concerns. Knowing what to expect will help you prepare better for any potential risks. 2. Share your itinerary with someone: Make sure to share your travel itinerary with a family member or friend back home. This way they will know where you will be at all times and can contact you if necessary. 3. Get travel insurance: Having travel insurance is always recommended when traveling anywhere, but it becomes even more crucial when traveling alone. Make sure to get comprehensive coverage that includes medical emergencies, theft/loss of belongings, and emergency evacuation. 4. Stay connected: It is important to keep yourself connected with friends and family back home while traveling alone in China. Purchase a local SIM card or download apps like WeChat or WhatsApp that work with an internet connection so you can easily communicate with loved ones. 5. Be aware of scams: Like any other popular tourist destination, there are scams aimed at tourists in China as well. Be cautious of people approaching you on the streets offering cheap tours or souvenirs that seem too good

How to navigate language and cultural barriers while traveling alone in China

Traveling alone in a foreign country can be an exhilarating experience, full of new sights, sounds, and adventures. However, it can also come with its own set of challenges, especially when faced with language and cultural barriers. China is a vast and diverse country with a rich history and unique culture that can sometimes be overwhelming for solo travelers. But fear not, with some preparation and the right approach, navigating these barriers can become part of the exciting adventure. Here are some tips on how to navigate language and cultural barriers while traveling alone in China: 1. Learn basic Mandarin phrases: While English is becoming more widely spoken in major cities in China, it’s always a good idea to learn some basic Mandarin phrases before your trip. This will not only help you communicate better but will also show locals that you have made an effort to learn their language. Some essential phrases to start with include ‘hello’ (nǐ hǎo), ‘thank you’ (xiè xiè), ‘please’ (qǐng wèn), and ‘sorry’ (duì bù qǐ). 2. Download translation apps: In addition to learning key phrases, it’s also helpful to have translation apps on your phone such as Google Translate or Pleco that can translate written text or even live conversations using your camera. 3. Carry a map or use offline maps: Getting lost is part of the fun of solo traveling but having a map handy can save you from getting completely

Solo travel can be an incredibly rewarding experience, offering a chance for personal growth, self-discovery, and adventure. And what better place to embark on a solo journey than in the vast and diverse country of China? With its rich history, vibrant culture, and breathtaking scenery, China has so much to offer for those seeking a solo travel experience. However, before you pack your bags and head off to explore this beautiful country alone, there are some things that you must keep in mind. In this section, we will discuss the ‘musts’ of solo travel in China – essential tips and information that will help make your trip safe, enjoyable, and memorable. 1) Research the Culture Beforehand One of the most important aspects of traveling solo in China is understanding its culture. As a country with thousands of years of history and traditions deeply rooted in everyday life, it is crucial to have at least a basic knowledge of Chinese customs and etiquette. This not only shows respect for the local culture but can also prevent any potential misunderstandings or awkward situations. For example, knowing that it is customary to take off your shoes when entering someone’s home or being aware that loud public displays of affection are frowned upon can make a significant difference in how you are perceived by locals. 2) Plan Your Transportation Carefully China is known for its extensive transportation network, including high-speed trains that connect major cities within just hours. However, navigating these systems can be overwhelming for first-time travelers. It is crucial to

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I moved to the United States at the age of 15 for high school and later graduated from Cal State University. After working for a while, I decided to return to my homeland, China. Now, I live in northern China again with my family, rediscovering the place I call home.

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My solo trip to china (two weeks itinerary).

My solo trip to China was completely different and a memorable one. I’ve gathered some incredible experiences during my entire trip in various destinations from eastern to northern China. It was pretty interesting to discover many new things about this East Asian country for the first time. I loved the welcoming peoples, striking natural beauty, and exploring different destinations’ different variations was fun. Apart from the historical sites, it was surprising to see the glorious modern cities to classical ancient villages. Undoubtedly, there is a lot to do and see in China . Have you been to China? My China two weeks itinerary is packed with my travel experiences and tips for planning your own trip.

China’s visa policy varies from country to country, and best to check before planning a trip. I took one month visa before the visit and traveled via Dhaka-Singapore-Shanghai routes with Singapore Airlines .

Table of Contents

• 1 What is the Best Time To Visit China?
• 2.1 Shanghai
• 2.3 Huangshan
• 2.5 Xi’an
• 2.6 Beijing
• 3.1 Day 1: Shanghai
• 3.2 Day 2: Shanghai
• 3.3 Day 3: Suzhou
• 3.4 Day 4: Suzhou, Huangshan
• 3.5 Day 5: Huangshan
• 3.6 Day 6: Huangshan, Guilin
• 3.7 Day 7: Guilin
• 3.8 Day 8: Guilin
• 3.9 Day 9: Guilin, Xi’an
• 3.10 Day 10: Xi’an
• 3.11 Day 11: Xi’an
• 3.12 Day 12: Xi’an, Beijing
• 3.13 Day 13: Beijing
• 3.14 Day 14: Beijing
• 4 Are You On Pinterest? Click To Save This For Later Read!

What is the Best Time To Visit China ?

Spring (April – May) and Autumn (September – October) are the best times to visit China. I traveled in April and loved the weather – neither too hot nor cold. But remember, packing must be season-based due to weather variations in different regions. The northern part of China is cold enough than the southern part where you’ll face monsoon, So, you have to pack heavy to light clothes.

It is a must to download some essential applications before entering China. VPN download and installation are mandatory before boarding the flight to access all restricted sites from China. Another Chinese Baidu Translate voice translation App will help overcome the language barrier during your stay in China. WeChat App will help to communicate and payment transfers with local people.

It is best and common to travel by train in different regions once you’re in China. I pre-booked train and local air tickets from the Trip.com site. I loved China’s excellent high-speed or bullet train services during my entire trip to China. China train service is the best than local airlines; commonly, flights will be delayed. So, it is wise to go on a train journey when in China.

The subway is also a great option to travel on a budget around the cities. Rented private taxis will cost you high, but a good option is downloading the local DiDi-Rider App for an affordable ride in cities.

Proper planning on destination selections will save you time and money.  It is tough to cover all destinations during the first visit for far distances unless you stay longer.

It is recommended to check out some must-read travel books to visit China to know more details about its top places, culture, and food habits.

Where To Stay in China?

There is plenty of budget accommodations in China. And keeping in mind the best locations on any accommodation selection is a must to save time and some cash.

The hostel is the best option for saving a lot on accommodation. There are many standard hostels where even possible to stay in a single room at an affordable price. I mainly stayed in hostels and loved the atmosphere. It was not an issue staying with all locals in hostels. All are very cooperative and friendly.

I also stayed in hotels and preferred to go with mid-range to luxury. It is far better to stay in a hostel than in a budget hotel where you may not get all the standard facilities.

My solo trip to China started with the modern city Shanghai. Shanghai is a must-visit for the best shopping, good food, iconic skyscrapers, museums, parks, and gardens. I had no idea there are many top things to do in Shanghai . But I spent only two days which was not enough.

I stayed two nights in a dormitory room at Shanghai Blue Mountain Bund Youth Hostel , which is located in Downtown. The famous Nanjing Road is very close to this hostel. I liked the location and best for shopping and dining. It takes just a few minutes by walking to reach Shanghai’s heart, the Bund, from the hostel.

I spent one night in Suzhou, one of the beautiful cities in eastern China and just 50 miles away from Shanghai. I stayed at the 4-star Hotel Soul Suzhou located in Gusu District of the 150-year-old Guan Qian Street. I loved all the comforts and facilities of this beautiful hotel. The most famous Humble Administrator’s Garden is quite near to the hotel.

Many prefer to stay in Hangzhou, the most beautiful city in eastern China, to explore the West Lake. But I decided to stay in Suzhou to explore beautiful classical gardens. I should keep more days for Suzhou. There is a lot to see in this famous city of gardens. I also wish to visit Hangzhou on my next visit to China.

If you’re not interested to stay in Suzhou, it is even enjoyable to go for a day tour from Shanghai to Suzhou for exploring some of the best tourist attractions in the city.

It is worth staying in Huangshan to visit the famous Yellow Mountain and the ancient Hong village and Xidi village. The scenic and quiet Huangshan city is best for backpackers. I stayed two nights in a dormitory room at a budget-friendly Koala International Youth Hostel  located in Tunxi District. All are very hospitable of this hostel, and I had a good time with hostel mates.

Guilin is such a green and charming city in southern China. It is a popular tourist destination in China and best for backpackers as well. I loved all about Guilin for the scenery, and there is a lot to explore. I should have booked more days for Guilin but spent only two days!

I stayed in a single room at Guilin This Old Place Int’l Youth Hostel in Xiufeng District. Rong Lakeview around the hostel is simply excellent and such a photogenic spot. I loved all the hostel facilities; everything was so neat. It was best to move around the scenic location, Two Rivers and Four Lakes of the hostel.

It is also best to stay in a small resort town Yangshuo near Guilin city. The entire town is very picturesque for the breathtaking scenery of the Karst Mountains.

Xi’an

China’s northern large city Xi’an became a must-visit destination for the famous tourist spot Terracotta Army. I spent three nights in the city at the traditional Ancient City International Youth Hostel , located in the heart of the city on Lianhu Road. The location is good for shopping and eating, close to Muslim Street. I stayed in a single room, and the staffs were very cooperative.

China trip is incomplete without visiting the Great Wall of China in the capital city Beijing. Besides, all top historical sites are located in the northern city of Beijing. I spent three nights at the 200-year-old Qianmen Courtyard Hotel in Qianmen Street.

It was interesting to explore this oldest hotel for the beautiful Chinese oriental decor. The location is also excellent to shop and eat like a local. The famous Tiananmen Square and Forbidden City are nearby this hotel.

The famous Qianmen Street is good for budget accommodations. You’ll see many Chinese courtyard residences in each hutong converted into traditional Chinese-style hotels.

Two Weeks China Tour Itinerary [14 Days]

My two-week China tour itinerary included Shanghai, Suzhou, Huangshan, Guilin, Xi’an, and Beijing. I’ve visited and explored various top places from those cities. And found it is possible to travel to China on a Budget. You don’t have to spend more on accommodations and food. Besides joining some group tours in China, I explored around on my own.

Pre-booking the entire tour will cost you high. It is better to book local guided tours from China for exploring some must-visit and iconic tourist attractions like the Great Wall, Terracotta Warriors, Forbidden City, Temple of Heaven .

How safe to travel solo in China? It is safe, and you’ll find locals are curious and helping in nature. You don’t need any extra precautions to travel all alone. You can join many group tours where English speaking guide is available in the big cities. I didn’t face any trouble as a solo female traveler during my 14 days in China. Read inside to get the itinerary and my complete China travel experiences.

Day 1: Shanghai

Nanjing Road, Pedestrian Street of East Nanjing Road

I arrived in Shanghai in the afternoon. On the way, it was great to see the first look at some of Shanghai’s iconic landmarks, including Oriental Pearl TV Tower , Shanghai World Financial center, and Shanghai Tower. Before leaving Pudong International Airport, I bought a China Unicom Prepaid SIM card to use during my 14 days trip to China.

It was fun spending my first day walking along Nanjing Road , Shanghai’s best shopping street. The eastern part of this road or Nanjing East Road is the central shopping hub where you’ll find many branded stores.

After evening this road became complete with many shoppers as indeed so much to explore and buy. I had a fun time while I enjoyed shopping a bit more from my favorite H&M brand store. I purchased several items – the red and black colored light jackets I worn during my entire China trip bought from this largest Shanghai H&M store.

There are also many food stalls on Pedestrian Street of East Nanjing Road to dine the best in the local restaurants. I enjoyed checking some fruit stalls and tried different Chinese fruits. Later came back to the hostel after eating with the farmer cooked mixed fish and Chinese bread.

Shanghai food was the best. I loved the Chinese food in Eastern China a bit more than other destinations of China. All in all, various Chinese fruits were simply the best to try a lot during my whole trip.

Day 2: Shanghai

Huangpu River Waterfront, The Bund, Oriental Pearl TV Tower, Shanghai World Financial Centre, Yu Garden, Shanghai Museum, Waibaidu Bridge

The second day I had a comfort breakfast with Chinese Noodles Soup from Blue Mountain Hostel. Later I went to explore the city on foot. I loved the Huangpu River Waterfront site the most. When in Shanghai exploring the Bund, the symbol of the city is a must. It was simply amazing to enjoy the best city views from this site.

There is a 45 km long Huangpu Riverside Walkway from where you’ll get to see all iconic skyscrapers on the east side of the River – China’s tallest building Shanghai Tower, Shanghai World Financial Centre , and Oriental Pearl Tower. And the west side of the Bund is lined with many historical buildings of different architectural styles. The iconic Swatch Art Peace Hotel is also located here. Walking along the Bund Sightseeing Avenue is fun, I loved to capture a lot of photos of this colorful waterfront area.

It is best to spend time at the waterfront site in the evening for all the lights. You can have the food from the food court and spend the leisure time. It is also fun to enjoy from here Huangpu River Cruise along the Bund.

The iconic Waibaidu Bridge or Garden Bridge is the beautiful one built-in 1907. It is the first long-span bridge in Shanghai.

Some other must-visit city attractions are the traditional Chinese Yu Garden and Shanghai Museum .

It is best to take a city sightseeing tour by bus to explore Shanghai’s top tourist attractions . You can book this from Nanjing Road. If you keep more days for Shanghai, you may visit Shanghai Disneyland Park for the ultimate fun in the theme park.

Day 3: Suzhou

Humble Administrator’s Garden, Suzhou Museum, Cruising along the Grand Canal, Guan Qian Street

The third-day early morning, I left for Suzhou; it took just half an hour to reach the city by high-speed train from Shanghai Railway Station. Hotel Soul Suzhou is very close to Suzhou Railway Station. I found it a must to bargain when renting any private taxi or rickshaw in China; most drivers ask for more rates, even for short distances.

It was one of the best experiences to visit Humble Administrator’s Garden, the largest one in Suzhou. This classical Chinese garden during the period of the Ming Dynasty in 1509 A.D. It was interesting to stroll around walkways, old houses, bridges, and ponds inside the garden. The garden is considered the model of the modern Chinese Garden.

The Museum of Suzhou is close to Humble Administrator’s Garden and one of the finest ones to explore.

Later I took a rickshaw ride and moved around the city. I also enjoyed a motorboat ride along the Ancient Grand Canal. During the 40 minutes ride, we crossed many old bridges, buildings and got the local lifestyle feel.

Some other top Suzhou gardens are Lingering Garden, Lion Forest Garden, Net-Master Garden. And all together known as the Classical Gardens of Suzhou and now UNESCO World Heritage Site.

It was fun to walk along 150-year-old Guan Qian Street in the afternoon, best for shopping and eating like a local. This place became touristic and festive in the evening. I found Chinese people love fun and laughter; they all together in a group enjoy strolling around, shop, eat and talk a lot hehe.

Day 4: Suzhou, Huangshan

Suzhou to Huangshan scenic high-speed train ride, Tunxi Old Street

The fourth day after a buffet breakfast at the hotel, I left Suzhou for Huangshan. I took a high-speed train from Suzhou North Railway Station or SuzhouBei Railway Station. Three hours train journey from Suzhou to Huangshan was scenic and comfortable.

I reached HuangshanBei Railway Station in the afternoon for two-night stay in the city.

After arriving at the hostel, I booked day tours for the next two days. In the evening strolled around Tunxi Old Street. I joined one of my hostel mates, and we took a public bus to reach the destination. The bus service was good and best for budget travelers.

We had dinner at one local restaurant. The restaurant owner was too curious and took selfies with us. It is the typical scenario in China, hehe.

Day 5: Huangshan

Hongcun village

The fifth day was for Ancient Hong village or Hongcun village visit in Hongcun Town. After breakfast from the hostel, I joined a group tour to explore the most picturesque Hong village that belongs to southern Anhui Province. It was a bus tour, and the roadside landscape was fantastic.

The Chinese Hongcun village is like a canvas and seems like many artists lovingly painted each corner of this village. Many residences from Ming and Qing Dynasties are there in the village. You’ll see many artists or art students paint or practice paintings on a canvas here.

Both Hongcun and Xidi villages are listed as the UNESCO World Heritage Site. The action film Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon, was filmed in Hongcun.

The local guide explained all about the Hong village in Chinese, and there was no English-speaking guide.

Day 6: Huangshan, Guilin

Yellow Mountain

On the sixth day after breakfast, there was a tour to Huangshan Mountain or Yellow Mountain. It is the top tourist attraction in Huangshan and also the UNESCO World Heritage Site.

You can reach the top of the mountains via cable car. Watching the sunrise is best from Yellow Mountain. But only possible if you stay in a hotel nearby the mountain.

I had a memorable goodbye with cute gifts as a token of love from the Koala Youth Hostel.

In the evening, I had a flight for Guilin with Air Guilin from Huangshan Tunxi Airport. But the flight was detailed three times and could reach Guilin at last after 4 AM local time. Just for two hours journey had to wait so long in the airport.

Day 7: Guilin

Two Rivers and Four Lakes, Rong Lake Scenery Area

The stunning mountainous view from the rooftop of the Old Place Hostel made my morning. I kept my seventh day in China to see one of the most famous scenic spots of Guilin,

Two Rivers and Four Lakes. And mainly explored by walking the Scenery Area of Rong Lake.

The Two Rivers (Lijiang River, Peach Blossom River) and Four Lakes  – Rong Lake, Shan Lake, Gui Lake, Mulong Lake form the most beautiful scenery in Downtown Guilin. There are total of 19 famous bridges and built to strengthen the scenic area.

Glass Bridge, Mid-lake Island, Beidou Bridge, Ancient Banyan Twin Bridges, Ancient Southern Gate, Rongxi Bridge, Yingbin Bridge are some of the beautiful spots worth visiting around the Rong Lake Scenery Area.

It was lovely to stroll around, so many beautiful walkways – so lavish green is the Guilin city. I loved to see how nicely protected the grass and trees. Later I had a delicious lunch with Italian Pizza from the on-site restaurant of the hostel. Each bite was so yum!

Elephant Hill Scenic Area and Sun and Moon Towers are some of the city’s top sightseeing places. Guilin by night comes out so charming for Two Rivers and Four Lakes. And so, after evening, cruising is a popular activity around this scenic spot.

Day 8: Guilin

Li River Cruise, Yangshuo, Shangri-La Theme Park

On the eighth day , I took Guilin’s scenic route to Yangshuo for a cruise trip down to the famous Li River. The Lijiang River cruising is fascinating for the stunning Karst mountains and river sight views.

Li River Karst mountains scene is there on 20 Yuan banknote. Bamboo Raft Cruise is popular on the Li River.

Then we visited Shangri-La Theme Park from Yangshuo County. Shangri-La’s viewpoint with the backdrop of the Karst Peaks is too scenic. Simply a beautiful countryside surrounding mountains, rivers, bridges, houses. We enjoyed a short boat ride and got to know the story and local customs behind the beautiful spot Shangri-La in Guilin.

This countryside whole day group tour was from Guilin to Yangshuo and Shangri-La guided by English speaking guide.

If you keep one more day, it is best to go with Longji Terraced Field tour out of Guilin city.

Day 9: Guilin, Xi’an

Lianhu Road, Muslim Street

On the ninth day morning, I was left for Xi’an from Guilin. The road is so scenic with the mountain view that leads to the beautiful Guilin Liangjiang International Airport. It was lovely to fly with Air Chang’an. Within two hours arrived at the Xi’an Xianyang International Airport for three days trip to the northern cultural city Xi’an in China.

In the afternoon moved around local markets on Lianhu Road. I loved to check mainly seasonal fruit stalls. There are also many clothing stores, best to shop and eat on a budget.

Later in the evening visited some food markets of the famous Muslim Quarter of Xi’an Muslim Street . And tasted noodles and fresh Pomegranate juice from one food stall. I decided to go for a street food tour another day to explore this street known as Bei Yuan Men Muslim Culture Street.

For the next day, I booked all for the Xi’an Terra Cotta tour.

Day 10: Xi’an

Fortifications of Xi’an, Terracotta Figures Factory, Furniture Museum, Emperor Qinshihuang’s Mausoleum Site Museum

On the tenth day , I joined a group tour by bus to explore the top Xi’an city attraction Emperor Qinshihuang’s Mausoleum Site Museum, UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The guide explained the ancient City Wall of Xi’an, which is also known as Fortifications of Xi’an. We didn’t get down at the spot; a bike ride thr ough the old City Walls of Xi’an is fun.

We stopped at one Terra-cotta Figures Factory to see the process of making terracotta sculptures. This factory is also connected with one Furniture Museum where showcases all furniture from Ming Dynasty.

Terracotta Army was built in the third century BCE but first discovered by some local farmers in 1974. One farmer is still alive, and his name is Yang Ji De. He has a restaurant on the site. We had our first lunch at that farmer’s restaurant before visiting Emperor Qinshihuang’s Mausoleum Site Museum.

More than 8,000 terracotta figures were built under China’s first emperor Qin Shi Huang by millions of laborers. It was all to protect his life after death. Not only laborers but also many artisans had been involved in Terracotta Warrior’s construction.

Interestingly, each figure of the Terracotta Army is different and very detailed. No way to find any similarity. The entire mausoleum site is a museum for further research and protection.

Day 11: Xi’an

Bei Yuan Men Muslim Culture Street, Flea Markets, Xi’an Great Mosque, Drum Tower, Bell Tower

On the eleventh day enjoyed Xi’an city tour by walking to explore nearby city attractions. It was fun to try various Xi’an foods from Bei Yuan Men Muslim Culture Street. Both sides of the 1100-meter-long street are lined with many delicious and halal food. There are also many fruit stalls best for fresh Chinese fruits and juices.

At the end of this street will take you to visit the Drum Tower, flea markets, and the Great Mosque of Xi’an.

The popular tourist attraction Bell Tower is also possible to explore on foot, located very close to North Avenue.

Day 12: Xi’an, Beijing

Qianmen Street, Dashilan Pedestrian Street

On the twelfth day , I had to leave Xi’an for Beijing. The best way was to take the subway very close to the hostel to reach Xi’an North Railway Station. It took four and half hours to reach Beijing West Railway Station.

My last three days in China kept for Beijing’s ancient and historical city to visit several UNESCO Heritage Sites, including the Wonder of the World Great Wall of China.

In the afternoon, it was fun to walk along cute alleys or hutongs of Qianmen Street. It is a famous pedestrian street built in Ming and Qing Dynasties.

There are many oriental decorated hotels, traditional courtyard residences, markets, and restaurants in each hutong. You may also go for an old hutong tour by pedicab.

I had also moved around Dashilan Pedestrian Street, best for budget shopping and eating.

Later I booked Beijing city sightseeing tour and Great Wall tour for the next two days.

Day 13: Beijing

Tiananmen Square, Forbidden City, Consultation Center of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Temple of Heaven, Pearl House, Summer Palace

The thirteenth-day Beijing city sightseeing tour started from the historic Tiananmen Square located in the Beijing city center. The square contains the Mausoleum of the former chairman of the People’s Republic of China Mao Zedong or Mao Tse Tung, the National Museum of China, the Monument to the People’s Heroes, and the Great Hall of the People.

Forbidden City is the ancient imperial palace from Ming and Qing dynasties from 1420 to 1912. No one could enter the palace besides royal families and high officials, so the name is Forbidden City. Now Forbidden City is the most visited Palace Museum in China. More than one million art pieces are there for the visitors to explore at this UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Then our tour guide took us to visit one Consultation Center of Traditional Chinese Medicine to know all about Traditional Chinese Medicine. We got a free consultation with a foot massage.

After lunch, we visited the Temple of Heaven in Beijing, which represents ancient Chinese culture. This beautiful temple complex is the UNESCO World Heritage Site built during the dynasties of Ming and Qing for annual prayer ceremonies to Heaven for a good harvest.

We visited one Pearl House where showcases various products of original Pearl and jewelry. I bought one Pearl locket.

Then we visited the beautiful Summer Palace of the Qing Dynasty. This UNESCO World Heritage Site is the former imperial garden and surrounded by Longevity Hill and Kunming Lake.

Summer Palace is a scenic spot consists of lakes, gardens, pavilions, palaces, halls, temples, and bridges. The gorgeous 17-Arch Bridge in Kunming Lake is one of the top attractions of the Summer Palace.

Day 14: Beijing

National Stone Place, Minh Tombs, Mutianyu section of the Great Wall, Chinese Tea House

The fourteenth day morning left for a guided tour to visit first the Tombs of Ming in the Tianshou Mountain. On the way, we first stopped at one Jade Shop, a National Stone Place, to know the importance of the jade stone to the Chinese peoples. Jade is a stone of longevity for them, and interesting to see various crafts on the stone.

Tombs of Ming are a collection of thirteen tombs of the Ming Dynasty. There are burial chambers of thirteen emperors at the underground palace of the Ming Tombs. Mausoleums were built by the emperors of the Ming Dynasty for their ‘Heavenly Life.’ The site has also been listed as UNESCO World Heritage Site.

After a delicious Chinese lunch, we finally visit the New Seven Wonders of the World Great Wall of China . This longest Great Wall became the UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1987.

We explored the Mutianyu section of the Great Wall. I took the cable car to go up and down. It is also possible to hike and reach the section. The view is fantastic, and I enjoyed walking up and down the stairs.

China tour is incomplete without taking a sip of Chinese tea, the national drink of China. The last stop was to visit one Tea House to learn about top must-try Tea in China . They showed us the process of tea making and gave us to taste. I also bought several types of Chinese Tea.

At night I had some shopping from Dashilan Shopping Street, and it was my last day in China.

The following day left Beijing for Singapore by collecting all good memories from my 14 days solo trip to China.

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Any other top tips to add for a trip to China? Comment your China travel experiences below!

Nafisa Habib

Nafisa Habib loves nature and often got fascinated by old beautiful architecture. Here she is with My Own Way To Travel to share her adventures on the road. To her nothing is so interesting than exploring new destinations around. And knowing a new culture and meeting new peoples on the road? Oh, yeah she just loves that too.

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Beijing Solo Travel Guide

Planning a solo trip to Beijing ? Here’s everything you need to know for your visit:

QUICK FACTS

• Capital of China and one the world’s most populous cities, with over 21.3 million residents. 
• With a rich 3000-year history, Beijing is one of the oldest cities in the world.
• Has been the political and cultural center of China for more than 700 years .
• Host city of the 2008 Summer Olympic Games.
• Nicknames: the Celestial City, the Northern Capital, The Center of the World.

PRACTICAL INFORMATION

• Currency:  Chinese Yuan   Renminbi  (CNY).
• Spoken languages:   primarily   Mandarin . Sizable English speaking community.
• Best time to visit: from  September  to  November (cool, relatively humid), and from March  to  May  (although dust storms are common in the spring).
• Arriving via airport: hail a taxi from the taxi stand, and make sure the driver turns the meter on (~ 130-200 Yuan from Terminal 3 to downtown), take the Airport Bus, or the Airport Express subway line to the city (a one-way ticket is 25 Yuan ).

WHERE TO STAY

• Best Beijing hostel for solo travelers: Peking Youth Hostel . Clean and cozy, in a great location for exploring the city (6 minute walk from Nanluo metro station), with friendly staff who can help you organize your trip in China. Bonus: it’s located on a main Hutong street, so you get a bit of the old-school charm that’s quickly disappearing from the city.
• Stay in the city center to be close to all the major sights, attractions, and the best food options.
• Many of the major international hotel chains (e.g. Grand Metropark, Hilton) are conveniently located.
• For budget options, look for mid-range chains (e.g. Home Inn, Days Inn).

GETTING AROUND

• The Beijing subway is  2 RMB for all lines and destinations (except Airport Express).
• Taxi is 12 RMB (13 RMB at night) for first 3 km, 2 RMB (2.4 RMB at night) per additional km, 3 RMB (3.4 RMB at night) from 15 km and above. Taxis can be called at 96103 .

BEIJING NIGHTLIFE

• Drinking age is officially 18 (not enforced at all), and there is no last call (many restaurants and bars stay open all night).
• Bar scene: There are many nice cafes and bars along the Tian Qiao Shi’chang Byway , including unique tea shops and wine houses.
• Clubbing scene: There are many bars and restaurants located along the W Da Zhan’lan Street and the Tie’shu Byway .
• Trendy scene: Another popular urban spot is the Qian Hai Bei’yan and the Hou Hai Nan’yan roads, full of bars and wine bars with great views of the sea.
• Great bars to start your night: The Swan with Two Necks (Yuyang Road), School (punk bar – 53 Wudaoying Hu Tong), Modernista (44 Baochao Hu Tong), and The Tiki Bungalow.

UNIQUE LANDMARKS TO VISIT

• Note: there is a great variety of landmarks in Beijing, ranging from ancient Chinese temples and pagodas all the way to modern amusement parks and gardens.
• The four temples of Beijing (Heaven, Sun, Moon, Earth) are religious buildings where the Emperors would pray and make offerings to heaven.
• The Tian’an Men (the Gate of Heavenly Peace) is the third largest city square in the world (at 440,000 sq. meters), known worldwide as the setting for numerous historic events.
• The  Forbidden City  encompasses the Imperial palaces and temples – witness where the Emperors lived.
• The World Park is a theme park featuring scale models of unique world landmarks, including the Sphinx, Eiffel Tower, Taj Mahal, Leaning Tower of Pisa, and many more.
• The Ba Da Ling Great Wall is the entrance to one of the world’s wonders – the Great Wall of China.
• The “Bird’s Nest” and the Beijing National Aquatics Center , where the Summer Olympic Games of 2008 were held.

INTERESTING WALKS

• Note : Contrary to popular belief, taking a stroll on the Great Wall is not that pleasant – the paths are steep and can actually be tiring (and somewhat dangerous). Additionally, only a small part of the Great Wall in Beijing is actually a tourist site – people rarely venture beyond the designated visitor zone.
• There are many interesting villages and temples in Beijing where you can experience local architecture and music first-hand. Among the nicest parks to visit are the Beihai Park , the Jingshan Park , the Houhai Park, and the Zhongshan Park .
• Go for a walk through the Forbidden City , where there are many museums, statues, and great restaurants.

LOCAL WISDOM

• Don’t be surprised if people you meet don’t speak any English. Although Beijing is extremely open to foreigners, this doesn’t mean everyone will understand you! Be prepared – bring maps with English along as you travel, make use of road signs, and jot down certain names of landmarks in Mandarin. Consider bringing a pocket Chinese dictionary .
• While China is known for its fascinating culture and history, you may encounter some unpleasant local habits . Don’t be surprised if you see people litter, smoke in public, or spit on the ground. Just be sure to watch where you walk!
• Where to find good cheap eats : almost everywhere in Beijing! Visit a local Chinese park and try out some of the local specialties . Warning : avoid eating food from  street vendors . They are known for using cheap/poor ingredients, and the food could give you  food poisoning and/or an upset stomach.
• Dangerous areas : Beijing is generally very safe. Exercise common sense. A word on taxis : while hailing taxis at night, only enter official ones (with signs on the roof), as others might not be as safe and trustworthy.

Recommended trip duration:  4-5 days

• Shanghai, China
• Tianjin, China
• Hangzhou, China
• Hong Kong, China
• Taipei, Taiwan
• Tokyo, Japan
• Seoul, South Korea

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Moscow Metro Tour

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Description

Moscow metro private tours.

• 2-hour tour $87:  10 Must-See Moscow Metro stations with hotel pick-up and drop-off
• 3-hour tour $137:  20 Must-See Moscow Metro stations with Russian lunch in beautifully-decorated Metro Diner + hotel pick-up and drop off. 
• Metro pass is included in the price of both tours.

Highlight of Metro Tour

• Visit 10 must-see stations of Moscow metro on 2-hr tour and 20 Metro stations on 3-hr tour, including grand Komsomolskaya station with its distinctive Baroque décor, aristocratic Mayakovskaya station with Soviet mosaics, legendary Revolution Square station with 72 bronze sculptures and more!
• Explore Museum of Moscow Metro and learn a ton of technical and historical facts;
• Listen to the secrets about the Metro-2, a secret line supposedly used by the government and KGB;
• Experience a selection of most striking features of Moscow Metro hidden from most tourists and even locals;
• Discover the underground treasure of Russian Soviet past – from mosaics to bronzes, paintings, marble arches, stained glass and even paleontological elements;
• Learn fun stories and myths about Coffee Ring, Zodiac signs of Moscow Metro and more;
• Admire Soviet-era architecture of pre- and post- World War II perious;
• Enjoy panoramic views of Sparrow Hills from Luzhniki Metro Bridge – MetroMost, the only station of Moscow Metro located over water and the highest station above ground level;
• If lucky, catch a unique «Aquarelle Train» – a wheeled picture gallery, brightly painted with images of peony, chrysanthemums, daisies, sunflowers and each car unit is unique;
• Become an expert at navigating the legendary Moscow Metro system;
• Have fun time with a very friendly local;
• + Atmospheric Metro lunch in Moscow’s the only Metro Diner (included in a 3-hr tour)

Hotel Pick-up

Metro stations:.

Komsomolskaya

Novoslobodskaya

Prospekt Mira

Belorusskaya

Mayakovskaya

Novokuznetskaya

Revolution Square

Sparrow Hills

+ for 3-hour tour

Victory Park

Slavic Boulevard

Vystavochnaya

Dostoevskaya

Elektrozavodskaya

Partizanskaya

Museum of Moscow Metro

• Drop-off  at your hotel, Novodevichy Convent, Sparrow Hills or any place you wish
• + Russian lunch  in Metro Diner with artistic metro-style interior for 3-hour tour

Fun facts from our Moscow Metro Tours:

From the very first days of its existence, the Moscow Metro was the object of civil defense, used as a bomb shelter, and designed as a defense for a possible attack on the Soviet Union.

At a depth of 50 to 120 meters lies the second, the coded system of Metro-2 of Moscow subway, which is equipped with everything you need, from food storage to the nuclear button.

According to some sources, the total length of Metro-2 reaches over 150 kilometers.

The Museum was opened on Sportivnaya metro station on November 6, 1967. It features the most interesting models of trains and stations.

Coffee Ring

The first scheme of Moscow Metro looked like a bunch of separate lines. Listen to a myth about Joseph Stalin and the main brown line of Moscow Metro.

Zodiac Metro

According to some astrologers, each of the 12 stops of the Moscow Ring Line corresponds to a particular sign of the zodiac and divides the city into astrological sector.

Astrologers believe that being in a particular zadiac sector of Moscow for a long time, you attract certain energy and events into your life.

Paleontological finds 

Red marble walls of some of the Metro stations hide in themselves petrified inhabitants of ancient seas. Try and find some!

• Every day each car in  Moscow metro passes  more than 600 km, which is the distance from Moscow to St. Petersburg.
• Moscow subway system is the  5th in the intensity  of use (after the subways of Beijing, Tokyo, Seoul and Shanghai).
• The interval in the movement of trains in rush hour is  90 seconds .

What you get:

• + A friend in Moscow.
• + Private & customized Moscow tour.
• + An exciting pastime, not just boring history lessons.
• + An authentic experience of local life.
• + Flexibility during the walking tour: changes can be made at any time to suit individual preferences.
• + Amazing deals for breakfast, lunch, and dinner in the very best cafes & restaurants. Discounts on weekdays (Mon-Fri).
• + A photo session amongst spectacular Moscow scenery that can be treasured for a lifetime.
• + Good value for souvenirs, taxis, and hotels.
• + Expert advice on what to do, where to go, and how to make the most of your time in Moscow.

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• Preplanned tours
• Daytrips out of Moscow
• Themed tours
• Customized tours
• St. Petersburg

Moscow Metro

The Moscow Metro Tour is included in most guided tours’ itineraries. Opened in 1935, under Stalin’s regime, the metro was not only meant to solve transport problems, but also was hailed as “a people’s palace”. Every station you will see during your Moscow metro tour looks like a palace room. There are bright paintings, mosaics, stained glass, bronze statues… Our Moscow metro tour includes the most impressive stations best architects and designers worked at - Ploshchad Revolutsii, Mayakovskaya, Komsomolskaya, Kievskaya, Novoslobodskaya and some others.

What is the kremlin in russia?

The guide will not only help you navigate the metro, but will also provide you with fascinating background tales for the images you see and a history of each station.

And there some stories to be told during the Moscow metro tour! The deepest station - Park Pobedy - is 84 metres under the ground with the world longest escalator of 140 meters. Parts of the so-called Metro-2, a secret strategic system of underground tunnels, was used for its construction.

During the Second World War the metro itself became a strategic asset: it was turned into the city's biggest bomb-shelter and one of the stations even became a library. 217 children were born here in 1941-1942! The metro is the most effective means of transport in the capital.

There are almost 200 stations 196 at the moment and trains run every 90 seconds! The guide of your Moscow metro tour can explain to you how to buy tickets and find your way if you plan to get around by yourself.