If you decide to study the culture of Asia and spend your vacation in China, then the surest way to do it on a budget is to go on your own, without the help of tour operators. We have compiled an interesting itinerary for 9 days, which will allow you to see all the most interesting things. If the vacation is designed for more days, then you can start from Beijing. How to get there, where to stay, what to see – all the detailed information in the guide to Beijing for 7 days.

How to get there

From Russia, the cheapest way is to fly to Beijing, and then to Xi'an. As a rule, the first and second terminals are used for domestic flights, but the departure can also be from the third. It is better to buy air tickets in advance. Flights are operated by Air China. If you are not very fond of flying, then you can get from Beijing to Xi'an by train. Tickets can be purchased at chinatraintickets.net.

You should not waste time and try to buy tickets at the station, as you will have to queue up in the evening. You can use the services of a travel agency, whose offices are not difficult to find. Let the tickets be sold to you with a small markup, but this way you can save a lot of time. The cheapest way to get from Beijing to Xi'an is by bus, which departs from the Liuliqiao bus station.

If you decide to use the services of Air China, then you should not count on a full meal. Before departure, we recommend having a hearty breakfast (lunch or dinner). At Xi'an airport, prepare your luggage receipt, as the staff will let you out of the terminal with your suitcase only after carefully examining it so that you do not take someone else's luggage. You can get to the hotel by taxi or bus. You can get all the necessary information at the Info desk at the airport. Keep in mind that the bus goes to the Bell Tower. As always, we recommend that you print out the hotel's business card in advance.

Where to stay

You can stay in Xian both in a hostel, for example, Xi'an Jiuping Hostel, where a bed in a dormitory room will cost you 283 rubles per day, and in a hotel, accommodation in which will cost a little more. Book Xi'an Jiuping Hostel on booking.com.

So, for example, a double room at the Suba Hotel Xi'an Dongmen 2 costs 428 rubles per night, a room at the Xi'an Forest City Hotel 4 1309 rubles per night, a room at the Golden Flower Hotel Xi'an by Shangri-La 5 for 2783 rubles. In general, the choice is huge, and the prices are quite affordable.

The first day. On your own in Xi'an

Xi'an is an amazing city with over 3,000 years of history. It is considered to be one of the oldest cities in China. It was here that the Great Silk Road began. Here you have to spend two days. We start our tour of the city with the most famous sights.

Big Goose Pagoda

We catch a taxi and go to the Big Goose Pagoda, which is located in the Qian Temple. Here you will see the most beautiful gardens and unique architectural buildings. Many of which have been restored after repeated destruction. The Pagoda itself, 64 meters high, has 7 tiers. From the very top, there is an excellent panoramic view of the entire city, where many other unique sights are concentrated. The observant tourist will notice that the Pagoda is at an angle that increases over time. So the pagoda received the unspoken name “Chinese Leaning Tower of Pisa”.

The Big Goose Pagoda is a great place for walking and contemplating the beauty. Be sure to check out the Peony Pavilion. Next to the Pagoda, the fountain show begins in the evening. A very beautiful sight. Not far from the ort of fountains is the Narru New Year shopping center, where you can have a bite to eat at the Hot Pot restaurant. In such restaurants, food is cooked right at your table, which has a built-in heating element.

Fortified city wall

After a short rest, we again use the services of a taxi and go to the review of the Fortress City Wall, the main task of which was to protect the city. Here are the most famous and significant sights of Xi'an – the Drum and Bell Towers, the Muslim Quarter, the Grand Mosque.

We recommend starting the tour from the south gate. Here you can see the drum show that takes place daily. After the show, you can take pictures with its participants dressed in national costumes and even knock on these same drums. Tourists are treated with respect here.

The length of the wall is 12 km, so you can rent a bicycle on the spot. Paid entrance. In the immediate vicinity of the South Gate are the Bell and Drum Towers. The Muslim quarter is also close. The Silk Road directly influenced the fact that two religions are practiced here – Islam and Buddhism.

In the Muslim Quarter, you will see the Grand Mosque, which is one of the four largest in China and was built in the 18th century. The Muslim quarter is a fantastic, colorful and must-see place. The shopping streets in the quarter deserve special attention. Here you can buy souvenirs made of stone, wood, silk.

Second day

Terracotta army

To visit Xi'an and not see the eighth wonder of the world – the Terracotta Army, would be just an unforgivable mistake. You can get from Xi'an by one of the buses that leave from the railway station every five minutes. Look for the inscription on the bus “Terracotta army”. The journey will take no more than an hour. The bus will stop near the ticket office, you need them. Also here, local guides offer their services, who speak tolerably English.

Before you get to the entrance, you will have to pass by souvenir shops, eateries and other places that will make you spend money in every possible way.

Now that the path has been completed for you, three pavilions will be opened on the territory of the museum. To see the terracotta army, go to the first pavilion. The growth of each warrior in the army reaches about 195 cm, and the weight of the sculpture is 135 kg. The faces of all the sculptures are directed to the east, towards the defeated states.

Hot Springs Huaqing

After visiting the eighth wonder of the world, go to the stop, get on the bus and after three stops, ask the driver to stop in Lintong. Huaqing hot springs will be interesting here. Do not forget to prepare a note with hieroglyphs for the driver or explain yourself in English. Just say that you need Hot springs. Why is this place a must visit? It is here that the garden and park assembly is located, which takes pride of place in the top 100 in China.

You will have to pay about 110 yuan for entry. A romantic but sad love story of the beautiful Yang Guifei and Emperor Xuanzong is connected with this place. It was for his beloved that the emperor built a beautiful park and baths.

Today, next to the Lotus Pond, you can see the Tree of Love, to which thousands of ribbons are tied. Hot springs also function, so you can wash yourself with healing water. Now is the time to appreciate the place from the observation deck on Mount Lishan, which is located close to the park.

Now, with a sense of accomplishment, you can return to Xi'an to taste the famous local dumplings. We recommend visiting the restaurant, which is located between the Bell and Drum Towers. You definitely won't pass by this place, because at the entrance you can see a huge dumpling.

You should not stay up late, because tomorrow you will have a flight to Guilin.

The third day. On your own in Guilin

How to get there

In order not to worry about the transfer, contact the administrator of your hotel and order a taxi. The flight to Guilin takes 1 hour 50 minutes. What is remarkable about this place? Unique nature, unique landscapes, the Lijiang River, karst mountains. In addition, it was here that the third episode of Star Wars and the movie The Painted Veil were filmed.

From Guilin Airport to the city can be reached by express bus. If your hotel is further than the final stop, then after the bus change into a taxi.

Where to stay

From budget accommodation options, hotels can be noted:

If the price does not really matter to you, and you do not want to save on comfort, then we recommend hotels:

Elephant Trunk Mountain (Xianbishan)

Now that you've checked into your hotel and rested a bit, we recommend visiting Guilin's iconic site – Elephant Trunk Mountain (Xiangbishan), which is located in the southern part of the city center. This place, whose height is 100 meters, got its name, because the outlines of the mountain resemble an elephant, which seemed to lower its trunk into the river. A very interesting place. This is where the Li River joins the Peach Blossom River.

According to legend, a herd of elephants descended from heaven to earth in this place. Beautiful views and picturesque nature impressed the elephants so much that they wanted to stay here, but this caused the wrath of the Jade Emperor, who ordered them to return immediately. The herd returned, but the emperor was missing one elephant.

Enraged, he drew his sword and stabbed it in the animal's back. The elephant is petrified. Today, this place can be visited by tourists, having reached the place by ferry. The ferry departs from the terminal at St. Nanhuanlu. At the top of the hill you can see a brick pagoda. Its shape resembles the hilt of that same sword.

We buy a tour to the rice terraces

Near the park, you can see the Hezhong tourism agency. We recommend that you look here to purchase a tour to the rice terraces. Of course, you can get to them on your own, but then you have to make a transfer, and the journey itself takes more than three hours. In general, many tourists prefer organized excursions. You will have to pay about 170-180 yuan. The bus will pick you up from your hotel and then take you back. Do not forget to leave the hotel business card to the employee so that there are no misunderstandings, as English will not help you here.

Waterfall at Lijiang Waterfall Hotel

Do not rush to leave the park, because an evening walk through the picturesque complex of ponds and unusual bridges will bring a lot of pleasure. Be sure to walk to the
Lijiang Waterfall Hotel, which is located in the center. In the evening, whole crowds of tourists and locals gather here to see how the wall turns into an amazing waterfall for ten minutes. Another moment and the waterfall again becomes the wall of a five-star hotel.

If you plan to extend your stay here for a couple of days, then by all means visit the Reed Flute Cave and Seven Star Park. In the cave you can contemplate not only the magnificent halls, the beauty of which is difficult to describe, but also one of the most beautiful underground lakes.

Fourth day

Rafting on the Li River

Today we go to Yangshuo to see the beauty of the karst hills with our own eyes and take a walk along the Li River. To get to the city, you can purchase a cruise for 420 yuan per person. You will not find cheaper, as only one company is engaged in their organization. The journey will take four hours.

By bus, independent tourists will get there in an hour. We recommend that you do not waste your money and time and choose this option.

According to local residents, the area between Yangdi and another village of Xinping is the most picturesque and fascinating. If you look closely at the Chinese 20 yuan banknote, you will notice the Li River, karst hills and lush vegetation.

To get to the place, go to the bus station to buy tickets to Yangshuo. The fare is about 15 yuan. Upon reaching the city, you will need to transfer to the bus at the same bus station, which will go to Xinping or Yangdi.

The bus to Yangdi will take you to the pier where you can rent a raft designed specifically for tourist trips. Such an alloy will cost a tourist about 300 yuan.

Be careful, because for less money cunning guides reduce the walking time from an hour and a half to 30-40 minutes and drop off far from the end point. So, having fallen for a “divorce”, you will have to get to Xinping on your own and spend a lot of time and effort on it. In general, we recommend not to save much on a walk and pay money for a full-fledged rafting. The price usually includes a transfer from Xingping Wharf to the bus station.

The guide can also stop for lunch at one of the local cafes. No one promises that it will be presentable, but they will feed you deliciously and inexpensively. In general, if you experience a feeling of light or not very hunger, then agree.

A three-hour walk from Yangdi to Xinping will delight you with beautiful scenery and unique atmosphere. To return to Yangshuo, take a regular bus, the fare is about 7 yuan.

Moon Hill

Before leaving for Guilin, indulge in the pleasure of seeing the wonder of nature – Moon Hill, which has a unique shape. You can get to Moon Hill by bus, just 15 minutes and you are there. A ticket to Moon Hill costs 15 yuan.

You will have to make the ascent yourself, as there is no lift provided, but for this money, at the very top of the hill, you will find a bewitching view. It's worth it! Also prepare 5 yuan for the grandmothers who will accompany you until you buy water or any other drink from them. Now return to the station and take the bus to Guilin.

The fifth day

We go to the ethnic village of Huanglo to the long-haired Yao

We use this day to see the Longzhi rice terraces, especially since we thought of everything in advance and bought a tour from the Hezhong tourism agency. In the morning you will be picked up by a bus that will go to the Huanglo ethnic village, where the representatives of the Yao people live.

In this village, girls never cut their hair, and at the same time they have really beautiful and thick hair. For residents, this is a guarantee of long life and wealth. It is also surprising that rich hair color can be found even in older representatives of Yao, they have not heard of gray hair here. This can only be envied.

Representatives of the Guinness Book of Records recorded the maximum hair length of one lady living in Juanlo, which was 2.1 meters. In general, travelers, getting into this village, envy silently, and sometimes do not even restrain their emotions.

Previously, traditions were strictly observed here, so only the girl’s husband could see her loose hair. Today, this tradition is rarely remembered, so for a fee, the villagers will not only let their hair down for you, but also pose with pleasure in front of the camera. No wonder they say that money spoils people.

All the girls are talented needlewomen, so the souvenir business is developed. Here you can buy handmade items. Here, next to Juanlo, you can already see the rice fields.

Drive to Ping An village (rice terraces)

The next village you will visit is called Ping An. If you are driving on your own, you will have to pay an entrance fee. As part of organized tourists, the entrance, as a rule, is included in the price of the tour, so you do not need to pay anything extra. The distance from Guilin to the village is about 100 km. To get to the place, you will have to transfer to another bus, designed specifically for driving along mountain serpentines, a specially trained driver is attached to the bus.

This is with regard to the program of the purchased tour. If you are stubborn and decide to explore the area on your own, then you need a bus that goes to Heping. It is easy to find one at the bus station. From Hepin you can get to the entrance to the village by car. When you get to the entrance, you will have a difficult choice between the two routes.

The first involves visiting the terrace, which is located in the village of Ping'an (Pinh An). There is another option, but it takes longer to get there – the village of Dazai (Dazai). Experienced travelers claim that, despite the longer journey, you will get more pleasure, as the Jinken terraces are simply unique. If time allows you to stay for a couple of days, you can explore both directions. You will not regret. I also recommend reading the article Honghe Hani Rice Terraces for review .

The “bags” have only one option – to transfer to a bus that goes to the Ping An rice terraces. The locals gave them the name Dragon Ridge. The land under rice fields began to be cultivated more than 800 years ago. At that time, the Yuan Dynasty ruled.

To say that it was a titanic work is to say nothing. It took centuries to implement the plan, and today a unique landscape opens up to travelers. There is even something unearthly about it. On the terraces you can find two viewing platforms – Nine Dragons and Five Tigers and the Landscape of Seven Stars accompanying the Moon. You will have to get to the observation platforms on your own, overcoming the ascent of the stairs.

In addition to rice, tea is grown here, so do not deny yourself the pleasure of buying it at a local tent. Right in front of you, freshly picked tea leaves will be dried and packaged. After exploring and purchasing souvenirs, you will be asked to get on the bus and will be taken back to the hotel in the evening.

Sixth day. On my own in Shanghai

How to get there

It's time to go to Shanghai. Tickets are best purchased in advance. You can get there without any problems on board a Shanghai Airlines plane. There are several ways to get from Pudong Airport to the city center: taxi, bus, high-speed Maglev Train, which reaches speeds of up to 430 km / h. Maglev follows to the metro station of the 2nd line of LongYang Road. Perhaps this is the best option. The fare is 50 yuan, but there is an opportunity to save.

Present your air tickets when buying and you will get a 20% discount. You will be there in 7 minutes. After you arrive at the final stop, you will need to transfer to the metro or use taxi services to get to the very center. If you choose the metro, you will see metro line 2 after 5 meters. The journey will take about 10 minutes. If you prefer a taxi, then ask the driver to turn on the meter, it will be much cheaper. If the meter refuses to turn on, then the fixed amount should not exceed 80 yuan.

Where to stay

In Shanghai, we recommend staying in hotels in the Zhabei area:

These hotels are very well located. It is close to Shanghai Railway Station and Central Station.

Garden of Joy in the Old City

After accommodation in the hotel and a short rest, we recommend that you go to the Old Town (Old Town). To get to the place, use the subway. You need purple line 10, Yuyuan Garden. In the Old City, we recommend visiting the Yuyuan Garden. The entrance ticket costs from 30 to 40 yuan, depending on the season.

This garden, located in the old part of Shanghai, was founded over 400 years ago by the Pan Yundan family, or rather, by a son who wanted his parents to spend their days in complete peace and happiness. The rich have their own quirks, but the idea was a success, though it took more than 20 years and all the savings. Later this garden will be redeemed by the Guild of Shanghai Merchants. Today, this park is one of the main attractions of Shanghai and evokes an indescribable delight among visitors.

In the park, you can leisurely enjoy a pond with blooming lotuses, gazebos, terraces and, of course, the picturesque Nine Turns Bridge. According to the legend, by walking on it, you will be able to cleanse from evil spirits, whose entry to the bridge is prohibited. Directly on the bridge is the Usintin Tea House. We also recommend that you definitely visit the Temple of the City Gods.

Shine a light on this park today and slowly enjoy its charm, beauty and magnificence. Near the park you will find many cafes and souvenir shops.

Embankment The Bund and TV tower Pearl of the East

If time permits and there is a desire, then you can get to The Bund embankment and the Pearl of the East TV tower. On the waterfront, you can take stunning photos of the city's skyscrapers. It is located near Subway Line 10, East Nanjing Rd Station. From the metro, move towards the river. Huangpu.

Oriental Pearl TV Tower is located one stop from the promenade by metro, near Lujiazui Station, line 2. You can also visit the famous aquarium here. On the way back, we recommend stopping at the railway station in the advance ticket sales hall, especially since the hotel is in close proximity.

For tomorrow you can buy tickets to Suzhou here. Prefer the G train, it will take you to the place in just 25 minutes, the ticket costs about 40 yuan. There are cheaper options, but it will take longer than an hour to get there. Keep in mind that you will need to present your passport at the box office, as tickets are issued with personalized names.

Seventh day. In Suzhou on my own

Why is Suzhou a must visit? Yes, because here you can enjoy the splendor of the famous gardens, of which there were about 280 in the 16th and 17th centuries. Today there are much fewer, about 69, but this is more than enough for one day. The city itself is more than 2.5 thousand years old, and its historical part is part of the World Heritage Sites. In general, there is something to see and what to be impressed with. Suzhou is also the center of silk. Well, how can you resist?

Panmen gate

After arriving at the station in Suzhou, we transfer to bus number 5, which leaves the station and goes to the Panmen Gate (“Curled Dragon Gate”). Travel time is about 50 minutes, ticket price is 1 yuan. Once the Panmen were part of the wall. Today we can see the already restored attraction.

A lot of work has been done and at least $2 million has been spent. Thanks to these investments, the territory was also ennobled: trees and flowers were planted, a pond where carps live today was cleaned, and lighting fixtures were installed. Walking, you can easily find the Juyguant pagoda, in which, in ancient times, a Buddhist stupa, made of pearls, was also kept.

Fisherman's Garden and Wangshiyuan

After visiting the Panmen, we recommend taking a bus to the Fishing Net Master's Garden or the Fisherman's Garden, the construction of which began about 800 years ago. The entrance ticket costs 30 yuan.

Wangshiyuan is one of the most popular gardens in Suzhou. Architecture and nature, impeccability and elegance are united here. In the pavilions, you can see the interiors of past centuries, and in the center of the garden, visitors can admire the beauty of the picturesque pond, which is framed by beautiful plants and stones. In Wanshiyuan, you can also take beautiful photos in the bansai tree garden, on the arched bridge, which has the lyrical name “Leading to serenity.” In summer, the garden can be visited even at night, do not miss this opportunity.

Lion Grove Garden

The next must-see garden is the Lion Grove, a distinctive feature of which is a heap of stones that have a certain type (taikhushi). Several decades are needed to “grow” such stones. To get a certain look, it was necessary to make holes in ordinary stones and place them in the lake. Over the years, these stones acquired very unusual shapes. In general, there is something to see and something to be surprised at. The Lion Grove Garden is definitely a must see. The ticket price is 30 yuan.

Garden of the Humble Official

Now is the time to go to the Garden of the Modest Official or Administrator, which covers an area of 5 hectares. Of course, a few hours are not enough to inspect it, it is better to book the whole day, but if there is not much time, then during this time you can see quite a lot here.

The construction of the garden was started over 600 years ago by an official removed from public affairs for corruption. He worked on its creation for about 20 years, and today it will cut with a unique design and inimitable beauty. If you visit the garden in the summer, you will find the lotus festival and the azaleas festival in the spring. The entrance ticket costs 70 yuan.

If you are not in a hurry to get to the train, then you can walk to the railway station and be sure to visit the 85 confectionery to brighten up the day with delicious pastries and fragrant coffee.

eighth day

On your own to the Chinese Venice – Zhouzhuang

Today we will go to see the Chinese Venice – the city of Zhouzhuang, which has almost a thousand years of history. You can get to it by bus from Suzhou, so first we will use the comfortable G train. There is a bus station not far from the railway station. The fare is 17 yuan. Travel time from Suzhou to Zhouzhuang is about an hour.

If the road is not tired and you are full of energy, then from the final stop to the Old Town you can walk on foot or take a taxi if you do not consider this option. You have to pay 100 yuan to get to the attraction. The old city, after noisy and dynamic Shanghai, will surprise you with its regularity and silence, especially if your trip takes place on a weekday. Unlike Venice, the local canals are narrower, and the passing boats are run by local women.

We recommend not to miss the opportunity and explore the city from the water. The cost of renting a local gondola is 100 RMB. So much for a 25 minute walk. If you are lucky, they will even let you steer and sing something folk and very sad, probably about love. But for love, or rather for singing, you will have to pay extra. No romance.

After enjoying the walk, you can go to explore the city and the life of local residents. Be sure to inspect the Key Bridge. If you are observant, you will understand that the locals receive the main income from private transportation through the canals, restaurant and souvenir business. The most interesting thing is that men here are engaged exclusively in intellectual work. Women get the most difficult – physical work. Maybe that's why they sing such sad songs?

If you're looking to grab a bite to eat, you'll find plenty of establishments, but whether you dare to try something is another matter. Keep in mind that water for cooking is taken from the same channel, where they wash clothes and do other household chores. No, of course, the water is pre-boiled, and, as the locals assure, after that it acquires a unique taste (who would doubt it), but the choice is always yours.

If you have already seen everything and do not want to stay overnight to see a stunning sunset, then we recommend you hurry up, because the last bus to Suzhou leaves at 17.10, and to Shanghai 40 minutes earlier.

Ninth day. Shanghai solo walks

french quarter

Today you can walk in the French Quarter. You can get to it by the red line 1, Shanxi Road. This place is very atypical for a metropolis, here you can walk quietly and feel its romantic atmosphere. If you have been to Europe, you will recognize its appearance – cozy cafes, with cutlery familiar to us, and pastry shops, paved roads and nice decoration of balconies. Despite the name, not only the French, but also Russian emigrants lived in the quarter.

Interesting places and shopping

The remaining time can be devoted to sightseeing that you have noted for yourself, but have not yet had time to see or go shopping. We recommend viewing and visiting the Shanghai Circus and Zoo, the Jade Buddha Temple, the Pushkin Monument, the Museum of the Chinese Communist Party.

If you are interested in world and local fashion brands, then we recommend the Grand Mall. On 7 floors you will definitely find something for yourself and your loved ones. There is also a supermarket where you can buy delicious fruits and vegetables, while the choice is simply huge. Grand Mall is close to Lujiazui Subway Station.

We hope that our itinerary in China will help you plan your 9 days correctly and get a lot of pleasant emotions!