Ultimate Guide: How to Plan the Perfect China Itinerary
I recently wrapped up four weeks of travel across six cities in China, and let me tell you—it was a lot. From the ancient terracotta warriors in Xi’an to the tropical beaches of Sanya, every destination had its own rhythm, food scene, and must-see spots. Whether I was exploring the vibrant markets of Kunming, indulging in local fish in Guangzhou, or soaking up the skyline views in Hong Kong, each stop added something unique to the journey.
But here’s the thing—I waited until the very last minute to plan. While it all worked out in the end, I definitely could have saved time, money, and stress by organizing things earlier. So, if you’re thinking about traveling to China, learn from me! These are the tools and tips I should have used before my trip to make the experience even smoother.
1. Start with Pre-Curated Trips for Inspiration
Before diving into the logistics, I browsed pre-curated trip itineraries to get a sense of what was possible. Many travel agencies, blogs, and influencers have already mapped out some of the best routes, so why not use them as a starting point?
Where to find them:
Once I got an idea of what I wanted, I tailored the itinerary to fit my own interests and schedule.
2. Xiaohongshu (小红书): The Ultimate Local Guide
Think of Xiaohongshu (Little Red Book) as China’s version of Instagram mixed with Yelp and Pinterest. It’s where locals and travelers alike post real-time reviews, hidden gems, and food recommendations.
How I used it:
Found unique, non-touristy spots that weren’t listed on mainstream travel sites
Discovered the best local restaurants, cafés, and photo spots
Got up-to-date info on whether attractions were closed, under renovation, or worth visiting at certain times of day
💡 Tip: Since it’s mostly in Chinese, use Google Translate’s camera feature to scan and translate posts. Or, copy and paste text into a translation app.
3. Trip.com: The One-Stop Booking Platform
Trip.com became my go-to for:
✅ Train and flight tickets (especially high-speed trains between cities)
✅ Hotel and hostel bookings
✅ Attraction tickets
The app is super user-friendly and offers an English interface, making it way easier than navigating Chinese-only booking sites.
💡 Tip: Book train tickets as early as possible—especially for popular routes like Shanghai to Beijing. They sell out fast.
4. Dianping (大众点评): The Yelp of China
If you want good food, Dianping is the app to use. It’s like Yelp but with more detailed reviews, ranking systems, and user-generated photos.
How I used it:
Searched for top-rated restaurants and cafés in each city
Look for the Dianping awarded restaurants (usually have the logo and a checkmark on their profile)
Filtered by rating, cuisine type, and proximity
Avoided tourist traps by reading detailed local reviews
💡 Tip: The app is in Chinese, so using a translator is key.
5. Instagram: Aesthetic Planning & Content Ideas
Even though Instagram is blocked in China (VPN needed!), I use it beforehand to find aesthetic cafés, cool photography spots, and scenic locations.
💡 Tip: Create Instagram folders for each city you’re visiting! Whenever you come across something interesting, save the post in the corresponding folder. That way, when you're actually there, you’ll have a ready-made list of places to check out instead of scrambling to remember where you saw them!
6. Final Itinerary Planning & Flexibility
After gathering all my research, I used Excel to organize my trip:
📅 City-by-city breakdown
🚆 Train and flight details
🍜 Food spots I didn’t want to miss
📍 Attractions with maps (I favorited locations on Amap / Gaode)
But here’s the most important part: stay flexible.
Some of my best experiences happened when I strayed from my plan—like waking up early to catch a breathtaking sunrise over the South China Sea in Sanya or wandering through a quiet alley in Xi’an and discovering a hidden courtyard perfect for photos. Sometimes, the unplanned moments end up being the most unforgettable.
Final Thoughts
Planning a trip to China can feel overwhelming, but the right tools make all the difference. By using Xiaohongshu, Trip.com, Dianping, and Instagram, I was able to create an itinerary that balanced structured plans with spontaneous adventure.
If you’re heading to China soon—embrace the unexpected, capture everything, and get ready for a trip you’ll never forget.