20 days in East Asia Itinerary

Witness the vibrant skyline of Hong Kong, an impressive urban territory on the southern coast of China.

Get out of town with these interesting Hong Kong side-trips: Macau (Macao Museum, Ruins of St. Paul's, &more). Pack the 3rd (Wed) with family-friendly diversions at Hong Kong Disneyland. Spend the 4th (Thu) exploring the fascinating underwater world at Ocean Park. There's lots more to do: enjoy breathtaking views from Victoria Peak (The Peak), get engrossed in the history at Hong Kong Museum of History, get curious at Hong Kong Museum of Medical Sciences, and let your taste buds guide you at a local gastronomic tour.

To see reviews, more things to do, photos, and more tourist information, you can read our Hong Kong trip planner.

Seattle, USA to Hong Kong is an approximately 15.5-hour flight. Traveling from Seattle to Hong Kong, you'll lose 16 hours due to the time zone difference. Traveling from Seattle in May, you will find days in Hong Kong are somewhat warmer (87°F), and nights are much hotter (78°F). Wrap up your sightseeing by early afternoon on the 8th (Mon) to allow time for travel to Guilin.

The riverside karst landscape around Guilin has long made it a favorite with Chinese poets, photographers, and travelers.

To see photos, other places to visit, traveler tips, and tourist information, read our Guilin trip itinerary planner.

Do a combination of train and flight from Hong Kong to Guilin in 4 hours. Alternatively, you can take a train; or drive. Prepare for slightly colder weather when traveling from Hong Kong in May: high temperatures in Guilin hover around 82°F and lows are around 69°F. Finish your sightseeing early on the 9th (Tue) to allow enough time to drive to Zhangjiajie.

The city of Zhangjiajie has become particularly well known for its striking surrounding landscape.

Kick off your visit on the 10th (Wed): explore the striking landscape of Zhangjiajie National Forest Park. On the next day, look for all kinds of wild species at Tianzi Mountain Clouds and then identify plant and animal life at Wulingyuan Scenic and Historic Interest Area of Zhangjiajie.

For maps, traveler tips, photos, and more tourist information, go to the Zhangjiajie online trip itinerary planner.

Traveling by car from Guilin to Zhangjiajie takes 6.5 hours. Alternatively, you can fly; or take a train. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 12th (Fri) to allow time to travel to Chongqing.

With one of the most populated and largest metropolitan areas in the world, Chongqing was the de facto capital of China during World War II. Its wartime political importance and post-war economic boom have left a number of attractions in Chongqing, including war memorials and museums, government buildings, and thriving commercial districts with a wealth of malls and more traditional market areas.

Start off your visit on the 12th (Fri): see the interesting displays at Three Gorges Museum and then explore the activities along Chongqing Wu River. Get ready for a full day of sightseeing on the next day: get in on the family fun at Yubei Bijin Park and then stroll around Chongqing Garden Expo Park.

For maps and tourist information, read our Chongqing road trip website.

Do a combination of train and flight from Zhangjiajie to Chongqing in 6.5 hours. Alternatively, you can drive; or do a combination of train, taxi, and flight. In May in Chongqing, expect temperatures between 80°F during the day and 65°F at night. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 13th (Sat) so you can catch the train to Chengdu.

The home of giant pandas for more than two million years, Chengdu's vast human history cowers in comparison to the natural heritage of the area.

Go for a jaunt from Chengdu to Guanghan to see Guanghan Sanxingdui Museum about 1h 10 min away. The adventure continues: identify plant and animal life at Giant Panda Breeding Research Base (Xiongmao Jidi), visit West China Center of Medical Sciences, take an in-depth tour of Jinsha Site Museum, and get in on the family fun at Happy Valley of Chengdu.

To see ratings, more things to do, maps, and tourist information, refer to the Chengdu trip itinerary site.

Getting from Chongqing to Chengdu by train takes about 2.5 hours. Other options: drive; or fly. In May, daytime highs in Chengdu are 82°F, while nighttime lows are 65°F. Finish your sightseeing early on the 16th (Tue) to allow enough time to fly to Lhasa.

The capital of the Tibet Autonomous Region, Lhasa possesses a wealth of Tibetan Buddhist sites of historical and cultural importance.

Lhasa is known for historic sites, wildlife, and museums. Your trip includes some of its best attractions: admire the landmark architecture of Potala Palace, get to know the fascinating history of Barkhor Street, steep yourself in history at Drepung Monastery (Zhebang Si), and contemplate in the serene atmosphere at Sera Monastery.

To find maps, ratings, other places to visit, and other tourist information, read our Lhasa trip planning site.

Fly from Chengdu to Lhasa in 4 hours. Alternatively, you can drive; or take a bus. Prepare for slightly colder weather when traveling from Chengdu in May: high temperatures in Lhasa hover around 67°F and lows are around 47°F. On the 20th (Sat), wrap the sightseeing up by early afternoon so you can fly back home.