27 days in East Asia Itinerary

The large city of Dalian gets its history from its seaport, its modernity from its industry, and its visitors from the fact it largely keeps these things from view.

Kick off your visit on the 17th (Fri): get a new perspective on nature at Dalian Natural History Museum, make a trip to Xinghai Square, get to know the resident critters at Dalian Forest Zoo, then take a stroll through Dalian Laohutan Square, then head off the coast to Bangchuidao Island, and finally walk around Dalian Zhongshan Square.

To see where to stay, photos, more things to do, and tourist information, read our Dalian driving holiday planner.

If you are flying in from United States, the closest major aiports are Dalian Zhoushuizi International Airport and Yantai Penglai International Airport. In June, daytime highs in Dalian are 80°F, while nighttime lows are 65°F. Finish your sightseeing early on the 17th (Fri) so you can fly to Yantai.

The historic port city of Yantai retains a certain quaintness, despite developing into an economic powerhouse in the modern era.

Start off your visit on the 18th (Sat): let little ones run wild at Yantai Qicaicheng Leisure Park, kick back and relax at Yantai Gold Beach, don't miss a visit to Yantai Hill, then see the interesting displays at Zhangyu Wine Cultural Museum, then make a trip to Yantai Zhangyu Group, and finally steep yourself in history at Hujian Guild Hall.

Make your Yantai itinerary with Klarna Trips to find out what to see and where to go.

Traveling by flight from Dalian to Yantai takes 2.5 hours. Alternatively, you can fly; or ride a ferry; or drive. Finish your sightseeing early on the 18th (Sat) to allow enough time to drive to Qingdao.

The city of Qingdao has become particularly well known for its clean streets, orderly layout, and blending of the old and the new.

Start off your visit on the 19th (Sun): make a trip to May Fourth Square, steep yourself in history at Huashi Villa (Huashi Lou), take a leisurely stroll along Zhanqiao Pier, contemplate in the serene atmosphere at Qingdao Catholic Church, then see the interesting displays at Qingdao Beer Museum, and finally take in the spiritual surroundings of Zhanshan Temple.

Plan a Qingdao trip in moments using our itinerary builder.

Traveling by car from Yantai to Qingdao takes 2.5 hours. Alternatively, you can drive; or take a train; or take a bus. Expect a daytime high around 82°F in June, and nighttime lows around 65°F. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 19th (Sun) to allow time to fly 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.

On the 20th (Mon), contemplate in the serene atmosphere at Qingyang Palace (Green Ram Temple), take an in-depth tour of Jinsha Site Museum, then get engrossed in the history at Du Fu Cottage, then take your sightseeing to a higher altitude at Mount Qingcheng, and finally examine the collection at Chengdu Museum (Old Hall). Get ready for a full day of sightseeing on the 21st (Tue): contemplate in the serene atmosphere at Baoguang Temple of Chengdu, identify plant and animal life at Giant Panda Breeding Research Base (Xiongmao Jidi), take in the spiritual surroundings of Wenshu Yuan Monastery, get to know the fascinating history of Kuanzhai Alley, then appreciate the extensive heritage of Jinli Pedestrian Street, and finally get engrossed in the history at Wuhou Memorial Temple.

To see other places to visit, where to stay, and other tourist information, read our Chengdu journey planner.

Getting from Qingdao to Chengdu by flight takes about 4.5 hours. Other options: take a train; or drive. Traveling from Qingdao in June, you can expect nighttime temperatures to be somewhat warmer in Chengdu, with lows of 71°F. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 21st (Tue) to allow time to fly to Xining.

A gateway between Eastern China and Tibet since the days of the Silk Road, Xining boasts a history spanning more than 2,000 years.

Kick off your visit on the 22nd (Wed): learn more about the world around you at Qinghai Province Museum, examine the collection at Huangzhong Museum, take in the spiritual surroundings of Ta'er Monastery, see the interesting displays at Qinghai Tibet Cultural Centre, then examine the collection at Museum of China Tibetan Medicine Culture, and finally take in the dramatic natural features at Qinghai Plateau. Keep things going the next day: stroll around Xining Beihai Park, take in the spiritual surroundings of Tulou Temple of Beishan Mountain, contemplate in the serene atmosphere at Xining Dongguan Mosque, then take in the spiritual surroundings of Nanchan Temple, and finally take your sightseeing to a higher altitude at Xining Nanshan Mountain.

To find where to stay, traveler tips, maps, and more tourist information, read Xining trip itinerary builder site.

Traveling by flight from Chengdu to Xining takes 3.5 hours. Alternatively, you can take a train; or drive. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 23rd (Thu) to allow time to take a train to Lanzhou.

Once a major stop-off on the ancient Silk Road trading route, Lanzhou today acts as an important place to rest up for Silk Road tourists and trekkers.

Start off your visit on the 24th (Fri): stroll around Binhe Park of Lanzhou, get engrossed in the history at Gansu Provincial Museum, take in the spiritual surroundings of Baiyun Taoist Temple of Lanzhou, then contemplate in the serene atmosphere at Lanzhou Xiguan Mosque, then make a trip to Lanzhou Shuiche Park, and finally stroll around Lanzhou Xiaoxihu Park. Get ready for a full day of sightseeing on the 25th (Sat): snap pictures at Iron Bridge of Yellow River, stroll around Lanzhou Yintan Wetland Park, take your sightseeing to a higher altitude at White Pagoda Mountain (Baita), then admire the landmark architecture of Lanzhou Town God's Temple, then stroll around Wuquan Mountain Park, and finally examine the collection at Lanzhou Museum.

For photos, ratings, traveler tips, and tourist information, read our Lanzhou online trip itinerary maker.

Traveling by car from Xining to Lanzhou takes 2.5 hours. Alternatively, you can take a train; or drive. In June, daytime highs in Lanzhou are 75°F, while nighttime lows are 52°F. Finish your sightseeing early on the 25th (Sat) so you can fly to Xi'an.

Historians often describe Xi'an, capital city for over a dozen dynasties, as the birthplace of Chinese civilization.

On the 26th (Sun), contemplate the long history of Tang Paradise, steep yourself in history at Big Wild Goose Pagoda (Dayanta), take an in-depth tour of Shaanxi History Museum, contemplate the long history of Drum Tower (Gulou), then delve into the distant past at Xi'an Bell Tower, and finally don't miss a visit to Muslim Quarter. Get ready for a full day of sightseeing on the 27th (Mon): explore the ancient world of Xi'an City Wall (Chengqiang), contemplate in the serene atmosphere at Xi'an Mosque, then steep yourself in history at Mausoleum of the First Qin Emperor, then take an in-depth tour of The Museum of Qin Terra-cotta Warriors and Horses, and finally witness a stunning natural landmark at Huaqing Palace.

To find traveler tips, where to stay, reviews, and other tourist information, refer to the Xi'an road trip site.

Traveling by flight from Lanzhou to Xi'an takes 3 hours. Alternatively, you can take a train; or drive. Expect somewhat warmer temperatures when traveling from Lanzhou in June; daily highs in Xi'an reach 87°F and lows reach 65°F. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 27th (Mon) so you can catch the train to Luoyang.

One of the oldest imperial cities in the country, Luoyang gives access to a wealth of cultural sites protected by UNESCO for their importance to the world's cultural heritage.

Start off your visit on the 28th (Tue): don't miss a visit to Binyang Cave, contemplate the long history of Longmen Grottoes, contemplate the long history of Guanlin Temple (General Guan's Tomb), then take in the views from Longmen Bridge, then contemplate in the serene atmosphere at White Horse Temple, and finally take in panoramic vistas at Qiyun Tower. Get ready for a full day of sightseeing on the next day: get engrossed in the history at Luoyang Museum, explore the world behind art at Luoyang Meishuguan, explore the ancient world of Luyang Drum Tower, delve into the distant past at Shentai Lijing （South Gate）, then examine the collection at Luoyang Tomb Museum, and finally walk around International Mudanyuan.

To see maps, reviews, ratings, and other tourist information, read our Luoyang online driving holiday planner.

You can take a train from Xi'an to Luoyang in 2 hours. Alternatively, you can take a train; or drive; or fly. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 29th (Wed) to allow time to take a train to Kaifeng.

One of Henan's ancient capitals, Kaifeng was once the busiest and wealthiest city in the county.

On the 30th (Thu), make a trip to Yang Warrior Memorial Museum, walk around Dragon Pavilion Park (Long Ting), get in on the family fun at Millennium City Park, walk around Kaifeng Iron Tower Park, then contemplate the long history of Shanxi, Shaanxi and Gansu Province Hall, and finally take your sightseeing to a higher altitude at Bao Zheng's Ancestral Hall of Kaifeng. On the next day, admire the landmark architecture of Po Ta (Fan Pagoda), hunt for treasures at Gulou Square, contemplate in the serene atmosphere at Xiangguo Temple, delve into the distant past at Kaifeng City Wall, then appreciate the extensive heritage of Kaifeng House Scenic Resort, and finally get to know the fascinating history of Ancient Street of North Song Dynasty.

To see ratings, photos, where to stay, and more tourist information, you can read our Kaifeng trip itinerary planner.

Getting from Luoyang to Kaifeng by car takes about 2.5 hours. Other options: take a train; or drive; or do a combination of train and bus. In June in Kaifeng, expect temperatures between 88°F during the day and 69°F at night. Finish your sightseeing early on the 1st (Fri) to allow enough time to fly to Hohhot.

Hohhot, abbreviated Hushi, formerly known as Kweisui, is the capital of Inner Mongolia in North China, serving as the region's administrative, economic and cultural centre. Kick off your visit on the 2nd (Sat): make a trip to Islam Style Street, explore the ancient world of Hohhot Mosque (Great Mosque), make a trip to Saishang Old Street, then contemplate in the serene atmosphere at Dazhao Temple, then take in the spiritual surroundings of Xilitu Zhao Temple, and finally appreciate the history behind Zhaojun Tomb. On the next day, contemplate in the serene atmosphere at Hohhot Five-Pagoda Temple (Wuta Si), stroll around Qingcheng Park, take an in-depth tour of Neimenggu Bowuguan (Inner Mongolia Museum), then steep yourself in history at Suiyuan City Wall and General Government Office Site, then examine the collection at Geological Mineral Museum of Inner Mongolia, and finally examine the collection at Inner Mongolia Museum.

For other places to visit, ratings, and other tourist information, go to the Hohhot road trip site.

You can fly from Kaifeng to Hohhot in 3.5 hours. Alternatively, you can fly; or take a train; or drive. Plan for little chillier temperatures traveling from Kaifeng in July, with highs in Hohhot at 84°F and lows at 62°F. Cap off your sightseeing on the 3rd (Sun) early enough to catch the flight to Taiyuan.

An industrial and cultural hub of northern China with a population of more than 4 million, Taiyuan boasts a long and storied history that now seems somewhat overshadowed by the city modern facade.

Kick off your visit on the 4th (Mon): admire the striking features of Mengshan Mountain Buddha, contemplate the long history of Chang Family Compound, explore the ancient world of Yuci Ancient City, then admire the landmark architecture of Twin Pagoda Temple (Shuangta si), and finally stroll around Yingze Park. Here are some ideas for day two: examine the collection at Shanxi Museum, examine the collection at Taiyuan Coal Museum, get in on the family fun at Jinci Park, then take in the spiritual surroundings of Jinsi Temple, then see the interesting displays at Jinci Museum, and finally contemplate the long history of Jinci Plaque.

To see traveler tips, more things to do, other places to visit, and other tourist information, read Taiyuan road trip planning app.

You can fly from Hohhot to Taiyuan in 3.5 hours. Other options are to fly; or drive; or take a bus. In July, daytime highs in Taiyuan are 87°F, while nighttime lows are 67°F. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 5th (Tue) to allow time to take a train to Jinan.

A political, commercial, and cultural center of Shandong Province, Jinan serves as an important transit hub to other destinations.

Start off your visit on the 6th (Wed): explore the activities along Daming Lake, witness a stunning natural landmark at Heihu Spring, take your sightseeing to a higher altitude at Qianfoshan, then delve into the distant past at The Terra Cotta Warriors Of WeiShan, then examine the collection at Shandong Museum, and finally get to know the fascinating history of Furong Ancient Street.

To see more things to do, reviews, ratings, and tourist information, read our Jinan trip planner.

Traveling by car from Taiyuan to Jinan takes 5.5 hours. Alternatively, you can take a train; or drive; or fly. Finish your sightseeing early on the 6th (Wed) to allow enough time to take a train to Tianjin.

Tianjin stands as one of China's largest metropolises, combining modern flourishes with preserved history and traditions to create a diverse city.

On the 7th (Thu), take in the spiritual surroundings of St Joseph Catheral, then admire the landmark architecture of Jingyuan, then take an in-depth tour of Three Stones Memorial, and finally don't miss a visit to Great Wall at Huangya Pass (Huangyaguan Changcheng).

For reviews, ratings, maps, and tourist information, read Tianjin sightseeing planner.

You can take a train from Jinan to Tianjin in 2.5 hours. Other options are to take a train; or drive; or fly. In July in Tianjin, expect temperatures between 90°F during the day and 75°F at night. Finish your sightseeing early on the 7th (Thu) to allow enough time to take a train to Beijing.

As the political and cultural capital of China, Beijing stands at the heart of Chinese history, buzzing with the energy of its high population density and centuries of importance.

Start off your visit on the 8th (Fri): get engrossed in the history at The Palace Museum, take some stellar pictures from Tiananmen Square (Tiananmen Guangchang), get a sense of history and politics at Temple of Heaven, then admire the striking features of Summer Palace (Yiheyuan), and finally make a trip to Mutianyu Great Wall.

For photos, ratings, where to stay, and more tourist information, use the Beijing online visit planner.

You can take a train from Tianjin to Beijing in an hour. Alternatively, you can take a train; or drive; or take a bus. In July, daily temperatures in Beijing can reach 90°F, while at night they dip to 73°F. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 8th (Fri) early enough to drive to Chengde.

Dominated by an extraordinary, UNESCO-protected red and white palace complex sprawling up the mountainside, Chengde remains a summer resort fit for royalty.

Kick off your visit on the 9th (Sat): see the interesting displays at Museum of Summer Resort, explore the historical opulence of Imperial Summer Palace of Mountain Resort, contemplate the long history of Eight Outer Temples, contemplate in the serene atmosphere at Temple of Universal Peace (Puning si), then get outside with Eight Outer Temples in The Bishu Villa, and finally contemplate the long history of Potala Palace (Putuo Zongcheng Temple).

For reviews, more things to do, ratings, and other tourist information, refer to the Chengde travel itinerary planner.

Drive from Beijing to Chengde in 2.5 hours. Alternatively, you can drive; or take a bus; or take a train. Cap off your sightseeing on the 9th (Sat) early enough to catch the train to Shenyang.

A trip to Shenyang, a city teeming with history and heritage, reveals the rich culture of Northeast China in a booming economic hot spot and bustling metropolis.

Start off your visit on the 10th (Sun): stroll around Beiling Park, take in nature's colorful creations at Shenyang Botanical Garden, see the interesting displays at "9.18"Historical Museum, then delve into the distant past at Shenyang Zhaoling Mausoleum, then take an in-depth tour of Shenyang Imperial Palace (Gu Gong), and finally take an in-depth tour of Former Residence of Zhang Zuolin and Zhang Xueliang.

To find reviews, photos, more things to do, and other tourist information, read our Shenyang trip builder website.

You can take a train from Chengde to Shenyang in 3.5 hours. Other options are to drive; or take a bus. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 10th (Sun) to allow time to take a train to Harbin.

The influence of neighboring Russia remains visible throughout much of Harbin, with the country's northernmost metropolis possessing an intoxicating eclecticism in its architecture, food, and art.

On the 11th (Mon), contemplate in the serene atmosphere at Harbin Sacred Heart of Jesus Cathedral, take in the spiritual surroundings of Temple of Bliss (Jile Si), take in the spiritual surroundings of Harbin Confucian Temple, then stroll the grounds of Haerbin Martyrs Cemetery, then examine the collection at Unit 731 Museum, and finally appreciate the extensive heritage of Gogol Street. Keep things going the next day: get engrossed in the history at Heilongjiang Museum, get into the urban bustle at Hongbo Square, get up close and personal with brilliant marine life at Harbin Polarland, then don't miss a visit to Zhongyang Pedestrian Street, then get in on the family fun at Harbin Ice and Snow World, and finally see the interesting displays at Saint Sophia Cathedral.

For ratings, more things to do, where to stay, and more tourist information, use the Harbin travel route builder.

Take a train from Shenyang to Harbin in 4 hours. Alternatively, you can take a train; or do a combination of flight and train; or drive. Expect a daytime high around 83°F in July, and nighttime lows around 66°F. Finish your sightseeing early on the 12th (Tue) so you can take a train to Changchun.

Capital of Jilin Province, Changchun witnessed some turbulent 20th-century Chinese history, occupied at times by both the Japanese and Soviets.

Start off your visit on the 13th (Wed): stroll around South Lake Park, examine the collection at Puppet Emperor's Palace (Wei Huang Gong), get engrossed in the history at The Museum of The Imperial Palace of Manchukuo, contemplate in the serene atmosphere at Changchun Huguo Prajna Temple, then steep yourself in history at Eight Departments of Manchukuo, and finally steep yourself in history at Manchukuo State Department.

To find other places to visit, photos, more things to do, and tourist information, you can read our Changchun trip builder tool.

You can take a train from Harbin to Changchun in 2 hours. Alternatively, you can take a train; or drive. In July, daytime highs in Changchun are 84°F, while nighttime lows are 66°F.