Fourteen days in China, for two
Hong Kong's skyline, Shanghai's Bund, the Taoist temples of the Wudang Mountains, pandas in Chengdu, the Potala Palace in Lhasa and the sea of clouds on Fanjingshan: a grand tour for adventurous couples.
Full 14-day trip for two, door to door from the USA
Where the money goes
Estimated budget for two over 14 days, in US dollars. Domestic flights and the Tibet portion are the biggest costs after hotels.
| Category | Estimated cost |
|---|---|
| International flightsUSA ⇄ Hong Kong, 2 people, return from Guiyang or Shanghai. | $2,000 – $3,600 |
| Accommodation (13 nights)About $200–$600 a night: Mira, Niccolo and Marco Polo in Hong Kong, international hotels elsewhere. | $2,600 – $7,800 |
| Meals and diningDim sum, Shanghai soup dumplings, Sichuan hotpot and Tibetan dinners. | $900 – $1,700 |
| Activities and experiencesTibet permits and guide, mountain entries and cable cars, panda base, opera. | $900 – $1,600 |
| Transport in the regionFive domestic flights plus high-speed trains and private transfers. | $1,400 – $2,400 |
| Ground totalAll costs on the ground, excluding international flights | $5,800 – $13,500 |
| Grand totalFull 14-day trip for two, door to door from the USA | $7,800 – $17,100 |
Estimates only. Prices vary by season, departure city and availability.
Suggested 14-day China itinerary
Coast to mountains to the roof of the world. Each stop shows the estimated cost of your stay.
Hong Kong
Arrival
- Check in at The Mira or Niccolo in Kowloon.
- Symphony of Lights from the Tsim Sha Tsui promenade.
Hong Kong
Peak, Big Buddha & Skyline
- Peak Tram to Victoria Peak.
- Ngong Ping cable car to the Big Buddha on Lantau.
- Night views from a rooftop bar.
Shanghai
The Bund by night
- Fly to Shanghai and walk the Bund at dusk.
- Huangpu River cruise past the Pudong skyline.
Shanghai
Pearl Tower, Yu Garden and French Concession
- Yu Garden and soup dumplings in the old town.
- Tree-lined streets of the French Concession.
- Oriental Pearl Tower observation deck.
Wudang Mountains
Into the Taoist peaks
- Fly to Shiyan and transfer to the mountains.
- Evening tai chi demonstration.
Wudang Mountains
Sunrise and temples
- Sunrise from the Golden Summit.
- Purple Cloud Palace and cliffside temples.
Chengdu
Jinli and hotpot
- Fly to Chengdu and stroll Jinli Ancient Street.
- Sichuan hotpot dinner.
Chengdu
Pandas, temples and opera
- Early morning at the Giant Panda Breeding Research Base.
- Wenshu Monastery and a teahouse in People's Park.
- Sichuan opera face-changing show.
Lhasa
Acclimatization day
- Fly to Lhasa (3,650 m) and rest.
- Gentle walk around the Barkhor in the evening.
Lhasa
Potala Palace and Jokhang
- Tour the Potala Palace (timed tickets).
- Jokhang Temple and pilgrims on the kora.
Lhasa
Norbulingka and Sera Monastery
- Summer palace gardens of Norbulingka.
- Monks debating in the courtyard at Sera.
Fanjingshan
From Lhasa
- Fly to Tongren via Chengdu or Chongqing.
- Quiet evening at the foot of the mountain.
Fanjingshan
Red Clouds Golden Summit
- Cable car and stairs to the Red Clouds Golden Summit.
- Sea of clouds and rare Guizhou snub-nosed monkeys.
Fanjingshan
Fly home
- Transfer to Tongren or Guiyang for your flight home.
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Special notes for an intimate escape
Romantic stops on a fast-moving route.
Harbour dinner cruise
Board an antique junk for a sunset cruise across Victoria Harbour with dinner and the skyline lights.
Bund rooftop
Reserve a window table at one of the Bund's rooftop restaurants for the Pudong skyline at night.
Logistics and travel tips
Visas
US citizens need a Chinese visa (or check current visa-free transit rules). Tibet needs a separate permit arranged by a licensed agency.
Best time to go
April–May and September–October.
Apps
Set up Alipay or WeChat Pay before you go; many Western apps need a VPN.
Altitude
Take Lhasa slowly and drink plenty of water.
Plan the China trip at $279 – $611 per person a day
Browse tours and activities, or compare it with our 15-day Thailand honeymoon.
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