Itinerary Check: 21 Days South-West China

[u/MediocreKey1189]

Hi everyone!

I’m planning a trip to China in March/April and would love your feedback on my itinerary. My trip starts in Kunming and ends in Chengdu, which are fixed points. I’m especially excited to use this season to see flowers blooming — for example, azaleas in Bijie, cherry blossoms or other flowers in Kunming, and rapeseed fields in Luoping.

I’m also really interested in:

• City life: discovering good places to eat and experiencing the local vibe.
• Nature: scenic landscapes and unique sights.
• Ancient towns: I love exploring traditional architecture and local culture.

I will only be using public transport, or taxis/didi and want to make sure my plan is realistic. I’m also unsure if I should add another day in Kunming to explore more of Yunnan’s amazing food scene and perhaps try Pu’er tea — but I don’t know what to shorten in the rest of my trip.

Here’s my current plan:

Day 1: Kunming

• Arrival in Kunming in the afternoon
• Visit Guandu Ancient Town
• Overnight: Kunming

Day 2: Kunming

• Explore Yuantongshan Park for cherry blossoms
• Visit the Flower Market (Dounan Flower Market?)
• Overnight: Kunming

Day 3: Luoping

• Travel to Luoping
• Overnight: Luoping

Day 4: Luoping

• Visit Jinji Peak, Niujie Luosi Field, and/or Jiulong Waterfalls
• Overnight: Luoping

Day 5: Bijie/Baili

• Travel to Bijie/Baili
• Overnight: Bijie/Baili

Day 6: Bijie/Baili

• Explore Azaleas 百里杜鹃 (Baili Dujuan)
• Is there anything else to do in Bijie?
• Overnight: Bijie/Baili

Day 7: Guiyang

• Travel to Guiyang
• Visit Qingyan Ancient Town
• Overnight: Guiyang

Day 8: Guiyang

• Explore the city
• Optional: Take a day trip to Langde via Kaili
• Overnight: Guiyang

Day 9: Jiabang Rice Terraces

• Take a 2-hour train to Congjiang, then a bus to Jiabang
• See the rice terraces at sunset; is this something one can do alone or is a guide needed?
• Overnight: Jiabang Rice Terraces

Day 10: Basha (岜沙) or Zhaoxing (肇兴)

• Travel to Basha or Zhaoxing (which one do you recommend?)
• Overnight: Basha/Zhaoxing

Day 11: Guiyang

• Drive back to Guiyang
• Should I skip this and take a long trip to Chongqing instead?
• Overnight: Guiyang

Day 12: Chongqing

• Travel to Chongqing
• Explore the city
• Overnight: Chongqing

Day 13: Chongqing

• Continue exploring Chongqing
• Overnight: Chongqing

Day 14: Shangli Ancient Town (Ya'an)

• Travel to Ya'an and arrive around 15:00
• Continue to Shangli Ancient Town
• Overnight: Shangli

Day 15: Shangli Ancient Town (Ya'an)

• Visit Mengding Tea Plantation
• Overnight: Shangli

Day 16: Shangli Ancient Town (Ya'an)

• Visit Bifengxia Panda Base and Gorge
• Travel to Chengdu in the evening
• Overnight: Chengdu

Day 17: Chengdu

• Explore the city
• Overnight: Chengdu

Day 18: Chengdu

• Take a day trip to Dujiangyan Irrigation System and Qingcheng Mountains Overnight: Chengdu

Day 19: Chengdu

• Take a day trip to Leshan or Emeishan? (which one is better?)
• Overnight: Chengdu

Day 20: Chengdu

• Take a day trip to an ancient town (Anren, Xinchang, or Yuantong?)
• Which one do you recommend?
• Overnight: Chengdu

Day 21: Chengdu

• Flight back in the evening

Does this itinerary seem feasible? Would you recommend adding another day in Kunming, and if so, what would you shorten? I would also love to include Zhenyuan in Guizhou, but the itinerary is already so full. Any tips for must-try local foods, sights, or advice for public transport in these areas would also be greatly appreciated!

Thanks in advance for your help! 😊

[u/Max_the_Axe330]

Wow that's a very thoroughly planned trip already. I am planning on going to the same areas later next year! I hope you get some good suggestions, have a great trip and post about how it worked out in the end :)

[u/curioustreez]

If in Yunnan must add Dali if you haven’t been, very scenic and you can visit Xizhou ancient town for Bai culture add 2 nights. You can fit it in between Kunming and Luoyang

Would also suggest daytrip to Wulong from Chongqing

[u/OneCardiologist6339 → u/curioustreez]

Thank you for your suggestions! I would love to include Dali, but decided that it would be too much for 21 days if I also want to do the rest of my itinerary. But I definitely want to go one day!  I also would love to go to Wulong, and even though a lot of people go there as a day trip, it seemed quite far to me. Plus I don’t think I will have enough time unfortunately.

[u/godonastring]

You should check out the Wenshu Monastery in Chengdu! It has its own subway stop. The area is a little touristy but the Monastery itself is gorgeous/free and theres a ton of fruit shops all around it to try new stuff at and when I was there a bunch of stall street food to try/some really tasty restaurants in the area. Also go to Jianshe Alley Market and try the spicy rabbit head!

[u/MediocreKey1189 → u/godonastring]

Thank you! I will definitely check them out!