Most people visiting China for the first time start with Beijing and Shanghai. And look, that’s fine, but let’s be real—Beijing in the winter? Absolutely freezing.
This itinerary is based on an actual family trip we took during the winter months (late November to December). We wanted to visit Beijing, but there was no way in heck my family wanted to endure sightseeing in the freezing temperatures!
So, while this China itinerary doesn’t follow the standard “first-timer” route, it’s still packed with tons of history, city life, and ridiculous amounts of amazing food.
This two-week itinerary takes you through Hong Kong, Shenzhen, Xi’an, Chengdu, and Chongqing—places that surprised me in the best way possible.
Here’s a quick breakdown of what this trip entails–you can also jump to a specific section if you want:
If you’re counting the days and thinking, ‘Wait, this is actually 15 days’—you’re right—I cheated a little. But this is how long I think you really need for each city!
For example, my family and I only spent a total of three days in Chengdu knowing we’d be back in a few years, so we didn’t feel the need to extend our time there in order to cram everything in. (Chengdu is awesome by the way, hands-down my favorite city of the bunch!)
But not everyone sits in the same boat as us. If China is a once-in-a-lifetime trip for you, four days in Chengdu would be the way to go.
Let’s get to know this winter-friendly two-week China itinerary just a little bit better.
Table of Contents
2 Days in Hong Kong
Hong Kong is one of those cities that just hits different. My parents are both from Hong Kong, so I’ve gotten to know the city quite well over the decades of taking family trips to see extended family members.
It’s got everything—towering skyscrapers, hilly landscapes, fishing villages, loud wet markets, a local side, a ritzy expat side, and some of the best food I’ve ever eaten.
During your time in Hong Kong, spend it exploring Victoria Peak, getting lost in the chaos of Mong Kok, and day-tripping to either Lantau Island or Hong Kong Disneyland. If you’re a night owl, Lan Kwai Fong is the place to be for nightlife.
When you’re here, you should definitely get your fill of dim sum, egg tarts, pineapple buns, goose, and, if you’re feeling fancy, Michelin-starred meals. The sheer variety of food is overwhelming in the best way possible!
Hong Kong is one of the most expat-friendly destinations in China, making it a great place to get your feet wet with Chinese culture. It’s loud, busy, and packed with people—you just have to dive in and embrace the HK energy.
Is winter a good time to visit? Winter is the absolute best time to visit Hong Kong. The summer months are brutally humid, but in the winter, you’ll get pleasant temperatures in the 60s and 70s°F with much lower humidity. Winter is the ONLY time we visit–it’s great for exploring without sweating buckets.
👉 Pro Tip: If you have more vacation time to spare, I’d give yourself a couple more days in Hong Kong to work through your jetlag. If you’re someone who gets affected by jetlag, you’ll be sleepy and alert at all the wrong times. Whenever I go to Hong Kong (from California), I almost always take 5 full days to acclimate to the new time zone!
More HK Travel Guides:
- Where To Stay In Hong Kong: 4 Best Areas For First-Timers
- Go City Hong Kong vs. Klook Pass Hong Kong: Are These Passes Worth It?
- Shopping In Hong Kong: 6 Best Neighborhoods For Retail Therapy
- 3 Perfect Days In Hong Kong: What To See, Do, and Eat
2 Days in Shenzhen
Before visiting, all I really knew about Shenzhen was that it was a “tech hub” and a cheaper alternative to Hong Kong. Shenzhen is just a quick trip across the border from Hong Kong, located on the Mainland China side.
My parents often went there for its affordability—cheap food, cheap shopping, cheap massages, and cheap hotels. In fact, it’s a hotspot for locals! Hong Kong locals flock over on the weekends to pamper themselves at the spas, enjoy amazing food at a fraction of the cost compared to Hong Kong, and even stock up on groceries (yes, really).
For a dose of culture and history, make time for Splendid China Folk Village, an immersive day-long experience where you can see performances and replicas of traditional architecture from 56 different ethnic groups across the country.
Shenzhen also has some seriously cool creative spaces and one of the best café cultures in China. And if you’re into tech, Huaqiangbei is an insane electronics district where you can find almost anything related to gadgets.
Is winter a good time to visit? Just like Hong Kong, Shenzhen is hot and humid most of the time. In the winter months, Shenzhen is actually bearable! Expect mild winters with temperatures in the 60s°F, making it a great time to visit. Summers here can be sweltering and humid, so winter is definitely the more comfortable choice.
More Shenzhen Travel Guides:
- Where To Stay In Shenzhen, China: 3 Top Areas For First-Timers
- Splendid China Folk Village Is Shenzhen’s Cultural Hidden Gem
3 Days in Xi’an
I cannot stress this enough—Xi’an is a history lover’s dream. If you thought all of China’s grand historical sights were in Beijing’s Forbidden City, think again.
Xi’an was the starting point of the Silk Road and the ancient capital of multiple dynasties, making it one of the most historically significant cities in China. Of course, the famous Terracotta Warriors are here, but that’s just the beginning.
There are tons of immersive ways to learn about its past, like the Legend of Camel Bells show, which brings the Silk Road to life with dramatic storytelling (and even more dramatic sets). Xi’an is home to a couple more grand-scale shows, all of which I recommend to everyone who visits!
Beyond the history, you can actually bike around the ancient City Wall—something you won’t find in Beijing—and explore the Muslim Quarter, where street vendors serve up sizzling skewers, fresh pomegranate juice, and insanely yummy stuffed flatbreads.
Winter conditions: Xi’an was the coldest place we visited, but even then, it never dipped below the high 40s°F during the day. Coming from California, that felt pretty darn bearable. Just bring a warm coat and a beanie, and you’ll be fine.
More Xi’an Travel Guides:
- 15 Unique Things To Do In Xian (Other Than Historical Landmarks!)
- How To Visit Terracotta Warriors In Xi’An: Tips For First-Timers
- Learn All About The Silk Road at Xian’s Legend of Camel Bell Show
4 Days in Chengdu
Chengdu is usually only known as being China’s panda central (they’re every bit as adorable as you’d hope!). Yes, Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding is a must-visit, but this city is SO more than just pandas.
Going from the city’s modern skyscrapers to Jinli Ancient Street? It feels like stepping into a different world—think red lanterns, wooden storefronts, and the smell of sizzling Sichuan food in the air.
Speaking of food, this is where you NEED to try Sichuan hot pot. It’s spicy, it’s numbing, and it’s an experience. Pro tip: order half spicy, half mild if you don’t want to cry at the table.
For a glimpse of everyday life in Chengdu, People’s Park is the place to go. Locals come here to drink tea, dance-ercise, and even get matchmaking help from parents posting their kids’ profiles in the “marriage corner.”
And if you want to go all-in on a royal dining experience, don’t miss the Shuyanfu dinner show experience, an eight-course feast where you’re served like royalty while enjoying a series of wonderful live performances.
Winter conditions: Winters in Chengdu are mild, with temperatures hovering in the 50s°F. It’s often overcast, so while you won’t get much sun, you also won’t be dealing with extreme cold.
More Chengdu Travel Guides:
- 15 Actually Fun Things To Do In Chengdu: Beyond Pandas And Temples
- Chengdu’s Coolest Neighborhood: Eastern Suburb Memory
- Shuyanfu Dinner Show: A Must-Do In Chengdu!
4 Days in Chongqing
Okay, real talk—before I visited, all I knew about Chongqing was what I saw on social media. But, my feed was flooded with the same three spots: Hongya Cave, the cable car, and that one futuristic metro station where the train shoots through the apartment building.
But when I actually got there? I realized that those landmarks were just the tip of the iceberg. This city is massive and super unique, built into steep hills with layers of neon-lit buildings stacked on top of each other.
It felt a little bit like Hong Kong, just sprinkled with some Bladerunner flair.
Ciqikou Ancient Town blew my mind—a legit old town with winding alleys, tea houses, and street snacks I couldn’t stop eating. And if you love hot pot and/or spice, you’re in for a treat—Chongqing is where the spiciest, most intense hot pot in China comes from.
Winter conditions: Winter is one of the best times to visit Chongqing. Summers here are brutally hot and humid, but in the winter, you get cooler temperatures (50s°F) without the crazy crowds.
More Chongqing Travel Guides:
- Where To Stay In Chongqing: 3 Central Areas For First-Timers
- Shibati (18 Steps): A Walk Through Chongqing’s Past
- An Afternoon In Ciqikou Ancient Town (Chongqing, China)
Alternative Ways To Tweak This Itinerary
If you’re open to the idea of tweaking this itinerary, another option I recommend is to skip Hong Kong and Shenzhen and instead spend those 3–4 days exploring Zhangjiajie National Forest Park—the real-life inspiration for the floating mountains in Avatar.
We had this hotspot high on our list, but since our trip continued to Malaysia and Thailand, we just didn’t have enough time to fit it in!
To see the main highlights, you’ll want at least 3 full days, especially if you plan to visit Tianmen Mountain and the famous glass skywalk.
A word of warning to ya—even though you don’t see this spot being obsessed over in Western media, this place is extremely popular with local Chinese and other Asian travelers, so expect crowds!
