Adventure-Filled One-Month China Exploration: Beijing, Chongqing, Chengdu & Zhangjiajie by Train

Day 1: Arrival & Family Time

Beijing, China on July 15, 2025

10:00am

Arrival in Beijing

Arrive at Beijing Capital International Airport and meet your relatives. Rest and settle in after your flight from Toronto.
CNY0, 2h0m

12:00pm

Lunch with Relatives

Enjoy a home-cooked or local family-style Beijing meal to relax and catch up with your relatives.
CNY0, 1h30m

3:00pm

Family Time & Rest

Spend the afternoon resting or exploring the neighborhood with your relatives.
CNY0, 3h0m

7:00pm

Dinner at Da Dong Roast Duck

Sample world-famous Beijing roast duck at Da Dong, open daily 11:00am-11:00pm. Reserve a table outside peak hours for best experience.
CNY250, 2h0m
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Day 2: Beijing Sightseeing

Beijing, China on July 16, 2025

7:30am

Breakfast at Jiaolong Breakfast Shop

Enjoy traditional Beijing breakfast items like jianbing (savory crepes) and soy milk. Opens around 6:00am.
CNY15, 1h0m

9:00am

Forbidden City Visit

Explore the Forbidden City, the historical imperial palace complex. Open 8:30am-5:00pm, last entry 4:10pm.
CNY60, 3h0m

12:30pm

Lunch at Beijing Duck Restaurant Quanjude

Another iconic spot for Peking duck, with a rich history and authentic flavors. Open 10:30am-10:00pm.
CNY200, 1h30m

2:30pm

Temple of Heaven Park

Visit this beautiful park and temple complex, a UNESCO site, perfect for peaceful walking and understanding traditional architecture. Open 6:00am-9:00pm.
CNY15, 2h0m

6:30pm

Dinner at Ghost Street (Gui Jie)

Dive into local street food and spicy Sichuan hotpot delights in the famous nightlife food street, open late until midnight.
CNY100, 2h0m
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Day 3: More Beijing & Departure to Zhangjiajie

Beijing to Zhangjiajie, China on July 17, 2025

7:30am

Breakfast at Local Noodle Shop

Try Beijing-style noodles or dumplings to start the day, many shops open early from 6:00am.
CNY20, 1h0m

9:00am

Great Wall at Mutianyu

Half-day trip to the less crowded Mutianyu section of the Great Wall. Open 7:30am-6:00pm. Cable cars operate until 5:30pm.
CNY45, 4h0m

2:30pm

Return and quick lunch

Enjoy a quick local lunch near your accommodation before heading to the train station.
CNY40, 1h0m

5:00pm

Train to Zhangjiajie

Board an evening high-speed train from Beijing West Station to Zhangjiajie. Journey can take approximately 10-12 hours overnight.
CNY600, 11h0m
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Day 4: Zhangjiajie Nature

Zhangjiajie, China on July 18, 2025

8:00am

Arrival & Hotel Check-in

Arrive in Zhangjiajie, check into your hotel and refresh after the overnight train.
CNY0, 1h0m

9:30am

Breakfast at Hotel or Local Eatery

Start with hearty local breakfast options to fuel your adventure day.
CNY30, 1h0m

10:30am

Zhangjiajie National Forest Park

Explore this UNESCO World Heritage Site famous for its towering sandstone pillars that inspired the film Avatar. Park open 7:00am-6:00pm.
CNY248, 6h0m

5:00pm

Dinner at Mountain View Restaurant

Enjoy a meal with scenic views and local Hunan cuisine specialties, open until 9:00pm.
CNY120, 1h30m
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Day 5: Further Zhangjiajie Exploration

Zhangjiajie, China on July 19, 2025

7:30am

Breakfast at Hotel

Refuel with breakfast ahead of another day of nature.
CNY30, 1h0m

8:30am

Tianmen Mountain Cableway & Walkway

Take one of the longest cableways in the world to Tianmen Mountain and walk the thrilling glass skywalk. Opens from 7:00am-6:00pm.
CNY258, 5h0m

2:00pm

Lunch in Tianmen Mountain Area

Have a relaxing lunch at a mountaintop café with panoramic views.
CNY80, 1h0m

6:30pm

Dinner and Rest

Try local specialties or light dinner after a full day of adventure.
CNY100, 1h30m
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Day 6: Travel to Chengdu

Zhangjiajie to Chengdu, China on July 20, 2025

8:00am

Breakfast at Hotel

Enjoy a filling breakfast before departing Zhangjiajie.
CNY30, 1h0m

10:00am

Train to Chengdu

Take a high-speed train from Zhangjiajie to Chengdu (approx 5-6 hours).
CNY300, 6h0m

4:00pm

Hotel Check-in and Rest

Settle into your Chengdu accommodation and refresh.
CNY0, 1h0m

6:00pm

Dinner at Chen Mapo Tofu

Enjoy authentic Sichuan cuisine with the famous spicy mapo tofu, open until 10:00pm.
CNY90, 1h30m

8:00pm

Night Walk along Jinli Ancient Street

Experience lively night vibes, street performances, local snacks, and souvenir shops on this popular pedestrian street open until around 11:00pm.
CNY0, 2h0m
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Day 7: Chengdu Culture & Adventure

Chengdu, China on July 21, 2025

8:00am

Breakfast at Whey Café

Start your day with excellent coffee and western-style breakfast options, opens at 7:30am.
CNY50, 1h0m

9:30am

Visit Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding

See giant pandas and red pandas in a naturalistic setting. Open 7:30am-6:00pm.
CNY58, 3h0m

1:00pm

Lunch at Shu Jiu Xiang Hotpot

Taste authentic spicy Sichuan hotpot, a must-have in Chengdu. Open 11:00am-2:30pm and evening hours as well.
CNY150, 1h30m

3:00pm

Wuhou Shrine and Jinsha Site Museum

Dive into Chengdu's rich history through these two famous cultural sites, both open until 5:30pm.
CNY60, 3h0m

7:00pm

Dinner at Yu’s Family Kitchen

Upscale Sichuan cuisine with creative twists, reservation recommended. Open until 10:30pm.
CNY250, 2h0m
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Day 8: Chengdu to Chongqing

Chengdu to Chongqing, China on July 22, 2025

7:30am

Breakfast at Local Street Vendor

Try local breakfast staples like spicy noodles or liangpi (cold noodles), widely available early morning.
CNY20, 1h0m

9:00am

Train to Chongqing

Board a morning high-speed train from Chengdu East to Chongqing, journey about 2 hours.
CNY130, 2h0m

11:30am

Hotel Check-in & Lunch

Settle in at your Chongqing hotel then enjoy lunch featuring famous Chongqing noodles or hotpot.
CNY80, 1h30m

2:00pm

Explore Ciqikou Ancient Town

Stroll through this old town with traditional architecture, snack shops, and craft stores. Open daily until evening.
CNY0, 3h0m

6:30pm

Dinner at Huangjueping Hotpot

Experience Chongqing hotpot with locals at this well-known restaurant, open late until midnight.
CNY150, 2h0m

9:30pm

Night Cruise on Yangtze River

Take a scenic night cruise to enjoy the illuminated cityscape of Chongqing’s skyline. Cruises typically depart around 8:00-9:00pm.
CNY120, 1h30m
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