10-Day China Travel Itinerary: Chongqing, Chengdu & Shanghai

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Day 1: Departure & Transit

Morning: Depart from Jakarta and fly to Singapore for a short transit stop.

Afternoon: Relax during the brief layover at Singapore Changi Airport, enjoy airport lounge amenities and light refreshments.

Evening: Board your evening flight to Chongqing, get some rest onboard.

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Day 2: Arrival in Chongqing & Easy City Exploration

Morning: Arrive in Chongqing, check into the hotel and rest.

Afternoon: Visit Jiefangbei Pedestrian Street for relaxed shopping and sampling local snacks like spicy hotpot in small, easy-to-access restaurants.

Evening: Take a gentle Yangtze River Night Cruise to enjoy the illuminated city skyline without much walking.

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Day 3: Nature & Culture in Chongqing

Morning: Visit Ci Qi Kou Ancient Town for a slow stroll, enjoying its shops and teahouses in a charming riverside setting.

Afternoon: Take a scenic cable car ride over Yangtze River, perfect for nature views with minimal physical effort.

Evening: Relax at your hotel or try local Chongqing street food nearby.

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Day 4: Travel to Chengdu & Relaxed Sightseeing

Morning: Morning flight or high-speed train to Chengdu. Check into hotel and rest.

Afternoon: Visit the Wide and Narrow Alleys (Kuanzhai Xiangzi), an ideal place for shopping, eating, and exploring at a leisurely pace.

Evening: Dine at a restaurant offering famous Sichuan cuisine, focusing on mild variations for easier digestion.

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Day 5: Chengdu Panda & Leisure

Morning: Visit the world-renowned Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding. Wheelchair rentals available; lots of shaded rest spots.

Afternoon: Enjoy a tea break at a traditional Jinli Ancient Street teahouse, soak up the local culture.

Evening: Optional easy-going Sichuan Opera Face-changing Show in a cozy theatre.

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Day 6: Nature & Parks in Chengdu

Morning: Visit People's Park for a gentle stroll, watch locals practice Tai Chi or enjoy a boat ride on the lake.

Afternoon: Relax at Wenshu Monastery, explore peaceful gardens and sample vegetarian snacks from the monastery cafe.

Evening: Quiet dinner near the hotel, try local dishes with milder spices.

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Day 7: Travel to Shanghai & Initial Exploration

Morning: Fly from Chengdu to Shanghai, check into your hotel and take a short rest.

Afternoon: Visit the Shanghai Old Town and Yuyuan Garden for gentle walking among shops and beautiful landscaped gardens.

Evening: Dinner at a restaurant with views of The Bund, enjoy Shanghai’s skyline illuminated at night.

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Day 8: Shanghai Sightseeing & Shopping

Morning: Visit the Shanghai Museum with its accessible layout and fascinating exhibits on Chinese art and history.

Afternoon: Enjoy shopping and relaxing at Nanjing Road Pedestrian Street, with frequent seating and cafés.

Evening: Experience a serene Huangpu River cruise to admire the city lights and architecture without walking effort.

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Day 9: Nature & Relaxation in Shanghai

Morning: Explore Century Park for easy pathways, gardens, and lakes with options to sit and rest.

Afternoon: Visit the peaceful Jade Buddha Temple, an atmosphere of calm and simple sightseeing.

Evening: Early dinner with Shanghai local delicacies, try soup dumplings and steamed dishes.

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Day 10: Departure

Morning: Leisurely breakfast and last-minute shopping or rest at the hotel.

Afternoon: Transfer to Shanghai Pudong International Airport for your flight back to Jakarta via Singapore.

Evening: Transit at Singapore Changi Airport, then onward flight to Jakarta.

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Time and Cost Estimates

  • Jakarta to Singapore flight transit: 3 hours transit, approx. $50 per person (transit only)
  • Singapore to Chongqing flight: 5 hours, approx. $150 per person
  • Jiefangbei Pedestrian Street exploration: 3 hours, free entry, food approx. $15/person
  • Yangtze River Night Cruise: 2 hours, approx. $30 per person
  • Ci Qi Kou Ancient Town visit: 3 hours, free entry, cable car $8/person
  • Chongqing to Chengdu transportation (flight or train): 1.5-2 hours, approx. $60 per person
  • Kuanzhai Alleys shopping & food: 3 hours, food & shopping approx. $20/person
  • Chengdu Panda Base: 3 hours, entrance $15/person
  • Sichuan Opera Show: 2 hours, approx. $25 per person
  • People’s Park & Wenshu Monastery: 4 hours combined, free entry, snacks $10/person
  • Chengdu to Shanghai flight: 3 hours, approx. $150 per person
  • Shanghai Old Town & Yuyuan Garden: 3 hours, Yuyuan Garden $10/person
  • The Bund dining & Huangpu River cruise: 3 hours, cruise $25/person, dinner approx. $30/person
  • Shanghai Museum & Nanjing Road: 4 hours, museum free, shopping expenses optional
  • Century Park & Jade Buddha Temple: 4 hours, park $5/person, temple $5/person
  • Shanghai to Jakarta via Singapore flight: 7 hours total flying, approx. $180 per person

Total estimated cost per person: approximately $798 (excluding shopping and personal expenses)

Tips

If you want to extend the trip, consider spending an extra day in Chengdu to visit the relaxed Leshan Giant Buddha or spend longer at the Panda Base. For a nature-focused extension, add a day around Chongqing's nearby scenic areas like Wulong Karst.

To reduce the trip duration, you can skip Chongqing or shorten Shanghai to 2 days by focusing on key highlights like The Bund, Yuyuan Garden, and one museum.

For easier traveling, consider hotels with elevators and rest areas near most spots, and avoid peak hours for popular tourist sites to minimize crowds and walking effort.

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