14 days · Solo male, 37, European
7 Days in China — Shanghai, Zhangjiajie & Yangshuo
A fast-moving solo week that pairs Shanghai's urban energy with the surreal landscapes of Zhangjiajie and the karst scenery around Yangshuo. Logistics are tight but doable — fly or take overnight trains, and lean on China's excellent rail network. This preview covers the first 7 days of a 14-day trip — claim it to build the full itinerary with Voyaige.
Built for solo male, 37, European spending 14 days in China (Shanghai, Zhangjiajie, Yangshuo, with potential additional stops)
Budget Estimate
$805
~$115/day for 14 days · USD
Before You Go
Install Alipay and link a foreign Visa/Mastercard — cash is rarely accepted in modern China.
Download offline Google Maps and Baidu Maps; Google Maps works but Baidu is more accurate for transit.
Get a VPN installed and tested before landing — apps like ExpressVPN must be set up outside China.
Book flights Shanghai→Zhangjiajie and Guilin/Nanning→Vietnam at least 3 weeks ahead for mid-range fares.
Register on 12306.cn or use the Trip.com app to buy China high-speed rail tickets before arriving.
Good to Know
Alipay is essential — set it up before you land or you'll struggle to pay for almost anything in China.
WeChat Pay is the alternative to Alipay; both now accept foreign cards but setup takes 15 minutes.
June is hot and humid in all three destinations — carry a small towel, drink constantly, and start hikes early.
Zhangjiajie park gets crowded by 10 AM on weekends; arriving at gate opening is genuinely worth the early alarm.
There is no direct high-speed rail from Shanghai to Zhangjiajie — the fastest practical option is a 2-hour flight.
From Zhangjiajie, take HSR to Guilin North then a local bus to Yangshuo; total journey is around 5–6 hours.
Didi (ride-hailing app) works like Uber across China and is far cheaper than flagging taxis — essential for transfers.
Day by Day
Arrive Shanghai — Bund & French Concession
Check in and orient
Drop bags at hotel in the French Concession, walk the tree-lined streets.
FreeThe Bund Waterfront Walk
Walk the 1.5km promenade facing Pudong's skyline across the Huangpu River.
FreeNanjing Road Pedestrian Street
Stroll China's most famous shopping street to absorb the urban scale.
FreeBund skyline at dusk
Return to the Bund after dark — Pudong towers light up dramatically at night.
FreeWhere to eat
Din Tai Fung, Xintiandi
Xiaolongbao soup dumplings, queue expected.
Jian Guo 328 Restaurant, French Concession
Red-braised pork, local Shanghainese classic.
Shanghai Deep Dive — Tianzifang, Jade Buddha, Pudong
Jade Buddha Temple
Active Buddhist temple housing two white jade Buddhas; arrive early to beat crowds.
¥50 (~$7)Jing'an Temple and District
Explore the ornate Jing'an Temple surrounded by gleaming skyscrapers.
¥50 (~$7)Tianzifang Alley Maze
Wander the labyrinth of converted shikumen lanes filled with independent shops and cafes.
FreeShanghai Tower observation deck
Ride to the 118th floor for the highest view in China at 632m.
¥180 (~$25)Where to eat
Local street stall, Jing'an
Sheng jian bao pan-fried buns, ~¥8.
Tianzifang area noodle shop
Dan dan noodles, cheap and fast.
Super Brand Mall food court, Lujiazui
Wide choice, easy for solo dining.
Ready to make it yours?
Save this China itinerary, swap activities, add hotels and flights — free to start.
Free · no credit card needed
Shanghai → Zhangjiajie — Travel Day
Travel to Shanghai Hongqiao or Pudong Airport
Take metro Line 2 to Hongqiao or Maglev to Pudong depending on flight.
¥50–80 (~$7–11)Fly Shanghai to Zhangjiajie Hehua Airport
Direct flights run ~2 hours; no high-speed rail option is practical here.
¥400–700 (~$55–100)Check in and recover in Zhangjiajie city
Stay near Wulingyuan scenic area entrance to minimize morning travel time.
FreeZhangjiajie National Forest Park — first look
Walk the Jinbian Stream trail for an easy 5km introduction to the sandstone pillars.
Included in park pass ¥248 (~$34)Where to eat
Hotel or convenience store, Shanghai
Eat before travel, airport food overpriced.
Airport or local noodles on arrival
Rice noodle soup, filling and cheap.
Local Tujia restaurant, Wulingyuan village
Smoked pork and spicy fermented beans.
Zhangjiajie — Avatar Mountains Full Day
Tianzi Mountain by cable car
Take the cable car to Tianzi summit for sweeping views over the pillar forest.
¥72 (~$10) cable carYuanjiajie Scenic Area — Hallelujah Avatar Mountain
Hike the ridge trail past the floating-pillar formation that inspired the film Avatar.
Included in park passBailong Elevator (World's tallest outdoor elevator)
Ride the 326m glass elevator built into the cliff face for an unforgettable descent.
¥72 (~$10)Ten Mile Gallery electric tram
Ride the scenic gorge tram past dense clusters of pillar formations.
¥26 (~$4)Golden Whip Stream sunset walk
Follow the flat riverside path back to the park gate as crowds thin.
Included in park passWhere to eat
Hotel breakfast or local bun shop
Eat by 7 AM to beat cable car queues.
In-park restaurant, Yuanjiajie plateau
Basic rice dishes; overpriced but convenient.
Tujia hotpot, Wulingyuan town
Spicy broth, order local mushrooms.
Zhangjiajie → Yangshuo — Transfer Day with Glass Bridge
Zhangjiajie Glass Bridge
Walk the world's longest glass-bottomed suspension bridge over a 300m-deep canyon.
¥138 (~$19) bridge + canyonTravel to Zhangjiajie city for onward transport
Take bus or taxi from Grand Canyon area to Zhangjiajie train station.
¥30–60 (~$4–8)High-speed train Zhangjiajie to Guilin
Take HSR to Guilin North (~3.5 hours); then bus or taxi 90min to Yangshuo.
¥200–280 (~$28–38)Arrive Yangshuo — West Street evening stroll
Settle in and walk Yangshuo's lively pedestrian bar street along the Li River.
FreeWhere to eat
Hotel breakfast, Wulingyuan
Eat before 8 AM for early bridge start.
Train station or convenience store
Quick bites for travel day.
West Street restaurant, Yangshuo
Beer fish, local Yangshuo speciality.
Yangshuo — Karst Cycling and Li River
Rent bicycle and ride Moon Hill loop
Cycle through rice paddies and karst villages to iconic Moon Hill natural arch.
¥20–40 bike hire + ¥25 Moon Hill entryBig Banyan Tree and Dragon Bridge
Stop at the 1400-year-old banyan tree and a classic scenic karst viewpoint.
¥60 (~$8)Li River bamboo raft
Take a short motorized bamboo raft float through the iconic limestone pinnacle scenery.
¥120–160 (~$17–22)Yangshuo town market wander
Browse the local produce market and pick up snacks before the evening show.
FreeImpression Liu Sanjie light show
Zhang Yimou's outdoor spectacle uses the Li River and karst peaks as its stage.
¥260–350 (~$36–48)Where to eat
Hostel breakfast or corner café, Yangshuo
Congee or eggs, fuel before cycling.
Countryside village eatery en route
Ask locals, no menus — point and order.
Le Votre Café, West Street
Western and local fusion, solid quality.
Yangshuo → Departure via Guilin or Nanning
Xingping Ancient Town morning walk
Take a bus 30 min north to Xingping for the best Li River viewpoint at dawn.
¥15 bus each wayReturn to Yangshuo and check out
Head back to Yangshuo, store luggage at your guesthouse and grab a last coffee.
FreeBus to Guilin Liangjiang Airport or Nanning
Frequent buses depart Yangshuo bus station; journey to Guilin airport is ~75 minutes.
¥25–35 (~$3–5)Depart for Vietnam
Fly Guilin or Nanning to Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh City — many direct budget routes available.
¥400–900 (~$55–125)Where to eat
Xingping riverside teahouse
Simple congee and fried dough sticks.
Guilin airport or bus station
Guilin rice noodles, the regional staple.
This is just the beginning
You've seen 7 days of China (Shanghai, Zhangjiajie, Yangshuo, with potential additional stops). Save it and Scout will help you make it your own — swap activities, add flights, book lodging, and plan the parts this preview didn't cover.
or start fresh with any destination
Free to start — no credit card needed