Across 31 days, you’ll move through 3,000 years of Chinese history and a future-facing present. From Beijing’s imperial axes to Shanghai’s neon Bund and Hong Kong’s island peaks, this route balances culture, cuisine, neighborhood strolls, and nature—designed for a moderate budget with room to splurge smartly.

Expect world-class museums, poetic gardens, and steaming bamboo baskets of dim sum. You’ll ride China’s high-speed rail, wander hutongs, sip specialty coffee near Art Deco facades, and take ferries past one of the world’s most cinematic skylines. Street eats, tea houses, craft beer, and night markets punctuate each day.

Practical notes: Most travelers need a visa for Mainland China (Beijing and Shanghai); Hong Kong has separate entry rules. Download offline maps and a translation app; many places take cards, but small stalls prefer cash. Get transport cards (Beijing Yikatong, Shanghai Transportation Card, Hong Kong Octopus), and avoid China’s national holidays (especially early October Golden Week) if you can.

Beijing

The capital is grand and intimate at once: vast ceremonial squares and emperors’ palaces set against quiet hutong alleys perfumed with sesame and scallion. This is your gateway to the Great Wall, intricate temples, and a deep culinary scene anchored by roast duck.

Neighborhoods worth lingering in include Dongcheng’s lakes (Houhai/Shichahai), the creative 798 Art Zone, and leafy Wudaoying. Evenings glow at Jingshan Park’s summit, where the Forbidden City unfurls like a lacquer box.

Where to stay

• Design-forward: The Opposite House (Sanlitun; bold architecture, indie dining).
• Classic luxury: The Peninsula Beijing (near Wangfujing; all-suite elegance).
• Excellent value: Novotel Beijing Peace (walk to the Forbidden City).
• Modern comfort: New World Beijing Hotel (rooftop bar, near Temple of Heaven).
• Budget social hub: 365 Inn Beijing (Qianmen area) or 365 Inn Beijing Qianmen.
• Browse more: VRBO Beijing or Hotels.com Beijing.

Getting in & around

• Fly into PEK or PKX: search fares on Trip.com (flights) or Kiwi.com.
• Metro rides cost ~3–7 RMB; taxis/ride-hailing are affordable. The Yikatong transit card saves time and small change.

Days 1–3: Imperial Beijing Essentials

• Tiananmen Square and the Forbidden City. Prebook with Viator tickets.

  

• Climb Jingshan Park for sunset panoramas, then wander hutongs (Wudaoying, Nanluoguxiang’s side alleys).
• Temple of Heaven morning tai chi; end at Qianmen’s traditional snack lanes.

Eat & drink (local gems)

• Siji Minfu (Qianmen or Dongsi): crisp-skinned Peking duck carved tableside; reserve for dinner.
• TRB Hutong: contemporary tasting menus in a restored temple courtyard; special-occasion value lunch menus.
• Mr. Shi’s Dumplings (Baochao Hutong): hand-wrapped jiaozi; try pork-leek and egg-tomato.
• Cafés: Zarah (all-day brunch), Metal Hands Coffee (Wudaoying), and craft brews at Great Leap Brewing #6.

Days 4–6: Great Wall and Summer Retreats

• Hike the Mutianyu Great Wall with cableway up and a fun toboggan down: half-day private tour.

  

• Prefer an all-in-one day? See Tiananmen, Forbidden City, and Mutianyu on this all-inclusive tour.

  

• Stroll the Summer Palace (Kunming Lake causeways, Suzhou Street) and the Lama Temple.

Eat & drink

• Huguosi Snacks: old-Beijing breakfast—douzhi (fermented mung bean milk) and jianbing crepes.
• Jing-A Taproom: hutong-brewed beers and fried chicken sandwiches after a long hike.

Days 7–9: Culture, 798 Art Zone, and Lakes

• Explore 798 Art District galleries and industrial-chic cafés; shop design studios for ceramics and prints.
• Row a boat on Shichahai, then take a hutong rickshaw ride in the evening with street eats (chuan’r skewers).
• Optional small-group day: Mutianyu plus Summer Palace with lunch: tour details.

  

Eat & drink

• Bianyifang (founded 1416): classic duck with fruitwood smoke—order a half-duck for two.
• Li Qun Roast Duck in a back-hutong courtyard; rustic, beloved by old-timers.

Days 10–12: Markets and Temples

• Panjiayuan Antique Market (weekends) for jade, calligraphy, and vintage posters—bargain politely.
• Confucius Temple and Imperial Academy; finish at hip Gulou for vinyl shops and steamed buns.
• Prefer a driver-only Great Wall day? Book an English-speaking driver to Mutianyu.

  

Travel to Shanghai (morning departure)

• High-speed train: Beijing South → Shanghai Hongqiao, 4.5–5.5 hours, ~US$70–110 (2nd class). Book on Trip.com (trains).
• Flight: 2.5 hours, often US$90–180; search on Trip.com (flights) or Kiwi.com.

Shanghai

Shanghai is China’s modernist stage: Art Deco spires on the Bund, bold towers in Pudong, and leafy boulevards in the former French Concession. Between museums and lane houses, you’ll find refined Shanghainese cooking and the city’s most famous snack—xiao long bao soup dumplings.

Base yourself near the Bund for river views or in Jing’an/Xuhui for café-lined side streets. Evenings shine with river cruises and skyline photos from the North Bund.

Where to stay

• Iconic riverfront: The Peninsula Shanghai (heritage glamour on the Bund).
• Skyline luxury: The Ritz-Carlton Shanghai, Pudong (direct mall access, near Shanghai Tower).
• Business-family favorite: Kerry Hotel Pudong / Kerry Hotel Pudong, Shanghai.
• Great value near sights: Campanile Shanghai Bund Hotel or Radisson Blu Hotel Shanghai New World.
• Budget picks: Shanghai Fish Inn Bund and Shanghai Blue Mountain Bund Youth Hostel.
• Browse more: VRBO Shanghai or Hotels.com Shanghai.

Getting there & around

• Arrive by train at Hongqiao; by air at PVG/SHA. Metro is extensive; taxis plentiful. Use the Shanghai Transportation Card.

Days 13–15: The Bund, Museums, and Old Shanghai

• Walk the Bund and step into historic lobbies (Fairmont Peace Hotel). Cross to Pudong for the Shanghai Tower observatory.
• Browse the Shanghai Museum (bronzes, jade) on People’s Square; stroll Nanjing Road to the river.
• Classic lanes around Yu Garden; go early for pavilions and zig-zag bridges, then sample snacks in the bazaar.

Eat & drink

• Jia Jia Tang Bao (near People’s Square): benchmark soup dumplings—try crab roe.
• Din Tai Fung (iapm or Super Brand Mall): precise xiao long bao; consistent service.
• Lost Heaven on the Bund: Yunnan flavors—tea-smoked duck, Dai-style lemongrass chicken.
• Cafés and cocktails: Seesaw Coffee, Manner Coffee, and award-winning Speak Low cocktail bar.

Days 16–18: French Concession, Temples, and Towers

• Amble the Former French Concession: Wukang Road villas, Ferguson Lane boutiques, Fuxing Park card games.
• Arts & crafts in Tianzifang alleys; serene Longhua Temple for a glimpse of Tang-style layouts.
• Evening river cruise for skyline photography; dumpling crawl on Wujiang Road.

Eat & drink

• Old Jesse (Lao Jishi): homestyle Shanghainese—red-braised pork “hong shao rou,” scallion oil noodles.
• Fu Chun Xiao Long: no-frills dumpling specialist popular with locals.
• Union Trading Company: neighborhood bar with creative Chinese-accented cocktails.

Days 19–22: Water Towns and Day Trips

• Zhujiajiao Water Town canals and stone bridges with a serene boat ride: all-inclusive private day tour.

  

• Prefer a shorter escape? Half-day private Zhujiajiao tour with boat ride.

  

• City deep-dive (old + new icons): Private full-day city tour.

  

• Unique option: ride a bullet train to the Southern Great Wall in Zhejiang—no crowds, dramatic ridgelines: all-inclusive day trip.

  

Eat & drink

• Ben Bang classics: try Jesse’s crab with rice cakes, yellow croaker soup, and smoked fish.
• Sweets: Nanxiang Mantou Dian for traditional soup buns near Yu Garden.

Travel to Hong Kong (morning departure)

• High-speed train: Shanghai Hongqiao → Hong Kong West Kowloon, ~8–8.5 hours, ~US$140–180 (2nd class). Book on Trip.com (trains).
• Flight: ~2.5–3 hours, often US$120–220; compare on Trip.com (flights) or Kiwi.com.

Hong Kong

Where mountain trails meet neon harbors, Hong Kong packs big-city energy into island landscapes. You’ll ride historic trams, skim the water by Star Ferry, feast on bamboo-steamed dim sum, and wander incense-rich temples between contemporary galleries and markets.

Base in Central/Tsim Sha Tsui for easy transit, with day trips to Lantau’s fishing villages and Macau’s UNESCO old quarter.

Where to stay

• Harbor legend: The Peninsula Hong Kong (afternoon tea, classic service).
• Design sanctuary: The Upper House (thoughtful minimalism, Upper House Café Gray Deluxe ambiance).
• Family favorite: Hong Kong Disneyland Hotel (for a themed side-trip).
• Value stays: YHA Mei Ho House Youth Hostel (heritage property in Sham Shui Po), Hop Inn, or Hop Inn on Carnarvon (TST).
• Browse more: VRBO Hong Kong or Hotels.com Hong Kong.

Getting there & around

• Airport Express is the fastest into town; Octopus card works on almost all transit and many shops.

Days 23–25: Peaks, Harbors, and Central Stories

• Ride the Peak Tram for harbor views, explore Old Town Central and Man Mo Temple, then a sunset harbor cruise and dim sum tasting: top-rated city tour.

  

• DIY day: Star Ferry to Tsim Sha Tsui Promenade, Avenue of Stars, and the evening Symphony of Lights.

Eat & drink

• Tim Ho Wan (multiple branches): famous char siu bao; budget-friendly Michelin pedigree.
• Mak’s Noodle (wonton noodles, brisk service) and Yat Lok or Kam’s Roast Goose for lacquered roasts.
• Coffee & sweets: The Coffee Academics, % Arabica (TST or Central), Tai Cheong Bakery egg tarts.

Days 26–27: Lantau Island—Buddha, Cable Car, and Stilt Village

• Full Lantau day with Big Buddha, Ngong Ping 360 cable car, and Tai O stilt houses: guided day tour.

  

• Alternative small-group: Big Buddha & Tai O day trip.

  

Eat & drink

• Tai O: try shrimp paste snacks, egg waffles, and fresh seafood by the water.
• Back in Central: Yardbird (yakitori, no reservations; go early) or dai pai dong icon Sing Heung Yuen for tomato-noodle bowls.

Days 28–29: Kowloon Culture, Temples, and Markets

• Wong Tai Sin Temple for fortune sticks, then the serene Chi Lin Nunnery and Nan Lian Garden.
• Shop Mong Kok (Sneaker Street, Ladies Market) and graze through local snacks—curried fishballs, eggettes, Fei Jie skewers.
• Want a tailored overview? Book a private walking tour or a driver-guide city circuit.

  

  

Eat & drink

• Australia Dairy Company for cha chaan teng breakfast (scrambled eggs, toast, milk tea)—cash only, brisk pace.
• Kau Kee (Central): legendary beef brisket noodles; expect a short queue.

Days 30–31: Macau or Island Hike, then Farewell

• Day trip to Macau: Ruins of St. Paul’s, Senado Square, pastel de nata, and Taipa Village; convenient guided option: full-day sightseeing tour.

  

• Or hike Dragon’s Back and relax at Shek O Beach. Final harbor views from TST’s rooftop bars.

Budget notes (50/100 mid-range)

• Average daily (excluding intercity travel): US$120–180 for two (metro, sights, good meals). Street eats from US$3–6; restaurant mains US$8–18; museum entries often low-cost or free.
• Big-ticket days: Great Wall tours (US$40–180 pp depending on group/private), Shanghai Tower (~US$30), Hong Kong Peak/Ngong Ping combos (~US$30–60).

Optional tours summarized for quick booking

• Beijing: Tiananmen + Forbidden City + Mutianyu; Forbidden City ticket.
• Shanghai: Zhujiajiao + City; Full-day city tour.
• Hong Kong: Peak Tram + dim sum; Lantau & Tai O; Macau day trip.

In a month, you’ll thread together China’s defining images—ramparts curling over green hills, skyscrapers mirrored in the Huangpu, and ferries crossing a luminous harbor—with the quieter pleasures of tea, temples, and neighborhood snacks. It’s a generous pace with space for serendipity—and enough depth to leave you planning a return.