8 days in China Itinerary

As the political and cultural capital of China, Beijing stands at the heart of Chinese history, buzzing with the energy of its high population density and centuries of importance.

On the 10th (Sun), stroll through Temple of Heaven (Tiantan Park). Get ready for a full day of sightseeing on the next day: get a taste of the local shopping with Wang Fu Jing Da Jie, tour the pleasant surroundings at Back Lakes (Hou Hai), then tour the pleasant surroundings at Jingshan Park (Jingshan Gongyuan), and finally take an in-depth tour of The Palace Museum.

For ratings, where to stay, traveler tips, and tourist information, refer to the Beijing holiday planner.

Vancouver, Canada to Beijing is an approximately 14.5-hour flight. The time zone difference moving from Pacific Standard Time (PST) to China Standard Time (CST) is 16 hours. Expect little chillier temperatures when traveling from Vancouver in December; daily highs in Beijing reach 3°C and lows reach -8°C. Finish your sightseeing early on the 12th (Tue) so you can travel to Shanghai.

With a nickname like the "Pearl of the Orient," it's not surprising Shanghai offers some of the most rewarding attractions and activities in the Far East.

On the 13th (Wed), get a taste of the local shopping with Nanjing Lu (Nanjing Road), then get to know the fascinating history of The Bund (Wai Tan), and then take a stroll through Former French Concession. Keep things going the next day: see the interesting displays at Shanghai Museum, then take a stroll through Taikang Road, then look for gifts at Tian Zi Fang, and finally take a stroll through Xintiandi.

For other places to visit, ratings, reviews, and more tourist information, go to the Shanghai custom trip planner.

You can fly from Beijing to Shanghai in 3 hours. Alternatively, you can take a train; or drive. In December, Shanghai is somewhat warmer than Beijing - with highs of 11°C and lows of 3°C. Cap off your sightseeing on the 15th (Fri) early enough to travel to Hong Kong.

Witness the vibrant skyline of Hong Kong, an impressive urban territory on the southern coast of China.

Start off your visit on the 15th (Fri): take a stroll through Causeway Bay and then shop like a local with Stanley, Hong Kong. Get ready for a full day of sightseeing on the next day: take an in-depth tour of Hong Kong Museum of History and then take a stroll through Tsim Sha Tsui.

For maps, reviews, photos, and other tourist information, read Hong Kong vacation trip planner.

You can do a combination of flight and bus from Shanghai to Hong Kong in 5 hours. Other options are to do a combination of train and bus; or drive. When traveling from Shanghai in December, plan for somewhat warmer days in Hong Kong, with highs around 24°C, while nights are much hotter with lows around 18°C. Finish your sightseeing early on the 16th (Sat) to allow enough time to travel back home.