Welcome to Center-West China !
Remote minorities areas for adventurers...
The Provinces ? Sichuan / Gansu / Qinghai / Xinjiang
Why go there ? Because this area boost some of the wildest and most original scenery of China, associated with colorful Tibetan or Muslim culture. This route is becoming quite popular with travelers but for the moment retains its authenticity.
Drawback ? Having to be patient with some transport from one point to another
How long ? Avoiding the extreme localities, count on around one month
Suggested itineraries :
From Itin. South-West China |
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| Jinjiang | transit | ||||
| Train, 12h | |||||
| Emeishan | 2 to 3 | ||||
| Bus, 1h | |||||
| Leshan | 1 to 2 | ||||
| L Bus, 3h | Variations : | ||||
| Chengdu | 2 to 3 | ||||
| N Train, 11h | |||||
| Chongqing | day visit | Chongqing | |||
| L Bus, 5h |
>> Yangzi River |
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| Chengdu | 1 |
>> Cf. East Coast |
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| Bus, 11h | |||||
| Songpan | 4 to 5 | ||||
| L Bus, 4h | |||||
| Jiuzhaigou | 3 to 4 | ||||
| Bus, 2h | |||||
| Songpan | 1 | ||||
| Buses, 6h | |||||
| Zoige | 1 | ||||
| Bus, 2.5h | |||||
| Langmusi | 1 to 3 | ||||
| Bus, 6h | |||||
| Xiahe | 1 to 3 | Xiahe | |||
| Bus, 5h | Bus, 5h | Border crossing : | |||
| Tongren | 1 | Lanzhou | |||
| Bus, 4h | N Train, 14h | ||||
| Xining | 1 to 2 | Xi'an | Xining | ||
| Bus, 12h |
>> Cf. Center-North |
Bus/Train, 14h | |||
| Zhangye | 1 | Goldmud | |||
| Bus, 5h | Bus, 26h | ||||
| Jiayuguan | 1 to 2 | Tibet | |||
| Bus, 7h | |||||
| Dunhuang | 2 to 3 | ||||
| various, 16h | 1 | ||||
| Turpan | 2 to 3 | ||||
| Bus, 2.5h | |||||
| Urumqi | 1 | Urumqi | |||
| Bus, 3h | Bus / Train / Plane | ||||
| Tianchi | 1 to 3 | Kashgar | |||
| Bus, 3h | Bus | ||||
| Urumqi | 1 | Pakistan | |||
| Train, 34h | 2 | ||||
| Lanzhou |
1 |
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| N Train, 14h | |||||
| Xi'an | >> Cf. Center-North | ||||
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Total duration : 32 to 47 days |
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The itinerary on the left, personally tested, is suitable for backpackers who wishes to visit China thoroughly. It prolongates the itinerary "South-West China" and links with the itinerary "Center-North China". Please refer to each Locality for information & anecdotes for the following trip...
We tried to make those itineraries as complete as possible. Other options & connections to shorten the trip are off course possible. Refer to each Locality for more precise options for bus or boat. Refer to each Province for the appropriate trains' schedules.
The following abbreviations are used : L = luxury / N = night / S = sleeper (bus)
The numbers on the right of each locality column correspond to the recommended number of nights to spend in one place or on the move.
