Where to Go During China Golden Week, Top Places to Travel Around National Day Holiday

If you’re planning to visit China during China Golden Week or if you live in China and are looking for an outing, there are still some ways to maximize your enjoyment. Some places with fewer crowds might be worth a visit. However, no area in China is totally without crowds during the holiday.

The Chinese Golden Week holiday refers to the extended vacation periods during the Spring Festival and National Day, each traditionally lasting for 7 days. One can expect lots of crowds everywhere in China, from popular attractions to major streets during this time.

During the National Day holiday (October 1st - 7th), the weather across most of China is particularly pleasant, and many resorts are at their peak condition. However, visiting popular Chinese destinations during this time can be a travel nightmare due to exorbitant hotel prices, traffic congestion, and crowds.

Now that you are ready, here are three places we highly recommend for travel during the national holiday in China. Making reservations weeks earlier will turn out to be a smart choice.

Lhasa - the Last Hidden Land

Lhasa has been a top destination due to its amazing scenery and mysterious Tibetan culture. It has been even more popular since the opening of the Qinghai-Tibet Railway in 2006.

Travelers from Shanghai and Beijing can reach Shigatse directly via rail to climb the world’s highest mountain, which is the most popular destination in Tibet outside of Lhasa.

Why go?

Wander around Barkhor Street to experience the authentic Tibetan culture and step into Potala Palace to have a glimpse of the Dalai Lama’s winter palace. Visit Jokhang Temple, which receives the most local worshipers. Other places like Drepung Monastery, Sera Monastery, and Norbulingka are worth visiting in this colorful period.

Crowds

 After the summer holiday, most Chinese travelers leave Tibet and it is the time to soak up the beauty and tranquility of Lhasa. This is absolutely good news for travelers wishing to travel during the National Day holiday in China.

Getting there

A train ride from Shanghai to Lhasa requires 47 hours and 34 minutes. A flight from Shanghai to Lhasa takes six hours and 40 minutes. Two hours will take you from Lhasa to Shigatse by rail. 

According to our experience, we would highly recommend you take flights instead of trains during this period since train tickets are hard to buy and the scenery from Shanghai to Xining is not striking. 

What we recommend

As a local tour operator, we work for a lot of foreigners living in Shanghai, businessmen and travelers. Most of them take the 4-Day Tibet Discovery Tour from Shanghai to save time. For those having enough time, they love to enjoy the 8-Day Tibet Discovery Tour from Shanghai by train. 

Yangtze Cruise—The Perfect Option at Any Time

The Yangtze River boasts amazing landscapes, crystal water, dense forests, and unique landforms. The best and most popular section extends from Chongqing to Yichang, which includes the three gorges. With the completion of the Three Gorges Dam in 2009, the area now attracts even more foreign visitors.

Why go?

Yangtze River is always one of the top options for foreign travelers because of its impressive views. In summer the view of the verdant mountain ranges, with cool weather, and high water make for a comfortable cruise. In winter, the water level is relatively low but the water is clearest..

However, October might be the most attractive season for a Yangtze Cruise as the red leaves of Wu Mountain are at their best. A Red Leaf Festival is held every autumn. Most Yangtze River pictures are taken during this period. Victoria Cruises offers a cruise from Shanghai to Chongqing.

Crowds

It is hard to find another popular destination like Yangtze River where crowds won’t be a bother during  Chinese Golden Week.  On a four or five-day cruise, visitors can enjoy different activities, or just recline leisurely on the sundeck enjoying the impressive view.

Getting there

Passengers can embark on a Yangtze cruise from both Chongqing City and Yichang City. A flight to Chongqing from Shanghai takes 2 hours and 45 minutes.  Shanghai to Yichang takes 2 hours by air. D-trains running from Shanghai to Yichang take only 7-8 hours and to Chongqing 12-13 hours.

If taking a Yangtze cruise from Shanghai to Chongqing for 9 days, passengers should embark on a Yangtze cruise from Wusongkou International Terminal in Shanghai.

What we recommend

Visitors with limited time are always choosing the 4D/3N President Cruise Downstream Tour from Shanghai from Chongqing to Yichang. The scenery along the way and the experience are thrilling. However, if you want to take a visit to modern Chongqing and its Ciqikou Ancient Town leisurely, the 5D/4N President Cruise Upstream Tour from Shanghai will get you. 

Kaili and Sanjiang—The Mysterious Dong People

The Dong People,  also known as the Kam People (侗族),  are mainly distributed in the conjunction of Guizhou Province, Hunan Province, and Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region. Kaili, Sanjiang, and Darong Jiang are the most famous and populated areas of the Dong People. The Dong are an ancient ethnic minority dating back to the Qin Dynasty (B.C 221—B.C 207). With fresh air and unique scenery, these areas have become known to the outside world.

Why go?

Ancient architecture like Wind and Rain Bridges, Drum Towers, and local residential houses are the symbols of the Dong People. No area in China has such kind of architecture. These structures and shapes are amazing even to Chinese people. In addition, Dong songs are famous across China, which are also called Kam Grand Choirs (侗旅大歌). It seems that these people are especially favored by God with a singing gift! Sing whenever you stand before the Drum Tower!

If these are not interesting enough for you, Dong girls and their special clothes are a charm for most people. These bright local embroideries are worth owning.

Crowds

The difficulty of access to Kali, Sanjiang, and Da Rongjiang is its saving grace! Most visitors are locals or from nearby areas. One can still book guest houses and enjoy a less-crowded holiday in these places with fresh air.

Getting there

The one downside to these Dong areas is that they are difficult to get to.

A flight from Shanghai to Guilin takes two hours. Then take a bus from Guilin to Sanjiang, Guangxi for four hours. Another four driving hours will take one from Sanjiang to Rongjiang, Guizhou province. Then it takes about three hours from Rongjiang to Kaili, Guizhou province by bus. 

Or one can take a flight from Shanghai to Guiyang and transfer to Kaili to start the trip. Then fly back to Shanghai from Guilin.

The good news is that at the end of 2014, D-trains between Guizhou’s capital Guiyang, and Guilin will be put into use officially and the travel time will shrink from 11 1/2 hours to 2 1/2 hours! Five or six days will make a special trip to the Dong people.

What we recommend

Regarding tours to Dong areas, Longsheng and Sanjiang in Guangxi, Rongjiang and Kaili in Guizhou are the most popular destinations. One can choose the interested ones and our travel advisors can plan a tour for you for free. Contact us if you are still considering what places you should go.

Battle of Recommended Places to Travel Around National Day Holiday