Free, but you need a reserved slot. Go late morning, after dropping your bags.
How long it takes: 30 to 45 minutes, plus 30 to 60 minutes for security and the walk north.
Is it open?
Open on Wed 2 Dec. Open 05:00 to 22:00, and you enter during your reserved slot.
How to book
Free. In WeChat, open the mini programme 天安门广场预约参观, choose Personal Reservation and enter your passport. Slots open 25 Nov and close 1 Dec. Choose a late morning slot.
Aim to enter around 13:00, after Tiananmen Square. Audio guide: rent one just past the Meridian Gate, about ¥40 in English plus a ¥100 refundable deposit.
How long it takes: 1.5 to 2 hours, plus 30 to 60 minutes for access and security.
Is it open?
Open on Wed 2 Dec. Open 08:30 to 16:30, last entry 15:30. Closed Mondays except national holidays.
How to book
Book on the Palace Museum site at 12:00 UK time on 25 Nov (8pm Beijing). Choose afternoon admission and enter your passport details. Bring the original to the Meridian Gate.
The quieter Wall, and your whole day on 3 Dec. The higher price adds the cable car.
How long it takes: about 7 to 10 hours in total. That is 2 to 2.5 hours each way by coach from Qianmen, 30 to 60 minutes each way by transfer bus and cable car, and 2 to 3 hours on the Wall.
Is it open?
Open on Thu 3 Dec, weather permitting. Open 08:00 to 17:30, last entry 17:00, ticket sales end 16:30. Check winter buses and wind.
How to book
On sale now, up to 30 days ahead. Book a real-name ticket for 3 Dec with your passport. Check whether it includes the coach, transfer bus and cable car before adding them.
Coach from the Qianmen tourist stop, at the north end of Qianmen Street, around 08:00. Confirm the bay and return coach when you book. Then take the transfer bus and cable car.
Winter entry covers the Hall of Prayer, Echo Wall and Circular Mound. Go early, when locals are out doing tai chi. It only fits on 2 Dec, before Tiananmen Square, if you have the energy after the flight. Audio guide: about ¥40 in English at the main gates, plus a refundable deposit. Return it before the counter shuts around 17:00.
How long it takes: 1.5 to 2 hours, plus travel.
Is it open?
Open on Wed 2 Dec. Main halls 08:00 to 17:00, last entry 16:30. Park closes 22:00. Halls closed Mondays except public holidays.
How to book
Buy in the WeChat mini programme, using your passport.
The later-start Wall option, by train from Qinghe. Use the south funicular.
How long it takes: about 4 to 6 hours in total. That is 1.5 to 2.25 hours each way from Wangfujing, and 1 to 1.5 hours on the Wall.
Is it open?
Open on Thu 3 Dec. Winter last admission 16:00, listed close 16:30. The north cableway is closed until 25 Dec, so confirm the south funicular's last ride.
How to book
Book both train journeys on 12306 from 19 Nov, then buy the ¥35 winter admission separately.
The classic choice and better value, known in China as Siji Minfu. Several branches. The Forbidden City one can queue for 1 to 2 hours, so try another if you are short of time.
Is it open?
Check today's opening hours in Amap before you go.
How to get there
Tap Open in Amap, then 路线 (route), for directions from where you are.
Old courtyard restaurant on Guijie (Ghost Street) with an open duck oven, also known for its Huajia cabbage. Pick the courtyard main branch. Reviews of the duck vary, and the price is a rough figure from one listing.
Is it open?
Check today's opening hours in Amap before you go.
How to get there
Tap Open in Amap, then 路线 (route), for directions from where you are.
December averages a high of 3C and a low of -7C, the coldest stop by far. Pack proper layers, as most of the sights are outdoors.
Great Wall
Choose Mutianyu to avoid the crowds. Entry (¥45) does not cover everything, so also get tickets for the transfer bus (¥15) and the cable car (about ¥140 return).
Bookings that open soon
Mutianyu: on sale now. Forbidden City: 25 Nov, 12:00 UK time. Tiananmen Square: 25 Nov to 1 Dec.
Your first day is big
You land at 05:15 on 2 Dec and go straight into the sights. Leave your bags at the hotel, and keep the evening easy, as the coach to Mutianyu leaves around 08:00 next morning.
Passport
Bring the original you booked with to every sight. The Forbidden City and Tiananmen Square are separate bookings and separate security queues.
Choosing a duck dinner
Your route has one duck dinner, at Quanjude on 3 Dec. You land at 05:15 on 2 Dec, so that evening is free for a second one.
Leaving
Your Guangzhou flight is 08:30 on 4 Dec. Book a 05:15 taxi the day before.
Guangzhou 广州
4 to 7 December
Activities
4 Dec
Yongqing Fang
永庆坊
Free. Follow Enning Road through restored Xiguan lanes and stop for Cantonese snacks on the way to Shamian.
How long it takes: 1 to 2 hours, plus travel.
Is it open?
Free to walk any time. Shops and cafes set their own hours.
How to book
No ticket needed.
How to get there
Metro Line 1 to Changshou Lu, then about 10 minutes on foot.
Should be open on Sat 5 Dec, but check the park calendar and ride list. Guides give 09:30 or 10:00 to about 18:00 in the off-season, and up to 21:00 at peak times.
How to book
Buy a standard 5 Dec ticket by 4 Dec, from Chimelong's own site (in Chinese) or a reseller. Bring the original passport you booked with. Some resellers email the actual ticket later, so read the terms.
See the Chaozhou woodcarving, then walk through Huacheng Square to the river.
How long it takes: 2 hours, plus travel.
Is it open?
Open on Sun 6 Dec. Open 09:00 to 17:00, last entry 16:00. Closed Mondays except public holidays.
How to book
Free, with timed entry through the museum's Alipay visitor channel and your passport. Slots update at 14:00 UK time (10pm Beijing), 7 days ahead, so 29 Nov for 6 Dec.
Between Chen Clan Hall and Yongqing Fang, at 93 Huagui Road. Get the freshly steamed shrimp rolls with sweet soy. Expect a queue, and check hours as guides disagree.
How long it takes: 30 to 45 minutes, plus travel.
Is it open?
Check today's opening hours in Amap before you go.
How to get there
Walk from Chen Clan Hall or Yongqing Fang, to 93 Huagui Road.
Give it the day. Try the Leap of Faith slide and the lazy river.
How long it takes: 4 to 6 hours, plus travel.
Is it open?
Open all year, according to travel guides. Usually 10:00 to 18:00, and Atlantis lists both 18:00 and 20:00 on different pages, so confirm with the resort for Tue 8 Dec.
How to book
First check if your room rate includes entry. If not, buy a day ticket for 8 Dec online or at the park. Prices vary widely, so check the current one.
Buy live seafood at the market, then pay a nearby kitchen to cook it. It is in the city, a long ride from Haitang Bay. Read the tips in Good to know first.
Is it open?
Check today's opening hours in Amap before you go.
How to get there
Didi into Sanya city, a long ride from Haitang Bay.
December averages a high of 27C and a low of 19C, the warmest stop. The sun is strong, so bring sunglasses, a hat and sunscreen.
Getting around
You stay in Haitang Bay, 40 to 60 minutes by taxi from Phoenix Airport. Luhuitou, First Market and Nanshan are all long rides, so give each its own trip.
Duty free rule
Over 18s, including foreigners, qualify when leaving Hainan for elsewhere in China with a ticket and passport. Your 11 Dec flight to Guangzhou should count, but confirm at the shop.
First Market touts
People around the market pull customers in for kitchens that pay them commission. Ignore them and choose your own.
Seafood prices
Prices are per jin (500g), so a price that looks cheap may not be. Agree the price and watch it being weighed.
Leaving
Book a 06:30 resort pickup on 11 Dec, to reach the airport by 07:40 for the 09:40 flight.
Shenzhen 深圳
11 to 13 December
Activities
12 Dec
Hongqiao Park, the Crimson Ribbon
红桥公园
A 4km red forest walkway in Guangming, 75 to 90 minutes from Futian. Walk the western section towards Bihu Lake. One local source says not all of it is open, so check before you set off.
How long it takes: 1.5 to 2 hours, plus travel.
Is it open?
Forest section 06:00 to 19:00, main park 06:00 to 22:00. Check how much is open before making the long trip.
11 Dec Guangzhou South to Shenzhen North goes on sale 27 Nov, so choose one after 15:00. 13 Dec back goes on sale 29 Nov, so choose one by 13:00. Allow ¥45 to ¥82 each way on 12306.
One full day
12 Dec is your only full day here, and a Saturday. Hongqiao Park is far out in Guangming, so pick either the west side or the east side, not both.
Booking top restaurants
Locals book through Dianping or WeChat. Ask your hotel to call for the starred places.
Huaqiangbei
Test anything you buy. Check that plugs and batteries suit the UK, and remember the power bank rule in All China.
Getting home
Leave Futian around 11:30 on 13 Dec, and aim for Baiyun T3 by 18:15 for the 21:15 flight.
All China
Before you fly
Once you are there
Entry on a UK passport
Visa free for up to 30 days, and you enter at Beijing on 2 Dec. UK advice is 6 months' validity from arrival (2 June 2027 or later) and two blank pages.
Internet
A UK roaming plan or travel eSIM usually keeps Google and WhatsApp working, but hotel and cafe wifi will not. VPNs are unreliable, so sort this before you land.
Using these links
Each button searches Amap for the exact Chinese name in that city, so chains show several branches. Choose the closest and check the opening hours.
Dates on this page
A round date mark on a stamp means that place is on your route. Option, inside a stamp, means it could fit that day as a swap or extra.
Trains
Your passport is your ticket, so scan the one you booked with at the gate. Set up and verify it in 12306 now.
Metro security
Stations have bag checks, so allow extra time, especially at rush hour.
Water and tipping
Do not drink the tap water. Tipping is not expected.
Places change
Restaurants close and move, and hours and prices shift. Opening times here were checked in November 2026, so look at Amap or the venue before crossing town.
Photo credits
Photos are resized and cropped, and keep their listed licences. Some show an example of the dish or activity.
