How to Plan a Trip to China and Nepal 2026

For exploring ancient civilizations and breathtaking natural landscapes, especially Mount Everest, China and Nepal stand as ultimate destinations for travelers.
In this article, we'll guide you through planning an awesome journey, allowing you to discover the unique beauty of both countries.
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· How Many Days Are Needed
· Itinerary Suggestions
· Which Country to Fly to First
· How to Travel between China and Nepal
· Costs
· Best Times
· Visa Requirements
How Many Days Are Needed?
Typically, recommend an itinerary of about 2 weeks to explore China and Nepal. This duration allows for spending 1 week in China, exploring Tibet, and dedicating another week to visiting Nepal's two major cities — the capital Kathmandu and the renowned outdoor activity hub of Pokhara.
If you have 3 to 4 weeks or even more, recommend extending your itinerary in China. In addition to Tibet, you could spend a week exploring cities like Chengdu and Beijing to see pandas and visit the Great Wall, etc.
You could also enrich your itinerary in Nepal, spending 2–3 days in Chitwan National Park or Lumbini (the birthplace of the first Buddha — Siddhartha Gautama), respectively.
If you're a hiking enthusiast, you could spend 3–4 days on the Poon Hill Circuit trek route. For a more challenging experience, you could try the 7-to-10-day Annapurna Base Camp route or even the Everest Base Camp trek.
Some tourists also add India to the mix. For a trip recommendation covering India, China, and Nepal, you could refer to the 20-Day China (including Tibet), Nepal, and India Tour.
Itinerary Suggestions (3 Options)
offer three itinerary options: the classic 2-week plan, the extended 3-week option, and the shorter 12-day alternative.
1. A 2-Week Itinerary for China and Nepal
If your main travel goal is to explore the cities and cultures around Mount Everest, then you can refer to this itinerary.
Day
City/Area
Activity
Day 1
Kathmandu
Arrival and rest
Days 2–3
Kathmandu
Visit squares, temples, and museums
Days 4–5
Pokhara
Visit Devil's waterfall, lakes, museums, and temples; enjoy the sunrise
Day 6
Kathmandu
Departure for Tibet
Days 7–13
Tibet
Visit the Potala Palace, monasteries, and lakes; walk through Lhasa and visit a Tibetan family
Day 14
Beijing
Departure
You could make your itinerary more diverse and interesting by taking a flight over the Himalayas from Kathmandu, where you could admire the spectacular mountain ranges from the air.
If you enjoy adventure, you could also try paragliding in Pokhara.
In this itinerary, you would enter Tibet through Nepal by land. Therefore, you would drive along and explore deep into southern Tibet and explore all the way to the capital, Lhasa. You would have more opportunities to see pristine landscapes and cultures.
Both the car and guide service are exclusively for you, so you can stop for a break or a photo anywhere along the way.
2. An In-Depth 3-Week Trip in China and Nepal
If you are a first-timer to both China and Nepal and have a longer vacation, this itinerary is suitable for reference.
Day
City
Activity
Day 1
Beijing
Arrival and rest
Days 2–4
Beijing
Visit the Great Wall, historical sites, and hutongs
Days 5–9
Lhasa
Enjoy must-sees and monastery experiences plus a picnic visit to Yamdrok Lake
Days 10–11
Chengdu
Visit pandas
Days 12–15
Kathmandu
Visit temples and squares, and enjoy a view of Mount Everest
Days 16–17
Pokhara
Boating and sightseeing
Days 18–19
Chitwan National Park
Jungle safari
Day 20
Lumbini
Enjoy various temples
Day 21
Return to Kathmandu
Departure
Different from the 2-week route, this itinerary would not only focus on Mount Everest but also explore other distinctive cities in Nepal and China, such as China's Chengdu, the hometown of pandas, and Nepal's famous Chitwan National Park for an exciting safari.
In this itinerary, you would enter Nepal through Chengdu on a flight. In Chengdu, if you want a more interactive panda experience, could arrange a panda volunteer program for you. You could get closer to the pandas by making panda cakes, cleaning their enclosures, and watching them being fed. Just