Beijing
Imperial landmarks, hutongs, museums, and the Great Wall.
Suggested stay: 3–4 daysBest for: First-time visitors and history lovers
City Guides
in China
Explore major cities, what they’re best for, and where to start your trip.
How to use this page
Choose the city that best matches your travel style, trip length, and interests.
Choose Beijing or Shanghai for a classic first trip and modern city travel.
Choose Chengdu or Guangzhou for food, local culture, and a slower pace.
Choose Guilin or Zhangjiajie for nature, scenery, and outdoor travel.
Choose Jiuzhaigou or Dunhuang for more destination-focused trips that need extra transport planning.
All city guides
Choose a city to see highlights, practical tips, and ideas for planning your stay.
Classic history routes
Good starting points for imperial history, old capitals, and Silk Road culture.
Easy city starts
Urban bases with strong transport, food, shopping, and easier logistics.
Shanghai
A polished first stop for skyline views, shopping, and city life.
Suggested stay: 2–3 daysBest for: City breaks, shopping, and modern China
Zhejiang
West Lake, tea culture, temples, gardens, and a slower pace.
Suggested stay: 1–2 daysBest for: Culture, scenery, and short side trips
Hong Kong SAR
Harbor views, efficient transport, shopping, hiking, and food.
Suggested stay: 2–3 daysBest for: Food, shopping, and easy city travel
Nature & scenery
Better for landscapes, slower days, and outdoor travel.
Guangxi
Li River scenery, limestone peaks, and countryside stays.
Suggested stay: 2–3 daysBest for: Nature lovers and slower trips
Hunan
Dramatic mountains, cable cars, glass bridges, and big views.
Suggested stay: 2–3 daysBest for: Hikers, adventure, and dramatic scenery
Sichuan
Colorful lakes, waterfalls, forests, and mountain park days.
Suggested stay: 2–3 daysBest for: Scenery, photography, and park days
Food & local life
Good picks for eating well and feeling daily city life.
Beijing
China’s classic first-trip city, with imperial landmarks, hutong neighborhoods, major museums, and easy access to the Great Wall.
Suggested stay: 3–4 days
Best for: First-time visitors and history lovers
Shanghai
China’s most international city, known for the Bund, skyline views, stylish neighborhoods, shopping, and easy first-time urban travel.
Suggested stay: 2–3 days
Best for: City breaks, shopping, and modern China
Shaanxi
An ancient capital best known for the Terracotta Army, city walls, Muslim Quarter, and a compact introduction to China’s early history.
Suggested stay: 2–3 days
Best for: History and culture travelers
Sichuan
A relaxed Sichuan city for pandas, hotpot, teahouses, spicy food, and a slower pace of local life.
Suggested stay: 2–3 days
Best for: Food lovers and relaxed travelers
Guangxi
A scenic nature base for Li River cruises, limestone peaks, bamboo rafting, and countryside stays around Yangshuo.
Suggested stay: 2–3 days
Best for: Nature lovers and slower trips
Sichuan
A mountain nature destination known for colorful lakes, waterfalls, forest scenery, and slower park-focused travel.
Suggested stay: 2–3 days
Best for: Scenery, photography, and park days
Hong Kong SAR
A high-energy city with harbor views, efficient transport, English-friendly travel, shopping, hiking, and world-class food.
Suggested stay: 2–3 days
Best for: Food, shopping, and easy city travel
Gansu
A Silk Road stop for Mogao Caves, desert scenery, Crescent Moon Spring, history, and slower northwest China travel.
Suggested stay: 2–3 days
Best for: Silk Road history and desert scenery
Zhejiang
An elegant lakeside escape near Shanghai, known for West Lake, tea culture, temples, gardens, and relaxed scenery.
Suggested stay: 1–2 days
Best for: Culture, scenery, and short side trips
Hunan
A dramatic mountain destination with sandstone pillars, cable cars, glass bridges, and some of China’s most iconic natural scenery.
Suggested stay: 2–3 days
Best for: Hikers, adventure, and dramatic scenery
Guangdong
A southern food capital known for Cantonese cuisine, dim sum, riverside views, traditional markets, and links to Hong Kong and Macau.
Suggested stay: 1–2 days
Best for: Food lovers and southern China trips