DESTINATIONS

Where to Go in China

From imperial capitals to misty mountains — the best destinations for first-time visitors, with city guides, itineraries, and practical tips.

9 Destinations

240hr Visa-Free Transit

350+ km/h High-Speed Rail

Classic First-Timer Cities

The essential triangle — connected by high-speed rail in under 6 hours.

Beijing

北京

China’s imperial capital for over 800 years. The Forbidden City, Great Wall, Temple of Heaven, and hutong alleyways.

Forbidden City & Great Wall
Peking Duck & hutong food tours

240-Hr Visa Free History Food

Explore Beijing

Shanghai

上海

China’s most cosmopolitan city. Colonial-era architecture meets futuristic skyscrapers. The Bund, French Concession, and xiaolongbao.

The Bund & Pudong skyline
Xiaolongbao & crab season

240-Hr Visa Free Nightlife Food

Explore Shanghai

Xi’an

西安

Starting point of the Silk Road. Terracotta Army, ancient city wall, and China’s best street food in the Muslim Quarter.

Terracotta Army & City Wall
Muslim Quarter & Hanfu capital

240-Hr Visa Free Ancient Capital Hanfu

Explore Xi’an

Beijing → Xi’an → Shanghai: 10-Day Itinerary

The classic first-timer route — fully planned with trains, hotels, and daily schedules. All within the 240-hour visa-free window.

View Itinerary

Southwest China — Spice & Mountains

Fiery food, dramatic landscapes, and a completely different vibe from the east coast.

Chengdu

成都

The land of pandas, hot pot, and the most laid-back lifestyle in China. Tea houses, mahjong, and face-numbing Sichuan pepper.

Giant Panda Breeding Base
Sichuan hot pot & mapo tofu

240-Hr Visa Free Spicy Food Family

Explore Chengdu

Chongqing

重庆

The “8D city” built on mountains — monorails through apartments, escalators replacing sidewalks. China’s most photogenic cyberpunk city.

Hongya Cave & Liziba Monorail
Chongqing hot pot & night BBQ

240-Hr Visa Free Nightlife Photography

Explore Chongqing

Natural Wonders & Scenic Escapes

Beyond the cities — China’s jaw-dropping landscapes for every bucket list.

Zhangjiajie

张家界

The real-life Avatar mountains. Towering sandstone pillars, glass bridges, and the world’s longest cable car. Absolutely surreal.

Avatar Hallelujah Mountain
Glass Bridge & Tianmen Mountain

UNESCO Adventure Photography

Explore Zhangjiajie

Guilin & Yangshuo

桂林 & 阳朔

The landscape on the ¥20 banknote. Karst mountains, emerald rivers, bamboo rafting, and cycling through rice paddies.

Li River cruise & bamboo rafting
Yangshuo cycling & rock climbing

Scenic Cycling Family

Explore Guilin

Lijiang & Dali

丽江 & 大理

Yunnan’s twin gems. Lijiang’s UNESCO old town beneath snow-capped mountains, Dali’s bohemian lakeside vibe with Bai minority culture.

Jade Dragon Snow Mountain
Erhai Lake & Three Pagodas

UNESCO Minority Culture Photography

Explore Lijiang

Jiangnan Water Towns

江南水乡

The Venice of the East. Ancient canal towns with stone bridges, willow trees, and white-washed houses. Suzhou, Wuzhen, Tongli.

Suzhou classical gardens (UNESCO)
Wuzhen & Tongli canal boats

UNESCO Hanfu Photos Scenic

Explore Water Towns

Planning Your Route

Essential logistics for connecting China’s destinations.

High-Speed Rail

Beijing → Xi’an: 4.5 hrs. Shanghai → Hangzhou: 1hr. Book onTrip.com.

Domestic Flights

For long distances (e.g., Shanghai → Zhangjiajie: 2.5 hr flight). Book via Trip.com.

240-Hour Visa Free

55 countries qualify. Stay up to 10 days without a visa. Check eligibility.

Hotels

Not all hotels accept foreigners. Use our foreigner-friendly guide.

Book Everything in One Place

Hotels, trains, flights, and attraction tickets — all bookable with a foreign passport.

Hotels

Foreigner-licensed hotels in every city. Verified for foreign passport check-in.

Browse Hotels →

Train Tickets

High-speed rail between all major cities. 350km/h. Book with foreign passport.

Book Trains →

Tickets & Tours

Great Wall, Forbidden City, Panda Base, Li River cruise — skip the line.

Browse Activities →

Flights

International and domestic flights. Compare airlines and find the best price.

Search Flights →

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the best cities for first-timers?

The classic route is Beijing → Xi’an → Shanghai, connected by high-speed rail. This covers imperial history (Forbidden City, Great Wall, Terracotta Army), modern China (Shanghai skyline), and incredible food. If you have more time, add Chengdu for pandas or Guilin for scenery.

How many days do I need in China?

Minimum 7 days for Beijing – Xi’an – Shanghai. 10 days is ideal and fits the240-hour visa-free window. 14+ days lets you add Chengdu, Zhangjiajie, or Guilin. For30-day visa-free entry, you can cover4 – 5 destinations comfortably.

Can I travel between cities without speaking Chinese?

Yes. High-speed rail stations have English signage. Trip.com lets you book trains in English. Use Amap or Baidu Maps with translation for navigation. Download atranslation app for emergencies.

Is China safe for solo travelers?

Extremely safe. China has one of the lowest violent crime rates in the world. Solo female travelers report feeling very safe even at night. The main challenges are language barriers and digital payment setup — not safety.

What’s the best time of year to visit?

Spring (April – May) and autumn (September – November) offer the best weather. Avoid Chinese New Year (late Jan / Feb) and Golden Week (Oct1 – 7). Read our best month guide for details.

How do I get between cities?

High-speed rail for distances under 1,000 km. Domestic flights for longer distances (e.g., Shanghai to Zhangjiajie). Book both viaTrip.com. Within cities, use metro + DiDi (Chinese Uber).

Do I need a visa to visit China in 2026?

Many visitors don’t.55 countries qualify for 240-hour visa-free transit, and38 countries have30-day visa-free entry. Check our Visa & Entry guide to see if your country qualifies.