Skip to content
Sunday's
← All destinations

Asia / East Asia

China

Great Wall, megacities, and diverse regional cuisines. As part of East Asia in Asia, China suits travelers drawn to big cities and historic. Use this guide to plan where to go, when to visit, and how to structure your days.

China

Start exploring.

Best time to visit: Apr – Jun, Sep – Oct

Beijing

Plan at least a full day in Beijing to enjoy its main sights, local food, and surrounding scenery.

Shanghai

Shanghai pairs well with nearby highlights on a East Asia route through China.

Xi'an

Xi'an pairs well with nearby highlights on a East Asia route through China.

Guilin

Guilin is a favorite stop for travelers exploring China, with plenty to see on foot or by local transit.

What it is known for
facts
  • Great Wall snaking across northern ridgelines
  • Terracotta Army warriors guarding Xi'an
  • Guilin karst peaks along the Li River
  • Forbidden City and Temple of Heaven in Beijing
  • Regional cuisines from Sichuan spice to Cantonese dim sum
key City
name
Beijing
label
Capital
why
Imperial palaces, hutong alleyways, and high-speed rail links to the Great Wall make Beijing the historic heart of most first trips.
Places to visit
  • area
    Beijing
    attractions
    • name
      Great Wall at Mutianyu
      duration
      1-2 hours
      book Ahead
      Many are free outdoors; timed entry sites need 1-2 weeks notice in summer.
    • name
      Forbidden City
      duration
      1-2 hours
      book Ahead
      Check official hours; book 1-2 weeks ahead if timed entry applies in peak season.
    • name
      Temple of Heaven
      duration
      45 minutes to 1.5 hours
      book Ahead
      Usually walk-in; modest dress required. Donations welcome at active worship sites.
    • name
      Summer Palace
      duration
      2-3 hours
      book Ahead
      Book timed entry 2-4 weeks ahead for popular palaces in peak season.
  • area
    Shanghai
    attractions
    • name
      The Bund
      duration
      1-2 hours
      book Ahead
      Check official hours; book 1-2 weeks ahead if timed entry applies in peak season.
    • name
      Yu Garden
      duration
      2-3 hours
      book Ahead
      Buy day tickets on-site or online 3-7 days ahead on busy weekends.
    • name
      Shanghai Tower
      duration
      1-2 hours
      book Ahead
      Same-day tickets often available; book 3-7 days ahead on weekends.
    • name
      Nanjing Road
      duration
      1-2 hours
      book Ahead
      Check official hours; book 1-2 weeks ahead if timed entry applies in peak season.
  • area
    Xi'an
    attractions
    • name
      Terracotta Army
      duration
      1-2 hours
      book Ahead
      Check official hours; book 1-2 weeks ahead if timed entry applies in peak season.
    • name
      Ancient City Wall
      duration
      1-2 hours
      book Ahead
      Many are free outdoors; timed entry sites need 1-2 weeks notice in summer.
    • name
      Big Wild Goose Pagoda
      duration
      1-2 hours
      book Ahead
      Check official hours; book 1-2 weeks ahead if timed entry applies in peak season.
    • name
      Muslim Quarter
      duration
      1-3 hours
      book Ahead
      No ticket required; go early for markets and late afternoon for squares.
  • area
    Guilin
    attractions
    • name
      Li River
      duration
      1-2 hours
      book Ahead
      Check official hours; book 1-2 weeks ahead if timed entry applies in peak season.
    • name
      Reed Flute Cave
      duration
      1-2 hours
      book Ahead
      Check official hours; book 1-2 weeks ahead if timed entry applies in peak season.
    • name
      Elephant Trunk Hill
      duration
      1-2 hours
      book Ahead
      Check official hours; book 1-2 weeks ahead if timed entry applies in peak season.
    • name
      Longji Rice Terraces
      duration
      1-2 hours
      book Ahead
      Check official hours; book 1-2 weeks ahead if timed entry applies in peak season.
Itineraries
  • title
    China Highlights Express
    duration
    5 days
    locations
    • Beijing
    • Shanghai
    • Xi'an
    highlights
    • Full day discovering Beijing
    • Full day discovering Shanghai
    • Full day discovering Xi'an
    best For
    Weekend warriors and short trips
    days
    • day
      1
      title
      Arrive in Beijing
      description
      Land in Beijing, check into your stay, and take an easy orientation walk. Try a well-rated local restaurant to start your China trip.
    • day
      2
      title
      Explore Shanghai
      description
      Dedicate the day to Shanghai: main landmarks, neighborhoods, and a signature local experience before continuing your route.
    • day
      3
      title
      Xi'an and farewell
      description
      Spend your final day in Xi'an visiting any missed sights, picking up souvenirs, and preparing for departure.
  • title
    Classic China
    duration
    7 days
    locations
    • Beijing
    • Shanghai
    • Xi'an
    • Guilin
    highlights
    • Cover Beijing and Shanghai
    • Explore Xi'an
    • Explore Guilin
    best For
    Urban explorers and culture fans
    days
    • day
      1
      title
      Arrive in Beijing
      description
      Land in Beijing, check into your stay, and take an easy orientation walk. Try a well-rated local restaurant to start your China trip.
    • day
      2
      title
      Explore Shanghai
      description
      Dedicate the day to Shanghai: main landmarks, neighborhoods, and a signature local experience before continuing your route.
    • day
      3
      title
      Explore Xi'an
      description
      Dedicate the day to Xi'an: main landmarks, neighborhoods, and a signature local experience before continuing your route.
    • day
      4
      title
      Guilin and farewell
      description
      Spend your final day in Guilin visiting any missed sights, picking up souvenirs, and preparing for departure.
  • title
    China Beaches & Coast
    duration
    5 days
    locations
    • Beijing
    • Shanghai
    • Xi'an
    highlights
    • Coastal day in Beijing
    • Coastal day in Shanghai
    • Coastal day in Xi'an
    best For
    Sun seekers, swimmers, and coastal road trips
    days
    • day
      1
      title
      Arrive in Beijing
      description
      Check in near the shore and take a relaxed walk along the waterfront. Swim or sunbathe if conditions allow, then settle into a seaside dinner in Beijing.
    • day
      2
      title
      Shanghai coast
      description
      Spend the day on Shanghai's shoreline: The Bund, Yu Garden, Shanghai Tower, with time for cafés, boat trips, or sunset views.
    • day
      3
      title
      Xi'an and farewell
      description
      Enjoy a final beach morning in Xi'an, visiting Terracotta Army, Ancient City Wall, Big Wild Goose Pagoda before you depart China.
  • title
    China Countryside
    duration
    7 days
    locations
    • Beijing
    • Shanghai
    • Xi'an
    • Guilin
    highlights
    • Rural stop: Beijing
    • Rural stop: Shanghai
    • Rural stop: Xi'an
    • Rural stop: Guilin
    best For
    Nature lovers, hikers, and slow travel
    days
    • day
      1
      title
      Arrive in Beijing
      description
      Reach Beijing, drop bags at a rural stay, and take a short walk through nearby villages or trails to get oriented.
    • day
      2
      title
      Shanghai countryside
      description
      Explore Shanghai at an easy pace: The Bund, Yu Garden, Shanghai Tower with a focus on open landscapes away from the crowds.
    • day
      3
      title
      Xi'an countryside
      description
      Explore Xi'an at an easy pace: Terracotta Army, Ancient City Wall, Big Wild Goose Pagoda with a focus on open landscapes away from the crowds.
    • day
      4
      title
      Guilin and farewell
      description
      Wrap up with a slow morning in Guilin, stopping at Li River, Reed Flute Cave, Elephant Trunk Hill before heading home.
  • title
    China Monuments & Hot Spots
    duration
    5 days
    locations
    • Beijing
    • Xi'an
    • Shanghai
    highlights
    • Must-see: Great Wall at Mutianyu
    • Must-see: Forbidden City
    • Must-see: Terracotta Army
    • Must-see: Ancient City Wall
    best For
    Sightseeing, history buffs, and first-time landmark hunters
    days
    • day
      1
      title
      Icons of Beijing
      description
      Start in Beijing with Great Wall at Mutianyu, Forbidden City, Temple of Heaven, buying timed tickets ahead when possible and finishing with a walk through the historic center.
    • day
      2
      title
      Xi'an monuments
      description
      Focus on Xi'an's tourist favorites: Terracotta Army, Ancient City Wall, Big Wild Goose Pagoda with breaks for local food between sights.
    • day
      3
      title
      Shanghai landmarks and farewell
      description
      Catch any remaining must-sees in Shanghai, including The Bund, Yu Garden, Shanghai Tower, before your departure.
When to go & typical weather
summary
April through June and September through October offer the best balance for China's megacities, Great Wall sections, and Guilin karst landscapes, with comfortable temperatures and clearer skies than summer haze. Autumn foliage in Beijing and Sichuan peaks in October, while spring cherry blossoms line Shanghai and Wuhan boulevards.
typical Weather
Beijing Apr-Jun/Sep-Oct: highs 18-28°C (64-82°F), lows 8-16°C (46-61°F), 30-60 mm rain. Shanghai: highs 20-27°C (68-81°F), humid. Chengdu: highs 22-28°C (72-82°F), overcast. Tibet/Lhasa: highs 12-20°C (54-68°F), strong UV.
details
  • Golden Week (early Oct) and Labor Day (early May) bring domestic travel surges.
  • Jul-Aug is hot and rainy in the south; Harbin and Inner Mongolia are cooler escapes.
  • Jan-Feb suits Harbin ice festival but is bitterly cold in the north.
  • Xinjiang and Gansu deserts swing sharply between hot days and cold nights year-round.
most Affordable
period
Nov – Feb
summary
Winter outside Chinese New Year delivers China's best hotel and flight value when domestic tourism shifts to ski resorts and international visitor numbers drop at major sights. November and early December especially see low rates before holiday surge.
details
  • Beijing and Shanghai hotels discount 30-40% outside Golden Week and CNY.
  • Great Wall and Xi'an tour groups thinner with lower guide rates.
  • Guilin and Yangshuo river cruises offer winter promotions.
  • International airfares to China often lowest Nov-early Dec.
most Expensive
period
Oct
summary
Golden Week early October creates China's most expensive travel period when hundreds of millions of domestic travelers flood tourist sites and transport. National Day week hotel rates at major destinations reach multiples of normal.
details
  • Golden Week (Oct 1-7) Forbidden City and Great Wall access severely limited.
  • Hotel rates in Guilin, Chengdu, and Zhangjiajie spike sharply.
  • High-speed rail tickets sell out weeks ahead at peak fares.
  • Labor Day (early May) is second-priciest domestic travel surge.
Airports & arrivals
summary
Beijing, Shanghai, and Guangzhou are major international hubs with extensive domestic networks.
airports
  • name
    Beijing Capital International Airport
    code
    PEK
    location
    Beijing
    distance From Center
    32 km (20 mi) northeast of central Beijing
    transfer Note
    Airport express reaches Dongzhimen in about 20 minutes
  • name
    Shanghai Pudong International Airport
    code
    PVG
    location
    Shanghai
    distance From Center
    45 km (28 mi) east of central Shanghai
    transfer Note
    Maglev and metro line 2 reach the city
  • name
    Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport
    code
    CAN
    location
    Guangzhou
    distance From Center
    28 km (17 mi) north of central Guangzhou
    transfer Note
    Metro line 3 connects to downtown
Getting around
overview
Chinese cities rely on CR high-speed rail, metro systems, and BRT; DiDi is the dominant ride-hailing app.
trains
  • name
    China Railway
    description
    High-speed and conventional rail nationwide.
    ticketing
    Book at 12306.cn, stations, or travel apps.
ferries
    subways
    • name
      Beijing Subway
      description
      Extensive metro across Beijing districts.
      ticketing
      Use Yikatong card or single-journey tickets.
    • name
      Shanghai Metro
      description
      One of the world's largest metro networks.
      ticketing
      Use Shanghai Public Transportation Card.
    public Transit
    • name
      Guangzhou Bus
      kind
      public
      description
      City buses complement metro lines in Guangzhou.
      ticketing
      Pay with transit card or mobile QR codes.
    ride Share
    • name
      DiDi
      kind
      taxi-app
      description
      Dominant ride-hailing app across Chinese cities.
      ticketing
      Book and pay through DiDi app with WeChat or Alipay.
    Currency
    code
    CNY
    name
    Chinese yuan
    symbol
    ¥
    note
    Carry some chinese yuan in cash for taxis and markets; card acceptance is strongest in major cities and tourist areas.

    Convert your travel budget ↗

    Visas & official entry links
    Local customs
    summary
    China combines deep tradition with fast modern urban life. Face, hierarchy, and patience in crowds matter. WeChat Pay dominates daily commerce; cash and card backup helps visitors. Regional diversity is enormous between Beijing, Shanghai, and western provinces.
    customs
    • Business cards are presented and received with both hands.
    • Toasting at meals follows host lead; tap table instead of clinking if preferred.
    • Queuing is improving but still loose in busy transit hubs.
    dos
    • Use DiDi or official taxi queues rather than illegal solicitations at airports.
    • Carry passport for hotel registration and train ticket checks.
    • Learn ni hao and xiexie for basic courtesy.
    • Use VPN awareness; many US apps require alternatives locally.
    • Respect photography bans in temples, museums, and Tiananmen-adjacent sites.
    donts
    • Do not discuss Taiwan, Tibet, or Xinjiang provocatively in public.
    • Do not fly drones in cities without registration; rules are strict.
    • Do not tip in many local restaurants; it can confuse staff.
    • Do not touch Buddha statues or monks without permission.
    • Do not expect Google, Instagram, or WhatsApp without workarounds.
    Useful travel phrases
    language
    Chinese (Mandarin)
    phrases
    • english
      Please
      local
      请
      pronunciation
      Qǐng
    • english
      Thank you
      local
      谢谢
      pronunciation
      Xièxie
    • english
      Yes
      local
      是
      pronunciation
      Shì
    • english
      No
      local
      不
      pronunciation
      Bù
    • english
      How much?
      local
      多少钱?
      pronunciation
      Duōshao qián?
    • english
      Where is the nearest restaurant or bar?
      local
      最近的餐厅或酒吧在哪里?
      pronunciation
      Zuìjìn de cāntīng huò jiǔbā zài nǎlǐ?
    • english
      Where is the airport?
      local
      机场在哪里?
      pronunciation
      Jīchǎng zài nǎlǐ?
    • english
      I need help
      local
      我需要帮助
      pronunciation
      Wǒ xūyào bāngzhù
    • english
      I need a hospital
      local
      我需要去医院
      pronunciation
      Wǒ xūyào qù yīyuàn
    • english
      Call the police
      local
      请叫警察
      pronunciation
      Qǐng jiào jǐngchá
    Longer stays
    visa Summary
    U.S. citizens need a visa before travel for tourism, business, or transit unless a specific bilateral exemption applies; tourist visas typically allow 30 to 90 days per entry. Work visas, family reunion visas, and permanent residence require employer or family sponsorship and police and health documentation. China adjusts visa-free transit and tourist policies periodically, so confirm requirements with the nearest Chinese embassy or consulate.

    Practical tips.

    • Set up mobile payment or carry sufficient cash because many small shops and taxis still prefer WeChat Pay or Alipay.
    • Download a VPN before arrival if you need access to Google, WhatsApp, or other blocked services during your trip.
    • Book high-speed rail tickets on Trip.com or at station counters early for Golden Week and Spring Festival travel.
    More travel tips ↗

    Locate China.

    Location map of China

    Before you go.

    Check current entry requirements and travel conditions with official sources before booking. Read the current U.S. State Department advisory for China ↗