China Travel Guide

Read this travel guide to learn about the best places to visit in China, tips for traveling, local culture, and more.


Introduction to China

China is a vast country located in East Asia. It boasts of a rich cultural heritage, natural beauty, and a modern, bustling urban landscape. From the Great Wall, to the terraced rice paddies, or from the ancient relics of Xi’an, to the neon-lit skyscrapers in Shanghai, China truly has something for everyone.

List of Places to Visit in China

China is a place enriched with culture and history that has been preserved over centuries, with numerous places to explore. Here are some of the most popular places to visit:

Culturally Important Attractions: Museums and Historical Places

  • The Great Wall of China
  • The Forbidden City
  • The Terracotta Army in Xi’an
  • The Summer Palace in Beijing
  • The Tian Tan Buddha in Lantau Island
  • The Potala Palace in Lhasa, Tibet
  • The Three Gorges Dam
  • The Mogao Caves

Natural Attractions of China: Outdoor Adventures and Scenic Views

  • Zhangjiajie National Forest Park
  • The Yellow Mountains
  • Jiuzhaigou National Park
  • Guilin and the Li River
  • Mount Everest Base Camp
  • The Reed Flute Cave in Guilin
  • The Yangtze River Cruise
  • The Yuanyang Rice Terraces

Hiking/Biking Routes of China

China offers a great opportunity for hiking and biking. Along with the stunning landscapes and mountains, the country offers a list of some of the world’s most scenic trails including:

  • The Tiger Leaping Gorge Trail
  • The Great Wall of China
  • The Annapurna Circuit
  • The Huangshan Mountain Trail
  • The Sichuan Glacier Trail
  • The Jade Dragon Snow Mountain Trek

Best Things to Do in China: Activities and Tours

  • A Panda Encounter Tour in Sichuan
  • The Peking Opera
  • A Visit to the Silk Road
  • The Longji Rice Terraces Tour in Guilin
  • The Shanghai Food Tour
  • The Harbin Ice and Snow Sculpture Festival
  • The Mid-Autumn Festival in Guangzhou
  • The Dragon Boat Festival in Tai O

Week-Long Itinerary for China

Day 1: Arrival in Beijing, visit the Great Wall and Forbidden City Day 2: Visit the Temple of Heaven, Tiananmen Square, and Wangfujing Street Day 3: Take a flight to Xi’an, visit the Terracotta Army and the Big Wild Goose Pagoda Day 4: Visit the ancient city walls, the Muslim Quarter, and the Shaanxi History Museum Day 5: Fly to Shanghai, and visit the Bund, the Yuyuan Garden, and the Oriental Pearl Tower Day 6: Visit the Longhua Temple, the French Concession, and the Shanghai Museum Day 7: Departure from Shanghai

Food and Drink Scene of China

China has an extensive and diverse cuisine with a vast range of dishes that vary by region.

Must-Try Dishes

  • Peking Roast Duck in Beijing
  • Kung Pao Chicken in Sichuan
  • Dumplings in Shanghai
  • Hot Pot in Chongqing
  • Cantonese Dim Sum in Guangdong
  • Mongolian Hot Pot in Inner Mongolia
  • Stinky Tofu in Taiwan
  • Seafood in Shandong

Local Beverages

  • Baijiu - A type of Chinese white wine
  • Tea - China is famous for its tea with many different varieties

Where to Stay in China: Hotels, Hostels, and Guesthouses

China offers a variety of options for accommodations, ranging from luxury hotels to budget-friendly hostels and guesthouses. The following are some of China’s popular hostel and guesthouse chains.

  • Hostelling International (HI) China
  • China Youth Hostel Association (CYHA)
  • Beijing Tigers & Dragons Youth Hostel
  • Leo Hostel in Beijing
  • Mingtown Youth Hostel in Shanghai
  • City Central Youth Hostel in Xi’an

What to Buy in China: Souvenirs and Local Products to Bring Home

  • Silk and silk products
  • Tea and teaware
  • Chinese artwork, including calligraphy and paintings
  • Chopsticks
  • Cloisonné
  • Jade carvings
  • Chinese medicine
  • Mahjong sets

Local Culture and Customs of China

China has a rich culture that differs significantly from Western countries. Here are some things to keep in mind:

  • The people are humble and shy so, it’s better to approach them with patience and politeness.
  • Chinese people are greatly proud of their traditions so, respect their cultural symbols at all times.
  • Always take off your shoes when entering a Chinese home or temple.
  • It’s common for the eldest member to sit at the head of the table during meals.

Best Time to Visit China

The best time to visit China is in spring (March to May) and autumn (September to November). The weather is mild, and the tourist attractions are less crowded during these seasons.

Do’s and Don’ts of China

Do:

  • Respect Chinese traditions and customs, including their religious views.
  • Practice dietary restrictions when around the elderly or religious places.
  • Try at least one Chinese dish other than the usual dumplings and noodles
  • Visit the local shops and markets for some souvenirs.

Don’t:

  • Do not call out loud in public areas.
  • Avoid talking about political issues.
  • Never touch someone’s head or call them by name when it’s not appropriate.

Safety and Health

Safety in China

China is a comparatively safe place to travel, and the crime rate is low. However, always take the following precautions:

  • Avoid carrying excess amounts of cash and valuable items on crowded streets.
  • Beware of pickpockets and keep your wallet and phone secure.
  • Specify the taxi fare with the taxi driver before boarding the taxi.

Health in China

The climate of different regions in China varies, so it’s preferable to check the weather and climate conditions of your destination before traveling. Here are some things to keep in mind:

  • It’s safer to drink bottled water than tap water.
  • Avoid street food that is undercooked or looks contaminated.
  • Always carry a medical kit with some basic medicines, including painkillers, diarrhea medicines, and aspirin.

Getting to China: Transportation Options and Logistics

Airports Near China

  • Beijing Capital International Airport
  • Hong Kong International Airport
  • Shanghai Pudong International Airport
  • Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport

Bus Stations Near China

  • Guangdong Coach Station in Guangzhou
  • Jinggangshan Coach Station in Jiangxi
  • Shanghai Long-Distance Bus Station

Other Options

  • High-speed bullet trains from Hong Kong to Guangzhou
  • Ferry from Hong Kong to Macau

How to Get Around in China

Getting around in China is convenient due to its modern transport systems like the high-speed bullet trains and the metro. However, be prepared for the following when planning to travel:

  • For long distances, consider taking a high-speed train.
  • Always carry your passports when traveling on trains or buses.
  • Taxis in China are safe and reliable, however, It’s preferable to use established taxi companies instead of hailing a taxi in the street.

Where to Go Next from China: Nearby Destinations and Excursions

China is a fantastic stop for travelers, and there are many options for travel destinations post-China. Here are some nearby destinations that you can explore after exploring China:

  • Japan
  • South Korea
  • Vietnam
  • Laos
  • Thailand

Conclusion

China is a beautiful and diverse place to explore. With breathtaking natural beauty, fascinating culture, and delicious cuisine, it offers an incredible travel experience. Whether you prefer adventure, history, or relaxation, China has something to offer for everyone. Explore and immerse yourself in all that China has to offer!

Tiananmen, Beijing Tiananmen, Beijing Li River near Guilin Li River near Guilin Statue of Laozi in Quanzhou Statue of Laozi in Quanzhou The Great Wall The Great Wall The entrance to the Imperial City nowadays features a Mao picture and red flags The entrance to the Imperial City nowadays features a Mao picture and red flags Hainan is a popular destination in tropical China Hainan is a popular destination in tropical China Chinese New Year Chinese New Year Map of Chinese dialects Map of Chinese dialects A typical A typical "Chinglish" sign Visa policy of China Visa policy of China Map showing visa waiver program eligibility for visitors to China. Map showing visa waiver program eligibility for visitors to China. An announcement above a hotel's reception desk lists acceptable document types (including a foreign citizen's passport, 外国人“护照”) for guest registration An announcement above a hotel's reception desk lists acceptable document types (including a foreign citizen's passport, 外国人“护照”) for guest registration Looking from Vietnam into China Looking from Vietnam into China Going by train between Mongolia and China, the carriages will need new wheels Going by train between Mongolia and China, the carriages will need new wheels An example of An example of "health code" Maglev train in Shanghai Maglev train in Shanghai Rail map of China Rail map of China A long-distance buses from Beijing to Xilinhot A long-distance buses from Beijing to Xilinhot Local buses in Pinghe County, Fujian, connect the county seat with rural towns Local buses in Pinghe County, Fujian, connect the county seat with rural towns A highway bus stop in Qujiang, Nanjing County, Fujian. The sign lists departure times for buses to Xiamen A highway bus stop in Qujiang, Nanjing County, Fujian. The sign lists departure times for buses to Xiamen A row of Mobike dockless bikes A row of Mobike dockless bikes Karst formations, Guilin Karst formations, Guilin Temples at Mt Wutai Temples at Mt Wutai Peach blossoms in a Chinese park Peach blossoms in a Chinese park Square dancers at the Temple of Heaven in Beijing Square dancers at the Temple of Heaven in Beijing Chinese coins and bills Chinese coins and bills Inside a mall in Dalian Inside a mall in Dalian Alipay (blue) and WeChat Pay (green) accepted here Alipay (blue) and WeChat Pay (green) accepted here Porcelain at Shanghai's antique market Porcelain at Shanghai's antique market Merchandise at a market in China Merchandise at a market in China A fish dish in a Yangzhou restaurant A fish dish in a Yangzhou restaurant A karaoke place near the Huazhong University of Science and Technology campus in Wuhan A karaoke place near the Huazhong University of Science and Technology campus in Wuhan Rural inn in Shennongjia, Hubei Rural inn in Shennongjia, Hubei Signage over a budget hotel in Yangzhou Signage over a budget hotel in Yangzhou A mid-range hotel in Yangzhou with a couple of cheaper establishments nestled on its first floor A mid-range hotel in Yangzhou with a couple of cheaper establishments nestled on its first floor Typical public security police officers Typical public security police officers A typical PAP soldier A typical PAP soldier Chengguan officers of Shantou Chengguan officers of Shantou Traffic in Shenyang Traffic in Shenyang The Chinese bamboo viper The Chinese bamboo viper Shanghai skyline Shanghai skyline N95 mask for dealing with China smog N95 mask for dealing with China smog Tea-serving at a restaurant in China Tea-serving at a restaurant in China No spitting please No spitting please A typical Chinese wall socket A typical Chinese wall socket Traditional smoking pipes for sale Traditional smoking pipes for sale Inside an Internet café in Tongyang, Hubei Inside an Internet café in Tongyang, Hubei A China Telecom shop A China Telecom shop


    East China
    North China
    Northeast China
    Northwest China
    South China
    South-central China
    Southwest China