If you’re trotting around East Asia, no country is more dynamic and enigmatic than China. As the world’s oldest continuous civilization, China is a must-see destination for travelers. Anyone who ventures to its expanses won’t just see the history of the nation play out before their eye, but also the future.
Cities like Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, and Xi’an fast-forwarded into China’s modern era, becoming, in many ways, some of the world’s most significant urban development success stories. Not to say it always went according to plan, but these powerhouses still wear their history on their sleeves when you dig a little.
Between the glass skyscrapers and glitzy, air-conditioned malls, you’ll discover age-old temples, grandiose palaces, alleyways lined with street food vendors, traditional restaurants that have been run for generations, and some surprisingly green patches that completely disrupt China’s gloomy environmental stereotype.
Outside of the cities is a new world altogether. If you can brave the difficulty of travelling towards China’s frontiers, you’ll be introduced to a world that can, oftentimes, seem frozen in time. Despite the growing image of China as an industrial and economic powerhouse, there’s still plenty of space where stillness and serenity are more commonplace than the hustle and bustle.
Even as mass tourism sweeps through places like Lijiang, Pingyao, and Yangshuo, experiencing their historic streets and dramatic landscapes truly rounds out the experience of spending time in China’s more famous cities.
Not sure where to start planning your travels? Get the low-down with this quick & easy China travel guide…
When to visit China
Asking a question like the best time to visit China immediately sets the answerer up for failure. Unlike in smaller East Asian destinations like Hong Kong or Taiwan, it’s impossible to pinpoint exactly when to travel to this vast continent-like country.
If we were to choose arbitrarily, spring (April to May) and autumn (September to October) are among the best months for tourists to visit China. The summer high season can be more than a little uncomfortable for most as both temperatures and crowds swell throughout the country.
In spring, the weather in China is generally mild, with temperatures ranging between 10°C and 23°C (50°F and 73°F). You’ll have better luck planning a trip in northern China than in the south, where heavy rains already start to pile up as summer nears.
An even better choice is to visit China in the fall. In autumn (particularly September and October), the country is relatively dry, with mild to warm temperatures ranging from 15°C to 27°C (59 to 81°F).
Where to go in China
What makes China so special for travellers is its immense diversity. While most think solely of things like the Great Wall of China or the Forbidden City, some of China’s best moments are those that are discovered unexpectedly.
Perhaps it’s the Muslim Quarter of Xian, the giant pandas and spicy food of Chengdu, the karst peaks of Yangshuo, or the Silk Road-inspired bazaar of Kashgar that moves that thinking outside of the box. Either way, when you plan a visit to China, you’ll need to strap in because it’s always going to be one hell of an adventure.
Looking for quick ideas on where to go in China? Check out these featured travel resources:
Beijing
If there’s any place to start exploring China, it’s Beijing. The bustling Chinese capital combines the best of China’s past & future into one (perhaps not-so) tight package. Whatever you desire, whether it’s chomping down on some mouth-watering street food, hopping between temples and palaces, or escaping the heat and droppin’ down some yuan in air-conditioned fashion boutiques, you’ll hit it all in Beijing.
And all that love for the city comes without even mentioning its grandest attraction: The Great Wall of China. This crowning achievement of humankind lies just outside the city (1-2 hours away from some of the most popular sections). It is the single most brag-worthy destination in the country—and, perhaps, alongside the pyramids of Egypt, one of the most notable ancient wonders in the entire world.
Chengdu
Although it’s hardly as touristy as other more famous Chinese cities, the sprawling city of Chengdu has nonetheless carved a spot in the hearts of travelers for its oh-so-adorable pandas and fiery cuisine, which offer some of the wildest flavors in the country.
Even if its most obvious charms don’t trap you at first glance, Chengdu’s lesser-known ones might. Besides Chengdu’s famous cuisine (this city is recognized by UNESCO for its gastronomy), there’s a thriving tea culture here and a surprisingly hip and diverse nightlife scene offering everything from quiet nights chatting over craft beers to loud late nights in the club.
Guangzhou
While it may not have the household names of Beijing or Shanghai, the often-overlooked city of Guangzhou (once better known as Canton) is a surprisingly interesting travel destination for urban travelers.
Front and centre in mainland China’s Pearl River Delta region (the most populated urban conglomeration in the world, actually!), Guangzhou’s got plenty to keep anyone busy—even if it doesn’t look like much from the surface.
Tucked away beneath the layers of hyper-modernism, you’ll discover age-old temples, bustling markets, pockets of colonial architecture left over by the British, and, most importantly to foodies, a whole array of edible delights that are among China’s finest.
Hangzhou
Although it’s not as popular as nearby Shanghai, the lakeside city of Hangzhou is one of China’s most charming urban destinations and a popular destination for Chinese vacationers. Hangzhou’s heart beats at West Lake, a dreamy body of water fringed by rolling green hills topped off with ancient pagodas.
Besides wallowing in the lake’s beauty, visitors to Hangzhou will simply love wandering through the city’s urban core, stumbling upon age-old temples and traditional merchant houses, while sampling some of the tastiest food that China has to offer.
Shanghai
Next to the capital, the most populous Chinese city, Shanghai, takes the second slot as one of the best places to visit in China for lovers of urban travel. Although its ancient charms are a little less prominent than Beijing’s, Shanghai has plenty of its own appeal to keep visitors interested.
Not long ago, Shanghai’s strategic location left colonial powers vying for control. They left behind an architectural legacy that’s like nothing you’d imagine finding in China. Strolling through the leafy French Concession or along the elegant Bund will put to rest any doubts that Shanghai is worth visiting.
And, of course, there’s that whole space-age thing. From the 20th-century graces of The Bund, stare across the Huangpu River for a glimpse at what the 21st century has brought to Shanghai. The Pudong skyline has become one of the most recognizable in the world. Getting to pop into one of its skyscrapers to check it out from above is truly one of the great pleasures in visiting the under-appreciated city of Shanghai.
Ready to plan your trip? Get started with these featured resources from our Shanghai Travel Guide:
Suzhou
Although only 30 minutes from central Shanghai by train, Suzhou feels like a completely different world when compared to the neighbouring megapolis. Surprising for some, Suzhou’s a thriving metropolis in its own right. It’s home to over 4 million people in the city proper and is one of the fastest-growing cities in China.
In visiting Suzhou, however, it’s easy to lose that feeling. Unlike many Chinese cities, Suzhou has managed to preserve its heritage grandly. Outside of the usual urban sprawl that comes with housing millions, Suzhou showcases its past as well as any city in China, alongside its picturesque canals and within its exquisite gardens, including the UNESCO-listed Humble Administrator’s Garden, one of the finest of its kind in the country.
Xian
Once you’ve tackled the basics, there’s no better place to expand your exploration of China than Xian. At the crossroads of Central Asia, this former Silk Road city was a prominent trading post and an important ancient Chinese cultural center where emperors, artists, and traders once mingled.
Wandering about Xian, it’s not difficult to grasp its illustrious roots. Xian’s touristic centre is still encased by its Ming-era city walls, offering some of the most interesting views you’ll find in any modern Chinese city. In the bustling Muslim Quarter, the spirit of the Silk Road surges back to life as vendors dish out Xian’s most delectable food, which is some of the most unique in the country.
Although the city itself is worthy of a visit, visitors come to Xian from far and wide to get a taste of its main course: the Army of the Terracotta Warriors. This wonder of the ancient world, uncovered by local farmers in 1974, features thousands of life-sized warrior statues guarding the subterranean tomb of Emperor Qin Shi Huang and is one of China’s must-see attractions.
What to eat in China
If there’s anything I can say about China, it’s that it’s a foodie destination par excellence. And that greasy Chinese takeout that you love to chow down on back home isn’t exactly what you should expect here.
Flavours in China are as complex as they are varied. Vast regional differences in climates and local cultures leave no single thread running through Chinese cuisine. Whether it’s the Turkic influences in Uyghur food or the spicy tangy of Sichuan, there’s always something new for your palate to discover in China.
Not sure what awaits your taste buds? Here are some ideas for what to eat in China:
- Xiaolongbao: If there’s any dish that lays down the perfect introduction to Chinese food, it’s this delectable soup dumpling from Shanghai. Stuffed with ingredients like ground pork, scallions, and ginger, it’s one of those melt-in-your-mouth dishes that’ll always keep you craving more.
- Roasted Duck: In Beijing, the king of all foods is its famous Peking duck. The duck meat is cooked to juicy perfection while the skin is basted with syrup and brought to a satisfying crisp.
- Char Siu: Like roasted duck, this Cantonese barbecue dish creates a succulent pork tenderloin with a sweet and savoury outer finish.
- Xiao Mian (Chongqing Noodles): A traditional breakfast around the city of Chongqing, this delicious noodle dish consists of thin wheat noodles doused in a variety of spices, including the Sichuan pepper that bestows its fiery reputation. Chongqing noodles are served both with and without soup.
Transportation
Getting there
Unlike many other East Asian countries, getting to China isn’t necessarily the most straightforward process. Most travelers will need to apply for a visa for China before they can even consider hopping on a plane.
If you’re only interested in a limited stay in one of the more popular cities (Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Xian), however, there’s another option: 144-hour visa-free entry to China.
With this option, you’ll be able to stay within your region of landing for up to 144 hours starting at 00:00 on the day following your arrival. The only stipulation is that your outbound flight from China must be to a third country (Hong Kong and Macau would count towards this requirement). It’s a fantastic option for those who want to visit China without all the complex paperwork!
By air
The two busiest airports in China for international arrivals are Beijing Capital International Airport (PEK) and Shanghai Pudong International Airport (PVG). Due to the economic importance of each city, there are plenty of daily flights in and out to international destinations. Some of the airlines flying into PEK and PVG include Air China, China Eastern Airlines, China Southern Airlines, and Shanghai Airlines.
Getting around
By train
With China’s extensive rail network undergoing rapid upgrades, traveling by train is undoubtedly the best way to explore China. New high-speed lines are seemingly always being opened to reduce travel times between major Chinese cities. Sample journey times include Beijing to Shanghai (5 hours), Beijing to Guangzhou (8 hours), and Beijing to Xian (4.5 to 6 hours).
By bus
If high-speed trains aren’t available (or budget is a concern), buses are another alternative for getting around China. In more remote parts of China, buses might even be the only option. Keep in mind that long-distance buses in China are generally slower and less convenient than trains.
