Curated Destinations

Explore China

Twenty remarkable cities, each with its own story. Honest guides crafted for the curious foreign traveler.

Northern China

Imperial grandeur and ancient capitals

Beijing

Beijing

The Imperial Capital

3-5 daysView →

Eastern China

Cosmopolitan cities and water-town elegance

Shanghai

Shanghai

Where East Meets West

2-3 daysView →
Hangzhou

Hangzhou

Paradise on Earth

2–3 daysView →
Suzhou

Suzhou

Venice of the East

2–3 daysView →

Central China

Terracotta warriors and misty peaks

Xi'an

Xi'an

Ancient Capital of 13 Dynasties

2-3 daysView →
Zhangjiajie

Zhangjiajie

The Avatar Mountains

3–4 daysView →
Fenghuang

Fenghuang

The Phoenix Ancient Town

2-3 days, combinable with Zhangjiajie (4 hours away) for a 5-7 day Hunan tripView →

Southwest China

Karst landscapes, spice, and ethnic diversity

Chengdu

Chengdu

Land of Pandas & Spice

2-3 daysView →
Chongqing

Chongqing

The Cyberpunk Mountain City

3–4 daysView →
Guilin & Yangshuo

Guilin & Yangshuo

China's Most Beautiful Landscape

3-4 days (split between Guilin and Yangshuo)View →
Kunming

Kunming

The Spring City

2-3 days for the city, 5-7 days if exploring nearby Dali and LijiangView →
Dali

Dali

The Laid-Back Kingdom

3–5 daysView →
Lijiang

Lijiang

The Ancient Naxi Kingdom

2–4 days (add 2 days for Tiger Leaping Gorge)View →
Jiuzhaigou

Jiuzhaigou

Valley of Nine Villages

2–3 daysView →

Western China

Silk Road deserts and Himalayan horizons

Dunhuang

Dunhuang

Gateway to the Silk Road

2–3 daysView →
Lhasa

Lhasa

Roof of the World

4–6 days (including 1–2 days for altitude acclimatization)View →
Xinjiang

Xinjiang

China's Wild West

7-14 days minimum to cover the key regions; Xinjiang is enormous and distances are vastView →

Special Regions

Where East meets West in vibrant contrast

Hong Kong

Hong Kong

East Meets West

3–5 daysView →
Macau

Macau

The Las Vegas of Asia

2-3 days for a thorough visit including Taipa and ColoaneView →

Mountain

Granite spires above the sea of clouds

Huangshan

Huangshan

China's Most Beautiful Mountain

3-4 days (1-2 on the mountain, 1-2 for Hongcun/Xidi villages and Tunxi Old Street)View →

Practical Information

Getting Between Cities

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High-Speed Rail

China's bullet trains are fast, cheap, and reliable. Book on Trip.com or 12306 app. G-trains hit 350km/h.

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Domestic Flights

Best for long distances (Beijing to Chengdu/Guilin). Book via Trip.com. Expect delays — build buffer time.

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Booking Tips

Use Trip.com (English-friendly) for trains and flights. Book trains 2-3 days ahead for popular routes. Passport required.