China is continent-sized — you can't see it all. Here's how to choose.
The classic first trip (7–10 days)
Beijing (3–4 days) → Xi'an (2 days) → Shanghai (3 days) — history, the Terracotta Warriors, and modern China, connected by high-speed rail. This is the classic for a reason.
Pick by interest
| You love | Go to |
|---|---|
| Imperial history | Beijing, Xi'an, Nanjing |
| Modern skyline | Shanghai, Shenzhen, Chongqing |
| Nature & mountains | Zhangjiajie, Guilin, Huangshan, Yunnan |
| Food pilgrimages | Chengdu, Guangzhou, Xi'an |
| Pandas & slow life | Chengdu |
| Off the beaten path | Yunnan, Guizhou, Gansu (Dunhuang) |
Seasons matter
- Best overall: April–May and September–October
- Avoid: Chinese New Year (late Jan/Feb — everything shut or mobbed) and Golden Week (Oct 1–7 — 700 million people traveling)
- Summer is hot everywhere but fine for the far north and Yunnan's highlands
Getting between cities
High-speed rail for anything under 5–6 hours (Beijing–Shanghai is 4.5h); fly for longer hops. Book trains 15 days ahead.
Browse the destination guides in this section for city-by-city detail, and see Suggested Itineraries for ready-made plans.