China Destinations

Best Cities to Visit in China

Start with the city that matches your trip: ancient history, modern skylines, food, pandas, tea culture, gardens, or classic Chinese landscapes.

First-time route idea

Beijing → Xi’an → Chengdu → Shanghai

A strong first China route: imperial history, ancient capital, pandas and Sichuan food, then modern China.

Browse itinerary guides

15

city hubs

2-5 days

recommended city stays

2026

updated for foreign visitors

Browse by City

Each city page includes a snapshot, itinerary card, food, first-time tips, and a full guide link.

Xi'an travel destination view

Xi'an

Northwest China · China

Step into ancient China with Terracotta Warriors, city wall cycling, Muslim Quarter food, and Silk Road history.

Ancient historyTerracotta WarriorsSilk Road food

Stay

2-3 days

Taste

Roujiamo · Biangbiang noodles

Shenzhen travel destination view

Shenzhen

Guangdong · China

See modern China through tech districts, green parks, skyscrapers, design culture, and Hong Kong-side routes.

Modern Chinaskyscraperstech culture

Stay

2 days

Taste

Dim sum · Roast goose

Guangzhou travel destination view

Guangzhou

Guangdong · China

Taste Cantonese cuisine, Pearl River night views, old trade history, and easy links across southern China.

Cantonese foodPearl River nightsold trade history

Stay

2-3 days

Taste

Dim sum · Roast goose

Hangzhou travel destination view

Hangzhou

Zhejiang · China

Enjoy West Lake, misty temples, Dragon Well tea villages, poetic walks, and a gentle Shanghai side trip.

West Laketea culturescenic walks

Stay

1-2 days

Taste

Dongpo pork · Longjing shrimp

Suzhou travel destination view

Suzhou

Jiangsu · China

Wander classical gardens, old canals, silk heritage, white-wall lanes, and calm Jiangnan scenery near Shanghai.

Classical gardenscanalssilk history

Stay

1-2 days

Taste

Suzhou noodles · Squirrel-shaped mandarin fish

Guilin & Yangshuo travel destination view

Guilin & Yangshuo

Guangxi · China

Plan for Li River karst peaks, Yangshuo countryside, rice noodles, river cruises, and China’s classic landscape views.

Karst landscapesLi River cruisesYangshuo countryside

Stay

2-3 days

Taste

Guilin rice noodles · Yangshuo beer fish

Nanjing travel destination view

Nanjing

Jiangsu · China

Explore Ming history, massive city walls, Qinhuai River night lights, salted duck, and easy rail links from Shanghai.

Ming historycity wallsmuseums

Stay

2-3 days

Taste

Salted duck · Duck blood vermicelli soup

Kunming travel destination view

Kunming

Yunnan · China

Start a Yunnan route with spring-like weather, Stone Forest landscapes, flower markets, and bold local food.

Yunnan culturemild weatherStone Forest

Stay

1-2 days

Taste

Crossing-the-bridge noodles · Wild mushrooms

Qingdao travel destination view

Qingdao

Shandong · China

Relax with beaches, German-era streets, seafood, Tsingtao beer culture, and breezy northern coast views.

Beachesseafoodbeer culture

Stay

2-3 days

Taste

Seafood · Tsingtao beer

Wuhan travel destination view

Wuhan

Hubei · China

Break up a central China route with Yangtze River views, Yellow Crane Tower, East Lake, and breakfast culture.

Yangtze Riverbreakfast cultureYellow Crane Tower

Stay

1-2 days

Taste

Hot dry noodles · Doupi

Zhangjiajie travel destination view

Zhangjiajie

Hunan · China

Plan Avatar mountain scenery, cliff walks, glass bridges, forest park routes, and dramatic nature photography.

Avatar mountainsdramatic cliffsglass bridges

Stay

3-4 days

Taste

Tujia hot pot · Smoked pork

Beijing travel destination view

Beijing

North China · China

Explore imperial palaces, hutong neighborhoods, roast duck, and Great Wall day trips from China’s capital.

Imperial historyForbidden CityGreat Wall day trips

Stay

3-5 days

Taste

Peking duck · Zhajiangmian

Shanghai travel destination view

Shanghai

East China · China

Discover skyline views, historic lanes, modern food scenes, and easy first-arrival travel in China’s most international city.

Modern Chinaskyline viewsfood

Stay

3-5 days

Taste

Xiaolongbao · Shengjianbao

Chengdu travel destination view

Chengdu

Sichuan · China

Slow down with pandas, Sichuan hot pot, tea houses, bamboo greenery, and relaxed western China culture.

PandasSichuan foodtea houses

Stay

3-4 days

Taste

Sichuan hot pot · Mapo tofu

Chongqing travel destination view

Chongqing

Southwest China · China

Navigate a dramatic mountain city of neon river views, layered streets, hot pot, and cinematic urban energy.

Cyberpunk skylinemountain-city viewsspicy food

Stay

2-3 days

Taste

Chongqing hot pot · Xiaomian noodles