China invites you with ancient cities, futuristic skylines, and vast landscapes that range from mountains to subtropical coasts. You experience living history alongside fast-moving modern life on every trip.
Discover China
Discover China
Why visit China?
What to expect
From Beijing and Shanghai to Guangzhou, Chengdu, and Shenzhen, each region offers its own pace, dialects, and style. Expect efficient high-speed rail, busy city streets, and quieter old quarters and riverfronts.
Plan your trip
You can combine several cities in one journey thanks to strong domestic air and rail links. China also works well as a starting point to explore wider East Asia, with major hubs offering many regional connections.
Top experiences in China
Walk Beijing's historic heart
Explore imperial palaces, broad ceremonial avenues, and traditional hutong alleys to see how China balances heritage with a modern capital skyline.
Soak in Shanghai's waterfront skyline
Stroll the Bund for river views of historic banks facing the glass towers of Pudong, then wander into former concession districts filled with galleries and boutiques.
Discover Chengdu's panda conservation centres
Visit dedicated urban and suburban reserves to see giant pandas in naturalistic enclosures and learn about ongoing conservation work.
Unwind along Hangzhou's West Lake
Walk, cycle, or take a gentle boat ride between willow-lined causeways, gardens, and tea-covered hills that frame this storied lake.
Experience Shenzhen's design and tech districts
Browse creative parks and waterfront promenades where showrooms, galleries, and cafés sit beside major tech campuses and malls.
Explore Guangzhou's riverfront cityscape
Cruise along the Pearl River to see illuminated bridges, contemporary towers, and historic neighbourhoods that trace the city’s trading past.
Wander old streets in Xiamen and Chongqing
In Xiamen, seaside promenades and old quarters meet university life, while Chongqing’s steep streets and river views give the city a distinctive vertical character.
Experience China’s way of life
Getting around
High-speed rail links many major cities, making multi-city itineraries practical and comfortable. In urban areas you can rely on extensive metro systems, taxis, and ride-hailing apps, while domestic flights connect longer distances efficiently.
Local life & culture
Daily life in China blends neighbourhood parks, bustling squares, and lively streets where people gather to socialise, exercise, and shop. You will notice clear regional identities, accents, and traditions as you move between the north, south, and inland provinces.
Where to unwind
You can find calm in city parks, lakeside promenades, riverfront paths, and hillside viewpoints around most major cities. Many visitors also seek out teahouses, scenic walking trails, and landscaped gardens for a slower pace between urban sights.
A taste of China
National dishes & specialties
Regional culinary traditions are strong, from northern wheat-based staples and rich Beijing and Shandong flavours to the bold tastes of Sichuan in Chengdu and the lighter, delicate styles of Cantonese cooking in Guangzhou and Shenzhen.
Casual & modern dining hubs
In cities such as Shanghai, Shenzhen, and Xiamen, you can move easily between street-side eateries, contemporary cafés, and modern food halls, with everything from local favourites to international flavours in one district.
Signature & scenic dining
Look for restaurants with skyline views in Shanghai and Shenzhen, lakeside terraces in Hangzhou, and river-facing venues in Chongqing and Guangzhou for meals that pair cityscapes with distinctive regional cooking.
Retail therapy in China
Malls & lifestyle hubs
Shanghai, Shenzhen, and Guangzhou feature large, modern malls with international labels, local designers, cinemas, and dining, often linked directly to metro stations for easy access.
Markets & local crafts
You can browse neighbourhood markets and smaller shopping streets in Beijing, Chengdu, and Hangzhou for souvenirs, textiles, tea, and handicrafts that reflect each city’s character.
Evening retail scene
After dark, commercial streets and waterfront districts in Shanghai, Shenzhen, and Xiamen light up with shops, cafés, and street vendors, creating a lively atmosphere that often runs late into the night.
Best time to visit China
Spring shoulder season (March to May) brings mild weather in many eastern cities, with temperatures around 15–22°C (59–72°F), making it comfortable for sightseeing before summer crowds. Summer peak season (June to August) is warm to hot, often 25–32°C (77–90°F) in cities such as Shanghai, Guangzhou, and Shenzhen, with higher humidity along the south and east coasts. Autumn shoulder season (September to early November) usually offers clear days and pleasant temperatures of about 15–24°C (59–75°F) in Beijing, Shanghai, and Chengdu, ideal for city walks and outdoor views. Winter low season (late November to February) can be cold in northern cities such as Beijing, often near or below 0°C (32°F), while southern cities like Guangzhou and Shenzhen stay milder around 10–18°C (50–64°F).