China blends ancient cities, modern skylines, and vast landscapes, from imperial palaces to fast-growing tech hubs. You will find a rich mix of heritage, innovation, and everyday life at every turn.
Discover China
Discover China
Why visit China?
What to expect
From Beijing and Shanghai to Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Chengdu, Chongqing, Xiamen, and Hangzhou, each city offers its own pace, architecture, and cultural highlights. High-speed rail and domestic flights make it easy to pair historic heartlands with coastal or inland centres.
Plan your trip
Use China as a starting point to explore wider East Asia, with strong air, rail, and road links between major regions. Allow time to adjust to the scale of the country, and plan your route around the specific cities and experiences you value most.
Top experiences in China
Walk Beijing's historic quarters
Explore Beijing's grand avenues and preserved neighbourhoods, where broad boulevards sit alongside narrow lanes, imperial landmarks, and contemporary cultural spaces.
Experience Shanghai's waterfront skyline
Stroll along the Bund to see historic riverfront buildings facing the striking modern towers of Pudong, especially atmospheric at night when the city lights up.
Unwind by West Lake in Hangzhou
Spend a slow afternoon around Hangzhou's West Lake, with tree-lined paths, traditional pavilions, and views that have inspired poets and artists for centuries.
Discover Chengdu's relaxed urban vibe
Feel Chengdu's laid-back rhythm in its parks and teahouses, and use the city as a base for exploring the surrounding Sichuan countryside and mountain scenery.
Follow the rivers through Chongqing
See Chongqing's dramatic skyline above the confluence of major rivers, with layered cityscapes, viewpoints, and steep streets that reveal the city's unique topography.
Explore coastal Xiamen
Enjoy Xiamen's sea breezes, waterside promenades, and nearby islands, where European-influenced architecture and leafy streets give the city a distinctive charm.
Trace innovation in Shenzhen and Guangzhou
Visit Shenzhen and Guangzhou to experience cutting-edge design districts, modern art spaces, and dynamic business centres that reflect China's rapid transformation.
Experience China's way of life
Getting around
China's major hubs are linked by an extensive high-speed rail network and frequent domestic flights, making multi-city journeys straightforward. Within cities, metro systems, taxis, and app-based ride services are widely used for getting between districts and attractions.
Local life & culture
Daily life in China flows from early-morning parks to lively streets and public squares in the evening, with traditions expressed through language, festivals, and regional customs. Each city reveals a different balance of heritage streets, modern neighbourhoods, and creative districts.
Where to unwind
Seek out lakeside paths in Hangzhou, riverfront walks in Shanghai, and waterfront promenades in Xiamen and Guangzhou for gentle urban escapes. In Chengdu and Chongqing, green spaces and nearby hills offer fresh air, viewpoints, and a slower pace.
A taste of China
National dishes & specialties
China is known for regional cuisines such as Beijing's northern specialities, Shanghai's refined dishes, Cantonese cooking in Guangzhou and Shenzhen, and bold flavours in Chengdu and Chongqing. Each city offers signature dishes that reflect its history and local ingredients.
Casual & modern dining hubs
In cities like Shanghai, Beijing, Shenzhen, and Hangzhou, you will find everything from simple local eateries to creative bistros and contemporary dining streets. Food courts, casual restaurants, and neighbourhood favourites make it easy to explore a variety of tastes in a single trip.
Signature & scenic dining
Look for restaurants with river or skyline views in Shanghai, Guangzhou, Shenzhen, and Chongqing, or lakeside spots near West Lake in Hangzhou. In historic districts, atmospheric courtyards and restored buildings add a sense of place to each meal.
Retail therapy in China
Malls & lifestyle hubs
Shanghai, Beijing, Shenzhen, and Guangzhou feature large malls and lifestyle complexes with international brands, local designers, cinemas, and entertainment. Newer districts in Chengdu and Hangzhou also combine shopping, dining, and leisure in one place.
Markets & local crafts
Seek out markets and specialist streets in Beijing, Shanghai, Chengdu, and Xiamen for crafts, tea, calligraphy supplies, and regional products. Smaller boutiques and workshops often sit alongside traditional-style lanes and restored historic quarters.
Evening retail scene
In major cities such as Shanghai, Shenzhen, Guangzhou, and Chongqing, illuminated shopping streets, late-opening malls, and lively commercial districts keep the atmosphere bright after dark. Many neighbourhoods stay active well into the evening, with shops and cafes welcoming night-time visitors.
Best time to visit China
Spring shoulder season (March to May) brings mild weather across many parts of China, with average temperatures around 10–22°C (50–72°F) in major eastern cities. Autumn shoulder season (September to early November) offers comfortable conditions of about 12–24°C (54–75°F), often with clearer skies. Summer peak season (June to August) can be hot and humid in cities like Shanghai, Guangzhou, and Shenzhen, with averages of 25–33°C (77–91°F), while some inland areas experience strong sun and higher daytime temperatures. Winter low season (December to February) is coldest in northern cities such as Beijing and can be crisp and cool but more moderate further south, with averages ranging from below freezing in the north to around 8–15°C (46–59°F) in southern coastal regions.