China offers ancient cities, dramatic landscapes, and fast-evolving metropolises that blend deep history with cutting-edge modern life. You will find imperial palaces, peaceful temples, and futuristic skylines in a single journey.
Discover China
Discover China
Why visit China?
What to expect
From Beijing and Shanghai in the east to Chengdu and Chongqing in the west, China spans diverse climates, dialects, and city characters. High-speed rail, towering business districts, old towns, and riverfront promenades sit side by side.
Plan your trip
China suits both short city breaks and longer multi-city itineraries linking coastal hubs with inland cultural centres. With strong domestic air and rail networks, it is also an effective gateway for exploring wider East Asia.
Top experiences in China
Walk Beijing's imperial heart
Explore Beijing's grand avenues, historic hutong alleyways, and landmark imperial sites that reveal centuries of dynastic history at the capital's core.
Soak in Shanghai's skyline
Stroll along the Bund at dusk for views of historic riverfront facades facing the neon glow and soaring towers of Pudong across the water.
Discover Chengdu's slow rhythm
Unwind in Chengdu's traditional teahouses, leafy streets, and parks, and feel the city's famously relaxed pace of life.
Cruise the rivers around Chongqing
Join a river cruise from Chongqing to see steep hillsides, bridges, and misty gorges that define this mountainous region.
Explore Hangzhou's West Lake
Walk or cycle around West Lake's scenic causeways, gardens, and pagodas, framed by low hills and classical vistas.
Uncover coastal life in Xiamen
Enjoy Xiamen's seaside promenades, leafy university district, and nearby historic islands that showcase southern China's maritime heritage.
Experience Shenzhen's creative districts
Browse galleries, design shops, and modern waterfront parks in Shenzhen's regenerated neighbourhoods and tech-driven cityscape.
Experience China’s way of life
Getting around
China's extensive high-speed rail network, domestic flights, and intercity coaches link major hubs such as Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Chengdu, and Chongqing efficiently. Within cities, metro systems and app-based taxis are usually the fastest way to move between districts.
Local life & culture
City life in China balances rapid innovation with long-held customs, from morning exercises in public parks to evening gatherings along rivers and squares. Each region expresses its own dialect, festivals, crafts, and architecture, giving every stop on your trip a distinct local personality.
Where to unwind
You can slow down in classical gardens and lakeside promenades in places like Hangzhou, coastal walks in Xiamen, or forested hills and rivers near Chengdu and Chongqing. Urban parks across major cities offer quiet corners, ponds, and tree-lined paths ideal for a calm break from the city buzz.
A taste of China
National dishes & specialties
China is known for distinct regional cuisines, from bold, peppery flavours in Chengdu and Chongqing to delicate dishes in Hangzhou and refined northern classics in Beijing. Coastal cities such as Guangzhou, Shenzhen, and Xiamen highlight fresh seafood and light, aromatic preparations.
Casual & modern dining hubs
Across cities like Shanghai, Beijing, Shenzhen, and Guangzhou, casual eateries sit beside contemporary restaurants, offering everything from noodles and street snacks to modern takes on regional favourites. Food streets, shopping districts, and office quarters make it easy to find a quick, flavourful meal at any time of day.
Signature & scenic dining
You can dine with city views along Shanghai's riverfront, in atmospheric courtyards in Beijing, beside lakeside pavilions in Hangzhou, or overlooking hilly skylines in Chongqing and Chengdu. Many restaurants pair local ingredients with thoughtfully designed interiors for memorable evenings out.
Retail therapy in China
Malls & lifestyle hubs
Beijing, Shanghai, Shenzhen, and Guangzhou feature large malls and mixed-use centres that bring together international brands, local designers, cinemas, and dining. These urban complexes often connect directly to metro stations, making them convenient stops between sightseeing.
Markets & local crafts
In cities such as Beijing, Chengdu, and Hangzhou, you can browse streets and markets for calligraphy, tea, textiles, and handicrafts that reflect regional traditions. Smaller neighbourhood markets showcase everyday life through stalls selling seasonal produce and locally made goods.
Evening retail scene
After dark, shopping streets and lifestyle districts in Shanghai, Shenzhen, Guangzhou, and Xiamen glow with illuminated storefronts, late-opening boutiques, and lively pedestrian zones. Many areas combine retail with cafés and casual spots to sit and people-watch into the evening.
Best time to visit China
Spring (March to May, shoulder season) brings mild conditions to many regions, with typical temperatures around 10–22°C (50–72°F) in major cities, making it pleasant for urban sightseeing and outdoor walks. Summer (June to August, peak season) is generally warm to hot, often around 24–32°C (75–90°F) in cities such as Shanghai, Guangzhou, Chengdu, and Chongqing, with higher humidity and occasional rain. Autumn (September to November, shoulder season) is usually comfortable in most eastern and southern cities, with temperatures of roughly 12–24°C (54–75°F) and clearer skies that suit longer days outdoors, while winter months (December to February, low season) can be cold in northern cities like Beijing, often near or below 0–8°C (32–46°F).