China offers a rich blend of ancient heritage, dynamic modern cities, and vast natural landscapes, from imperial palaces and classical gardens to dramatic mountains and river valleys.
Discover China
Discover China
Why visit China?
What to expect
You can explore global hubs like Beijing and Shanghai, tech-forward cities such as Shenzhen and Hangzhou, and culinary centres including Chengdu, Chongqing, Guangzhou, and Xiamen, each with its own distinct pace and character.
Plan your trip
China is a rewarding long-haul destination from Auckland and a gateway to East Asia, with an extensive domestic rail and air network that makes multi-city journeys simple to plan once you arrive.
Top experiences in China
Walk Beijing's imperial heart
Stroll vast courtyards, ancient halls, and historic city axes as you explore Beijing's imperial sites and grand ceremonial spaces.
Soak up Shanghai's skyline
Take in riverfront views along the Bund and look across to the futuristic towers of Lujiazui, where historic façades meet a striking skyline.
Discover Chengdu's panda sanctuaries
Visit dedicated research bases near Chengdu to see giant pandas in leafy enclosures and learn about ongoing conservation work.
Cruise rivers near Chongqing
Embark on scenic river journeys from Chongqing, where steep hillsides, gorges, and cliffside villages reveal a different side of inland China.
Explore Hangzhou's classic lakeside scenery
Wander paths and walkways around Hangzhou's famed lake, framed by causeways, pavilions, and seasonal blooms.
Experience Shenzhen's creative districts
Spend time in revitalised industrial areas and new cultural quarters in Shenzhen, filled with galleries, studios, and public art.
Uncover Guangzhou's riverfront heritage
Walk tree-lined streets and riverside promenades in Guangzhou, where historic quarters sit alongside contemporary architecture.
Relax on Xiamen's coastal promenades
Enjoy seafront parks, islands, and breezy walkways in Xiamen, a coastal city known for its relaxed pace and maritime views.
Experience China’s way of life
Getting around
China's high-speed rail network links major cities such as Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, and Hangzhou efficiently, while domestic flights connect inland hubs like Chengdu, Chongqing, and Xiamen; within cities, metro systems and ride-hailing apps make local journeys straightforward.
Local life & culture
Daily life in China moves between historic alleyways, leafy parks, and hyper-modern business districts, with locals gathering in public squares for exercise, music, and conversation, and each region expressing its culture through language, festivals, architecture, and arts.
Where to unwind
You can recharge in city parks, tea houses, lakeside paths in Hangzhou, riverfront promenades in Guangzhou and Shanghai, or escape to nearby mountains and scenic reserves around Chengdu and Chongqing for cooler air and wide open views.
A taste of China
National dishes & specialties
From Beijing's roasted delicacies to Chengdu and Chongqing's bold, spicy flavours, Guangdong's lighter Cantonese dishes in Guangzhou and Shenzhen, and Fujian-inspired cooking in Xiamen, each city you visit showcases its own well-loved specialities.
Casual & modern dining hubs
In cities like Shanghai, Beijing, Shenzhen, and Hangzhou, you will find casual eateries, contemporary cafés, and stylish bistros offering everything from regional favourites to international flavours, often clustered around business districts, creative zones, and shopping streets.
Signature & scenic dining
Enjoy sky-high dining with city views in Shanghai and Shenzhen, riverside meals in Guangzhou and Chongqing, or lakeside restaurants in Hangzhou that pair refined cooking with memorable panoramas.
Retail therapy in China
Malls & lifestyle hubs
Shanghai, Beijing, Shenzhen, and Guangzhou are home to expansive malls that bring together international fashion, lifestyle brands, cinemas, and dining, while newer complexes in Chengdu and Hangzhou blend shopping with open-air plazas and cultural spaces.
Markets & local crafts
Seek out markets and boutique streets in cities such as Beijing, Shanghai, and Chengdu for traditional crafts, ceramics, textiles, paper art, and contemporary design pieces created by local makers.
Evening retail scene
After dark, shopping districts in Shanghai, Shenzhen, Guangzhou, and Xiamen stay lively, with illuminated façades, extended opening hours, and streets that invite you to combine browsing, people-watching, and late-night snacks.
Best time to visit China
Spring (March to May, shoulder season) brings mild weather across much of China, with typical temperatures around 12–22°C (54–72°F) in cities such as Shanghai, Hangzhou, and Chengdu, making it pleasant for city walks and scenic outings. Summer (June to August, peak season) is warm to hot, often 25–32°C (77–90°F) or higher in Beijing, Guangzhou, Shenzhen, and Chongqing, with higher humidity in southern cities and cooler air in some upland areas. Autumn (September to November, shoulder season) offers comfortable days of 10–22°C (50–72°F) in many regions, with clearer skies and colourful foliage around cities like Beijing and Chengdu. Winter (December to February, low season) can be cold in northern cities such as Beijing, often between -5–5°C (23–41°F), while southern hubs like Guangzhou, Shenzhen, and Xiamen stay milder at around 10–18°C (50–64°F).