China offers ancient history, fast-changing cities, and sweeping natural landscapes, from imperial palaces and canals to dramatic karst peaks and river valleys.
Discover China
Discover China
Why visit China?
What to expect
You will move between megacities like Beijing, Shanghai, and Shenzhen, heritage-rich hubs such as Hangzhou, Chengdu, and Xiamen, and emerging inland centres like Chongqing and Chengdu.
Plan your trip
China is a gateway to East Asia, with extensive high-speed rail and domestic flights that make it easy to combine several regions in one journey, from coastal ports to inland heartlands.
Top experiences in China
Walk Beijing's imperial heart
Explore Beijing's grand avenues, palace complexes, and historic hutong alleys, where centuries of architecture frame a modern capital skyline.
Experience Shanghai's skyline and Bund
Stroll along the Bund promenade, looking across the Huangpu River to Shanghai's futuristic towers and across the road to European-era facades.
Cruise the West Lake in Hangzhou
Glide across Hangzhou's West Lake by boat to see willow-fringed shores, stone bridges, and islands that have inspired poets for centuries.
Discover Chengdu's relaxed city rhythm
Spend time in Chengdu's traditional lanes and tea houses, and use the city as a base for visiting nearby panda conservation centres.
Soak in Chongqing's riverfront views
Head to Chongqing's hilltop viewpoints and riverside promenades, where the Yangtze and Jialing Rivers meet beneath a cluster of skyscrapers.
Unwind by the sea in Xiamen
Enjoy coastal promenades, breezy island views, and tree-lined streets that reflect Xiamen's maritime heritage.
Explore Guangzhou's river and heritage quarters
Walk through Guangzhou's historic neighbourhoods and along the Pearl River, framed by both ornate old architecture and illuminated bridges.
See Shenzhen's creative districts
Visit Shenzhen's design-led neighbourhoods and redeveloped industrial zones that now host galleries, studios, and concept stores.
Experience China's way of life
Getting around
High-speed trains link major cities such as Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Shenzhen, and Hangzhou, while domestic flights connect coastal hubs with inland centres like Chengdu and Chongqing for longer journeys.
Local life & culture
City life ranges from Beijing's historic hutongs and Shanghai's Art Deco streets to Chengdu's laid-back tea houses and Shenzhen's youthful creative scene, each with its own festivals, arts, and neighbourhood rhythm.
Where to unwind
You can slow down on lakeside promenades in Hangzhou and Xiamen, seek leafy parks and riverside paths in Chengdu and Guangzhou, or escape to nearby mountains and scenic areas on easy day trips.
A taste of China
National dishes & specialties
Each city brings distinct flavours, from Beijing's roasted specialities and Chengdu's bold, numbing spices to Hangzhou's refined river and lake dishes and Guangzhou's Cantonese signatures.
Casual & modern dining hubs
Lively streets and contemporary malls in Shanghai, Shenzhen, and Guangzhou serve everything from quick local bites to modern eateries, while Chengdu, Chongqing, and Xiamen offer relaxed spots popular with residents and students.
Signature & scenic dining
You can enjoy skyline views over the rivers in Shanghai and Chongqing, lakeside meals in Hangzhou, or atmospheric historic settings in Beijing's traditional alleyways and courtyards.
Retail therapy in China
Malls & lifestyle hubs
Shanghai, Beijing, Guangzhou, and Shenzhen feature expansive malls and mixed-use districts where you will find international labels, local designers, cinemas, and lifestyle venues under one roof.
Markets & local crafts
Browse for crafts, textiles, and everyday goods in the markets and older quarters of Beijing, Chengdu, and Hangzhou, or seek independent boutiques and design stores in Shanghai and Shenzhen.
Evening retail scene
After dark, shopping streets in Shanghai, Beijing, and Guangzhou light up with extended opening hours, while Shenzhen and Chengdu offer illuminated plazas and lively mixed-use areas well into the evening.
Best time to visit China
Spring (March to May, shoulder season): Many regions, including Beijing, Shanghai, Chengdu, Guangzhou, Shenzhen, and Hangzhou, see mild temperatures around 15–22°C (59–72°F), with flowers in bloom and comfortable conditions for city walking. Summer (June to August, peak season): Coastal and southern cities such as Shanghai, Xiamen, Guangzhou, Shenzhen, and Hangzhou are warm and humid, often between 26–32°C (79–90°F), while inland cities like Beijing, Chengdu, and Chongqing can feel hotter, with occasional rainstorms. Autumn (September to November, shoulder season): Widely considered one of the most pleasant times, with clearer skies and temperatures around 15–23°C (59–73°F) across Beijing, Shanghai, Chengdu, and other major cities. Winter (December to February, low season): Northern cities including Beijing can be cold, often from -5–5°C (23–41°F), while southern hubs such as Guangzhou, Shenzhen, and Xiamen are cooler but generally milder, from 10–18°C (50–64°F).