Beijing
Beijing Municipality
Imperial palaces, hutongs and the Great Wall.
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20 cities
Nanjing
Jiangsu
Ming walls, museums and Qinhuai river lanes.
Shanghai
Shanghai Municipality
Riverfront skylines, lane houses and dumplings.
Suzhou
Jiangsu
Classical gardens, canals and silk-town lanes.
Guangzhou
Guangdong
Dim sum, ornate halls and Pearl River views.
Shenzhen
Guangdong
Coastal parks, art spaces and a modern skyline.
Xiamen
Fujian
Island architecture, coastal walks and snacks.
Hangzhou
Zhejiang
West Lake, wooded temples and tea villages.
Xi'an
Shaanxi
Terracotta soldiers, city walls and noodles.
Qingdao
Shandong
Coastal villas, seafood and brewing history.
Chengdu
Sichuan
Pandas, teahouses and bold Sichuan flavors.
Luoyang
Henan
Buddhist cliff art and ancient-capital history.
Kunming
Yunnan
Lakeside parks, rice noodles and Stone Forest.
Guilin
Guangxi
Limestone peaks, river trips and rural trails.
Harbin
Heilongjiang
Winter ice art and Russian-style streets.
Chongqing
Chongqing Municipality
Hillside streets, river views and fiery hotpot.
Dali
Yunnan
Bai old towns, lake views and mountain air.
Lijiang
Yunnan
Naxi courtyard towns beneath mountain peaks.
Zhangjiajie
Hunan
Sandstone peaks and forested mountain trails.
Sanya
Hainan
Tropical beaches, forest trails and bay views.
Travel guide
Plan a China trip with fewer wrong turns
Use the guide below for route, season, budget, and city-combination context.
Read the full China city guide
Choosing a destination
How to Choose Cities for a China Trip
China is huge — bigger than the continental US — and choosing the right combination of cities can feel overwhelming. A practical approach is to pick one major hub (Beijing, Shanghai, or Chengdu), then add one or two nearby stops by high-speed train. That's a balanced structure for a 10-14 day trip.
Ask yourself three questions before you decide which cities to visit in China:
- What's your travel style? If you want history and iconic sights, Beijing and Xi'an are unbeatable. If you prefer modern skylines and café culture, Shanghai and Hangzhou feel more like home. If you're chasing nature and big landscapes, Zhangjiajie and Chongqing deliver.
- How's your budget? Shanghai and Beijing are pricier for hotels and food; Chengdu, Chongqing, and Xi'an are noticeably cheaper, especially for street food and mid-range stays.
- Is English your comfort zone? Shanghai and Beijing are the two easiest cities for English-speaking travelers. Xi'an and Chengdu are manageable in tourist areas, while Chongqing and Zhangjiajie require a bit more patience and translation apps.
The short version: for an iconic history route, combine Beijing and Xi'an; for a modern and scenic route, combine Shanghai and Hangzhou. Both routes balance distinctive sights, efficient transport, and enough variety for a rewarding trip.
Side-by-side
The 7 Best Cities to Visit in China, Compared
Here's our practical comparison of the best cities to visit in China, ranked by budget, sights, food, transport, and overall travel experience — not just by fame.
| City | Best for | Overall fit | Suggested stay |
|---|---|---|---|
| Beijing | History, Great Wall, imperial sights | ★★★★★ | 4-5 days |
| Xi'an | Terracotta Warriors, ancient city wall | ★★★★ | 2-3 days |
| Shanghai | Modern skyline, food, comfort | ★★★★★ | 3-4 days |
| Chengdu | Giant pandas, hotpot, relaxed pace | ★★★★ | 2-3 days |
| Hangzhou | West Lake, tea villages, day trips | ★★★★ | 2 days |
| Chongqing | Mountain city, river views, spicy food | ★★★ | 2-3 days |
| Zhangjiajie | Avatar mountains, national park | ★★★ | 3-4 days |
Beijing and Shanghai are two of China's most convenient major hubs. Beijing brings the Great Wall, Forbidden City, and hutongs, while Shanghai offers efficient transport, world-class food, and modern neighborhoods. Xi'an is an excellent addition from Beijing: it's about 4.5 hours by high-speed train and home to the Terracotta Warriors.
If you only have one week, pick Beijing + Xi'an. If you want a mix of old and new, pick Shanghai + Hangzhou. If you're a foodie, build the trip around Chengdu + Chongqing.
Common questions
Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is best for a China trip?
Beijing is strongest for imperial landmarks and the Great Wall, while Shanghai suits travelers who want modern neighborhoods, museums, food, and easy transport. The best choice depends on your travel style, budget, and route.
How many days should I plan for a China trip?
Plan for at least 10 days if you want to see more than one city. A classic 10-day route is Beijing for 4-5 days, Xi'an for 2-3 days, and Shanghai for 2-3 days, connected by high-speed rail. With only one week, limit the route to two cities so travel time does not overwhelm the experience.
Is China safe and easy to travel for English speakers?
Yes — China is one of the safest countries for tourists, with extremely low violent crime and reliable public transport. The main challenge for English speakers is language: outside of Shanghai and Beijing, English is limited. Download a translation app (Google Translate works with a VPN, or use a local app), save your hotel address in Chinese characters, and you'll be fine.
When is the best time to visit China?
Spring (April-May) and autumn (September-October) are the best seasons for most cities — mild weather, blue skies, and fewer crowds than summer holidays. Avoid the first week of October (National Day) and Chinese New Year, when domestic travel peaks and every major sight is packed.
Ready-made route
A Classic 10-Day China Itinerary
Day 1-4: Beijing. Great Wall at Mutianyu, Forbidden City, Tiananmen, Temple of Heaven, a hutong walk. Take the 4.5-hour train to Xi'an on the afternoon of day 4.
Day 5-6: Xi'an. Terracotta Warriors on day 5 (book a guide or go early), ancient city wall by bike at sunset, Muslim Quarter street food. Fly or take the night train to Shanghai on day 6.
Day 7-10: Shanghai. The Bund at night, Yu Garden, French Concession walk, a day trip to Hangzhou's West Lake (1 hour by train). Fly home from Shanghai — Pudong has the most international flights.
Budget note: this route runs roughly $80–120/day per person for comfortable mid-range travel (nice hotels, high-speed trains, restaurants), or $40–60/day if you're happy with hostels and street food. China is far better value than most people expect — the expensive part is the flight, not the trip itself.
The golden rule for a rewarding China trip: pick fewer cities and go deeper. The travelers who have the best time are the ones who stay 3-4 nights per city and actually soak it in, not the ones who try to tick off six cities in ten days.