china trip reddit

65 Useful Tips for Travelling in China (Backpacker’s Guide)

January 23, 2020.

Everything you need to know about travelling in China. Where to visit, how to get around, safety, and more are covered in this comprehensive travel guide.

So, you’re planning on travelling around China ? Get ready for an incredible time. In total, I’ve spent over three months backpacking all over China – from the large cities of the East all the way to the remote Tibetan plateau.

China is an assault on the senses, in a good way. During your trip, you’ll see epic landscapes, try delicious foods, and meet some of the friendliest people around.

In this post, I’ll go over everything you need to know about travelling in China based on my visits.

After reading this guide, you’ll be ready to head out and see the skyscrapers of Shanghai, the neverending Great Wall, the epic mountains of Tibet, and so so much more.

• 1 Backpacking China
• 2 Visas For Travelling To China
• 3 Safety in China
• 4 Travel Insurance for China
• 5 Best VPN for China
• 6 Money in China
• 7 Communication in China
• 8 Getting to China
• 9 People & Culture of China
• 10 Where to visit in China
• 11 Getting Around China
• 12 China Backpacking Itineraries
• 13 Accommodation in China
• 14 Best Time to Visit China
• 15 Internet & SIM Cards in China
• 16 Solo Travel in China
• 17 Budget for Backpacking China
• 18 China Backpacking Guide Wrap-up

Backpacking China

China is an amazing country to backpack around. It’s not all big cities as some people believe. It’s home to the world’s tallest mountain, the Gobi Desert, as well as incredible rivers, lakes, and forests.  If you only visited the cities of China, you’d be missing out on so much that the country has to offer.

Other than the Han majority, China is home to a ton of different ethnic groups such as Tibetans, Uyghurs, Mongols, Kazakhs, and Koreans. When visiting areas where these ethnic groups are a majority, you’ll basically feel like you’re travelling in a different country.

Oh yes – food. China has amazing food. Every time I leave China, the first thing I miss is the food. Different parts of the country have very different cuisines, ranging from super spicy food in Sichuan, dim sum in Guangdong, and flavourful meat-heavy dishes in Xinjiang.

More people need to add China to their travel bucket list. It’s often overshadowed by other destinations in East Asia, but it’s got so much to offer – it’d be a shame to skip over it. You could spend years travelling around China and still not see it all.

Visas For Travelling To China

1 – Most nationalities need a visa to visit China: Getting a visa is the first step to visiting China. I personally found the application process to be relatively straightforward – you just need to follow the requirements and everything should be okay.

I’m Canadian, so I was able to get a 10-year multi-entry tourist visa which is fantastic. It lets me hop in and out of China as much as I’d like.

For more info on applying for a Chinese visa, check out this guide .

Safety in China

2 – Is it safe to travel to China?: In my opinion, China is safe to travel to. In all of my time travelling around China, I’ve never been shown anything but friendliness and curiosity by locals.

Of course, the same rules as normal still apply here. Don’t get too drunk, avoid talking about politics, and just be respectful to people.

Janurary 2020 Update: There are ongoing protests in Hong Kong, but these do not really affect travellers. I was in the city in December, and things are basically normal. Avoid large gatherings and you will be fine.

Travel Insurance for China

3 – Travel Insurance for China: No matter where you go, you should always have travel insurance – China is no exception. Even though China is safe, accidents can still happen.

I personally use and recommend World Nomads. It’s designed for adventurous travellers with cover for overseas medical, evacuation, baggage and a range of adventure sports and activities (important if you plan on doing any hiking while in China!).

GET YOUR FREE QUOTE FROM WORLD NOMADS HERE

Best VPN for China

4 – You need to get a VPN before travelling to China: China’s internet is behind something known as the “Great Firewall”. The Great Firewall blocks most websites that westerners would want to use while travelling in China. A few examples of things that are blocked include Google, Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, Reddit, and Twitter.

So, if you want to have any contact with the outside internet while travelling in China, you’re gonna need a VPN. A VPN allows you to access the internet as if you’re from a country that doesn’t block certain websites.

The best VPN for travelling in China right now is NordVPN .

I’ve used a bunch of different VPNs while travelling in China and had by far the best experience with NordVPN . They offer a 30-day money-back guarantee, 24/7 customer support, and high-speed servers that are reliable and consistent.

Money in China

5 – The Chinese Renminbi is the official currency of China: China’s official currency is the Renminbi or RMB, denoted using ¥. The current exchange rate is $1 = ¥6.94 as of January 2020. Check XE.com for the latest rates.

6 – There are different ways to refer to the Renminbi: Rather than saying “this item costs X renminbi “, most Chinese people refer to prices using the words ‘ yuan ‘ (like dollars) or ‘ kuai ‘ (like bucks). You’ll hear these used frequently and interchangeably.

7 – ATM machines are everywhere in China: As a tourist, you’ll typically need to use cash unless paying for something at a high-end place that might accept foreign credit cards.

Banks and ATM machines are very common in China, and the ATMs from most large banks accept foreign cards, so you can simply withdraw cash after you’ve arrived in China.

You’ll notice locals pay for everything using WeChat Pay, but at the moment this isn’t usable without a Chinese bank account.

8 – You can also convert USD to RMB: If for whatever reason you don’t want to use a Chinese ATM, you can bring USD and convert it to RMB in China. Be careful if you’re travelling with large amounts of cash! Other major currencies are also exchangeable in China. Try to bring crisp bills.

Communication in China

9 – Mandarin is by far the most prominent language in China: Even in regions that haven’t historically spoken Mandarin, it’s slowly taking over.

In Hong Kong and parts of Guangdong, Cantonese is the most popular language, although Mandarin is also understood by many people who live here.

Tibetan can still found in parts of the Tibetan Autonomous Region and it’s bordering provinces. In Xinjiang, many Uyghurs still speak Uyghur, a language that comes from the Turkic language family. In the Inner Mongolia province, you’ll still be able to find some people who speak Mongolian and can read the traditional Mongolian script.

There are dozens of other languages spoken in China, far too many to list here. Head on over to the Languages of China page on Wikipedia for all the details.

10 – Do you need to know Chinese to visit China?: No, you don’t need to know Chinese to travel around China. While knowing the local language of a country can provide much deeper experiences, it’s never 100% necessary.

You should try to learn the basics, though. Purchase a Chinese phrasebook and you’ll be set. Google Translate is another lifesaver, especially with its offline option (remember, Google is blocked in China).

Many young university students have a basic level of English, look for them if you need some help.

When all else fails, awkward hand gestures are usually able to save the day.

Getting to China

11 – Overlanding into China is possible from a number of countries: China shares international borders with 14 different countries, as well as 2 borders with the special administrative regions of Hong Kong and Macau.

Common border crossings that are open for travellers are the ones with Mongolia , Vietnam, Nepal, Kyrgyzstan, and Kazakhstan.

12 – China is extremely well connected by air: Practically every large international airport is going to have flights to China. Most tourists will typically fly into Hong Kong, Beijing, Shanghai, or Guangzhou.

In North America, there are direct flights to Beijing from: Vancouver, Seattle, Toronto, New York, Los Angeles, Montreal, Chicago, Washington D.C., Dallas, Houston, and Boston.

13 – China’s flag carrier is Air China: They offer flights to a number of destinations across Europe, North America, and Asia. There are also many other large Chinese airlines including Hainan, China Eastern, China Southern, and Cathay Pacific (Hong Kong).

I recommend using  Google Flights to find the cheapest flights to China.

People & Culture of China

14 – China is the most populous country on Earth: Because of this, you’ll find all sorts of different people in China. Over 90% of the Chinse population are Han Chinese, and the rest are part of China’s various minority groups.

15 – China is mostly non-religious: While most Chinese people don’t believe in God, they do follow a number of Confucius beliefs and traditions. However.. certain regions of China are still quite religious.

In Xinjiang, the Uyghur population is majority Muslim, giving the province a very different feel from the rest of China. Tibet is very Buddhist, and there are many monasteries still inhabited by monks there.

16 – There’s no strict dress code in China: Unlike conservative countries such as Saudi Arabia , in China, nobody cares how you dress. Girls are free to wear skirts or leggings, and dudes can walk around shirtless if they really feel like it.

You should be a bit more cautious in rural areas, but you’ll quickly notice how liberal things are in large Chinese cities.

Where to visit in China

17 – China is a massive country: It’s impossible to see it all in one trip. I recommend travelling slower rather than quickly, as it gives you more time to dig deeper into your destination.

In this section, I’ll go over the best places to visit in China.

Backpacking Beijing

18 – China’s political and historical capital: Beijing is home to China’s government and a bunch of interesting historical sights. Most travellers start and end their China in Beijing.

While visiting Beijing, you should check out the Forbidden City and Tiananmen Square , the Summer Palace , and take a day trip to the Great Wall of China . If you really want to be adventurous, you can even try camping on the great wall .

Also, be sure to try out some Peking duck and spend some time exploring the city’s hutongs. Beijing is the perfect place to start off your adventures in China.

It’s also quite easy to get around the city. Beijing has an extensive metro system, and I used it to get everywhere. Many of the main tourist sites are located within walking distance of Tiananmen Square.

19 – Beijing is full of great hostels: I stayed at the Leo Hostel and always recommend it to people visiting Beijing. It’s in a great location and has a nice common area to meet other travellers.

Backpacking Shanghai

20 – Welcome to China’s biggest city: In Shanghai, there are an endless amount of things to do, foods to eat, and people to meet. Shanghai is a westernized city, and you’ll see plenty of foreign restaurants and retail chains here. English is quite common, especially among younger university students.

When in Shanghai, you should walk along the Bund and check out the skyscrapers in Pudong (you can even go up to the top of the Shanghai Tower, the world’s second-tallest building!). Nanjing Road is perfect if you need to do any shopping. Head to the Yu Gardens if you need to see a bit of nature after too many skyscrapers.

If you have time, you should also consider taking a day trip to one of Hangzhou, Suzhou, or even Nanjing. They’re all incredible cities and are very accessible from Shanghai via high-speed rail. Here are some awesome things to do in Suzhou if you end up visiting it.

Shanghai also has a massive metro system to take you around anywhere. It’s all signed in English, so you should have no problems figuring it out.

21 – Stay near The Bund:  I stayed at the Blue Mountain International Youth Hostel for its location. East Nanjing Road and the Bund are the most popular tourist areas in Shanghai, and the hostel is less than a ten-minute walk from both. An awesome and affordable place to stay in Shanghai.

Backpacking Xi’an

22 – The Eastern end of the Silk Road: Once upon a time, Xi’an was the starting (or ending) point of the Great Silk Road . The city is also home to the famous Terracotta Warriors.

Xi’an also has a well-preserved city wall surrounding the Old City. You can even rent out a bike and ride around on top of it!

When in Xi’an, you also need to visit its Muslim Quarter. It’s full of delicious street food and friendly people. Try to visit in the evening for the best experience.

Most sights in Xi’an can be seen on foot, but you’ll need to take a bus to the Terracotta Warriors. It’s a one hour ride on tourist bus line 5 from the east square of the Xi’an Railway Station.

Here’s a great list of things to do in Xi’an to help you plan your trip to one of China’s most ancient cities!

23 – Stay within the city walls: Most of the main sites (other than the terracotta warriors) are inside the city walls, so find a place to stay that is inside of the walls. I stayed at the Hantang Inn and loved it. There’s a delicious and cheap BBQ restaurant right across the street that everyone would eat at for dinner.

Backpacking Hong Kong

24 – Hong Kong needs no introduction: Hong Kong is a massive, globalized city that I could spend forever in. There’s just so much to see and do in this city.

In Hong Kong, you should wander the streets of Central and Kowloon, ride up to Victoria Peak for sunset, visit the Big Buddha on Lantau Island,  and try some delicious dim sum.

25 – Stay near the action: If you want the real Hong Kong experience, stay in Causeway Bay. I stayed at the Causeway Bay Yesinn hostel. When you walk out the door, you’re surrounded by people, restaurants, and shops.

26 – You need to consider your Chinese Visa:   To enter Hong Kong, you have to “leave” China (on your passport). This means that if you have a single-entry Chinese visa, you won’t be able to re-enter China without getting a new visa. If you still want to spend more time in China, consider skipping Hong Kong and visiting Guangzhou and Shenzhen instead.

If you want to include Hong Kong on your China backpacking itinerary, you should visit it at the beginning or end of your trip. This way, you only need a single-entry visa for mainland China.

Backpacking Sichuan

27 – Chengdu is China’s coolest city:  Chengdu is my favourite city in China. It has a relaxing atmosphere along with really cool arts and cafe scenes, making it a very pleasant place to hang out in. Throughout my different trips to China, I’ve spent a couple of weeks there in total.

Chengdu is mainly known for two things – pandas and spicy food. The Panda Research Base is accessible by a short metro and bus ride. Try to visit early in the morning, as that is when the pandas are most active. Another good day trip is the Leshan Buddha, which is only 1 hour away by high-speed rail.

In Chengdu, I recommend staying at the Flipflop Hostel – it has a great downtown location and friendly staff.

28 – Are you ready for spicy?: Sichuanese food is the spiciest cuisine in China, and possibly the world. Most dishes are covered in tasty chillis and will really set your mouth on fire if you’re not used to it. If you want to order food slightly less spicy than the locals might have it, ask for your food to be 小辣 (xiao la).

Be sure to try hot pot while you are in Sichuan, it’s super spicy but super worth it. Another one of my favourite Sichuan dishes is gong bao ji ding  (also known as kung pao chicken).

29 – Jiuzhaigou and Huanglong: Jiuzhaigou is an incredibly beautiful national park in Northern Sichuan that is a must-visit if you’ve got the time. It’s about a 10-hour bus ride from Chengdu, so you’ll need at least a few days to visit it. There’s an airport nearby Jiuzhaigou that can save you a bit of time, but flying will definitely be a lot more expensive.

Huanglong is another national park located nearby, and I’d recommend checking it out if you’re in the Jiuzhaigou area. Both parks are stunning and make for some amazing photos.

30 – Western Sichuan is basically Tibet:  If you want to get off the beaten path in China, there’s no better way to do that than a visit to Western Sichuan.

Western Sichuan is home to the edge of the Tibetan Plateau – most people living here are Tibetans and their culture is vastly different from anything that you’ll have seen so far.

In my opinion, the best way to visit Western Sichuan is by taking the overland route between Chengdu and Shangri-La (in Yunnan Province). The overland route takes you over beautiful mountain passes, to gorgeous Tibetan monasteries, and to the Yading Nature Reserve – one of China’s most beautiful national parks.

The Chengdu to Shangri-La overland can by simplified as Chengdu-Kangding-Litang-Daocheng-Yading-Shangri-La. It’s doable in about 8 days, and if you’ve got the time I  highly recommend it.

For more info, check out my detailed guide to the Chengdu to Shangri-La overland route .

31 – China’s most undiscovered national park: The Yading Nature Reserve is one of China’s most amazing national parks, yet it’s pretty unknown outside of China. It’s usually visited as a stop while travelling from Chengdu to Shangri-La, but it can also be visited independently with the opening of a new airport nearby at Daocheng.

It’s a perfect place for hiking, with the most common hike being the one-day journey around Mt. Chenrezig.

For more info, check out my guide to travel and trekking in the Yading Nature Reserve .

Backpacking Yunnan

32 – Yunnan is a backpacker’s paradise: Tall mountains, rice terraces, chilled-out towns, and great coffee are a few of the reasons you should add Yunnan to your China travel itinerary.

Kunming is Yunnan’s capital and is normally just a transit point for most people. It’s a nice city though, and I would recommend a couple of nights there if you’ve got spare time. In Kunming, recommend staying at the Kunming Cloudland International Youth Hostel .

The most popular day trip from Kunming is a visit to the nearby Stone Forest. It’s about 90 kilometres outside of the city – there’s a regular bus departing from the Kunming East Coach Station that costs ¥34. The park has an entrance fee of ¥130.

Kunming has a large and rapidly growing metro system . I found it was able to take me to most places that I needed to go within the city.

33 – Dali is China’s backpacker hub:   There are very few places in China that have a real South East Asia ‘backpacker vibe’, and Dali is one of them. It’s home to an impressive old town, countless cafes and bars, and beautiful natural surroundings.

In Dali, The Jade Emu is an awesome place to stay. They have a great common area with a pool table, ping pong, foosball, and darts. There’s even a bookshop next door that sells books in English!

When you’re in town, I recommend checking out the Three Pagodas and renting an electric scooter to ride the road along Erhai Lake (but be sure to wear a helmet!).

34- Lijiang was my least favourite place in China:  Lijiang is one most visited tourist destinations, mainly by domestic tourists. I wasn’t a huge fan of the town, but you’ll have to pass through here no matter what if you’re travelling around Yunnan.

Lijiang has an “old town”, but the area feels more like a theme park than an old town. The tiny alleyways are packed with touristy shops and restaurants, and at night there are Chinese-style bars and clubs blaring music onto the streets.

But Lijiang has some wonderful surroundings. Tiger Leaping Gorge is the most stunning, so if you’ve made it out to Lijiang you need to spend a couple of days hiking through the gorge.

There’s also Jade Dragon Snow Mountain and Lugu Lake nearby – I haven’t visited but I know they’re also quite popular destinations.

If you do end up in Lijiang, Mama Naxi’s Guesthouse is the best hostel to spend your nights at.

35 – Tiger Leaping Gorge, China’s Grand Canyon: Tiger Leaping Gorge is one of the most insane landscapes in China. There’s a trail running along the northern side of the gorge that typically takes two days to complete.

If you’re travelling in Yunnan, you definitely can’t miss hiking the Tiger Leaping Gorge.

36 – A historically Tibetan town: Shangri-La is located in northwestern Yunnan, a place that’s historically been a part of Tibet. The town has an incredible monastery and an old town that’s been mostly rebuilt after a devastating fire in 2014. The city is a good place to spend a day or two, but it’s better to continue on to Western Sichuan if you’ve got a lot of time.

When you’re in Shangri-La, I recommend staying at Tavern 47 .

Backpacking Guangxi

37 – Guilin: Guilin is mainly a transit hub for people visiting Guangxi, but it’s also an alright place to spend a night or two if you’re interested. I recommend staying at the Guilin Central Wada Hostel if you find yourself in Guilin for the night.

Almost everyone who ends up in Guilin is on their way to Yangshou.

To Yangshuo, there are frequent buses from the Guilin Airport, South Bus Station, and the Railway Stations. The drive should take about 90 minutes and cost anywhere from ¥25 to ¥50 depending on where you leave from.

Yangshuo also has a high-speed rail station now, with trains from Guilin taking only 24 minutes. The station is located 33 kilometres from the center of Yangshuo, so you’ll need to take another bus from the Yangshuo station to the city center (¥20).

38 – You need to visit Yangshuo: Yangshuo is such a beautiful place. It’s quite popular with travellers from all over the world, but the area is large enough that it’s still possible to get away from the crowds.

I recommend renting a bike and heading out into the countryside. You’ll pass through tiny villages, through luscious fields, and around gorgeous karst mountains.

In Yangshuo, I stayed at the Wada Hostel and enjoyed its very central location. I’d recommend staying there if you’re looking for a place to stay!

39 – Longji Rice Terraces are another epic Guangxi destination: The Longji Rice Terraces are another excellent place to visit in Guangxi. They’re only a two-hour drive north of Guilin, and a great place to spend a couple of days hiking around.

I’ve written a guide to visiting the Longji Rice Terraces , so check it out for more info.

Backpacking Hunan

40 – Welcome to the heart of China: One of China’s central provinces, Hunan is where Mao Zedong was born and is home to some insane mountains in the Zhangjiajie National Park. Its capital city is Changsha, although you likely won’t need to stop here.

41 – The Avatar Mountains:   Zhangjiajie is where Avatar got its inspiration from. It’s absolutely amazing, and I loved my time there.

It can get a bit busy during peak season, but there are a number of side trails in the national park that you can take to get away from the crowds.

I’m still working on my guide to visiting Zhangjiajie, so for now, check out this guide if you’re planning a visit.

42 – Where to stay in Zhangjiajie:

If you’re going to visit the scenic area, you should stay near its entrance. In this case, I recommend staying at the Zhangjiajie Peakcap Hostel .

If you need to stay in the actual city of Zhangjiajie (possibly to catch an early morning flight or train), I recommend staying at the Geographer Hostel .

Backpacking Tibet

43 – Tibet is a completely different world: Also known as the “roof of the world” or the “land of snows”, Tibet is home to some of the most stunning landscapes on the planet and incredibly unique culture. Tibet feels like an entirely different world.

Unfortunately for us backpackers, Tibet is a pretty difficult place to visit. Foreigners are required to join a guided tour if they wish to visit Tibet, and this will typically run you at least $80 per day .

If you don’t mind the price and are okay with having limited freedom during your visit to Tibet, then go ahead and visit! I took a 9-day tour from Lhasa to the Tibetan Everest Base Camp and loved it – the landscapes are gorgeous and the monasteries are unlike any I’ve visited in other places.

It is still possible to visit parts of “greater Tibet” without a tour. Check out my post to visiting Tibet without a tour  for more information.

Backpacking Xinjiang

44 – Xinjiang is a tough place to travel around: I visited Tashkurgan and Kashgar in 2019 and didn’t have the best time. Police checks are everywhere (you need to have your backpack x-rayed just to cross the street), most hostels and hotels won’t accept foreigners, and locals are (understandably) afraid of talking with foreigners.

If you’re interested in visiting a modern-day police state, then Xinjiang is for you!

Josh over at FarWestChina has a great site on visiting Xinjiang, so check it out if you’re planning a trip.

45 – Urumqi is Xinjiang’s most relaxed city: Urumqi is the capital of Xinjiang and the most relaxed place regarding police presence. In Urumqi, the majority of the population is Han Chinese. Because of this, the government isn’t as concerned about it as some of the more heavily Uyghur populated parts of Xinjiang. There’s not really much to do in Urumqi, but it’s the best place to base your Xinjiang travels out of.

The hostels/hotels that accept foreigners are constantly changing in Urumqi. I suggest making a booking using Trip.com – if the place cancels on you for being a  foreigner, Trip.com will cover the price difference of a place that will accommodate you.

46 – Kashgar is being torn down: Once an important city on the Silk Road, modern-day Kashgar is a shadow of its former self.

The old town was destroyed by the government and rebuilt with wide streets, police stations, and security cameras everywhere. It’s kinda like Disneyland, but with more police.

Another one of Kashgar’s famous sights is the Id Kah Mosque. Its paint is falling off, but at least there’s a nice Chinese flag flying above it.

If you find yourself in Kashgar, one of the few places that you can stay at is the Old Town Youth Hostel . It’s a decent place, and you’ll likely meet the few other foreigner backpackers who are in the city at the time.

47 – The Karakorum Highway is partly in Xinjiang: The KKH runs from Islamabad in Pakistan, all the way to Kashgar in Xinjiang.

Tashkurgan is a town located on the Karakorum Highway – south of Kashgar near the China-Pakistan border. It’s inhabited by ethnic Tajiks, another one of China’s minority groups.

It’s an interesting place, but I’m not sure if I’d recommend venturing here unless you’re going to or coming from Pakistan.

Basically all foreigners passing through Tashkurgan stay at the K2 Youth Hostel . It’s a surprisingly large hostel, and the owner loves to drink local Xinjiang beer with his guests.

Read my guide to travelling the Silk Road for more info on this epic region!

Getting Around China

48 – What is it like to fly within China?: Flying domestically in China is a good way to get around, especially over long distances or if you’re short on time. Domestic flights are quite cheap, even cheaper than taking the train in some cases.

One thing to note – flights in China are often randomly delayed. The Chinese military controls the countries airspace, and they sometimes close certain flight paths for their own use.

49 – Depending on the route, it may be faster to take the train: For example, Beijing to Shanghai is only 4.5 hours by high-speed train and costs $80. Flying between the two cities takes 2 hours, but you also need to add time for airport security as well as getting to/from the airport. In this case, the train makes more sense.

However, if you need to cover a large distance (let’s say Kunming to Beijing), then flight is a better option. A 3.5-hour flight for $85 makes a lot more sense than an 11-hour high-speed train ride for $165 (or 46-hour slow sleeper train ride…).

For the best deals on domestic flights in China, use Trip.com .

50 – Trains in China are amazing: Outside of the most mountainous places in the country, China is extremely well connected by train. It’s got the largest high-speed rail network in the world, and trains are typically very punctual.

Trains are a comfortable and easy way to get around while backpacking China.

51 – High-speed trains are fast but pricey:   The best way to travel quickly between a number of larger Chinese cities – high-speed train numbers begin with a ‘G’ prefix and typically only offer seating (they run during the daytime, so this isn’t a problem). 2nd class is the cheapest option, but it is still quite comfortable enough.

Here are some useful high-speed rail routes:

• Beijing – Shanghai – 4.5 hours, $80 for 2nd class
• Beijing – Xi’an – 4.5 hours, $74 for 2nd class
• Xi’an – Chengdu – 3 hours, $38 for 2nd class
• Hong Kong – Shanghai – 8.5 hours, $144 for 2nd class
• Hong Kong – Guangzhou – 1 hour, $31 for 2nd class
• Guangzhou – Yangshuo  – 2.5 hours, $20 for 2nd class
• Shanghai – Hangzhou – 1 hour, $10 for 2nd class

For booking trains in China and viewing all available options, visit Trip.com .

52 – Slow trains are perfect for long overnight journeys: I love slow sleeper trains. There’s something very relaxing about rolling through the countryside with a book and some tasty ramen.

You can get almost anywhere in China by slow train. Like the high-speed trains, they’re also very punctual.

Slow trains typically have three different classes –  hard seat ,  hard sleeper , and  soft sleeper .

If you’re taking a short ride in the day time, go for hard seat. It’s not actually hard, and experiencing a hard seat carriage on a Chinese train is an experience in itself.

Hard sleeper is the most common option for long overnight journeys. Like hard seat, hard sleeper isn’t actually hard. It’s a decently comfortable bunk and I’ve never had problems getting a full night of rest. There are six beds per section.

Soft sleeper is the most comfortable, but also the most expensive option. There are four beds per section, and it has a door that can be closed to keep out any noise from the hallway.

53 – Buses are frequent, cheap, and fairly punctual:   If there’s anywhere that trains don’t go to in China, then buses will. The main downside to bus travel is that journey times can depend greatly on traffic conditions.

Buses also need to stop at road checkpoints in certain provinces, whereas trains obviously don’t.

Most large cities have a number of bus stations, so double-check that you’re going to the right one if you plan on taking buses in China.

The best site I’ve found for figuring out bus routes and schedules in China is China Bus Guide .

China Backpacking Itineraries

54- It’s impossible to see all of China in one trip: It’s a massive country, so you need to figure out where exactly you want to visit before your trip.

Luckily, I’ve written up an awesome 2 to 4-week China Itinerary for you! Check it out for some inspiration.

No matter how much time you have in China, you’ll for sure have an amazing trip.

Accommodation in China

55 – Hostels in China are awesome:  China has a great network of backpacker style hostels. They’re typically clean, have friendly staff, and wonderful atmospheres.

I’ve stayed at a ton of hostels all around China and always end up meeting great people and having a good time.

56 – Chinese Airbnb is super cheap: Airbnb is a great option for travelling in China if you’d like to have your own apartment to cook, wash clothes, or just have a break from hostels.

I’ve found AirBnbs in large Chinese cities to be  very  reasonably priced – in a few cases I’ve managed to pay only $10 for an amazing apartment.

GET $65 CAD OFF YOUR FIRST AIRBNB BOOKING

57 – Hotels are always an option: If you get really off the beaten path in China, hotels can sometimes be the only option available.

I’ve found that the best site to book hotels in China is Trip.com (as you can see, they’re kinda the go-to site for booking travel-related things in China).

I haven’t stayed in many hotels in China, but there’s a ton of them. In big cities, you’ll even find many luxury western hotels that typically cater to business travellers.

Best Time to Visit China

58 – China can be visited year-round: China is a big country, and some areas are better visited at certain times of the year. For example, Tibet and Western Sichuan have comfortable temperatures in the summertime, but most coastal will be scorching at that time of year.

If your schedule isn’t flexible, you can visit anywhere in China at any time of year. Just note that weather conditions might not be ideal and some activities (hiking) might not be possible.

59 – What is China like in the summer?: When I backpacked around China for the first time, it was in June and July. Mountainous regions were perfect at this time of year, but most of Eastern China was extremely hot and humid with afternoon thunderstorms.

If backpacking China in the summertime, pack light clothes that dry fast. Stay hydrated because you’ll be sweating a lot if you’re spending time outdoors.

60 – What is China like during spring and autumn?: Spring and autumn are the ideal times to travel around China. Cities will be at comfortable temperatures, and mountainous regions will be slightly chilly but not too cold. In autumn, certain parts of the country will look gorgeous as the leaves change colour.

If you’re able to, you should visit China in spring or autumn.

61 – What is China like in the winter?: Winter in China varies vastly in the northern and southern parts of the country. Hong Kong and other southern cities will be quite comfortable, but Beijing sees sub-zero temperatures and the occasional snowfall.  Mountainous regions will be snow-covered which may make travel difficult.

Whether you should visit China in winter mainly depends on where you plan to go.

Another thing to note – air pollution is at it’s worst in the wintertime, so if you have sensitive lungs consider avoiding China at this time of year.

Internet & SIM Cards in China

62 – You should get a Chinese SIM card when you arrive: I’ve already mentioned that internet access in China is restricted – many sites are completely blocked unless you have a VPN.

But what about internet access? Is it easy to stay connected while in China? I’m happy to say that it is easy to stay connected while in China. If you pick up a local SIM card, you’ll have signal basically everywhere you go.

I recommend purchasing a China Unicom SIM card as the other telecoms in China often don’t work with foreign phones.

Head to a China Unicom shop with your passport and pick a plan. Costs are fairly reasonable – on my last visit, I paid ¥100 for 40GB of data. The staff can usually speak a bit of English.

WiFi is often pretty slow in China and usually requires a Chinese phone number to connect to it. I’d recommend getting a decent data plan and using that instead.

Solo Travel in China

63 – China is wonderful for solo travel: I’ve solo travelled on all of my trips to China, and always end up having an amazing time.

If you stay in hostels, it’s very easy to make new friends in China. Hostels typically have a mix of domestic and foreign backpackers – all who are eager to socialize and visit sights.

The only downside that I can think of is that many restaurants and dishes in China cater to groups. This isn’t really a problem, but if you go to a restaurant with a group you’ll be able to try multiple different dishes rather than a single one if you’re by yourself.

Budget for Backpacking China

64 – Travel costs in China are pretty mid-range: Travelling in China is cheaper than Japan or South Korea, but definitely more expensive than Thailand or Vietnam.

Accommodation and food are both fairly cheap, but transportation and entrance fees will increase daily costs quite quickly. Big cities such as Shanghai and Beijing are more expensive than small towns in Yunnan. Hong Kong is on another level – it’s got prices comparable to some places in Europe.

Depending on how much you’re moving around and how many national parks you visit, I’d budget anywhere from $30-50 a day (or ¥200 to 350 ) for backpacking in China. This means staying at hostels, taking public transit, and eating mainly at budget restaurants.

65 – This is what typical costs while travelling in China will look like:

Here are some typical prices in China to help plan your budget:

• Accommodation – You can find hostels for anywhere from ¥50 to 100 per night in most places. Hong Kong can easily be double this, however.
• Food  – It’s easy to spend a lot of cash on food in China if you visit nicer restaurants or opt for western-style foods. It’s also super easy to eat on a budget. A typical noodle dish costs about ¥15 to 20, but dishes like gong bao ji ding with more meat can be around ¥40 to 50.
• Alcohol – If you want to drink on a budget, do it in restaurants or buy from a convenience store and drink on the street (this is legal in China). A local beer will usually only cost ¥4 to 8 from a convenience store. The same beer could be anywhere from ¥40 to 80 in a Chinese-style bar. It’s crazy expensive to get drinks when out at a bar.
• Trains – Can be pricey, especially if you’re taking them a lot. From Shanghai to Beijing on a sleeper train, it will cost you about ¥320. If you want to take a high-speed between those two cities, it will cost ¥560. Check out Trip.com for prices on any train journey in China.
• Entrance Tickets – This is where China can start to get pricey. For example, a ticket to visit the Terracotta Warriors in Xi’an is ¥150. To visit Jiuzhaigou, a one-day ticket during high season is ¥310 – crazy! If you have a student card, you might be able to save 50% on certain entrance tickets. Don’t forget to bring it!

China Backpacking Guide Wrap-up

I hope this guide has helped you better plan your China backpacking adventure. I’m sure that you’ll have an amazing time backpacking around China – it’s an incredible country and I love returning to it.

Feel free to contact me with any other questions and I’ll get back to you. If you liked this post, consider sharing it!

Subscribe to my mailing list to be notified of my future posts!

Yay transparency!  There are affiliate links in this guide. If you book or buy something using my links, I’ll make a bit of money at no extra cost to you.

21-year old Canadian dude who loves to visit off-the-beaten-path places, climb tall mountains, and try delicious foods.

Read more about me

Want more like this?

8 thoughts on “ 65 Useful Tips for Travelling in China (Backpacker’s Guide) ”

Thanks for all the information! We are heading to Lijiang next week and considering hiking Tiger Leaping Gorge. I know you mention in your post you’re working on a guide–any chance you could share some key tips? Did you encounter any rain when you did the trek? A little concerned about the microclimates. Thanks!

Hey Vivian! I highly recommend hiking Tiger Leaping Gorge! Don’t have the full guide ready yet, but here are some tips.

If you have any extra baggage that you don’t want to carry during the hike, you can leave it at Jane’s Guesthouse for a small fee.

The first part of the hike is the toughest; it’s a lot of uphill walking, but the trail is easy to follow and well-trafficked. After you’ve done the first part you’ll feel relieved that going forward will be much easier.

There are lots of locals selling things like water and snacks along the trail, so don’t worry about running out of water or anything.

Stay at one of the guesthouses in the middle of the gorge for the night (most popular is the Halfway Guesthouse) and you’ll be treated with an incredible sunset and lots of stars at night!

I didn’t encounter any rain and I was there in June. March/April should have even less chance of precipitation, so I wouldn’t worry too much! When I was there, it was really hot! I personally run very warm while hiking, so I wish I’d have started my hike earlier in the morning rather than mid-day.

Hope this helps! Let me know if you’ve got any other questions. Enjoy Yunnan for me, I hope I can get back there sometime soon! 🙂

THANK YOU SO MUCH for such an awesome itinerary! I want to backpack through Asia and reading your blog make me want to book a plane to China and go on cool adventures! 😀

Haha no problem! Book that ticket – you’ll love China 🙂

This is such an amazing blog, thank you for the tips! I was wondering if, as a 20 year old girl, I would feel safe following this route, travelling on my own, or would joining a planned tour be better? Also what would you say the overall money budget for 4 weeks is?

Hey Kira, glad you like the blog!

I think China is perfectly safe for a solo female. I met a ton of them while I was travelling there, and nobody had any complaints. There will be some challenges, often revolving around the language barrier – but it won’t be dangerous.

Budget wise, China is around mid-range. It’s not nearly as cheap as places like Vietnam, but not as expensive as Japan.

Hostels are cheap, usually around $10-$15 per night. If you eat local food (and you should, it’s great!), then you can spend $3-10 per meal.

Getting around via high speed train can be pricey, check on trip.com for some sample prices. When you can, I recommend overnight hard sleeper trains. They’re very comfortable, and you don’t have to pay for a hostel that night.

Entrance fees to sights are often expensive as well. If I recall correctly, the terracotta warriors were about $30. If you have a student card, be sure to bring it. You’ll often be able to get 50% off entrance fees.

Hope this helps! Let me know if you’ve got any other questions 🙂

Your blog is amazing and has helped me book my month in China that I was planning.

On Tiger leaping Gorge, I don’t seem to be able to find a way to book a bed at the halfway guesthouse or anything very close. Is it the type of place where you can be sure to get a room if you just arrive on a Friday in mid October?

Hey David, glad you like the blog!

I wasn’t able to find a way to book a room in advanced either, so I just showed up. The Halfway Guesthouse is pretty big, and I definitely can’t see them being full in mid-October. In any case, there are a bunch of other places to stay along the way, so don’t worry about it 🙂

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

• China Tourism
• China Hotels
• China Bed and Breakfast
• China Vacation Rentals
• Flights to China
• China Restaurants
• Things to Do in China
• China Travel Forum
• China Photos
• All China Hotels
• China Hotel Deals
• Last Minute Hotels in China
• Things to Do
• Restaurants
• Vacation Rentals
• Travel Stories
• Rental Cars
• Add a Place
• Travel Forum
• Travelers' Choice
• Help Center

Travelling China as a foreigner: post-pandemic update - China Forum

• Asia    
• China    

Travelling China as a foreigner: post-pandemic update

• United States Forums
• Europe Forums
• Canada Forums
• Asia Forums
• Central America Forums
• Africa Forums
• Caribbean Forums
• Mexico Forums
• South Pacific Forums
• South America Forums
• Middle East Forums
• Honeymoons and Romance
• Business Travel
• Train Travel
• Traveling With Disabilities
• Tripadvisor Support
• Solo Travel
• Bargain Travel
• Timeshares / Vacation Rentals
• Asia forums
• China forum

I am currently in China- been here for a week and I must be among the first batch of foreigners visiting after the pandemic, so I thought I’d report back on all the practical issues I have encountered.

A bit of background- My first visit was 25 years ago. I have probably visited about 20 times in the last decade alone and spent in total 6 months here, both on business trips as well as an independent traveler, and travelled quite widely throughout the country. This is not to brag- I am just sharing this to indicate that I am experienced travelling around here and dealing with the language and culture barrier, and am used to doing this without much help. I don’t really speak Chinese, except for the bare basics.

China recently started letting in foreign business travelers, and on March 15th they started issuing tourist visas again. So after 3 years, it is once again possible to visit China as a foreigner.

One thing I have learned over the years is that things here change fast. What was true 4 years ago was no longer true 3 years ago- and what I experienced the past week may no longer be true next week… but what follows is what I encountered on this trip. My last trip before this one was Sept 2019…

I will post this in separate responses to this OP, for easy reference.

In short: as a non-resident foreigner, you don’t fit the (digital) system. And China is very much digital now. It requires perseverance- I spent hours and hours getting various apps to work- with mixed results. Being digitally savvy helps.

When stuck, ask for help. If I couldn’t book a cab, I asked someone to do it for me. People are generally friendly and understand that you’re a weird foreigner who doesn’t get it. But it requires flexibility.

60 replies to this topic

ENTRY REQUIREMENTS

I arrived in HK and took the ferry to Shenzhen on March 16. That’s where the fun began.

ENTRY PROCESS

Immediately upon arrival the few foreigners were asked to scan a WeChat code. The problem was I had no data, and there was no working wifi… and nobody who spoke English. After 10 minutes an English speaker showed up and gave me and the few other foreigners a wifi password so we could connect and scan. Some people had to download WeChat first.

All of this was to fill out an electronic health form. After I filled it out, it produced a QR code which I showed to the health inspectors. Nobody asked for my Covid vaccination to negative test… But your mileage may vary. Apparently this is still requested. Passport control was relatively straightforward.

In case you didn’t know, you need WeChat in China. If you don’t have it, install it before you depart. Assume all communication is monitored.

MOBILE PHONE AND DATA

Even more so than in the West, you can’t function without a smartphone and internet. I heard that getting a local SIM card would be laborious and time-consuming, so I opted for a roaming plan from my own cell phone company. It is ridiculously expensive… there are eSims available but those don’t work with my phone.

We have all heard of the Great Firewall of China. Very little of the apps and sites I frequent work. NYT, BBC, Economist- blocked. Google, Twitter etc… Verboten. WhatsApp often works but only when you’re roaming on data- not on wifi.

I used Express VPN and found one month payment very reasonable. It works 95% of the time. Well worth it. One subscription works on both my phone as well as my laptop.

Translation apps work great. I use Google Translate- point your camera and it will translate signs and menus. I even use it in meetings to translate Chinese-language slides. I also use an app called Translate.

Google Translate can download a dictionary- so it works off line. But that doesn’t work for photos. Then it needs data. And a VPN… Translate works well for live conversations- but doesn’t do pictures. So I find myself switching between the two, toggling the VPN and data on and off as needed.

I have also tried Pleco but it doesn't meet my needs.

China is largely a cashless society now. Everyone pays with WeChat and/or Alipay. In the past I have used both by having money sent to me by a local friend. This is no longer possible. You will find information online that you can link both with a foreign credit card- I probably spent about 5 hours in total trying to do this, both before departure as well as in China. I failed

WeChat asked me to send passport info etc for identification purposes. I followed the process and was told I would hear back in 3 days… nothing. Now that I am in China it will only accept Chinese cards.

Alipay used to have a system called TravelCard that could link to a foreign card but this has been discontinued. The app says a replacement, TravelPass, will be available end of April… note that the messaging changed a few times- when I started I said I could register my foreign phone number and card but the code I was supposed to receive through text message never arrived.

This is a MASSIVE pain in the neck. ATMs work fine but nobody expects cash. Whenever I need to pay people shove a QR code under my nose and when I whip out my cash they look confused or shocked… they frequently don’t have the right change. There is very little you can do about it- maybe WeChat/AliPay will function again at some point… don’t get your hopes up. Neither WeChat or AliPay have functioning customer service- at least not in English

Even at attractions (I visited a garden in Suzhou) there are no ticket vendors. Just machines that take WeChat payments and issue a QR code. Fortunately, people are friendly and one of the staff just took my cash and bought a ticket for me. Be nice and most problems can be resolved.

In the past I used DiDi and because you could only link a local card, I would pay using cash. That option is gone. However, you can link a foreign card and a foreign phone number…sounds good right? Nope. I got confirmation that my card was accepted by DiDi. 5 minutes later I get an email from my bank that my card has been blocked due to suspicious activity… so I had to call my bank at home to unblock it.

But Didi still didn’t work. For certain trips, it asked for prepayment- because I am a new customer. However, prepayment can only be done using WeChat or AliPay, not using a foreign credit card. See that catch-22? Because I created a new account with a new number I was a new customer- but I couldn’t pay so I could never move beyond being a first-time customer.

Fortunately DiDi does have customer service. You can reach them through the app. It was a slow and painful process- yes my account was blocked because I registered a foreign number. Did I have a Chinese number? No? Ok they could unblock it within 24 hrs. oh my account was blocked because I cancelled a ride several times- yes I cancelled the request because no drive was assigned. It took me 6 days to get Didi working… patience. All those days I asked others to book cars for me- and either paid cash or on one occasion a hotel clerk has the fare charged to her DiDi account and sent me a WeChat with the request if I could ask a colleague to reimburse her (which I did of course).

It took a lot of perseverance but without DiDi you lose a lot of independence and flexibility.

All of the security checks etc require you to scan your ID card. Of course, a foreign passport is not recognized by the machines. Again, be patient, polite and persistent. In all cases airport staff helped me out and let me through. Even at boarding when my boarding pass, printed from the airline ’s website, was not recognized because all Chinese passengers had a QR code on their phone…but i still got on the plane .

I end up using 3 apps… Google Maps because I have a lot of favourite places saved- but it uses data (which is expensive) and require a VPN when on wifi. You cannot download offline maps for China. However, if you browse extensively through the cities you’re visiting before you depart Google Maps will have the cities cached, which works wel, and Live location works even when you’re offline.

Maps.me is an app that allows you to download maps of Chinese cities. And it works well and uses no data.

My Chinese colleagues sent me links in Apple Maps because they can’t use Google Maps and I can’t use their Chinese maps… so I use that too.

Note that the 3 map apps are rarely identical. It can be a pain to find a location that is saved on one map on another- especially Apple maps seems occasionally wildly inaccurate.

PRIVACY CONCERNS

Well, they are legitimate, but what can you do?

Even at the garden in Suzhou where I bought a ticket they needed my passport number. Chinese people use their local ID card for everything… and everything is connected. By paying cash I probably reduce the tracking.. for now.

The only way to avoid it is to not travel to China…

On that note, I hope this was useful to some people- but don’t take it for gospel. Things will change… plus ça change, plus c'est la même chose…

• Definition of an visa agent 8:28 pm
• Notes on China Visa Application 8:24 pm
• Table minimum limits 6:53 pm
• SIM card 3:59 pm
• Costco without membership 3:26 pm
• Questions about Summer Palace 3:14 pm
• Avoid Forbidden City queues by approaching from East Gate 2:18 pm
• Getting a ChinaMobile SIM at Daxing airport 1:57 pm
• Defin 1:41 pm
• Disneyland to macau via skypier 1:33 pm
• Mount Kailash Yatra in 2024 1:17 pm
• Point of Interest around Dongzhimen Subway station and Guiji 1:02 pm
• Laundry Service 12:56 pm
• I highly recommend Steven Wen as a Lijiang-based driver 12:47 pm
• How's China Southern Airline? 337 replies
• Budget flights Singapore to Shanghai 3 replies
• Does anyone know of Sinorama Holidays inc. out of Toronto 339 replies
• Yangshuo to Guilin airport taxi/bus 6 replies
• Experience with Chinatour.com 181 replies
• prepaid sim cards for iphone 4 8 replies
• Dates of school holidays in China & Hong Kong 2 replies
• Affordable Asia tour package 430 replies
• Nexus Holiday Tours of China 2 replies
• Beijing 5 Day Itinerary if you can stand it again 11 replies

China Hotels and Places to Stay

• What to do in China?
• Intro to Chinese Food
• What are the daily expenses of independent travel?
• It is my first time to travel to China, can you help me out?
• When and how much to tip in China?
• What are toilets like in China? What should I expect.
• Group tours feature forced shopping stops & Avoiding SCAMS
• What should I expect at Chinese hotels and how do I deal with potential problems?
• What is it like to get around China using Flights, Trains and Buses?
• This my second time to China. Where to go?
• I would like to learn a few words of Mandarin before my trip. Any suggestions?

The Ultimate 2 Week China Itinerary

Spending 2 weeks in China is enough time to do everything from the Great Wall to a bunch of hole-in-the-wall restaurants serving up the best pan-fried dumplings. But it’ll also just scratch the surface. So here’s how to make the most of your China itinerary.

When planning a trip to China, there are probably a handful of destinations you’re dying to check off your bucket list in just 2 weeks in China. Maybe you want to explore the colorful Buddhist temples, lotus-filled ponds, and adorable baby pandas chewing on bamboo stalks. Or perhaps you imagine walking through the bustling metropolis of towering skyscrapers and modern high rises.

Or maybe you simply crave the aromatic taste of  traditional Chinese foods  like pan-fried dumplings and crispy Peking duck.

And the truth is, you can do all these things with just 2 weeks in China. Although two weeks will barely scratch the surface, there is still so much to do. As one of the oldest and fasting growing civilizations in the world, China is teeming with adventures for every type of traveler.

How to Get Around China

Generally speaking, air travel is the fastest way to get around the country. Because cities and distances can be far apart, you can save a lot of time and energy by flying. The only downside is that domestic flights can be expensive, especially if booked last minute.

And while domestic flights can be faster and more convenient, traveling by bullet train is another popular method of transportation in China. Bullet trains usually run between most major tourist cities and provide a fast, comfortable way to travel long distances.

If you’re on a budget, traveling by standard railway is a cost-efficient way to go. However, local trains are often uncomfortable and extremely slow. The journey takes twice as long compared to bullet trains, which means you could be stuck in the same seat for over 24 hours.

Tickets for both types of trains can be booked the day of, but since they can quickly sell out, it’s recommended to purchase seats 20-30 days in advance.

The cheapest and most common transportation method is by bus. However, taking the bus is only practical if you are traveling to a city that’s not served by an airport or train station. Poor road conditions and unbearable traffic can make the bus journey extremely stressful.

A Sleeper bus is also available for long distance China trips, but bed space is often narrow and crowded. And while most bus coaches have bathrooms on-board, we can’t attest that they’ll be clean or even in service.

China Itinerary: See the Best of China in 2 Weeks

With 22 different provinces and dozens of beautiful cities, China is one of the largest countries in the world. And even if you plan an action-packed China trip, a few days in China simply won’t do it justice.

But as a first (or second) time visitor, 2 weeks in China is a reasonable amount of time to get an overview of the entire country. And if you have more time to spare, you can always stay a few days longer in each city to gain a richer understanding of the area. It’s more rewarding to spend your trip soaking in the culture rather than seeing it from the inside of a bus or plane!

Day 1 – 4: Visit Historical and Cultural Landmarks in Beijing

China’s capital is a bustling city overflowing with 3,000 years of culture and history. Home to some of China’s most iconic landmarks, Beijing is slowly revolutionizing itself to become an international world leader.

And around every corner, you can see how Beijing manages to blend both ancient histories with modern culture together.

Climb the Great Wall of China

No trip to the capital city would be complete without  trekking the Great Wall of China , one of the seven wonders of the world. Winding through 5,500 miles of rugged mountains, the Great Wall of China is a rare glimpse into one of China’s most fascinating pieces of architecture.

A word of advice: Skip the Badaling section and head straight for Mutianyu or Jinshanling. While these spots are further away, they’re more authentic and way less crowded than the commercial, tourist trap of Badaling. That’s why you should definitely go during your China itinerary.

Explore the Forbidden City

The Forbidden City was once home to ruling Imperial emperors of both the Ming and Qing Dynasties. And although you won’t find any royal families wandering around today, the Forbidden City remains the largest palace complex in the entire world.

But with over 900 buildings and almost 9,000 individual rooms, you can’t explore everything within the Forbidden City. However, you shouldn’t miss a tour of the Hall of Supreme Harmony, the Palace of Heavenly Purity, and the Imperial Gardens.

If you’re not entirely exhausted, we recommend a short walk up to the neighboring Jingshan Park. From the top, you’ll be rewarded with panoramic views over the Forbidden City.

Relax at the Summer Palace

The Summer Palace is a beautiful park and easy day trip getaway from the bustle and congestion of the city. Built as a summer escape for the Imperial family, this park boasts a variety of Buddhist temples, landscape gardens and tree-lined lakes.

The park grounds are centered around Kunming Lake, the perfect destination for a picnic lunch or relaxing boat ride. Make sure to tour Longevity Hill, a scenic viewpoint with colorful pavilions and grand halls.

Where to Stay in Beijing

Although the capital is one of the more expensive places to stay in China, you can still find accommodation for every type of budget during your China itinerary.

Just like in most major cities, there are large, international chains in Beijing. These places have amenities such as swimming pools, restaurants with western breakfast and business centers.

But if you’re looking to step outside your comfort zone, you can spend a few days in one of the traditional hutongs. Hutongs are one-story residential buildings have been converted to inns. For an authentic, Beijing experience, hutongs are a unique accommodation experience right in the city.

• Luxury Hotels: Hotel Eclat Beijing , Legendale Hotel Wangfujing Beijing , Shangri-La Hotel Beijing , InterContinental Beijing Sanlitun
• Boutique Hotels: Beijing Pudi Hotel , Beijing Double Happiness Hotel , Michael’s House Beijing , Sofu Hotel
• Mid-Range Hotels: Ming Courtyard , Jade Hotel , Capital Hotel , Kelly’s Courtyard Hotel
• Hostels: Peking International Youth Hostel , Chinese Box Courtyard Hostel , The Great Wall Box House , Leo Hostel

How to Get from Beijing to Xi’an

The easiest (and most comfortable) way to reach Xi’an from Beijing is by bullet train. The train leaves from Beijing West Station and takes only 4.5 – 6 hours in total. Speeding through the country at 186 mph, you’ll have the opportunity to see other picturesque villages like Zhengzhou, Luoyang and Huashan from your window.

Taking a two-hour flight from Beijing to Xi’an is also possible. But with the check-in and security, it ends up taking the same amount of time as the high-speed train.

If you’re on a budget, then taking the sleeper train to Xi’an is a great option. You can choose between shared bunks or a separate compartment throughout your China itinerary. But best of all, you’ll save the cost accommodation when opting for this 12-hour train ride!

Day 4 – 6: Explore the Imperial Capital of Xi’an

Few places in China are as culturally diverse as Xi’an. As the starting point on the Silk Road, Xi’an became an influential city home to emperors, warriors, merchants, and artists. But besides the Silk Road, most of the city’s history can be seen through its distinct architecture, making Xi’an a must stop destination in China for a few days.

Admire the Terracotta Warriors

When in Xi’an, you must tour the tomb of the terracotta warriors. Over 8,000 life-size soldiers and horses were buried more than 2,000 decades ago to protect Qin Shi Huang, the first emperor of China, in the afterlife.

And while there are still thousands of soldiers left to excavate, the terracotta army is a rare journey into the world of Ancient China.

What’s more impressive is each warrior has a different face. The level of detail on the armor, footwear, hairstyles and facial expressions is nothing short of remarkable. No two soldiers are the same, which you’ll see during your China itinerary tour!

Eat Your Heart Out in the Muslim Quarter

Although there’s no shortage of mouth-watering snacks in China, Xi’an’s Muslim Quarter is a food lover’s paradise. The sheer number of snack food stalls along the silk road can be overwhelming at first.

Here, you can find everything from beef skewers, dumplings, noodle bowls, spicy sandwiches, and local pastries. Try the Yangrou Paomo, a typical Xi’an stew made from lamb and served steaming hot with chunks of unleavened bread.

And while you’ll have an endless supply of traditional Xi’an foods at your fingertips, don’t expect any pork. After all, you are in a Muslim neighborhood!

Cycle Along the Ancient City Wall

For some of the best, panoramic views of Xi’an, stand atop the imperial 40-foot city walls that surround the city center. Built-in 1370 as a defense fortification system, the city walls were also constructed with a moat, drawbridges, steel gates and watchtowers.

Walking along the city wall is possible, but the best way to get around with a bike tour. It takes roughly two hours to cycle the perimeter of the city. Your reward: sweeping views of both modern day and ancient Xi-an from every angle.

Conquer Mt. Huashan

You won’t read about this in your travel guide! If you want to check a dangerous albeit thrilling adventure off your bucket list during your China itinerary, then hike Mt. Huashan, one of China’s most treacherous mountains. Located a few hours outside Xi’an, Mt. Huashan is famous for breathtaking views, granite peaks, and of course, it’s adrenaline-filled plank walk.

With only a thin harness chaining you to safety, you can scale the side of the 2,000-foot cliff by shuffling across a 1-foot wide, wooden plank. And while we can’t guarantee you won’t have a panic attack, we can vouch for the exceptional scenic views.

Where to Stay in Xi’an

Hotels in Xi’an are more affordable than other big cities in China, such as Beijing or Shanghai. For this reason, you should have no problem finding a clean, decent place to stay for a few days.

For first time visitors to this silk road city, consider staying within the city walls. Not only are you within walking distance to most major attractions, but you can also easily take a public bus to the terracotta warriors or other outlying neighborhoods.

And when it comes to different types of accommodation, Xi’an is home to a wide variety of hostels, hotels, and luxury resorts for every budget.

• Luxury Hotels : Sofitel Legend People’s Grand Hotel Xi’an , Shangri-la Hotel Xi’an , Gran Melia Xi’an Hotel
• Boutique Hotels : Eastern House Boutique Hotel , Xi’an 52 Hezi Hotel , Time Tunnel Designer Hotel , Simple Palace
• Mid-Range Hotels: Grand Park Xi’an , CitiGO Hotel Gaoxin Xi’an , Ramada by Wyndham Xi’an Bell Tower , Xi’an Grand Soluxe International Hotel
• Hostels: Xi’an 7 Sages Belltower Boutique Youth Hostel , Han Tang Inn Hostel , Han Tang House , Shuyuan International Party Hostel

How to Get from Xi’an to Guilin

For transport, you have two realistic options to get from Xi’an to Guilin. The fastest way is to take a two-hour flight south to Guilin Liangjiang International Airport, which is roughly 20 miles outside the city center. If you’re short on time, then flying from Xi’an is the best option.

The other, more time-consuming option is to take a bullet train. It runs only during the day and takes around 11 hours to reach the city.

Day 6 – 8: Be One With Nature in Guilin

If you want to tour rolling hills, steep mountains, and tranquil lakes, then make sure to add this ancient city in the south to your China itinerary. Famous for its dramatic landscapes, Guilin is lightyears away from the hectic crowds of China’s bigger cities. It’s the perfect place to relax and explore China’s scenic and breathtaking countryside.

Admire the Buddhist Sun and Moon Pagodas

Situated in the heart of this spectacular city are the two Buddhist Sun and Moon Pagodas. The Sun Pagoda is built from copper and glows a bright, warm gold when illuminated at night. The smaller but equally impressive Moon Pagoda is made from marble and shines a bright white color.

The two Buddhist pagodas are connected by an underground tunnel that runs under Shan Lake. Although you can ride to the top of the pagodas, the best view is from the banks of the lake at night! This is a must-do tour to add to your China itinerary.

Be Dazzled Inside Reed Flute Cave

The Reed Flute Cave is one of China’s most spectacular natural phenomenons. As you take a tour underground, you’ll uncover dark caverns and rugged limestone formations that have existed over the last 180 million years!

But most impressively, the giant stalactites and stalagmites are illuminated by thousands of colorful, neon lights. This sparkling attraction brings the cave to life, and shows the beauty of the natural formations from a unique perspective!

Walk Along the Longsheng Rice Terraces

Cascading down the sides of sloping hills, the bright green, terraced rice paddies are one of Guilin’s natural gems. And with miles of tiered terraces, you’ll understand why people often refer to it as the country’s Dragon’s Backbone.

To fully explore everything the Longsheng Rice Terraces has to offer, consider taking a tour from Dazhai to Ping’an (or vice versa). It takes around 4 or 5 hours and winds you through the rice paddies and small, rural villages.

It’s important to note that the terraces are several hours outside the city center, so be prepared to take a full day trip.

Where to Stay in Guilin

Most of the attractions are outside the city, and you can easily find somewhere away from the hustle and bustle. However, staying in the city puts you in the center of restaurants and bars. Either way, try and snag a room with a view of the natural surroundings!

There are also plenty of international and western brand chains. And while these options are more expensive than smaller, local hotels, the price is still affordable compared to other cities in this China itinerary.

• Luxury Hotels : The Wing Hotel Guilin , Guilin Bravo Hotel , Sheraton Guilin Hotel , The White House Hotel Guilin
• Boutique Hotels : Joli Vue Boutique Hotel Guilin , Aroma Tea House , Sky Garden Inn , Elephant Truck Hill Hotel
• Mid-Range Hotels : Lijiang Waterfall Hotel , Guilin Bravo Hotel Grand Wing , Guilin Lakeside Inn , Guilin Oasis Inn
• Hostels : Guilin Central Wada Hostel , Sky Palace Hostel , This Old Place International Youth Hostel , Ming Palace International Hostel

How to Get from Guilin to Yangshuo

Due to their close proximity, you’ll have a variety of options to get to Yangshuo. A private car or taxi may be the most expensive option, but it can get you door to door in under 90 minutes.

A public bus can also shuttle you between both cities. The bus ride also takes under 90 minutes, and leave from the airport, bus station, or railway station.

However, we recommend taking the bullet train from to Yangshuo for this China itinerary. It’s roughly the same price as the bus and gets you into Yangshuo in just 25 minutes. Keep in mind that the train station is 20 miles outside the city center, which means you’ll have to take a taxi to your hotel.

Day 8 – 10: Soak in the Countryside in Yangshuo

This small and charming town will be one of the most beautiful spots on your itinerary. But despite its rural location, it’s remained a popular tourist destination for visitors since the 80’s.

And although you’ll find plenty of international and western places in the city center, you come to Yangshuo for the scenic countryside. It’s the perfect jumping off point on this itinerary for exploring the natural beauty of China’s landscape.

Explore West Street

Yangshuo’s oldest road is also its most famous. Paved with cobblestones and mixing both western and Qing Dynasty architecture, West Street is a lively hub for tourists and locals alike. It’s a buzzing oasis right in the middle of the Chinese countryside!

And, it’s is also home to Yangshuo’s large backpacking community. There are plenty of hostels, western restaurants, and karaoke bars to keep you entertained for several days. And for those looking to spend the night dancing, drinking, and listening to live music, this bustling district has you covered.

Bamboo Raft down the Li River

Hop aboard a private bamboo raft and tour the spectacular  Li River . You can stop by different villages, dine at river-side cafes, or relax with a book to read while you soak in your surroundings. But despite the name, these bamboo rafts are made from plastic piping, which makes for a faster (and safer) ride.

The landscape is nothing short of breathtaking as your boat glides seamlessly through the river and the rugged, limestone cliffs. And with only the sound of the humming engine to distract you, you just might find a bit of tranquility and peace on a day trip down the Li River.

Climb to the Top of Moon Hill

This unusual rock formation is named after the giant moon-shaped hole carved into the arch of the cave. As you stand below it, you can marvel at the jagged stalactites that protrude down from the arch. Rock climbing is also a popular sport at Moon Hill, with over 14 distinct climbing routes available.

And for a closer view of the arch, you can ascend the 1,000 marble steps towards the top. But if you’re eager to catch a glimpse of the entire valley, you can continue the climb to the summit for the best sweeping views.

Where to Stay in Yangshuo

If you choose to spend a few days in the city center, you’ll find many hostels and hotels on the busy West Street. Since Yangshuo is a popular backpacker destination, you should have no problem finding a clean and reasonably priced dorm bed for a few days.

On the other hand, staying in one of the neighboring villages can offer a unique experience. Many resorts or inns provide a peaceful, countryside retreat away from the crowds.

• Luxury Hotels : Yangshuo Li River Resort , Yangshuo Mountain Retreat , Yangshuo Hidden Dragon Villa Hotel , VISION Hotel
• Boutique Hotels : Yangshuo C Source West Street Residence , Amari Yangshuo , Yangshuo Mountain Nest Boutique Hotel , Humble Inn Boutique Residence
• Mid-Range Hotels : West Street Hotel , Bamboo House Resort , Guifu Holiday Hotel , Yangshuo Moondance Hotel
• Hostels : En Attendant Godot Youth Hostel , The Hidden House , Yangshuo Sudder Street Guesthouse , Mountain Stream

How to Get from Yangshuo to Shanghai

While there are several ways to get from Yangshuo to Shanghai, we strongly recommend taking a bullet train or plane. The main bullet train leaves from Guilin Railway Station and takes between eight and nine hours, while the flight is around two hours.

Day 10 – 14: Be Dazzled by the Metropolitan Skyline of Shanghai

In the south, Shanghai is an urban oasis, teeming with neon lights, skyscrapers, and enough entertainment to satisfy every taste. Here, the architecture is diverse, the shopping is plentiful, and the cuisine is served fresh and piping hot.

And while it feels more like glamorous and western than most places in China, Shanghai is still a buzzing cultural hot spot. Fusing ancient traditions with modern ideas, Shanghai is the perfect destination to end your journey in China.

Stroll Along the Bund

Walking on Shanghai’s waterfront boulevard boasts some of the best views of the city. Situated south from cosmopolitan high-rises of Pudong, the Bund is the perfect place for a leisurely stroll. Not to mention, it’s also one of the best sites for people watching!

Filled with performers, tai-chi enthusiasts, and photographers, the Bund is lively at all hours of the day.

And when the sun goes down, the neon skyscrapers reflect off the Huangpu River and illuminate the night sky. Taking an evening dinner cruise is one of the best ways to experience the sparkling magic of Shanghai’s skyline.

Spend an Evening in Tianzifang

Tianzifang is a charming art district teeming with designer pop-up shops, hidden cafes and trendy restaurants. As you navigate through the labyrinth of narrow alleys and stone-framed houses, you’ll stumble across some of the coolest shops in Shanghai.

At night, students, trendsetters, and tourists flood the roads looking for cocktails, snacks, and fun times in general. Because of it’s cozy, quaint atmosphere, you’ll forget you’re even in Shanghai!

Shop on Nanjing Lu

The blazing lights of Shanghai’s most prominent shopping district can be, to put it simply, overwhelming. Luxury department stores, knock-off markets, textile shops and malls line this crowded pedestrianized area. Nevertheless, it’s an exciting and authentic Shanghainese experience that you can’t keep away from.

Nanjing Lu is a shopper’s oasis and stretches south from the Bund all the way to People’s Square. But even if you’re not into shopping, you can still enjoy the boisterous and chaotic atmosphere!

Slurp Some Xiaolongbao

Commonly known to most people as a soup dumpling, xiaolongbao is a traditional Shanghainese snack that can be found almost everywhere in the city. These cooks stuff succulent dumplings with ground pork, green onion, and ginger before folding them (with precisely 18 creases) and steaming them in a bamboo basket.

The most popular restaurant is Nanxiang, which is located in YuYuan Gardens. While it can be jam-packed (and touristy), they’ve been making xiaolongbao for over 100 years, so you know you’re getting the good stuff! You can’t miss this place during your 2 weeks in China.

Where to Stay in Shanghai

As China’s largest city, Shanghai has a large variety of hostels and hotels to choose from. You can find chic boutiques in the French Concession, opulent resorts on the bund and even dorm rooms tucked away down an alley.

While you can score good deals on rooms, the average cost of a hotel in Shanghai can be high.

• Luxury Hotels : Shanghai Mariott Hotel City Center , Sofitel Shanghai Hyland , Radisson Blu Hotel Shanghai New World , Le Royal Meridien Shanghai
• Boutique Hotels : The Yangtze Boutique Shanghai , SSAW Boutique Hotel Shanghai Bund , Les Suites Orient , Shanghai Chi Chen Boutique Hotel
• Mid-Range Hotels : Shanghai Fish Inn East Nanjing Road , Riverview Hotel on the Bund , Majesty Plaza Shanghai , City Hotel Shanghai
• Hostels : Shanghai Blue Mountain Bund Youth Hostel , Shanghai Meego Yes Hotel , Rock&Wood International Youth Hostel , Mingtown Etour International Youth Hostel

Ending Your Trip in Shanghai

Sadly, all great vacations must come to an end. And after two exhilarating weeks in China, it’s time to head back through one of Shanghai’s two international airports.

Remember to give yourself enough time to check in luggage and get through customs at the airport. Lines tend be longer compared to other airports, and can take upwards of two hours.

But as your plane soars past the city lights of Shanghai and over the Pacific Ocean, you’ll have plenty of incredible memories to take back home with you.

How Much Will 2 Weeks in China Cost?

The  cost of your trip to China  doesn’t necessarily depend on where you travel, but how you travel.

The Cost of Transportation in China

Getting to and around China is likely to be your biggest expense. Depending on where you’re traveling from, international flights into Beijing or other major cities can cost around $600 to $1,500 per seat.

Once you’re in the country, you’ll have a variety of options to travel from city to city. Domestic flights can save time and energy, but they will almost always cost more than ground transportation. On the other hand, trains are much more affordable (especially the slower, regional trains) and can be nicer than other ground travel options for your 2 weeks in China.

Taxis are also relatively cheap, even in big cities like Beijing and Shanghai. But most places are well connected by subway, which is affordable and surprisingly easy to navigate.

The Cost of Accommodation in China

Accommodation costs vary greatly depending on the type of place you are staying. Luxury hotels can cost almost as much as they do in western countries but come with all the comforts that you’d expect.

If you’re on a budget, you’ll find plenty of mid-range hotels in every city for your trip to China. These can cost anywhere from $30 to $100 a night and are usually reasonably spacious and clean.

Hostels are a popular choice if you want to spend the least amount for accommodation. In big cities, you can find shared dorm rooms for around $20, while smaller towns can be as low as $10 a night.

The Cost of Food and Drinks in China

Everyone around the world knows China for its cuisine, and you can find a range of restaurants when traveling through the country.

Snack food is delicious, cheap, and can be found on almost every corner. From dumplings to meat skewers to pancakes, these snacks are a great way to sample the local culture while also sticking to a budget. Best of all, it will only cost you a few bucks!

Keep in mind that international or western restaurants will almost always cost more than Chinese restaurants. The only exceptions are Chinese delicacies like Peking duck, shark fin soup, and other luxury seafood dishes.

Travel Insurance in China

Travel insurance is one of the most important, if not the most critical thing to have on your China itinerary. Whether you come down with a bad case of food poisoning or break your leg in a scooter accident or during another activity in China itinerary, you’ll be glad to have travel insurance.

Not only does  travel insurance in China  cover the cost of your medical treatments, but it also protects you against other incidents that might occur.

Your $800 iPhone that some thief swiped from your pocket on the train? Or that thunderstorm that canceled your flight to Beijing? Travel insurance covers both of those situations, too.

The last thing you want is to have thousands of dollars in medical bills or pay for your lost or stolen goods straight out of pocket. And since it only costs a fraction of your total trip, there’s no excuse to travel without it.

There are plenty of  travel insurance companies  to choose from, but some policies and benefits are better than others. We recommend World Nomads, the leading travel insurance for all types of backpackers and travelers.

Final Thoughts

China is brimming activities for every type of traveler. From the great outdoors to the Great Wall, you can spend a memorable 2 weeks in China.

This China itinerary highlights the main attractions for a two-week trip, but you should feel free to make it your own! Take that last-minute trip to the neighboring village for a few days, explore the back alleys of the city and get off the beaten path. You never know what awaits you around every corner.

Because really, there’s no right or wrong way to see China.

• Is it Safe to Travel to China?
• Things to Do in Shanghai
• Teaching English in China

China Itinerary FAQs

How many days is enough for china.

I recommend taking at least 2 weeks to visit China.

Which month is best to visit China?

May is one of the best months to travel in China.

Is China cheap for vacation?

Yes, China is a very affordable vacation destination.

Is it safe to go to China right now?

Yes, it is safe to travel to China.

What time of year is cheapest to go to China?

January, February, and September are the cheapest times to go to China.

Tara Burgess

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Search our latest articles, reviews and gear guides

• TravelFreak on Instagram
• TravelFreak on Facebook
• TravelFreak on Twitter
• TravelFreak on Pinterest

Sign up now and get the best gear, travel tips, deals and destinations, straight to your inbox.

Thank you for signing up!

China Itinerary: The Perfect Two Week Itinerary in China

China, the second largest country in the world, is one of the most diverse and contrasting destinations on the planet. Ancient traditions and complex history are sharply contrasted with the modern and futuristic architecture and transport. China can be loud and chaotic, and also rustic and remote. Having travelled extensively through the country, it really is like nowhere I’ve even been. And planning our China itinerary was one of the biggest challenges.

The country is vast, with so many stunning national parks and natural wonders, bustling cities and ancient UNESCO World Heritage Sites. It’s certainly overwhelming to work out where to include in your China itinerary.

I travelled around China with my Dad, which was incredible. Despite the extreme July temperatures we faced, we kept up with each other and were definitely on the same page when it came to deciding where to go and what to do.

So here’s my suggested China itinerary. It’s ideal for first-time visitors who are keen to absorb as much as possible in two weeks. This itinerary will take in the bustling metropolises of Beijing, Shanghai and Chengdu, home to an awesome panda sanctuary. Away from the cities, it will take in Suzhou, known as the ‘Venice of the Orient’ and the magical riverside town of Yangshuo. It will also visit the otherworldly landscapes of Zhanjiaje National Park and the dizzying heights of Tianmen Mountain.

Let’s jump in!

China Itinerary: Essential Information

Visa requirements for china.

First things first, how to travel to China!

Most nationalities need a visa to enter China, including those from the US, the UK, EU and Canada. It’s most likely you need to visit your nearest Chinese embassy to get this.

In the UK, the Chinese embassies are located in Manchester and London . Check the latest on China entry requirements on the FCO website here.

Top tip: Your passport needs to be in good condition in order to apply for visa. Mine had water damage from 5 years prior, and was rejected. Luckily, I had enough time to apply for another one!

Some countries’s citizens are exempt from needing Chinese visas, including Singapore and Japan. Definitely check the most up to date information at your relevant country’s travel advice page.

How to get to China

There are a large number of international airports in China, with many offering direct flights to the UK. However, for tourism purposes, it makes most sense to land into Beijing Airport (PEK) which is the capital of China. Alternatively, you could land into Shanghai Pudong Airport (PVG).

Other airports with direct routes to the UK, and other major international destinations include Chengdu and Guangzhou.

For this itinerary, I suggest flying into Beijing and departing from Chengdu. We found this straight forward to book with British Airways, who offers direct flights for both of these airports.

Other airports serving the main airports in China including:

• China Southern
• China Airways
• China Eastern
• United Airlines
• American Airlines

Getting around China

China is vast, but fortunately, well connected. Flying is the most efficient and convenient way to travel around China, and the domestic network is very comprehensive.

The main airlines covering domestic routes include:

• Shanghai Airlines
• Sichuan Airlines
• Shenzhen Airlines

To explore the country, we used a mixture of domestic flights and train travel to ensure an authentic experience. I’ve flown on Air China, Shanghai Airlines, China Southern and China Eastern. I can definitely recommend all these airlines for a safe and comfortable flight, but they can all be a little delayed sometimes.

Train travel

Trains in China are awesome – especially the high speed trains, many of which reach speeds of up to 400mph. I recommend including several trains throughout a China itinerary for the experience. It can also be more convenient as the stations are typically closer to the town/city centre than airports.

Whilst the train experience is often air conditioned and comfortable, the ticket purchasing experience is not.

You can book the tickets in advance online , but there’s two challenges here. Firstly, the official website is nearly entirely in Chinese. Then, there are tiny subtle differences in the language that can mean you book the wrong station. For example, Suzhou and Suzhou. One is the popular town consisting of beautiful waterways near Shanghai, and the other is in the middle of nowhere. But their names are the same.

Furthermore, the tickets either need to be collected at the station, or be delivered to a Chinese address. For many travellers this wouldn’t be feasible.

After making the above mistake, we chose to arrange the rest of our train tickets at the train station the day before. Some of the train stations in China are massive, particularly Beijing and Shanghai. So we found this to be a great way to familiarise ourselves with the station beforehand and without bags.

The high-speed trains in China aren’t cheap, but are efficient, comfortable and an exciting experience. You definitely pay a premium for business class too.

If you’re travelling around China on a budget, then consider opting for the older trains which still operate. They’re a fraction of the cost.

The Seat61 guide is the ultimate resource for booking all train travel in China.

The Maglev train

This train serves Shanghai’s Longyang Road Station to Pudong International Airport (PVG). It’s an 8 minute journey, covering 30km at a top speed of 430km/h (267mi/h).

The unique element of this train is that it runs on magnetic levitation and Shanghai is the only place in the world to have this kind of train.

The Maglev train reaches its ultra-high speeds by using magnets’ opposite poles on the railway track to create levitation. In fact, it is the world’s fastest train!

Fares for the Maglev train in Shanghai are CNY50 (approx. £5.75/USD$7) which is more expensive than subway the whole way. But for the unique experience of travelling by maglev train, I highly recommend!

You can buy tickets at a machine at Longyang Road Station, and the train departs every 15-20 minutes.

Travelling by bus is the cheapest way to get around China, but definitely the slowest. In a two week trip, I wouldn’t recommend opting for buses as it will highly impact the time you can spend in each place.

Furthermore, bus stations (particularly the one in Beijing) are huge and confusing, with few signs in English. It could easily become a stressful experience with luggage if you’re running late.

Buses within the cities are often modern, clean and frequent, but again the language barrier can prove challenging on the bus system.

The subway is an extremely efficient way to get around, and it nearly always has the station name translated into English. Subway trains are modern, clean and fast and easy to navigate for first time visitors.

We used the subway extensively in Beijing and Shanghai and found it to be excellent. And despite the sheer number of people using it, they manage to scan every bag and every person before you head underground on the escalator. Very impressive!

Like many cities around the world, you need a rechargeable smart card which you can buy from a machine or a cashier. The fares are super cheap (normally around 2-5 CNY) which is 20-50p or USD$0.30-0.70).

Taxis are plentiful and generally quite cheap. The drivers rarely speak English, even in Beijing or Shanghai so always take a business card from your hotel with the address on it.

We found some taxi drivers to be somewhat unwilling to take us as foreign tourists. We’re still unsure why, but one driver even refused to take us from the bus stop to the Great Wall of China, despite us pointing at a picture of it in a guidebook.

When is the best time to travel to China?

As China is such a vast country, spanning five different time zones and dozens of different climate zones, deciding when to go very much depends on what you’re planning to see and do, and personal preferences.

Generally, the best times to visit are during the transition seasons of spring (April and May) and autumn (September to October). During these months, the temperatures are warm but comfortable. Best of all, the crowds are lower!

The summer months, particularly July and August can be scorching hot, with extreme humidity and heavy rainfall. The crowds can also be high during this time.

I wouldn’t necessarily say avoid visiting during these months. But I’d prepare for extreme heat and humidity. I went in July and although we experienced a heatwave with daily temperatures in excess of 45c (113 degrees), we had an amazing time.

A key time to avoid visiting is during the Chinese New Year, which depending on the lunar calendar, tends to fall in January or February each year. Lasting around 10 days, this is a major holiday period for Chinese people and everywhere gets seriously busy.

Visiting China in the winter means much of the country is very cold, particularly Beijing. However, if you want to see the Great Wall of China covered in snow, then this is a great time to visit!

Other useful information

It’s a well known fact that China is very strict on internet and social media use. Internet use is heavily controlled and sites such as Facebook, YouTube and Instagram are blocked. However, the way around this is to use a VPN (Virtual Private Network). You can set this up in your home country before arriving. Some of the best VPN apps for your phone or laptop are:

This guide here on the best VPNs in China may be useful, as well as this detailed guide to the best Apps in China .

In terms of WiFi on the go, I found it could be quite hit and miss. I would generally recommend a local prepaid SIM if you want to stay connected whilst travelling in China. You can arrange this in arrivals at the airport, as you need ID and you’d already have your passport on you.

You can arrange a 30-day SIM card to be delivered to your hotel using this service, which I highly recommend.

Food in China

Everyone in the world knows something about Chinese food. Whether it’s the familiarity of your local takeaway, or the much discussed fact that the Chinese eat meats such as dog.

I’m pleased to report that I found it fairly easy to avoid unusual meats I didn’t want to eat. You can avoid going to the markets that sell and prepare these meats, and you can opt for the vegetarian option on menus.

We often selected chicken with our meals, and as much as we certainly hope we only ate chicken, we can’t ever be 100% sure.

If you are very unwilling to eat anything too foreign, it’s best to politely refuse any gestures from locals to eat at their homes. This could happen, and if it does, you may run the risk of being presented with a meat you don’t want to eat.

You could join a foodie tour, such as this small-group Lonely Planet food in Beijing tour with a local guide. This is a great way to get to grips with the cuisine, with the guidance of a local!

We found a good mix of international and Chinese restaurants all over China. In some more rural places, such as Zhangjiajie, there was a short street of restaurants, so we picked one and hoped for the best. In other places, such as Chengdu or the other big cities, there is a great variety of restaurants.

Yangshuo, the penultimate place in my China itinerary is famous for mangos during the summer months. This charming town is packed with smoothie stands, so you can enjoy the most fresh and delicious mango drinks all day long.

Food is generally really affordable throughout China, but at major tourist attractions, such as the Great Wall of China, we found the food to be extortionate.

We also found beer was readily available throughout China, even in cafes during the day.

Language in China

One of the most challenging aspects of travelling in China is the language barrier.

The official language of China is Mandarin, which differs to Hong Kong, where the main language is Cantonese. There are also hundreds of dialects throughout the country. We quickly found out that actually, speaking English is quite uncommon, even in the big cities. In more rural areas such as Zhangjiajie, it was rare.

Unfortunately, we found more local people who didn’t want to try and help us than those that did. I don’t want to say this is a poor reflection of the Chinese people, but few people wanted to let us even attempt Mandarin using the translations from our guidebooks.

We also found entire receipts passed to us in Mandarin, and to be honest, we had no idea what they said or what the amount came to.

Overall, I would say China is the most challenging place I have travelled around. With so little written in English, and often little help from locals, there were times we spent totally lost and wandering around.

Google Translate app has definitely helped things along, you just need to find someone who’s willing to stop and help you.

Cultural customs

Although China isn’t conservative like the Middle East, I do recommend dressing without bearing too much skin if you’re a woman. I wore shorts and a t-shirt most days and this was fine.

In terms of the Chinese people, it depended where we were as to our interactions. At a colourful night fair in Yangshuo, a local family thrust their baby into my arms and crowded round me for a photo and were so friendly, despite the language barrier.

But in Zhangjiajie, we couldn’t get a single local to stop and help us with the walking routes on a map. In Ghangzhou, we had our only really bad experience where some airport taxi drivers were nasty verbally. They even put their middle fingers up when we asked how much to a hotel.

On the other hand, we had some wonderful experiences where despite the total language barrier, a train station steward patiently helped us when we had got on the train to the wrong Suzhou. He allowed me to type into Google Translate to ask questions and responded back by typing in my phone. Another man at an airport hotel which was fully booked in Ghangzou arranged for a friend to pick us up and take us to a hotel in town, for a very good rate.

You will also notice things like spitting in the street and throat hacking, but it isn’t normally as bad as you might have expected.

Travel independently or join a tour?

Joining a tour to explore China can be a great idea, especially to help you navigate the very tricky language barrier. With a local guide leading the way, it can be a great way to visit all of the top places without getting too lost or stuck along the way. You also have the added benefit of a wealth of local knowledge, particularly around the dinner table or at cultural attractions.

We travelled independently, which made for an exhausting but rewarding experience. It allowed us to also make last minute changes, such as deciding to forfeit a night in Guilin and add an extra night in Yangshuo, as it was so amazing. We were also able to add in down time when we needed to, or upgrade hotels when we urgently needed an extra good shower.

So it is definitely down to personal preference, and if you’re looking to travel around China solo, it may be nice to join a tour. We didn’t often see that many other Western tourists along our way.

Alternatively, you could travel around China independently, and joining guided tours to complement this. For example, the Great Wall of China is actually a bit of a headache to get to on local bus and taxi, and this is a great example of an activity best done as a tour.

Ultimate China 2 Week Itinerary

So let’s go! This China itinerary is aimed at first-time visitors who want to take in some of the country’s best known destinations, such as Beijing, Shanghai and Chengdu as well as lesser known charming corners. I’ve picked Zhangjiajie for its incredible landscape and scenic routes, as well as Yangshuo, my personal favourite place in China. However, I’ve also included some alternative destinations in China to visit.

I suggest using a mixture of trains and planes to keep the travel times lower, but this China itinerary will still be fast-paced and action-packed!

If you’d prefer to slow this itinerary down, I recommend removing one destination and spending longer in other places.

Here’s an overview of the route:

• Beijing: Day 1-3 (including a day trip to the Great Wall of China)

Suzhou: Day 4

Shanghai: day 5-6, zhangjiajie: day 7-8, tianmen mountain: day 9, yangshuo: day 10-12, chengdu: day 12-14.

Beijing: Day 1-2

The capital of China and an ancient city dating back over 3,000 years. Today, Beijing is a city of extreme scale and size, both traditional and technologically advanced.

For one, it is the world’s most populous capital city with almost 21 million residents, but the second most populous city in China (after Shanghai). Beijing is also home to the world’s busiest and longest subway, as well as the second busiest airport in the world.

To put simply, Beijing is both vast and hectic, but also organised and contained. That being said, as a tourist, the main sites to see are in a fairly concentrated area in the heart of Beijing. It is easy enough to see the key tourist attractions over the course of two days, complemented by a day trip to the Great Wall of China . So let’s dive in on what there is to see in Beijing in three days.

Forbidden City

This was the first attraction in Beijing that I visited after landing at Peking airport, and I found it fascinating, despite the poor weather we endured that day.

Visiting the Forbidden City was a great crash course in Chinese history, as this imperial palace has served as the home of Chinese emperors for almost 500 years. The whole complex is vast, but due to the extreme July heat and some impending jetlag, we managed to explore the highlights of the Forbidden City in a full afternoon.

Arriving at lunchtime, (which I wouldn’t normally recommend for a key tourist attraction), actually worked in our favour and we got through the line to buy tickets quite quickly.

However, if you are visiting in the morning for a full day, I would strongly recommend booking a guided tour which includes skip-the-line access too.

Tiananmen Square

Opposite the Forbidden City is the famous Tiananmen Square. Take in the huge Mao Portrait over the entrance to the Forbidden City. This has been the setting for many protests, particularly those in 1989 pushing for democracy. There is no entry fee here, and you may find yourself here several times throughout your visit, as it is located above a central and convenient subway station.

If you visit at dawn or dusk, you’ll have the opportunity to see the huge national flag raised or lowered by the guard, which is a great spectacle.

Jingshan Park

Located behind the Forbidden City is Jingshan Park, a former private imperial garden. There is no entry fee here either and you’ll regularly see locals practicing tai chi or walking in small groups.

Inside, there is also a small hill to climb for excellent 360 degree views of the city and the recently restored Shouhuang Temple, which was originally built in 1749.

This excellent tour here takes in the Forbidden City, Tiananmen Square and Jingshan Park with a local English-speaking tour guide over a half day.

Explore the Hutongs

Hutongs are older-style residential areas based around a network of traditional alleyways. There are several sprawling hutongs throughout Beijing, but some are more geared towards tourists.

We loved spending a half day exploring Nanluogo Xiang . It’s packed with boutique stores, cafes and restaurants, that is equally popular with locals and tourists. You’ll see lots of young cool Beijing locals and plenty of interesting fashion.

Nanluogo Xiang is the home of hip cocktails bars tucked away in hidden courtyards, alongside locals gossiping and catching up over xiangqi , a version of Chinese chess.

Another hutong area worth visiting is Wudaoying Hutong which is quieter and offers a more authentic experience.

These are easily self-explored, but you can join a local rickshaw driver for a guided tour which is awesome or a small group cycling tour .

Eat at the Wangfujing Street Market

We loved this market, although we stumbled upon it by accident as our hotel was very close. Turns out, this is one of the best places to go to in the evening in Beijing. The street food section is an curious array of insects and seafood on sticks, but there are some more normal options too, such as delicious fruit salads.

This market is loud and chaotic but a great way to feel part of local life.

Make sure to also try the famous Peking duck at a local restaurant such as Sheng Yong Xiang.

This awesome evening foodie tour by tuk tuk takes in the best of the Beijing food scene, from peking duck to street food and locally brewed beer.

Visiting the Beijing Olympic Park

As a huge fan of the Olympics, this was a must for me. Seeing the Bird’s Nest stadium was awesome, and this is now a popular area for locals to spend their evenings amongst the fountains and enjoying the light display.

You can also see the Water Cube venue, which came back into use for the 2022 Winter Olympics.

You can visit the Olympic Park and the nearby Beijing Zoo with this excellent tour here .

798 Art District

This neighbourhood is home to the burgeoning artistic scene in Beijing, and there are dozens of world-class art galleries here to peruse. Located within a former factory complex, this area has been transformed to house exhibitions from local artists, to world-famous artists.

Where to stay in Beijing

There are a huge number of places to stay in Beijing, covering all budgets and preferences. I’ve popped some suggestions here:

Budget hotels:

For those looking for great value, but authentic stays, one option is to stay in a small guesthouse along one of the narrow alleys of a hutong. My suggestion for this would be The Orchid , in the local hutong of Gulou, where a double room starts from £91 (USD$111).

Another option is LeZai Hotel located in Shajing hutong, where rates start at about £40 per night (USD$40).

Mid-range hotels:

We chose to stay in the Crowne Plaza Wangfujing for its excellent location and comfortable stay, and would highly recommend.

The Hotel Eclat offers amazing bang for buck, with 20 of the rooms offering private pools in the heart of the city. The rooms are also themed so book ahead for greater variety to choose from. Rooms start from £147 per night (USD$180).

Luxury hotels:

PuXuan , also in Wangfujing and opened just last year. It has a fabulous spa and excellent views across the city. Double rooms start from £215 per night (USD$263)

Or for the ultimate luxury stay, consider the Rosewood Beijing where double rooms start from £225 per night (USD$276).

Great Wall of China: Day 3

The iconic Great Wall of China is highly likely to be top of your list of things to do and see in China. And for good reason. It’s an incredible day trip, and one I’d love to go back to do again. We chose to do it our trip entirely by public transport, which was quite fiddly however we were some of the first to arrive and therefore had an incredible experience of being some of the few people on the wall.

How to get to the Great Wall of China

There are several points where you can see the Great Wall of China – after all, it is over 13,000 miles long!

The area of Badaling is the closest to Beijing’s city centre, and unsurprisingly is the busiest section. It’s also very touristy.

Mutianyu is a little further, and although it is still really popular, it is far less busy than Badaling. There’s also the added bonus of a cable car to head up to the Great Wall, and the thrill of a luge to descend again.

If you want to see the Great Wall with far less crowds, the sections you should consider are Jiankou, Simatai, Gubeikou, Jinshanling and Huanghuacheng. These take a little longer to get to, but a return trip can still be done in a day. You could also take a day trip to these sections:

• Badaling Great Wall and Ming Tombs Coach Tour from Beijing
• Beijing: Jinshanling Great Wall Group Tour with Lunch
• Simatai Great Wall and Gubei Water Town Transfer with Ticket
• Mutianyu Great Wall Full-Day Group Tour
• Great Wall Hiking: Small Group to Jinshanling and Simatai
• Jiankou to Mutianyu Great Wall Small Group Hike
• Ming Tombs Underground Palace & Mutianyu Great Wall Bus Tour

We chose to go to the Mutianyu section. Although we followed instructions to the bus station and onwards, we actually found it a very frustrating journey. The route is:

• Take the subway to Dongzhimen 东直门 Station.
• From here, head to ground level and to the Dongzhimen Bus Station (Jiaotongju 交通局) to take the #916 to Huairou 怀柔
• Take a taxi on the street to Mutianyu 慕田峪

So this sounds wonderfully straight forward, I know.. I wish it had been though.

We got to the Dongzhimen Bus Station fine, but spent probably 30 minutes or more on a wild goose chase around the station looking for the right bus stop. We asked locals and were sent in so many different directions. However, we eventually boarded and carefully watched for 怀柔 (Huairou) to come up on the electronic board at the front of the bus, so we knew when to disembark.

When we finally got to Huairou, we had a far harder job getting a taxi than we expected. We actually found a local hospital and waited to jump into a taxi there instead, but once in it, our taxi driver really struggled to understand where we wanted to go. Despite us pointing to a very clear picture of the Great Wall of China (that was displayed in his taxi..).

Somehow, we made it to Mutianyu fine, and fortunately were some of the first people to arrive that day. We were there well before the tourist buses. You can buy tickets on the day as the gates, before proceeding through to the tourist village. Naturally, there’s every kind of souvenir under the sun to buy.

There is a cable car to take you from the tourist village at Mutianyu to the actual Great Wall which was awesome. The views were phenomenal. At the top, we explored in both directions, but there’s only so far you can go, as some of the wall has crumbled and the path has been destroyed.

Arriving early is definitely the way to go, as well as going on a midweek day. The proof is in my photos!

When we were ready to head down, we joined a short queue for the luge (like a toboggan on a metal shute). I highly recommend doing this – it was thrilling and a totally unexpected highlight of our day.

Back in the tourist village, we stopped for a very overpriced lunch before navigating the bus system back to Beijing city centre.

It’s time to leave the hustle and bustle of Beijing. Suzhou is a logical next stop as it is on the train route between Beijing and Shanghai.

This beautiful town is made up of waterways and is referred to as the ‘Venice of the Orient’. I personally thought it was a little bit like Hoi An in Vietnam.

I would recommend a full day and night in Suzhou, so you can explore this beautiful town in light and darkness, when all the red lanterns are lit up. You could alternatively visit as a day trip from Shanghai , but it means coming back on yourself if you travelled there from Beijing.

When leaving Beijing, ensure you have the correct Suzhou on your ticket so you don’t repeat the mistake we made (see travelling by train above).

Just under half of this city’s area is covered by water, including streams, ponds and waterways. The city dates back more than 2,500 years, with the traditional design of the city still preserved today.

The best things to do in Suzhou are centred around boat rides on the Shantang River or exploring one of the 60 beautifully kept gardens, with the Humble Administrator’s Garden being my favourite. It dates back to 1509 and was built under the rule of the Ming Dynasty. The entrance fee is CNY90 (£10/USD$12.50).

Suzhou is also a wonderful place to soak up day-to-day life by stopping by local teahouses, sampling the local Jiangsu Style dishes or buying some of the best silk products in the world.

I recommend staying in the Holiday Inn Express Suzhou New District .

Wow, Shanghai. What a city. Shanghai is China’s largest city and is positioned on the Yangtze River Delta. It serves as the economic and trade centre in China, and is one of the key economies in Asia.

People say you either love or hate Shanghai. I really liked it and preferred it to Beijing. Although I enjoyed my time in Beijing, and particularly all the sightseeing, I did find the city felt rather grey.

Shanghai on the other hand is full of colour and light, and there is a real a buzz and energy around this cosmopolitan city.

Whilst there are less historic attractions in Shanghai, the city is considered one of the cultural hubs in China with a world renowned opera and popular cuisine.

A really nice way to see the city is on a hop-on hop-off bus tour , which will give you live commentary from a guide on board as you drive around the city.

Visit the Bund and Modern Shanghai

The Bund is a wide promenade along the river, where visitors can experience stunning panoramic views of the city. On one side is the futuristic skyline, comprising some of the tallest skyscrapers in the world and the dazzling Oriental Pearl TV Tower. Did you know, you can go to the top of this awesome building? Buy your skip-the-line ticket to its viewing platform here .

On the other side, behind the promenade are beautiful colonial buildings, offering a true contrast of old and new.

Book a half-day Bund sightseeing tour here.

Explore the French Quarter

One of the oldest parts of Shanghai is the Former French Concession (FFC), an area known for its unique architecture blending European style with old-style Chinese homes, called Shikumen.

This area is big (almost 8km wide), and stretches west from the Bund. One of my favourite aspects of the French Quarter are the beautiful tree-lined avenues, which also provide some much needed shade. There’s also countless cafes, bars, restaurants, boutique stores, art galleries and antique stores to browse, and even some hip breweries. This area is popular with expats in Shanghai and also with tourists.

In my opinion, one of the most beautiful streets is Wukang Lu, which has cafes with plentiful outdoor seating and is very charming. Other highlights of the FCC include Fuxing Lu, which is full of cool art galleries or Wulumuqi Road, which has some awesome antique stores.

The French Concession can easily be explored on a self-guided tour using a paper map, but it’s also an excellent idea to consider a guided tour to learn more about the history of the area. Here’s a few suggestions:

• Craft Beer Tasting in Former French Concession
• Evening Walking Food Tour in the FFC
• Half-Day Old Shanghai Small Group Bike Tour (Day & Night)
• Shanghai French Concession 2-Hour Walking Tour
• Shanghai 3-Hour Afternoon Tea Tasting and Dessert Tour
• 3.5-Hour Old Shanghai City Tour

Find zen in Shanghai’s Gardens and Temples

Shanghai, like most cities in China has countless gardens, each housing traditional Chinese buildings or classic temples.

Some of the gardens are like finding an oasis in the heart of the city, and one of the best is Yu Yuan (Happiness Garden). Another highlight is visiting the serene Jade Buddha Temple, surrounded by peaceful Chinese Gardens.

Arrange a 2-hour walking tour of the beautiful Yu Yuan gardens here.

Where to stay in Shanghai

If your budget can stretch to a stay in one of the hotels lining the Bund, then this certainly would make for an incredible stay. Not only is this close to many of the main attractions in Shanghai, but is an amazing opportunity to sleep in one of the beautiful buildings.

We stayed in the InterContinental Shanghai Pudong , which is an amazing luxury stay near the main train station, which is also an excellent location. Make sure to read my review of the Intercontinental Shanghai Pudong here .

Here are my suggestions of the best hotels in Shanghai, covering all budgets:

Affordable: Shanghai Fish Inn East Nanjing Road . At around £11 per night, this is a great value stay, in an excellent location with some very good reviews. Also, the Bund Riverside View also has some great reviews (from £26 per night).

Mid-range: The Radisson Blu Shanghai New World Hotel (£64 per night) or the Ji Hotel (£63) a night for comfortable stays, with a few extra amenities.

Luxury: There’s no shortage of luxury hotels in Shanghai. As well as the Intercontinental Shanghai Pudong , these are some of the best:

• Waldorf Astoria
• The Peninsula
• Mandarin Oriental Pudong
• The Ritz Carlton Pudong

We knew with our two weeks in China that we wouldn’t want to spend the whole time visiting different cities. We researched for hours to decide which natural wonder or national park to visit in China.

Zhangjiajie was chosen in the end for its otherworldly landscape, which are huge towering karst pillars, some of which reach dizzying heights of over 1,000m. This national park is also said to have been the inspiration for the popular movie ‘Avatar’, although this has led to a huge increase of daily tourists to the park.

Zhangjiajie is actually China’s first designated national forest park (awarded in 1982), and it clear to see why. Spread across 30sqkm within the wider Wulingyuan Scenic Area of Hunan Province, days in Zhangjiajie national park can easily be spent exploring and hiking through this magnificent natural wonder.

We flew from Shanghai to Zhangjiajie, so this section of the trip could easily be switched for another national park in China, if you prefer.

Hiking in the national park

Our days in Zhangjiajie were some of our most challenging, as it was very hard to know where to go and how to do it. For example, the maps have very little English on them, and a lot of the routes are inaccurate. There are also shuttle buses to jump on, but these were not clear which route they were going to and as mentioned, few people were keen to stop and help us. The queuing system was also hectic with a bit of pushing and shoving.

In the end, we spent two full days hiking in Zhangjiajie. We chose to start early and make long full days of exploring. At the entrance were always huge Chinese groups waiting to start walking and they always had a guide with a flag on a stick and a huge speakerphone. We just felt we had to get away from the sheer number of people and noise quite quickly. It would take just 10 minutes to be in complete peace and quiet. Honestly, despite trying to use the map/incorrect signage and work out the shuttle bus systems, we never really knew where we were going.

But somehow, we managed to hike nearly 35km each day, plus more than 50,000 steps and saw all of the amazing sites. The temperature was around 35c in July, and it was definitely exhausting work as most the paths are staircases. It can be very tiring and taxing on the legs, especially in the heat. But there are plenty of local stalls on the paths selling food, snacks, water, ice lollies etc, so you don’t need to carry too much with you.

On the second day, we did end up finding a cablecar to take us all the way back to the entrance which saved our legs, but cost a little extra. There is also a huge elevator (lift), called the Bailong Elevator. It’s said to be the longest outdoor elevator in the world, stretching nearly 330m up the cliffside. We considered it for a while, but at 72 CNY (£8.50/USD$10) each way, we chose to walk. I don’t think we fully appreciated the extent of walking we were set to do in Zhangjiajie National park, but it was sure worth it – especially to avoid the crowds.

There is also the world-famous glass bridge at Zhangjiajie National Park. We didn’t do this, but you can read a full guide to the bridge walk here .

You can definitely arrange day tours to Zhangjiajie in advance, which could be a good idea if you don’t do well with getting lost or confused! Here are a few ideas:

• 3-Day Tour to Zhangjiajie National Forest Park (from Zhangjiajie city)
• Full-Day Private Tour of Zhangjiajie National Forest Park
• Zhangjiajie Grand Canyon Ticket with Glass Bridge and Cruise

Or, if you don’t fancy walking, you can pay for a lift on one of these seats carried by local guides (when they’re not napping!).

Entrance fee

The entrance fee to Zhangjiajie national park is CNY245 (£28/USD$35). Although the ticket covers you for unlimited entry over 3 days, you’re likely to only use it for a couple of days. The entry fee, together with the elevator ticket can make it a more expensive few days. But, I really do believe it’s well worth the cost and the landscape is like nowhere else on the planet.

Which routes to take?

Our favourite day was following the Golden Whip Stream trail. It took us straight away from the crowds, and pass trickling streams, crystal clear lakes and along the base of the huge towering cliffs. The path was flat for the first few kms, going over stunning bridges before ascending steeply into the mountains. Choosing to hike means you’ll also see far fewer people on the route, but we did see a few elderly Chinese locals actually speed past us in both directions which was quite disconcerting!

Where to stay in Zhangjiajie National park

You can’t actually stay in the park, but the main accommodation area is in the nearby town of Wulingyuan. From here, it’s a 20 minute walk to the park entrance.

I would really make sure to pick a comfortable hotel here, even though you’ll only be in the hotel to sleep. You’re likely to come back from the hiking so exhausted, hot and sweaty, you’ll want a proper shower and a comfortable bed.

My top suggestions would be:

• Pullman Zhangjiajie (£48 per night)
• Crown Plaza Zhangjiajie Wulingyuan (£71 per night)
• Whispering Mountains Boutique Hotel (£29 per night)

This beautiful mountain is located back in Zhangjiajie and is well worth visiting during your time in the area. It is not in Zhangjiajie National Park.

We managed to visit Tianmen Mountain as a full day outing, before heading onto the airport in the evening. So therefore we didn’t need to stay in Zhangjiajie overnight. We simply took a taxi arranged by our hotel in Wulingyuan back to Zhangjiajie early in the morning, which took around 40 minutes. Then we left our bags at a local hotel right by the cable car ticket office (for a small cost), before collecting them at the end of the day and before going to the airport. The cable car ticket office is very close to the bus station and train station, so this works really well.

Although left luggage is not a formal service they offer, they were happy to do so and others had done the same thing.

Tianmen Mountain is also known as ‘Heaven’s Door Mountain’, due to the huge opening at its summit. It’s the largest hole of its kind, almost like a giant doorway at the top of the mountain. Known as the ‘Stairway to Heaven’, there are 999 stairs up to this huge hole, and it’s a challenging climb!

The main things to do at Tianmen Mountain is to enjoy the journey to the summit (an adventure in itself), as well admire the stunning views from the top. There’s a cliff edge walkway, which winds its way around 1.6km along the cliff face with a drop of more than 1,400m. The railing is pretty sturdy, but this is not for those with a fear of heights! This one has a solid floor, but there are two other glass walkways for those looking for a thrill!

There are two options to ascend to the summit: take the world’s longest cable car or one of the world’s most precarious drives – with 99 hairpin bends! If you are prone to car sickness, I do not recommend doing this drive!

We chose to jump in a minibus for the drive up (doing this road downhill seemed way too scary), and then take the cable car for the descent. The cable car is very steep, and covers 7kms in about 30 minutes.

The cable car starts at 7.30am in the summer months (8am in winter) and I strongly recommend getting there at least 30 mins before this opens. The lines can get very long and the Chinese tour groups join en masse, making it very noisy and chaotic.

My favourite place on this China itinerary! We initially planned to do one night in Yangshuo, and one night in Guilin. But upon arrival, we were just so blown away by Yangshuo, we decided to cancel visiting Guilin.

Yangshuo is like a South East Asia backpacking town, but in China. It is charming, quaint and a wonder to explore, but the best bit is the humour of the locals. At some point, someone must have decided to place a giant stuffed teddy bear at a bar stool at the front of their restaurant. And before long, all other venues in Yangshuo followed suit. So now as you explore the pretty town, nearly every bar or restaurant has an oversized bear sitting at the front! Sometimes he has his big paw wrapped around a beer glass or he might be sitting at a table waiting for you to join. We even saw one bear with his head in his paws. He must have had too much to drink…

Aside from the local humour, and the charming laneways, Yangshuo has a lot to offer. The mesmerising Li River winds through both Guilin and Yangshuo. It is flanked on both sides by towering limestone karst mountains, and teeny villages.

Days in Yangshuo can be spent exploring the beautiful countryside and calming riverside settings backed by the magnificent karst scenery. We chose to hire bikes to cycle alongside the river to rice terraces. It was a lovely, relaxing day where we jumped in the river to cool off.

In the evenings, make sure to head back to the river at sunset to watch the local fisherman . The age-old technique uses their beautiful cormorant birds who assist them in the fishing.

We explored ourselves but we did get quite lost at times along the river and amongst the karst towers. One idea would be to join a guided hiking tour with a local English-speaking guide . Not only can you take in the scenery whilst following them, but they will share interesting facts about the area.

If you end up being short on time you can visit Yangshuo from Guilin on a full day guided tour along the Li River .

Longji Rice Terraces

An iconic image of China is of course, the rice terraces located a few hours from Guilin. Construction of the Longji Rices Terraces started back in the late 1200s during the Yuan Dynasty. However, they were not completed until the Qing Dynasty in the early 1500s.

We chose not to visit after deciding to spend more of our time in Yangshuo, but these are highly impressive and often a highlight on visitors’ itineraries in China.

A day at the Longji Rices Terraces can be spent hiking along the maze of trails between the terraces. There are stunning viewpoints along the way.

If staying in Yangshuo, it’s likely to be easier to join a tour to the Longji Rices Terraces to take care of the logistics and planning.

Where to stay in Yangshuo

As a huge fan of the Banyan Tree group, I highly recommend staying at Banyan Tree Yangshuo (£226 per night) for the best luxury stay in Yangshuo.

Other great options covering all budgets in Yangshuo include:

• Yangshuo Mountain Retreat
• The Bamboo Leaf Yangshuo
• Yangshuo 11 Hostel

Another city we loved in China was Chengdu. Famed as the home of spicy Sichuan cuisine, Chengdu is also the place to go in China to see pandas!

Together with the Great Wall, seeing the pandas in Chengdu was one of things I was most excited about. It was an incredible day out, and even better than I expected. Chengdu itself is also a great city to spend some time in too, with some awesome shopping and markets.

Chengdu Panda Reserve

Where do I start! This is one of the best things to do in China, and in my opinion, totally unmissable.

The panda centre is easy to get to from Chengdu . Simply jump on bus #198 or #198A from the Chengdu zoo stop in the city. Or grab a taxi for CNY 50, which takes 30 minutes from the heart of Chengdu, depending on traffic. Or arrange a 4-hour private your with drop-off and pick-up here .

Ensure to arrive early in the morning in order to see the pandas at their most active. They’re lazy creatures and after spending the morning tumbling, rolling around and chomping on bamboo, they often snooze for the rest of the day. The park opens at 7.30am and ticket entry is CNY 58 (£7/USD$8.50) per person, with children under 1.3m free.

The panda reserve in Chengdu is awesome, and you can easily spend a full day here. There are plenty of huge enclosures to see the pandas, and they have lots of climbing frames and toys. My favourite part was the baby enclosure, were we even saw tiny baby pandas in an incubator!

If you want to interact and hold pandas, you can visit as a volunteer for the day. However, it is rather expensive and we didn’t do this. You can book this online here , and it is approximately £285 per person for the full day interaction.

Explore Chunxi Lu

This 1km long pedestrianised shopping street is a must-visit in Chengdu. From authentic antiques and local goods, to boutique stores, there are 700 shops to tackle. Make sure to also visit the six storey Chunxi Road Market too.

An evening foodie and beer tour is a great way to explore Chunxi Lu.

Leshan Buddha

Leshan, which is a 1.5hr bullet train ride from Chengdu, is home to the world’s largest carved stone Buddha in the world. You can visit this as a day trip yourself on one of the tourist buses, or book onto a local tour such as this one .

The sheer size of the Buddha is overwhelming, as he stretches more than 71m into the sky.

Where to stay in Chengdu

As with the other big cities in China, there’s a huge number of places to stay in Chengdu. You can definitely find some excellent value hotels in Chengdu. Here’s my pick of the best:

• The Temple House (from £188 per night)
• Crowne Plaza City Centre (from £47 per night)
• InterContinental Century City Chengdu (from £76 per night)
• Shangri-La Chengdu (from £79 per night)
• Renaissance Chengdu (from £46 per night)

Other Places to Visit in China

In my opinion, this suggested two week China itinerary covers a number of the key highlights. If you have 3 weeks in China or longer, or if Zhangjiajie or Yangshuo do not appeal perhaps, then you could consider the below destinations:

Xi’an was once known as the gateway to the Silk Road, today it is best known for the Terracotta Warriors. There are over 8,000 life-size statues who were created during the reign of China’s first emperor to guard his tomb. Another highlight in Xi’an is to explore the old city walls and enjoy the view across the city and of everyday life.

You can book your train ticket easily online using this tour service from Beijing to Xi’an here.

Mt. Hua Shan is a great place to visit for thrill-seekers, and visiting here can be easily done as a day trip from Xi’an. The infamous Hua Shan plank walk is located here, where you side step along a plank fixed to the side of a cliff. This is considered the world’s most dangerous hike and supposedly over 100 people have died here. If anything, the mountains themselves are worth visiting even if you don’t do the plank walk and you can ascend to the summit of Hua Shan by cable car. You can visit all five peaks which each having stunning views and provide glimpses of the Yellow River below on several different hiking routes.

Jiuzhaigou and the Jiuzhai Valley National Park

Located north of Chengdu in Sichuan is this magnificent world of crystal clear alpine lakes, stunning cascades and ancient forests. At the heart of the national park is the multi-coloured, striking Five Flower Lake.

There is a limit of 5,000 people per day to this national park, so it could be a good idea to join a tour from Chengdu or to arrive very early.

The national park is both a UNESCO World Heritage site and a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve.

To get to the national park, you need to fly to Jiuzhaigou from Chengdu (or other cities in China). As it is located high in the mountains, there is no train here but there are long distance buses going from cities around China to Jiuzhaigou.

You can also arrange this excellent 4-day tour in advance from Chengdu taking in both Jiuzhaigou and Tibet.

Two weeks in China

So there’s my guide to two week China itinerary for a first-time traveller. As you can see, there are some amazing experiences on offer in this China itinerary and that’s just selecting a handful of places to see in China.

There are countless destinations to visit in China, but we picked each of our places for very distinct reasons. Beijing and Shanghai to visit the two biggest cities in China, both of which are packed with history and culture. Zhangjiajie and Yangshuo to explore rural China and enjoy some outdoor adventures, and then Chengdu for the pandas, of course!

And Suzhou and Tianmen Mountain were included in our China itinerary as they slotted in nicely to our plans.

I hope this proves useful in planning for your trip to China!

Feel free to drop me a line if you would like any further advice on anything to do with travel in China. And if you’ve enjoyed this guide, then please do share using the below links!

Wanna see more? Check my Instagram  here , my Facebook  here  or my Twitter  here !

Disclaimer: This visit to China was entirely paid for by myself, and there was no involvement from the tourism board or a hotel. This is an independent guide.

Enjoyed my China itinerary guide? Pin it!

You may also enjoy:

Staying at the holiday inn mai …, uluwatu beach guide – the best beaches …, a guide to visiting kawasan falls …, ella travel guide: the best things ….

Hi, thankyou so much for sharing your trip. your blog is amazing also all the pictures makes me want to visit there very soon. your blog is very helpful 🙂

Thank you so much for sharing your 2 week Itinerary!

It’s made me super eager to get back to Beijing as I loved it so much and would love to explore more and see how things are now. You’ve included some amazing`ing sounding ideas which I’d love to do!

China is really one of the most beautiful country filled with lots of modern and historical attractions. I had a chance to visit China with tourist group from Abu Dhabi and we had a great stay their, we especially liked the Great China Wall. I am planing to visit again with next group.

Hi, Thanks for the detailed explanation and tips. I’ve been reading a lot about the country and your posting is the most helpful and inspiring. I am planning to travel solo to China next November starting in Shanghai and ending in Beijing, for two weeks. is it safe for a solo female to travel around China? Thanks again

Great tour. Thanks so much. We are planning for May 2024.

Quick question: How did you get from Zhangjiajie to Yangshuo or Guilin? I did some research and it’s not easy by train or plane.

Sorry for the late reply! I flew between the two, with a stopover in Guangzhou – it wasn’t overly easy! Landed in Guilin and travelled by bus to Yangshuo!

Great Itinerary!!!

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Let’s connect

Your Best Guide to China

Visiting China soon? Start here

• Best China VPN
• Chinese culture
• Banned apps
• Apps in China
• Love in China
• Teach in China
• Provinces and regions
• Special offers
• 6 steps to get started
• Best places to visit in China
• What to bring to China
• What not to bring to China
• China packing list
• Tips for your first trip
• Tips for solo travel

Top 16 do’s and don’ts of texting Chinese girls

Best time to visit the Great Wall of China (2024)

What are the main differences between China and Taiwan?

• Travel agencies
• Learn Chinese in China
• Learn Chinese online
• Study programs
• Internships
• Recruitment agencies
• Teacher recruitment agencies
• TEFL courses
• Volunteer programs
• Dating sites
• Travel insurance

Select Page

12 tips for solo travel in China (from a self-proclaimed expert)

Posted by Gayle Aggiss | Updated August 15, 2022 | Travel

Have you ever dreamed of traveling solo through China?

Some people may try to convince you that it’s too dangerous to travel solo in China. But in fact, the opposite is true.

China has a very low crime rate, the public transport is great, and even though you’ll struggle to communicate with the locals outside of the main cities, that issue will apply whether you’re alone or with someone else.

In fact, solo travel in China can be amazing. Trust me, I’ve done it!

It will allow you to immerse yourself in a way you just can’t manage when you’re with other people. It will force you to engage with people and with the country. And it will encourage you to have a truly adventurous and unique trip based on what you most enjoy to do.

That being said, traveling by yourself in China can be difficult. That’s why I’ve created this list of top tips for solo travel in China.

1. Expect a safe place

China is a safe country all around, with a low crime rate . But you’re even safer when you’re a tourist in China.

The Chinese government is very concerned about their public image on the world stage, so any criminals harming tourists are given hefty sentences. And to most of them, it really isn’t worth the risk.

You should still take the same precautions when traveling in China that you would take anywhere else. But you’re at very low risk of physical attacks of all kinds.

In fact, while you’re there, you’ll probably feel safer than you did back home.

I know that when I was in China, I was shocked at the fact that I could walk home at 3 am after a night out with friends.

Not only was I perfectly safe, but I felt safe too, in a way I hadn’t experienced when doing the same in Australia, where I’m from.

2. Get a visa

Know the visa rules before you travel to China. Image by i viewfinder on Shutterstock.

You may need to get a visa when you travel to China. It depends on where you’re going, how long you’re staying, and what country you’re from.

For really quick trips (i.e. less than six days), you could be eligible for what’s called Visa Free Transit. But if you’re not, you’ll need to compile some documentation and pay a visa fee – again, this depends on where you’re from.

You can check the Chinese visa page for more information and help.

3. Be prepared for culture shock

Culture shock will affect independent travelers. Image by Ulrich & Mareli Aspeling on Unsplash.

Unless you’ve traveled extensively in Asia, or even if you have, you’ll experience culture shock when you get to China. I know I did.

For the first few weeks (or months) I felt as if I was wandering around with my mouth wide open at just how different it was to my home.

But that’s half the fun, isn’t it? Everything’s different in China, from the food to the sights , smells, and ways of doing things. And this can bring on feelings like disorientation, anxiety, irritability and even fear and depression.

It can be particularly bad for solo travelers, who don’t have someone with them to discuss and debrief after a shock.

So, go easy on yourself. Take breaks when you need to. And with a bit of time, you’ll find yourself adjusting to the way they do things in China.

Some travelers like to learn a lot about the country before they get there, so the culture shock isn’t as intense. If that’s you, check out some of the best China blogs before you go, or even a China documentary on Netflix .

4. Don’t expect the locals to speak English

You’ll need to find other ways to communicate in China. Image by SteveMushero on Pixabay.

Traveling throughout China is very different to being a tourist in the major cities like Shanghai or Beijing.

Outside of the big cities and the main tourist areas, you’ll find that the locals speak very little English, let alone other European languages.

This can be a huge barrier for any kind of traveler, but here are some tips to overcome it:

• Don’t be embarrassed to use body language to communicate (but counting with your hands is different in China, so be careful)
• Always have your hotel/destination names on your phone in Chinese so you can get back to your base
• Also have any dietary restrictions written down in Chinese on your phone
• Download a translation app on your phone (choose one like Pleco that doesn’t need internet access).

If you’re addicted to Google (for translation, maps, etc), make sure you get a VPN before you arrive in China. Otherwise, your access will be blocked by The Great Firewall of China.

5. Stay in hostels

Great hostels like this one (Hantang Inn, Xi’an) are ideal for solo travel in China. Image by Matyas Rehak on Shutterstock.

As long as you’re reasonably careful, then hostels are a great choice for solo travelers.

They’re generally safe and will give you the chance to meet other travelers so you can have company when and if you want it.

Most hostels in China have dorm and private rooms. So, if you don’t mind sleeping in a room with lots of strangers, you can take a dorm room and travel really cheaply.

And if you need more privacy, you can have your own room and still enjoy access to the shared facilities for friend-making time.

I recommend using Hostelworld as it specializes in budget accommodation and has a huge range of hostels in China.

6. Beware of scammers

Counterfeit notes are in circulation in China. Image by Ton Anurak on Shutterstock.

You’ll find scammers in almost every country and as a solo traveler, you’ll be an easy target. Most scammers set up shop in the popular tourist cities like Shanghai and Beijing , but you need to be careful everywhere.

Here are some tips for staying safe from scammers:

• Beware of anyone who comes up to you and speaks good English (Chinese people are usually pretty shy)
• Don’t exchange your money on the street – do it at a Chinese bank
• Check any change you get for counterfeit ¥50 or ¥100 bills
• Don’t go for a drink (even tea) with a friendly local who approaches you on the street, as they may leave you with a huge bill
• Try to use proper bank ATMs
• Be careful and cautious when giving money to people begging
• Always ask the price of your meal/snack/drink before consuming them.

You can read more about the most common scams in China here .

7. Be careful what you buy

Blink and you’ll miss the fake Nike shoes. Image by StreetVJ on Shutterstock.

If you’re from most Western countries, then you can be reasonably certain that the items in the shops are authentic. However, China is famous for its knockoffs, and these can appear in some unexpected places.

For example, don’t just assume that a bottle of your favorite perfume actually is the brand that the bottle says. Always check the bottle carefully, just in case it’s a knockoff.

And remember that fake goods may get confiscated at the airport, so this is an important thing to do when you buy branded products.

8. Be prepared for the toilets

When you travel solo in China, you have no one to remind you to bring toilet paper! Image supplied by Gayle Aggiss.

If you’re only traveling in the major tourist areas on a tour, then you probably won’t have major problems with the toilets. But if you’re traveling independently or outside of the tourist areas then things will be different.

Most of the toilets you find in China will be squat toilets , which means you will have to get used to them pretty fast.

You should also carry toilet paper with you at all times, because most toilets won’t have any. And remember that the used toilet paper goes in the trash can, not in the toilet.

9. Learn to haggle

You should haggle at places like this in China. Image by LapaiIrKrapai on Shutterstock.

One of the bad things about traveling alone is the fact that you have to do everything yourself. And that applies to haggling too.

Haggling is common in China outside of chain stores and high-end boutiques, so be prepared to argue the price you want.

And don’t worry if you don’t speak the language, the shopkeeper will have a calculator that you can use to exchange prices.

It would be worth getting familiar with counting money in Chinese so you’re not short-changed.

10. Wear sturdy shoes

Make sure you’ve got good walking shoes for China. Image by Tom Wheatley on Unsplash.

When you get to China, you’ll see lots of young women wandering around in very high heels. Don’t try this yourself unless you’re as sure-footed as an acrobat in heels.

China’s roads, pavements, and everything else are often uneven, covered with rocks and other debris, or made of a slippery type of rock or tile. So, unless you like tripping over, avoid shoes that are hard to walk in.

I remember taking a big fall in the middle of a street in Shanghai, where roadwork was going on in the middle of a busy intersection. I went straight down on my hands and knees, ripping up my hands and my nice jeans.

Not to mention, there were plenty of locals around, all of them staring curiously at the scene. Try to avoid doing that yourself if you can!

The guide on what to pack for China covers shoes as well as every other item you’ll need in your suitcase or backpack.

11. Stay on the path

Stick to the places you want to visit, and you’re comfortable visiting. Image by Gualberto Becerra on Shutterstock.

China is a fairly safe place to travel as a solo traveler, much safer than other parts of the world. However, it’s still important that you stay on the beaten path unless you’re super-adventurous, fluent in Mandarin or not very risk averse.

Some parts of China, most notably the western and remote regions, are so isolated that you might have trouble getting into and out of them. For example, you need a special permit to visit Tibet  and even then you’ll be in a tour group.

Venturing off on your own in a place like this could get you into a lot of trouble. Plus, you don’t want to get stranded in the middle of nowhere in such a huge country, with no one around who speaks English and not a single embassy in sight.

So, stick to the beaten path, at least for your first trip to China. And why would you want to stray from it anyway when the beaten path is so exciting, filled with delicious food, beautiful nature spots, and amazing cities?

You can check out Mike’s article on China travel tips for more helpful info like this.

12. Ask for help

Locals will be generous with their time. Image by Maud Beauregard on Unsplash.

This may surprise you a little, but the locals will be incredibly helpful when you’re in China despite their shyness. That’s been my experience, anyway.

They won’t usually come up to you and ask if you need help, which is where the surprise comes in, but if you ask for help then they’ll often be extremely helpful and friendly.

They’ll work hard to understand what you need, help you read your maps, and giggle as they practice their English on you.

In fact, some of the most heartwarming interactions you’ll have while you’re in China will probably be when you ask the locals for help.

Just remember that tipping is not customary in China , so please don’t pull out your wallet when you do receive help.

Are you ready for solo travel in China?

Traveling solo in China can be an amazingly rewarding experience.

It will test you, teach you, frustrate you, and enthrall you, and you’ll return home a different person than you were when you left.

Just make sure you keep these tips in mind when you’re planning a trip to China, and traveling across the country. And don’t forget your China VPN !

Want to keep reading? Then check out my article, “ Is China safe? ” for more helpful advice about traveling around this crazy country.

Main image credit: Vonnahmed1 on Shutterstock.

Want more helpful information about China?

Then hop on the monthly newsletter!

One more step: You must click the link in the email we just sent you to confirm your email address.

Commercial relationship disclosure: The Helpful Panda has commercial arrangements with organizations that may appear on this page, such as affiliate links. See our terms for more info.

Gayle Aggiss

Gayle loves learning and is intensely curious about the world. This curiosity has driven her to travel and work overseas, including China and Vietnam. Gayle is from Perth, Western Australia. You can follow her on LinkedIn .

Got a question or comment?

We welcome relevant and respectful dialogue. See our terms for our comment policy.

More Great Content

What are the best places to visit in China?

Updated March 31, 2023

How long is a flight to China?

Updated June 26, 2023

Cheapest time to fly to China (7 ways you can save)

Updated January 13, 2024

Longji Rice Terraces – a guide for tourists

Updated October 19, 2020

Recent Posts

Recent Comments

• Kim Ooi March 18, 2024 on Living in China: the good, the bad, and the bloody ugly
• lgeng March 18, 2024 on Living in China: the good, the bad, and the bloody ugly
• Mike Cairnduff March 10, 2024 on 40 China travel tips for 2024 (I swear by every one)

Ads space (New)

Explore China

Do you want to build your career in China?

Our writers have all experienced China in person. Support them by subscribing to the free monthly newsletter about visiting China.

The Top 15 Apps for China Travelers

Apps are revolutionizing the way we travel, and nowhere is this more true than China. Downloading these apps before you get to China can make everything a whole lot easier, as it alleviates problems with the language and can help you get your bearings quicker.

That's why we've listed the top 15 most useful China apps for travelers, whether it be language, directions, traveling, taxis, keeping access to your social media, or restaurants.

1. A VPN App — for Internet Access

You won't get very far in China without a VPN these days, as apps such as WhatsApp, anything Google (Google mail accounts, Google docs), Instagram, Facebook and Twitter all require a VPN for use.

We've listed the best free and paid VPNs so that you can start your trip prepared!

Language Apps

2. pleco (free or upgraded version).

In terms of getting to terms with the Chinese language, Pleco is one of the best language-learning apps, and will also save your time if you can't read things such as menus, signs, or can't translate a tourist attraction name into Chinese.

You can either input using pinyin (the alphabetic system of Mandarin), or you can draw out characters in order to translate them. The dictionary from English into Chinese is also very good.

3. Learn Chinese Mandarin (Free or Upgraded Version)

A great beginners' language app with sets of key phrases for the most important parts of traveling. Greetings, general conversation, numbers, directions and places, transportation, eating out, and emergency are all included in the free version.

If you want to take your Chinese learning to the next level, consider paying $4.99 for the upgraded version which also includes vocab lists for time and date, accommodation, shopping, colors, regions and towns, countries, tourist attractions, family, dating, feeling sick, and more.

Navigation Apps

4. google maps (free).

Google Maps is the best comprehensive maps service throughout China, as it is fully available in English and makes it easy to navigate around even if you don't speak the language.

Now google, facebook, twitter, youtube, and instgram have been blocked by China firewall. You'd better get a VPN before departure. See the Best VPNs for Use in China (Free and Paid) .

5. China Travel Guide (Free)

A travel guide with listings for popular tourist attractions throughout the country, including addresses, pictures, locations on the map, and other peoples comments on each of the popular tourist sites.

Great for pre-planning or while you're on the road as this app can be used offline too, which is perfect if you're traveling without much access to Internet.

Transport Apps

6. our train-booking app.

We've designed an app to connect mobile users with our acclaimed English-language China train service, making it easier for foreign travelers in China to book train tickets.

Read more about it here , including information on how to download it.

7. China Metro (Free)

China Metro has a huge collection of subway maps from cities through China, whether you're traveling to Beijing , Shanghai , Guangzhou , or even smaller cities like Harbin , Wuhan, Hangzhou and Changsha .

Even more conveniently, it also has information for Singapore, Hong Kong and Taipei if you're traveling off the mainland.

8. DiDi ChuXing (Free) — for Taxis

Since Uber was taken off the market, a local equivalent called DiDi ChuXing has taken over the car-sharing market. Similarly with Uber, drivers will be eager to please and get you to your location for a good rating.

The vast amount of Wi-Fi around the country in hotels and restaurants means that even without 3G or a Chinese SIM you'll be able to request a car, and the driver will be able to find you based on the pin you have dropped at your location. The chat function in-app also means you can chat with your driver through a translation service in real time.

Payment gets taken off your international card as per usual, it's very simple and the same price as normal taxis.

9. Taxi! China ($1.99)

Taxi! China is the best way to ensure that you have important information to pass onto taxi drivers throughout the country about your hotel, the locations you want to go to, and can flawlessly communicate with them. 

It has lists of important phrases and phone numbers so that you'll never be caught off-guard or lost.

10. MoBike (Free)

The bike-sharing economy is taking the world by storm, and the revolution started in China! MoBike is one of the many apps that you can easily download and catch a shared bike ride on. Bikes are found throughout most Chinese cities, on pretty much every street corner.

First few rides are free, and from there on you'll pay CNY1 per ride. You do have to put down a CNY200 deposit but you can get this back.

11. WeChat (Free) — THE Social App

WeChat is the most popular messaging service in China, and is great if you're meeting people in China and want to stay in touch. Even in cases where you, for example, meet a lovely taxi driver and want to keep his contact in case you need him to drive you around the next day, WeChat is the best way to do this.

You can send text and voice messages, and call people for free if you're both connected to either Wi-Fi, 3G or 4G. It can also be used to pay for things by QR code.

Travel Help Apps

12. day tour booking app.

If you only have 1-2 days to visit a city, our Day Tour Booking app is the best way to plan your day trip.

The app selects the most popular attractions to visit in the main tourist cities, such as Beijing, Shanghai, Hangzhou, Xi'an, and Guilin. Every stop of your tour can be checked easily on the app before you make your payment.

After you have booked, you will be picked up from your hotel lobby by a local tour guide, and an experienced driver in a comfortable car to start your tour.

Now the Day Tour Booking is available on App Store. Get your free trial by clicking here.

13. Flight Radar (Free or Upgraded Version)

If you're considering doing a lot of traveling by air in China, Flight Radar may actually have more information than the airport when it comes to delays and actual flight times.

Prepare by getting this app, and you won't regret it in case something unexpected happens while you're at the airport. Also great for those with a special interest in airplanes!

14. Airbnb (Free) — for Accommodation

Airbnb is not only changing the way people travel in the West, but also in China. On Airbnb you will find a wide array of accommodation throughout the entire country, including some very unique spots near the Great Wall of China , for example.

Most Airbnb hosts signed up in China do speak English, and you'll also find that many of them are actually foreigners living in China with a unique view of the country to share.

15. AirVisual (Free) — for Air Quality

If you're worried about traveling in China as a result of increased coverage of its air pollution issues, it can be worth downloading AirVisual ahead of your trip. The app shows real-time air pollution levels as measured at different points in the country, with an estimation for the next few days. This can be useful if you're traveling with someone who has a weaker respiratory system.

The app's coverage isn't limited to China though, you might be surprised that your hometown is more polluted than you thought.

Our China Tours

Our tours will guide you as much or as little as you need, so you won't even need to use any of these apps if we guide you through China, as we'll take care of it all.

To get in touch with us about organizing a tour, all you have to do is contact us through this form and tell us more about how many people are traveling, and where you'd like to go.

Further Reading

• Internet access in China is not the same as back home, so make sure you know what you're doing before coming out here. For example, if your only email address is a gmail address, consider creating a hotmail or yahoo to stay in touch with friends.
• For HK, we have  Hong Kong Apps: The Top 10 for Travelers/Expats .
• And if you're going to Shanghai, we've also compiled a list of apps for tourists visiting Shanghai.

Get Inspired with Some Popular Itineraries

More travel ideas and inspiration, sign up to our newsletter.

Be the first to receive exciting updates, exclusive promotions, and valuable travel tips from our team of experts.

Why China Highlights

Where can we take you today.

• Southeast Asia
• Japan, South Korea
• India, Nepal, Bhutan, and Sri lanka
• Central Asia
• Middle East
• African Safari
• Travel Agents
• Loyalty & Referral Program
• Privacy Policy

Address: Building 6, Chuangyi Business Park, 70 Qilidian Road, Guilin, Guangxi, 541004, China

APRIL SALE:   Discover and book at   up to 60% off!

Fully Guided Tours & Trips in China

Find the right fully guided tour for you in China. There are 291 trips to choose from, that range from 2 days in length, up to 35 days. The month with the most departures is October, making it the most popular time to visit China.

250+ Fully Guided tour packages in China with 376 reviews

• In-depth Cultural
• Christmas & New Year

China Express

Firstly the accommodation for the first night was moved to another hotel the day before the tour started. The hotel where we were moved to had no record of us. The same thing happened to the rest of our tour group. This defeats the purpose of booking through an agent. We waited in the foyer for hours (after a very long flight) to get a room in the hotel. The hotel was far from the original hotel and before we started the tour we planned to see sites and researched metro stops etc.

8-Day Small Group China Tour to Beijing, Xi'an and Shanghai

This was the best step we made to explore China. This tour was more and beyond our expectations. Maggie was our guide and I cannot recommend her highly enough. Maggie was so giving in her knowledge, so we could soak up the culture.

• 10% deposit on some dates Some departure dates offer you the chance to book this tour with a lower deposit.

11-Day Small Group China Tour to Beijing, Xi'an, Guilin and Shanghai

The tour was excellent from A to Z. Our guides Kitty (Beijing), Lily (Xi'an), Monica (Guilin) and Mary (Shanghai) were knowledgeable, informative, caring and attentive. It was well curated, and we hit all the spots from modern to traditional to naturist. I have become taken by the country and wonderful people, and ive been singing its praises since I returned home. All in all an excellent and memorable trip. Five stars ????????????????????!

China Delights Small Group Tour

This is a great tour that packs a lot in. Time flies as you see so much although you won't spend long at many of the sites. My favourite bits of the itinerary were: - The Great Wall at Mutianyu (Beijing) we took the chair lift option which meant we could ride the toboggan back down. - Terracotta Warriors (Xian) half day - Li River Cruise (Guilin) - Huangpu River Cruise (Shanghai) which luckily turned into an evening cruise as we couldn't get on the earlier one. Those are the highlights but there are so many other things such as the Tang Dynasty Dancing and Dumpling Dinner and Summer Palace in Beijng and Reed Flute Caves in Guilin. In particular Guilin so picturesque and Shanghai so modern. We were lucky with our first two guides, Tina (Beijing) and Celine (Xian) who were both excellent. Autumn in Guilin and Mindy in Shanghai were good too. Autumn stayed with us to help us find and order food in the evenings so a couple of long shifts for her. Celine helped arrange a birthday cake for one of our younger travellers. Included meals were excellent. Full banquets usually in local restaurants but we really enjoyed the home cooked lunch as well. Food was plentyful. We even enjoyed the set meal box on the cruise. Hotels were generally of a good standard. Check-in at The Great Wall Hotel in Beijing was really slow though and trying to find a table for breakfast was difficult and located a fair distance away from where the restaurants are (need to get the subway to reach them) The hotel in Guilin was the worst one, the rooms being some distance away from the lift and lobby and small bathrooms. The hotel in Shanghai was excellent. It was nice touch that we got framed photo souvenirs of our trip from Beijing although I think both myself and my sister should have received one each as we paid for single supplements. Some feedback I'd give would be that they need to let us know about the optional night tours that are available on the website/ itinerary before we come out so that we can budget properly. There was a night visit for the Big Goose Pagoda in Xian with the musical fountain light show which we would have liked to have gone to didn't go to due to the weather. We found that the night cruise in Guilin was expensive as the premium we paid for the guide to buy the tickets and come onboard with us was excessive. We could have just walked to the ticket office and bought the tickets ourselves. The night tour of Shanghai was just as expensive but at least that included a coach to drive us around as well as the guide. Having said that, we could have used the subway and got around ourselves and because it started so late, we didn't see much. It is worth going up Jin Mao Tower. Overall, we had a great time on this trip and would recommend Travel China Guide.

• Book With Flexibility This operator allows you to rebook your dates or tours with them for free, waiving change fees.

• Sightseeing

The Essence of Guilin

Great experience from the first day to the last day. Tour guide George and driver Wang assisted in picking up and dropping off and was punctual throughout. Bravo hotel in Guilin and New Century hotel in Yangshuo was great located with many choices of buffet breakfasts, very nice room and comfortable bed. Sailing through the 2 rivers and 4 lakes in the downtown of Guilin was brilliant. Longji rice terraces hike was such beautiful picture scroll with stunning views at the top and Li river cruise were majestic, cycling through the scenic town and country side of Yangshuo was absolutely exciting. Overall a fantastic experience that I would recommend to everyone.

• Train & Rail

China Highlights (5 destinations)

Great Wall & Warriors - 10 days

An enjoyable journey to the most iconic sights of China.

Great Wall to Great Cities: Beijing to Shanghai China Journey

I took their Beijing tour back a few years ago and loved it!! I still can't believe I saw so much of China in just 3 weeks! The hostels were actually really nice, and the experiences were incredible. Guides were all super friendly and had fun recommendations. When meals weren't provided, we'd get a group dinner together which was super fun. At times I was the most exhausted I've ever been, but the guides were super motivated and kept the energy up. I know people who have gone on more expensive tours of China and didn't get to do the cool stuff we did like camping on the great wall of china or training with shaolin warriors.

• 5% deposit on some dates Some departure dates offer you the chance to book this tour with a lower deposit.

China Express - 8 days

This is a well planned and well-run trip. On The Go's partner in China has all the details planned out well in advance and their guides are prepared and very knowledgeable. On arrival to the airport, I was met by my guide in the airport who gave us a brief welcome and introduction to China, he also provided us with timing and familiarisation document so we knew what to expect from the next 6 days. We then took our complimentary transfer to the hotel. The hotel we were in was by the Olympic park so there was plenty to see and do after we arrived. Day 2, we met early and headed out. Our guide Leo was Chinese but his English was fantastic and very easy to understand. He kept us in the loop about what to expect, our timings and even gave the toilets star ratings - essentially helping us out on which ones had 'western' style toilets and which were squat loos. This was of invaluable help to many of the ladies on the tour- its a small touch but made travelling easier! He also taught us some very basic Chinese as most people do not speak English. Only small things like hello, how are you and thank you. But again, they help you navigate the country a little easier and its always polite to know how to say Thank You in the local language. Our guide also helped us with what to order when we arrived at restaurants so that we got to sample the best of the local area (each area in China is famous for a different dish). If you are not a fan of Rice and Noodles there are very little options for alternatives so if you have a specific dietary requirement remember to let them know in advance and possibly bring some snacks with you too. There is a lot to see and do in Beijing and whilst the Beijing days are very busy, you get a lot out of them, you get to see the most famous sites, sample local food, have a hilariously funny and enjoyable rickshaw ride (possibly my tour highlight!). We opted to not do the Pearl market (which is not full of pearls but rather a local clothing & goods market) and instead headed across the road was a really nice park and temple. Our guide showed us how to get the entrance and recommended the visit and he was absolutely right. If your a fan of a bargain the Pearl Market is amazing - but after a busy couple of days we rather enjoyed the slower pace of temple life. We visited two sections of the wall and the guides local knowledge proved invaluable here again. He advised us on the first section we visited, which way was the quieter way to go so you could enjoy the wall without masses of crowds, and again the next day ensured we were up and out early to get to the wall for opening time so we could enjoy almost private access to the wall. After about 2 hours the place was rammed with people, and we were all very happy with the early start to get the most out of the wall. The overnight train - whilst not being the most comfortable, was clean, we wree provided with linen and slippers and there are facilities with western toilets. There is also a hot water machine which our guide used to make us all a cup of Jasmine tea in the morning. On arrival into Xi'an we went for early check-in at our hotel so we could all freshen up, then went out to visit the wonderful city of Xi'an. Across from the hotel is a great tea market that I highly recommend. As its local nobody hassles you and if you need help, the locals are super friendly and will do their best to help you. The ride around the city walls was good fun, but there is also a walking option for those who are not bike confident. When we departed our trip some of the group were headed to Chengdu, some to Shanghai on longer versions of this trip. We were catching a flight so the tour company arranged another guide to collect us and take us to the airport. She then helped us check in and navigate security, acting as a translator for us. This was a service above and beyond what I was expecting as I had expected only to be picked up by a taxi and dropped off. This personalised service was fantastic and made the whole process easier. Normally I am a solo traveller, and I've been all over the world, but i couldn't recommend this tour enough. We got so much out of only a few days and we did so much more by being part of a group- from Tea experiences to skipping long queues it was worth every penny. Additionally, many tourists sites have minimal signage in English so having a guide with you means you get an explanation of what you are looking at, the context and the history which made the experience much more enriching.

Great itinerary and travel between all the destinations was well managed and pain free. The accommodation was a lower standard as this is a lower budget tour but all of the locations allowed for easy access to the local attractions. All of the hotels/hostels were clean and air conditioned, we were more interested in the sights anyway! Our guide was the best and balanced knowledge with ensuring the group had fun, she was happy to change plans and arrange alternatives if any or all of the group wished to do different things. A really great group of people added up to a fantastic, memorable trip that I would happily recommend to anyone wanting the 'Real China' trip.

Hong Kong to Chengdu Express: 9-Day Chinese Journey

I will use tourrader again

• Food & Culinary

Chinese Cuisine & Culture

I saw a lot and the chosen destinations were very interesting. The organization was also great. Everything went smoothly and on time. All the tour guides were extremely friendly, well informed and very keen to fulfill all wishes. The hotels were clean and well maintained. The hotels were centrally located for exploring on your own. I felt very well looked after, learned a lot about China and can only recommend this trip.

Best of China Small Group Tour

11 Days China Natural Wonders Small Group

Spiritual and Modern China

What people love about fully guided tours in china.

Great fun packed itinerary and wonderful leading by the guide Howard from Xian. Amazing, just go.

As a couple surprised by an fantastic individual tour by three very articulate guides and proficient drivers around Beijing, Xian and Shanghai. Learnt not only about history but culture and language today. Felt very safe even when venturing out alone around cities without guides. Our only issue was we could not get internet to connect but that is going to be more us being technophobic. However so supported by guides that not required.

This tour is the greatest China esperience! All guides go above and beyond to immerse you in the ancient China history, local culture, natural wonders. Absolutely professional and courteous service, best accomodations, balanced time and activities for perfect vacation. Special thanks to TravelChinaGuide agent Emily - helping all the way in planning the tour. Highly recommended tour and TravelChinaGuide team, especially for the first-time visitors to China.

Regions in China

• Southern China (62)
• Western China (55)
• Sichuan (8)
• Guangxi (8)
• Xinjiang (6)
• Northern China (5)

Travel Styles

• Fully Guided
• China Travel Guide | All You Need to Know

History Daily

Journey Through the World's Most Breathtaking Natural Landscapes

Posted: April 23, 2024 | Last updated: April 23, 2024

Li River Guilin, China

Welcome, adventurers and nature enthusiasts, to a journey that will take you around the world without ever leaving your seat. Today, we embark on a thrilling exploration of the most captivating and awe-inspiring landscapes that our planet has to offer. 

Imagine standing on the edge of the Grand Canyon in Arizona, gazing into its colossal depths while the vibrant hues of the rock formations paint a breathtaking masterpiece before your eyes. It's a geological wonder that has fascinated explorers and travelers for generations, and it's just the beginning of our adventure.

Now, let's jet-set across the globe to James Bond Island in Thailand, a place so surreal that it might seem like it's straight out of a 007 film. Here, massive limestone formations rise dramatically from emerald waters, creating a scenery that defies imagination.

But these two wonders are just a glimpse of what's in store for you. We'll transport you to the far corners of the Earth to witness the stunning diversity of our planet's landscapes. From towering mountain peaks to tranquil lakes, from lush rainforests to arid deserts, each stop on our journey will leave you in awe of nature's grandeur.

The Li River in Guilin, China, looks like it was plucked from a traditional Chinese painting. The iconic karst peaks rise majestically from the waters, creating a landscape that has inspired poets and artists for centuries.

A river cruise along the Li River is a journey into another realm. The reflections of the limestone peaks in the tranquil waters, shrouded in mist during the early morning or bathed in the warm glow of the setting sun, evoke a sense of timeless serenity. Fishermen on bamboo rafts add a touch of cultural authenticity to the scene.

The scenic beauty of the Li River has made it a symbol of Guilin's natural wonders. The picturesque landscapes, with names like Elephant Trunk Hill and Nine Horses Fresco Hill, contribute to the area's legendary charm. The Li River in Guilin offers an unforgettable and enchanting experience for those who have the privilege to witness its splendor.

Zhangjiajie National Park, China

Zhangjiajie National Park defies imagination, featuring towering sandstone pillars, lush forests, and mist-shrouded peaks over 18.59 square miles. Renowned for inspiring the fictional world of Pandora in James Cameron's "Avatar," this UNESCO World Heritage Site is a surreal masterpiece of nature's architecture.

The park's signature quartz-sandstone pillars, known as the "Avatar Hallelujah Mountains," reach heights of over 1,000 meters, creating an otherworldly skyline. The misty atmosphere adds an ethereal touch, enveloping the peaks like celestial veils. The daring might venture onto the transparent glass-bottomed bridge, suspended between cliffs, for an adrenaline-fueled view of the deep canyons below.

Lush greenery blankets the landscape, with winding trails leading to panoramic viewpoints like Tianzi Mountain and Yuanjiajie. The towering cliffs and unique rock formations, such as the aptly named "Husband and Wife Peaks," embody the park's mythical charm.

Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park, Australia

Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park in Australia unfolds in layers of red earth and sandstone formations. At its heart lies Uluru, the monolith that dominates the landscape, standing 348 meters tall and revealing a rainbow of colors as the sun crosses the sky. The spiritual significance of Uluru to the Indigenous Anangu people adds a profound layer to its already breathtaking beauty.

Kata Tjuta, a series of 36 domed rock formations, complements Uluru, creating a mesmerizing ensemble against the vast Outback horizon. The play of light on these ochre structures during sunrise or sunset intensifies the natural spectacle.

Exploring the park offers a journey into history with its rock art, sacred sites, and the Australian desert. The hiking trails around Uluru and through the Valley of the Winds in Kata Tjuta allow visitors to immerse themselves in the timeless grandeur of this UNESCO World Heritage site.

Stokksnes Peninsula, Iceland

Stokksnes Peninsula in Iceland stands as a testament to nature's raw and untamed beauty, offering a breathtaking landscape that epitomizes the country's dramatic and otherworldly charm. Situated on the southeastern coast near Höfn, black sand dunes stretch to meet the Atlantic Ocean, while the Vestrahorn mountain reflects in still waters.

The iconic Vestrahorn, with its jagged peaks rising dramatically from the coastal plain, serves as a striking focal point. The interplay of light and shadow on the mountain's slopes, especially during sunrise or sunset, transforms the scene into a photographer's dream. The reflection of Vestrahorn in the shallow waters left by the tide adds a mesmerizing touch to the overall composition.

Stokksnes is not merely a visual spectacle; it's a sensory experience. The howling winds, the crunch of black pebbles beneath one's feet, and the expansive views of the surrounding mountains and glaciers create an immersive encounter with nature.

Milford Sound Fiordland National Park, New Zealand

Milford Sound in Fiordland National Park, New Zealand, seems to transcend the boundaries of ordinary beauty. Nestled on the southwestern coast of the South Island, this fjord has been carved by glaciers over millions of years. Towering granite cliffs, adorned with lush rainforests and plummeting waterfalls, flank the serene waters of the sound, creating a breathtaking panorama.

Mitre Peak, the iconic mountain that presides over Milford Sound, is beautifully reflected in the still waters, adding to the park's charm. The water is home to dolphins, seals, and penguins, creating a dynamic and lively ecosystem.

Cruising through Milford Sound unveils its cinematic beauty, with Stirling Falls and Bowen Falls dramatically cascading down the cliffs. The wilderness around the area is pristine, with dense forests and rugged mountains. Every turn reveals a new facet of breathtaking beauty.

Ha Long Bay Vietnam

Located in northeastern Vietnam, Ha Long Bay combines natural splendor and cultural mystique. This UNESCO World Heritage Site is renowned for its emerald waters and thousands of towering limestone karsts and islets that seem to emerge from the sea like sentinels of a bygone era. The bay's beauty is heightened by misty mornings and golden sunsets.

Navigate the serene waters and you'll discover hidden caves, grottoes, and floating fishing villages that add to the bay's allure. The limestone formations, sculpted by nature over centuries, evoke a sense of wonder. Each karst has a unique shape, with some resembling mythical creatures or ancient temples.

Beyond its aesthetic marvels, Ha Long Bay is steeped in Vietnamese folklore, with legends of dragons descending to protect the land. This cultural mix, woven into the fabric of the landscape, enhances the bay's allure.

Great Barrier Reef Australia

Situated off the northeast coast of Australia, the Great Barrier Reef captivates with its breathtaking beauty and ecological richness. Stretching over 2,300 kilometers, it's the largest coral reef system globally, comprising a mosaic of vibrant coral formations, crystal-clear turquoise waters, and an astounding diversity of marine life.

The underwater landscape offers a kaleidoscope of colors, with coral gardens displaying a spectrum of hues, from electric blues to vivid pinks. The reef teems with life, housing an array of marine species, including colorful fish, sea turtles, and manta rays.

Beyond its aesthetic allure, the Great Barrier Reef is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and plays a crucial role in global marine ecosystems. Unfortunately, it faces threats such as coral bleaching and climate change. Conservation efforts are underway to preserve this natural wonder, underscoring the significance of safeguarding Australia's treasure.

James Bond Island Thailand

James Bond Island is an iconic and breathtaking landscape nestled in Thailand's Phang Nga Bay. Also known as Ko Tapu, this small limestone islet gained international fame after featuring in the James Bond movie "The Man with the Golden Gun." The sheer vertical rock, standing tall amidst the emerald waters, creates a surreal and captivating scene.

The island is characterized by its slender form, dramatically rising from the sea with a solitary tree at the top. The surrounding bay is dotted with similar limestone formations, forming a cinematic panorama that has become synonymous with exotic beauty. The emerald-green waters, framed by mangrove forests and hidden caves, add to the allure.

Tourists are drawn to James Bond Island not only for its cinematic history but also for the sheer visual spectacle it offers. Boat trips around the bay reveal the intricate details of these geological wonders, leaving visitors awe-inspired by the island's jaw-dropping beauty.

Laamu Atoll, Maldives

Laamu Atoll, located in the southern reaches of the Maldives, epitomizes tropical paradise. Made up of 80 islands, with only a few inhabited, Laamu boasts pristine beaches, turquoise lagoons, and vibrant coral reefs. The atoll's seclusion makes it an idyllic destination for those seeking tranquility and a connection with nature.

The coral formations beneath the crystalline waters create a kaleidoscope of colors, hosting an extraordinary diversity of marine life. Snorkeling and diving enthusiasts are treated to a vibrant underwater world featuring manta rays, reef sharks, and tropical fish. The sandy shores, fringed with coconut palms and vegetation, provide a picturesque backdrop for the stunning sunsets that paint the sky in hues of orange and pink.

Sustainable tourism practices in the region contribute to the preservation of this ecological gem, ensuring that future generations can continue to be mesmerized by the unspoiled beauty of Laamu's landscapes.

Luberon Regional Nature Park Provence, France

Nestled in the heart of Provence, France, the Luberon Regional Nature Park encompasses rolling hills adorned with lavender fields, olive groves, and vineyards, creating a picturesque mosaic of colors and textures. Quaint villages with stone houses cling to the hillsides, each exuding a timeless charm that complements the surrounding scenery.

The Luberon Massif, a range of mountains that forms the park's backbone, offers panoramic vistas of the valleys below. The scent of lavender permeates the air during the summer months, and the markets in villages like Gordes and Roussillon add to the region's allure. Cypress trees line the winding roads, leading to medieval castles and abbeys perched on hilltops, providing a glimpse into the area's rich history.

The Luberon Regional Nature Park is not just a feast for the eyes; it's an immersive experience that engages the senses. Hiking trails lead through fragrant forests, and hidden spots offer breathtaking views of the landscape.

Plitvice Lakes National Park, Croatia

Situated in the heart of Croatia, Plitvice Lakes National Park is a mesmerizing blend of waterfalls, crystal-clear lakes, and lush greenery. The park is renowned for its 16 interconnected lakes, dotted with cascading waterfalls and surrounded by dense forests. Wooden boardwalks weave through the landscape, allowing visitors to cross the park.

The crown jewel is Veliki Slap, the park's tallest waterfall, plunging gracefully into the pool below. The travertine formations, shaped by the constant interplay of water and minerals, lend an otherworldly charm to the terrain.

Plitvice Lakes National Park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and its allure is not confined to a single season. In winter, the landscape transforms into a snowy wonderland, adding a new layer of magic.

Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park, ArizonaMonument Valley Navajo Tribal Park, on the Arizona-Utah border, is an iconic landscape that epitomizes the quintessential American Southwest. The park is renowned for its dramatic sandstone buttes, mesas, and spires that rise from the vast desert floor, creating a surreal and mesmerizing panorama. The red-orange hues of the towering formations are intensified during sunrise and sunset, casting long shadows and painting the landscape with an ethereal glow. Monument Valley has been featured in numerous films, becoming an enduring symbol of the American West. The Mittens and Merrick Butte stand as sentinels in this vast desert, shaped by millions of years of erosion. Exploring Monument Valley is like stepping into a living painting, with the ever-changing play of light and shadow transforming the scenery. Navajo-guided tours provide cultural insights into the history and significance of the land, adding a deeper layer to the visual spectacle.

Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park, on the Arizona-Utah border, is an iconic landscape that epitomizes the quintessential American Southwest. The park is renowned for its dramatic sandstone buttes, mesas, and spires that rise from the vast desert floor, creating a surreal and mesmerizing panorama.

The red-orange hues of the towering formations are intensified during sunrise and sunset, casting long shadows and painting the landscape with an ethereal glow. Monument Valley has been featured in numerous films, becoming an enduring symbol of the American West. The Mittens and Merrick Butte stand as sentinels in this vast desert, shaped by millions of years of erosion.

Exploring Monument Valley is like stepping into a living painting, with the ever-changing play of light and shadow transforming the scenery. Navajo-guided tours provide cultural insights into the history and significance of the land, adding a deeper layer to the visual spectacle.

Mount Rainier National Park, Washington State

Mount Rainier National Park in Washington State is a gorgeous mix of alpine meadows, ancient forests, and the glaciated peak of Mount Rainier. Standing as the tallest mountain in the Pacific Northwest, Mount Rainier dominates the horizon with its snow-capped splendor, reaching 14,411 feet into the sky. The park encompasses diverse ecosystems, from subalpine meadows to dense old-growth forests.

The Wonderland Trail, a 93-mile circuit around the mountain, offers hikers a journey through some of the most picturesque landscapes in the region. Glacial rivers cascade down the mountainside, feeding into turquoise lakes, while wildlife such as black bears, marmots, and elk roam freely in their natural habitat.

Mount Rainier itself is a stratovolcano with 26 glaciers adorning its slopes. Sunrise at Sunrise Point or sunset at Reflection Lakes provides awe-inspiring views, with the mountain mirrored in the calm waters. The park's beauty is not confined to the warmer months; winter transforms the landscape into a snowy wonderland, attracting skiers and snowshoers.

NaPali Coast, Kauai

Stretching along the northwest shore of Kauai, the NaPali Coast in Hawaii is a gorgeous blend of towering sea cliffs, green valleys, and pristine beaches. The rough terrain appears much like it did centuries ago when Hawaiian villages prospered.

The Kalalau Trail, a challenging 11-mile trek, unveils panoramic views of this coastal wonder. Verdant valleys, like Hanakapiai and Kalalau, punctuate the coastline, providing sheltered havens for diverse flora and fauna. Hidden sea caves and cascading waterfalls add an enchanting touch to the already surreal landscape.

One of the best ways to experience the NaPali Coast is by boat, allowing visitors to witness the sea cliffs rising dramatically from the ocean, revealing hidden valleys inaccessible by land. As the sun sets, the cliffs glow with hues of amber and gold, casting an aura over the rugged coastline. Visitors can see this 17-mile coastline by boat or by air. There are also kayaking trips that allow visitors to see the cliffs up close.

Ölüdeniz Turkey

Located on Turkey's southwestern coast, Ölüdeniz is a coastal gem that seamlessly combines azure waters, pristine beaches, and rugged mountainous terrain. The centerpiece of this idyllic scene is the Blue Lagoon, a stunning stretch of calm, turquoise waters framed by a curving golden shoreline and surrounded by lush greenery.

The contrast of the vibrant blue of the lagoon against the backdrop of the Babadağ mountain creates a mesmerizing visual spectacle. Paragliders take off from the mountain's summit, providing an aerial perspective of Ölüdeniz's beauty. The Babadağ massif, clad in pine forests, stands above over the tranquil bay, offering hiking opportunities for those seeking panoramic views.

The Belcekız Beach, next to the lagoon, is a crescent of sand where visitors can relax and soak in their surroundings. Ölüdeniz is not only a haven for beach lovers but also an adventure seeker's paradise with opportunities for water sports and exploration of the nearby Butterfly Valley.

Pitons, St Lucia

The Pitons, rising dramatically from the Caribbean Sea on the island of St Lucia, present a breathtaking landscape that is both iconic and awe-inspiring. These twin volcanic spires, Gros Piton and Petit Piton, punctuate the island's southwestern coast, creating a UNESCO World Heritage site and a symbol of St Lucia's natural beauty.

Gros Piton, the taller of the two, stands at 2,619 feet, while Petit Piton reaches 2,461 feet, creating a mesmerizing scene that attracts adventurers, nature enthusiasts, and photographers alike. The Pitons are not just geological marvels; they embody the spirit of the Caribbean, offering a playground for hiking, bird-watching, and underwater exploration.

The viewpoint from the summit of Gros Piton provides a panoramic reward for the trek. It reveals St Lucia's coastline, the Caribbean Sea, and neighboring islands.

Santorini Caldera, Greece

The Santorini Caldera in the Aegean Sea offers sheer beauty and cultural richness. Formed by a volcanic eruption in antiquity, this crescent-shaped basin encircles the islands of Santorini, Thirasia, and Aspronisi. The caldera's cliffs, decorated with whitewashed buildings that cling to the edge like pearls, create an iconic image.

The dazzling blue waters of the caldera, contrasting with the traditional Cycladic architecture, provide a beautiful contrast. Santorini's famous sunset, viewed from the picturesque villages of Oia or Fira, transforms the caldera into a canvas of warm hues.

The volcanic history is evident in the unique beaches, ranging from the red sands of Red Beach to the black sands of Perissa. The charming villages with narrow cobblestone streets, like Imerovigli and Firostefani, offer panoramic views of the caldera. Beyond its stunning aesthetics, the Santorini Caldera is steeped in cultural and historical significance, making it a destination that blends natural beauty with human heritage.

Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming

In the heart of the Rocky Mountains is Yellowstone National Park, a stunning landscape of geothermal wonders, pristine lakes, and diverse ecosystems. The park, the first of its kind globally, spans across three states and is home to the iconic Old Faithful geyser, erupting with impressive regularity against a backdrop of vast wilderness.

Yellowstone's meadows are dotted with grazing bison and elk, while dense forests host diverse wildlife, from grizzly bears to elusive wolves. The Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone, with its thundering waterfalls, showcases the park's geological marvels.

The vibrant colors of the Grand Prismatic Spring, the largest hot spring in the United States, contrast with the turquoise depths of Yellowstone Lake. The park's geothermal features and over 300 geysers, including bubbling mud pots and colorful hot springs, offer a glimpse into the Earth's fiery core. Visitors can view the park from the comfort of their vehicles or hike through the many trails that cover 2,219,789 acres.

Pulpit Rock Lysefjorden, Norway

Pulpit Rock, or Preikestolen, overlooking Norway's majestic Lysefjorden, marries vertigo-inducing heights with awe-inspiring natural beauty. Perched 604 meters above the fjord, this flat-topped rock formation is an iconic symbol of Norway's dramatic landscapes.

The hike to Pulpit Rock is a thrilling adventure through rugged terrain and enchanting forests. Upon reaching the summit, visitors are rewarded with a panoramic vista of the meandering Lysefjorden, flanked by cliffs and surrounded by pristine wilderness. The sheer vertical drop from the rock's edge creates a sense of both exhilaration and tranquility as one stands above the world.

The changing seasons paint the landscape with diverse hues, from the vibrant greens of summer to the snowy serenity of winter. Camping atop Pulpit Rock under the Northern Lights is a dreamlike experience. Pulpit Rock is not merely a geological wonder; it's a pilgrimage for those seeking communion with nature at its most sublime.

The Grand Canyon, Arizona

The Grand Canyon in Arizona is a geological masterpiece, a breathtaking landscape sculpted over millions of years by the mighty Colorado River. This colossal chasm, stretching over 277 miles, exposes intricate layers of rock that tell a mesmerizing tale of Earth's ancient history.

The Grand Canyon's vastness overwhelms the senses as one gazes into its depths, where the play of sunlight reveals a spectrum of reds, oranges, and purples across the canyon walls. The South Rim, with its iconic vistas like Mather Point and Yavapai Observation Station, offers breathtaking views that stretch to the distant horizon.

Hiking trails, like the Bright Angel Trail, lead intrepid adventurers into the canyon's heart. It provides an immersive experience amidst the towering cliffs and unique rock formations.

More for You

Barber Coins Are Worth Thousands: Here’s How To Spot Them in Your Spare Change

What to know in the Supreme Court case about immunity for former President Trump

Meet the richest women in the US

Rescue operation underway after plane crashes into river

Ghosts of the USA: The Most Haunted Places in America

You can buy a home in France or Italy for 'the price of a new truck'—but take these 3 steps before retiring abroad

McDonald's menu adds some wild new 'secret' sandwiches

24 Food Myths That Are Getting Thrown Out With The Trash

Fed to cut rates in September and maybe once more this year

Lake Shasta Update as California's Largest Reservoir Nears Capacity

How Rich Are Tina Fey, Jerry Seinfeld, Steve Carell and the Wealthiest Comedians?

The 16 worst-paying college majors, five years after graduation

Thomas’ Just Launched 2 All-New Breads We Need ASAP

The 10 happiest places to live in the US

Trump is taking a first step towards war with China

This Island Has the Best Beach in the World, According to Travel Experts

Final NFL mock draft roundup: Three teams trade into the top five for QB

Patti Smith Comments on Taylor Swift Name Dropping Her in the Tortured Poets Department

Wendy's Is Giving Out Free Fries Every Friday for the Rest of 2024 — Here's How to Get Yours

Former HGTV star sentenced to jail time for fraud, mortgage rates are back above 7 percent and more

We've detected unusual activity from your computer network

To continue, please click the box below to let us know you're not a robot.

Why did this happen?

Please make sure your browser supports JavaScript and cookies and that you are not blocking them from loading. For more information you can review our Terms of Service and Cookie Policy .

For inquiries related to this message please contact our support team and provide the reference ID below.