16 PLACES. MANY WAYS IN.

Find a place
that feels like you.

Start with what you love. Then use the region to bring your route together. No knowledge of China’s provinces required.

See the bigger picture.

Find these cities on the map, compare distances and explore suggested routes.

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16 destinations to explore

The blue-roofed Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests at Beijing’s Temple of Heaven

Beijing

北京

Imperial courtyards, the Great Wall, and everyday life in the hutongs.

History & culture
Beijing municipality · North4–5 days
Shanghai’s illuminated Pudong skyline seen across the Huangpu River

Shanghai

上海

Riverfront skylines, leafy neighborhood walks, and a city made for eating.

City life
Shanghai municipality · East3–4 days
A giant panda resting among bamboo in Chengdu

Chengdu

成都

Pandas in the morning, teahouses in the afternoon, and a very good dinner.

Food & local life
Sichuan · Southwest3–4 days
Limestone peaks reflected along the Li River near Guilin and Yangshuo

Guilin & Yangshuo

桂林 · 阳朔

Limestone peaks, river bends, and slow days among villages and rice fields.

Nature & outdoors
Guangxi · South3–5 days
Xi’an city wall

Xi’an

西安

Terracotta warriors, a mighty city wall, and noodle shops worth slowing down for.

History & culture
Shaanxi · Northwest3–4 days
West Lake pavilion and bridge, Hangzhou

Hangzhou

杭州

West Lake walks, tea-growing hills, and a softer side of eastern China.

Nature & outdoors
Zhejiang · East2–3 days
Humble Administrator’s Garden, Suzhou

Suzhou

苏州

Classical gardens, canal-side lanes, and details worth looking at twice.

History & culture
Jiangsu · East2–3 days
Qiansimen Bridge and Hongyadong, Chongqing

Chongqing

重庆

A city of hills, river crossings, glowing night views, and serious hotpot.

City life
Chongqing municipality · Southwest3–4 days
Canton Tower, Guangzhou

Guangzhou

广州

Long dim sum breakfasts, intricate traditional buildings, and Pearl River evenings.

Food & local life
Guangdong · South3–4 days
Gulangyu rooftops and Xiamen skyline

Xiamen

厦门

Island lanes, coastal walks, and Fujian flavors at an easy seaside pace.

Food & local life
Fujian · South3–4 days
Zhangjiajie sandstone pillars in mist

Zhangjiajie

张家界

Sandstone pillars, forest paths, and mountain views that change with the clouds.

Nature & outdoors
Hunan · Central3–5 days
Temple architecture, lake and mountains in Dali

Dali

大理

A lakeside change of pace, with Bai villages and the Cangshan mountains behind.

Food & local life
Yunnan · Southwest3–4 days
Black Dragon Pool and mountains, Lijiang

Lijiang

丽江

Water-threaded old-town lanes, Naxi heritage, and a mountain-framed horizon.

History & culture
Yunnan · Southwest3–4 days
Traditional red building in a Kunming park

Kunming

昆明

Park life, Yunnan flavors, and a welcoming gateway to the southwest.

Food & local life
Yunnan · Southwest2–3 days
Sunrise over Huangshan mountain peaks

Huangshan

黄山

Granite peaks and pine trees, with whitewashed Huizhou villages below.

Nature & outdoors
Anhui · East3–4 days
Qingdao waterfront skyline at dusk

Qingdao

青岛

Sea air, shaded historic streets, seafood dinners, and a famous brewing story.

City life
Shandong · North3–4 days

Places that travel well together.

Suggested combinations, not booked tours. Add travel days and check transport before fixing your itinerary.

About 10–14 days · suggested

A first taste of China

Beijing ↗Xi’an ↗Shanghai ↗

Imperial history, ancient capitals and a contemporary city finish. A broad first trip with contrasting experiences.

About 8–12 days · suggested

A Yunnan journey

Kunming ↗Dali ↗Lijiang ↗

Begin in Kunming, then head toward lakeside towns and mountain views. Make space for altitude and slower days.

Prefer a food-focused city break? Chengdu and Chongqing make an appealing pair. Keep your route realistic: fewer stops usually means more time to enjoy them.

Getting between places ↗

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