Guides
China trip guides: itineraries, culture and food.
Ready-made China trip plans and route ideas.
China Itinerary: The Perfect 10 Days for First-Time Visitors (Beijing, Xi'an & Shanghai)
A practical, day-by-day 10-day China itinerary linking Beijing, Xi'an and Shanghai by high-speed train, with verified train times, tips on visas, payments and the best time to go.
9 min read· June 27, 2026
Yangshuo 3-Day Itinerary: Li River, Karst Peaks & Countryside (2026)
A relaxed 3-day Yangshuo itinerary for 2026: Li River rafting, countryside cycling, Moon Hill and Zhang Yimou's night show, with travel tips.
8 min read· June 27, 2026
Harbin 4-Day Itinerary: Ice Festival, Tigers & Russian Heritage (2026)
A practical 4-day Harbin winter itinerary: the ice festival, snow sculptures, Siberian tigers, the beluga show and a Russian manor, day by day.
10 min read· June 27, 2026
Kunming 3-Day Itinerary: Temples, Dianchi Lake & the Stone Forest (2026)
A practical 3-day Kunming itinerary: temples and gardens, Dianchi Lake and the Western Hills, plus a day trip to the UNESCO Stone Forest. Includes corrected train info and cable car status.
9 min read· June 26, 2026
Xiamen 3-Day Itinerary: What to See, Do & Eat (2026)
A practical 3-day Xiamen itinerary: getting there, Gulangyu Island, Zhongshan Road, Nanputuo, Xiamen University, Hulishan Fortress, Zengcuo'an, the botanical garden and Jimei, plus what to eat.
9 min read· June 26, 2026
Datong 2-Day Itinerary: Yungang Grottoes, Hanging Temple & the Old City (2026)
Two days in Datong done right: day one for the Yungang Grottoes and the walled old city, day two for the cliffside Hanging Temple and the free Datong Museum. This itinerary avoids the most common mistake of cramming both major sites into one exhausting day.
9 min read· June 26, 2026
Zhangjiajie 3-Day Itinerary: Avatar Mountains, Tianzi Peak & Tianmen Glass Walk (2026)
A complete 3-day Zhangjiajie itinerary: Golden Whip Stream, the Avatar Hallelujah Mountain, Tianzi Mountain, the Grand Canyon Glass Bridge and Tianmen Mountain.
11 min read· June 25, 2026
China 14-Day Itinerary: Beijing, Xi'an, Chengdu, Guilin and Shanghai (2026)
A 14-day China itinerary across five regions: Beijing, Xi'an, Chengdu's pandas, Guilin's karst scenery and Shanghai, by high-speed train and short flights.
14 min read· June 25, 2026
China 7-Day Itinerary: Beijing, Xi'an & Shanghai in One Week (2026)
A 7-day China itinerary linking Beijing, Xi'an and Shanghai by high-speed train, the Great Wall, the Terracotta Army and Shanghai's skyline, no internal flights required. Book timed tickets up to 15 days out.
12 min read· June 25, 2026
First-Time China Itinerary: How to Plan Your First Trip (2026 Guide)
A first-timer's guide to China: 2026 visa rules, trains, cashless setup and a practical 10-day Beijing–Xi'an–Shanghai route. Covers what to sort before departure so you arrive ready.
11 min read· June 25, 2026
Best China Itinerary for Families With Kids (10 Days)
The first question every parent asks: will the kids survive it? Yes, with the right pace. This 10-day Beijing to Shanghai family itinerary builds in pandas, a Great Wall toboggan, and enough downtime to keep everyone happy.
13 min read· June 25, 2026
China Golden Triangle Itinerary: Beijing, Xi'an & Shanghai in 8 Days (2026)
The classic 8-day China Golden Triangle itinerary: Beijing, Xi'an and Shanghai by high-speed rail, day by day, with the key sights, transport timings and practical tips.
13 min read· June 25, 2026
Dunhuang 2-Day Itinerary: Mogao Caves, Singing Sands & Silk Road Passes (2026)
A practical 2-day Dunhuang itinerary: Mogao Caves and Mingsha dunes on Day 1, then the desert passes and Yardang badlands on Day 2, with booking tips for foreign visitors and Silk Road context.
11 min read· June 25, 2026
Suzhou 2-Day Itinerary: Classical Gardens, Canal Streets and the Shanghai Train
From Shanghai Hongqiao, the fastest G trains reach Suzhou in 23 minutes. This two-day itinerary covers the Humble Administrator's Garden, Lion Grove, Lingering Garden, Tiger Hill and lantern-lit Shantang Street, with booking tips and canal-street highlights.
11 min read· June 25, 2026
Guangzhou 2-Day Itinerary: Dim Sum, Old Canton & the Pearl River
Two days in Guangzhou: Day 1 for clan halls, Shamian Island and a proper yum cha lunch; Day 2 for Baiyun Mountain and the Canton Tower riverfront at sunset. Practical metro tips and onward connections to Hong Kong included.
11 min read· June 25, 2026
Chongqing 3-Day Itinerary: The Vertical City, Hotpot & Day Trips
Two days in Chongqing's vertical core, then one full-day trip to UNESCO Dazu or Wulong's karst bridges. With fast train times, Liziba timings, and practical tips for first-timers.
12 min read· June 25, 2026
Huangshan 2-Day Itinerary: The Yellow Mountains, Cloud Sea & Hongcun Village
A 2-day Huangshan itinerary: ride up the Yellow Mountains for the cloud sea, sleep on the summit for sunrise, then visit Hongcun village and Tunxi Old Street.
12 min read· June 25, 2026
Lijiang 3-Day Itinerary: Old Town, Jade Dragon Snow Mountain & Tiger Leaping Gorge
A 3-day Lijiang itinerary: explore the Naxi Old Town and Mu Palace, ride to 4,506 m on Jade Dragon Snow Mountain, and see Tiger Leaping Gorge.
13 min read· June 25, 2026
Hangzhou 2-Day Itinerary: West Lake, Lingyin Temple & Dragon Well Tea (2026)
A practical 2-day Hangzhou itinerary from Shanghai: walk West Lake's causeways, see Lingyin Temple, sip Longjing tea, and ride the wetlands and Grand Canal.
11 min read· June 25, 2026
Guilin 3-Day Itinerary: Li River Cruise, Karst Peaks & Longji Terraces (2026)
A 3-day Guilin itinerary: city hills and caves, the classic Li River cruise to Yangshuo and the Longji Rice Terraces, with tickets, timing and maps.
11 min read· June 25, 2026
Chengdu 3-Day Itinerary: Pandas, Tea Houses & Mount Qingcheng (2026)
A relaxed 3-day Chengdu itinerary: giant pandas at dawn, old streets and temples, tea-house culture and a day trip to Taoist Mount Qingcheng.
11 min read· June 25, 2026
Xi'an 3-Day Itinerary: Terracotta Army, City Wall & Muslim Quarter (2026)
A practical 3-day Xi'an itinerary: the Terracotta Army (pre-book online, no on-site sales), cycling the ancient city wall, Muslim Quarter street food and the Shaanxi History Museum.
11 min read· June 25, 2026
Beijing in 4 Days: The Perfect First-Timer's Itinerary
A practical day-by-day plan for first-time visitors: the Forbidden City, the Great Wall at Mutianyu, the Temple of Heaven, hutongs, Peking duck and the Summer Palace, plus booking and transport tips.
9 min read· June 18, 2026
Shanghai 3-Day Itinerary: The Perfect First-Time Visitor Plan (2026)
A complete, day-by-day Shanghai itinerary for first-time visitors, covering the Bund, Yu Garden, Pudong skyscrapers, the French Concession, plus Metro, Maglev and payment tips.
11 min read· June 17, 2026
Chinese customs, etiquette, and cultural tips for travelers.
Mid-Autumn Festival 2026 in China: Dates, Mooncakes & Travel Tips
The Mid-Autumn Festival falls on September 25, 2026. What the holiday means, the mooncakes and legends behind it, and how it affects travel in China.
7 min read· July 10, 2026
Chinese New Year Traditions: Customs, Food, and Superstitions Explained
A practical guide to Chinese New Year traditions: hongbao amounts, reunion dinner dishes, taboos, and how to plan around chunyun travel in 2027.
8 min read· July 6, 2026
China Business Etiquette: A Practical Guide for Meetings, Cards, and Dinners (2026)
How to handle the business card exchange, gift-giving taboos, seating hierarchy, baijiu toasts, and the concept of mianzi (face) before your first meeting or business dinner in China.
10 min read· July 3, 2026
Chinese Festivals and Public Holidays: A Traveler's Guide (2026 Dates)
China's public holidays and festivals for 2026, verified: Spring Festival, Dragon Boat, Mid-Autumn, the two Golden Weeks, and how to plan your trip around them.
8 min read· June 20, 2026
Tipping in China: A Complete Guide for Travelers (2026)
In mainland China tipping is generally not expected. Here is exactly where you don't need to tip, where norms are softening, and how Hong Kong and Macau differ.
8 min read· June 17, 2026
Chinese Tea Culture: A Traveler's Guide to Teahouses, Types and Etiquette
The six types of Chinese tea, how gongfu brewing and teahouse ordering work, the silent lid signals staff read, and where to drink well in Chengdu and Hangzhou.
7 min read· June 16, 2026
What to eat in China and how to order like a local.
Chinese Breakfast Guide: What to Eat, Where to Find It, and How to Order
A traveler's guide to breakfast in China: the core dishes (baozi, youtiao, congee, jianbing), north-versus-south differences, where to find morning stalls, how to order and pay, and whether street breakfast is safe.
7 min read· July 10, 2026
Chinese Street Food Guide for First-Timers: What to Eat & Where
A first-timer's guide to street food in China: what to order, typical prices, the best night markets, how to pay by QR code, and safety tips.
8 min read· July 10, 2026
Vegetarian and Vegan Food in China: Phrases, Dishes, and Cities to Know (2026)
Hidden lard, chicken stock, and fish sauce turn plant-looking dishes non-vegetarian. Get the exact Mandarin phrases, safe dishes, and easiest cities for 2026.
8 min read· July 7, 2026
China's Regional Cuisines: A Traveler's Guide to the 8 Great Culinary Traditions (2026)
Sichuan isn't Cantonese, and Hunan isn't Sichuan. A guide to China's eight regional cuisines, their signature dishes, and where to try each one.
8 min read· July 4, 2026
Chinese Hotpot: A First-Timer's Guide for Travelers
A first-timer's guide to Chinese hotpot: regional styles, tablet ordering, the yuanyang split pot, the DIY sauce bar, etiquette, and where to try it.
8 min read· June 18, 2026
How to Order Food in China: Restaurants, Apps, Street Food and Trains
No Chinese needed. How to order food in China: scan-to-order menus, delivery apps, street stalls, high-speed train meals, and setting up mobile payment first.
7 min read· June 16, 2026
Chinese Dining Etiquette: A Foreigner's Guide to the Table
A practical guide to Chinese dining etiquette for travelers: seating, chopstick taboos, sharing dishes, toasting, and why tipping isn't expected in 2026.
9 min read· June 15, 2026