Explore China by Destination

Handpicked, local-approved itineraries for China's most breathtaking cities. Each guide includes honest costs, transport tips, and hidden gems sourced from RedNote (小纒书).

Beijing - Imperial Capital

Beijing

Imperial Capital

3-5 Days
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Shanghai - Cyberpunk Metropolis

Shanghai

Cyberpunk Metropolis

2-3 Days
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Chengdu - Pandas & Spice

Chengdu

Pandas & Spice

2-4 Days
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Chongqing - The Mountain City

Chongqing

The Mountain City

2-3 Days
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Zhangjiajie - Avatar Mountains

Zhangjiajie

Avatar Mountains

3-4 Days
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Xi'an - Terracotta Army

Xi'an

Terracotta Army

2-3 Days
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Guilin - Karst Landscapes

Guilin

Karst Landscapes

3-4 Days
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At a Glance: City Comparison

CityTime NeededBest MonthsVisa FreeAirport
Beijing3-5 DaysSeptember - November240-Hour Transit ApplicablePEK (Capital) / PKX (Daxing)
Shanghai2-3 DaysOctober - November240-Hour Transit ApplicablePVG (Pudong) / SHA (Hongqiao)
Chengdu2-4 DaysMarch - June, Sept - Nov240-Hour Transit ApplicableTFU (Tianfu) / CTU (Shuangliu)
Chongqing2-3 DaysMarch - May, Sept - Nov240-Hour Transit ApplicableCKG (Jiangbei)
Zhangjiajie3-4 DaysSeptember - October (Avoid fog)Not directly applicableDYG (Hehua)
Xi'an2-3 DaysMarch - May, Sept - Oct240-Hour Transit ApplicableXIY (Xianyang)
Guilin3-4 DaysApril - October240-Hour Transit ApplicableKWL (Liangjiang)

πŸ’° How much will your trip cost? See our 2026 China Travel Cost Breakdown β€” backpackers spend $40/day, mid-range $100/day.

πŸ“± First time in China? Set up Alipay and get an eSIM before you fly β€” cash and Google don't work here.

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