China
"Karst peaks, ancient capitals and bullet trains across a continent-sized country"
China at a glance
- Best time to go
- China is huge, so timing depends on the region. Spring (April to May) and autumn (September to October) are usually the most comfortable for northern China and cities such as Beijing. September to early October is often called a sweet spot, before the National Day 'Golden Week' around 1 October, which is one of the busiest travel periods of the year.
- How long to stay
- We'd suggest ten days to two weeks for three or four stops (for example Beijing, Xi'an and Shanghai), with flights or trains between them.
- Who it's for
- Curious first-timers who like big history and big cities, and who'll do a little planning before they arrive.
- Might not be for you if
- You want a low-planning trip. Payments, bookings and entry rules work differently from most places, and popular sights need real-name booking in advance.
China is not a trip — it's a decade of trips. Misty karsts along the Li River, terraced rice fields in Yunnan, the neon of Shanghai, the Silk Road oases of Xinjiang. The high-speed rail network makes covering ground surprisingly easy.
Best Time to Visit
April to May or September to October
Apr – May
Spring blossoms nationwide, comfortable in Beijing, Xi'an and Guangxi. Golden Week (May 1–5) is best avoided.
Sep – Oct
Best overall — clear skies from Beijing to Yunnan. Avoid National Day week (Oct 1–7).
Jun – Aug
Yunnan and Tibet at their greenest; south is hot and rainy. Typhoon season on the coast.
Dec – Feb
Harbin Ice Festival, snow at Jiuzhaigou, warm Hainan beaches. Avoid Chinese New Year travel week.
Getting Around
China has the world's largest high-speed rail network (45,000+ km) plus cheap domestic flights connecting a continent-sized country.
🚄 High-Speed Rail (Gaotie)
Beijing–Shanghai in 4h30, Shanghai–Xi'an in 6h. Book via Trip.com or 12306 — passports needed at boarding.
✈️ Domestic Flights
Essential for Xinjiang, Tibet and Yunnan. China Eastern, Southern and Air China cover every provincial capital.
🚇 Metro (Major Cities)
Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Chengdu and Xi'an all have vast, cheap, English-signed metro networks.
🚕 Didi Chuxing
Ride-hail dominates — pay via Alipay/WeChat. Show the driver a screenshot with Chinese characters if English fails.
💡 Install a reliable VPN before you land — Google, WhatsApp, Instagram and most Western apps are blocked. Alipay and WeChat replace almost everything.
Suggested Itineraries
Beijing arrival
Settle in, Wangfujing evening.
Forbidden City & Jingshan
Full morning, sunset from the park.
Great Wall — Mutianyu
Day trip, Peking duck evening.
High-speed train to Xi'an
4h30 Gaotie, evening on the Muslim Quarter food street.
Terracotta Army
Half-day trip east of Xi'an, afternoon cycling the city walls.
Fly Shanghai
Short hop, Bund walk, Pudong skyline drinks.
Shanghai & departure
Yu Garden, French Concession lunch, transfer to PVG.
🧭 Wandersparks rule: leave one thing undone on purpose. That's the little hook that pulls you back for round two.
Highlights
Must See
- Li River cruise
- Terracotta Army
- Zhangjiajie pillars
- The Bund in Shanghai
Local Cuisine
Insider Tip
Download offline maps and a VPN before you land — many everyday apps and sites are blocked inside China.
China travel questions, answered
When is the best time to visit China?
It depends on the region. April to May and September to October are usually the most comfortable for Beijing and much of northern China. September is often a sweet spot, before the National Day Golden Week in early October, when attractions, trains and hotels fill up. After the Golden Week rush, mid-October to November can be calmer.
Do you need a visa for China?
It depends on your passport. Many nationalities can currently enter visa-free for up to 30 days, under a scheme that has been extended to the end of 2026, and some countries have separate arrangements. Others need a visa in advance. Policies have been extended and expanded several times, so see the Chinese government's announcement or your nearest Chinese embassy for your passport.
What is China's 240-hour visa-free transit?
It lets travellers from around 55 to 57 countries (the number has changed over time) stay in designated areas for up to 240 hours, or 10 days, without a visa, if they hold a confirmed onward ticket to a third country or region. It works through dozens of ports of entry, including Beijing and Shanghai. Eligible countries and ports have been expanded several times.
Is there an arrival card for China?
Yes. Since November 2025, foreign travellers can complete the entry card online before arriving, on devices at the inspection point, or on a paper card.
Details last checked 20 September 2026.
More sparks for China
Stories, films and books to keep the daydreaming going.
Wild Swans
by Jung Chang · China