City starter guides before a city encyclopedia.
Each city page explains who it is for, how many days it needs, where it fits in a route, what to book ahead, and who should skip it. Start with the first-timer essentials, then add nature and extension cities as your trip allows.
The classic anchor cities.
These cities have the strongest first-trip fit — imperial history, modern skylines, terracotta warriors, pandas, and iconic food.
Beijing 北京
The strongest first-stop city for imperial history, classic landmarks, and a clear start to a first China route.
Shanghai 上海
China's most international and modern city, with the iconic Bund skyline, colonial French Concession, world-class museums, and the best dining scene in the country.
Xi'an 西安
The ancient capital of 13 dynasties, home to the Terracotta Army, the best-preserved Ming-dynasty city wall in China, Muslim Quarter street food, and Tang dynasty atmosphere.
Chengdu 成都
The laid-back capital of Sichuan, famous for giant pandas, fiery Sichuan cuisine, centuries-old teahouse culture, and a slower rhythm of life.
Hangzhou 杭州
Famed for West Lake, a UNESCO World Heritage site of pagodas, causeways, and gardens; Longjing tea country; Lingyin Temple; Grand Canal terminus; one of China's most beautiful and livable cities.
Add these if you have extra days.
Dramatic karst landscapes, Avatar-inspired mountains, and mountain-city character — best after you've covered the essentials.
Chongqing 重庆
The dramatic 3D mountain city of cyberpunk night views, bold spicy hotpot, Yangtze River cableway, and a uniquely vertical urban landscape.
Zhangjiajie 张家界
The otherworldly quartz-sandstone pillar mountains that inspired Avatar's floating Hallelujah Mountains, with dramatic cable cars, cliff glass walkways, and intense nature hiking.
Guilin & Yangshuo 桂林与阳朔
Iconic karst mountain landscapes, the classic Li River cruise, Yulong River bamboo rafting, countryside cycling, and the relaxed small-town vibe of Yangshuo.
Suzhou 苏州
The 'Venice of the East' with UNESCO classical gardens, ancient canals, I.M. Pei's Suzhou Museum, silk heritage, and water towns -- an easy and rewarding trip from Shanghai.
Harbin 哈尔滨
China's ice city, famous for the Harbin International Ice and Snow Sculpture Festival (January-February), Russian colonial architecture, Siberian tigers, and extreme winter cold of -20C to -30C.
Yunnan (Kunming, Dali, Lijiang, Shangri-La) 云南（昆明/大理/丽江/香格里拉）
China's most ethnically and geographically diverse province, from spring-like Kunming to ancient Dali, UNESCO Lijiang, snowy Jade Dragon Mountain, and Tibetan Shangri-La. Requires at least 5 days due to distances.