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Introducing China

When is the best time to visit?
September and October are the best months to visit China, when the weather is predictably sunny and mild. One exception is the first week of October, when the National Day holiday closes businesses and brings domestic tourists out in droves to popular vacation spots. Spring (April-June) also brings pleasant weather to most of the country, but keep in mind that this is the rainy season for southern China. Winter travel can also be lovely—in January and February, travelers will enjoy ice & snow sculptures in Harbin and many celebrations of the Lunar New Year all over the country. Learn more

Where should you go?
For first-timers, a comprehensive tour of China's top sites is recommended—this might include Beijing, Xian, Guilin, and Shanghai. With extra time (see below), you can observe giant pandas and try traditional Sichuan cuisine in Chengdu. The southwestern Yunnan Province is another gem, where you can discover ancient towns hidden in the region's remote corners.

Travelers wanting a deeper dive will have no shortage of options for getting off the beaten path. Consider a cultural excursion to visit the minority community of Guizhou or take a historical journey into Pingyao and the Shanxi Province of northern China. Other places of interest include Shangdong Province, where you can visit Qufu, the hometown of Confucius, and the many heritage sites of Henan Province. For instagram-worthy pictures, beeline to Yellow Mountain and Zhangjiajie, two of China's most photogenic spots.

How many days do you need?
Five days is enough for a whirlwind of China's urban highlights. You can pay quick visits to Beijing and Shanghai, China's political capital and commercial center respectively. If you're more interested in history, combine Beijing with cultural treasure trove Xian instead. A 10-day tour offers a more reasonable pace and many more options—you can easily cover Beijing, Xian, Guilin, and Shanghai (or swap Guilin for Chengdu). Even more ideal is spending 2 weeks or more, allowing for deeper dives into areas of interest and extra time for hidden gems. Add a trip to Suzhou, take a Yangtze River cruise—options are endless, and trips can be tailored to your interests.

Getting Around China
Flying is the quickest way around the country. China’s massive airports⁠ offer dozens of daily nonstop flights to cities all over the mainland and Hong Kong. That said, by the time you factor in security screening and travel time to and from each airport—the airports in both cities are outside the city center—it's often easier and more reliable to take the train. Learn more

Explore trips by duration: 5 days · 6 days · 7 days · 8 days · 9 days · 10 days · 11 days · 12 days · 13 days · 14 days · 15 days

China Tours & Itineraries

Get inspired by trips other travelers have loved
Great Wall of China under a hazy sunset
Map of China's Highlights - 10 Days
China's Highlights - 10 Days

This packed itinerary covers many of China's highlights, starting in Beijing with a tour of the Forbidden City, Tiananmen Square, and the Great Wall. Then take a bullet train to Xi'an to see the famous Terracotta Army before heading to Guilin for river excursions in a paradise setting. End your trip in metropolitan Shanghai and explore its Bund waterfront, peaceful Yu Garden, and bohemian Tianzifang neighborhood.

China
Map of Explore the Yunnan Province - 7 Days
Explore the Yunnan Province - 7 Days

You'll pack an incredible week with the highlights of China's Yunnan province. After arriving in the city of Kunming, you'll transfer to Dali and visit the Stone Forest, a natural marvel of towering limestone rocks. Then you'll tour other historic towns and cities that were once fixtures on the ancient tea trading routes while also visiting incredible natural wonders like Jade Dragon Snow Mountain and Black Dragon Pool.

china
Map of Best of Beijing - 5 Days
Best of Beijing - 5 Days

Spend a quick five days touring the most historic sights of China's capital, like the Forbidden City and Summer Palace. You'll arrive in Beijing and visit Tiananmen Square before heading off for a hike on the Great Wall. Then you'll tour one of the nation's holiest sites, the Temple of Heaven, and cap the trip with a boat ride on the lake at the imperial Summer Palace.

Hong Kong Skyline at Night
Hong Kong and Macau Family Trip - 5 Days

Discover the best of Hong Kong on this family trip, starting with a  bus tour of the city, a ride up the gondola to Victoria Peak, and an evening at Stanely Market. Spend two days riding roller coasters, playing games, and learning about marine life at Hong Kong's Disneyland and Ocean Park. End your trip with a day in Macau, complete with a ferry ride and a visit to the Venetian Resort.

Yuyuan Garden (Garden of Happiness) in the center of Shanghai
Map of Highlights from Shanghai to Beijing - 12 Days
Highlights from Shanghai to Beijing - 12 Days

This exciting 12-day itinerary includes some of China's best cultural and natural wonders. Kick off the trip in cosmopolitan Shanghai where you'll explore its modern waterfront, peaceful gardens, and artsy neighborhoods. Next is Zhangjiajie for a dose of dramatic mountain vistas before you continue to Xi'an to see the Terra Cotta Warriors. Finish with a bullet train to Beijing to experience the Forbidden City, Tiananmen Square, and—on your last full day—the Great Wall of China.

China
Map of Discover China: Yunnan & Western Sichuan - 14 Days
Discover China: Yunnan & Western Sichuan - 14 Days

This two-week tour focuses mainly on western China and covers some of the most off-the-beaten-path locales in Sichuan province and the Tibetan Plateau. It's an itinerary packed with outdoor adventure as you'll visit high-altitude villages, ancient Buddhist temples, and unspoiled national parks. Excursions to the mountain paradise of Shangri-La, the biological reserve of Jade Dragon Snow Mountain, and the peaks of Mount Siguniang are just a few of the many highlights of this unforgettable trip.

China Travel Advice

Read our detailed insights to make sure you have the best trip

Our Latest China Content

Women of the  Miao ethnic minority tribe wear intricate silver headpieces for important occasions and ceremonies
Map of Culture & Trekking Trip to the Ethnic Minority Villages of Southwest China - 11 Days
Culture & Trekking Trip to the Ethnic Minority Villages of Southwest China - 11 Days

Dive deep into China on an 11-day discovery tour that will take you from Hong Kong's modern streets to rural villages home to ethnic tribespeople. Marvel at the panoramic views from Victoria Peak in Hong Kong before catching a train to the verdant countryside, where you'll hike along terraced rice paddies and explore ancient caves. Spend the remainder of the trip engaging in immersive cultural exchange as you hop between the traditional villages of China's ethnic minority communities.

Visit a village in Longji to meet the Yao people and learn about their customs
Map of Chinese Culture & Minority Villages Tour - 13 Days
Chinese Culture & Minority Villages Tour - 13 Days

Spend almost two weeks traversing China on a journey from major cities to small tribal villages. Get to know the distinct spirit of Hong Kong before heading to the Guilin countryside and its green rice paddies and tranquil rivers. Learn about the customs of the ethnic minority Yao, Dong, and Biasha people, then, travel to the ancient city of Xi'an (home to the legendary Terracotta Army), where you'll practice your calligraphy skills before capping the trip with sightseeing in Beijing and a stroll on the Great Wall.

Walk among the perfectly manicured Longji Rice Terraces and visit a local village home
Map of Authentic China: Beijing, Xi'an, Guilin, Yangshuo & Shanghai - 11 Days
Authentic China: Beijing, Xi'an, Guilin, Yangshuo & Shanghai - 11 Days

See some of China's most important cultural sites on this immersive 11-day tour. Start in the imperial capitals of Beijing and Xi'an, discovering the Forbidden City, the Great Wall, and the Terracotta Warriors. Step off the beaten path to cruise the Li River and visit the local market in Yangshuo, then end in the gleaming metropolis of Shanghai. Highlights along the way include learning to cook bamboo rice in an Indigenous village and crafting your own traditional fan under the tutelage of a local artisan.

China Travel Maps

Get the lay of land, and understand distances between the places you want to visit
Map 14 Days in China - 5 Unique Itinerary Ideas
14 Days in China - 5 Unique Itinerary Ideas
View article
Map 10 Days in China - 5 Unique Itinerary Ideas
10 Days in China - 5 Unique Itinerary Ideas
View article
Map China's Highlights - 10 Days
China's Highlights - 10 Days
View article

Meet our Local Travel Specialists

Experienced travel agents with a passion for China
Travel specialist Heidi Jiang
active 30 mins ago

Heidi Jiang

For the past fifteen years I have accompanied many private groups to most places of China and also some other southeast Asian countries which makes me understand the first information traveler...

read more...
Travel specialist Lisa Sun
active 2 hours ago

Lisa Sun

As a China English-speaking tour guide with 20 years of experience in the tourism industry, I have a deep passion for the travel profession and am dedicated to introducing China's rich culture and...

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Travel specialist Carol Wang

Carol Wang

My name is Carol Wang, a travel advisor from China Highlights Travel. I have worked as a travel advisor for 15 years and helped 3200+ people plan their dream vacations, whether it's a romantic...

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Travel specialist Winnie Wu
active 22 mins ago

Winnie Wu

I am Winnie, with over 10 years of experience in the travel industry, I specialize in crafting personalized journeys across East Asia, especially to Japan, Korea, and China. Each of these countries...

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Trip Reviews for China

The latest reviews by travelers who booked their trip on kimkim

Our trip was booked as a 5 star adventure and...
China | Apr 17 - May 5, 2026

jim
jim k.
Los Angeles, CA | Reviewed on Jun 02, 2026
Our trip was booked as a 5 star adventure and everything meet our expectations! MANY THANKS TO HEIDI!!!
HEIDI WAS AWESOME, EASY TO WORK WITH AND EXCEEDED ALL OF OUR NEEDS. WHAT A JEWEL.
JIM
Read more

Our trip was booked as a 5 star adventure and everything meet our expectations!

MANY THANKS TO HEIDI!!!
HEIDI WAS AWESOME, EASY TO WORK WITH AND EXCEEDED ALL OF OUR NEEDS. WHAT A JEWEL.
JIM

Hotel Reviews
The Ritz-Carlton, Hong Kong
Banyan Tree Yangshuo
Guilin
Lijiang Pushang Hotel

Book the suites

Sofitel Xian On Renmin Square
The Peninsula Beijing
Beijing
Local specialist: Heidi Jiang
Heidi
Heidi Jiang
Local specialist in China | Replied on Jun 03, 2026

Thank you so much for your kind words and wonderful feedback. I truly appreciate it!

It was a great pleasure working with you, and I’m delighted to hear that you had a positive experience and that the trip exceeded your expectations. Your support means a lot to me.

I would be very happy to assist you again in the future and help you plan your next destination. Looking forward to working with you again soon!

Kimkim 'go-to' travel experts for local on the beaten path China trips
China | Apr 26 - Apr 30, 2026

Drew
Drew W.
Switzerland | Reviewed on May 25, 2026
the organization and input from Lisa on what to see and do was great. it really helped to use a local travel assistant instead of one who does not know the region. The idividual guide and driver were good and the guide had good knowledge about the local sights - he was able to indepth explain the history of the various monasteries we visited. The hotels were modern, clean and the service was extremely friendly. The local food was delicious, fresh and well prepared in clean environments. i... Read more

the organization and input from Lisa on what to see and do was great. it really helped to use a local travel assistant instead of one who does not know the region. The idividual guide and driver were good and the guide had good knowledge about the local sights - he was able to indepth explain the history of the various monasteries we visited. The hotels were modern, clean and the service was extremely friendly. The local food was delicious, fresh and well prepared in clean environments. i would highly recommend to use Kimkim for similar local flavor tours.

Hotel Reviews
LUX* Tea Horse Road Shangri - la

great views, centrally located. clean, friendly

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
LUX* Tea Horse Road Benzilan

clean, luxurious, well located.

Authenticity & Character
nice architecture, good views
Location
in the middle of Benzilan
Staff
extremely friendly, helpful to ensure we understood everything
Cleanliness & Comfort
could not have been better
Activity Reviews
Highlight of Shangri-la with Napa Lake, local family visit
Highlight of Shangri-la with Napa Lake, local family visit
Shangri-La

napalake was good to drive through. not a must. we did not do the local family visit.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Shangri-La Day Tour: Pudacuo National Park and Gedan Songzanlin Monastery
Shangri-La Day Tour: Pudacuo National Park and Gedan Songzanlin Monastery
Shangri-La

massive monastery with lots of history

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Benzilan Old Town, Temples
Benzilan Old Town, Temples
Benzilan

off the beaten path. we spend 2 nights, 1 would have been sufficient

Quality of Experience
old monasteries, drive through the valley along the Yangste river were super. much historic perspective
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
having a large car was a good recommendation
Local specialist: Lisa Sun
Lisa
Lisa Sun
Local specialist in China | Replied on May 27, 2026

Hi Drew,
Greetings from Lisa
Thank you so much for your wonderful review. I truly appreciate your kindness and support. Guests like you are genuinely a blessing — positive, thoughtful, independent, and always considerate of others. It has been an absolute pleasure assisting with your trip.

I sincerely hope to have the opportunity to arrange another journey for you in the future. Thank you again for choosing the KimKim platform and for placing your trust in us.

Warm regards
Lisa

China & Japan Tour
China | May 7 - May 15, 2026

Mehzabeen
Mehzabeen Z.
Canada | Reviewed on May 17, 2026

Lisa was very helpful in organizing both our China and Japan trips. Everything was on time. She was also flexible whenever we had to make adjustments. Lily was our tour guide in Beijing. She was very knowledgeable.

Local specialist: Lisa Sun
Lisa
Lisa Sun
Local specialist in China | Replied on May 22, 2026

Hi Mehzabeen,

Thank you so much for your kind words, your feedback truly means a lot to us.

It was such a pleasure helping organize both your China and Japan trips, and I’m very happy to hear everything went smoothly for you. I will also make sure to pass along your lovely comments to Lily, she will be so happy to hear that you enjoyed your time with her in Beijing.

We really look forward to creating more wonderful travel memories with you in the future!

Best,
Lisa

Why travelers love kimkim

Custom trips for independent travelers who are too busy to plan
Customize your trip with the help of a local travel specialist

Kimkim has handpicked the world’s top local travel specialists so you will have peace of mind and an unforgettable trip that meets your exact requirements.

Authentic travel experiences

Kimkim’s local specialists ensure that you will have the best experience based on up-to-date local insights. On top of that, the vast majority of your money will go straight to support and grow local economies.

Secure & easy booking

Once you are happy with the trip, you can easily book via kimkim’s secure payment platform.

Local support during your trip

You can always reach your local specialist with a quick message or call in case you hit a snag during your trip, or simply want some great local recommendations.