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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 32 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 15 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...

read more...
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...

read more...
Travel specialist Winnie Wu
active 5 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...

read more...

Related Destinations

Travelers who visit China also visit these destinations

Trip Reviews for China

The latest reviews by travelers who booked their trip on kimkim

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

Heidi did a spectacular job putting this trip...
China | Apr 17 - May 5, 2026

Rebecca
Rebecca S.
Seattle, WA | Reviewed on May 08, 2026
Heidi did a spectacular job putting this trip together.
Stan and I were impressed with all of the site visit recommendations and the wealth of information that our guides provided for us.
Each of the guides provided their own unique perspective, which was interesting and all of them were very thorough and anticipated our every need.
Henry (Guilin/Longsheng/Yangshuo) was, for the two of us, the easiest to understand and we enjoyed hearing about his personal experience as a guide in China....
Read more

Heidi did a spectacular job putting this trip together.
Stan and I were impressed with all of the site visit recommendations and the wealth of information that our guides provided for us.
Each of the guides provided their own unique perspective, which was interesting and all of them were very thorough and anticipated our every need.
Henry (Guilin/Longsheng/Yangshuo) was, for the two of us, the easiest to understand and we enjoyed hearing about his personal experience as a guide in China.
Rita (Xi'an) was also easy to understand and gave us good tips for getting through the Terracotta exhibit. She was also a wonderful chaperone for the "Ever Bright City" and the Hanfu experience.
Sophie (Shanghai) did an excellent job with the Shanghai City Tour and the Bund. She was also easy to understand and provided us with a very complete history of the politics of China.
Linda (Beijing) was very competent and eager to please. We did have a bit of trouble understanding her accent.
Mr SK Leung (Hong Kong) was also easy to understand and very competent.

Hotel Reviews
The Ritz-Carlton, Hong Kong

The views are outstanding. The hotel is conveniently located and has an attached shopping mall. The hotel restaurants have delicious food and the breakfast buffet is outstanding.

Amanyangyun

This resort offers a unique setting and overall experience. The restaurants and breakfast buffet are excellent. The suites are spacious and beautifully appointed. The staff is helpful and thoughtful. I highly recommend this experience!

Banyan Tree Yangshuo
Guilin

This resort setting is beautiful. There are great restaurants and walking paths. The sunset celebration is also amazing.

Lijiang Pushang Hotel

Great location and the views are spectacular!!!

Sofitel Xian On Renmin Square

This hotel is in a good location with nearby restaurants.

The Peninsula Beijing
Beijing

This hotel is conveniently located and offers excellent dining as well as large and comfortable accommodations. In addition, there are luxury shops and a nice area to work out or swim.

Authenticity & Character
Nice lobby, excellent breakfast buffet, excellent bedroom suites, and excellent all-around staffing.
Location
Close to many important visitor sites.
Staff
Very accommodating and everything was spotless.
Cleanliness & Comfort
Comfortable bedding and excellent staff cleaning.
Activity Reviews
Hong Kong Island Half-Day Classic Tour
Hong Kong Island Half-Day Classic Tour
Hong Kong

There is nothing like Hong Kong!

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Mr SK Leung did a great job.
Transport
Day Trip to Zhujiajiao Old Town
Day Trip to Zhujiajiao Old Town
Shanghai

We enjoyed this ancient water town but there were lots of crowds due to the holiday.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Full Day Shanghai City Tour with the Yu Garden , Jade Buddha Temple and Former French Concession
Full Day Shanghai City Tour with the Yu Garden , Jade Buddha Temple and Former French Concession
Shanghai

Lots to see in the Yu Garden. The Jade Buddha is impressive and the French Concession is lively and fun.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Sophie is amazing.
Transport
Half Day City Exploration of the Bund
Half Day City Exploration of the Bund
Shanghai

Beautiful setting, especially at sunset!

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Sophie did a great job.
Transport
Hike along the Picturesque Yulong River
Hike along the Picturesque Yulong River
China

We did a bike ride which was very fun.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Henry was great.
Transport
Yulong River Rafting Experence
Yulong River Rafting Experence
Yangshuo

A fun way to experience the river.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Full Day Countryside and Ancient Town Exploration in Yangshuo
Full Day Countryside and Ancient Town Exploration in Yangshuo
Yangshuo

We enjoyed the bike ride as well as the rafting.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Enjoy the performance "Impression Liu Sanjie."
Enjoy the performance "Impression Liu Sanjie."
Yangshuo

I would give this performance more than 5 stars. I have never seen such a fantastic performance in such a lovely setting anywhere!!!

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Henry was great!
Transport
Marvel at the Li River: China's Most Picturesque River
Marvel at the Li River: China's Most Picturesque River
Guilin

The boat ride is very relaxing and provides amazing views of these gorgeous mountains.

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
 Longsheng Full-Day Tour
Longsheng Full-Day Tour
Guilin

Beautiful views on the hillside. We especially enjoyed walking down the hill after riding the tram cart up the hill.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Explore the Natural Wonder: Reed Flute Cave
Explore the Natural Wonder: Reed Flute Cave
Guilin

Beautiful setting!

Discover Xi'an: the Terracotta Army and Muslim Quarter
Discover Xi'an: the Terracotta Army and Muslim Quarter
Xi'an

Amazing!! I highly recommend this activity. The exhibits are very well done.

Grand Tang Dynasty Ever Bright City with Hanfu Experience
Grand Tang Dynasty Ever Bright City with Hanfu Experience
Xi'an

We found this area to be very impressive with new buildings that are built in the old style and lots of beautiful lighting and other features. We enjoyed the Hanfu Experience and found that local people to be enthusiastic about our participation.

Exploration: 798 Art District
Exploration: 798 Art District
Beijing

We enjoyed wandering around this area and looking at the art!

Peking Duck Experience
Peking Duck Experience
Beijing

This is a unique dining experience!

Lama Temple — Biggest Tibetan Buddhist Lamasery in Beijing
Lama Temple — Biggest Tibetan Buddhist Lamasery in Beijing
Beijing

Very impressive. Linda did a great job!

Full day with Great Wall
Full day with Great Wall
Beijing

The Great Wall experience is a must! The area is very well organized especially considering the number of visitors who attend. Linda did a great job!

Leisurely Exploration of Summer Palace and Temple of Heaven
Leisurely Exploration of Summer Palace and Temple of Heaven
Beijing

Great views and enjoyable boat ride at the Summer Palace. Linda did a wonderful job!

Explore Fobidden City and Hutong  in Beijing
Explore Fobidden City and Hutong in Beijing
Beijing

The Forbidden City and Hutong area were great experiences. The overall size of the Forbidden city is mind boggling! The Hutong area is very interesting and colorful. We enjoyed the riskshaw ride! Linda did a great job!

Local specialist: Heidi Jiang
Heidi
Heidi Jiang
Local specialist in China | Replied on May 10, 2026
Dear Rebecca, Thank you so much for your kind words. 😊 It was such a pleasure helping you plan this journey through China, and I’m so happy to hear that you enjoyed both the destinations and the guides along the way. I especially loved reading your comments about each guide. Every one of them has a different personality and style, so it’s wonderful to know their individual perspectives made the trip more meaningful for you. I’ll be sure to pass your feedback along to Henry, Rita, Sophie,... Read more

Dear Rebecca,

Thank you so much for your kind words. 😊

It was such a pleasure helping you plan this journey through China, and I’m so happy to hear that you enjoyed both the destinations and the guides along the way.

I especially loved reading your comments about each guide. Every one of them has a different personality and style, so it’s wonderful to know their individual perspectives made the trip more meaningful for you. I’ll be sure to pass your feedback along to Henry, Rita, Sophie, Linda, and Mr. SK Leung — they will all be very happy to hear it.

I’m also glad the Hanfu experience, Ever Bright City, the Bund, and the Longsheng/Yangshuo area became memorable parts of your trip. You experienced such a beautiful variety of China in one journey, and it was a joy for me to put it together for you both.

Thank you again for trusting me with your trip. I truly appreciated all of our conversations during the planning process, and I hope China leaves you with many wonderful memories for years to come.

Warm wishes,
Heidi

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