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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

China Tours & Itineraries

Get inspired by trips other travelers have loved
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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Cherry blossoms in Xi'an
Map of Best of China - 13 Days
Best of China - 13 Days

This packed itinerary checks off China's top cultural and natural highlights. Visit Beijing to see the Forbidden City and hike along the Great Wall, then take the bullet train to Xi'an to see the Terracotta Warriors. Visit Guilin to see the world's tallest Buddha and enjoy Yangshuo's serene countryside. Tour Chengdu's panda research station before finishing your trip in metropolitan Shanghai.

China Travel Advice

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

Our Latest China Content

Visit the China Fan Museum in Hangzhou to admire the delicate fans from bygone eras
Map of China's Ultimate Art & Culture Tour: Beijing to Hangzhou - 12 Days
China's Ultimate Art & Culture Tour: Beijing to Hangzhou - 12 Days

Creative types will love this 12-day tour exploring China's art and culture scene. Start in Beijing with a mask painting class and an exploration of the 798 Art Zone, based in former military factories. Then, head to Xi'an, where you can learn Chinese calligraphy and watch a shadow puppet show. Spend a day discovering Suzhou's beautiful gardens before you head to the M50 Art District in Shanghai. Your final stop is Hangzhou, which has three art museums, including one dedicated to the craft of umbrella-making.

Experience the dramatic karst scenery in Guilin during a boat ride down the tranquil Li River
Map of Best of China: Beijing, Xi'an, Guilin & Shanghai - 12 Days
Best of China: Beijing, Xi'an, Guilin & Shanghai - 12 Days

Spend 12 days discovering four iconic cities in China, starting in the capital, Beijing. Enjoy a traditional Peking duck dinner, trek a portion of the Great Wall, and cruise across Kunming Lake before flying to Xi'an. Here, you can walk along the ancient city walls and admire the artistry of the Terracotta Army. Then, the Reed Flute Cave, Longji Rice Terraces, and tranquil Li River await your discovery in the Guanxi region. End with a highlights tour of Shanghai, where you'll see a mix of historic and modern highlights.

Venture inside the once sequestered Forbidden City in Beijing
Map of China Highlights & Yangtze River Cruise: Beijing, Xi'an & Shanghai - 11 Days
China Highlights & Yangtze River Cruise: Beijing, Xi'an & Shanghai - 11 Days

From the Imperial capital of Beijing to the glittering skyline of Shanghai, you'll journey across China by plane, train, and ship on this 11-day adventure that loops in most of the country's most popular sights. Walk the halls of the Forbidden City, hike a portion of the Great Wall, and witness thousands of stone soldiers at the Terracotta Warrior Museum before settling in for a multiday cruise up the Yangtze River toward Shanghai.

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 Beijing - 5 Days
Beijing - 5 Days
View article

Meet our Local Travel Specialists

Experienced travel agents with a passion for China
Travel specialist Heidi Jiang
active 3 hours 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 Heidi Li
active 5 hours ago

Heidi Li

As a travel advisor, I love traveling at home and abroad. I traveled to 14 countries and most destinations in Japan, which helps me better understand different cultures and travelers’ expectation....

read more...
Travel specialist Carol Wang
active 8 hours ago

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 Lisa Sun
active 3 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...

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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

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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.

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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.

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A portion of every kimkim trip goes toward the removal of carbon from the atmosphere. Learn more
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Trip Reviews for China

The latest reviews by travelers who booked their trip on kimkim

Fantastic Tour of the highlights of Eastern C...
China | Jul 14 - Jul 21, 2024

Aneri
Aneri P.
San Francisco, CA | Reviewed on Jul 23, 2024
Fantastic Tour of the highlights of Eastern China My husband and I took a one-week tour of Shanghai, Xi-An, and Beijing and I can't recommend enough. First, China is not an easy country to navigate if you don't have the local apps or speak Chinese, so we felt very comfortable being guided and having someone else figure out our ticketing, lines, etc. I honestly don't think we would have figured out how to see the Terracotta Warriors without them! The guides were all fantastic, and I was... Read more

Fantastic Tour of the highlights of Eastern China

My husband and I took a one-week tour of Shanghai, Xi-An, and Beijing and I can't recommend enough. First, China is not an easy country to navigate if you don't have the local apps or speak Chinese, so we felt very comfortable being guided and having someone else figure out our ticketing, lines, etc. I honestly don't think we would have figured out how to see the Terracotta Warriors without them! The guides were all fantastic, and I was particularly touched by Edward's help in finding great vegetarian restaurants for us in Beijing. The hotels were all very nice and comfortable. Heidi is super responsive and communicative and I felt very supported and comfortable throughout the entire trip end to end. Next time I would love to go to Western China with Kim Kim!

Hotel Reviews
Novotel Peace Beijing
Beijing
Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Xi'an Eastern House Boutique Hotel
Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Sunrise On The Bund
Authenticity & Character
Location
Nice hotel, but a little far from the Bund
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Activity Reviews
Full day with Great Wall and Changling Tomb in Beijing
Full day with Great Wall and Changling Tomb in Beijing
Beijing

This was my favorite tour. I especially enjoyed the Changeling Tomb as the museum is very nice and it was not so crowded. And of course, the Great Wall!

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Explore the Temple of Heaven
Explore the Temple of Heaven
Beijing
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Walking tour through the Hutongs
Walking tour through the Hutongs
Beijing

Though it was nice to meet a local community, I wouldn't have selected this tour. I found it a little boring.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
A Glimpse into China's Imperial Past: the Fobidden City
A Glimpse into China's Imperial Past: the Fobidden City
Beijing
Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Full Day with  Terracotta Warriors and  Muslim Street in Xi'an
Full Day with Terracotta Warriors and Muslim Street in Xi'an
Xi'an
Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Full Day Shanghai City Tour with the  Jade Buddha Temple, Jin Mao Tower and the Bund
Full Day Shanghai City Tour with the Jade Buddha Temple, Jin Mao Tower and the Bund
Shanghai
Quality of Experience
Food
Lunch stop was not part of the tour, so had to request it when we got hungry
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Local specialist: Heidi Jiang
Heidi
Heidi Jiang
Local specialist in China | Replied on Jul 23, 2024

Dear Aneri,

Hope you are doing great.Thank you for sharing your unforgettable experience with us. We're glad to hear that you had a fantastic tour of Eastern China and that our guides and services met your expectations. We understand that navigating China can be challenging, and we're happy to hear that we were able to make your trip more comfortable and enjoyable. We look forward to having the opportunity to organize another adventure in China in the future.

Warm regards from China,
Heidi

China trip
China | Jul 14 - Jul 21, 2024

Sangram
Sangram P.
San Francisco, CA | Reviewed on Jul 22, 2024

Enjoyable, well-organized tour with friendly and knowledgeable guides. My wife and I had a great time and would highly recommend.l this service.

Local specialist: Heidi Jiang

Excellent trip to Japan and China.
China | Jun 1 - Jun 15, 2024

C
C V.
Knoxville, TN | Reviewed on Jun 20, 2024

Excellent trip to Japan and China. Carol made it very easy to complete schedule according to our like and adjusted itinerary favorable to us. Tour guides in Japan and China were very good communicators, knowledgeable of the sites visited, and again adjusted itinerary to complete an amazing trip.

Local specialist: Carol Wang