China Travel Guide - Travel Insights and Tips!

China is a fusion of ancient traditions and cutting-edge modernity that offers a feast for adventure-seekers and cultural enthusiasts alike. Imagine spending 8 days in China, where you can explore sprawling metropolises, enchanting landscapes, and cherished heritage sites. Whether you're savoring the spicy cuisine of Sichuan or marveling at the Great Wall, each day brings new experiences. From in-depth exploration of a single city to whirlwind tours covering multiple destinations, there are China 8-day tours to suit every travel style.

For a country as massive as China, even more so with so many cultural, natural and historical offerings, a six-day holiday is not enough to see it all. But if you only have 6 days in China, you can get a good overview of the country with select city visits, exploration of key sights and food tours. Whether you're spending a 6-day trip in China exploring bustling metropolises or uncovering rural treasures, you can make the most out of your stay with our itineraries.

A journey of 12 days in China offers the perfect timeframe to experience its multifaceted splendor. Walk the legendary Great Wall, stand in awe before the Terracotta Warriors, and soak in the futuristic skyline of Shanghai. Cruise down the misty Li River, explore vibrant street markets and taste everything from sizzling Peking Ducks to handmade dumplings. From the imperial palaces of Beijing to the serene gardens of Suzhou, every corner during your 12-day trip to China tells a story.

With its vast landscapes and deep cultural heritage, China offers endless adventures—even within a short 4-day trip. Whether you're exploring ancient landmarks, indulging in local cuisine, or wandering through hidden alleyways, a well-planned itinerary can provide an immersive experience. While covering multiple destinations may be challenging with just 4 days in China, you can dive deep into the rich history of Beijing or explore the traditional charm of Xi’an. To make the most of a 4-day China holiday, we recommend focusing on one major city and its nearby attractions.

For a country the size of China, a five-day trip will seem short. So you’ll need to plan your holiday wisely based on your interests. We’d recommend a maximum of two destinations or choose a main base with a couple of day trips. Shanghai and Beijing make excellent city breaks — they are bursting with history, culture, and food. From Shanghai, take advantage of high-speed rail connections and make a day trip to Nanjing, one of China’s ancient capitals. You could also pair Beijing with a trip to Xi’an, another ancient capital and home to the legendary Terracotta Warriors. Chengdu, in the heart of Sichuan Province, is home to famously spicy food and, of course, giant pandas. For a more relaxing retreat, consider a trip to beautiful Guilin or a Yangtze River cruise. Read on to find out what your 5-day trip to China will look like.

Beautiful architecture at West Lake in Hangzhou in China in March.Though the weather in China in March is still chilly in places, it’s the beginning of spring. China comes to life in March after a long, cold winter. Hotel costs are lower, and crowds are thin compared to the summer. Swathes of southern rural China turn a beautiful bright yellow thanks to the rapeseed season, while places like Shanghai and Hangzhou see the first spring blooms. The pleasant weather in Shanghai in March is perfect for walking along the Bund and admiring the purple cherry blossoms in the Chenshan Botanical Garden. This is also a great time to take a ferry ride in the port town of Xiamen and visit the 5th-century Shaolin Temple in Henan province. Read on to find out what your tour to China will look like this month.

Dreamy weather, splendid colors of fall, and good value for money—China in October has everything going for it. It’s no wonder this is one of the best months to visit the Middle Kingdom. Much of China is sunny and dry in October, making it an ideal time to visit. The Great Wall, Jiuzhaigou Nature Reserve, and the Red Grasslands are blanketed by beautiful autumn foliage. The weather is also ideal for enjoying a bamboo raft ride along the Nine Bend River near the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Mount Wuyi in Fujian, as well as admiring the scenery — steep cliffs, green vegetation — of the U-shaped red sandstone Longtan Valley. Read on to find out what a trip to China this month will look like.

From the start of the thrilling snowsports season in the mountainous regions to the explosive New Year celebrations around Shanghai and Hong Kong, China in December is bustling with excitement and adventure. When you travel to China this month, expect cold temperatures, but largely dry conditions which are ideal for wintry exploration. Have your fill of the slopes, or use the low season rates and crowds to have the major sites like the Great Wall all to yourself.

From the golden-hued trees across Beijing to the runway events that take Shanghai by storm, there are plenty of amazing reasons to tour China in November. While the temperatures start to fall slightly, the majority of China remains balmy and dry, ideal for outdoor hiking and adventuring, especially in the Yellow Mountains. November is considered firmly in the low season, so taking your holidays in China this month is a largely affordable and less crowded option without sacrificing the warmer, drier weather.

September is a transition period between a hot, humid Chinese summer and a crisp, cool autumn. The weather in China in September is distinctly cooler than the peak summer months, and the crowds are smaller, making it the perfect month to explore this vast country. This is a good time to see big-ticket attractions like the Great Wall and the Forbidden City in Beijing and go on a grand cruise on the Yangtze River. If you spend your time touring in China in September, you’ll be rewarded with gorgeous foliage in the Jiuzhaigou Nature Reserve and the changing colors around Kanas Lake, especially in the latter half of the month as the fall sets in.

August in China is part of the peak tourist season and one of the hottest months of the year. Hotel costs can be high, so it helps to plan your trip weeks in advance. Despite rain in some parts, this is an excellent time for hiking in places like Tiger Leaping Gorge, Longji Rice Terraces and Shunan Zhuhai National Park. Tibet is one of the best places to visit in China in August because of its pleasant weather. Admire the skills of the craftswomen behind the famous batik in Matang Gejia village in Guizhou province in August. Or stay in a yurt (a traditional tent) with a family of semi-nomadic herders in Inner Mongolia. Read on to discover what your tour to China this month can look like.

July is the middle of summer in China and can be unpleasantly hot and humid. But it’s part of the high tourist season, and the streets of major cities are brimming with activities. You can beat the heat in China in July by traveling to cooler mountainous areas like Zhangjiajie and exploring the sprawling grasslands of Inner Mongolia. This is also a good time to stroll around the old towns of Dali and Shangri-La in Yunnan Province, which is tolerably hot in July. Read on to find out more about a trip to China this month.

The Chinese countryside turns lush green in May, thanks to April rain showers. It’s the last month of spring, but some parts of the country are already experiencing warm weather. May in China is also the beginning of the high tourist season. Nanjing, the ancient capital of the Ming dynasty, attracts crowds because of its pleasant weather. Conditions are also perfect for hiking the Great Wall, dreamily drift on a bamboo boat on the Yulong River, cycle on Xi’an’s 14th-century walls, and watch playful giant pandas in Chengdu. Read on to find out more about the weather and things to do during your trip to China in May.

Spring is in the air in China in April. The month comes before the peak tourist summer season and is known for its cherry blossoms and occasional showers. April ticks all the boxes: the weather is pleasant, the scenery is lovely, and the costs are relatively low. This is an excellent time to see giant pandas in Chengdu, cruise the Yangtze, pose for pictures in beautiful fields of yellow rapeseed in Wuyuan, and tour Tibet before the hordes of tourists arrive. Read on to find out what your trip to China this month will look like.

Visitors are welcomed with long sunny days and warm temperatures in China in June, making it an ideal time to explore iconic destinations such as the Great Wall near Beijing or the Terracotta Army in Xi'an before the peak tourist season arrives. It’s an excellent month for a scenic hike in Zhangjiajie National Forest Park or to explore the breathtaking landscapes of Guilin and Yangshuo. June is also a time when lively festivals are celebrated throughout the country, most notably the famed Dragon Boat Festival. Although the rainy season in China does not start until later this month, occasional showers can still be expected, especially in the south and east of the country. In case of heavy downpours, bustling cities like Shanghai and Nanjing, renowned for their rich cultural and artistic scene, can offer plenty of indoor experiences regardless of the weather. Read on to find out what your tour to China will look like this month.