China Travel Guide 2026
The third largest country in the world and one of the four cradles of ancient civilization, China is an epic land encompassing a fairly wide range of captivating destinations, ancient cultures, unique cultural traditions, ethnic groups, natural landscapes, and authentic cuisines. It offers a variety of dreamy vacations for travelers of all types and interests.
When you travel to China, awesome experiences and adventuresĀ are endless.Ā From the magnificent Great Wall zigzagging on the mountain range in Beijing to the towering skyscrapers in Shanghai, the picturesque karst mountains and rice terraces in Guilin toĀ theĀ impressive Terracotta Army in Xian, historical heritages and stunning scenery along the ancient Silk Road to diverse ethnic villages in Yunnan, adorable pandas and to holy temples and mountains in Tibetā¦
Our China travelĀ guide introduce you to some of Chinaās most popular destinations, providing insights into famous tourist destinations, top attractions, and practical tips to help you make the most of yourĀ China trip.
Travel Guide for Popular Destinations
Our selection of the most popular destinations is based on our in-depth local expertise of China travel. Whether you are a first-time visitor or a seasoned traveler, these places offer the most amazing cultural experiences and beautiful scenery. We can create a trip to any destination according to your preferences.
Beijing
Capital of China, rich in historical and cultural sites: Great Wall, Forbidden City, Summar Palace, Hutongs
Guilin
Li River, karst mountains, rice terraces, Idyllic countryside
Tibet
Epic Mt. Everest, sacred monasteries, plateau scenery and lakes
Yunnan
Diverse minority cultures and landscapes, hidden ancient towns and villages
Zhangjiajie
Cloud-kissing pillar peaks, Avatar Mountains, Grand Canyon & glass bridge
Inner Mongolia
Vast Grassland, Legacy of Genghis Khan, Naadam Festival
Macau
A Blend of Portuguese and Chinese cultures, Casino Scene
Suzhou
Classical Gardens, Silk Capital of China, A Haven for Tea Enthusiasts
Hangzhou
West Lake, Longjing Tea Plantations, Stunning Pagodas, āHeavenly Cityā
See real China Xian Tour reviews from our clients on Trip Advisor
Maggie was knowledgeable, engaging, and genuinely passionate about sharing the history and culture of Xiāan. Her storytelling brought everything to life, especially at the Terracotta Warriors ā she didnāt just explain what we were seeing, she helped us understand the significance behind it all in a way that really stuck with us.
She was also incredibly attentive and organized, making the entire day feel seamless and stress-free. From timing to transportation to little personal touches, everything was handled perfectly. We never felt rushed, and she made sure we had time to take it all in, ask questions, and enjoy the experience.
What really stood out was how personable she was ā it felt less like a tour and more like exploring with a very knowledgeable friend. She even gave us great local tips and made sure we were comfortable throughout the day.
If youāre visiting Xiāan, I cannot recommend Maggie enough. This tour exceeded all expectations and left us with unforgettable memories!

Maggie was knowledgeable, engaging, and genuinely passionate about sharing the history and culture of Xiāan. Her storytelling brought everything to life, especially at the Terracotta Warriors ā she didnāt just explain what we were seeing, she helped us understand the significance behind it all in a way that really stuck with us.
She was also incredibly attentive and organized, making the entire day feel seamless and stress-free. From timing to transportation to little personal touches, everything was handled perfectly. We never felt rushed, and she made sure we had time to take it all in, ask questions, and enjoy the experience.
What really stood out was how personable she was ā it felt less like a tour and more like exploring with a very knowledgeable friend. She even gave us great local tips and made sure we were comfortable throughout the day.
If youāre visiting Xiāan, I cannot recommend Maggie enough. This tour exceeded all expectations and left us with unforgettable memories!
Guilin: special shoutout to Samantha and éåøå . They are very friendly and engaging. We even went on a scooter ride tgt. That was really an enjoyable experience for my folks. Though our time together was short, we felt that they really tried their best to integrate us into the culture of Guilin. It was a joy to travel with them.
Nanning: special shoutout to Dora and ååøå . Even though this part of the trip was more physically demanding, Dora was very patient with us bearing in mind that we have senior citizens in our tour group. Furthermore, she took the effort to arrange a short tour of Mingshi city. This tour was a very pleasant surprise. We really appreciate Dora for her eye for detail. It makes things so much easier when we transit from lodging to lodging.
Thank you so much Sophia , Samantha, Dora, éåøå and ååøå . I wish you guys all the best and I hope that we will be able to travel tgt down the road when we visit next time.
Regards,
Kevin

Guilin: special shoutout to Samantha and éåøå . They are very friendly and engaging. We even went on a scooter ride tgt. That was really an enjoyable experience for my folks. Though our time together was short, we felt that they really tried their best to integrate us into the culture of Guilin. It was a joy to travel with them.
Nanning: special shoutout to Dora and ååøå . Even though this part of the trip was more physically demanding, Dora was very patient with us bearing in mind that we have senior citizens in our tour group. Furthermore, she took the effort to arrange a short tour of Mingshi city. This tour was a very pleasant surprise. We really appreciate Dora for her eye for detail. It makes things so much easier when we transit from lodging to lodging.
Thank you so much Sophia , Samantha, Dora, éåøå and ååøå . I wish you guys all the best and I hope that we will be able to travel tgt down the road when we visit next time.
Regards,
Kevin
Our guide in Xi'an was wonderfulāextremely knowledgeable, friendly, and made the history come alive. They also handled our tickets for the 'Legend of the Camel Bell' and 'Song of Everlasting Sorrow' shows, which were spectacular.
What impressed us most was the logistics. Even though our drivers didn't speak English, the agency set up a WeChat group to provide real-time support for any language or organizational needs. Booking was easy as they accept PayPal, which is a huge plus for those without Alipay.
A huge thank you to Maxie for the perfect planning and support. This agency made our trip stress-free and enjoyable!

Our guide in Xi'an was wonderfulāextremely knowledgeable, friendly, and made the history come alive. They also handled our tickets for the 'Legend of the Camel Bell' and 'Song of Everlasting Sorrow' shows, which were spectacular.
What impressed us most was the logistics. Even though our drivers didn't speak English, the agency set up a WeChat group to provide real-time support for any language or organizational needs. Booking was easy as they accept PayPal, which is a huge plus for those without Alipay.
A huge thank you to Maxie for the perfect planning and support. This agency made our trip stress-free and enjoyable!
To put it simply, it was amazing and extremely well put together. Our guide was very passionate and knowledgeable and that made the whole trip even better.
I would recommend wholeheartedly the visit of the Ice & Snow Festival: it is truly unique and straight out of a fairytale.
Communicating with China Xian Tour was super easy and always very reactive. Sophia was very helpful and caring from the very first inquiry until the very end of the trip: we couldn't have been in better hands and felt very well taken care of the whole tip.
I consider it one of the best trips of my life and can't wait to come back to visit more of China, and I'd definitely use China Xian Tour to organise my future trips there!

To put it simply, it was amazing and extremely well put together. Our guide was very passionate and knowledgeable and that made the whole trip even better.
I would recommend wholeheartedly the visit of the Ice & Snow Festival: it is truly unique and straight out of a fairytale.
Communicating with China Xian Tour was super easy and always very reactive. Sophia was very helpful and caring from the very first inquiry until the very end of the trip: we couldn't have been in better hands and felt very well taken care of the whole tip.
I consider it one of the best trips of my life and can't wait to come back to visit more of China, and I'd definitely use China Xian Tour to organise my future trips there!
My aim was to see the pandas and the schedule designed for me has made this a really memorable visit which far exceeded my expectations. All the accomodation was really good and comfortable with no complaints whatsoever.
I was given a driver who had the patience of a saint he was such a calm quiet and very polite man .
Ashley was my guide throughout the tour and I would strongly recommend that you try to get her assigned to you. She was welcoming and really made me feel at ease, her manners, knowledge and clear pride in Chengdu was fantastic, she also advised for where to go in the evenings, see sights not on the normal tourist route and more importantly how to use the metro.
I do not think my time in Chengdu could have been made any better from the excellent hospitality, the sights and the way I was made welcome.
If you get the chance you should check with this company, I can't rate them enough and will definitely use them again.

My aim was to see the pandas and the schedule designed for me has made this a really memorable visit which far exceeded my expectations. All the accomodation was really good and comfortable with no complaints whatsoever.
I was given a driver who had the patience of a saint he was such a calm quiet and very polite man .
Ashley was my guide throughout the tour and I would strongly recommend that you try to get her assigned to you. She was welcoming and really made me feel at ease, her manners, knowledge and clear pride in Chengdu was fantastic, she also advised for where to go in the evenings, see sights not on the normal tourist route and more importantly how to use the metro.
I do not think my time in Chengdu could have been made any better from the excellent hospitality, the sights and the way I was made welcome.
If you get the chance you should check with this company, I can't rate them enough and will definitely use them again.
A driver come to fatch me at the airport or train station and a private guide was present everyday at 9 am to make me discover each cities.
Every cities has a new driver and another guide!
Every guide is different, speaks english, is less or more formal but is definitly the best tour that you can do, if you do not like to be part of a group and ask all the question you want to them exept politics!
Everything was fluid, very well organized, and i personally recommend this company!
Hello to my favorie guide Viola!!!!!

A driver come to fatch me at the airport or train station and a private guide was present everyday at 9 am to make me discover each cities.
Every cities has a new driver and another guide!
Every guide is different, speaks english, is less or more formal but is definitly the best tour that you can do, if you do not like to be part of a group and ask all the question you want to them exept politics!
Everything was fluid, very well organized, and i personally recommend this company!
Hello to my favorie guide Viola!!!!!
Overall we enjoyed the tour of Yunnan very much. We had experienced tour guides(Selina ) in Kunming who brought us to sample Wild Mushroom hot pot on our 1st day in Kunming which was delicious and it was a seasonal dish for a short period we were told .
We were interested in the way of life and what local agriculture on the way from Dali to Shaxi but our tour guide was inexperience and new to the job, so we could not get much information in that area.He just qualified from College/University but not on tourism and his command of English was just average. However he was a decent and pleasant guy so we didnāt get uptight about it as he has to start somewhere.We spoke some Chinese ourselves and helped him to improve his English vocabulary and vice versa!
Jack our tour guide for Lijiang was superb . We enjoyed the 4 days there. Also it was the highlight for me especially as I saw the series āMu Sagaā about the Mu family in Lijiang. We visited the Mu family residence in Lijiang where the series was filmed!
All our 2 drivers were excellent and respectful .
Overall we enjoyed this first trip to Yunnan and our return to China after 15 years!
We thoroughly enjoyed Shaxi ancient town and hope to return and spend more time there and exploring the place .

Overall we enjoyed the tour of Yunnan very much. We had experienced tour guides(Selina ) in Kunming who brought us to sample Wild Mushroom hot pot on our 1st day in Kunming which was delicious and it was a seasonal dish for a short period we were told .
We were interested in the way of life and what local agriculture on the way from Dali to Shaxi but our tour guide was inexperience and new to the job, so we could not get much information in that area.He just qualified from College/University but not on tourism and his command of English was just average. However he was a decent and pleasant guy so we didnāt get uptight about it as he has to start somewhere.We spoke some Chinese ourselves and helped him to improve his English vocabulary and vice versa!
Jack our tour guide for Lijiang was superb . We enjoyed the 4 days there. Also it was the highlight for me especially as I saw the series āMu Sagaā about the Mu family in Lijiang. We visited the Mu family residence in Lijiang where the series was filmed!
All our 2 drivers were excellent and respectful .
Overall we enjoyed this first trip to Yunnan and our return to China after 15 years!
We thoroughly enjoyed Shaxi ancient town and hope to return and spend more time there and exploring the place .
Before the tour, we raised many questions and concerns ā especially regarding our travel needs, as one of our family members is elderly and uses a wheelchair. We clearly informed her that wheelchair accessibility was a top priority, and she was transparent about which places were suitable. During the tour, Kelly was also very responsive, accommodating and flexible, even when we requested last-minute changes to the itinerary. Overall, our experience was smooth and reassuring, and we felt well taken care of throughout the journey.
Our trip began in Kunming, where we were guided by Selina (čč). In Dali, our guide was Linda (ęę §åØ), followed by Andrew (ęäæå») in Lijiang. At Shangri-La, we were guided by Jackļ¼ę“ē»ļ¼. Most importantly, our amazing driver, Xiao Ding (å°äø), ensured our safety and comfort throughout the journey from Dali to Shangri-La. While Xiao Ding may appear strict (when he doesnāt smile), we can assure you that he is a highly skilled driver who is extremely friendly, helpful, and kind . In the absence of a guide, he even took the initiative to explain some of the places we passed by, which added to our overall travel experience. When we arrived in Dali late in the evening, Xiao Ding kindly took us to a nearby restaurant for dinner even though his working hours had already ended. His thoughtful assistance saved us the time and hassle of finding our way to the restaurant on our own.
Kudos to all the guides and our driver for being extremely helpful, patient, and attentive. As one of my family members uses a wheelchair and moves at a slower pace, their assistance, understanding, and professionalism made a significant difference and greatly enhanced our overall travel experience. In particular, Andrew went above and beyond by helping push the wheelchair up a hill on the way to é¾å„³ę¹, ensuring that our family member was included and able to enjoy the scenery like everyone else. We never felt rushed at any location, and the guides and driver were always accommodating whenever we needed to make some changes to our itinerary.
The slight downside of our trip was our stay at the Lijiang hotel (E-Outfitting Hotel), as we felt that some of the facilities were a bit run down. The room heater was not functioning well, which made it quite cold during the winter season. In addition, the water pressure was low and the hot water supply was inconsistent. The breakfast ā particularly the Western meal ā was also somewhat underwhelming. That said, the hotel staff were friendly and helpful despite these shortcomings.
On the other hand, the hotel in Shaxi (ę²ęŗŖäŗę³åæå®æ) was amazing. The property has a lovely compound where guests can relax, play chess, sit outdoors with a cup of tea, and enjoy the scenery. The room was very well heated, equipped with both floor heating and an air-conditioning heating system. It was extremely warm and comfortable, even during the cold winter season.
Another minor downside was a wrong instruction given by our guide while we were heading to the train station in Kunming for our journey to Dali. We were told to turn right after the security check; however, the wheelchair-accessible passage was actually on the left. This caused a small delay as we queued at the wrong area. That said, it was not a major issue, as we believe the guide was not fully aware of the stationās accessibility layout. With the assistance of the train station personnel, we were still able to board our train on time.

Before the tour, we raised many questions and concerns ā especially regarding our travel needs, as one of our family members is elderly and uses a wheelchair. We clearly informed her that wheelchair accessibility was a top priority, and she was transparent about which places were suitable. During the tour, Kelly was also very responsive, accommodating and flexible, even when we requested last-minute changes to the itinerary. Overall, our experience was smooth and reassuring, and we felt well taken care of throughout the journey.
Our trip began in Kunming, where we were guided by Selina (čč). In Dali, our guide was Linda (ęę §åØ), followed by Andrew (ęäæå») in Lijiang. At Shangri-La, we were guided by Jackļ¼ę“ē»ļ¼. Most importantly, our amazing driver, Xiao Ding (å°äø), ensured our safety and comfort throughout the journey from Dali to Shangri-La. While Xiao Ding may appear strict (when he doesnāt smile), we can assure you that he is a highly skilled driver who is extremely friendly, helpful, and kind . In the absence of a guide, he even took the initiative to explain some of the places we passed by, which added to our overall travel experience. When we arrived in Dali late in the evening, Xiao Ding kindly took us to a nearby restaurant for dinner even though his working hours had already ended. His thoughtful assistance saved us the time and hassle of finding our way to the restaurant on our own.
Kudos to all the guides and our driver for being extremely helpful, patient, and attentive. As one of my family members uses a wheelchair and moves at a slower pace, their assistance, understanding, and professionalism made a significant difference and greatly enhanced our overall travel experience. In particular, Andrew went above and beyond by helping push the wheelchair up a hill on the way to é¾å„³ę¹, ensuring that our family member was included and able to enjoy the scenery like everyone else. We never felt rushed at any location, and the guides and driver were always accommodating whenever we needed to make some changes to our itinerary.
The slight downside of our trip was our stay at the Lijiang hotel (E-Outfitting Hotel), as we felt that some of the facilities were a bit run down. The room heater was not functioning well, which made it quite cold during the winter season. In addition, the water pressure was low and the hot water supply was inconsistent. The breakfast ā particularly the Western meal ā was also somewhat underwhelming. That said, the hotel staff were friendly and helpful despite these shortcomings.
On the other hand, the hotel in Shaxi (ę²ęŗŖäŗę³åæå®æ) was amazing. The property has a lovely compound where guests can relax, play chess, sit outdoors with a cup of tea, and enjoy the scenery. The room was very well heated, equipped with both floor heating and an air-conditioning heating system. It was extremely warm and comfortable, even during the cold winter season.
Another minor downside was a wrong instruction given by our guide while we were heading to the train station in Kunming for our journey to Dali. We were told to turn right after the security check; however, the wheelchair-accessible passage was actually on the left. This caused a small delay as we queued at the wrong area. That said, it was not a major issue, as we believe the guide was not fully aware of the stationās accessibility layout. With the assistance of the train station personnel, we were still able to board our train on time.
Lenna was as amazing as ever. She planned the entire 9-day itinerary perfectly and gave us great advice throughout. Everything was smooth and well-organizedāfrom airport pickups, high-speed rail arrangements, to all the tours. It truly felt stress-free. The places recommended for Harbin by Lenna were superb and absolutely worth visiting.
In Harbin, our English-speaking guide Bingjie was fantastic. She was very friendly, entertaining, and made us feel extremely comfortable. She helped us with everything, and the 2 days passed by in a flash.
After Harbin, we continued to Beijing, where we had another wonderful experience. We had two excellent drivers, Mr. Jin and Mr. Zhou, and our English guide Alice Wang. All of them were very experienced and made sure we were well taken care of at all times. Alice even made adjustments to the itinerary based on the weather to ensure we got the best possible experience in Beijing. They also made sure we didnāt waste time queuing and that we got to see everything we wanted.
Overall, it was another outstanding trip with China Xian Tour operator. Professional, reliable, and thoughtful service from start to finish. We highly recommend them and will definitely use them again for future trips to China.

Lenna was as amazing as ever. She planned the entire 9-day itinerary perfectly and gave us great advice throughout. Everything was smooth and well-organizedāfrom airport pickups, high-speed rail arrangements, to all the tours. It truly felt stress-free. The places recommended for Harbin by Lenna were superb and absolutely worth visiting.
In Harbin, our English-speaking guide Bingjie was fantastic. She was very friendly, entertaining, and made us feel extremely comfortable. She helped us with everything, and the 2 days passed by in a flash.
After Harbin, we continued to Beijing, where we had another wonderful experience. We had two excellent drivers, Mr. Jin and Mr. Zhou, and our English guide Alice Wang. All of them were very experienced and made sure we were well taken care of at all times. Alice even made adjustments to the itinerary based on the weather to ensure we got the best possible experience in Beijing. They also made sure we didnāt waste time queuing and that we got to see everything we wanted.
Overall, it was another outstanding trip with China Xian Tour operator. Professional, reliable, and thoughtful service from start to finish. We highly recommend them and will definitely use them again for future trips to China.
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Yalong Bay and Wuzhizhou Island in Sanya, Gulangyu Island in Xiamen, Golden Sand Beach in Qingdao...
Ultimate Guide for Public Transportation in China
China is a large country to navigate if youāre unfamiliar with its transport system. From large cities to mountainous towns, your ways of getting around will be different.Ā
Top 12 Destinations along China Silk Road
Make sure you visit Xiāan, Luoyang, Dunhuang, Ningxia, Zhangye... when you travel to the Silk Road.
Guide to Traveling China on a Budget
Learn details on how to save money on stays, transportation, food, and attractions.
Is Xiāan Worth Visiting? Reasons to Visit Xian
Was the ancient capital of China for over 1,100 years, Xian offers a lot to see and do, including the marvellous Terracotta Warriors.
Top Attractions to Visit in China
When traveling in China, the country’ stopĀ attractions provide an insight into its rich cultural Ā cultural heritageĀ and breathtakingĀ natural landscapes. Every sight, be it an ancient architectural wonder or a magnificent natural setting, has a unique story to tell.
China Travel Advice and Essential Guides
If you are looking forĀ ChinaĀ travel guides to help you plan your first visit to China, then the following list should be the great place to start,Ā with essentialĀ China visa guidesĀ and insiderās up-to-date tips.
Top 16 China Travel Tips
Invaluable expertise and essential tips to help you prepare China trip
China Visa Requirements
Your passport, China visa application form, and other supporting materials
How to Apply for a China Visa?
A step-by-step guide to China visa application
240-Hour Visa-Free Transit in China
A total of 60 open ports in 24 provinces.carry out 240-hour visa-free transit policy
China Visa on Arrival
How to get China visa on arrival at designated ports?
Ultimate Xian Travel Tips
Travel tips for Xian tour planning
How to Plan a Trip to Beijing
Travel tips and advice on itinerary, transportation, etc.
How to Pay in China as a Foreigner
Learn some of the most popular payment methods in China
How to Plan a Trip to China
With our guide, your China travel as a first-timer will be easy, happy and amazing.
We have covered all your possible concerns,Ā and someĀ China family tours.
Know whatās the weather like in spring, and where to go if you travel to China during Spring.
Found out the best summerĀ retreats, with travel tips for your summer vacation in China.
Traveling to China in winter means a relatively lower price, and much winter fun!
This guide will helpĀ youĀ to plan a China Silk Road trip of a lifetime.
Top Recommended China Tours
Best of China travel package: Great Wall, Forbidden City, Temple of Heaven, Terracotta Army, the Bund…
Explore the best highlights of China and enjoy close contact withĀ the lovely giantĀ pandas in Chengdu
Experience Chinaās Golden Triangle, and cruise the YangtzeĀ River toĀ discover ancient wondersĀ and hidden gems
Walk through the Imperial Palace of Forbidden City, Hike along the Great Wall, See floating Avatar mountains…
This trip combinesĀ China cultural Golden Triangle, Yellow Mountain, ancient HuizhouĀ villages, and the UNESCO-listed West Lake.
Join a small group, traveling from XianĀ to Zhangye, Jiayuguan, Dunhuang, Urumqi…
Choose Your Travel Style
China Private Tour
Travel in China with only your family and friends in the group, which means personalized itineraries, exclusive attention, and access to unique local experiences.
China Group Tour
What sets our China group tour apart is a maximum size of 16 guests. You will travel in China with like-minded people at an affordable price. All the logistics will be looked after.
China Travel Guide for Featured Themes
Train Travel
Chinese Food
Hiking & Walking


















