Destinations: Explore the Middle Kingdom

From the neon skyline of Shanghai to the yak-filled pastures of Tibet. Browse our complete library of regional guides, sorted by province and city to help you find your perfect corner of China.

An aerial, eye-level view of the vast Forbidden City in Beijing at sunset. The image is dominated by the expansive, orange-tiled roofs of the palace complex, arranged in a symmetrical pattern along the Beijing Central Axis. In the foreground, a prominent red wall with a white sign featuring Chinese characters is visible, with ornate doorways and pillars. Behind the Forbidden City, a cityscape with modern buildings stretches towards the horizon. The sky above is filled with dramatic, fiery orange and yellow clouds, illuminated by the setting sun, with patches of dark, stormy clouds and a deep blue sky visible.

Beijing Central Axis: A DIY Walking Guide to the UNESCO World Heritage Site

Planning a trip to China in 2026? Tackling the newly minted UNESCO World Heritage site requires a solid Beijing Central [...]

Aerial, wide-angle view of the Leshan Giant Buddha, a massive stone statue carved into a cliff face. The Buddha is seated, facing forward, with intricate details visible on its face and torso. The statue is made of reddish-brown sandstone and is surrounded by lush green trees and traditional red-roofed temple buildings situated on the cliff above and to the side.

From Chengdu to Mount Emei & Leshan: 3-Day Buddhist Mountain Escape

Planning a trip From Chengdu to Mount Emei & Leshan: 3-Day Buddhist Mountain Escape requires more than just showing [...]

An aerial, panoramic view of the Shanghai Lujiazui skyline at dusk. Prominently featured in the foreground is the Oriental Pearl Tower, a distinctive TV tower with spherical elements. To its right is the Shanghai Tower, a modern supertall skyscraper. To the left of the Oriental Pearl Tower is the Jin Mao Tower, another skyscraper. Surrounding these landmarks are numerous other illuminated high-rise buildings, casting reflections on the faintly visible streets and infrastructure below. The sky above transitions from a warm orange and pink sunset glow near the horizon to a clear blue at the top.

Shanghai Nightlife 101: Top Bars, Night Markets & Safety Tips

When the sun sets, the neon lights of Lujiazui reflect across the Huangpu River, completely transforming China's financial capital. If [...]

A large, ancient stone carving of Guanyin seated on a lotus throne, adorned with ornate jewelry and flowing robes, set within a cave-like structure. The statue is weathered and colorful, with intricate details in the carving of the deity and the surrounding rock formations. A young woman with a red headband stands on the right, looking up at the statue from behind a wooden railing.

Anyue Stone Carvings: A Guide to Sichuan's Hidden Grottoes

If you want to experience ancient Chinese Buddhist art without battling umbrella-wielding tour groups, you need to look beyond the [...]

A person's feet wearing white sneakers stand at the bottom of a stone staircase that ascends a grassy, tree-lined mountain path. A wooden railing follows the path. In the background, a vast cityscape and harbor stretch out towards a hazy coastline and islands under an overcast sky.

Shenzhen for Nature Lovers: The Best Coastal Parks and Hiking Trails

Traveling to China's "Silicon Valley" usually conjures images of skyscrapers, neon lights, and sprawling tech campuses. But beyond the concrete [...]

A scenic view from above a canal in Suzhou, China, at sunset. Traditional buildings with tiled roofs line the canal, adorned with glowing red lanterns. Several boats are on the water, some with people on board, and others are docked along the side where there are shops and eateries. The sky transitions from a soft orange and yellow near the horizon to a pale blue with scattered clouds.

Beyond the Loom: A Practical Guide to Buying Authentic Suzhou Silk

Beyond the Loom: A Practical Guide to Buying Authentic Suzhou Silk TL;DR: Trip Essentials Buy on Pingjiang Road, not the [...]

A vibrant, painterly sunset view of the Guangzhou skyline with the prominent Canton Tower in the foreground, illuminated by golden lights. The Pearl River flows in front of the city, reflecting the colorful sky and city lights. Several boats, including a large red and white passenger ferry, navigate the water.

The 144-Hour Transit Visa Strategy: Exploring the Greater Bay Area

Navigating Chinese visa bureaucracy used to be the biggest hurdle for travelers wanting to visit the mainland. In 2026, bypassing [...]

A young woman in a brown sweater and long cream skirt stands in a paved courtyard, smiling at the camera. Behind her, a large, multi-tiered traditional Chinese building with red painted eaves is built into a sandy cliff face. Several other tourists are visible in the background, some walking, some looking at the building.

Booking Mogao Grottoes: Navigating the Complex Dunhuang Ticket System

Traveling to Dunhuang in 2026 means stepping into the heart of the ancient Silk Road, but accessing its crown [...]

A clear, turquoise lake reflects snow-capped mountains, evergreen trees, and vibrant autumn foliage including red and yellow leaves, under a bright blue sky with scattered clouds.

Jiuzhaigou National Park: A Logistics Guide for the New High-Speed Rail

For years, reaching the turquoise lakes and cascading waterfalls of northern Sichuan meant enduring a grueling, stomach-churning eight-hour bus ride [...]

A wooden table laden with a variety of Dai foods, including a whole grilled fish on a large banana leaf, skewers of grilled shrimp and pork, grilled corn, a whole pineapple, bowls of dipping sauces, a plate of noodles, and bottles of beer.

Dai Food 101: A Guide to the Spicy and Sour Flavors of Xishuangbanna

Xishuangbanna isn't your typical Chinese culinary destination. Tucked away in the tropical southern tip of Yunnan province, bordering Myanmar and [...]

A vast expanse of golden-yellow rice terraces cascading down a lush green mountainside under a clear sky. Numerous layers of terraced fields, sculpted into undulating patterns, dominate the landscape. Patches of dark green trees and bamboo forests are interspersed between the terraces, with a few small traditional Chinese houses and buildings visible on the upper slopes of the mountains. The overall scene captures the majestic beauty of agricultural ingenuity on a grand scale.

Longji Rice Terraces: A Visitor's Guide to Guilin's Dragon's Backbone

Navigating rural China can feel intimidating, especially when trying to decipher bus schedules and mountain trail maps. If you are [...]

A deep blue, still alpine lake is surrounded by snow-dusted green vegetation and rocky shores. In the background, a steep, tree-covered mountain slopes upward, with patches of snow near its rocky peak under a clear blue sky. A wooden boardwalk with railings winds along the left side of the lake, with several people walking on it.

Hiking Dali's Cangshan Mountain: The Jade Belt Cloud Road Guide

Rising sharply behind the traditional grey-tiled roofs of Dali Old Town, the 4,000-meter peaks of the Cangshan range offer some [...]

A person wearing a yellow long-sleeved shirt, gray shorts, and a black hat sits on a rocky outcrop overlooking a winding blue river surrounded by lush green karst mountains under a cloudy blue sky. The person is looking out at the landscape with their right arm raised.

Exploring Yangshuo by Electric Scooter: Rental Guide & Scenic Routes

Exploring Yangshuo by Electric Scooter: Rental Guide & Scenic Routes TL;DR: Trip Essentials Rental Costs: Expect to pay 40-80 RMB [...]

A steep, narrow stone staircase with a red railing winds up a sheer granite mountain face, crowded with a long line of hikers. Buildings, possibly temples, are visible at the summit of the mountain. Lush green trees and branches frame the lower right and left sides of the image, and a hazy landscape is visible in the distance.

Xi'an to Mount Huashan Day Trip: Train, Cable Cars & Hiking Routes

Staring down a 2,000-meter vertical drop from a wooden plank bolted to a cliff face isn't your average Tuesday. But [...]

An aerial view of the Grand Canal in Hangzhou at sunset. A curved, stone bridge illuminated with lights spans the canal, with people walking across it. Several boats are on the water, including a long, red and white passenger ferry. The canal banks are lined with trees decorated with warm lights and traditional Chinese buildings with illuminated roofs. The sky above is filled with dramatic, colorful clouds in shades of orange, pink, and gray.

Hangzhou After Dark: 7 Best Things to Do at Night

When the sun sets over the mist-shrouded tea fields and the daytime tour groups retreat to their hotels, China's ancient [...]

A vibrant orange sunrise illuminates a sea of fluffy white clouds that fill the valleys between jagged, misty granite mountain peaks. Pine trees with dark green needles are silhouetted in the foreground and scattered across the rocky slopes. The sun is a bright yellow-white disc in the upper left quadrant.

Hiking Huangshan (Yellow Mountain): Routes, Sunrise Spots & Hotels

Standing at the peak of China's most legendary mountain as the morning mist rolls over jagged granite spires is an [...]

A wide view of the Great Wall of China winding over lush green, tree-covered mountains under a partly cloudy sky. Many tourists are walking along the stone pathway of the wall, which features watchtowers and crenelated battlements. In the foreground, the wall is wide with stone steps, and people are visible in casual clothing carrying bags and taking photos.

A Traveler's Guide to Beijing's 72-Hour Visa-Free Transit: Maximizing Your Layover

Finding yourself with a long layover in China’s capital used to mean sitting in an airport lounge for a dozen [...]

A serene lake reflects snow-capped mountains and lush green trees under a bright blue sky with white clouds. A wooden fence runs along a grassy hillside in the background, with a few people visible near trees.

Sichuan’s Western Frontier: Chengdu to Daocheng Yading Road Trip Guide

Sichuan’s Western Frontier: Chengdu to Daocheng Yading Road Trip Guide TL;DR: Trip Essentials Best Route: The 760km overland drive from [...]

An elevated view looking down onto a wide, paved street running alongside a tall, ancient stone wall. Several yellow taxis and other vehicles are driving on the street, which is lined with pedestrians. A set of wide stairs leads up to the top of the wall where more people are walking. Beyond the wall, a large lake is visible with numerous small boats on it, and a city skyline in the distance under a hazy, pale sky.

Nanjing Street Food and Old City Walls: 2-Day Urban Exploration Guide

Many travelers speed right past China's former southern capital on the bullet train between Shanghai and Beijing. That is a [...]

A view looking up a street in Chongqing, China, with towering, dense skyscrapers on either side. In the center background, two extremely tall skyscrapers are connected by a large, curved bridge-like structure containing windows and the word 'ASCOTT'. Below this bridge, another building with a dome-shaped roof is visible. The street below is filled with vehicles including trucks, cars, and motorcycles, and there are shops and signs along the sides.

Chongqing's Vertical Challenge: Navigating the 3D City Without a Map

Chongqing defies the laws of traditional urban planning. You might be standing on the ground floor of a bustling public [...]

Overhead view of a wooden table set with several bamboo steamers filled with Shanghai Xiaolongbao soup dumplings. One steamer in the foreground contains five dumplings topped with orange roe. Another steamer behind it holds six dumplings. To the left, two white bowls are visible: one with two halved soft-boiled eggs in soy sauce, and another with a large, golden-yellow soup dumpling. Small white ceramic cups filled with dark dipping sauce are placed near the steamers. Chopsticks rest across the steamers and on the table. A person's hands, wearing a pink jacket, are visible at the top of the frame, giving a thumbs up. Receipts with Chinese text are placed near the dipping sauce cups.

Shanghai Xiaolongbao Guide: Best Soup Dumplings & How to Eat Them

Steaming bamboo baskets, the sharp scent of black vinegar, and the imminent danger of scalding your palate. If you are [...]

A panoramic view of the Great Wall of China at Jinshanling section, stretching over rolling green mountains under a blue sky with white clouds. Several stone watchtowers are visible along the wall, with dense green trees covering the slopes.

Beyond the Wall: A Day Trip Guide to the Jinshanling Great Wall

If you are traveling to Beijing, seeing the Great Wall is non-negotiable. However, getting crushed in a sea of [...]

An open-air teahouse with a dark wooden roof supported by large wooden pillars. Many people are seated at bamboo tables and chairs, some eating and some drinking. In the foreground, a man in a dark t-shirt and yellow shorts leans back in his chair at a table with a bottle and a cup. Orange lanterns hang from the ceiling. The floor is wet and reflective.

Chengdu's Ancient Teahouses: A Guide to Local Brews & Cultural Immersion

If you want to understand the true heartbeat of Sichuan province, you have to slow down. While the modern metropolis [...]

A large tree with hanging white ribbons stands on a grassy area overlooking the ocean. In the foreground, a paved walkway with a white railing follows a bright blue body of water. A person wearing a hat and dark clothing walks on the walkway.

Cycling Xiamen's Island Ring Road: A Scenic Route Guide

Escaping the concrete density of China's megacities is easier than you think when you head to the southeastern coast of [...]