Popular Cities

Discover China's most fascinating cities — each with its own unique character, cuisine, and attractions.

Beijing

North China

Beijing — China's majestic capital where ancient imperial grandeur meets cutting-edge modernity.

Population: 21.9 millionBest: April–May and September–October

Forbidden CityGreat Wall (Badaling, Mutianyu)Temple of HeavenSummer PalaceHutong neighborhoods

Shanghai Travel Guide: Top Attractions, Food, Hotels & Insider Tips

East China

The ultimate Shanghai travel guide for foreign visitors. Discover the Bund, Disneyland, soup dumplings, best areas to stay, and unique experiences in China's most cosmopolitan city.

Population: 24.9 millionBest: March–May and October–November

The Bund waterfrontYuyuan Garden & City God TempleOriental Pearl Tower & LujiazuiShanghai Disney ResortFormer French Concession

Chengdu Travel Guide: Pandas, Hot Pot & China's Most Relaxed City

Southwest China

The ultimate Chengdu travel guide for foreign visitors. Discover giant pandas, fiery Sichuan cuisine, ancient temples, teahouses, and the laid-back lifestyle of China's happiest city.

Population: 21.2 millionBest: March–June and September–November

Giant Panda Breeding CenterKuanzhai Alley teahousesSichuan Hot PotDujiangyan ancient irrigationJinli Ancient Street

Xi'an Travel Guide: Terracotta Warriors, Ancient City Wall & Street Food

Northwest China

The ultimate Xi'an travel guide — Terracotta Warriors, cycling the ancient city wall, Muslim Quarter street food, and Tang Dynasty nightlife. Plan your trip to China's historic capital.

Population: 13.0 millionBest: March–May and September–October

Terracotta WarriorsAncient City WallMuslim Quarter food streetGiant Wild Goose PagodaTang Dynasty Ever-Bright City

Guilin Travel Guide: Li River Cruise, Yangshuo Cycling & Longji Terraces

South China (Guangxi)

The ultimate Guilin travel guide — cruise the Li River, cycle through Yangshuo's karst countryside, hike Longji rice terraces. China's most iconic landscape.

Population: 4.9 millionBest: April–October for lush greenery; September–November for clearest skies

Li River cruiseYangshuo countryside cyclingLongji Rice TerracesYulong River bamboo raftingElephant Trunk Hill

Chongqing Travel Guide: Spicy Hot Pot, Mountain City & Cyberpunk Nights

Southwest China

The ultimate Chongqing travel guide — fiery hot pot, 8D mountain city views, Hongya Cave at night, Wulong karst landscapes. China's most dramatic megacity.

Population: 32.1 millionBest: March–May and October–November

Hongya Cave at nightChongqing Hot PotYangtze River CablewayCiqiKou Ancient TownWulong Karst Landscape

Guangzhou Travel Guide: Cantonese Food, Canton Tower & Lingnan Culture

South China

The ultimate Guangzhou travel guide — authentic dim sum, claypot rice, the iconic Canton Tower, historic Shamian Island, and Lingnan culture. Eat like a local in China's culinary capital.

Population: 18.8 millionBest: October–December (dry, pleasant); avoid June–August (typhoon season, extreme humidity)

Canton Tower skylineMorning dim sum (yum cha)Chen Clan Ancestral HallShamian IslandBaiyun Mountain

Shenzhen Travel Guide: Tech Hub, Theme Parks & Coastal Escapes

South China (Guangdong)

The ultimate Shenzhen travel guide — OCT-LOFT creative district, Window of the World, Dapeng ancient fortress, coastal hiking, and the world's largest electronics market.

Population: 17.8 millionBest: October–April (mild, dry); avoid June–August (typhoon season, extreme heat)

OCT-LOFT creative districtWindow of the WorldShenzhen Bay ParkDapeng Fortress & beachesHuaqiangbei electronics market

Hangzhou Travel Guide: West Lake, Longjing Tea & Zen Temples

East China (Zhejiang)

The ultimate Hangzhou travel guide — misty West Lake, Lingyin Temple, tea picking in Longjing Village, and silk culture. Discover Marco Polo's 'City of Heaven'.

Population: 12.2 millionBest: March–May and September–November; winter snowfall on West Lake is rare but magical

West Lake & Ten ScenesLingyin TempleLongjing tea plantationsXixi National Wetland ParkGrand Canal water bus

Kunming Travel Guide: City of Eternal Spring, Stone Forest & Flowers

Southwest China (Yunnan)

The ultimate Kunming travel guide — Stone Forest karst wonderland, Dianchi Lake, Dounan flower market, wild mushroom hot pot, and Yunnan's ethnic cultures. China's spring city.

Population: 8.6 millionBest: Year-round (hence the name); November–March for seagulls; June–September for wild mushrooms

Stone Forest karst wonderlandDianchi Lake & Western HillsGreen Lake Park & seagullsDounan Flower MarketWild mushroom hot pot

Qingdao Travel Guide: Beer, Beaches & German Heritage

East China (Shandong)

The ultimate Qingdao travel guide — Tsingtao Beer Museum, fresh draft beer, Badaguan's European villas, Laoshan Mountain, and golden beaches. China's sailing city.

Population: 10.1 millionBest: May–October (swimming and sailing); August for the International Beer Festival; spring and autumn for comfortable sightseeing

Tsingtao Beer Museum & fresh draftBadaguan European villa districtLaoshan Mountain & Taoist templesZhanqiao PierOlympic Sailing Center

Harbin Travel Guide: Ice and Snow Festival, Russian Architecture & Winter Magic

Northeast China (Heilongjiang)

The ultimate Harbin travel guide — Ice and Snow World wonderland, Saint Sophia Cathedral, Central Street, hearty northeast cuisine, and the world's biggest winter festival.

Population: 10.0 millionBest: Late December–February for ice and snow; June–September for comfortable city exploration and summer music festivals

Ice and Snow WorldSaint Sophia CathedralCentral StreetSun Island Snow SculpturesSonghua River ice activities

Xiamen Travel Guide: Gulangyu Island, Beaches & Minnan Culture

East China (Fujian)

The ultimate Xiamen travel guide — car-free Gulangyu Island, coastal cycling, Nanputuo Temple, Shapowei art district, and delicious Minnan cuisine. China's most romantic island city.

Population: 5.3 million (island proper)Best: October–April (mild, dry, bougainvillea in bloom); avoid July–September typhoon season and Chinese New Year crowds

Gulangyu Island (car-free)Nanputuo TempleXiamen University campusIsland Ring Road cyclingShapowei art district

Suzhou Travel Guide: Classical Gardens, Silk & Canal Towns

East China (Jiangsu)

The ultimate Suzhou travel guide — nine UNESCO classical gardens, Pingjiang Road canals, silk culture, and nearby water towns. China's 'Venice of the East'.

Population: 12.8 millionBest: March–May and September–November; September–November for hairy crab season

Humble Administrator's GardenLingering GardenTiger Hill & leaning pagodaPingjiang Road canalsSuzhou Museum by I.M. Pei

Nanjing Travel Guide: Ancient Capital, Ming Dynasty Tombs & Qinhuai River

East China (Jiangsu)

The ultimate Nanjing travel guide — Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum, Ming Xiaoling, Qinhuai River night cruise, duck blood soup, and the most beautiful plane tree boulevards in China.

Population: 9.5 millionBest: March–May and October–November; autumn is magical on the Ming Xiaoling Spirit Way

Sun Yat-sen MausoleumMing Xiaoling Spirit WayPresidential PalaceQinhuai River night cruiseNanjing Museum Republican Era Hall

Zhuhai Travel Guide: Islands, Chimelong Ocean Kingdom & Coastal Charm

South China (Guangdong)

The ultimate Zhuhai travel guide — explore the world's largest ocean theme park, island-hop in the South China Sea, cycle the longest coastal road, and see the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge.

Population: 2.5 millionBest: October–April (mild, dry, clear skies); avoid July–September typhoon season

Chimelong Ocean KingdomLovers' Road coastal driveWailingding & Dong'ao IslandsHong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao BridgeHengqin oysters & seafood