China
Cities of stone, surreal landscapes, and a country that never stands still
Travel in China is enormously rewarding, but the country works differently enough that the practical side can feel intimidating at first. High-speed trains, digital payments, mobile apps, internet restrictions, advance ticketing and the sheer scale of the country all affect how you plan a trip.
This China travel library brings together itineraries, destination guides, transport advice, where-to-stay guides and practical planning resources to help you choose where to go, understand how travel in China works and organize the logistics before you arrive.
The guides below turn that trip into a practical planning library: itineraries, destination guides, where-to-stay advice, train and transport information, payments, apps, connectivity, day trips and tours. Use the sections below to build your own route and solve the logistics before you arrive.
Plan Your China Trip
If this is your first trip to China, start with these four guides. They cover the big decisions first: how to build your route, how to travel independently, how much to budget and when to go.
Once you have the basic route in mind, these guides help with realistic costs, safety and deciding where a tour is actually worth paying for.
Get China-Ready Before You Fly
China becomes much easier when your phone, payments and transport bookings are sorted before arrival. Set up mobile data, understand how Alipay and WeChat Pay work, install the apps you need and learn the train-booking system before you leave.
Explore China by Destination
My China route linked several very different parts of the country rather than treating each city as an isolated stop. Start with the major destinations below, then use the individual guides to work out where to stay, what to see and how to move around.
Beijing
Beijing deserves more than a quick stop. My guides cover the practical side of planning the city as well as the major sights: the Forbidden City, Temple of Heaven, Summer Palace, Tiananmen Square, the National Museum and the Great Wall at Mutianyu.
Xi’an
Xi’an works particularly well as the historical bridge between Beijing and western China. Start with the 2-day itinerary, then dig into accommodation, day trips, tours and the practical journey from Beijing.
Chengdu & Sichuan
Chengdu is much more than a panda stop. Give the city time for tea houses, temples, Sichuan food and local neighbourhoods, then use it as a base for places such as Leshan, Qingcheng and Sanxingdui.
Zhangjiajie
Zhangjiajie requires more planning than most Chinese destinations because the forest park, Wulingyuan and Tianmen Mountain are not all in the same place. These guides explain the best route, where to base yourself and how to get there.
Shanghai
Shanghai is an easy place to underestimate. Beyond the skyline, the city works best when you mix the Bund and central sights with old lanes, neighbourhood food and time away from the busiest areas.
Go Beyond the Standard China Route
China’s classic first-time route only scratches the surface. These places fit naturally into a longer journey and add very different layers of history, landscape and atmosphere, from preserved walled cities and ancient river towns to Buddhist grottoes and the Tibetan Plateau.
Where to Stay in China
The right area matters more than simply choosing a highly rated hotel. In large cities it affects how much time you spend on metros and taxis; in places such as Zhangjiajie it can determine whether you begin the day beside the attraction or lose hours travelling to it.
Day Trips in China
Some of China’s best excursions are straightforward to organise independently, while others involve awkward transfers or long distances. These guides compare the worthwhile options and explain how practical each one is without a tour.
Tours & Experiences Worth Booking
I normally travel independently, so I don’t recommend booking a tour simply because one exists. These are the places and experiences where a good guide can add context, simplify difficult logistics or make better use of limited time.
