China travel guides

26 cities in China, each with its landmarks, food, best season and nearby escapes.

Beijing

Beijing is China's capital and a city of extraordinary contrasts, where ancient imperial palaces and winding hutong alleyways coexist with cutting-edge modern architecture. With thousands of years of history as the heart of Imperial China, it is home to some of the world's most iconic landmarks, including the Forbidden City and the Great Wall. The city hosted both the 2008 Summer Olympics and the 2022 Winter Olympics, cementing its status as a truly global metropolis.

september · october

ChillTrip

02Stinky tofu (臭豆腐)

Changsha

Changsha is the vibrant capital of Hunan Province in south-central China, home to over 10 million people and a rich revolutionary history tied to Mao Zedong. The city blends a modern skyline with ancient cultural sites, world-class museums, and a legendary spicy cuisine. Famous for its street food scene, lively walking streets, and the iconic Mao sculpture on Orange Island, Changsha offers a uniquely energetic Chinese urban experience.

march · april · may · october

ChillTrip

03Sichuan hot pot and spicy cuisine

Chengdu

Chengdu is the vibrant capital of Sichuan Province, home to over 21 million people and world-famous for its giant panda research base. Known as the 'Heavenly Land of Plenty', it blends ancient history with a laid-back culture, lively nightlife, and some of China's most iconic spicy cuisine.

march · april · may · september

ChillTrip

04Chongqing Hot Pot

Chongqing

Chongqing is a futuristic megacity perched dramatically at the confluence of the Yangtze and Jialing Rivers, famous for its jaw-dropping vertical architecture and neon-lit hillside neighborhoods. Once off the tourist radar, it has exploded in popularity thanks to its surreal urban landscape, spicy cuisine, and role as the gateway to the legendary Three Gorges. With a history stretching back to WWII and a skyline that defies gravity, Chongqing is unlike any other city on Earth.

april · may · june · september

ChillTrip

05Rushan (fried cheese on bamboo skewers)

Dali

Dali is a historic city in Yunnan Province, famous for its ancient Ming-dynasty Old Town nestled between the dramatic Cangshan Mountains and the vast Erhai Lake. Once one of the largest cities in the world and capital of the Kingdom of Dali, it remains a vibrant cultural hub for the Bai ethnic minority. Its blend of ancient pagodas, mountain hiking, and laid-back café culture makes it a beloved stop on the Yunnan tourist trail.

march · april · may · october

ChillTrip

06Fresh seafood from the Yellow Sea

Dalian

Dalian is a vibrant port city at the southern tip of the Liaodong Peninsula in northeastern China, known for its colonial architecture, beautiful coastline, and numerous parks and squares. Unlike most Chinese cities of comparable size, it enjoys cleaner air and a more pleasant urban environment shaped by Russian and Japanese colonial heritage. It is a major domestic tourist destination and hosts the World Economic Forum's Annual Meeting of the Champions.

april · may · september · october

ChillTrip

07Buddha Jumps Over the Wall (Fo Tiao Qiang)

Fuzhou

Fuzhou is the capital of Fujian Province, an ancient port city on the Min River with over two millennia of history. Known as a city of parks and green spaces, it boasts one of China's largest historic downtown districts and the oldest wooden structure in South China. The city blends rich cultural heritage with modern urban life, sitting just across the strait from Taiwan.

march · april · may · october

ChillTrip

08Dim Sum (Cantonese cuisine)

Guangzhou

Guangzhou, historically known as Canton, is a vibrant metropolis and the capital of Guangdong Province in southern China. One of China's oldest and most prosperous cities, it has been an international trading hub for over 2,000 years and is celebrated for its world-renowned Cantonese cuisine, rich cultural heritage, and dynamic modern skyline. Home to the legendary Canton Fair, it remains one of Asia's most cosmopolitan and commercially significant cities.

october · november · april · may

ChillTrip

09Guilin rice noodles (桂林米粉)

Guilin

Guilin is one of China's most scenic cities, famous for its dramatic karst limestone mountains, winding rivers, and lush countryside that has inspired Chinese painters for centuries. Surrounded by two rivers and four lakes, the city serves as the perfect base for exploring the stunning landscapes of northern Guangxi Province. Its proximity to iconic destinations like the Li River, Yangshuo, and the Longji rice terraces makes it a must-visit for nature lovers and adventurers alike.

april · may · september · october

ChillTrip

10Longjing (Dragon Well) tea

Hangzhou

Hangzhou is the capital of Zhejiang province and one of China's most celebrated tourist destinations, renowned for its stunning West Lake, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Once the capital of the Southern Song Dynasty, the city blends rich historical heritage with modern prosperity as a major tech hub home to Alibaba. Its natural scenery, classical gardens, and tea culture have inspired poets and travelers for centuries.

march · april · may · october

ChillTrip

11Harbin Ice and Snow Sculpture Festival

Harbin

Harbin is the capital of Heilongjiang Province in northeast China, renowned for its dramatic Russian architectural heritage and bitterly cold winters. Known as 'Ice City', it hosts the world-famous Harbin International Ice and Snow Sculpture Festival each year. The city blends Chinese, Russian, Jewish, and Manchurian influences into a uniquely cosmopolitan character.

june · july · august

ChillTrip

12Dim Sum

Hong Kong

Hong Kong is a vibrant metropolis where East meets West, blending a century of British colonial heritage with deep Chinese culture. A global financial hub perched on a dramatic harbour, it offers everything from dazzling skyscrapers and bustling night markets to serene country parks and rocky island escapes. Known as Asia's World City, it remains one of the most dynamic and diverse destinations on the planet.

october · november · december

ChillTrip

13Cross-bridge rice noodles (过桥米线)

Kunming

Kunming, the capital of Yunnan Province, is famously known as the 'City of Eternal Spring' thanks to its mild, temperate climate year-round despite its tropical latitude. Sitting at 2,000 meters altitude, it serves as the gateway to Yunnan's diverse landscapes and ethnic minority cultures. The city blends ancient history, vibrant flower markets, and a cosmopolitan energy as a major hub for Southwest China and Southeast Asia.

march · april · may · september

14Naxi Pie

Lijiang

Lijiang is a UNESCO World Heritage city in Yunnan Province, China, and the cultural heartland of the Naxi people. Its ancient cobblestone streets, canal-laced old town, and stunning backdrop of the Jade Dragon Snow Mountain make it one of China's most enchanting destinations. Once the capital of a Naxi kingdom, the city blends centuries of history with vibrant ethnic traditions.

march · april · may · september

15Macanese egg tart (pastel de nata)

Macau

Macau is a former Portuguese colony and the only place in China where casinos are legal, making it the world's highest-revenue gambling destination. Beyond the glittering casino floors, it boasts stunning UNESCO-listed colonial architecture, cobblestone streets, and a unique fusion of Chinese and Portuguese culture. Its exceptional cuisine, fine beaches, and subtropical climate make it a fascinating destination far beyond gambling.

october · november · december · march

ChillTrip

16Nanjing Salted Duck (盐水鸭)

Nanjing

Nanjing is one of China's Four Great Ancient Capitals, with over 2,500 years of history and nearly 500 years as a dynastic capital. Known as the 'Ancient Capital of Six Dynasties,' it blends profound historical heritage with modern urban life along the lower Yangtze River. From Ming Dynasty city walls to sobering war memorials, Nanjing offers a rich and layered cultural experience.

march · april · may · september

ChillTrip

17Tsingtao Beer and fresh seafood

Qingdao

Qingdao is a stunning coastal city in Shandong Province, famous for its German colonial architecture, golden beaches, and the iconic Tsingtao Brewery. Known as the 'Bavaria on the East China Sea', it blends European heritage with Chinese culture in a remarkably clean and orderly setting. The city hosted the sailing events of the 2008 Beijing Olympics and remains one of China's most beautiful seaside destinations.

may · june

ChillTrip

18Seafood (fresh tropical seafood dishes)

Sanya

Sanya is China's southernmost tropical city, located at the tip of Hainan Island and often called 'China's Hawaii'. With year-round sunshine, pristine beaches, and warm turquoise waters, it offers a unique blend of tropical relaxation and vibrant tourism. From luxury resorts in Yalong Bay to cultural heritage in ancient Yacheng Town, Sanya caters to every type of traveler.

november · december · january · february

ChillTrip

19Xiaolongbao (soup dumplings)

Shanghai

Shanghai is China's most developed city and a global financial and cultural powerhouse, captivating visitors with its dramatic skyline, historic waterfront, and vibrant blend of Eastern and Western influences. From the colonial-era grandeur of the Bund to the futuristic towers of Pudong, the city offers a stunning contrast of old and new. With world-class dining, Art Deco architecture, and a buzzing nightlife scene, Shanghai is one of Asia's most exciting destinations.

september · october · november

ChillTrip

20Electronics markets and tech innovation hub

Shenzhen

Shenzhen is a dynamic, futuristic megacity that transformed from a small market town into one of China's wealthiest and most populous cities in just four decades. Known as the 'Silicon Valley of China', it is a global hub for electronics, design, and manufacturing. Beyond its tech scene, the city offers stunning architecture, vibrant nightlife, scenic mountains, beautiful beaches, and fascinating Hakka cultural heritage.

october · november · december

ChillTrip

21Suzhou-style silk embroidery and classical garden culture

Suzhou

Suzhou is a historic city in Jiangsu province, celebrated for its UNESCO-listed classical Chinese gardens and intricate network of canals that earned it the nickname 'Venice of the East.' Once the most important city in the Yangtze Delta region, it blends millennia of culture, silk craftsmanship, and scholar traditions with a booming modern high-tech economy. Its old downtown retains stunning Jiangnan-style architecture, making it one of China's most photogenic destinations.

march · april · may · september

ChillTrip

22Goubuli Baozi (steamed stuffed buns)

Tianjin

Tianjin is one of China's largest cities, uniquely blending colonial-era Western architecture with vibrant Chinese culture along the Hai River. Once home to foreign concessions from multiple Western powers and Japan, the city retains a remarkable collection of European-style buildings alongside traditional Chinese neighborhoods. It is also a cultural hub famous for xiangsheng comedy, Beijing opera, and iconic street snacks.

september · october · november

ChillTrip

23Hot dry noodles (Re Gan Mian)

Wuhan

Wuhan is the sprawling capital of Hubei Province and the largest metropolis in central China, dramatically split into three historic districts by the Yangtze and Han Rivers. Known as the 'Thoroughfare of Nine Provinces,' it played a pivotal role in modern Chinese history as the birthplace of the 1911 Xinhai Revolution. A UNESCO City of Design, Wuhan blends industrial heritage with vibrant university culture and stunning riverside scenery.

march · april · may · october

24Roujiamo (Chinese hamburger) and Biang Biang noodles

Xi'an

Xi'an is one of the oldest cities in the world and the ancient capital of 13 Chinese dynasties, serving as the eastern terminus of the Silk Road. Home to the legendary Terracotta Army and thousands of years of history, the city seamlessly blends ancient heritage with modern urban life. Often called the cradle of Chinese civilization, Xi'an is an unmissable destination for anyone seeking to understand China's roots.

march · april · may · september

ChillTrip

25Shacha noodles (沙茶面)

Xiamen

Xiamen is a vibrant coastal city in Fujian Province, known for its subtropical climate, lush greenery, and rich maritime history as a former treaty port. Its crown jewel is Gulangyu, a car-free UNESCO World Heritage island dotted with colonial architecture just a short ferry ride from downtown. A modern Special Economic Zone since 1980, Xiamen blends tropical charm with cosmopolitan energy and a thriving expat community.

october · november · december · january

26Pu-erh tea

Xishuangbanna

Xishuangbanna is a lush tropical prefecture in southern Yunnan, bordering Myanmar, Laos, and Vietnam. Home to the Dai people and China's best-preserved tropical rainforests, it offers a unique blend of Southeast Asian culture, Buddhist temples, and exotic wildlife. Often compared to Thailand, it is a major destination for those seeking tropical nature, ethnic diversity, and the famous Pu-erh tea.

november · december · january · february

← All city guides

Turn this guide into a real itinerary

ChillTrip lays the places you pick across your days, adds the travel times, and shares the plan with your friends in one link.

Download on iOS Get it on Android