Destinations
Pick China cities by route, food, and travel pace.
Use the interactive city map to compare 32 recommended places, from Shanghai, Beijing, Chengdu, and Xi'an to Dunhuang, Jiuzhaigou, Harbin, Urumqi, and Yanji.
Interactive China Map
Choose cities from a complete China map.
The map stays fully visible. Click a city marker or compact city card to compare routes, food, attractions, and travel pace.
Selected city
Shanghai
East China
Suggested stay: 2-3 days
City guide ->China's most polished international gateway, pairing the Bund, Yu Garden, museums, skyline views, shopping, and easy high-speed rail day trips.
Main attractions
Food to try
- Xiaolongbao
- Shengjianbao
- Scallion oil noodles
- Hairy crab in season
Best for
Easy arrivalModern ChinaMuseumsDay trips
Planning note
Pudong handles many long-haul flights. Hongqiao is excellent for high-speed rail to Suzhou, Hangzhou, Nanjing, and Beijing.
City photos
Route Ideas
Turn cities into a route that works on arrival days.
For a first China trip, choose fewer city bases and make every transfer obvious: airport, train station, hotel area, and backup plan.
7 days
First-time classic
Beijing -> Xi'an -> Shanghai
The safest first route for history, food, trains, and easy international arrival or departure.
10 days
Cities plus scenery
Shanghai -> Hangzhou -> Guilin/Yangshuo -> Beijing
Mixes soft landscapes with the two easiest international gateway cities.
5 days
South China gateway
Guangzhou -> Shenzhen -> Hong Kong or Guilin
Useful for Cantonese food, business travel, and flexible cross-border planning.