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.

Open City Map Compare Itineraries

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

China's most polished international gateway, pairing the Bund, Yu Garden, museums, skyline views, shopping, and easy high-speed rail day trips.

Main attractions

The Bund
Yu Garden
Shanghai Museum
Former French Concession

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.