China travel guide
Traveling to China Over 60: Is It a Good Destination for Older Travelers?
Why so many older people travel in China—and what that means for your trip.
By @mesapara1. I traveled through China in April 2026 and created this article and guide to share what I learned planning the trip independently.
If you're over 60 and considering a trip to China, you may be wondering how manageable it will be. One thing that quickly stands out when you visit is just how many older Chinese travelers are exploring the same places you are.
You'll see them visiting the Great Wall and the Summer Palace in Beijing, taking in the mountain views in Zhangjiajie, watching pandas in Chengdu, and traveling in groups throughout the country.
There's a reason for that. For decades, China's statutory retirement age was 60 for men and either 50 or 55 for women, depending on their occupation. As a result, China has a large retired population with time to travel—and many make the most of it. According to the China Tourism Academy, people aged 60 and over took 1.16 billion domestic tourist trips in 2023, accounting for 20.6% of the national total. (Source: China Tourism Academy / Chinese government)
That demand is reflected in the facilities at many major attractions. Cable cars, elevators, shuttles, and other alternatives often make it possible to skip the most physically demanding parts of a visit.
But for an international traveler, there's another challenge worth preparing for: traveling in China over 60 may be less about managing stairs and more about managing your phone.
Older Travelers Are Part of Everyday Life in China
During my trip, I was struck by how many older people were out sightseeing.
In Zhangjiajie, I met a family traveling with three generations: a son, his parents, and his two grandmothers. They were all exploring one of China's best-known mountain regions together. It stood out to me, but in China it didn't seem particularly unusual.
Throughout my trip, I regularly saw large tour groups of older travelers visiting China's main attractions. Spend some time in a Chinese park and you'll see that this active lifestyle extends well beyond tourism. Groups of retirees gather to dance, sing, practice tai chi, exercise, drink tea, or play games.
Older travelers are also an important part of China's tourism planning. In 2025, nine government bodies and state-owned companies announced a plan to expand tourist train services for older passengers, improve facilities at stations and attractions, and develop services suited to their needs. (Source: China's Ministry of Commerce)
How Much Walking Should You Expect in China?
The first thing to understand is the scale of the country. Cities spread over large areas, train and subway stations can involve surprisingly long walks, and many attractions cover extensive grounds.
Walking will be part of your trip. But covering a large site doesn't always mean climbing steep paths or tackling every staircase.
At many of the main attractions, there are ways to reduce the physical effort. Cable cars, elevators, escalators, shuttle buses, and boats let you adapt a visit to how much you want—or are able—to walk.
Zhangjiajie National Forest Park is a good example. Despite its mountainous landscape, you can reach many of the main viewpoints using a combination of shuttle buses, cable cars, and the Bailong Elevator, rather than hiking up from the valley.
At Tianmen Mountain, the famous 999 steps to Heaven's Gate are an iconic part of the experience, but climbing them is optional: an escalator provides an alternative.
The Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding also has internal shuttles that can cut down the distance you cover on foot.
At the Leshan Giant Buddha, you can take a boat ride to see the full statue from the river, avoiding the staircase that descends along the cliff to its feet.
This doesn't mean every attraction is fully accessible or that you can travel through China without walking. It means you can often make a visit much less demanding while still seeing what makes the place special.
You may choose a different route from someone who wants to climb every staircase. At many major sights, that still leaves plenty to see and enjoy.
Comfortable Ways to Get Around China
China's high-speed trains are a major advantage for older travelers. They're modern, with comfortable seats, and connect many of the main tourist destinations without the need for repeated domestic flights.
Within cities, you can also adjust how you travel from day to day.
The subway is inexpensive and efficient, but large stations and transfers may involve more walking than you expect. When you'd rather save your energy, DiDi, China's equivalent of Uber, is a useful alternative, with fares that are generally affordable for international visitors.
There's no need to commit to one form of transportation for the whole trip. Take the subway when it's convenient and book a DiDi when you're tired, want to avoid transfers, or would prefer to arrive at your hotel's door.
Senior Discounts at Attractions in China
Many Chinese attractions offer free admission or discounted tickets to older visitors.
The rules vary. Age thresholds and conditions differ by province and attraction, and discounts for Chinese residents don't necessarily apply to international travelers. Check the policy for each place you plan to visit.
There are, however, major attractions where overseas visitors can benefit.
In Beijing, the Summer Palace currently offers free admission to international visitors aged 60 and over. Beijing's municipal parks authority explicitly confirmed this in response to a question from a 64-year-old Italian visitor, who was told to bring a passport or another valid identification document. (Source: Beijing government)
The Badaling section of the Great Wall also offers free admission to visitors aged 60 and over with valid proof of age. The published policy does not state a nationality restriction, although it does not explicitly confirm eligibility for international visitors as the Summer Palace guidance does. (Source: Beijing government)
These are just two examples. Policies can change, and some attractions offer a discount rather than free entry, so check the current conditions before booking.
The Bigger Challenge: Using Your Phone in China
So far, China may sound fairly straightforward to adapt to your preferred pace.
For some travelers, though, the biggest adjustment has little to do with walking. Your smartphone plays a central role in everyday travel in China.
You'll use apps to pay, book a ride, plan subway journeys, buy train tickets, reserve attractions, translate conversations, order food, and find addresses.
Alipay and WeChat are the main payment apps. DiDi is useful for booking rides. Trip.com brings together train, hotel, and activity bookings. A translation app helps you communicate when you don't share a language with the person you're speaking to.
If you already use apps and mobile payments regularly, learning the Chinese systems may take some practice, but the basic idea will be familiar.
If you mainly use your phone for calls, messages, and photos, there may be more to learn.
This isn't just an issue for visitors. The Chinese government recognizes a digital divide affecting some older residents. Its smart tourism development plan calls for maintaining in-person services, making apps and booking platforms easier for older people to use, and preserving both online and offline booking options. (Source: China's Ministry of Culture and Tourism)
A Chinese friend explained that these difficulties can be especially noticeable among older people with less access to education or with vision or hearing problems. In such a digital society, struggling to use a smartphone can make routine tasks like paying or getting around more complicated.
That's why, for some older travelers, getting comfortable with the technology matters more than preparing for the physical side of the trip.
Essential Apps to Set Up Before Your Trip
The good news is that you can do much of this preparation at home.
Rather than learning everything after you land, install the apps ahead of time. Set up Alipay and WeChat, link your cards, arrange internet access, download a translation app, and practice the functions you'll need.
You don't have to master every feature. Focus on a few everyday tasks:
- 1Paying for a purchase
- 2Booking a DiDi
- 3Using public transportation
- 4Buying or finding your train ticket
- 5Translating a conversation
- 6Looking up an address
- 7Accessing your usual online services despite China's internet restrictions
If you're traveling with someone who is more comfortable with technology, you can share some of these tasks. Even so, I recommend that everyone has their own internet access, a way to pay, and a translation app ready to use.
This is one of the reasons I created my China Travel Guide. It explains which apps you need, what they do, and how to set them up before departure, alongside the practical advice that makes traveling through China easier once you arrive.
The China travel guide
All the technology sorted out before you travel, in the guide
- Day-by-day 2-week itinerary
- Apps, payments and internet set up before you travel
- Everything checked in person, not copied from the internet
Is China a Good Destination for Travelers Over 60?
Yes. Being 60, 65, or 70 doesn't have to put China out of reach.
Your mobility, preferred pace, and comfort with technology matter more than your age alone. There will be walking, but cable cars, elevators, escalators, shuttles, and alternative routes can make many major attractions more manageable. High-speed trains simplify travel between cities, and DiDi gives you flexibility when you'd rather spend less time on your feet.
You also won't be the only older person there. You'll regularly see Chinese travelers your age—and older—visiting the same temples, mountains, parks, and cities.
The part that deserves particular attention before departure is the technology. You can start getting that sorted long before you board the plane, leaving you better prepared to enjoy the trip at your own pace.