China Travel Guide
What to See in China: Essential Places for a First Trip
China is enormous, which makes deciding where to go one of the first big decisions of 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.
You can't see everything, and that's okay. A great first trip isn't about squeezing in as many stops as possible. It's about choosing a route that shows you different sides of China without spending half your holiday on trains.
Choosing your destinations is only part of the planning. You also need to decide how many days to spend in each city, what order to visit them in and how to connect them without wasting time in transit.
This list comes from my own trip. It isn't a ranking put together from online photos: these are the places I would choose again for a first visit after traveling through China myself.
Planning a trip to China? My guide brings together all the practical information I wish I had before I went. Explore the guide →
1. The Great Wall
The classic must-see, and for good reason. Photos can't capture the scale: the wall stretches over the mountains as far as you can see. Several sections are accessible from Beijing, from restored and popular stretches to quieter ones. Choosing the right section makes a big difference.
There are several sections of the Great Wall you can visit. Here's the link to tickets for the section I chose.
2. The Forbidden City and Imperial Beijing
A central part of China's imperial history and culture. The Forbidden City is an enormous palace complex that deserves at least half a day. Nearby sights include Tiananmen Square, the Temple of Heaven and the Summer Palace. Beijing also has a more intimate side: hutongs, the traditional alleyways where neighborhood life continues.
If I had to pick one guided tour from my trip, it would probably be this one. There's so much history in the Forbidden City, and a guide helps you understand what you're seeing. I took this tour in Spanish and would happily choose it again. It also includes Tiananmen Square; check the available languages before booking.
3. Shanghai and the Bund Skyline
Shanghai is one of the easiest places to begin a trip around China. The Bund, facing Pudong's skyscrapers across the river, is even more impressive in person—especially at dusk when the lights come on. Across the river stands Shanghai Tower, China's tallest building.
4. The Terracotta Warriors (Xi'an)
An army of thousands of life-size figures, buried more than two thousand years ago and discovered by chance in the 1970s. It's one of those places that still impresses even when you arrive with high expectations. Xi'an was also an imperial capital, with a remarkably preserved city wall and a Muslim Quarter known for its food.
This is one of China's most visited attractions, so book ahead. Here's an English-language tour option with transportation included.
5. Chengdu's Giant Pandas
Chengdu feels different from China's other major cities. It's known for its giant panda conservation base, Sichuan cuisine and a more relaxed atmosphere. It's also an excellent starting point for some of the country's most memorable day trips.
Arrive early if you want to see the pandas at their most active. I bought my ticket in advance and skipped the ticket line.
6. Chongqing: The City That Defies Your Sense of Direction
If you've seen videos of a train passing through a building, a plaza that's on the 22nd floor on one side and at street level on the other, or highways weaving between skyscrapers, you've probably seen Chongqing.
I went expecting a city famous for a few viral videos. It ended up being my favorite stop of the trip.
It's not just the train. The whole city is built across different levels, with bridges, stairs, elevators and streets appearing where you least expect them. It's chaotic in the most fascinating way.
7. Zhangjiajie: The Avatar Mountains
Zhangjiajie is one of China's best-known natural destinations. Its towering rock pillars, which inspired the landscapes in Avatar, make it an unforgettable place. It also takes careful planning: weather, park entrances and route choices can all shape your visit.
The park has several possible routes, so check which one fits your visit before buying a ticket. If you want to book ahead, you can use this link.
8. Tianmen Mountain and Heaven's Gate
In the same region, Tianmen Mountain has a huge natural arch near its summit and one of the world's longest cable car rides. A visit can include glass walkways along the cliffs and the famous 999 steps leading to Heaven's Gate.
As in Zhangjiajie, there are three main routes. They cover similar sights in a different order, which can make the experience feel quite different. Here's the ticket link. I explain how to choose a route for your fitness level and schedule in the guide).
9. Hunan's Ancient Towns: Furong and Fenghuang
Traditional towns with stilt houses, stone streets and rivers flowing through their historic centers. They've become popular on social media in recent years, and visiting them was one of the biggest surprises of my trip. They really do live up to the photos.
If you're visiting Furong, you can book your ticket in advance. Here's the link I used.
10. Guilin: The Place I Still Want to Visit
Ask people in China about the country's most beautiful scenery, and Guilin is likely to come up. There's even a famous saying: “Guilin's scenery is the finest under heaven.”
Karst mountains, rice fields, the Li River and bamboo rafts have made this one of China's best-known scenic regions for centuries. There are other remarkable natural destinations nearby too.
Why didn't I include it in my itinerary? For a first trip, I wanted a broader mix of destinations. Guilin is a more rural region, and getting around takes a little more planning, so I prioritized places that offered more variety within two weeks.
But if I return to China, Guilin will be near the top of my list.
How Many Days Do You Need?
Two weeks is enough for a varied trip without rushing from one city to the next. For me, it's a great length for a first visit.
Can you do it in less time? Absolutely. I'd rather cut a destination than spend more time on trains than exploring.
The tricky part isn't choosing places; it's combining them into a workable route. That's exactly why I created the itineraries in the guide, with the route order, suggested number of days in each city and connections already worked out.
The China Travel Guide
The Full Route Is Ready 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
Frequently Asked Questions
- How Many Days Do I Need for China?
- For a first trip, two weeks lets you combine imperial cities, modern megacities and nature without rushing. With one week, I'd focus on a single region.
- When Is the Best Time to Visit China?
- Spring and autumn usually offer pleasant weather. Try to avoid major Chinese holidays, particularly Chinese New Year and the first week of October, when domestic travel brings larger crowds and higher prices.
- Are the Avatar Mountains Real?
- Yes. The stone pillars are in Zhangjiajie National Forest Park in Hunan Province. You can visit independently, although getting around the area takes some planning.
- Can I Visit the Great Wall Independently?
- Yes. Depending on the section, you can travel from Beijing by public transportation or private transfer. A tour isn't essential, but choosing the right section and arriving early helps.
- Do I Need a Visa to Visit China?
- Visa requirements depend on your passport. Many nationalities qualify for visa-free entry in 2026, but permitted stays and conditions vary. Check visa-free entry rules here →. Before booking, also read which apps you'll need for the trip →: in China, digital preparation matters just as much as your itinerary.
- Do I Need Internet to Visit These Places?
- Yes. Tickets, maps and translation often depend on your phone. You can use an international eSIM with access to blocked apps or install your own VPN before traveling. You'll find the details in the internet access article.
The China Travel Guide
Want a Ready-Made Route? Get 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
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