Imperial capitals, high-speed rail and extraordinary landscapes
China Travel Guide
Explore China from Beijing’s imperial monuments and the Great Wall to Shanghai’s skyline, Guangzhou’s southern culture and Xi An’s Terracotta Army. High-speed rail and domestic flights connect a vast range of historic cities and natural landscapes.
- Beijing and the Great Wall
- Shanghai and the Bund
- Xi An and the Terracotta Army
- High-speed rail and regional landscapes
Essential travel information
All About China
Find practical information about China’s regions, seasons, transport, renminbi currency, language and tipping customs before planning your vacation.
China FAQLearn what China is known for, where to visit, how long to stay and what currency and languages travelers can expect.
What is China known for?
China is known for imperial history, the Great Wall, the Forbidden City, ancient capitals, regional cuisines and a contemporary urban transformation on an enormous scale.
Its geography spans deserts, high mountains, subtropical coasts, karst landscapes and major river systems, making regional planning essential.
What are the best places to visit in China?
Beijing, Shanghai and Xi An form a strong first-time core, with Chengdu, Guilin, Hangzhou, Guangzhou or Zhangjiajie added according to interests.
How many days should I spend in China?
Approximately 10-14 days works well for Beijing, Xi An and Shanghai. Add more time for southern, western or scenic regions because distances are substantial.
Tripmasters vacation packages are customizable, allowing travelers to select nights, hotels, transportation and activities in each destination.
What currency is used in China?
China uses the renminbi (RMB), with the yuan as its primary unit; the international code is CNY. Mobile payments are extremely common, while cash remains legal and useful as a backup.
Which languages are spoken in China?
Standard Mandarin Chinese is the national common language, alongside many regional languages and varieties. English availability varies greatly by city and tourism setting.
Best Time to Visit ChinaCompare China’s highly regional spring, summer, autumn and winter conditions before planning a multi-city route.
When is the best time to visit China?
Spring and autumn are excellent for many major cities, but weather differs dramatically between north, south, coast, plateau and desert regions.
March – May
Spring
Milder weather and seasonal blooms make this one of the strongest periods for cultural and outdoor travel.
Best for: City sightseeing, gardens and seasonal scenery.
June – August
Summer
Warm weather and long days bring festivals and peak visitor demand, with heat or rain varying by region.
Best for: Festivals, mountains and long sightseeing days.
September – November
Autumn
Comfortable temperatures and autumn color make this another excellent period for broad touring.
Best for: Cultural travel, hiking and fall landscapes.
December – February
Winter
Cold conditions dominate northern or high-altitude areas, while cities remain active and winter sports become possible.
Best for: Museums, winter culture and snow destinations.
Tipping in ChinaUnderstand gratuities in restaurants, hotels, taxis and guided tours while traveling in China.
Is tipping customary in China?
Tipping is not traditionally expected in ordinary restaurants, taxis or everyday service in mainland China. Private guides and drivers are a common exception in tourism.
Which currency should I use?
Use renminbi for ordinary payments. Follow the policy of the specific tour or hotel rather than applying U.S. tipping norms automatically.
Restaurants, cafes and bars
Tipping is generally not expected; a service charge may already be included at some establishments.
Hotel staff
Tips are generally unnecessary, although exceptional personal service may be acknowledged where culturally appropriate.
Taxi drivers
Drivers do not normally expect tips; follow the local custom rather than U.S. tipping habits.
Tour guides
Private guides are one of the situations where a discretionary gratuity may be appreciated.
For organized private touring, confirm whether guide and driver gratuities are expected by the operator.
Getting Around ChinaCombine China’s extensive high-speed rail network with domestic flights, metros and local transfers.
What is the best way to travel around China?
High-speed rail is the strongest option between many major cities, while domestic flights remain important for very long distances. Metros cover large cities and private drivers are useful for selected rural attractions.
What should I verify before traveling?
- Book popular long-distance trains early
- Confirm passport requirements for rail tickets
- Plan mobile-payment access before arrival while keeping a cash backup
- Do not assume international bank cards work everywhere
- Check regional climate rather than one national forecast
- Use official transport channels and current schedules
Because payment systems and transport procedures evolve quickly, verify current ticketing and mobile-payment requirements shortly before departure.
Cities and regional gateways
Top Cities in China
Explore Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou and Xi An, then continue through the additional cities and scenic gateways linked from Tripmasters.
China’s capital
Beijing
Beijing concentrates the Forbidden City, Temple of Heaven, Summer Palace, hutongs and easy access to sections of the Great Wall.
- Forbidden City
- Great Wall
- Temple of Heaven
- Summer Palace
Yangtze Delta
Shanghai
Shanghai blends the historic Bund with Pudong’s skyline, museums, neighborhoods, food culture and high-speed rail links across eastern China.
Explore Shanghai
South China
Guangzhou
Guangzhou is a major southern city known for Cantonese cuisine, temples, river scenery, trade history and modern architecture.
Explore GuangzhouShaanxi
Xi An
Xi An preserves one of China’s great city walls and is the gateway to the Terracotta Army and Silk Road history.
Explore Xi AnMore Destinations in China
Continue through the nine additional China destinations currently listed by Tripmasters.
Prepare for your vacation
What to Expect While Traveling
Review Tripmasters guides covering flights, accommodations, transportation and sightseeing so you can understand each component of your China vacation.
Before departure
Air Travel
Review check-in, baggage, airline schedules, connections and other preparations for international and regional flights.
Accommodations
Hotels
Understand hotel categories, room arrangements, check-in procedures and services commonly encountered during a vacation.
Independent travel
Rental Cars
Review rental requirements, vehicle collection, insurance and practical considerations for road travel.
Local connections
Transfers
Learn how airport, hotel and station transfers work and what to verify before meeting a transportation provider.
Rail transportation
Train Travel
Learn about rail tickets, stations, luggage, schedules and connections where train travel forms part of your itinerary.
Activities and experiences
Sightseeing Tours
Review meeting points, vouchers, schedules and practical details associated with booked excursions and activities.
Continue exploring destinations, regions and practical travel information across Asia with Tripmasters.
Back to Asia – Travel Guide