China

China’s enormous size means you find every type of climate within its borders, from tropical to polar, as well as ancient ruins, ultra-modern skyscrapers, and a cuisine that runs from dumplings to numbingly spicy hot pot. Its megacities buzz with energy while deep pockets of its vast gorgeous nature landscape—turquoise beaches, mist-wreathed mountains, and seemingly infinite deserts—remain wild.

qianmen-china-govanz.jpg

Overview

Planning your trip

Use these articles, resources, and guides to plan and inspire your next trip to China.

Related Guides
Read Before You Go
U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention cited the surge in infections and lack of transparent information from China as reasons for requiring the tests.
Hotels
Sleeping with the fishes takes on a whole new meaning at these villas and suites under the sea.
Whether you’re looking for seaside getaways, reinvented spaces, classics reborn, urban sanctuaries, or adventure retreats, these hotels make being on the road feel like home. This is hospitality in the 21st century.
With underwater suites, waterslides, and a record-setting aquarium, it’s a luxury hotel with the soul of a theme park.
These hotel openings and events will do just that.
Experience a hotel stay made for royalty.
Resources to help plan your trip
You may be surprised by how much you can pack into 24 hours in dynamic Shanghai. Start with a sunrise on the Bund, followed by shopping in the former French Concession. Then explore a fascinating museum on propaganda, dine on local specialties, and catch some live acoustic music. Cap off the evening by coming full circle with drinks at a sophisticated bar overlooking the Bund.
A bit of nature (beaches, parks, and day trips!), and a little bit of culture... If you’re planning a trip to Shanghai in the summer, you won’t want to miss these highlights.
While you’ll never have time for all of Shanghai’s best sights, here are some of our favorites. Seek out the city’s art and mind-blowing architecture, decompress in tranquil gardens, or tour long-forgotten nightclubs. Trust us: You won’t be bored.
Shanghai is an adventurous shopper’s wonderland—here you’ll find everything from vintage Communist propaganda to ceramic paperweights shaped like dim sum. Bargain hunters and fashion-forward travelers will be in their element, too: You can grab expertly tailored suits and trendy Feiyue sneakers for scary cheap prices. No matter what you’re into, here’s where to shop.
Dumplings—Shanghai’s most popular snack—come in every glorious incarnation: fried and steamed, pork and radish. But there’s much more to eat and drink here. Here are our picks of where to go!
Xi’an is the historical heart of China. Walk along the Old City Wall, and imagine yourself in the Tang Dynasty. The city feels especially enchanted when the lanterns light up and street musicians play traditional music on street corners. Xi’an’s food is enough to win over the most reluctant visitor: biang biang noodles, a regional specialty, and street food in the Muslim Quarter, and all the sweet desserts.
When staying in Shanghai, travelers are spoilt for choice. Whether they’re looking for a boutique hotel within walking distance of the French Concession, an Art Deco landmark overlooking the Huangpu River, or a modern skyscraper with amenities including 24-hour butler service, they’re sure to find a hotel room to suit their needs. The hardest part will be deciding on just one place.
When the Terra Cotta Army was uncovered in Xi’an in 1974, the world took notice of the Shaanxi city. The army—filled with 8000 life-size soldiers, as well as weapons, horses, chariots, and other characters—was buried in the tomb of China’s first emperor. Visitors can discover more treasures than frozen troops in Xi’an, though: Along with its famous cuisine, the city is rich with peaceful temples and and holy mosques, hutongs that rival those in Beijing, historic palaces from the Tang Dynasty, and intact walls and fortifications that date back to the seventh century.
In central China, at the east end of the Silk Road, the alluring city of Xian (pronounced shee-EN) has been a cultural capital for thousands of years. It’s most famous for the Terracotta Army, an astounding collection dating back to 211 B.C. But there are plenty more ways to immerse yourself in Xian’s rich history, from visiting the enchanting Wild Goose Pagoda to sampling the traditional flavorful soup. Here are five favorites to send you on your way.
Sign up for our newsletter
Join more than a million of the world’s best travelers. Subscribe to the Daily Wander newsletter.