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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.

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Overview

Planning your trip

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

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Read Before You Go
Beijing airport security area seen from high angle
COVID + Travel
U.S. Will Require COVID-19 Testing for Travelers From China
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.
December 29, 2022 02:27 PM
 · 
Associated Press (AP)
China is one of the last major travel destinations in the world to still have strict COVID protocols for travelers—but not for much longer.
COVID + Travel
China Drops COVID Quarantine for International Arrivals
December 26, 2022 06:38 PM
 · 
Associated Press (AP)
The World’s Largest Astronomy Museum Opens in Shanghai
Museums + Galleries
The World’s Largest Astronomy Museum Opens in Shanghai
July 20, 2021 02:08 PM
 · 
Lyndsey Matthews
Haunting Images Reveal China’s Most Severe Sandstorm in a Decade
Trending News
Haunting Images Reveal China’s Most Severe Sandstorm in a Decade
March 15, 2021 02:00 PM
 · 
Associated Press (AP)
Discovering the True Meaning of Paradise in China’s Yunnan Province
Longreads
Discovering the True Meaning of Paradise in China’s Yunnan Province
December 08, 2020 07:01 PM
 · 
Peggy Orenstein
Hotels
5 Incredible Underwater Hotels Around the World
Hotels
6 Incredible Underwater Hotels Around the World
Sleeping with the fishes takes on a whole new meaning at these villas and suites under the sea.
January 31, 2024 01:38 PM
 · 
Lyndsey Matthews
Be Our Guest: The Showstopping Hotels Redefining Modern Hospitality
Hotels
These Are The Showstopping Hotels Redefining Modern Hospitality
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.
March 26, 2018 09:09 PM
 · 
Jennifer Flowers
This Is China’s New $1.6 Billion Atlantis Sanya Resort
Hotels
This Is China’s New $1.6 Billion Atlantis Sanya Resort
With underwater suites, waterslides, and a record-setting aquarium, it’s a luxury hotel with the soul of a theme park.
February 26, 2018 01:26 PM
 · 
Matthew Phenix
Peninusula hotel hong kong; original_01Peninsula
Hotels
5 Hotels That Will Awaken Your Inner Artist
These hotel openings and events will do just that.
April 01, 2016 07:12 PM
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Nicoletta Richardson
Hotels
Palace Hotels: Aman at Summer Palace, Beijing
Experience a hotel stay made for royalty.
January 02, 2012 01:41 PM
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Robin Cherry
Resources to help plan your trip
12 Experiences You’ll Love in Xi’an
December 16, 2020 01:21 PM
 · 
Emily Chu
Day Trips from Xi’an
December 16, 2020 01:21 PM
 · 
Emily Chu
Shanghai Eats
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!
December 16, 2020 01:21 PM
 · 
Sophie Friedman
The Perfect Day in Shanghai
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.
December 16, 2020 01:21 PM
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AFAR Editors
Exploring Shanghai’s Outskirts
Shanghai’s sprawling metro system makes reaching the city’s outlying destinations speedy and convenient. Several villages, islands, and attractions that offer a welcome respite from the bustle of the city are now just a few stops away from downtown. Be it a museum, a film studio or going to the source of the beloved xiaolongbao, it has never been easier to explore Shanghai’s outskirts.
December 16, 2020 01:21 PM
The Best Local Crafts and Souvenirs in Beijing
Oil-paper umbrellas, vintage wood furniture, Chinese-crafted cloisonné ceramics, handbags, and tongue-in-cheek T-shirts... Shoppers tired of low-quality souvenir markets should explore Beijing’s lively art and design scene for unique mementos.
December 16, 2020 01:21 PM
 · 
Matthew Durnin
21 Must-Do Experiences in Beijing, China
From cooking classes to high tea, and from pedicab tours to sidecar excursions, some experiences just shouldn’t be missed in China’s capital city.
December 16, 2020 01:21 PM
 · 
Matthew Durnin
The Perfect Weekend in Xi’an
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.
December 16, 2020 01:21 PM
 · 
AFAR Editors
The Best Hotels in Beijing
If you’re planning to stay in Beijing, you’ll have your pick of both international hotel chains and a growing number of boutique properties, many within walking distance of major sights. Choose a spot in a central location, near the Summer Palace or an important shopping street, or base your decision on perks like room service and free Wi-Fi. Either way, you can expect to find a great home base for getting to the heart of Beijing.
December 16, 2020 01:21 PM
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AFAR Editors
The Best Hotels in Shanghai
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.
December 16, 2020 01:21 PM
 · 
AFAR Editors
Where to Drink in Xi’an
December 16, 2020 01:21 PM
 · 
Emily Chu
Must-See Historical Sites of Xi’an
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.
December 16, 2020 01:21 PM
 · 
Emily Chu
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