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Travel Guides

Practical guides for planning entry, transportation, food, destinations, and itineraries. Confirm time-sensitive rules with official sources.

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The Great Wall winding across green mountain ridges
Itineraries

The Ultimate Guide to the Great Wall of China

Everything you need to know before visiting the Great Wall.

ChinaTravel Editorial Desk
7 min read
A table of Sichuan street foods in Chengdu
Food & Drink

10 Must-Try Street Foods in Chengdu

From fiery hotpot to sweet glutinous rice balls.

ChinaTravel Editorial Desk
9 min read
Passport and travel documents prepared for entry to China
Visa & Entry

China Tourist Visa & Visa-Free Entry Guide (2026)

A 2026 planning guide to China tourist visas, 30-day visa-free entry, 240-hour transit rules, documents, and application steps.

ChinaTravel Editorial Desk
8 min read
The Bund and Pudong skyline in Shanghai at blue hour
Itineraries

Shanghai for First-Timers: 3-Day Itinerary

The perfect 3-day itinerary for your first Shanghai visit.

ChinaTravel Editorial Desk
10 min read
A caravan crossing desert dunes along China’s historic Silk Road
Adventure

The Silk Road: Ancient Trade Route Travel Guide

Follow Marco Polo along China's legendary Silk Road.

ChinaTravel Editorial Desk
13 min read
A bamboo raft on the Li River beneath Yangshuo karst peaks
Itineraries

Guilin and Yangshuo: Karst Landscape Paradise

Explore China's most breathtaking natural scenery.

ChinaTravel Editorial Desk
10 min read
A giant panda in a bamboo habitat in Chengdu
Itineraries

Chengdu Travel Guide for First Timers: A 3-Day No-Detour Itinerary

Plan a relaxed first visit to Chengdu with a practical three-day route covering giant pandas, historic temples, lively neighborhoods, Sichuan food, and efficient metro connections.

ChinaTravel Editorial Desk
15 min read
Beijing landmarks featured in a three-day city itinerary
Itineraries

3 days in Beijing itinerary

Explore what to see in Beijing in three days with iconic royal architecture, scenic lakes, local hutongs and vibrant night views — all while experiencing both the ancient and modern sides of China’s capital.

ChinaTravel Editorial Desk
4 min read
The Forbidden City in Beijing during a five-day city itinerary
Itineraries

The Perfect 5 Day Beijing Itinerary

Explore what to see in Beijing in five days featuring the Great Wall, royal palaces, hidden alleyways, scenic parks, authentic street food, traditional hotpot restaurants and one full day of excitement at Universal Studios Beijing.

ChinaTravel Editorial Desk
6 min read
A printable China pre-trip checklist beside packed travel essentials
Visa & Entry

Essential info and Pre-Trip Checklist for visiting China (Able To Print)

This checklist will help prepare smooth and stress-free trip to China, travel with confidence and avoid last-minute chaos!

ChinaTravel Editorial Desk
2 min read
A traveler setting up Alipay on a smartphone in China
Visa & Entry

Super Detailed Guide: How Foreigners Set up Alipay

This guide will walk you through how to register, verify, and use Alipay step by step, making mobile payments in China easy and convenient during your trip.

ChinaTravel Editorial Desk
3 min read
SIM cards and a smartphone prepared for a trip to China
Visa & Entry

China SIMCards Guide

How can you stay connected after arriving in China? This guide compares the different options available and helps you choose the best SIM card solution for your trip.

ChinaTravel Editorial Desk
5 min read
A passport beside a China entry card for visa-free travel planning
Visa & Entry

14 FAQs About China’s Visa Exemption Policy

ChinaTravel Editorial Desk
4 min read
The Shanghai skyline viewed from the Bund
Adventure

Shanghai Travel Guide 2026: The Bund, Shanghai Disneyland, Yuyuan Garden, Wukang Road and the Best Things to Do

A complete Shanghai travel guide in English covering the Bund, Huangpu River cruises, Shanghai Tower, Oriental Pearl Tower, Yuyuan Garden, Nanjing Road, People's Square, Shanghai Museum, Wukang Road, Xintiandi, Tianzifang, temples, Zhujiajiao, Shanghai Disneyland, and the latest 2026 travel trends.

ChinaTravel Editorial Desk
14 min read
A historic pagoda beside West Lake in Hangzhou
Itineraries

Hangzhou: Heaven on Earth

Perched on the shores of the legendary West Lake, Hangzhou is one of China's most beautiful and historically rich cities. From imperial-era temples and ancient tea plantations to a thriving modern tech scene, it offers Western travellers a rare glimpse into the soul of classical China — without the overwhelming scale of Beijing or Shanghai.

ChinaTravel Editorial Desk
2 min read
A high-speed train traveling through the Chinese countryside
Itineraries

China High-Speed Rail Guide for Travelers: How to Register, Buy Tickets and Board a Train

China's high-speed rail network is one of the largest and most efficient in the world, connecting hundreds of cities with fast, comfortable, and affordable trains. If you're visiting China for the first time, this guide will walk you through everything you need to know—from registering on the official ticketing app to boarding your train with confidence.

ChinaTravel Editorial Desk
5 min read
Seasonal landscapes illustrating the best times to visit China
Adventure

Best Time to Visit China in 2026: The Honest Answer, Month by Month

An updated 2026 guide to the best time to visit China, with a practical month-by-month breakdown, regional advice, holiday crowd warnings, and current entry planning notes for international travelers.

ChinaTravel Editorial Desk
7 min read
Chinese currency, a travel notebook, and trip-planning essentials
Budget Tips

China Travel Costs in 2026: Budget, Hotels, Food, Transport, and Real Ways to Save

An updated 2026 China travel budget guide covering daily costs, accommodation, food, transport, and the spending traps that catch first-time visitors.

ChinaTravel Editorial Desk
6 min read
Passport and travel documents prepared for entry to China
Visa & Entry

China Visa-Free Travel 2026: Policy, Eligible Countries, Stay Duration, and Entry Rules

ChinaTravel Editorial Desk
8 min read
Passport and travel documents prepared for entry to China
Visa & Entry

24-Hour vs 240-Hour Transit in China: Which Rule Applies?

ChinaTravel Editorial Desk
12 min read
Passport and travel documents prepared for entry to China
Itineraries

Can I Visit China Without a Visa? A Nationality-by-Nationality Checker

ChinaTravel Editorial Desk
17 min read
A printable China pre-trip checklist beside packed travel essentials
Budget Tips

# How to Pay in China: Cards, Mobile Pay, Cash and E-CNY

ChinaTravel Editorial Desk
7 min read
A traveler using a mobile payment app at a shop in China
Visa & Entry

Best Apps for China Travel: Maps, Translation, Trains and Payments

ChinaTravel Editorial Desk
17 min read
A printable China pre-trip checklist beside packed travel essentials
Itineraries

Useful Chinese Phrases for Travelers: Essential Mandarin for Your Trip to China

ChinaTravel Editorial Desk
20 min read
A printable China pre-trip checklist beside packed travel essentials
Transportation

Solo Travel Safety in China: A Practical Guide for Independent Travelers

ChinaTravel Editorial Desk
18 min read
A China high-speed train at a modern railway station
Transportation

China High-Speed Rail for Foreigners: Booking, Passport Checks and Luggage

ChinaTravel Editorial Desk
16 min read