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China destination handbook

Find your place in China

Compare cities and regions by travel style, landscape and local character—then open a practical guide when you are ready to plan.

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15 destinations 6 regions Traveler-first city guides
Editorial illustration of a high-speed train linking historic roofs, karst mountains, a modern skyline and the coast
Start with the feelingAncient capitals, food cities, coastlines or mountains?

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Showing 12 of 15 destinations

All travel styles and regions
Editorial illustration of Beijing’s Temple of Heaven above a cypress-framed stone terrace
North China

Beijing

Imperial history, iconic landmarks and vibrant hutong culture.

First-TimeCultureFood
Editorial illustration of Shanghai’s skyline and river ferry at blue hour
East China

Shanghai

China’s global metropolis of innovation, design and style.

First-TimeFoodModern City
Illustrated placeholder for Chengdu and its pandas
Southwest China

Chengdu

Pandas, teahouses and a deeply local food culture.

FoodCulture
Editorial illustration of a bamboo raft on Guilin’s misty Li River
South China

Guilin

Poetic river landscapes and serene countryside cruises.

First-TimeNature
Editorial illustration of Zhangjiajie sandstone pillars rising through morning mist
South China

Zhangjiajie

Otherworldly peaks that inspired epic landscapes.

NatureHidden Gem
Editorial illustration of a stone bridge, boat and pagoda at Hangzhou’s West Lake
East China

Hangzhou

West Lake beauty, tea culture and quiet elegance.

CultureHidden GemFood
Editorial illustration of Yunnan rice terraces and a mountain village at sunrise
Southwest China

Yunnan

Diverse cultures, dramatic highlands and village life.

NatureHidden GemCulture
Editorial illustration of Xi’an’s ancient city wall gate in golden evening light
Silk Road

Xi’an

Ancient capitals, the Terracotta Army and flavors shaped by the Silk Road.

First-TimeCultureFood
Editorial illustration of a moon gate framing a classical Suzhou garden
East China

Suzhou

Classical gardens, canals and a refined Jiangnan way of life.

CultureNatureHidden Gem
Editorial illustration of Nanjing’s Ming city gate framed by plane trees
East China

Nanjing

Layered history, leafy avenues and one of China’s great regional cuisines.

CultureFoodHidden Gem
Editorial illustration of Harbin’s Saint Sophia Cathedral in a blue-hour snow scene
North China

Harbin

Winter festivals, distinctive architecture and a northern food culture.

CultureFoodHidden Gem
Editorial illustration of Chongqing’s illuminated hillside skyline above the river at blue hour
Southwest China

Chongqing

Dramatic river hills, neon cityscapes and famously bold hotpot.

FoodModern CityHidden Gem

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Everything to know before you go—visas, transport, payments, safety and more.

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