Four months across China, dated and verified

With a fusion of ancient traditions and cutting-edge technology, China is one of the world's most captivating countries. From the vibrant energy of Shanghai to the tranquil karst valleys of Yangshuo, China rewards the traveller who slows down: majestic temples, serene gardens, mouth-watering regional cuisine, and mountain landscapes that make the eight-hour train ride worth it.

It is also a country that changes faster than any guidebook can track. Everything below is what we actually found across four months and two visits, dated and verified.

Best places to visit in China

Six places we would absolutely go back to. Skip the rest until you have time.

Itineraries

Our actual routes — not the polished ones that fit a guidebook page.

Two weeks: South China classics

Shanghai → Hangzhou → Yangshuo → Hong Kong. A first-timer route that hits the iconic landscapes plus enough city to feel the contrast. Easy logistics, mostly trains.

Ten days: the Tibetan plateau loop

Chengdu → Litang → Daocheng → Yading. High-altitude, low-traffic. Requires acclimatisation days and a Chinese-speaking driver — we have notes on both.

Three weeks: north meets south

Beijing → Xi'an → Chengdu → Yangshuo → Shanghai. For travellers with the time to see the country end-to-end. High-speed rail throughout, one night-train if you want the experience.

Unique experiences

The handful of things you should not skip — and a few you can.

• Sleep in a Beijing hutong courtyard. Forget the chains — book a hutong courtyard guesthouse for two nights and walk the alleys at dawn. We have a shortlist of three.
• Cycle Yangshuo's karst valleys.
• Take the Lhasa railway.
• Eat at a Chengdu hot-pot stall.

How to plan your trip

China runs on two apps (WeChat and Alipay), one rail network, and a great firewall — plan for all three before you land. Install a reputable VPN at home, link a foreign card to Alipay, and book your first high-speed rail leg so you arrive with momentum.

For a first visit we recommend at least 2 weeks: enough for one of the classic city pairs (Beijing + Shanghai) plus one landscape region — Yangshuo's karst valleys, or the Tibetan plateau if you have the altitude tolerance. With 3 weeks you can do the full north-to-south run.

Best time to visit China

Continental north, subtropical south. April–May and September–October are the sweet spots almost everywhere.

Whether you are chasing spring blossoms in the parks of Beijing or the golden autumn hues of the plateau, timing matters more in China than in most countries — mostly because of two national holidays you want to avoid.

• Spring (March–May): the sweet spot. Mild temperatures across almost the whole country, blossoms in the northern parks, and green rice terraces in the south. April and May are our favourite months here.
• Summer (June–August): hot and wet in the south and east, with heavy afternoon rain. This is the season for the high plateau instead — Litang and Yading are at their most beautiful, and the altitude keeps the heat off.
• Autumn (September–October): the second sweet spot. Clear skies, comfortable temperatures, and the plateau turns gold. Just avoid Golden Week (October 1–7), when the entire country travels at once.
• Winter (December–February): cold and dry in the north, mild in the far south. Beijing under snow is genuinely beautiful and blissfully empty — but avoid the Chinese New Year window (late January / February), when transport sells out weeks ahead.

A few words that help

FAQ