Destinations

Fourteen places, written from experience: what is genuinely worth your time, what you can skip, and how the pieces fit into a route.

Beijing

China's capital, from the Great Wall and Forbidden City to hutongs and night markets: what to see, how many days you need and when to go.

Best time: April - May, September - October

Shanghai

Experience the dynamic blend of East and West in China's most cosmopolitan city. Explore historic Bund, modern Pudong, and vibrant food scenes.

Best time: March - May, October - November

Xi'an

Step back in time at the ancient capital with the Terracotta Army and City Wall. Taste amazing Muslim Quarter street food.

Best time: April - May, September - October

Chengdu

Home of giant pandas and Sichuan cuisine, a city that combines tradition and modernity. Enjoy hot pot, tea houses, and slow pace of life.

Best time: March - June, September - November

Guilin

Experience breathtaking karst landscapes along the Li River. Explore Yangshuo and Longji Rice Terraces.

Best time: April - October

Lhasa

Explore the spiritual heart of Tibet with stunning monasteries and Himalayan views.

Best time: May - September

Zhangjiajie

Sandstone pillars and Tianmen Mountain: honest advice on the national forest park, the glass bridge and how to split your days without losing them to queues.

Best time: April–June and September–November; July–August brings heat and storms

Yunnan

The classic first-timer loop through Kunming, Dali and Lijiang — with honest notes on altitude, rainy seasons, long bus rides and the parts you can safely skip.

Best time: March–May and September–November; summer is the rainy season

Hangzhou

West Lake is free and best at dawn. Add Longjing tea fields, Lingyin Temple and a water-town day trip — Hangzhou is the east coast’s best slow city.

Best time: March–May and September–November; summer is hot and humid

Suzhou

China’s garden city: classical gardens, canal lanes that outdo the brochures, and water towns nearby. A one- or two-day pause, 25 minutes from Shanghai.

Best time: March–May and September–November; winters are damp and quiet

Huangshan

Granite peaks above a sea of clouds when you get lucky: how to time a summit trip, survive the stairs, and avoid spending the day in a queue.

Best time: April–May and September–November; winter snow is beautiful but icy

Harbin

Russian-influenced architecture and the world’s biggest ice festival each winter. What January at -20°C feels like — and why summer is a different city.

Best time: December–February for the ice festival; June–August for mild weather

Sanya

China’s tropical south: resort beaches, duty-free shopping and the Hainan visa-free zone. Honest advice on seasons, typhoons and who should skip it entirely.

Best time: November–April; May–October is hot, humid and typhoon season

Pingyao

A walled Ming-era banking town where the main sight is staying inside the walls. One to two days, and an easy stop on the high-speed line between Xi’an and Beijing.

Best time: April–May and September–October; winters are cold and summers hot

Special regions

Border regions with their own entry rules, permits and currencies. Read these before booking a leg that crosses into them.

Questions about your trip?

If you want help with routes or want to ask me something directly, you can find me here.

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