Cities
City guides for a first trip to mainland China. Each one covers the neighbourhoods worth your time, what the main sights cost, how the metro works for a visitor and where to base yourself.
Cities are where most trips start and end, so each guide also links to the other cities you're likely to combine it with.
In this section
Chengdu Guide 2026: Pandas, Teahouses and How Long to Stay
Verified · 6 October 2026Chengdu for a first trip: the panda base at opening time, Wuhou Shrine on a passport, tea in People's Park, trains from Xi'an and a museum shut until 2027.
Chongqing in Two Days, Plus a Yangtze Cruise (2026)
Verified · 6 October 2026Hongyadong lit up from the river, a monorail through a block of flats, the Yangtze cableway, hotpot, and which way to take a Three Gorges cruise.
Guilin and Yangshuo: the Li River Cruise and 3-4 Days (2026)
Verified · 6 October 2026Why the Li River cruise means a night in Yangshuo, booking it by passport, when the river closes, the 20-yuan view and trains from Hong Kong.
Harbin Travel Guide 2026: Russian Architecture and Winter
Verified · 6 October 2026Two days for Harbin: Central Street and St Sophia, Daowai, booking the Unit 731 site, where to sleep, the metro, and January nights at -22.9°C.
Lijiang Travel Guide 2026: Old Town and Snow Mountain
Verified · 6 October 2026Three days in Lijiang: the Old Town at 2,400 m and its ¥50 fee, booking Jade Dragon Snow Mountain's cable car, Tiger Leaping Gorge, where to stay, trains.
Beijing Travel Guide 2026: How Many Days, Where to Stay
Verified · 26 September 2026Three days is enough for a first visit: which district to stay in, the Monday closures that break plans, metro fares from ¥3 and what the big sights cost.
Shanghai in 2026: Neighbourhoods, Sights and How Long
Verified · 26 September 2026Which side of the river to sleep on, where the Shanghai Museum collection went, the Bund's evening lights, ticket prices and how many days you need.
2-3 Days in Xi'an: City Wall, Muslim Quarter and Museums
Verified · 26 September 2026Cycle the 13.74 km city wall, book the two big museums five days ahead, sleep by the Bell Tower or South Gate and save a day for the warriors.