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China is waiting.
Travel guides, practical tips, routes by region and everything you need to plan the trip of a lifetime.
Reasons to choose China
Beyond the Great Wall, China is a continent in itself. Here are a few reasons to visit.
China has about 60 UNESCO World Heritage Sites (source): temples, sacred mountains, ancient cities and unique landscapes.
More than 8 radically different regional cuisines. You'll never eat the same thing twice.
Transportation, lodging and food at very low prices compared to Europe or the Americas.
The largest high-speed rail network in the world. Getting around is fast and comfortable.
China has one of the lowest crime rates in the world for tourists.
A trip to China changes the way you see the world. Culture, history and modernity in one place.
Everything you need to know before you go
From visas to WeChat: the essential tips for a smooth trip to China.
Many travelers no longer need a visa: Spain and more than 40 other countries can enter visa-free for up to 30 days until 12/31/2026 (source), and 55 countries can use visa-free transit of up to 240 hours (source). If your country isn't included, apply for a visa at the consulate well in advance. Always check your country's current status before you travel.
WeChat is China's nervous system: payments, maps, restaurants, taxis. Create your account and link a payment card before your trip.
Since 2023 you can link foreign cards (Visa, Mastercard) to Alipay and WeChat Pay, so mobile payment works almost everywhere. Still, carry some cash in yuan (CNY) for emergencies or small shops.
Google, WhatsApp and Instagram are blocked in China. Install a reliable VPN before you arrive (installing one inside the country doesn't work).
The ι«ι (gΔotiΔ) connects every major city. It's punctual, comfortable and cheaper than domestic flights. Book on Trip.com or 12306.cn.
Use Baidu Maps or Amap (Gaode). For routes in English, Maps.me works offline with downloaded maps.
Get insurance that covers medical care abroad. Hospitals for foreigners (international clinics) accept international insurance.
A type A/C plug adapter, basic medicine (paracetamol, Imodium), layers for the North in winter, and comfortable shoes for lots of walking.
One country, seven worlds
China isn't one destination, it's many in one. Each region has its own climate, food, dialect and character. Pick yours.
The historic heart of China. Home to the Forbidden City, the Great Wall and hearty wheat-based food. Cold winters, hot summers and unmatched cultural depth.
China's Manchuria: famous for the Harbin Ice Festival, the Russian architecture in Dalian and taiga landscapes that look straight out of Siberia.
The ancient Silk Road crosses this region of deserts, oases and mosques. Xi'an, with its Terracotta Warriors, is the gateway. Xinjiang is a world apart.
Modern, cosmopolitan China. Shanghai is the country's most dynamic city; Hangzhou and Suzhou offer lakes, classical gardens and silk. Refined, sweet cuisine.
Mountains floating in the clouds (Zhangjiajie, the inspiration for Avatar), the Yangtze River and spicy food that rivals Sichuan's.
The subtropical south: beaches in Hainan, the karst landscapes of Guilin and the Li River, and Cantonese cuisine (the most famous in the world). Hong Kong and Macao are here.
China's most diverse corner: giant pandas in Chengdu, ethnic minority villages in Yunnan, the Tibetan plateau and fiery food that has gone viral around the world.
Where to start
If it's your first trip, these cities will give you a taste of everything China has to offer.
The ancient capital where past and future live side by side. The Forbidden City, the Temple of Heaven and the Great Wall are a must. But it also has hidden hutongs, night markets and an incredible food scene.
Asia's most cosmopolitan city. The Bund with its art deco skyline, futuristic Pudong and the lanes of the French Concession. Shanghai never sleeps and has something for every kind of traveler.
Capital of 13 dynasties and starting point of the Silk Road. The Terracotta Army is one of the most important archaeological finds in history. The city wall is perfect for a bike ride.
China's most laid-back city. Famous for giant pandas, mahjong in the parks and the spiciest Sichuan food you'll ever try. The perfect base to explore the southwest.
The karst mountain landscapes featured on the 20-yuan bill. The Li River cruise to Yangshuo is one of the most beautiful journeys in the world. Ideal for cycling and hiking.
In January, Harbin becomes the most spectacular ice city in the world. Huge illuminated sculptures, Russian architecture and -20Β°C temperatures that won't stop you from exploring.
Downloadable Travel Guides
We're preparing PDF guides so you can carry China in your pocket, even offline.
Everything you need to know before you arrive: visa, apps, money, SIM, transportation and the mistakes everyone makes on their first trip.
The perfect itinerary for a first trip: Beijing β Xi'an β Chengdu β Guilin β Shanghai. With timings, budget and local tips.
How to order food without speaking Chinese, the dishes to try in each region and how to avoid tourist restaurants.
The ultimate app guide: which ones to install before you travel, how to set up WeChat and Alipay, and how to get around without Google.
The Chinese you need for your trip
Knowing even basic Chinese phrases completely changes your experience in China. Here are the resources that will help you most.
The most useful phrases for travelers: transport, restaurants, emergencies.
See phrases πLearn the 4 Mandarin tones so people understand you when you speak.
Learn the tones πThe basic vocabulary to start communicating in China.
Start HSK 1 π―We're preparing structured courses (in Spanish) to learn from scratch.
See coursesFrequently Asked Questions About Traveling to China
It depends on your country. Spain and more than 40 other countries can enter visa-free for up to 30 days until December 31, 2026 (official source). In addition, 55 countries can use visa-free transit of up to 240 hours if they're continuing on to a third country (official source). Brazil, Argentina, Chile, Peru and Uruguay had a visa-free trial program until May 31, 2026 (official source); check whether it has been extended. Everyone else needs to apply for a visa at a Chinese consulate. The rules change often: always check the latest information from the National Immigration Administration or the Chinese embassy in your country.
Yes. China is one of the safest countries in the world for tourists. The crime rate is very low. The biggest challenge is the language barrier, which is why learning basic phrases makes a difference. Big cities have well-signposted tourist areas.
It depends on your travel style. Budget traveler: $40β60 USD/day (hostel, local transportation, street food). Mid-range traveler: $80β120 USD/day (3-star hotel, restaurants, admission tickets). Comfortable traveler: $150β250 USD/day. Domestic trains and flights vary a lot depending on how far ahead you book.
You need a VPN installed BEFORE you arrive (you can't download one inside China). The best options are ExpressVPN and NordVPN. Alternatively, buy a Hong Kong SIM or use an international eSIM that includes China without restrictions.
Spring (AprilβMay) and fall (SeptemberβOctober) are the best seasons: mild weather and fewer Chinese tourists on vacation. Avoid Chinese New Year (January/February) and Golden Week (October 1β7) if you don't want huge crowds at every attraction.
Yes, especially in big cities like Beijing, Shanghai and Chengdu, where English is more common in hotels and tourist attractions. Still, learning even 50 basic Chinese phrases completely transforms the experience and opens doors English can't.
Excellent. High-speed trains (ι«ι) connect all major cities quickly, punctually and comfortably. Metros in big cities are modern and cheap. Taxis and Didi (China's Uber) work well. Long-distance buses are slower but cheaper.
WeChat (all-in-one: messaging, payments, maps), Didi (rides), Baidu Maps or Amap (navigation), Trip.com (hotels and trains), a translation app (with a camera feature to read menus in Chinese), and a VPN to access your usual apps.