Where to Begin Your Journey Across China

China is vast — roughly the size of an entire continent — with over 5,000 years of history layered across deserts, mountains, megacities, and rice paddies. Knowing where to start can feel overwhelming. This guide highlights seven destinations that offer the most rewarding mix of history, scenery, and cultural depth for first-time visitors.

1. Beijing — The Imperial Capital

No trip to China is complete without time in Beijing. The city is home to the Forbidden City, the world's largest imperial palace complex, and Tiananmen Square, one of the most symbolically charged public spaces on Earth. A short drive north brings you to several sections of the Great Wall, including the popular Badaling and the wilder Jiankou stretch for experienced hikers.

  • Best time to visit: Spring (April–May) or Autumn (September–October)
  • Don't miss: The Temple of Heaven, the 798 Art District, and Nanluoguxiang hutong

2. Xi'an — Home of the Terracotta Army

Xi'an served as China's capital for over a thousand years and was the eastern terminus of the ancient Silk Road. The Terracotta Army — thousands of life-size clay soldiers buried with Emperor Qin Shi Huang — is one of the greatest archaeological discoveries of the 20th century. The city's well-preserved Ming Dynasty city wall is perfect for an evening cycle.

3. Shanghai — China's Global Metropolis

Shanghai is the country's most cosmopolitan city, where Art Deco architecture on the Bund gazes across the Huangpu River at the futuristic skyline of Pudong. The French Concession offers tree-lined streets, boutique cafés, and some of the city's best dining. Shanghai is also a gateway to understanding modern China's economic transformation.

4. Guilin & Yangshuo — Karst Landscape Magic

The Li River cruise from Guilin to Yangshuo floats past some of the most iconic scenery in the world — dramatic limestone peaks rising from emerald water. Yangshuo itself is a charming town ideal for cycling through rice fields and caves. The image on the 20-yuan banknote was inspired by this very landscape.

5. Chengdu — The Giant Panda Capital

Chengdu is the heart of Sichuan province and the best place in the world to see giant pandas at the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding. Beyond pandas, the city is renowned for its spicy Sichuan cuisine and its relaxed, tea-house culture. Nearby Leshan is home to the world's largest stone Buddha.

6. Zhangjiajie — The Floating Mountains

The towering sandstone pillars of Zhangjiajie National Forest Park inspired the floating Hallelujah Mountains in the film Avatar. Walking across the Tianmen Mountain glass-bottomed walkway is not for the faint-hearted, but the scenery is genuinely otherworldly.

7. Hangzhou — Heaven on Earth

An ancient Chinese proverb says: "Above is Heaven; below are Suzhou and Hangzhou." West Lake in Hangzhou lives up to the billing — willow-draped causeways, pagodas, and lotus-covered water combine to create one of China's most serene landscapes. The city is also the home of Longjing (Dragon Well) green tea.

Planning Your Route

A practical first-timer's loop connects Beijing → Xi'an → Chengdu → Guilin → Shanghai by high-speed train or short-haul flight. This circuit covers both imperial history and natural scenery in roughly two to three weeks. Zhangjiajie and Hangzhou can easily be added as extensions.