China
Shanghai's skyline, Beijing's hutongs, and the long road through Suzhou, Hangzhou and Yunnan.
Introducing China
China is not one trip but ten. Beijing is imperial: Forbidden City, hutongs, Great Wall. Shanghai is the present: Bund skyline, Art Deco French Concession, the country's best fine dining. Yunnan, Sichuan and Tibet each open into landscapes that don't fit any traveller's expectations of the country. The eight cuisines of China each deserve their own visit; the high-speed rail connects them in hours rather than days.
See hotelsYour Travel Notes
Currency
Chinese Yuan or Renminbi (CNY). Cards work in major cities but Alipay and WeChat Pay run the country. Foreigners can now link an international card to Alipay Tour. Carry small cash as backup.
Cuisine
The eight cuisines of China each deserve a trip. Cantonese dim sum in Hong Kong, Sichuan mapo tofu in Chengdu, Shanghainese xiaolongbao, Hunan smoked pork, Yunnan mushrooms. Hotel restaurants are often the safest gateway to regional specialities.
Transport
High-speed rail is the way to move within China. Beijing to Shanghai is 4.5 hours at 350 km/h. Domestic flights connect everything else. Within cities, Didi (China's Uber) is reliable; hotel cars are easier for non-Mandarin speakers.
Tipping etiquette
Not customary. Some international hotels add a 10 to 15% service charge. For private guides, drivers and porters in five-star contexts, CNY 100 to 200 per day is appropriate.
When to go
April to May and September to October are the safest windows for the whole country. Summer (July to August) is hot, humid and busy with domestic tourism. Avoid Golden Week (first week of October) and Spring Festival (late January or February): half the country is on the move.