China Destination Guides
Practical guides to the places worth visiting, from the Great Wall and Zhangjiajie to Hong Kong day trips.
Start here
All destinations guides
- Chengdu Panda Base 2026: Tickets (¥55), Hours & TipsBook Chengdu Panda Base online with your passport: ¥55, up to 14 days ahead, no regular walk-up sales. Choose a morning slot. Metro and DiDi routes.
- Forbidden City Beijing Guide: Route, Layout, Time (2026)The Forbidden City takes 3 to 4 hours on a one-way route from the Meridian Gate in the south to the Gate of Divine Prowess in the north. Layout and what to see.
- Forbidden City Tickets: How Foreigners Book (2026)Book Forbidden City tickets on the Palace Museum site with your passport, 7 days ahead at 20:00 Beijing time. ¥60 Apr-Oct, ¥40 Nov-Mar, closed Mondays.
- Mutianyu Great Wall vs Badaling vs Jinshanling (2026)Mutianyu Great Wall is the best all-round section: ¥40-45 entry, 1.5-2 hours from Beijing. Compare it with Badaling and Jinshanling on tickets and transport.
- Li River Cruise Guilin to Yangshuo: Prices & OptionsThe Li River cruise from Guilin to Yangshuo costs ¥215 on a 3-star boat and ¥360 on a 4-star. Compare boats, piers, bus and rail, with real prices.
- Harbin Ice Festival 2026-27: Dates, Tickets, What to WearHarbin Ice and Snow World has not announced its 2026-27 opening or prices. Last season opened 17 Dec at 328 yuan. Clothing, trains, tickets for foreigners.
- China vs Hong Kong: Key Differences for Travelers (2026)China vs Hong Kong for travelers: Hong Kong has its own entry rules, money, internet and plugs. Compare visa, apps, driving side and border crossing.
- Jiayuguan Pass: Great Wall's Western End Guide (2026)Jiayuguan Pass is the Ming Great Wall's western end in Gansu. Ticket is ¥110 (May to Oct) or ¥90, and the fort opens 08:00 to 18:30. Guide and tips.
- Macau Tower: Prices, Hours, Bungee & Skywalk (2026)Macau Tower observation deck costs MOP 208 and opens 10:00 to 20:00; bungee is MOP 3,088. Official prices, hours, tickets and how to get there.
- Shanghai Disneyland Tickets: Prices, Booking and TipsShanghai Disneyland tickets run ¥475 to ¥799 for one day by date tier. Book on the official app with a passport and foreign card; Line 11 goes to the park.
- Temple of Heaven China: Visit Guide and Summer PalaceThe Temple of Heaven in Beijing needs 2 to 3 hours and the ¥34 combo ticket in peak season. See the halls, hours, and how to pair it with the Summer Palace.
- Terracotta Army Guide: The Three Pits and How to VisitThe Terracotta Army is about 8,000 clay figures found in 1974 near Xi'an. See what the three pits hold, the best order to visit and how long to allow.
- Terracotta Army Tickets and Tours From Xi'an (2026)Terracotta Army tickets cost ¥120 and are real-name, so book online with your passport. Compare bus, metro and tours from Xi'an, and guide or no guide.
- Things to Do in Chengdu: 1, 2 and 3 Day Plans (2026)Things to do in Chengdu by area, with metro lines, panda base timing, ticket notes for foreigners and a 1, 2 and 3 day order. Day trips included.
- Things to Do in Shenzhen: 1, 2 and 3 Day Plans (2026)Things to do in Shenzhen by district, with metro lines, entry notes for foreigners and a 1, 2 and 3 day order. Includes the Hong Kong border options.
- Wong Tai Sin Temple Hong Kong: Hours, MTR and TipsWong Tai Sin Temple is free and open daily 7:30am to 4:30pm, a 3-minute walk from MTR Exit B2. Directions, kau cim steps, etiquette and what to skip.
- Yangtze River Cruise: Routes, Seasons, Ships, Prices (2026)A Yangtze River cruise from Chongqing to Yichang takes 3 to 4 nights and was listed at about US$400 to US$800 per person. Compare routes, seasons and ships.
- Zhangjiajie Glass Bridge 2026: Tickets, Tips & Visitor GuideZhangjiajie glass bridge tickets cost about ¥175 on the B line, booked online with a passport. Official pages list entry until 15:30 or 16:00.
- Zhangjiajie National Forest Park Tickets: 2026 GuideZhangjiajie National Forest Park tickets cost ¥240 for 4 days (about US$36), passport needed. How a foreigner books, what costs extra, and the traps to avoid.
- Avenue of Stars Hong Kong: Complete 2026 Visitor GuideFull guide to Hong Kong’s Avenue of Stars: history, what to see, how to get there, best time, and practical tips for the promenade.
- Chen Clan Ancestral Hall: Guangzhou Heritage Guide (2026)Explore Chen Clan Ancestral Hall (陈家祠), a Lingnan architecture masterpiece. Tickets, opening hours, transport, English tour tips, and what to see.
- Detian Waterfall Guide: China's Border Waterfall (2026)Complete guide to visiting Detian Waterfall on the China-Vietnam border. How to get there, tickets, best time to visit, and travel tips.
- Dunhuang Mogao Caves: Complete Visitor Guide (2026)How to visit the Mogao Caves in Dunhuang. Booking, what to see, best time, and tips for experiencing China's greatest Buddhist art treasure.
- Golden Whip Stream Zhangjiajie: Complete Hiking Guide (2026)Walk the 7.5km Golden Whip Stream trail in Zhangjiajie — difficulty level, best entrances, monkey tips, photo spots, and how to combine with Bailong Elevator.
- Hangzhou West Lake: Complete Visitor Guide (2026)Everything you need to know about visiting West Lake in Hangzhou. Best viewpoints, boat rides, temples, and how to explore this UNESCO World Heritage site.
- Hong Kong Palace Museum: Tickets, Hours & Visitor Guide (2026)Plan your visit to Hong Kong Palace Museum. Opening hours, ticket prices, exhibitions, and tips for experiencing this world-class museum in West Kowloon.
- Hong Kong to Shenzhen Day Trip: Food & Border Tips (2026)Hong Kong to Shenzhen day trip for food lovers: border crossing, best restaurants, local specialties, and insider tips for eating through Shenzhen.
- Hong Kong to Shenzhen Day Trip 2026: Ultimate Shopping GuideShopping guide for a Hong Kong to Shenzhen day trip: best malls, electronics markets, bargaining, border crossing, and 50-70% savings vs Hong Kong.
- Hong Kong Palace Museum & Shenzhen Culture Guide 2026Guide to Hong Kong Palace Museum and cross-border Shenzhen cultural sites: ferry routes, visa tips, tickets, opening hours, and a 2-day itinerary.
- Huacheng Square Guangzhou: Canton Tower Area Guide (2026)Complete guide to Huacheng Square in Guangzhou with landmarks, best time, transport, night views, and practical tips.
- Kunming: Gateway to Yunnan (2026 Travel Guide)How to use Kunming as your base for exploring Yunnan. What to see, how long to stay, and onward connections to Dali, Lijiang, and beyond.
- Lijiang vs Dali: Which Yunnan Town to Visit? (2026)Can't decide between Lijiang and Dali? Compare atmosphere, attractions, crowds, and which ancient town suits your travel style.
- Sanya Tianya Haijiao Guide: Ends of the Earth (2026)Sanya Tianya Haijiao (Ends of the Earth) guide: best times, ticket booking, transport from Sanya city, Yalong Bay alternatives, and hidden beaches.
- Shenzhen Day Trip from Hong Kong: Complete Guide (2026)How to visit Shenzhen from Hong Kong for a day. Border crossing, what to do, transportation, and whether it's worth the trip.
- Xiaoqikong Scenic Area Guizhou: Complete Visitor Guide (2026)Full guide to Xiaoqikong in Guizhou: key sights, trail routes, tickets, transport from Guiyang, and practical tips for visitors.
- Zhalong Nature Reserve: Ultimate Crane Watching Guide (2026)Complete guide to Zhalong Nature Reserve: crane watching seasons, transport from Qiqihar and Harbin, tickets, and photography tips.
- Beijing Hutong Guide: Walking Routes & Hidden Gems (2026)Self-guided walking routes through Beijing's hutongs: Nanluoguxiang, Wudaoying, and Shichahai, with food stops, photo spots, and practical tips.
- East Lake (Donghu) Wuhan: Complete Visitor's Guide (2026)East Lake (Donghu) is Wuhan's free 88-sq-km lake — China's biggest urban lake. Zones, cherry blossom timing, the 102km greenway, metro, and day plans.
- Best Sichuan Photography Locations (2026) for PhotographersPhotography spots in Sichuan, from Jiuzhaigou's turquoise lakes to Tibetan villages and giant pandas, with camera settings, best times, and tips.
- Ruins of St. Paul's Macau 2026: Visitor Guide & HistoryGuide to visiting the Ruins of St. Paul's in Macau: history, best photo spots, visiting tips, nearby attractions, and how to avoid crowds.
- Guanque Tower (Stork Tower) Guide: Shanxi Landmark (2026)Complete guide to Guanque Tower in Shanxi: poem history, tickets, transport from Yuncheng/Xi'an, and photography tips.
- Jiuxiang Karst Cave Yunnan: Underground Guide (2026)Complete guide to Jiuxiang Karst Cave in Yunnan: cave sections, underground river, tickets, transport from Kunming, and practical tips.
- M50 Art District Shanghai: Galleries & Visitor Guide (2026)Explore M50, Shanghai's premier contemporary art district. Guide to the best galleries, artist studios, cafes, and tips.
- Lost Your Drone in China? A Step-by-Step Recovery GuideA real-world guide on what to do when you lose your DJI drone in China. Covers filing a police report, using local apps like Weibo, and understanding the rules.
- Suzhou Day Trip from Shanghai: Gardens & Canals (2026)How to visit Suzhou from Shanghai for a day. Transportation, best gardens, canal walks, and whether it's worth the trip from Shanghai.