15 Best Places to Travel in China: Top Destinations 2026

Ever dream of wandering the streets of a city older than Rome, hiking mountains that make your step tracker cry, or tasting dumplings the size of your face? Yeah, China’s that place. Not kidding—the best places to travel in China can actually blow your mind, whether you’re a lone explorer or dragging the fam. This country is BIGGER than you think (like, “takes-a-plane-to-cross-it” big) and packed with jaw-dropping landscapes, ancient wonders, and food worth ruining your diet for.

I’ll say it: I had my doubts. Crowds? Smog? TikTok travel hype? But trust me, after three weeks hopping bullet trains and haggling for fake sneakers, China totally surprised me. It’s not just pandas (though five minutes with one will melt your heart). You’ll find history, wild nature, and vibes you can’t get anywhere else.

By the end of this post, you’ll know exactly where to go, what to see, what snacks to chow down on, and a few travel hacks even my Chinese friends wish they knew.

1. Beijing – The Timeless Capital

Ask anyone for the best places to travel in China and you’ll hear, “Beijing!” about every 4.2 seconds. It’s the obvious classic, but for a reason.

Highlights:

• The Great Wall. (Parts are touristy, but you didn’t come for subtlety, right?)
• Forbidden City & Summer Palace—palatial real estate envy, incoming.
• Street food alleys where you’ll eat weird things on a stick.

What I Loved: Roaming old hutong alleys, sipping tea while people-watching. Plus, the Temple of Heaven—stunning, and full of local grandpas showing off their tai chi moves.

Travel Tip: Visit in spring or fall. Winter can be frigid, summer will melt your face.

Downside: Pollution haze some days. Peek at the air quality app and adjust plans if needed.

2. Shanghai – The Futuristic Mega-World

You haven’t seen a “modern city” until you’ve seen Shanghai. This place is China’s answer to NYC with a twist—old shikumen lanes next to skyscrapers taller than your dreams.

Top Spots:

• The Bund (Instagram mandatory)
• Yu Garden (old-school Suzhou vibes within a megacity)
• Nanjing Road for an overwhelming shopping fix

Why Go: Night views along the Huangpu River are straight-up movie material. The food scene? Insane. Try soup dumplings (xiaolongbao) with a straw. Yes, a straw.

My Honest Take: It’s crowded. Like Tokyo rush hour × 2. But the energy? Unmatched.

3. Xi’an – Where Ancient Meets Tasty

Once the start of the Silk Road, Xi’an is all about that old-school flavor. Literally and figuratively.

Must-See:

• Terracotta Warriors. The hype is real.
• Muslim Quarter (street food heaven)
• The ancient city wall—bike around for epic selfies.

Pro Tip: Chili oil noodles. Thank me later.

Heads-Up: Warriors get crowded. Snag a guide for context or hit off-peak hours.

4. Guilin & Yangshuo – Jaw-Dropping Scenery

These towns aren’t just the best places to travel in China—they’re “is this even real?” level iconic.

Epic Sights:

• Li River cruise—a real-life painting of misty karst hills.
• Bicycle through Yangshuo’s rice paddies, wave to water buffalo.
• Reed Flute Cave if you’re into psychedelic stalactites.

Bonus: Less smog, more zen. Rent a scooter and go wild.

5. Chengdu – Pandas, Spicy Food & Chill Vibes

Home of sleepy pandas and the spiciest hotpot you’ll ever regret (but love), Chengdu is slow-paced with big flavor.

Don’t Miss:

• Giant Panda Breeding Research Base—go early for max panda action.
• People’s Park for tea and spontaneous dancing.
• Sichuan opera face-changing shows. It’s magic (or just clever makeup, IDK).

IMO: A must for animal lovers and foodies alike.

6. Zhangjiajie – Avatar’s Real-Life Inspiration

Remember Pandora? That sky-high floating mountain from Avatar? They filmed it here.

Adventure Checklist:

• Glass skywalks (hold your courage)
• Huangshi Village hike—next-level views
• Tianmen Mountain cable car—longest, wildest ride ever

Personal Warning: Terrifying if you hate heights. Otherwise, pure bucket-list gold.

7. Hangzhou – Heaven on Earth (Apparently)

Poets swoon over Hangzhou. I get it. West Lake glimmering at sunset? Actual poetry.

What’s Sweet:

• Boat rides on West Lake
• Longjing tea plantations (green tea tastings = best souvenirs)
• Song Dynasty town reenactments—cheesy but kinda fun

Food: Dragon Well shrimp and beggar’s chicken. Don’t ask what’s in it, just eat it.

8. Lijiang & Shangri-La – Lost in Old Towns

OK, Lijiang’s cobbled streets are a tourist trap—but a beautiful one. Stay overnight when crowds leave and the old town feels mystical.

Big Hits:

• Lijiang Old Town (late night = magic hour)
• Jade Dragon Snow Mountain—snow in southern China? Yep.
• Shangri-La for Tibetan culture, temples, and yaks galore

Quirk Alert: Altitude in Shangri-La hits harder than last night’s baijiu.

9. Tibet – The Roof of the World

Tibet’s like nowhere else—monasteries, prayer flags, Himalayan vistas. Every moment? Surreal.

Key Experiences:

• Potala Palace (iconic in every sense)
• Jokhang Temple (atmosphere: chills)
• Mount Everest Base Camp (on the Tibetan side, epic if open to foreigners)

Best For: Adventurers. The altitude is real, the spirituality runs deep.

10. Suzhou – Venice of the East

Suzhou’s classical gardens legit beat any Zen garden you’ve seen on Pinterest. And those canals? Pretty dreamy.

Why Visit:

• Humble Administrator’s Garden (lush and grand)
• Canal boat rides at dusk
• Silk shopping: yes, it’s softer here

IMO: More chill than Hangzhou, but also less nightlife.

11. Hong Kong – East Meets West 2.0

Borderline cheating? Maybe. But you can’t talk best places to travel in China and skip Hong Kong. Neon lights, skyscraper mountains, dim sum you’ll dream about.

My Faves:

• Star Ferry at sunset
• Victoria Peak tram (bring your camera)
• Mong Kok street markets—just try not to buy everything

Vibe: Fast-pace, big taste, always something happening.

12. Harbin – Seriously Cool Ice Festival

You think you’ve seen an ice sculpture before? LOL. Harbin’s annual festival takes it up a thousand notches.

Why Go:

• Ice castles you can walk through
• Russian-Chinese fusion food (potato dumpling bliss)
• Chill factor: Bring double socks

Hot Tip: January’s cold. Like, freeze-your-eyelashes cold. Totally worth it for the pics.

13. Dunhuang – Starry Nights & Sand Dunes

Gansu province’s Dunhuang feels like a Silk Road fever dream.

See:

• Mogao Caves (frescoes older than your family tree)
• Ride a camel across Echoing-Sand Mountain
• Starlit deserts at night

Hidden Gem: Mid-autumn for desert stargazing—bring a jacket!

14. Sanya – Tropical Vibes on Hainan Island

Not all of China is hustle; Sanya’s beaches are crazy underrated (and warm all year).

What’s Good:

• Chill on Yalong Bay
• Local seafood BBQ
• Tianya Haijiao (“Edge of the Sky, Corner of the Sea”). Romantic much?

Downside: Gets packed with local tourists during holidays.

15. Macau – Vegas, But Crunchier

A hop from Hong Kong, Macau is all casinos, egg tarts, and Macanese-Portuguese mash-up architecture.

Go For:

• St. Paul’s Ruins
• Taipa Village for snacks and street art
• Gamble a little (or just sample the buffets)

My Bet: Even if you’re not a gambler, the food scene is a WIN.

China Travel Tips for First-Timers (Or the Overwhelmed)

• Visa: Most folks need one. Apply early!
• Transport: Bullet trains are fast, but not always cheap. Book ahead.
• Language: Learn basic phrases or download a translation app. Most signs in big cities have English, but don’t count on it in small towns.
• Money: Alipay and WeChat Pay rule. Foreign cards rarely work except at major hotels.
• Stay Flexible: Not every plan will work out—roll with it.

The Pros & Cons of Visiting China’s Top Destinations

Pros

• Crazy diversity: From deserts to jungle, futuristic cities to ancient villages
• Iconic sites: Like the Great Wall, Terracotta Warriors, and giant pandas—nothing else is quite like it
• Jaw-dropping cuisine: Noodle game = strong. Dumplings everywhere.
• Bullet trains: Some of the world’s fastest and best

Cons

• Language barrier: Can be real, especially in rural areas
• Crowds: Especially during Golden Week (skip the first week of October if you value sanity)
• Red tape: Visa process & social media restrictions
• Some regions have travel limitations: (Tibet, Xinjiang)

Conclusion: The Best Places to Travel in China for YOU

So what’s the move? If you want history, hit up Beijing, Xi’an, and Suzhou. Nature geek? Guilin, Zhangjiajie, and Tibet are undefeated. Food lover? Shanghai, Chengdu, and Hong Kong will stuff you silly. Beach bum? Sanya and Macau got your back.

China can feel intense, but it’s never boring. Whether you travel for views, eats, or just collecting wild stories (ask me about karaoke in a Chongqing noodle shop LOL), you’ll find a slice of magic here that you honestly can’t get anywhere else.

So yeah, if you’ve been sleeping on this, now’s the time to wake up and give it a shot. Trust me—you’ll thank yourself later. 😉

What about you? Which place will you hit first—or did I forget your favorite spot? Drop your picks and stories below!