Beijing
Your first trip to China, guided
Travel to China, step by step
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Routes for a first trip
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7 daysThe essentialsThe Forbidden City and the Great Wall, unhurriedBeijing · ShanghaiFrom 610 € per person · Comfortable
10 daysThe golden triangleThe Terracotta Army between the Great Wall and the BundBeijing · Xi'an · ShanghaiFrom 830 € per person · Comfortable
12 daysZhangjiajie's Avatar peaksThe floating peaks of Zhangjiajie, the biggest wowBeijing · Xi'an · Zhangjiajie · ShanghaiFrom 960 € per person · Comfortable
12 daysWith kids and pandasChengdu's pandas and a pace made for kidsBeijing · Xi'an · Chengdu · ShanghaiFrom 850 € per person · Comfortable
12 daysFrom the Li River to the BundThe Li River among the peaks, the most romantic stretchBeijing · Xi'an · Guilin · ShanghaiFrom 970 € per person · Comfortable
15 daysChina in depthPandas, vertical Chongqing and the Avatar peaksBeijing · Xi'an · Chengdu · Chongqing · Zhangjiajie · ShanghaiFrom 1,080 € per person · ComfortableThe 9 steps before you go
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Worth booking ahead
What we book for our own travellers.
Xi'an
Terracotta Army with a guide
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Chengdu
Pandas at opening time
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Zhangjiajie
Zhangjiajie and the glass bridge
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Forbidden City with tickets
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Frequently asked questions
Is China safe to visit?
Yes. It is generally a very safe place to travel, even at night and on the metro. The main thing to watch for is tourist scams, like friendly strangers who invite you to a tea tasting and then hand you a huge bill.
How many days do I need?
Between 10 and 15 days for a first trip. Seven covers Beijing and Shanghai. With 10 you add Xi'an, and with 15 you can add Chengdu, Chongqing or Zhangjiajie.
When is the best time to go?
April, May, September, October and November. Avoid Golden Week, 1 to 7 October, the 1 to 5 May holiday and Chinese New Year, which falls on 6 February 2027. Summer is hot and rainy.
Do people speak English?
Not much outside hotels. With a camera translator and your hotel address in Chinese you will get around fine. People are usually kind and patient with visitors.
Why is this guide free?
If you book through us on Trip.com, Klook or Airalo, they pay us a small commission and you pay the same price. That keeps the guide free and up to date.
Do I need a visa?
With a passport from most of Europe, the UK, Canada, Australia, Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Peru or Uruguay you get 30 days visa-free, currently until 31 December 2026. Mexican and US passports need a visa, unless you use the 240-hour transit. Colombian passports need a visa.
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How do I pay in China?
With your phone. Download Alipay and WeChat, add your Visa or Mastercard and verify your passport before you go. Payments up to 200 yuan have no fee. Above that there is usually a 3% fee. Bring some cash too.
Do Google and WhatsApp work?
Yes, with an eSIM bought outside China. With it, Google, WhatsApp and Instagram work just like at home. They do not work on hotel wifi or a Chinese SIM. Install it before you go and turn it on when you land.
How much does a day in China cost?
It depends mostly on your hotel. Food is cheap. A bowl of noodles is usually under €5 and a metro ride under €1.50. Hotels and trains cost the most, for example about €78 for the bullet train from Beijing to Xi'an in second class.
Is China good with kids?
Yes, it is very easy with kids. Each child needs their own passport and follows the same entry rules as adults. On trains, children under 6 without a seat travel free, one per adult.
What if I am vegetarian or have allergies?
It works with a little planning. Carry a card in Chinese that explains your diet or allergy and show it when you order. Many dishes use meat stock, peanuts or soy even when you cannot see them. Buddhist restaurants are a good bet for vegetarians.
Is China a good honeymoon destination?
Yes, and a very different one. Pair Beijing and Shanghai with some nature, like the Zhangjiajie mountains or the Li River at Yangshuo. Pick a couple of special hotels, say one with a Bund view, and keep some free days at your own pace.