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Beijing
A practical TripBeta guide to planning time in Beijing, with neighborhoods, transport, costs, food and trip-planning essentia…
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Asia · CN
China Travel Guide
Practical travel starting point for China: entry planning, seasons, money, transport, connectivity, places to stay, food, apps and official resources.
Editor picks
Recommended first
A short list of recommended destinations, guides and services for this page.
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Shanghai
A practical TripBeta guide to planning time in Shanghai, with neighborhoods, transport, costs, food and trip-planning essenti…
CN
Xi'an
Plan a visit to Xi'an, China, with neighborhood pacing, transport, food, accommodation and current booking checks.
CN
China trip planning: cities, routes and essentials
A practical first-trip framework for China, including Beijing, Shanghai, Xi'an, Chengdu, entry checks, transport, money, seas…
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China trip preparation: payments, rail and connectivity
Independent practical guidance for china trip preparation: payments, rail and connectivity, with checks to complete before bo…
CN
Beijing in four days: historic core and modern districts
Independent practical guidance for beijing in four days: historic core and modern districts, with checks to complete before b…
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Forbidden City
TripBeta planning notes for Forbidden City in Beijing, including timing, cost, transport and traveler considerations.
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Shanghai Breakfast Streets
TripBeta planning notes for Shanghai Breakfast Streets in Shanghai, including timing, cost, transport and traveler considerat…
Know before you go
Planning a trip to China
China rewards regional planning: distances are large, rail is often the most practical intercity option, and many everyday services use local mobile ecosystems. Arrange entry documents, connectivity and payment options before departure.
Getting around
High-speed rail links many major cities. Book with the name and document number shown on your passport, allow time for station security and keep offline copies of reservations.
Money, maps and connectivity
Prepare more than one payment method and test any travel eSIM or roaming plan before relying on it. Download offline address cards in Chinese for accommodation and key stops.
Destinations to consider
Use the city guides for Beijing, Shanghai, Xi'an, Chengdu, Guangzhou, Hangzhou, Suzhou, Guilin, Lijiang, Shenzhen as route-building starting points. These are not a required checklist: choose places that fit the season, transport network and time available.
Regions to explore
Start with a region, then choose linked cities and areas that fit the route.
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East China
Regional travel hub for East China, China, connecting recommended cities, food, activities, accommodation and transport plann…
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North China
Regional travel hub for North China, China, connecting recommended cities, food, activities, accommodation and transport plan…
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Northwest China
Regional travel hub for Northwest China, China, connecting recommended cities, food, activities, accommodation and transport …
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South China
Regional travel hub for South China, China, connecting recommended cities, food, activities, accommodation and transport plan…
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Southwest China
Regional travel hub for Southwest China, China, connecting recommended cities, food, activities, accommodation and transport …
Popular cities and visitor areas
Open a city or area for eat, drink, play, activities, stay and transport information.
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Shanghai
A practical TripBeta guide to planning time in Shanghai, with neighborhoods, transport, costs, food and trip-planning essenti…
CN
Beijing
A practical TripBeta guide to planning time in Beijing, with neighborhoods, transport, costs, food and trip-planning essentia…
CN
Xi'an
Plan a visit to Xi'an, China, with neighborhood pacing, transport, food, accommodation and current booking checks.
CN
Chengdu
Plan a visit to Chengdu, China, with neighborhood pacing, transport, food, accommodation and current booking checks.
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Guangzhou
Plan a visit to Guangzhou, China, with neighborhood pacing, transport, food, accommodation and current booking checks.
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Guilin
Plan a visit to Guilin, China, with neighborhood pacing, transport, food, accommodation and current booking checks.
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Hangzhou
Plan a visit to Hangzhou, China, with neighborhood pacing, transport, food, accommodation and current booking checks.
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Lijiang
Plan a visit to Lijiang, China, with neighborhood pacing, transport, food, accommodation and current booking checks.
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Shenzhen
Plan a visit to Shenzhen, China, with neighborhood pacing, transport, food, accommodation and current booking checks.
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Suzhou
Plan a visit to Suzhou, China, with neighborhood pacing, transport, food, accommodation and current booking checks.
Practical travel guides
Recommended planning, itineraries, budgets, food, culture, safety and transport advice.
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China trip planning: cities, routes and essentials
A practical first-trip framework for China, including Beijing, Shanghai, Xi'an, Chengdu, entry checks, transport, money, seas…
CN
China trip preparation: payments, rail and connectivity
Independent practical guidance for china trip preparation: payments, rail and connectivity, with checks to complete before bo…
CN
Beijing in four days: historic core and modern districts
Independent practical guidance for beijing in four days: historic core and modern districts, with checks to complete before b…
Guide
How to compare hotel prices fairly
Independent practical guidance for how to compare hotel prices fairly, with checks to complete before booking.
Guide
A practical checklist for international travel apps
Independent practical guidance for a practical checklist for international travel apps, with checks to complete before bookin…
Eat · drink · play · do · stay · move
Browse all places →Places travelers use
Eat
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Siji Minfu Roast Duck (Dengshikou)
TripBeta planning notes for Siji Minfu Roast Duck (Dengshikou) in Beijing, including timing, cost, transport and traveler con…
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Shanghai Breakfast Streets
TripBeta planning notes for Shanghai Breakfast Streets in Shanghai, including timing, cost, transport and traveler considerat…
See & play
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Forbidden City
TripBeta planning notes for Forbidden City in Beijing, including timing, cost, transport and traveler considerations.
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Shanghai Museum
TripBeta planning notes for Shanghai Museum in Shanghai, including timing, cost, transport and traveler considerations.
Activities & nightlife
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Sanlitun
TripBeta planning notes for Sanlitun in Beijing, including timing, cost, transport and traveler considerations.
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Shanghai Grand Theatre
TripBeta planning notes for Shanghai Grand Theatre in Shanghai, including timing, cost, transport and traveler considerations…
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Tianzifang
TripBeta planning notes for Tianzifang in Shanghai, including timing, cost, transport and traveler considerations.
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National Centre for the Performing Arts
TripBeta planning notes for National Centre for the Performing Arts in Beijing, including timing, cost, transport and travele…
Stay
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The Peninsula Beijing
TripBeta planning notes for The Peninsula Beijing in Beijing, including timing, cost, transport and traveler considerations.
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The Bund Riverside Hotels
TripBeta planning notes for The Bund Riverside Hotels in Shanghai, including timing, cost, transport and traveler considerati…
Transport
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Shanghai Hongqiao Railway Station
TripBeta planning notes for Shanghai Hongqiao Railway Station in Shanghai, including timing, cost, transport and traveler con…
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Beijing South Railway Station
TripBeta planning notes for Beijing South Railway Station in Beijing, including timing, cost, transport and traveler consider…
Useful websites and travel apps
Official information, maps, taxi, trains, translation and connectivity.
Web tools
↗China Railway 12306Official national railway booking and information
→↗National Immigration Administration of ChinaOfficial entry and immigration information
→↗XE Currency ConverterCurrency reference and conversion tool
→↗IATA Travel CentrePassport, visa and health information starting point
→↗Rome2RioMulti-modal route discovery for initial research
→↗Airalo eSIM directoryCompare prepaid eSIM packages by destination
→Compare first
See all comparisons →Travel products for this country
Product
International flight comparison checklist
Compare total fare, baggage, connection protection and support
Product
Hotel price comparison checklist
Compare final price, taxes, payment timing, room and cancellation
Product
Multi-trip travel insurance comparison
Compare territory, trip length, medical cover and exclusions
Experiences and activities
View all →CN
Mutianyu Great Wall day trip
A Beijing-based day trip with realistic transfer time and a less central Great Wall section.
Experience
Private airport transfer comparison
Compare vehicle size, waiting time, cancellation, accessibility and the exact meeting point before booking.
Experience
Local cooking class
A practical food experience; check allergy handling, class language, menu and transport before booking.
Deals and coupons
View all →Deal
Hotel member-rate comparison
A member rate is only a deal after comparing the same room, taxes, payment and cancellation terms.
Deal
Car-rental weekly-rate checker
Compare the total with insurance, mileage, fuel, deposit, location fee and one-way charge included.
Deal
Travel app promotion directory
Check official app-store and provider pages for current promotions; codes may be regional or account-specific.