Traveling to China - What to See, Where to Stay, What to Eat & What You Should Know
China is one of the most impressive destinations for travelers who want to discover ancient history, modern megacities, unique culture, delicious cuisine and spectacular nature in one trip.
If you are traveling to China for the first time, you probably have many questions:
What should you see in China? Which cities should you stay in? How many days do you need? How should you get around? What should you eat? Which apps will you need and how can you stay connected to the internet?
In this guide, we will share the most important tips for planning your trip to China.
⸻
🇨🇳 How Many Days Do You Need to Travel Around China?
If you are visiting China for the first time, it is best to plan at least 7–10 days.
One of the most convenient itineraries for a 10-day trip is:
Beijing → Xi’an → Shanghai
If you have more time, you can add:
* 🐼 Chengdu
* ⛰️ Zhangjiajie
* 🌿 Guilin
* 🌆 Hangzhou
China is a huge country, so don’t try to see everything in one trip. It is better to choose several destinations and give yourself enough time to enjoy each one.
⸻
🏯 What to See in China?
1. Beijing — The Beginning of China’s History
If this is your first trip to China, Beijing is definitely worth visiting.
The city combines imperial China with a modern megacity.
Must-see places in Beijing:
* 🏯 Forbidden City
* 🧱 Great Wall of China
* 🏛️ Tiananmen Square
* 🌳 Summer Palace
* ⛩️ Temple of Heaven
* 🏮 Traditional hutong neighborhoods
🧱 The Great Wall of China
From Beijing, popular sections of the Great Wall include Mutianyu and Badaling.
If you want impressive mountain scenery and a more scenic experience, Mutianyu is an excellent choice.
📌 Tip: Plan at least 3 days for Beijing.
⸻
🏯 2. Xi’an — The Terracotta Army
If you are interested in history and archaeology, Xi’an should definitely be on your itinerary.
The city’s main attraction is the world-famous Terracotta Army — thousands of terracotta warriors created to protect the tomb of China’s first emperor.
You should also visit:
* 🏯 Xi’an City Wall
* 🔔 Bell Tower
* 🥁 Drum Tower
* 🕌 Muslim Quarter
* 🍜 Local street food
Xi’an’s historic city wall is about 14 kilometers long and can even be explored by bicycle.
📌 Tip: 2–3 days are enough to see the main attractions in Xi’an.
⸻
🌆 3. Shanghai — Modern China
If you want to experience a completely different side of China, head to Shanghai.
Here, historic architecture and futuristic skyscrapers come together in a spectacular way.
Must-see places in Shanghai:
* 🌃 The Bund
* 🏙️ Pudong
* 🗼 Shanghai Tower
* 🌳 Yu Garden
* 🛍️ Nanjing Road
* 🌆 Lujiazui
The view of Shanghai’s skyline from The Bund is especially impressive in the evening.
📌 Tip: Plan 2–3 days for Shanghai.
⸻
🐼 4. Chengdu — The City of Pandas
If you want a different and more relaxed experience in China, add Chengdu to your itinerary.
The city’s main attraction is, of course, the giant pandas 🐼.
Chengdu is also famous for Sichuan cuisine, known for its spicy and aromatic dishes.
If you enjoy spicy food, you will probably love Chengdu.
⸻
⛰️ 5. Zhangjiajie — Landscapes That Look Like Another Planet
One of China’s most spectacular natural destinations is Zhangjiajie.
Massive rock pillars, mountains, clouds and valleys create landscapes that look almost unreal.
If you are planning to visit Zhangjiajie, set aside several days for the area.
📌 Tip: Zhangjiajie is an excellent choice for travelers who love mountains, nature and spectacular photography.
⸻
🏨 Where to Stay in China?
When choosing a hotel in China, don’t focus only on the price.
Especially in major cities, being close to a metro station can make your trip much easier.
🏯 Beijing
Choose a central area or a location with easy access to the metro.
🏯 Xi’an
Staying near the old city wall is a good option, as many attractions can be reached on foot or with a short ride.
🌆 Shanghai
Consider staying near The Bund, Nanjing Road or a metro station.
📌 Main tip: Before booking a hotel, always check its exact location on a map and find the nearest metro station.
⸻
🚄 How to Get Around China?
Because of China’s size, transportation is an important part of planning your trip.
For traveling between major cities, one of the best options is the high-speed train.
For example, the Beijing–Xi’an route takes several hours by train and can be a very comfortable way to travel.
Within cities, you can use:
* 🚇 Metro
* 🚕 Taxis
* 📱 Transportation apps
* 🚄 High-speed trains between cities
📌 Tip: If you are visiting several cities, plan your train routes and travel times in advance.
⸻
🍜 What Should You Eat in China?
A trip to China would not be complete without trying local cuisine.
Chinese food is not just one type of cuisine — different regions have completely different flavors and specialties.
Some foods worth trying include:
🥟 Dumplings — with a variety of fillings
🍜 Lanzhou Beef Noodles — noodles served with beef and aromatic broth
🥢 Dim Sum — small portions of different dishes
🌶️ Sichuan Hot Pot — especially popular in Chengdu
🥞 Jianbing — a popular Chinese street-food option
🦆 Peking Duck — one of Beijing’s most famous dishes
📌 Tip: Don’t limit yourself to tourist restaurants. Trying local street food is part of the Chinese travel experience.
⸻
💳 What Should You Know About Payments?
Alipay and WeChat Pay are widely used for everyday payments in China.
For foreign travelers, it is a good idea to set up these apps before departure and make sure your payment method works.
Before your trip:
✅ Install Alipay
✅ Install WeChat
✅ Add your bank card
✅ Make sure payments work
✅ Save important information on your phone
📌 Tip: Don’t wait until you arrive in China to set everything up. Prepare your payment apps in advance.
⸻
📱 How to Stay Connected to the Internet in China?
A stable internet connection is one of the most important things to prepare for your trip to China.
You may need internet access for:
📍 Maps and navigation
🏨 Finding your hotel
🚕 Transportation and taxis
🌐 Translation
💬 Communication
💳 Online services and apps
That’s why it is a good idea to prepare a travel eSIM before your trip.
What is an eSIM?
An eSIM is an electronic SIM that allows you to use mobile connectivity without inserting a physical SIM card.
You can purchase an eSIM package, receive a QR code and activate it according to the instructions.
The main advantage is that you don’t need to replace your physical SIM card, making it much easier to prepare your mobile internet before traveling.
📌 Tip: Set up your eSIM and check the activation steps before departure.
📶 Stay connected as soon as you arrive
If you want to have internet access as soon as you arrive in China, preparing your travel eSIM in advance can make things much easier.
With a Simaway travel eSIM, you can prepare your internet connection before departure and use mobile data in China without changing your physical SIM card.
👉 Choose an eSIM package for China and prepare your internet before your trip.
⸻
📲 Which Apps Should You Have in China?
Apps can make everyday travel in China much easier.
Before your trip, check and install the apps you may need:
* 🗺️ Maps and navigation
* 🌐 Translation apps
* 💳 Alipay
* 🚕 Transportation and taxi apps
* 🏨 Hotel booking apps
📌 Tip: Save important information, hotel addresses and booking details on your phone in advance so you can access them quickly when needed.
⸻
🎒 What Should You Pack for China?
Before traveling to China, it is useful to have:
📱 Phone and charger
🔋 Power bank
📶 Travel eSIM
💳 Bank card
🛂 Valid passport
🏨 Hotel booking information
🗺️ Necessary apps
🔌 Universal travel adapter
💊 Essential medication
It is also a good idea to keep digital copies of important documents on your phone.
⸻
✈️ Our Recommended 10-Day China Itinerary
If you are visiting China for the first time and have around 10 days, you can follow this itinerary:
Days 1–3 — Beijing 🇨🇳
🏯 Forbidden City
🧱 Great Wall of China
🏛️ Tiananmen Square
⛩️ Temple of Heaven
Days 4–5 — Xi’an 🏯
🏺 Terracotta Army
🏯 Old City
🚲 City Wall
🍜 Local cuisine
Days 6–9 — Shanghai 🌆
🌃 The Bund
🏙️ Pudong
🗼 Shanghai Tower
🌳 Yu Garden
🛍️ Nanjing Road
Day 10 — Departure ✈️
If you have more time, you can add Chengdu or Zhangjiajie to your itinerary.
⸻
🌏 Final Tips for Traveling to China
China is such a large and diverse country that you simply cannot see everything in one trip.
So, on your first visit, don’t try to fit too many cities into your itinerary.
Choose 2–3 main destinations, plan your transportation and hotels in advance, and leave enough time to enjoy each place.
And most importantly — don’t forget your internet connection.
When you’re in an unfamiliar country and need maps, translation, your hotel address, transportation or communication, having reliable internet can make your trip much easier.
📶 Prepare your travel eSIM before departure and stay connected as soon as you arrive in China.
Simaway — your travel internet wherever you go. 🌍📶 🇨🇳 Traveling to China — What to See, Where to Stay, What to Eat & What You Should Know
China is one of the most impressive destinations for travelers who want to discover ancient history, modern megacities, unique culture, delicious cuisine and spectacular nature in one trip.
If you are traveling to China for the first time, you probably have many questions:
What should you see in China? Which cities should you stay in? How many days do you need? How should you get around? What should you eat? Which apps will you need and how can you stay connected to the internet?
In this guide, we will share the most important tips for planning your trip to China.
⸻
🇨🇳 How Many Days Do You Need to Travel Around China?
If you are visiting China for the first time, it is best to plan at least 7–10 days.
One of the most convenient itineraries for a 10-day trip is:
Beijing → Xi’an → Shanghai
If you have more time, you can add:
* 🐼 Chengdu
* ⛰️ Zhangjiajie
* 🌿 Guilin
* 🌆 Hangzhou
China is a huge country, so don’t try to see everything in one trip. It is better to choose several destinations and give yourself enough time to enjoy each one.
⸻
🏯 What to See in China?
1. Beijing — The Beginning of China’s History
If this is your first trip to China, Beijing is definitely worth visiting.
The city combines imperial China with a modern megacity.
Must-see places in Beijing:
* 🏯 Forbidden City
* 🧱 Great Wall of China
* 🏛️ Tiananmen Square
* 🌳 Summer Palace
* ⛩️ Temple of Heaven
* 🏮 Traditional hutong neighborhoods
🧱 The Great Wall of China
From Beijing, popular sections of the Great Wall include Mutianyu and Badaling.
If you want impressive mountain scenery and a more scenic experience, Mutianyu is an excellent choice.
📌 Tip: Plan at least 3 days for Beijing.
⸻
🏯 2. Xi’an — The Terracotta Army
If you are interested in history and archaeology, Xi’an should definitely be on your itinerary.
The city’s main attraction is the world-famous Terracotta Army — thousands of terracotta warriors created to protect the tomb of China’s first emperor.
You should also visit:
* 🏯 Xi’an City Wall
* 🔔 Bell Tower
* 🥁 Drum Tower
* 🕌 Muslim Quarter
* 🍜 Local street food
Xi’an’s historic city wall is about 14 kilometers long and can even be explored by bicycle.
📌 Tip: 2–3 days are enough to see the main attractions in Xi’an.
⸻
🌆 3. Shanghai — Modern China
If you want to experience a completely different side of China, head to Shanghai.
Here, historic architecture and futuristic skyscrapers come together in a spectacular way.
Must-see places in Shanghai:
* 🌃 The Bund
* 🏙️ Pudong
* 🗼 Shanghai Tower
* 🌳 Yu Garden
* 🛍️ Nanjing Road
* 🌆 Lujiazui
The view of Shanghai’s skyline from The Bund is especially impressive in the evening.
📌 Tip: Plan 2–3 days for Shanghai.
⸻
🐼 4. Chengdu — The City of Pandas
If you want a different and more relaxed experience in China, add Chengdu to your itinerary.
The city’s main attraction is, of course, the giant pandas 🐼.
Chengdu is also famous for Sichuan cuisine, known for its spicy and aromatic dishes.
If you enjoy spicy food, you will probably love Chengdu.
⸻
⛰️ 5. Zhangjiajie — Landscapes That Look Like Another Planet
One of China’s most spectacular natural destinations is Zhangjiajie.
Massive rock pillars, mountains, clouds and valleys create landscapes that look almost unreal.
If you are planning to visit Zhangjiajie, set aside several days for the area.
📌 Tip: Zhangjiajie is an excellent choice for travelers who love mountains, nature and spectacular photography.
⸻
🏨 Where to Stay in China?
When choosing a hotel in China, don’t focus only on the price.
Especially in major cities, being close to a metro station can make your trip much easier.
🏯 Beijing
Choose a central area or a location with easy access to the metro.
🏯 Xi’an
Staying near the old city wall is a good option, as many attractions can be reached on foot or with a short ride.
🌆 Shanghai
Consider staying near The Bund, Nanjing Road or a metro station.
📌 Main tip: Before booking a hotel, always check its exact location on a map and find the nearest metro station.
⸻
🚄 How to Get Around China?
Because of China’s size, transportation is an important part of planning your trip.
For traveling between major cities, one of the best options is the high-speed train.
For example, the Beijing–Xi’an route takes several hours by train and can be a very comfortable way to travel.
Within cities, you can use:
* 🚇 Metro
* 🚕 Taxis
* 📱 Transportation apps
* 🚄 High-speed trains between cities
📌 Tip: If you are visiting several cities, plan your train routes and travel times in advance.
⸻
🍜 What Should You Eat in China?
A trip to China would not be complete without trying local cuisine.
Chinese food is not just one type of cuisine — different regions have completely different flavors and specialties.
Some foods worth trying include:
🥟 Dumplings — with a variety of fillings
🍜 Lanzhou Beef Noodles — noodles served with beef and aromatic broth
🥢 Dim Sum — small portions of different dishes
🌶️ Sichuan Hot Pot — especially popular in Chengdu
🥞 Jianbing — a popular Chinese street-food option
🦆 Peking Duck — one of Beijing’s most famous dishes
📌 Tip: Don’t limit yourself to tourist restaurants. Trying local street food is part of the Chinese travel experience.
⸻
💳 What Should You Know About Payments?
Alipay and WeChat Pay are widely used for everyday payments in China.
For foreign travelers, it is a good idea to set up these apps before departure and make sure your payment method works.
Before your trip:
✅ Install Alipay
✅ Install WeChat
✅ Add your bank card
✅ Make sure payments work
✅ Save important information on your phone
📌 Tip: Don’t wait until you arrive in China to set everything up. Prepare your payment apps in advance.
⸻
📱 How to Stay Connected to the Internet in China?
A stable internet connection is one of the most important things to prepare for your trip to China.
You may need internet access for:
📍 Maps and navigation
🏨 Finding your hotel
🚕 Transportation and taxis
🌐 Translation
💬 Communication
💳 Online services and apps
That’s why it is a good idea to prepare a travel eSIM before your trip.
What is an eSIM?
An eSIM is an electronic SIM that allows you to use mobile connectivity without inserting a physical SIM card.
You can purchase an eSIM package, receive a QR code and activate it according to the instructions.
The main advantage is that you don’t need to replace your physical SIM card, making it much easier to prepare your mobile internet before traveling.
📌 Tip: Set up your eSIM and check the activation steps before departure.
📶 Stay connected as soon as you arrive
If you want to have internet access as soon as you arrive in China, preparing your travel eSIM in advance can make things much easier.
With a Simaway travel eSIM, you can prepare your internet connection before departure and use mobile data in China without changing your physical SIM card.
👉 Choose an eSIM package for China and prepare your internet before your trip.
⸻
📲 Which Apps Should You Have in China?
Apps can make everyday travel in China much easier.
Before your trip, check and install the apps you may need:
* 🗺️ Maps and navigation
* 🌐 Translation apps
* 💳 Alipay
* 🚕 Transportation and taxi apps
* 🏨 Hotel booking apps
📌 Tip: Save important information, hotel addresses and booking details on your phone in advance so you can access them quickly when needed.
⸻
🎒 What Should You Pack for China?
Before traveling to China, it is useful to have:
📱 Phone and charger
🔋 Power bank
📶 Travel eSIM
💳 Bank card
🛂 Valid passport
🏨 Hotel booking information
🗺️ Necessary apps
🔌 Universal travel adapter
💊 Essential medication
It is also a good idea to keep digital copies of important documents on your phone.
⸻
✈️ Our Recommended 10-Day China Itinerary
If you are visiting China for the first time and have around 10 days, you can follow this itinerary:
Days 1–3 — Beijing 🇨🇳
🏯 Forbidden City
🧱 Great Wall of China
🏛️ Tiananmen Square
⛩️ Temple of Heaven
Days 4–5 — Xi’an 🏯
🏺 Terracotta Army
🏯 Old City
🚲 City Wall
🍜 Local cuisine
Days 6–9 — Shanghai 🌆
🌃 The Bund
🏙️ Pudong
🗼 Shanghai Tower
🌳 Yu Garden
🛍️ Nanjing Road
Day 10 — Departure ✈️
If you have more time, you can add Chengdu or Zhangjiajie to your itinerary.
⸻
🌏 Final Tips for Traveling to China
China is such a large and diverse country that you simply cannot see everything in one trip.
So, on your first visit, don’t try to fit too many cities into your itinerary.
Choose 2–3 main destinations, plan your transportation and hotels in advance, and leave enough time to enjoy each place.
And most importantly — don’t forget your internet connection.
When you’re in an unfamiliar country and need maps, translation, your hotel address, transportation or communication, having reliable internet can make your trip much easier.
📶 Prepare your travel eSIM before departure and stay connected as soon as you arrive in China.
Simaway — your travel internet wherever you go. 🌍📶