Start with the classics, then follow your appetite. Each guide includes a first-time route, where to stay, what to eat and the practical details that matter.
Imperial scale, hutong rhythm.
China’s capital rewards an early start: palaces and courtyards by day, neighborhood kitchens after dark.
Future-facing, lane by lane.
Art deco facades, leafy former-concession streets and a skyline that changes mood with the hour.
Where the Silk Road begins.
Ancient walls, Tang-era stories and one of China’s most memorable street-food cultures.
Slow tea, bold flavor.
A relaxed southwestern city of teahouses, creative neighborhoods, pandas and thrilling Sichuan food.
A city built around the table.
Cantonese food traditions, subtropical streets, riverside architecture and a global trading spirit.
Sandstone peaks, forest paths and dramatic cableways.
A first-time nature base for Avatar-like pillars, Tianmen Mountain and glass-bridge side trips, best planned with realistic transfer time.
Karst peaks, river days and slower southern scenery.
A gentle nature stop for first-time visitors who want Li River scenery, smaller-town evenings and a break from major-city pace.
Lake walks, tea hills and an easy Shanghai add-on.
A calm East China city that works well as a two-day high-speed-rail side trip from Shanghai.
Mountain city layers, hotpot and neon river views.
A vivid inland city for travelers who want dramatic urban topography, spicy food, viewpoints and a very different feel from Beijing or Shanghai.