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Travel Wishlist

China Travel Guide,
beyond the checklist.

Plan your first trip to China with city guides, local experiences, itinerary ideas and practical travel tips.

Field notes from Chelsea — 10 years in Shanghai, now in Shenzhen.

Find your next experience
Wooden houses and terraced hills in Xijiang Miao Village, Guizhou November 2026 · Editor’s pick

Guizhou in November: Leishan Miao New Year

Visit Leishan for Miao New Year, then explore Xijiang Miao Village.

Opening ceremony ·

Festival guide · Lynx Travel ↗
2026 dates: CRIPhoto: SONG1907, CC BY-SA 4.0 (cropped)

Curated travel collections

Things to Do in China: Editor’s Picks

Explore nature retreats, local culture, city walks and viewpoints across China.

All China experiences ↗
shanghai spa qushui lanting

Relaxation & wellness

China Bathhouses & Nature Retreats

Plan a Wuyi Mountains nature retreat or find out what to expect at a Shanghai bathhouse.

A private tea room at Yinxi in Shanghai, set with a teapot and cups for a meeting

Tea & local culture

Tea & Local Culture in China

Explore Beijing’s Forbidden City, compare Chengdu opera shows and discover Shanghai tea houses.

Plane trees over a wide Shanghai street, with a red-brick 1920s building and new towers behind the traffic

Neighbourhoods & sightseeing

China City Walks & Viewpoints

Walk Shanghai’s French Concession, choose a Chongqing observation deck or plan a Hangzhou or Suzhou day trip.

More China travel guides: Huaqiangbei electronics market in Shenzhen ↗

Start planning

How to Plan a Trip to China

Choose the guide that matches where you are in your planning.

Browse by destination

Places to Visit in China

Start with four cities and find the sightseeing, neighbourhoods and local experiences that suit your trip.

All China destinations ↗

Shanghai Travel Guide

Bathhouses, tea houses, lane-house cafés and the neighbourhoods that make sense for a short stay.

Beijing Travel Guide

Plan Beijing by the day: the Forbidden City, Great Wall, palace gardens, airport arrivals and the seasons that shape your visit.

Chengdu Travel Guide

Plan Chengdu around a panda morning, tea-house afternoons, Sichuan food, two airports and the season that fits your trip.

Chongqing Travel Guide

Plan Chongqing by its hills and rivers: airport arrivals, neighbourhood walks, skyline views and the seasons that shape your day.

Also covered: Shenzhen travel guide ↗

Browse by experience

China Travel Experiences by Category

Compare food, workshops, sightseeing, wellness, evening activities and outdoor travel, then read the practical details.

Browse by travel style

China Travel Ideas by Travel Style

Find existing guides for your budget, season and pace of travel.

China Travel on a Budget

Start with free activities and practical local transport guides.

Winter Travel in China

Explore ski destinations and an existing winter route through Beijing.

Relaxing Things to Do in China

Find bathhouse visits, tea rooms and places for a slower stay.

Plan your days

China Itineraries: Shanghai & Beijing

Use an existing city itinerary as a starting point, then choose the experiences that fit your interests.

Shanghai · 2 days

2-Day Shanghai Itinerary

An introduction to Shanghai with sightseeing ideas and a suggested two-day route.

Beijing · 4 days · Winter

4-Day Beijing Winter Itinerary

A winter itinerary for first-time visitors, including Beijing sightseeing and a Great Wall day.

China Travel Tips Before You Go

Check the practical details before planning the rest of your trip.

China entry requirements ↗How to pay in China ↗Internet access in China ↗

Experience Finder

Find Things to Do in China by City

Compare time, price, booking, language support and transport. Choose a city to open its Experience Finder.

Frequently asked questions

China Travel Planning FAQ

How to use the city guides, curated collections, itineraries and Experience Finders.

About Travel Wishlist ↗
What can I find in this China travel guide?

Travel Wishlist brings together China city guides, local experiences, practical travel advice and itinerary ideas. Start with a destination or compare activities that interest you.

Where should I start planning my first trip to China?

Start with the destination guides to decide which cities fit your interests. Then review the available itineraries and the trip preparation guides for entry requirements, payments, internet and transport.

Which cities does Travel Wishlist cover?

Current guides focus on Shanghai, Beijing, Chengdu, Chongqing and Shenzhen. The destinations page links to the city guides available now.

What is the difference between a travel collection and an itinerary?

A collection groups choices around a theme, such as tea or bathhouses. An itinerary puts places and activities into a suggested order over a set number of days.

How do I use the China Experience Finder?

Choose a city, compare the practical details and open the experiences that interest you. Read each listing for booking instructions and what has been verified.