China
The Great Wall, the Forbidden City, and a scale of history and geography that rewards picking a region, not trying to see it all
China is genuinely too large for a single trip to cover meaningfully — Beijing's imperial history, Shanghai's modern skyline, Xi'an's Terracotta Army, and a vast interior most visitors never reach. Beijing is the standard first stop: the Forbidden City, Tiananmen Square and the nearby Great Wall sections cover the country's best-known sights in one manageable base.
Best time to visit
April–May and September–October (mild temperatures, avoids summer heat and winter cold in most of the country)
Getting there
Beijing Capital (PEK) or Shanghai Pudong (PVG) — both major international hubs; a visa is required for most nationalities, arranged in advance
Highlights
- —The Great Wall at Mutianyu or Badaling
- —The Forbidden City and Tiananmen Square
- —Xi'an's Terracotta Army
- —Shanghai's Bund and modern skyline
- —Sichuan cuisine and giant pandas in Chengdu
The China guide, section by section
Pick a topic below — each page covers real prices, current rules and practical logistics.
