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How to Plan Your First China Trip 2024

Until November 30th, 2024 , ordinary passport holders of France, Germany, Italy, Netherlands, Spain, Switzerland, Ireland, Hungary, Austria, Belgium, Luxembourg, and Malaysia can enjoy a 15-day visa-free entry to China.  

You can start planning your trip to China now! We will provide you with a flexible, tailor-made private tour of China . 

Thinking of traveling to China?

China, with its long history and unique culture, maybe a must-visit place for you. The numerous destinations, vast geography, and unintelligible language make trip planning appear challenging. Is this true? Not at all!

Our 11 easy-to-follow tips, based on our 25+ years of experience in custom travel, will help you create the perfect itinerary with ease. So, if you want to plan your first China trip effortlessly and make the most of your vacation, read on!

• 1. Determine Your Travel Duration
• 2. Choose How Long to Spend

3. Decide on the Travel Season

4. consider budget and affordability.

• 5. Consider Travel Type

6. Research China Visa Policy

7. get to/around china.

• 8. Know How to Access Your Money
• 9. Organise Travel Insurance
• 10. Stay Safe and Healthy
• 11. Pack for China Trip

12. Travelling with Kids to China

1. determine your travel duration in china.

Considering your time constraints, it is recommended to choose 2-3 cities for a more immersive travel experience, allowing you to explore the culture and attractions of China in depth.

After years of experience and feedback from our travelers, we have found that the best destinations for a first-time trip to China are Beijing, Xi'an, and Shanghai . The classic three-city tour takes about 8 days. Click to check the itinerary of the  8-Day Classic China Tour

If you have an additional 3 to 4 days , we recommend visiting one of the following cities: Guilin, Chengdu, or Zhangjiajie.

1) Take a Classic China Tour to Beijing, Xi'an, and Shanghai

Beijing  – China's capital and a major gateway to the country.

Start your trip in the capital city, Beijing. Explore the historic Forbidden City, walk along the Great Wall of China, and visit the Temple of Heaven. Don't miss the ancient alleyways of Hutong and the impressive Summer Palace.

To cover the city's highlights, you would need about 3-4 days.

Xi'an – the place to go if you are interested in history.

Discover why Qin Shi Huang built the marvelous Terracotta Warriors, one of the world's most significant archaeological discoveries. Explore the city's well-preserved city walls, visit the Big Wild Goose Pagoda, and sample delicious local dishes.

With so much to see, you could spend 2 days here and it's only a 4-6 hour high-speed train ride from Beijing.

Shanghai – China's biggest and most prosperous city. 

Explore Shanghai's blend of history and modernity with a 1-2 day tour and extend your itinerary for 2-8 days to nearby Suzhou, Hangzhou, or Huangshan for more culture-rich experiences.

Want to start planning your private China tour now? Click on the  tailor-made tour to arrange your unique trip. 

2) Extend Your Trip to Guilin, Chengdu or Zhangjiajie

Guilin – the perfect destination to immerse yourself in natural picturesque landscapes, ethnic culture, and rural scenery.

Take a Li River Cruise to Yangshuo and soak in the stunning scenery. Cycle around the picturesque Yangshuo countryside, hike the Longji Terraced Fields and try exciting outdoor activities like Ferrata, Drifting, Kayaking, and more.

You can easily spend 3-4 days enjoying Guilin and its surroundings.

Chengdu – the home of the Giant Panda and famous Sichuan cuisine.

You have a chance to get close to the fluffy Pandas, marvel at the towering Leshan Giant Buddha, and pray at the Golden Summit of Mount Emei. Don't miss authentic Sichuan dishes like kung pao chicken and spicy hotpot.

You can enjoy all these experiences and more in Chengdu, which typically requires around 2-4 days to fully explore.

Zhangjiajie — offers a wonderland of natural landscapes and exciting outdoor activities perfect for a 3-4 day trip.

Take a cable car up to the Avatar Hallelujah Mountains, walk through the thrilling Grand Canyon Glass Bridge, and trek the 999 steps up to Tianmen Mountain.

If you are interested in exploring other parts of China, such as Lhasa for Tibetan culture, Yangtze River for the Three Gorges Dam, and Dali, Lijiang, and Shangri-la for a diverse range of minority cultures and history, don't hesitate to contact us.

We can organize a custom tour that is tailored specifically to your needs and preferences.

2. Choose How Long to Spend in China

Evaluate how much time you have for your trip. China's vast size means you may need to prioritize certain areas if you have limited time. For a first-time visit, it's recommended to allocate at least one week to explore this fascinating country.

For 7-10 days , we suggest visiting China's "Golden Triangle," which includes Beijing for 3-4 days, Xi'an for 2 days, and Shanghai for 1-2 days. You can refer to our 8-Day Classic China Tour  for more information.

If you have 11-16 days , you can discover more of China, such as the beautiful Guilin, charming Chengdu, wonderful Yangtze, etc. Check out our carefully selected  13-Day China Adventure Tour , and 16-Day Panoramic Impression of China .

If you want to get more inspiration, please contact us about your requirements, including the length of your holiday. Our experienced travel specialists can design a travel plan tailor-made to your needs, ensuring a uniquely fulfilling experience.

The best time to travel to China depends on your interests, the region you want to visit, and also the time you have.

The most popular China tourist hotspots of Beijing, Xi'an, and Shanghai are suitable to visit all year round .

Usually, spring (April and May) and autumn (September and October) are the most comfortable and recommended times for a China tour. If you want to travel comfortably without too much sweating and not too much rain, that's the best time.

The summertime from July to August is hot in the afternoon in some places, but air conditioning and expert arrangements will help you to avoid the heat as much as possible. Meanwhile, there are various summer activities for you to experience.

During the winter from December to February (except the Chinese New Year and New Year's Day), there are fewer travelers with better prices. So you could enjoy the benefits of the 'low season'.

Check more detailed tips on the  Best Time to Go to China .

China is not the cheapest country to explore, but some good planning can save you a lot of money. Your budget will influence both your destination choice and the duration of your trip. Larger cities like Beijing and Shanghai tend to be more expensive, while rural areas may offer more affordable options. Research the cost of accommodations, transportation, and activities in different regions to make an informed decision.

Usually, international airfare is the largest cost item. The airfare from the US or Europe to China costs about US$1200 to US$4,000 for a direct economy round trip.

However, it is possible to save a lot if you get a great deal or take stopovers. We recommend you start to look for flights as soon as your travel date is fixed.

You can expect to spend about US$180–350 per person per day on a high-quality China tour based on 2 person group, including domestic flights/trains, 3/4/5-star hotels, attractions, meals, private tour guides, and vans.

China's peak tourist seasons typically take place during the first weeks of May and October summer holidays and Chinese New Year(around late January or early February ).

During these periods, the price differences between peak and low season can be quite significant, with hotels and airfares going up by anywhere from 30% to 50% or more.

To avoid higher costs during peak season, we suggest you book your travels at least two months in advance. If you book with us, we offer a guarantee of a 100% refund if you cancel your travel plans up to three weeks before departure.

5. Consider Traveling Independently or Taking a Guided Tour

Should you go to China with an organized tour through a tour agency, or make the tour arrangements yourself? It depends on your needs.

Take a Private Tour

A private tour is the best option for you if you want to have deeper experiences in China. 

A private guided tour is always to help you maximize your time  and ensure a worry-free and more enjoyable trip for you. 

If you're considering taking a private China tour, it's very important to choose a reliable and trustworthy travel agency, like ChinaTravel . We have 25 + years of experience in creating custom tours .

You can be guided as much or as little as you like. Our professional trip advisers will customize a tour  that suits your budget and interests, and local drivers and guides will make your trip a carefree and insightful experience.

Based on 91 reviews

LiPing best guide for Guilin

I visited Guilin for the first time in October 2023 and only had a 2-day window. Absolutely worth a packed full 2-day tour. And, LiPing with her love of this land and her enthusiasm, made a huge difference for me...

2 Day Private Tour Highlights Guilin, Li River Cruise and Yangshuo

I had a great experience during this private 2 days tour organized by Vanessa at China Travel and guided by Gary, a highly professional, friendly and knowledgeable guide...

4-star Li River cruise

It was fabulous and met my expectations. It was part of a 4-day private tour in Guilin. The local guide - Henry - was courteous, knowledgeable, professional, patient, and very flexible and accommodating...

david_kt_yu

Trusted, friendly, concise and highly recommended

We were on a 4 day trip to Guilin and Yangshuo covering the highlights. The tour guide, Ms Yang, gave us the highlight of our lives when we traveled to the cities...

Tour as A Group

Advantage: You can spend less money to see China's key sights and have more security.

Disadvantage: The downsides of this option are the lack of flexibility and the that you can only scratch the surface of Chinese culture.

Travel Independently

Advantages: If you are an adventurer or you have a great deal of time to plan an itinerary, you can do a lot of preparation to book transportation tickets, hotels, etc. 

Disadvantages: It is not easy for first-time visitors to have a smooth solo trip in China. In addition to a lot of hard work, study, planning, and bookings, once you are on the ground, you may waste time trying to get to places and end up seeing less.

There will also be numerous problems to overcome, such as an unfamiliar language and it is not always the cheapest option. 

Most people require a visa when traveling to China. We recommend that you apply for your Tourist Visa (L visa) one to two months before your departure date .

However, do not apply too early because China visas are usually valid for only three months from the date of issue.

Alternatively, you can take advantage of the 144-hour visa-free transit policy  or apply for a port visa, which makes it easier for you to take a China tour.

If you book with us, we will provide you with an invitation letter that you will need to apply for a tourist visa. Just contact us  about your tour needs.

Getting to China has become easier due to the increasing number of non-stop flights from several cities in the USA, Europe, Australia, Singapore, and other countries and regions. More routes to China will be added soon.

Keep in mind that booking your flight at the very last minute can be expensive.

To ensure the best travel experience, make sure you start booking your flights as early as possible and select the most suitable option for your needs, such as direct flights, flights with stopovers, and so on.

When traveling between cities in China, there are many options like flight and train, and the most “Chinese-style” way is to travel by high-speed train , which is fast, convenient, punctual, comfortable, and reasonably priced.

8. Know How to Access Your Money in China

The official currency of China is the Ren Min Bi, often called RMB or CNY (Chinese Yuan), and is used throughout the Chinese mainland. It is commonly referred to as kuai (pronounced kwai) by locals.

The exchange rate between the CNY and dollar and Euro is 1 USD = about 7 CNY, 1 Euro = about 8 CNY, which of course can change.

Download “Digital Money Pocket” – Alipay/WeChat Pay

Cash-free travel, sounds exciting? Chinese people nowadays pay bills via two very practical and convenient payment apps, Alipay/WeChat Pay.

You don't need to worry about how much cash to bring when traveling in China and taking your wallets out anymore – a smartphone can handle all shopping requirements.

From high-end restaurants to wet markets to street vendors, just show your Alipay/WeChat Pay QR code and pay the bills!

Use a Credit/Debit Card

Hotels, standard restaurants, and large shopping malls in big cities accept credit/debit cards.

But please be aware that many restaurants and mall shops will not accept plastic. They are rarely used here, so even if a company officially accepts a credit/debit card, it might not have working hardware for using it.

Prepare Chinese Cash

You may need cash for small purchases in China: taxis, small shops, restaurants, etc. You could withdraw from the ATMs in airports and big malls. 

9. Organise Your Travel Insurance for China

Travel Insurance will make your trip financially safer. It is not only for medical emergencies, but also for assisting in cases of lost baggage, trip delays, or interruptions because of snowstorms, heavy rains, and evacuations.

The price of insurance may seem expensive, but it could potentially save you a significant amount of money.

When purchasing insurance, pay attention to what is covered and to what amount. Choose a suitable one rather than just selecting the cheapest option.

10. Stay Safe and Healthy

Is China safe? Yes! China is a country with many places with good policing, tight gun control, and relatively few natural disasters and health risks.

Chinese people are friendly and trustworthy. However, crime, bad weather, and accidents do happen, so buying Travel Insurance is important.

Is Chinese food safe? If you go to reputable establishments, yes, but take care of street stalls and avoid less hygienic eateries.

Can I drink running water? No! Most tap water in China needs boiling (well) before drinking. In some areas avoid tap water altogether and buy bottled water.

11. Pack for Your China Trip

With only one week left, it's time to start packing. Make a checklist of items you need and pack according to your destination, especially if you are traveling with children.

The economy class seat on International flights generally allows 23kg per person while domestic flight in China limits it to 20kg per person.

Be sure to include important documents such as your passport and China visa, and pack luggage essentials such as a travel adapter and chargers.

Additionally, pack appropriate clothing for your destination. For example, T-shirts and sunglasses are suitable for summer, while a down jacket and sweater are necessary for winter.

Traveling with children requires patience and flexibility, so be prepared to adapt your plans based on their needs. Embrace the opportunity for your family to create lasting memories and experiences together in China.

Plan child-friendly activities : Research and include activities that are suitable for children. Look for interactive museums, parks, zoos, amusement parks, and cultural experiences that can engage and entertain them.

Choose family-friendly destinations : Consider destinations that offer suitable facilities and amenities for families. Beijing, Shanghai, and Hong Kong have a range of child-friendly attractions and accommodations. It's also worth exploring smaller cities known for their family-friendly environments, such as Chengdu and Guilin.

Pack essential items : Pack appropriate clothing for the weather, sufficient diapers and baby supplies (if applicable), snacks, toys, books, and entertainment for the kids during the trip. Consider carrying a stroller or baby carrier for younger children.

Choose child-friendly accommodations : Look for hotels or vacation rentals that cater to families. Check for amenities like childproofing, cribs, high chairs, and play areas. Consider options that provide larger rooms or interconnected rooms to accommodate your family comfortably.

Recommended China Tours for 2024/2025

All of the itineraries on our website can be tailored further to fit your needs . You can easily add whatever interests you. They are hand-picked by us from many options and can be adjusted as we go along.

Below are some of our most popular tour packages. 

You can use them as a guide and a starting point. We are here to make your tour easier and more fun. We are ready! Are you?

• 8-Day Beijing - Xian - Shanghai Tour - classic Golden Triangle trip
• 11-Day Beijing - Xian - Guilin - Shanghai - Immerse in China history and Natural Landscape
• 13-Day Beijing - Xian - Chengdu - Guilin - Yangshuo - Shanghai Tour - good for adventure and panda lovers
• 16-Day Beijing - Xian - Lhasa - Yangtze River - Shanghai Tour - to know Tibetean culture and natural landscape

Request a custom itinerary today and get one step closer to your personalized trip

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Best Places to Visit for Expats in China

No matter you are in China for business, study or permanent living, you are highly suggested to make maximize use of your weekends and holidays to explore this wonderful country. Maybe getting up close to the incredible landscapes is your preference? Are you interested in the unique culture of the Great Wall, Kung Fu and ancient army? Or do you want to take your taste buds on a trip by sampling Chinese specialties? China offers all of this and more.

Here are up-to-date lists of Best Places to Visit in China for China Expats . All are voted completely by over 20,000 foreigners in China.

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Best China Tours for Expats in China:

• ☛ 3 Days Classic Zhangjiajie Natural Wonders Tour
• ☛ 2 Days Leisure Chengdu Private Tour with Panda Visit
• ☛ 3 Days Beijing Essential Short Stay Tour
• ☛ 4 Days Jiayuguan Dunhuang Tour (Silk Road Short Break)

For Nature Lovers

Have you been yearning to nature for a long time? China has everything for you, from the majestic gorges to towering Kast Mountains, magical avatar mountains to holy snow mountains, breathtaking Yellow Mountain to beautiful Rainbow Mountains, stunning rivers to pure alpine lakes, otherworldly stone forest to spectacular waterfalls, and so on.

• Guilin Guilin's Scenery is the best under heaven! This ideal place always drives tourists crazy with majestic Karst Hills, emerald rivers…
• Yellow Mountain "No mountain is worth seeing after a trip to Yellow Mountain". Yellow Mountain, or called Huangshan, is the most beautiful mountain in China!
• Zhangjiajie Avatar Mountains are calling! Here in Zhangjiajie, you can get up close to thousands of magical Avatar pillars!

• Guizhou Guizhou has China's largest waterfall - Huangguoshu Waterfalls, a rising star among mountaineers - Fanjingshan…

• Daocheng Yading Daocheng is praised as the Last Pure Land on Our Planet! It has superb snow mountains, ice glaciers, alpine lakes, valleys…
• Hangzhou When it comes to the most beautiful lake in China, Hangzhou West Lake usually tops the list. Mountains of tea plantations in this city are also amazing!
• Kunming Kunming, the spring city with pleasant weather all year round, is also rich in natural wonders like the stone forest, red land…

Best China Tours for Nature Lovers

• ☛ 3 Days Classic Jiuzhaigou Tour
• ☛ 4 Days Guilin Highlights Tour
• ☛ 3 Days Huangshan Highlights Leisure Tour
• ☛ 3 Days Classic Fanjingshan Tour
• ☛ 5 Days Kunming, Jianshui & Yuanyang Rice Terraces Tour

For Chinese History & Culture Fans

With as long as 5,000 years of history, China has abundant of cultural museums and heritages to explore. It is because of its long history and splendid culture that every year China attracts flocks of visitors to come and travel around. If you are also Chinese culture fans, simply visiting museums isn’t always enough. You’ll get the most satisfactions out of ruins of ancient times in front of you and visiting places that once the capital and prosperous hub in the past. Getting close to its historic cities and sites is like opening a door to trace the mysterious and splendid past. And in China, the cities below are the top picks to trace its past.

• Beijing From the world-class Great Wall to spectacular Forbidden City, Beijing, of course, always tops the travel list of Chinese culture fans.

• Lijiang Lijiang Old Town is one of the four best well-preserved ancient towns in the whole China. Lijiang also has Baisha Village, Shuhe Ancient Village…

• Suzhou "Suzhou Gardens are the finest under heaven". Suzhou City has a flavor of elegance everywhere, from the classic gardens to water towns, silk factories to ancient streets…
• Foshan Fungfu Fans? Why not add Foshan, the Hometown of Marital Arts, into your trip? You can learn the stories of many martial arts masters here, including Bruce Lee!
• Shaolin Temple Shaolin Temple is the birthplace of Chinese Kung Fu that you see in many Kung Fu movies. Here, you can join the Kung Fu classes and enjoy Kung Fu shows.
• Kaili If you are curious about the minority culture in China, or want to visit some well-preserved minority villages, Kaili is one of the best choices.
• Leshan Leshan Giant Buddha is a must-visit for all Buddhist devotees. This stone Buddha is the tallest in the world!

Best China Tours for Chinese History & Culture Fans

• ☛ 2 Days Beijing Layover Highlights Tour
• ☛ 3 Days Classic Xian Tour
• ☛ 3 Days Romantic Lijiang Tour with Visits to Naxi Kingdom
• ☛ 3 Days Essence of Luoyang Tour
• ☛ 3 Days Best Dunhuang Culture and Scenery Tour
• ☛ 3 Days Kaili Minority & Cultural Experience Tour with Xijiang Miao Village

For Families

If you are in China with your kids and searching for places to spend your weekends and holidays, choices are a lot. You can visit the China Icons like Great Wall and pandas, sail the picturesque Yangtze River or Li River and marvel at the Avatar Mountains in Zhangjiajie and so on.

• Xian Terracotta Warriors and Horses, Ancient City Wall, Muslim Quarter, Giant Wild Goose Pagoda , Bell Tower, Drum Tower… Everyone can have fun in Xian.
• Yangtze River The classic Yangtze River cruises take 4~5 days. If you have more days, you can have an in-depth visit of 11~15 days. Everything is perfectly arranged for your family.

• Zhangjiajie Floating Avatar Mountains, Zhangjiajie Glass Bridge, Yellow Dragon Cave, nearby tranquil Fenghuang Ancient Town…
• Chengdu Everyone loves adorable Pandas! And in Chengdu, you can not only admire their lovely looks in a distance but also be a one-day keeper to feed them...
• Yangshuo Guilin’s scenery is the best under earth, and the landscape in Yangshuo is the best in Guilin. Yangshuo is an ideal place to take a glimpse of Chinese countryside!

• Xiashuangbanna Featured with large groups of plants and wild animals and a strong flavor of tropical and South East Asian, Xishuangbanna is a popular tourist land for families.

Best China Tours for Families

• ☛ 4 Days Beijing Family Tour with Kids Fun
• ☛ 2 Days Xian City Break
• ☛ 3 Days Classic Guilin Tour
• ☛ Days Best Shanghai Family Holiday Tour

For Hiking Aficionados

Looking for some amazing accesses to wonderful mountains, gorges and so on by your steps? No matter you are beginners or experienced hikers, China can perfectly fulfill your dreams. There are notable great wall, popular Yellow Mountain, adventurous Mount Kailash, little-known Yubeng and so forth for you to choose!

• Great Wall "He who has not climbed the Great Wall is not a true man"! There are top 7 sections of great walls are calling, including Mutianyu, Jinshaling, Badaling, Simatai, etc.

• Tiger Leaping Gorge The Tiger Leaping Gorge hiking trail is one of the most famous routes in the world! It is a totally natural one winding through the hillside and cliffs high above a gorgeous gorge.

• Mount Siguniang The beautiful Mount Siguniang provides diverse of hiking opportunities, from leisure hiking to top professional hiking to the summits of Snow Mountains.

Best China Tours for Hiking Aficionados

• ☛ 2 Days Mutianyu and Jinshanling Great Wall Hiking
• ☛ 3 Days Tiger Leaping Gorge Hiking Tour
• ☛ 2 Days Mount Emei Leisure Hiking Tour from Chengdu
• ☛ 3 Days Xian Mount Huashan Leisure Tour

For Foodies

Every city in China offers diverse delicious dining options. You can of course treat your taste mud with excellent dishes in the city you are living or working. However, if you want some authentic tastes of specialties of different regions, you can head to Chengdu for Sichuan Cuisine dishes like Kung Pao Chicken, to Chongqing for Nine-grid hot pot, to Shunde for excellent Cantonese Cuisine, to Xian for various kinds of cooked wheaten food…

• Chengdu Chengdu is the capital of Sichuan, the province where many notable dishes like including Mapo Tofu, Twice Cooked Pork and Gong Bao (yes Kung Pow) Chicken originate.

• Beijing Everyone knows Beijing Roast Duck! Instant-boiled Mutton is also delicious. You may also like the unique Fermented Mung Bean Juice, Rolling Donkey, Pea Flour Cake…

• Chongqing The hot pot meals in Chongqing, the Hot Pot City in China, are considered to the best and most beloved. You can throw almost any ingredient into the hotpot.

Best China Tours for Foodies

• ☛ 2 Days Best Chengdu Food Tour with City Sightseeing
• ☛ 5 Days Brilliant Lingnan Culture & Food Tour
• ☛ 4 Days Beijing Food Hunting Tour

For Photography Enthusiasts

Photography is a great way to record the beautiful China and forever keep your memories during your travels in China. No matter you are professional photospheres with superb photographic "guns" or shutterbugs who just want some interesting Instagram images, China never let you down. From the sprawling mountains to the scenic beaches, idyllic rice terraces to never-ending meadows, China is full of great places to press your shutter.

• Longji Rice Terraces Longji Rice Terraces in Guilin is not only famous for its huge size and traditional minority culture, but also unique terraces in amazing shapes of moons, phoenixes, dragons...

Best China Tours for Photography Enthusiasts

• ☛ 4 Days Xiapu Mudflat Photography Tour
• ☛ 4 Days Yuanyang Rice Terrace Awesome Photography Tour

For Modern Charms Philatelists

Looking forward to visit the modern cities to experience the rapid development of China or to feel the most state-of-the-art high-techs? There are also a lot of recommendations in China.

• Hong Kong From high-end shopping malls to colorful recreation venues, luxury cruises to stunning skyline, every corner in Hong Kong gives you perfect explanations about modern.
• Shenzhen Shenzhen is regarded as an incubator for cutting-edge design, a rule-breaking tech hub and a bastion of next-gen urbanism. High-tech stories usually starts here!
• Guangzhou Guangzhou is at the forefront of modern living, but is not that crazy as Shanghai and Shenzhen. Shopping and dining sprees there are great!

Best China Tours for Modern Charms Philatelists

• ☛ 3 Days Shanghai Past and Present Contrast Tour
• ☛ 2 Days Essence of Hong Kong Tour
• ☛ 2 Days Shenzhen Short Stay Tour with All Essences

Helpful China Expats Travel Guide

• Weekend Trips from Beijing
• Weekend Trips from Shanghai
• Shanghai Day Tours 2024
• Weekend Trips from Chengdu
• Weekend Trips from Guangzhou
• Weekend Trips from Shenzhen
• Weekend Trips from Hangzhou
• Weekend Trips from Suzhou
• China Expats Travel Tips

Recommended China Tours for Expats 2024

This is the most popular China tour to Beijing, Xian and Shanghai to visit the most iconic China attractions - Great Wall, Terracotta Warriors, The Bund, etc., and explore great of both China’s past and present.

With the Golden Triangle plus the fabulous Karst and countryside scenery of Guilin, this tour leads you to top 4 destinations anyone cannot miss out in China especially for the first-timers.

Travel from north to south China, meet stunning nature and culture, urban and countryside scenery with relaxing cruise experience on the beautiful Yangtze River.

Coverinng top highlights in China to please your eyes, ease your spirit, witness grand and beautiful landscape in special ways.

Start planning your tailor-made holiday to China by contacting one of our specialists. Once inquired, you’ll get a response within 0.5~23.5 hours.

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The ultimate guide to things to do in China

Oct 29, 2021 • 11 min read

Despite racing modernization, hints of the old China remain © Nattapon / Getty Images

One of the world’s most vast and ancient civilizations, China is not just one region, cuisine or culture. It's a giant and complex patchwork of cultural groups, histories, cuisines and languages. As you might expect, there's a lot to see.

China’s big-hitting sights are no secret, and Chinese domestic tourists do a fine job of filling them up, particularly during national holidays such as the Spring Festival. But there are still untouched corners. While every traveler may want to tick "walked on the Great Wall" off their bucket list, this is a country where you can literally spend a lifetime and still never see it all.

One of the joys of China is its diversity, and most visitors find a friendly and warm welcome almost anywhere they go. Exploring is made abundantly easier by China’s vast high-speed rail network – the world’s biggest. By all means, put the big hitters on your list – ascending the Great Wall is, indeed, spectacular – but try to explore China’s lesser-visited corners, too.

Rather than a list of famous tourist sites, we’ve rounded up the top things to do in China as themes so you can explore China according to your own travel style and interests. Yilu shunfeng! (Have a great trip!)

Tick off China’s ‘Golden Triangle’

China’s most famous (and therefore most over-touristed) sights are situated in a triangle of three mighty cities: Beijing , Xi’an and Shanghai . The three are connected by high-speed trains making it easy to whip between the big sights. Most first-time visitors aim for China’s three best-known icons: the Great Wall near Beijing, the Army of Terracotta Warriors near Xi’an and the historical Bund and skyscrapers of Shanghai.

You can get a little off-the-beaten-path by avoiding the most popular sections of the Great Wall, especially Badaling (opt for Mutianyu or an unrestored section like Jiankou ), and by visiting during the shoulder- or off-season. Winter is a great time to climb the Great Wall under a dusting of snow and you’ll face fewer crowds as you line up to see the surreal faces of the Terracotta Warriors or snap a photo of Shanghai’s futuristic skyline.

Feast on China's fabulous food

In Mandarin, a common greeting is “ ni chifan le ma? ” – meaning “have you eaten?” – which says a lot about China’s dedication to food. One of the greatest joys of traveling here is discovering the vast world of cuisine that lies beyond what you may have experienced in a Chinese restaurant abroad. There are eight major cuisines in China, and these are further divided up into countless local and regional styles of cooking, so you'll find something new to taste in every corner of the country.

Typically, rice and stir-fried dishes are more common in southern China, where rice is cultivated, while buns, dumplings and noodles are the staples in the wheat-growing north. Don’t miss xiaolongbao , or soup dumplings – a favorite breakfast food in Shanghai – and crispy Beijing roast duck. For delicate dim sum, go to Guangdong province. Try the halal, Central Asian-influenced cooking in far northwest Gansu , or head to Sichuan or Hunan provinces for super spicy foods.

Learn about China’s many minority cultures

The people of China represent a diverse group of communities, cultures and languages. Though the dominant majority (90%) are Mandarin-speaking Han Chinese, across the country there are 55 recognized minority groups. The Miao and Dai of the southwest, the Hui of northwestern Gansu, Qinghai and Ningxia, and the Tibetans are among the most well-known, but there are dozens more groups, languages and identities that are not officially recognized.

While tourism has undoubtedly helped these groups maintain their cultural identities, it has often commodified them, too. To avoid cultural exploitation, seek out homestays or cultural immersion programs that are run by members of the community. The Linden Center in Xizhou, Yunnan , i s an excellent place to start – set in a restored heritage building, it's part boutique hotel, part cultural center, part spiritual retreat and part classroom, offering the chance for deep immersion into three local communities, with profits directly benefiting those groups.

See the Imperial sights

The splendor of Imperial China is proudly on display in Beijing and a string of other former capital cities. The best place to start is in Beijing's Forbidden City , China’s imperial palace since the Ming dynasty (between 1406 and 1420). This Unesco World Heritage Site comprises a series of stunning halls and nested courtyards that get smaller as you progress toward the inner sanctum, which only members of the emperor’s inner circle were permitted to enter.

Further afield in Beijing are the Temple of Heaven , where the emperor performed rites and sought divine guidance, and the lakes and breezeways of the Summer Palace , a sprawling complex that provided the court with respite during Beijing’s hottest months.

There are three other major historical capitals of China: Nanjing , Luoyang and Xi'an, all of which have numerous imperial sights and tombs. In Nanjing, the Ming-dynasty Xiaoling Mausoleum is one of the biggest imperial tombs in China, and the Presidential Palace was home to royal princes before it housed China's first republican president, Sun Yat-sen.

Travel the Silk Road

Long sections of the historical trade routes that make up the Silk Road run through northwestern China, ending at Xi’an, which was considered the eastern terminus of the Silk Road. The townships along the route are rich in cultural heritage, especially of Hui Muslim groups and ethnically Kazakh, Uyghur and Uzbek communities. Although Muslim culture dominates today, part of the delight of traveling China’s section of the Silk Road is discovering traces of the Buddhist culture that traders transport east to China from India.

Some of the most splendid Buddhist sites in China are dotted along the Hexi Corridor in Gansu province, including the celebrated Mogao Grottoes , which are considered one of the most important treasure troves of Buddhist art in the world. Gone are the days of dusty camel rides or even bumpy buses – a high-speed train line now runs the entire length of the Chinese Silk Road, meaning you can travel in speedy, environmentally friendly comfort.

Contemplate life in Suzhou’s gardens

The city of Suzhou is renowned for its 69 classical Chinese gardens, which together form a remarkable Unesco World Heritage Site. The gardens range in size from the huge Humble Administrator's Garden – the biggest and most crowded garden – to the petite and perfectly formed Garden of the Master of the Nets .

The gardens were designed as private getaways for officials, academics and artists. Every detail within, from the winding stone pathways and round moon gates to ponds and bonsai trees, was painstakingly planned to create a suitable atmosphere for pondering and creative pursuits.

Hit the town in Hong Kong & Macau

Though they are very different on almost every level, Hong Kong and Macau are often paired as travel destinations thanks to their geographical proximity and easy transport links between the two city-states via fast ferries or the world’s longest sea bridge. Hong Kong is in many ways the perfect city: bursting at the seams with swanky banquet restaurants and tiny hole-in-the-wall food joints, great nightlife and sparkling skyline views (best appreciated from the top of Victoria Peak ).

You can tour the filming locations for popular movies such as Enter the Dragon and Transformers , or plan your trip in March to coincide with Art Basel Hong Kong , the city's biggest art bash. When things get that little bit too bustling, head to one of the laid-back islands, hike the trail known as the Dragon’s Back or kayak around Hong Kong Global Geopark .

The old-world fishing villages that once made Macau a quiet cousin to Hong Kong are giving way to an encroaching blaze of casinos built on reclaimed land. But Macau still has a wealth of heritage architecture and its own brand of fusion cuisine built on Macanese specialties and dishes influenced by its former colonizers, the Portuguese. If you only do one thing in Macau, make it a visit to Lord Stow's Bakery for the local custard tarts.

Glimpse an adorable panda

It’s tough to escape the national animal in China. Images of real and cuddly cartoon pandas appear on adverts, school signboards, metro trains and products all over the country. You'll even find Panda Brew beer in Beijing. In 2021, China's 67 panda reserves were integrated into one Giant Panda National Park, providing shelter for the 1631 wild pandas living within China's borders. Conservation efforts are paying off – China recently moved the giant panda off the endangered species list to less severe threatened status.

As pandas are notoriously shy animals (and not prone to getting loved-up, hence the extensive worldwide breeding program), travelers wanting to set eyes on a panda usually head to the Giant Panda Breeding and Research Base in Chengdu – home to more than 200 giant pandas and a sizeable population of the smaller, fox-like red pandas. While the animals live in enclosures and the infrastructure is admittedly zoo-like, the Center exists purely for conservation and breeding, so pandas here receive excellent care.

Hike rice terraces & misty peaks

China’s mystical mountain landscapes have been celebrated and commemorated in art for thousands of years. Iconic images of craggily, karst peaks shrouded in mist were the subject of landscape paintings dating back to the 6th century. In fact, there is mountainous terrain all over China, but splendid views of cloud-capped peaks are best found at Huangshan (Yellow Mountain) or one of the sacred Daoist peaks, such as Hua Shan or Tai Shan .

The ethereal, column-like mountains of Zhangjiajie in Hunan province were the inspiration for the film Avatar , and a great destination for easy hikes. And there's serious hiking at Tiger Leaping Gorge , and in the Himalayan borderlands of Yunnan and Sichuan.

One of the most popular images of China is of the sunset reflecting in the staggered waters of a rice terrace. Longsheng county in Guangxi province is a sprawl of rice terraces, the most well-known being the Longji (Dragon’s Back) terraces near Zhuang village. Hiking paths lead between terraced fields and the villages of several minority communities. From here, it’s easy to reach Guilin for a trip down the Li River, whose bizarrely shaped karst peaks have become one of the country’s most iconic images.

Get wintery in Dongbei

China shows a different side in winter, and the country has developed its cold-weather offerings, particularly infrastructure for skiing and snowboarding in preparation for the 2022 Winter Olympics. The best slopes and facilities can be found at Yabuli in Heilongjiang province and Changbaishan in Jilin province.

For something less active but still full of wintery wonder, the Harbin Ice and Snow Festival is held every year in the city of Harbin beside the iced-over Songhua River. It’s the world’s biggest ice sculpture festival, with dozens of ice-formed buildings and giant sculptures made of ice and snow, many shaped like well-known world landmarks.

Experience traditional arts & architecture

China has a rich musical and architectural heritage that spans centuries and hundreds of cultural traditions. Admiring dynastic architecture through the ages is a highlight of any trip to China, whether getting a close-up view of a Tang-dynasty pagoda in Xi'an or standing in the imposing open space of Tian’anmen Square .

Dramatic modern architecture has sprung up across the country, from the oddly-shaped CCTV Headquarters (aka the "pants building") in Beijing to the incredible Baoxi ‘bamboo town’ in Zhejiang province, where every building is eco-friendly and made from sustainable bamboo.

In arts and music, too, China has flourished through the ages. There are plenty of places around the country to experience traditional Chinese opera – one good spot is Suzhou’s Shantang Kunqu Opera House , which has intimate opera performances each evening accompanied by a traditional tea service.

One of the most charming experiences in China is getting up early in the morning to visit local parks, where people practice sword-play, fan-dancing, taichi, singing, square dancing, water calligraphy and other folk artforms.

See beautiful art in China’s museums

China is brimming with excellent museums cataloging everything from ancient ritual objects to stimulating and surprising modern art. Each province in China has its own provincial museum with locally found objects, but for a broad overview of national arts and artifacts, head to the excellent Shanghai Museum or the National Museum of China in Beijing.

China's thriving contemporary art scene is best explored at Shenzhen’s Museum of Contemporary Art & Planning Exhibition and Hua Art Museum , the 798 Art District in Beijing and a whole collection of museums and galleries in Shanghai’s revitalized West Bund district, including Tank Shanghai , ShanghART and the Yuz Museum .

There are also plenty of more specialized museums such as the Sanxingdui Museum near Chengdu, dedicated to a mysterious ancient civilization. More quirkily themed museums include the Shanghai Museum of Glass , the China Watermelon Museum and the Gaoligong Museum of Handcraft Paper in Yunnan province.

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China Travel Restrictions & Travel Advisory (Updated March 7, 2024)

Updates March 7th, 2024 : Travelers from the following countries could enjoy visa-free entry to China for tourism, business, transit, or visiting friends and relatives. 

• From December 1st, 2023, to November 30th, 2024: France, Germany, Italy, Netherlands, and Spain.
• From March 14th to November 30th, 2024: Austria, Belgium, Hungary, Ireland, Luxembourg, and Switzerland.
• Singapore, Brunei
• Malaysia (from December 1st, 2023 to November 30th, 2024)

If you want to arrange a private tour, even tentatively, simply contact us . 

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• What Ways to Enter China
• Do I Still Need a PCR Test to Enter China
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International Flights to China

What to expect when traveling in china, best times to travel to china, 8 ways to enter china: all open now.

Since China has fully permitted visa applications, there are now several ways to enter the country.

If you still hold a valid Chinese visa (any type including a tourist visa, 10-year visa, etc.), you can use it to enter China.

If you don't have a Chinese visa or your visa has expired, you can apply for a new one. All visas can now be applied for, including tourist visas, business visas, work visas, and so on. (International visitors can apply for a tourist visa to the Chinese Mainland in Hong Kong.)

For the documents required for a visa application, you can refer to the information given by a Chinese embassy/consulate . Please submit your application at least two months in advance.

To apply for a tourist visa (L visa), you will be asked to provide an invitation letter issued by a Chinese travel agency or individual or round-trip air tickets and hotel bookings.

When booking a private tour with us, we can provide you with an invitation letter, which is one more thing we do to make your travel more convenient, giving you more flexibility with your air tickets and hotel bookings.

Now it is very easy to apply for a visa . You can easily apply by yourself without an intermediary. The following is how one of our clients successfully applied for a Chinese tourist visa:

• First, fill out the form at the China Online Visa Application website ;
• Second, make an appointment on this website to submit your visa materials on Appointment for Visa Application Submission website ;
• Third, take the required documents to the embassy to submit;
• Finally, you will get a return receipt if your documents are qualified.

Usually, you will get your visa after 7 working days. The application fee is about USD185 for US citizens.

Q: What if my passport expires but my visa doesn't?

A: You can travel to China on the expired passport containing valid Chinese visa in combination with the new passport, provided that the identity information (name, date of birth, gender, nationality) on both passport identical.

If there is a change to any of the above details, you must apply for a new visa.

2. 144-Hour Visa-Free Transit Policy

If you do not apply for a Chinese visa, you may still have the opportunity to visit these areas of China visa free: the Shanghai area (including Suzhou, Hangzhou, etc.), the Beijing area (with Tianjin and Hebei), the Guangzhou area (Shenzhen, Zhuhai, etc.), and more. Take advantage of the 6-day visa-free entitlements.

Find out if you could use the 144-hour visa-free transit policy with our information on China's 144-hour Visa-Free Policy (Eligible Entry/Exit Ports, Applicable Countries, Documents to be Prepared...)

You can also obtain entry and exit control policies through the 24-hour hotline of the National Immigration Administration:

• Beijing: 0086 (+86)-10-12367
• Shanghai: 0086 (+86)-21-12367
• Guangzhou: 0086 (+86)-20-12367

Quick Test: Will My Route Qualify for China 72/144-Hour Visa-Free Transit?

1. I will depart from (only applies to direct or connected flight):

2. I will arrive in China at [city], [airport / railway station / port].

3. My arrival date is...

4. I will leave for [country/region] from China (the bounding destination on the air ticket):

5. My departure date is...

6. My nationality is...

8. I have Chinese visa refusal stamps in my passport.

You qualify to enjoy China's 72-hour visa-free policy.

You qualify to enjoy China's 144-hour visa-free policy.

You don't qualify to enjoy China's 72-hour or 144-hour visa-free policy.

Reason you don't qualify:

• You must be in transit to a third country or region.
• You must leave the city area (prefecture or municipality) after the 72/144 hours (the 72/144-hour limit is calculated starting from 00:00 on the day after arrival, i.e. 24:00 on the arrival date).
• Your passport must be valid for more than 3 months at the time of entry into China.
• Your passport nationality is not eligible for the 72/144-hour visa exemption program.
• You have Chinese visa refusal stamps in your passport.

3. Port Visas (Landing Visas)

If you don't have time to get a visa, or if you find it cumbersome to apply for a tourist visa, you could consider traveling to China through a port visa.

Port visas can be applied for a group at least including 2 people. You need to enter the country within 15 days after you get your entry permit. The port visa allows a stay period of 1 to 2 months.

Applicable ports include Beijing, Shanghai, Hangzhou, Guangzhou, Xiamen, Guilin, Xi'an, Chengdu, etc.

Note: Tourists from America are not granted a port visa in Shanghai.

Book your China trip with us and we can help you apply for a port visa.

4. Visa Exemption for ASEAN Tour Groups to Guilin

In addition, tour groups from ASEAN member countries, including Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia, Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos, Singapore, Myanmar, Brunei, and the Philippines, can visit Guilin for 144 hours without visas as long as they meet the visa-free transit policy requirements.

5. Shanghai Visa-Free Policy for Cruise Groups

Shanghai has a 15-day visa-free policy for foreign tourist groups entering China via a cruise. You must arrive and depart on the same cruise and be received by a Chinese travel agent at the Shanghai Cruise Terminal (or Wusong Passenger Center).

6. Hainan Visa-Free Access

No visa is required for staying on Hainan Island for up to 30 days for ordinary passport holders from 59 countries. Groups and individual tourists must book a tour through an accredited travel agency.

Find out whether you qualify for the policy here .

7. Visa Exemption for the Pearl River Delta Area

International travelers from Hong Kong or Macau are able to visit the Pearl River Delta area (Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Zhuhai, etc.) visa-free as long as they go with a registered tour provider, such as us.

8. APEC Cards

If you hold a valid APEC business travel card, you can simply enter China with the card without applying for a visa.

Travelers who hold a valid APEC business travel card can stay in China for up to 60 days.

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Do I Still Need a PCR Test or Antigen Self-Test to Enter China

No. Starting from August 30, all travelers entering China will no longer need to undergo any COVID-19 testing. You do not need to submit any test results for COVID-19 before departure.

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Hong Kong / Macau Travel Restriction

Hong kong entry requirements.

Travelers from any region bound for Hong Kong will no longer need to take pre-flight COVID-19 tests (no PCR test, no RAT test) from April 1.

There is also no need for any tests when traveling from Hong Kong to the Chinese Mainland. Hong Kong could be a good gateway for your China trip. See suggestions on China Itineraries from Hong Kong (from 1 Week to 3 Weeks).

Direct high-speed trains from Guangzhou and Shenzhen to Hong Kong are available now. In preparation for the Canton Fair, it is expected that direct high-speed ferries will be launched from Guangzhou Pazhou Port to Hong Kong's airport in mid-April.

• 10 Top China Tours from Hong Kong

Macau Entry Requirement

From August 30, travelers from any region bound for Macau will no longer need to take pre-flight COVID-19 tests (no PCR test, no RAT test).

There is also no need for any tests when traveling from Macau to the Chinese Mainland.

Inbound and outbound international flights in the week beginning March 6th rose by more than 350% compared with a year earlier, to nearly 2,500 flights, according to Chinese flight tracking data from APP Flight Master.

At present, there are one or two direct flights a week from New York to Shanghai, Los Angeles to Beijing, Seattle to Shanghai, London to Guangzhou, etc.

There are also many flight options with stopovers that are more frequent and affordable. Testing at transit airports is now not required!

The Coronavirus outbreak in China has subsided. China looks like it did in 2019 again. No special measures (like PCR tests or health codes) are required when traveling around China. All attractions are open as normal.

Wearing a mask is not mandatory when traveling. In hotels, masks are off for the most part. But in some crowded places, such as airports or subway stations, many people still wear masks.

Weather-wise, the best times to visit China are spring (April–May) and autumn (September–October), when most of the popular places have their most tourism-friendly weather, except for the "golden weeks" — the first week of May and of October — when most attractions are flooded with Chinese tourists.

If you are looking for smaller crowds, favorable prices, and still good weather, you should consider March and April or September.

Tourism in cultural and historical destinations like Beijing, Shanghai, and Xi'an is hardly affected by weather conditions. They are suitable to be visited all year round.

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Tour China with Us

We've been building our team for over 20 years. Even over the past three years we have continued, serving over 10,000 expats with China tours and getting a lot of praise (see TripAdvisor ).

We are based in China and can show you the characteristics and charm of China from a unique perspective. Just contact us to create your China trip .

Our consultants will listen to and answer your inquiries carefully and prepare the best plan for you.

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Tiananmen Square

Chinese name: 天安门广场 (Tian'anmen Guangchang). Location: on Chang'an Avenue, Dongcheng District, Beijing City. Ticket: free. Opening time: 05:00-22:00 How to get there: - By Line 1 of Beijing Subway or bus No.1, 4, 5, 8, 10, 20, 22, 37, 52, 728, and get off at the stop of Tian'anmen Dong (天安门东). - By Line 2 of Beijing Subway or bus No. 9, 17, 22, 44, 48, 59, 66, 67, 69, 71, 120, 673, 690, 692, 729, 808, 826, 901, 特2, 特4, BRT1, an get off at the stop of Qian Men (前门).

Brief Introduction to Tian'anmen Square

Covering an area of 440,000 square meters, the Tian'anmen Square located in the center of Beijing, capital city of China, is the largest square all over the world. Every day the solemn ceremonies of raising/lowering the Five-Starred Red Flag (the national flag of China) are held on the square. Also, large-scale military parade takes place here on the National Day (October 1 st ) every decade.

Spreading 500 meters in width and 880 meters in length respectively, the square is paved with light-colored granite boulder strips and allows one million people assemble at most at a time. On its four sides, the Tian'anmen Gate, the National Museum of China, the Qianmen Gate (aka. Zhengyang Gate), and the Great Hall of the People flank it clockwise and in the midst of the square are the Monument to the People's Heroes and the Chairman Mao Memorial Hall.

History of Tian'anmen Square

Tian'anmen Square was once an imperial structure outside the main entrance of the Forbidden City in the Ming (1368-1644) and Qing (1644-1911) dynasties, during which common people were strictly prohibited to access it. In1651, the ancient gate constructed in 1417 at the northern side of the square was renamed from "Chengqtianmen" to "Tian'anmen", hence the square was named after the new name of the gate afterward.

On October 1 st of 1949, that Chairman Mao Zedong announced the founding of the People's Republic of China at the Tian'anmen Rostrum declared the coming of the new era of China. Tian'anmen Square began to be seen as the symbol of China since the moment and becomes an important constituent part of the National Emblem of China.

Attractions surrounding Tian'anmen Square

- Monument to the People's Heroes

The Monument to the People's Heroes (37.94 meters high) is the first structure built on the Tian'anmen Square after the founding of China in 1949. Made of 17,000 granites and white marbles, it is the tallest monument in Chinese history up to now, 3.24 meters higher than the Tian'anmen Rostrum.

- Chairman Mao Zedong Memorial Hall

The Chairman Mao Zedong Memorial Hall was completed in 1977 on the Tian'anmen Square in memory of this great Chinese revolutionary leader. The main part of the hall is a square surrounded by 44 yellow granite pillars.

- Tian'anmen Gate

The 33.7-meter-high ancient imperial Tian'anmen Gate on the northern side of the Tian'anmen Square actually comprises the Tian'anmen Rostrum, which is of typical traditional Chinese architectural style with 60 huge pillars. When the gate functioned as an imperial structure in the ancient time, it was the place on which imperial edicts were officially issued, e.g. emperors' ascending the throng and marriage, or sacrifice to the heaven. What's more, emperors usually worshiped at the gate before going on an expedition. In front of Tian'anmen Gate is the Jinshui River (literally, Golden Water River), above which there are seven bridges made from white marble. The use of the seven were strictly prescribed for people in different classes: the widest middle one for emperors only, the two on both sides of the middle for the imperial family, the more outside for official at three-grade and above (nine grades for classification of officials' positions in ancient China), and the outermost two for official at four-grade and below.

- National Museum of China

The National Museum of China sitting on the eastern side of the Tian'anmen Square is a comprehensive museum which displays Chinese history, culture and art systematically. It was established in February of 2003 on the base of the former Chinese History Museum and the Chinese Revolutionary Museum. On March 1 of 2011 a renovation lasting for three years completed, enlarging the area of the museum up to 191,900 square meters. So far, this museum with 49 exhibition halls has collected more than one million pieces of exhibits, focusing on two basic topics: "Ancient China" and "Road to Renaissance".

- Qianmen Gate

The Qianmen Gate located on the southern side of the Tian'anmen Square is officially named Zhengyang Gate and was originally made up of the gate tower and the watch tower, which were once connected with a barbican but afterward were separated because of road repairing. Constructed in about the 15 th century, the watch tower was burnt down by the Eight-Power Allied Forces in 1900 after suffering damages in fires in 1780 and 1849 respectively. In the next decades, several rebuilding projects to the tower went on successively. On January of 1990, the tower was officially opened to the public after an all-sided embellishment. Today, the concept of "Qianmen" not only refers to the gate itself but also indicatesthe Jewelry market in front of it and the Dashilar shopping street.

- Great Hall of the People

Covering 150,000 square meters, the Great Hall of the People on the western side of the Tian'anmen Square is the place where important national conferences are held as well as the office area of National People's Congress and the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress.

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Reporting by Laurie Chen and Yew Lun Tian in Beijing and Guy Faulconbridge in Moscow; Editing by Raju Gopalakrishnan

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Laurie Chen is a China Correspondent at Reuters' Beijing bureau, covering politics and general news. Before joining Reuters, she reported on China for six years at Agence France-Presse and the South China Morning Post in Hong Kong. She speaks fluent Mandarin.

Yew Lun Tian reports on China's politics, diplomacy, security and society. She was previously Beijing bureau chief for a Singapore paper Lianhe Zaobao.

As Moscow bureau chief, Guy runs coverage of Russia and the Commonwealth of Independent States. Before Moscow, Guy ran Brexit coverage as London bureau chief (2012-2022). On the night of Brexit, his team delivered one of Reuters historic wins - reporting news of Brexit first to the world and the financial markets. Guy graduated from the London School of Economics and started his career as an intern at Bloomberg. He has spent over 14 years covering the former Soviet Union. He speaks fluent Russian.

Police in Amsterdam gave the all clear after briefly closing off the central Rokin metro station to the public on Sunday due to what they had said was a suspicious situation.

South Korea's Yoon urges doctors to end impasse over trainees

South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol said on Monday his government is open to talks with doctors who oppose his plan to increase medical school admissions, while accusing critics of offering no reasonable alternative to ease a doctor shortage.

China's Xi meets American CEOs in bid to boost confidence in ailing economy

BEIJING — Chinese President Xi Jinping met with top U.S. executives in Beijing on Wednesday as his government tries to reassure foreign businesses about a market that remains crucial for their bottom lines despite persistent tensions between the world’s two biggest economies.

Xi met the group of American businesspeople and academics at the Great Hall of the People , Chinese state media reported. The meeting was preceded by a group photo.

Participants included Blackstone founder Stephen Schwarzman, Bloomberg Chair Mark Carney, FedEx President Rajesh Subramaniam and Qualcomm President and CEO Cristiano Amon, according to state media reports.

During the meeting, Xi said the Chinese economy was “healthy and sustainable,” an achievement that “cannot be separated from international cooperation,” according to state media, which reported that he “listened carefully” to the American participants.

The executives were in China for a series of business-related events, including the China Development Forum, an annual high-level meeting that ended Monday. Other prominent U.S. business leaders, such as Apple CEO Tim Cook , have also been in China in recent days as the government and American companies engage in a mutual charm offensive.

China has been struggling to bounce back from three years of pandemic isolation , its economic recovery weighed down by structural issues that include a real estate crisis, high local government debt, industrial overcapacity, lackluster consumption and youth unemployment , though the economy managed a 5.2% growth rate last year.  

“The mood here is still pretty dark — about the economy, about the trajectory of the country overall, about China’s place in the world,” Scott Kennedy, senior adviser and trustee chair in Chinese business and economics at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, CSIS, in Washington, said in an interview in Beijing last week.

“There’s been some economic recovery, but it has not translated into people having more positive, optimistic sentiment,” he said.

U.S. and other foreign companies who still see the potential for big business in China, meanwhile, have been alarmed by regulatory crackdowns, a new anti-espionage law, the use of exit bans , raids on consulting and due diligence firms , and other measures amid Xi’s national security drive.

“China’s success the last 40 years has been built on the private sector and openness and collaboration with the West,” Kennedy said. “And so people’s sense of the future is very unclear and ambiguous, and I think that’s what’s leading consumers to not spend as much, companies not to invest as much and for there to be this general malaise that you encounter just about everywhere you go.”

During a visit to China last year, Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo said U.S. firms had told her the country was “uninvestable because it’s become too risky.”

And a report released in February by the American Chamber of Commerce in China found that the top concerns of U.S. businesses in the country were U.S.-Sino relations, China’s regulatory environment and rising costs.

Hopes rose in November when Xi and President Joe Biden held a summit in California , their first encounter in a year. During the trip, Xi also met with U.S. business leaders at a dinner in San Francisco, where he received a standing ovation.

Among those at the dinner was Apple CEO Cook, a frequent traveler to China, who arrived for another high-profile visit last week.

Even as the company shifts some production to countries such as India , Cook emphasized on this visit that Apple is still committed to China, a key overseas market for the company, as well as a major manufacturing base.

For the first time last year, Apple was China’s largest smartphone vendor , with market share of 17.3%. But the company is under intense pressure from domestic competitors such as Huawei, and iPhone sales reportedly f ell by 24% in the first six weeks of this year compared with a year earlier.

The use of iPhones at Chinese government agencies and state-owned enterprises has also reportedly been restricted amid national security concerns, much like the Chinese app TikTok has been banned from U.S. government devices.

Those are not the only challenges facing Apple, which the U.S. Justice Department sued Thursday over its alleged monopolization of the smartphone market.

Earlier that day, Cook was all smiles as he opened a new Apple store in downtown Shanghai, the company’s 57th outlet in China and its second-largest flagship in the world after its Fifth Avenue location in New York.

Cook said he was “very confident” in the future of Apple’s China operations. “I love being here. I love the people and the culture,” he told reporters. “And it’s just like every time I come here, I’m reminded that anything is possible here.”

Though fans mobbed Cook at the store opening, where some people had lined up overnight, that does not necessarily translate into sales. The economic downturn appears to be making Chinese consumers more price-sensitive, increasing the appeal of cheaper smartphones from Huawei and other local rivals.

“The iPhone is more expensive than other phones, so I think people will choose cheaper ones,” Shi Zhongnuo, 17, said in an interview Monday outside an Apple store in Beijing.

Cook also met with Commerce Minister Wang Wentao, who urged him to “continue to unlock the Chinese market and achieve shared development with China,” the ministry said in a statement.

It was unclear whether Cook attended the meeting with Xi on Wednesday.

China’s courting of executives is in part an effort to revive business interest from abroad. The country’s foreign direct investment fell 19.9% in the first two months of this year to 215.1 billion renminbi ($30 billion), the Commerce Ministry reported last week, after it shrank 8% year-on-year in 2023.

“There’s still huge numbers of multinationals and American companies here, but China has basically lost its place at the very top of the list of where they are targeting strategic investment long term,” Kennedy of CSIS said.

A Chinese regulatory official Tuesday dismissed the drop in foreign investment as nothing unusual.

“The volatility is quite normal when viewed from a global or Asian perspective or when the trend is viewed on a longer timeline,” Xu Zhibin, the deputy head of China’s foreign exchange regulator, said at the Boao Forum for Asia, an annual gathering in China’s southern island province of Hainan that is known as the “Asian Davos.”

Premier Li Qiang , China’s No. 2 official, told Cook and other global business executives at the China Development Forum in Beijing on Sunday that China welcomed foreign investment and was taking steps to improve its business environment.

Vice Commerce Minister Guo Tingting also said Monday that foreign companies would be treated the same as Chinese ones so they “can invest in China with confidence and peace of mind.”

Last week, Chinese officials eased some rules on foreign investment, as well as some security rules on the cross-border flow of data, an issue that has concerned foreign companies. Beijing said this month it would make access to the manufacturing sector easier for foreign investors.

Sean Stein, chair of the American Chamber of Commerce in China, said that while such announcements were encouraging, “announcements don’t move markets and promises don’t drive investment.”

“The key, as ever, will be full and timely implementation,” he said.

Janis Mackey Frayer reported from Beijing, and Jennifer Jett reported from Hong Kong.

Janis Mackey Frayer is a Beijing-based correspondent for NBC News.

Jennifer Jett is the Asia Digital Editor for NBC News, based in Hong Kong.

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https://www.barrons.com/news/indonesian-president-elect-prabowo-to-visit-china-8222ece5

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Indonesian President-elect Prabowo To Visit China

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Indonesian president-elect Prabowo Subianto will visit China next week, Beijing's foreign ministry announced Friday, his first visit to a key Jakarta trade partner since his election.

On the invitation of President Xi Jinping, Prabowo -- who takes office later this year -- will visit China from Sunday until Tuesday, foreign ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying announced.

Xi this month congratulated Prabowo, Indonesia's defence minister, on his victory and said he attached "great importance" to relations with the archipelago nation of nearly 280 million people.

China is one of the biggest sources of foreign direct investment in Indonesia.

Last year, Jakarta inaugurated Southeast Asia's first high-speed rail line, a multibillion-dollar project backed by Beijing.

Chinese companies have poured billions into natural resources in Indonesia in recent years, particularly the nickel sector.

That spending has stoked unrest over pay and working conditions at several Chinese-funded nickel-processing plants, as Jakarta pushes to become a major player in the supply chain for electric vehicles.

bur-oho/cwl

Indonesian president-elect Prabowo Subianto will visit China next week, Beijing's foreign ministry announced Friday, his first visit to a key Jakarta trade partner since his election.

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Apple Vision Pro to Launch in China Later This Year

Apple CEO Tim Cook today confirmed that the Vision Pro headset will go on sale in China later this year (via Reuters ).

This is the first explicit confirmation of a specific country other than the United States that the Vision Pro will launch in this year. Apple says that the Vision Pro will launch in additional countries later in 2024, but the company has not provided a more specific timeframe or, until now, indicated exactly where the headset will become available. Last month, Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo said he believed the Vision Pro would launch internationally before Apple's annual developers conference WWDC , which typically takes place in the first week of June.

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Good luck trying to fake an AVP. Lol. I think it’s far too complex compared to a phone.

There are very few companies who enjoy so loyal of customers who will joyously welcome such a premium price for one of their products while conceding it will take several revisions to eventually do it well.

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