China is a vast and captivating country where thousands of years of imperial history blend seamlessly with ultra-modern innovation. For those seeking an unforgettable adventure, China offers endless variety, from the colossal monuments of past empires to breathtaking natural landscapes and vibrant culinary traditions.
Planning a trip of this scale can feel overwhelming, but with this comprehensive China travel guide, whether you are searching for the best places to visit in China or looking for practical travel advice on navigating the local culture, our guide will prepare you for the journey of a lifetime.
Crucial Preparations Before You Depart
Before jetting off, it is essential to understand the currency of China. The official money is the Renminbi, though it is most commonly referred to as the Chinese Yuan. On a day-to-day basis, China is now a largely cashless society, relying heavily on mobile payment Apps such as WeChat Pay and Alipay. Major hotels and upmarket restaurants in big cities also accept international credit cards.
British passport holders can currently travel visa-free for 30 days; however, a visa is required from 1st January 2027 onwards. The application process involves completing an online form and scheduling an appointment at a Chinese Visa Application Service Centre to submit your biometrics in person, which you should arrange at least one to two months before your departure date.
While many regional dialects and languages are spoken in China, Mandarin is the official national language. In major tourist hubs, hotels and on escorted tours, English is widely understood, but learning a few basic Mandarin phrases like "Nǐ hǎo" (Hello) and "Xièxie" (Thank you) goes a long way.
Before your trip, here are a few fascinating facts about China: it is home to the world’s largest high-speed rail network, spans five geographical time zones but officially observes only one, and is the birthplace of paper, silk and tea.
Choosing the Perfect Season to Explore
As this magnificent country stretches across multiple climate zones, selecting the best time to visit China is key to a comfortable and visually stunning adventure. Generally, the best time of year to visit China spans the transitional seasons of spring and autumn, when the climate is at its most pleasant.
Spring, which ushers in fresh growth from late March to May, is a spectacular time to travel. This is the best time to go to China if you wish to see the classic gardens of Suzhou framed by delicate flowers, or drift down winding waterways under mild, pleasant skies.
Autumn, running from September to early November, is also widely considered to be another great time to travel to China. During these months, the summer humidity clears to reveal crisp, golden days and exceptionally clear blue skies. It’s the most comfortable season for walking along the high stone ramparts of the north or watching the terraced fields of the south turn a brilliant, shimmering amber. Distant Journeys offers departures during these golden autumn months, inviting you to discover China's most iconic landscapes alongside our knowledgeable tour guides, who bring every dynasty and hidden corner to life.
Where Dynasties Left Their Mark: Imperial Wonders of the Historic North
To step into Northern China is to walk through the pages of an epic historical chronicle. Here, the colossal monuments of the Ming and Qing dynasties stand proud against the horizon. For those seeking the most iconic places to visit in China, the north offers a profound encounter with the very soul of the country's imperial legacy, where ancient traditions still whisper through modern, bustling streets.
Royal Monuments of Beijing
No travel itinerary to China is complete without visiting Beijing, the historic and political heart of the nation. Among the most famous landmarks in China is the Forbidden City, the world’s largest palace complex and home to generations of Ming and Qing emperors. Located adjacent to the vast Tiananmen Square, this majestic complex is a labyrinth of red-walled pavilions, sweeping imperial yellow-tiled roofs, and ancient treasures.
Just a short drive from the city centre lies the stunning Summer Palace, a lakeside royal residence designed around traditional Feng Shui landscaping, where emperors once escaped the suffocating summer heat. Another architectural masterpiece is the Temple of Heaven, where emperors once performed solemn, mystical rituals to pray for bountiful harvests.
When it comes to the food in China, Beijing offers one of the country's most celebrated culinary highlights. A traditional Imperial Peking Duck dinner - often regarded as the national dish of China - features beautifully roasted, crispy-skinned duck served with delicate pancakes, fresh spring onions, and sweet plum sauce.
Scale that Defies Imagination: Standing on the Great Wall
Perhaps the ultimate highlight among all things to do in China is standing atop the Great Wall. When contemplating the sheer scale of this wonder, travellers often seek to understand how long the Great Wall of China is, which is one of the grandest engineering feats in human history. According to archaeological surveys, the official length of the Great Wall of China measures an astonishing 21,196 kilometres when including all its historical branches.
Among the many fascinating Great Wall of China facts is that its construction spanned over two millennia, utilising millions of workers who laboured on sheer mountain ridges. To experience this wonder at its best, Distant Journeys take guests to the Mutianyu section on our tours. It is famous for its brilliantly preserved Ming-era guard towers and panoramic mountain views. Taking a scenic cable car to the top allows you to skip the steep climb and save your energy for walking along the ancient stone ramparts.
Xi’an and the Terracotta Warriors
Travelling further inland brings you to Xi'an, one of China's great ancient capitals and the eastern starting point of the Silk Road. Here, you will come face-to-face with one of the greatest archaeological discoveries of the twentieth century: the life-sized clay army of Emperor Qin Shi Huang. Visitors can marvel at the rows of incredibly detailed terracotta soldiers, horses and chariots, each uniquely crafted with distinct facial features, hairstyles and armour, to protect the emperor in the afterlife.
Bamboo Forests and Emerald Waters: Welcome to Southern China
While the historic north echoes with the grand scale of imperial dynasties, the south speaks in entirely different tones. Here, the landscape softens into a realm of breathtaking natural beauty, where dramatic limestone peaks rise like green giants from winding, mist-shrouded rivers, and ancient agricultural traditions carve sub-tropical hillsides into living pieces of art. For travellers looking to balance the historic monuments of Beijing and Xi'an with peaceful landscapes and incredible wildlife encounters, exploring this part of the country is one of the most rewarding things to do in China. It is a region that feels deeply connected to the classic ink-wash paintings of antiquity, yet moves at a beautifully relaxed, welcoming pace.
Chengdu and the Giant Panda
Deep in the Sichuan Province lies Chengdu, celebrated for its relaxed teahouse culture and fiery local cuisine. For many, the highlight here is visiting the giant panda reserve in China, officially known as the Giant Panda Breeding Research Institute. This world-renowned conservation centre allows you to see these beloved national treasures, including playful cubs, in a lush, naturalistic forest habitat.
Expert Travel Tip
To see the giant pandas at their most active, our Tour Manager always arranges for an early morning arrival. Pandas are highly sensitive to afternoon temperatures and tend to spend the warmer hours of the day sleeping peacefully indoors. Entering the park as the gates open ensures you can witness their morning feeding time, which is usually when the younger, incredibly energetic cubs are at their most playful.
The Mystical Karst Peaks of Yangshuo and Guilin
For classic, postcard-perfect scenery, the region of Guilin is unmatched. Embarking on a Li River cruise is an unforgettable experience, as you drift past dramatic limestone karst mountain peaks that have inspired Chinese landscape paintings and poetry for centuries.
Our journey down the river leads to Yangshuo, a charming town nestled directly among these spectacular green peaks. It is the perfect place to experience a slower pace of Chinese rural life, perhaps by exploring quiet country lanes or watching the sunset cast golden reflections over the water. For those seeking even more dramatic scenery, our tours venture to the stunning Longsheng rice terraces. Known poetically as the Dragon's Backbone, these cascading, hand-carved agricultural terraces cling to the hillsides in a spectacular display of human ingenuity that changes colour beautifully with the seasons.
Sailing the Mighty Yangtze River
Another of the most relaxing yet awe-inspiring places to visit in China is the Yangtze River. A three-night river cruise takes us deep into the dramatic landscapes of the Three Gorges, where the area’s natural beauty and tranquillity unfold around us, culminating in a visit to the colossal engineering marvel of the Three Gorges Dam.
Ancient Walled Towns and Futuristic Cities
To fully appreciate the astonishing narrative of China, one must journey to the east, where the fabric of time stretches from medieval fortifications to dazzling, sci-fi skylines. It is a region of dramatic contrasts. In the morning, you can stroll down stone-flagged alleyways that have remained unchanged since the Ming Dynasty; by nightfall, you can look out across a sea of neon skyscrapers piercing the clouds.
Step Back in Time in Pingyao
For a true taste of old-world China, Pingyao Ancient City is an absolute treasure. This exceptionally preserved Han Chinese town is enclosed by massive, intact Ming-era city walls. Walking through its narrow, lantern-lit streets feels like stepping directly into a history, offering a stark and beautiful contrast to the glittering skyscrapers of China's coastal cities.
Shanghai and the Garden City of Suzhou
Your journey concludes in the east, where Shanghai presents a dazzling vision of the future. Contrast the historic colonial-era architecture of the Bund with the neon-lit, futuristic skyline of Pudong across the Huangpu River, perhaps enjoying an optional evening cruise down the river to see the city lights sparkle.
Just a short distance from Shanghai lies Suzhou, often called the Venice of the East. Renowned for its beautiful UNESCO-listed classical gardens, tranquil canals, and historic silk industry, Suzhou offers a peaceful, scenic respite from the buzzing energy of metropolis life.
Embark on Your Grand Chinese Adventure
From the jaw-dropping scale of the Great Wall to the serene beauty of the Li River and the futuristic charm of Shanghai, China is a destination that promises to capture your imagination. Travelling with Distant Journeys means every detail of your itinerary is expertly taken care of, allowing you to relax and fully immerse yourself in this spectacular country with the support of our dedicated team.
If you are inspired to see these wonders for yourself, we would love to welcome you on one of our award-winning escorted tours. You can explore our ultimate The Very Best of China itinerary, delve deeper into rural landscapes with the Discover China - Exclusively for Solos tour, or experience a spectacular cross-country journey on theHighlights of China & Japan tour. We also have our Essential China itinerary offering a taste of this impressive country. Speak to our friendly travel specialists today to book your place.
First published 10/09/2026
