China, ChinaVideo: Danny Rest, CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Find your Bliss in China
China, made simple: the Great Wall, bullet trains and unforgettable food
China is vast, ancient and astonishingly modern at the same time: the Great Wall and the Forbidden City in Beijing, Shanghai's skyline, the Terracotta Warriors in Xi'an, the karst hills of Guilin and the pandas and spice of Chengdu. It can also feel daunting, with new apps, a new language and a visa system that varies by passport. This guide takes the guesswork out so you can travel with confidence.
Your trip, step by step
- Before you flyVisas, payment apps, seasons and travel advice, answered
- LandingAirports, SIM cards and your first evening, explained
- Your days in ChinaCities, trains, food and scenery, planned with care
- Home againDeparture tips so the last day is calm too
Where to go, eat and stay
- Plain answersClear, honest guidance on the questions first-timers actually ask.
- Official sourcesEntry, health and safety facts point you to the official pages to confirm.
- No price surprisesWe explain payment apps, ticket booking and tipping so costs never catch you off guard.
- Free to useEvery guide and the trip planner are free.
Our promise
China should feel like discovery, not confusion. We answer the worries about apps, visas and language before they start, so you arrive confident and ready to find your Bliss.
Going back to see family in Guangdong, Fujian or Shanghai, or finally seeing the Great Wall for yourself? This guide was written with you in mind.
How to use this guide
Four steps from first idea to a trip that feels easy.
- Choose your ChinaImperial history, megacity nights, karst scenery or Sichuan food: start with the destinations that fit you.
- Sort the essentialsEntry rules, travel advice, payment apps and the right season, checked against official sources.
- Pick your placesUse our places to visit list for food, culture, nature and stays in each city.
- Plan your routeUse the free trip planner to link cities by high-speed train at a realistic pace.
Everything your China trip needs
Free tools and guides for every stage of the journey.
Destinations
Beijing, Shanghai, Xi'an, Guilin and Yangshuo, and Chengdu, each explained in depth.
Explore destinationsPlaces to visit
More than a hundred restaurants, temples, markets, hikes and stays, from classics to hidden corners.
See places to visitFlights and stays
Search flights into Beijing, Shanghai and Chengdu, and stays in every city.
Plan travelPlaces finder
Restaurants, sights and stays mapped around each base.
Find placesFree trip planner
Tell us your dates and interests and build a route that fits.
Plan your trip
The classic China trip
Beijing, Xi'an, Shanghai and beyond
Most first trips follow the high-speed rail line from Beijing to Xi'an and on to Shanghai, with Guilin or Chengdu added for scenery, pandas and spice. Two weeks shows you the best of the country without rushing.
- The Great Wall, the Forbidden City and the Temple of Heaven
- The Terracotta Warriors and Xi'an's Muslim Quarter
- The Bund, old lanes and water towns around Shanghai
- Li River karst scenery or Chengdu's giant pandas
Start with the destinations
See how Beijing, Xi'an, Shanghai, Guilin and Chengdu fit together.
China destinationsPlan with confidence
Your route, without the worry
China rewards preparation: payment apps set up before you land, train tickets booked ahead in holiday weeks and a pace that respects the distances. Our free planner helps you shape it.
- Realistic train times between cities
- The right season and holidays to avoid
- Where to base yourself
Where to go in China
From imperial Beijing and futuristic Shanghai to ancient Xi'an, the karst of Guilin and laid-back Chengdu.
Beijing Municipality
Beijing
The Forbidden City, the Great Wall and the hutong lanes of China's imperial capital.
Read the guidePhoto: CEphoto, Uwe Aranas, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Shanghai Municipality
Shanghai
The Bund, Pudong's skyline, leafy old lanes and soup dumplings in China's most cosmopolitan city.
Read the guidePhoto: King of Hearts, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Shaanxi Province
Xi'an
The Terracotta Warriors, a cycleable city wall and the Silk Road food of the Muslim Quarter.
Read the guidePhoto: This image was produced by me, David Castor (user:dcastor). The pictures I, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region
Guilin and Yangshuo
Limestone peaks, the Li River, rice terraces and slow cycling in China's most painted landscape.
Read the guidePhoto: chensiyuan, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Sichuan Province
Chengdu
Giant pandas, teahouses, fiery hotpot and day trips to the Leshan Giant Buddha.
Read the guidePhoto: Daniel Lu (User:dllu), CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
A note from our founder
A note from our founder
My first time visiting Kenya, I was genuinely surprised with how fast it began feeling like home. The people are so friendly, the food is delicious and familiar, and the accommodations are modern and upscale.
During my travels throughout the continent, I commonly hear tourists share stories about being scammed or taken advantage of, which is both frustrating and disheartening.
Living in Kenya for the last 2 years, I have had the great fortune to meet a network of wonderful Kenyans who have continuously help guide my family's journey. Their shared knowledge has not only greatly enhanced our overall experience here, but it has also saved us tons of time, energy, and resources.
With BlissPoint Travel, my hope is to build a global community that is willing to share useful, uncommon knowledge so that we can all blissfully enjoy the wonders our world has to offer.
Questions we hear most
Is China safe to visit?
China has low rates of violent crime and millions of visitors travel there without trouble. Western governments do warn about strict and sometimes arbitrary enforcement of local laws, exit bans and restrictions in Tibet and Xinjiang, so read your government's current advice before booking.
What is the capital of China?
Beijing, home to the Forbidden City, Tiananmen Square and the nearest sections of the Great Wall. Shanghai is the largest city and the other main gateway.
Do I need a visa for China?
It depends on your passport. China has widened visa-free entry and visa-free transit for many nationalities in recent years, but the list and the number of days change. Check the National Immigration Administration and your nearest Chinese embassy before you book.
Can I use my bank card in China?
Daily life runs on Alipay and WeChat Pay, and both now accept many foreign Visa and Mastercard cards. Set them up before you fly and carry some cash in yuan as a backup.
How many days do I need in China?
Ten days covers Beijing, Xi'an and Shanghai by high-speed train. Two weeks lets you add Guilin and Yangshuo or Chengdu at a relaxed pace.
Can BlissPoint Travel book my trip?
We are a free travel guide, not a tour operator. Use our trip planner to shape your route, and our partner links to compare flights and stays.
Ready to find your Bliss in China?
Use the free trip planner to shape your days, or send us a question through the contact page.