Set up payments before arrival
Alipay and WeChat Pay are the everyday way to pay, and both can be linked to many foreign cards. Set them up and test them before you fly; cash is still accepted but less convenient.
Country hubAsia
Where to stay in China
Fast trains, enormous cities and a food map that changes every province.
China is easier to travel than its scale suggests, provided you set up the basics before landing. High-speed rail links the major cities, mobile payment is the default, and your passport is needed for hotels, trains and many sights. Beijing and Shanghai make a strong first pair: imperial scale and hutong mornings in one, riverfront skyline and lane-by-lane eating in the other. Build in travel time between cities and book the big attractions in advance.
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China
02
2 city guides
Country hub
- City guide
- Beijing · Shanghai
- Country hub
- Asia
- On the desk
- Chengdu · Xi'an · Guangzhou
City guide
2 city guidesCity guides in China
One city, deeply mapped — more are being researched.
Asia01China3
Beijing
Imperial scale, hutong intimacy and a modern city that never stops expanding.
Wangfujing & DongchengGulou & Shichahai+1
$80–$500 per night
Asia02China3
Shanghai
A river divides old and new Shanghai; where you sleep decides which version you wake up to.
The Bund & People's SquareFormer French Concession+1
$90–$600 per nightBefore you book
The country-level things that change the stay.
China · Country hub
Carry your passport
Hotels, train stations and many attractions require your passport, and checks are routine. Keep it with you rather than locked in a suitcase, and carry a photo of the details page as backup.
Book trains and museums ahead
Popular high-speed trains and major museums release tickets in advance and fill up around holidays. Use the official booking channels, allow time for security checks and avoid assuming everything is open on Monday.
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Not sure which city to start with?
Tell me how long you have and what you want from the trip. I’ll help you choose the city and the base.
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Ask about your routeA note from the editor
“I’d rather tell you which area to skip than sell you another list of ‘best hotels’.”
The guides are independent. Booking links may earn a commission; they never change the shortlist.
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