China is vast, but a first route through Beijing, Xi’an and Shanghai, linked by high-speed train, sums up five thousand years of history in just over a week.
What to see in China
These are the stops on a first route, all linked by high-speed train or short flights.
Beijing
The Forbidden City, the emperors’ palace with nearly a thousand buildings, Tiananmen Square, the Temple of Heaven and the Summer Palace by its lake.
The Great Wall
An hour from Beijing you walk restored sections of the wall, such as Mutianyu or Badaling, between watchtowers and mountains.
Wear sturdy shoes: the steps are steep and uneven.
Xi'an and the Terracotta Warriors
Thousands of life-size clay soldiers, each with a different face, have guarded the first emperor’s tomb for more than 2,200 years. The city also keeps its full city wall.
Shanghai
The Bund’s 1920s buildings facing the Pudong skyscrapers, the Yuyuan Garden and riverside nightlife.
Guilin and the Li River
The landscape of Chinese paintings: karst peaks reflected in the Li River, cruised by boat down to Yangshuo.
Best time to visit China
April, May, September and October have the best weather in Beijing, Xi’an and Shanghai.
- Jan Cold
- Feb Cold
- Mar Good
- Apr Ideal
- May Ideal
- Jun Very hot
- Jul Very hot
- Aug Very hot
- Sep Ideal
- Oct Ideal
- Nov Good
- Dec Cold
If you can, avoid Golden Week (October 1–7) and Chinese New Year (January or February, depending on the year): the whole country travels at once and the sights fill up.
Summer is hot and rainy across much of the country, and winter in Beijing is very cold, though dry and quiet.
Entry requirements for China
For a sightseeing tour of China, both US and Mexican citizens need a visa.
US passport (including Puerto Rico)
Tourist visa (L)
- Apply at a Chinese visa application center before you travel.
- Passport valid for at least 6 months with blank pages.
- Your itinerary and hotel bookings.
Mexican passport
Tourist visa (L)
- Apply through China’s diplomatic mission before you travel.
- Passport valid for at least 6 months.
- Your itinerary and hotel bookings.
There is also 240-hour (10-day) visa-free transit for both passports, but only if you arrive from one country and leave for a third country through approved ports. It can apply to some China–Japan or China–Korea combinations; we review it with you when you book.
Official sources: Chinese Visa Application Service Center · U.S. State Department travel advisories
Is it safe to travel to China?
China is safe for travelers, with very little crime in tourist areas. What takes the most preparation is the practical side: internet and payments.
- Google, WhatsApp and Instagram do not work on local connections. With an eSIM or your US carrier’s roaming they usually do.
- Almost everything is paid by phone. Install Alipay or WeChat Pay and link your card before the trip; carry some cash too.
- Always carry your passport. It is required for high-speed trains and to enter many sights.
- Expect crowds at the big sights. The Forbidden City and the Great Wall get very busy; our guides book entry in advance.
Our China tours
Tours with Spanish-speaking guides and high-speed trains, on their own or combined with Japan and Korea. Prices per person in a double room, without international flights.
- China for Everyone Beijing · Xi'an · Shanghai See the tour
- China Complete Beijing · Xi'an · Guilin · Shanghai See the tour
- China & Japan for Everyone Beijing · Shanghai · Tokyo · Kyoto See the tour
- China, Japan & Korea for Everyone Beijing · Shanghai · Tokyo · Kyoto · Seoul · Busan See the tour
See every Asia tour, with day-by-day itineraries, on our Far East page.
Suggested itinerary: China in 8 days
The route of our China for Everyone tour, by high-speed train.
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Days 1–3
Beijing
Arrival, imperial Beijing with the Forbidden City, the Great Wall and the Temple of Heaven.
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Days 4–5
Xi'an
High-speed train to Xi’an and the Terracotta Warriors.
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Days 6–8
Shanghai
Train to Shanghai, the Bund, the Yuyuan Garden and the flight home.
Frequently asked questions
Do US citizens need a visa for China?
Yes, for a sightseeing tour you need the tourist (L) visa, applied for at a Chinese visa application center before the trip. The 240-hour visa-free transit only applies if you arrive from one country and leave for another.
What do Mexican citizens need to travel to China?
A passport valid for at least 6 months and a tourist visa from China’s diplomatic mission. We help with the itinerary and hotel documents.
Does WhatsApp work in China?
Not on local connections, and neither do Google or Instagram. With an international eSIM or your US carrier’s roaming they normally do.
When is the best time to visit China?
April, May, September and October. Avoid October’s Golden Week and Chinese New Year, when the whole country travels.
How many days do you need in China?
About 8 days for Beijing, Xi’an and Shanghai. With 10 days you can add Guilin and the Li River.
