China has dozens of cities worth a trip, but a first visit usually comes down to a handful that each do one thing brilliantly. Some are about history, some about food, and some about pure scenery on the doorstep. This is a guide to the best cities in China to visit and what each one is really good for, so you can build a route around the ones that suit you. For a spot by spot view, pair it with our places to visit in China guide.
The best cities at a glance
| City | Best for |
|---|---|
| Beijing | History and the Great Wall |
| Xi'an | The Terracotta Warriors and street food |
| Shanghai | Modern China and the skyline |
| Chengdu | Pandas, teahouses and Sichuan food |
| Guilin and Yangshuo | Karst scenery and slow travel |
| Hangzhou | West Lake and gardens |
Beijing: history and the Great Wall
The capital is the one city almost nobody should skip. It holds the Great Wall, the Forbidden City, Tiananmen Square and the Temple of Heaven, with old hutong lanes tucked between them. Give it three days. It is the natural start of most first trips.
Xi'an: ancient capital and food
Xi'an is the history stop, home to the Terracotta Warriors and a complete Ming city wall you can cycle. Its Muslim Quarter is one of the best street food areas in the country and the easiest place for halal eating. Two days is enough, and it slots neatly between Beijing and Shanghai.
Shanghai: modern China
Shanghai is the sleek, forward looking counterweight to Beijing. Walk the Bund at night, wander the French Concession by day, and use the city as a base for day trips to Suzhou and Hangzhou by high speed rail. Two days, three if you add a day trip.
Chengdu: pandas and easy living
Chengdu is the most relaxed of the big cities and often the easiest to reach from South Asia. The panda base is the headline, but the teahouses, night markets and fiery Sichuan food are the reason people stay longer than planned.
Guilin and Yangshuo: scenery on the doorstep
This pair in the south is where China gets postcard beautiful. Cruise the Li River between the karst peaks, then base yourself in small Yangshuo to cycle the rice fields and raft the Yulong River. It is the best choice for couples and slow travellers.
Honourable mentions
- Hangzhou for the willow lined West Lake and tea hills, an easy hop from Shanghai.
- Suzhou for classical gardens and canal streets.
- Chongqing for dramatic riverside cityscapes and the hottest hotpot in China.
- Lijiang and Kunming in the southwest for old towns and mild weather year round.
How to choose
For a first trip, Beijing and Shanghai are the safe core, with Xi'an the best third city for history and Guilin or Chengdu the best third for scenery or food. Link them by high speed rail and fly only for the long jumps. Our China itinerary guide turns these cities into ready made routes.
Would rather someone else handled the bookings? A China tour package covers hotels, transfers and tours in one plan.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best city to visit in China?
Beijing, for most first trips. It combines the Great Wall, the Forbidden City and deep history in one place, and it is the natural anchor of a first itinerary.
Which two cities should I visit in China?
Beijing and Shanghai. Together they cover imperial history and modern China, and a single high speed train links them in a few hours.
What is the best city in China for food?
Chengdu for Sichuan heat and Xi'an for street food are the two standouts, though Guangzhou is unbeatable for Cantonese dim sum.
More China travel guides
- China Travel Guide: Visas, Cities, Costs and How to Plan a First Trip
- Places to Visit in China: 12 Best Spots by Region
- China Itinerary: How Many Days You Need and Sample Routes
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