China Travel Routes & Itineraries
From a 6-day visa-free blitz to a month-long Silk Road odyssey — find the perfect China route for your trip style, timeline, and starting city.
Choose Your Route by Style
Every traveler is different. Pick the approach that fits you.
Golden Route
Classic First-Timer Journey
Beijing → Xi'an → Shanghai. The iconic triangle that covers imperial history, ancient capitals, and futuristic skylines. Perfect for first-time visitors with 10–14 days.
View Routes144-Hour Transit Routes
Visa-Free Quick Trips
Maximize China's 144-hour transit policy. 6-day blitz itineraries in Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Chengdu, and beyond — no visa required.
View RoutesFood Routes
Culinary Journeys
Eat your way across China. Sichuan spice trail, Cantonese dim sum pilgrimage, Xi'an Silk Road noodles, and a Shanghai-to-Chengdu hot pot odyssey.
View RoutesHistory & Culture Routes
Ancient Capitals & Silk Roads
Walk through 3,000 years of civilization. Follow the Silk Road, explore the Four Great Ancient Capitals, and trace the Ming and Qing dynasties.
View RoutesNature & Adventure Routes
Mountains, Rivers & Wild China
Karst peaks of Guilin, Tiger Leaping Gorge in Yunnan, the grasslands of Inner Mongolia, and the Himalayan borderlands of western Sichuan.
View RoutesBy Duration
Trips for Every Timeline
Whether you have 3 days, 1 week, 2 weeks, or a month — find itineraries optimized for your available time, with suggested city combinations.
View RoutesNot Sure Where to Start?
First time in China?
Start with the Golden Route — Beijing → Xi'an → Shanghai. It's the classic for a reason: imperial history, ancient capitals, and modern China in one perfectly connected loop.
ExploreOnly have 6 days (no visa)?
Use the 144-hour transit policy. Fly into Shanghai, Beijing, or Guangzhou, explore for 6 days visa-free, then continue to a third country. Quick, legal, and surprisingly rich.
ExploreBeen to China before?
Go deeper with themed routes — a Sichuan-Yunnan food journey, a Silk Road history expedition, or a Guilin-Zhangjiajie nature immersion.
ExplorePopular Routes This Month
What travelers are planning right now
Beijing → Xi'an → Shanghai (12 Days)
The classic triangle. Forbidden City, Great Wall, Terracotta Warriors, and the Bund in one seamless itinerary.
Shanghai 144-Hour Transit (6 Days)
Fly in, explore Shanghai + Suzhou + Hangzhou for 6 days visa-free, then continue to Tokyo or Hong Kong.
Chengdu → Chongqing Hot Pot Trail (7 Days)
Pandas in the morning, fiery hot pot at night. Two neighboring megacities, one legendary spice corridor.
Plan by Gateway City
Already know which city you're flying into? Start there and build outward.
Beijing
The capital — Great Wall, Forbidden City, and the most international flight connections
Shanghai
China's global city — direct flights everywhere, 144-hour transit eligible
Guangzhou
Southern gateway — Canton Fair legacy, dim sum capital, excellent ASEAN connections
Chengdu
Western hub — pandas, spicy food, and growing direct flights from Europe and Asia
Still Planning Your Route?
Each route page includes day-by-day itineraries, recommended hotels, transport options, and estimated budgets. Pick a style and start exploring.