From the ancient walls of Beijing to Guilin's karst peaks — your complete intelligence platform for travelling the Middle Kingdom.
Navigate China with confidence. Open in Google Maps or Amap (高德地图) for real-time navigation, metro lines, attraction layers, and offline access.
Bold, spicy, and numbing. Sichuan cuisine is defined by the iconic málà (麻辣) flavour — a combination of Sichuan peppercorn and chilli. One of the Eight Great Cuisines of China.
Hearty and wheat-based. Northern Chinese food is built around dumplings, noodles, and braised meats. Beijing duck is the crown jewel — crispy skin, pancakes, and hoisin sauce.
Light, fresh, and dim-sum famous. Cantonese cooking from Guangdong province prioritises the natural flavour of ingredients. Dim sum culture is a leisurely morning ritual.
Elegant, sweet-salty, and refined. Eastern Chinese cuisine from Jiangsu and Shanghai is known for delicate preparations, braised meats and freshwater fish.
Lamb-forward, cumin-scented, and bread-rich. Northwest Chinese Muslim cuisine reflects Central Asian influences — ideal for halal travellers.
China has a rich vegetarian Buddhist culinary tradition found at temples and specialist restaurants. Often uses tofu, mushrooms, and wheat gluten to mimic meat dishes.
Rate: 1 USD = 7.24 CNY · Updated daily
Also: 1 GBP ≈ 9.18 CNY · 1 EUR ≈ 7.88 CNY · 1 AUD ≈ 4.62 CNY
China has expanded visa-free access significantly since 2023. Check your passport nationality below.
*US citizens: 10-year multiple entry visa available. Always verify at visaforchina.cn
China's Great Firewall blocks Google, WhatsApp, Instagram, and most Western platforms. Plan ahead before you travel.
Save these numbers before your trip. All operators have some English capability.
China is near-cashless. Mobile payments dominate, but foreign visitors now have more options than ever.
The world's largest annual human migration. Families reunite, fireworks fill the skies, red envelopes are exchanged, and cities transform with lantern displays. Avoid travelling during peak travel days — trains and hotels sell out months ahead.
A day of ancestor veneration where families visit graves to sweep, make offerings, and burn paper items. Parks fill with spring picnickers. Coincides with cherry blossom season in many regions.
A 5-day national holiday that sees hundreds of millions of Chinese tourists travelling domestically. Popular attractions are extremely crowded. Plan your itinerary around the surge.
Commemorating the poet Qu Yuan, this vibrant festival features dragon boat racing on rivers and lakes across China. Eat sticky zongzi rice parcels wrapped in bamboo leaves.
Under the full moon, families gather to share mooncakes (月饼) and marvel at lantern displays. West Lake in Hangzhou and the Old Town of Pingyao offer spectacular celebrations.
China's most significant national holiday, marking the founding of the PRC on October 1, 1949. 7-day holiday with massive flag-raising ceremony at Tiananmen Square. Peak domestic tourism season.
The world's largest ice and snow sculpture festival. The Sun Island Scenic Area and Ice and Snow World display jaw-dropping illuminated ice palaces, sculptures, and frozen attractions. Must-visit for winter travellers.
Famous tourist market near the embassies and Sanlitun. Seven floors of fashion, electronics, and souvenirs. Intense bargaining expected — start at 20% of asking price.
Traditional Ming Dynasty garden surrounded by a restored historical bazaar. Ideal for authentic handicrafts, tea sets, embroidered items, and traditional Chinese snacks.
The world's largest electronics market. Countless floors of components, gadgets, phones, cables, and everything tech. A pilgrimage for engineers and bargain hunters alike.
Hangzhou is home to Longjing (Dragon Well) green tea — arguably China's finest. Visit the tea plantations, watch picking in spring, and buy direct from farmers for the best quality.
Panjiayuan (Beijing), Dongtai Rd (Shanghai), and Liulichang (Beijing) are top antique markets. Porcelain, calligraphy, Mao-era memorabilia, and vintage clocks. Authenticate before buying.
China now has more luxury malls than anywhere on Earth. IAPM, Plaza 66, and SKP in Shanghai and Beijing carry Hermès, Chanel, Gucci, and top domestic brands like Shang Xia.
⚠️ Counterfeit Goods Awareness
China's markets are legendary — but so are counterfeits. Designer goods, electronics, and "antiques" may be fakes. Don't risk importing fakes home (customs may confiscate them). Stick to official brand stores for genuine luxury items. For electronics, always test before paying.