Planning your first trip to China but don’t know where to start? This China travel guide might help you
China is HUGE. We have visited China several times and every time we come back, there is still another city, another food, another shopping area, or another incredible place that we haven’t seen before.
From modern cities like Shanghai and Shenzhen to ancient towns, beautiful mountains, and some of the best high-speed trains in the world, China has so much to offer.
But traveling to China for the first time can also feel a little confusing.
Which apps do you need?
How do you pay for things?
How do you travel between cities?
And which city should you visit first?
So in this China travel guide for first timers, we will share everything you need to know before your first trip to China, especially if you are a foreign traveler.
Why Visit China?
China is one of those countries that can feel completely different from what you expect.
You can spend the morning walking around a traditional old town and then, a few hours later, be surrounded by futuristic skyscrapers, giant shopping malls, driverless cars, and one of the world’s fastest train networks.
And this is one of the reasons why we love traveling around China.
1. China has incredible modern cities
If you love modern cities, China is definitely a country you should visit.
Shanghai has one of the most recognizable skylines in the world, Shenzhen feels incredibly futuristic, and Guangzhou is a great combination of modern shopping, local food, and traditional Chinese culture.
Even just walking around these cities can be an experience.
2. China has amazing natural scenery
China is not only about big cities.
You can find mountains, national parks, beaches, rice terraces, rivers, deserts, ancient villages, and even tropical islands.
Places like Zhangjiajie, Jiuzhaigou, Guilin and Yangshuo are completely different from the big cities.
This is also why we recommend visiting more than one city if you have enough time.
3. The food is another reason to visit
Chinese food is much more than what you usually find in Chinese restaurants outside China.
Every region has its own style.
Sichuan is famous for spicy food, Guangdong is known for Cantonese cuisine and dim sum, Shanghai has its famous soup dumplings, while places like Xi’an are known for noodles and street food.
And honestly, some of our favorite meals in China have been simple local restaurants that we found while exploring a city.
4. China is great for shopping
If you love shopping, you are going to have a lot of fun in China.
From huge shopping malls and international luxury brands to Chinese fashion, electronics, cosmetics, snacks and local brands, there is something for almost everyone.
Shanghai, Shenzhen and Guangzhou are especially good cities for shopping.
And one thing we noticed after spending a lot of time shopping in China is that many local Chinese brands are much better than we expected.
5. China is easier to travel around than you might think
China is a huge country, but getting between major cities is surprisingly convenient.
The high-speed train network connects many of the biggest cities, while domestic flights are useful for longer distances.
Once you understand a few important apps and how transportation works, traveling around China becomes much easier.
How to Travel Around China
There are several ways to travel around China, but for most first-time visitors, we recommend using a combination of high-speed trains, metro systems, taxis and domestic flights.
🚄 China High-Speed Train
The China high-speed train is one of the best ways to travel around the country.
China has the world’s largest high-speed railway network, with around 50,400 km of high-speed railway in operation at the end of 2025.
And once you use it, you will understand why it is so popular.
The trains are clean, comfortable and usually very convenient for traveling between major cities.
For example, you can easily travel between cities in the same region without having to go through the whole airport process.
How to book China high-speed trains
Foreign travelers can book train tickets using the Trip.com app or website. Foreign passports are accepted for registration, and China Railway uses real-name ticketing, so you need to use the same passport when booking and traveling.
We personally often use Trip.com because the interface is easier to understand and it is convenient when planning a multi-city China trip.
What class should you choose?
Most tourists will be choosing between:
🥉 Second Class
This is the standard option and usually enough for most travelers.
🥈 First Class
The seats are wider and there is more space. If the price difference isn’t too large, this can be a nice upgrade for longer journeys.
🥇 Business Class
This is the most premium option and is much more expensive.
For most trips, we think Second Class is perfectly comfortable.
Learn more about China High Speed Train Guide
Getting Around Chinese Cities
Most major Chinese cities have excellent public transportation.
The metro is usually one of the easiest ways to move around, especially in cities like Shanghai, Shenzhen and Guangzhou.
You can also use DiDi for taxis and ride-hailing.
In many cities, you can connect your international bank card to Alipay and use it for transportation and payments.
This is one of the biggest things that makes traveling in China much easier than it used to be.
Apps to Download in China
If there is one thing you should prepare before your China trip, it is your phone.
We recommend downloading and setting up your important apps before flying to China.
Here are the apps we think are the most useful for first-time visitors.
1. Alipay
Alipay is probably the most important app for tourists in China.
You can use it for:
- Paying at restaurants
- Shopping
- Convenience stores
- Metro
- Buses
- Ride-hailing
- Some attraction tickets
- Mini programs and other travel services
You can also connect eligible international bank cards to Alipay.
For a first-time traveler, we recommend setting it up before your trip and making sure your card works.
2. WeChat
WeChat is much more than a messaging app in China.
It is used for messaging, payments, booking services, mini programs and many everyday activities.
You may not use it as much as Alipay during a short vacation, but it is still worth having.
If you meet a hotel, tour operator, restaurant or local contact, there is a good chance they may use WeChat.
3. AMap
Google Maps should not be your only map when traveling in mainland China.
We recommend downloading AMap, also known as Gaode Maps.
It is extremely useful for finding restaurants, attractions, metro stations and directions.
The international version is also much easier for foreign travelers to use.
If you are exploring China independently, having a local map app makes a huge difference.
4. DiDi
DiDi is the Chinese equivalent of Uber.
You can use it to book cars around most major cities.
You can also access DiDi through Alipay, which is convenient because you don’t necessarily need to switch between multiple apps.
This is especially useful when you are carrying luggage or traveling somewhere that is not close to a metro station.
5. Trip.com
We use Trip.com a lot when traveling around China.
You can use it to book:
For foreigners, it can be easier than trying to navigate every Chinese booking platform.
Do You Need a VPN in China?
If you need access to services that are restricted on mainland Chinese networks, you should research your connectivity options before your trip.
The important part is to prepare before you arrive.
Do not assume you can simply download and set everything up after landing.
Your best approach is to have your important travel apps, hotel details, booking confirmations and offline information ready before your flight.
Explore Our E-Book for more information
Best Cities in China for First-Time Visitors
China has hundreds of interesting cities, so choosing where to go can be difficult.
If this is your first time in China and you want a relatively easy introduction to the country, we recommend starting with major cities that have excellent transportation, lots of attractions and plenty of things to do.
Here are three cities we think are especially interesting for first-time visitors.
1. Shanghai
If you only have time for one city in China, Shanghai is one of the easiest choices for first-time visitors.
Shanghai is modern, international and incredibly easy to explore.
You can see the famous skyline around the Bund, explore traditional neighborhoods, go shopping, visit museums, eat amazing food and even take day trips to nearby cities.
Some of the places you should consider visiting include:
- The Bund
- Lujiazui
- Shanghai Tower
- Nanjing Road
- Yu Garden
- French Concession
- Xintiandi
- Shanghai Disneyland
One of our favorite things about Shanghai is the contrast.
You can walk through an old neighborhood and then suddenly find yourself surrounded by huge skyscrapers.
How many days do you need in Shanghai?
For a first visit, we recommend around 4–5 days.
If you want to visit Shanghai Disneyland or take day trips to places like Suzhou or Hangzhou, add more time.
Shanghai is also a great starting point for a longer China trip because of its transportation connections.
2. Shenzhen
If you want to see the futuristic side of China, Shenzhen should be on your list.
Shenzhen is one of the most modern cities in China and is located right next to Hong Kong.
The city is famous for its technology industry, huge shopping malls, modern architecture and extremely efficient public transportation.
But Shenzhen is not only skyscrapers.
You can also find beaches, mountains, parks and coastal areas around the city.
Some places to consider visiting include:
- Futian
- Coco Park
- Gangxia North Station
- Dongmen
- Shenzhen Bay
- Nanshan
- Qianhai
- Dapeng Peninsula
One of our favorite things about Shenzhen is simply walking around and seeing how futuristic the city feels.
It is also a great choice if you want to combine your China trip with Hong Kong.
How many days do you need in Shenzhen?
For a first visit, 2–3 days is enough for the main highlights.
If you want to explore more of the city or take day trips, stay longer.
3. Guangzhou
Guangzhou is sometimes overlooked by first-time visitors because everyone talks about Shanghai, Beijing and Shenzhen.
But we think Guangzhou deserves more attention.
Guangzhou is one of the best cities to visit if you want a combination of Chinese food, shopping, modern city life and traditional culture.
The city is especially famous for Cantonese cuisine and dim sum.
You can spend your morning exploring traditional areas, have dim sum for lunch and then go shopping in one of the city’s huge commercial districts.
Some places to consider visiting include:
- Canton Tower
- Zhujiang New Town
- Beijing Road
- Shangxiajiu Pedestrian Street
- Yongqingfang
- Chen Clan Ancestral Hall
- Shamian Island
Guangzhou is also a great base for exploring the Greater Bay Area.
You can easily combine it with Shenzhen, Hong Kong and other nearby destinations.
How many days do you need in Guangzhou?
We recommend 2–3 days for a first visit.
If you are interested in shopping, food or exploring nearby cities, you can easily stay longer.
Explore More Hidden Gems in China
If you’re planning a longer trip, check out our other China travel blogs featuring Zhangjiajie, Shanghai, and Guangzhou — each offering its own unique blend of nature and culture.
For detailed routes and insider travel tips, download our China Travel eBook, which includes itineraries, hidden attractions, and local experiences curated from our own journeys.
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