3.1 Are there any classic routes for first-timers?

If it’s your first time in China, or you want a structured way to see some of the highlights, planning the right route is key.
China is huge, so a good itinerary is about smart choices, not trying to see everything at once.

Below are some tried‑and‑tested routes that work well for international visitors.

1. The “Golden Triangle”: Beijing – Xi’an – Shanghai

(Recommended duration: 8–10 days)

This is the most classic first‑timer route. It connects:

China’s political and cultural capital (Beijing)
The cradle of ancient Chinese civilization (Xi’an)
The country’s most modern, international city (Shanghai)

Route overview

Stop	City snapshot	Recommended stay	Key experiences	Travel between cities
First stop	Beijing – Imperial capital and political center	3–4 days	History: Forbidden City, Great Wall (Mutianyu is a great choice), Temple of Heaven, Summer Palace, Tiananmen Square. Local life & food: Hutong (alleyway) tours, Peking duck.	Beijing → Xi’an: High-speed train (≈4.5–6 hours)
Second stop	Xi’an – Cradle of Chinese civilization	2–3 days	Ancient wonders: Terracotta Army. City life: Bike or walk on the city wall, Muslim Quarter street food, Big Wild Goose Pagoda.	Xi’an → Shanghai: High-speed train (≈6–7 hours) or flight (≈2 hours)
Third stop	Shanghai – Futuristic skyline and old neighborhoods	2–3 days	Modern skyline: The Bund, Pudong skyscrapers. Old & new: Former French Concession, Yu Garden, City God Temple area.	From Shanghai you can fly home or onward to many countries.

Why choose the Golden Triangle?

Highly representative
- Beijing = politics, imperial history
- Xi’an = deep ancient roots and the Silk Road
- Shanghai = modern economy and globalized China
Easy connections
Dense high‑speed rail and flight network.
Visitor‑friendly
Lots of English signage, international hotels and services.

2. Theme routes beyond the Golden Triangle

Once you have a sense of the basics, or if you have more time, these themed routes are great next steps.

2.1 Nature route: iconic landscapes

Core stops: Guilin, Zhangjiajie, Huangshan

Guilin & Yangshuo (3–4 days)
- Li River cruise or bamboo rafting
- Cycling in Yangshuo countryside
- Rice terraces at Longji (Longsheng)
Zhangjiajie (3–4 days)
- Zhangjiajie National Forest Park (Avatar-style sandstone pillars)
- Tianmen Mountain & glass skywalk
Huangshan (Yellow Mountain, 2–3 days)
- Hiking or cable cars
- Sea of clouds, pine trees and rock formations
- Stay overnight on the mountain if you want to catch sunrise

This route is ideal if you care more about natural scenery than big cities.

2.2 Cultural deep-dive: Jiangnan water towns and historic cities

Core stops: Suzhou, Hangzhou, Nanjing (optionally Luoyang)

Suzhou (2 days)
- Classical gardens such as Humble Administrator’s Garden and Lingering Garden
- Nearby water towns (e.g. Tongli or Zhouzhuang)
Hangzhou (2–3 days)
- West Lake (boat rides, walking or biking along the shore)
- Lingyin Temple
- Evening show such as Impression West Lake (seasonal)
Nanjing (1–2 days)
- Sun Yat‑sen Mausoleum
- Ming Xiaoling Mausoleum
- Nanjing Massacre Memorial Hall
Optional extension: Luoyang
- Longmen Grottoes
- White Horse Temple

This route focuses on traditional gardens, lakes, temples and historic cities in eastern China.

2.3 Southwest route: pandas, minority cultures and highland scenery

Core stops: Chengdu, Kunming, Lijiang

Chengdu (2–3 days)
- Visit a giant panda base
- Try Sichuan hotpot and local snacks
- Spend time in teahouses and parks
Kunming (1–2 days)
- Stone Forest
- Enjoy the mild “spring city” climate
Lijiang (3–4 days)
- Lijiang Old Town (Naxi culture)
- Jade Dragon Snow Mountain
- Tiger Leaping Gorge (for hikers)

This route is great if you like food, relaxed city vibes and ethnic minority cultures, with some access to plateau landscapes.

2.4 Silk Road route: deserts and Buddhist art

Core stops: Xi’an, Dunhuang, Urumqi

Xi’an
- Starting point of the ancient Silk Road, good place to understand the historical context.
Dunhuang (2–3 days)
- Mogao Caves (world‑famous Buddhist grottoes)
- Mingsha (Singing Sand) Dunes and Crescent Lake
Urumqi (2–3 days)
- Tianshan Tianchi (Heaven Lake)
- Local markets and Central Asian influences

This route will appeal to travelers who love desert landscapes, Buddhist art and Silk Road history.

2.5 “Roof of the World” route: Tibetan Plateau

Important: Foreign travelers going to Tibet typically need a Tibet Travel Permit and must travel with an organized tour and guide. Independent travel in the Tibet Autonomous Region is not allowed.

Core stop: Lhasa

Suggested stay (4–7 days)
- Allow time to acclimatize to the altitude
- Potala Palace
- Jokhang Temple and Barkhor Street
- Sera Monastery (monk debates)
- Optional day trips to nearby monasteries or lakes (e.g. Yamdrok)

This route is best for travelers comfortable with high altitude and slower, more reflective travel.

3. Other cities worth considering

If you have extra time or specific interests, you might also consider:

Modern/coastal cities
- Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Xiamen, Qingdao, Dalian
River hubs and inland metropolises
- Chongqing (gateway to Yangtze River cruises and the Three Gorges)
- Wuhan (Yangtze River city with Yellow Crane Tower and growing food scene)

You don’t need to fit everything into one trip.
For a first visit, picking one main route plus 1–2 extra cities is usually more enjoyable than rushing through too many places.

Classic routes for first-time visitors to China