China
Travel guide & places to visit in Asia
- Capital
- Beijing
- Currency
- Chinese Yuan Renminbi (CNY/RMB)
- Language
- Standard Chinese/Mandarin (official), Cantonese, Wu, Min, Hakka, 300+ languages
- Best time
- April, May, September
About China
Second largest economy globally. Manufacturing superpower, growing tech sector, massive infrastructure. World's largest population (recently surpassed by India).
Geography
Area: 9,596,960 sq km
- • Extremely diverse: tropical south to subarctic north
- • Monsoon-influenced east
- • Arid northwest (deserts)
- • Himalayan plateau in west
Government
Type: communist party-led state
Capital: Beijing
Economy
GDP: $17.73 trillion
Per Capita: $12,600
Demographics
Population: 1,413,142,846
Languages: Standard Chinese/Mandarin (official), Cantonese, Wu, Min, Hakka, 300+ languages
Religions: Folk religion 21.9%, Buddhist 18.2%, Christian 5.1%, Muslim 1.8%, none 52.2%
Explore China's Regions
Discover 31 distinct regions, each with unique landscapes and culture.
Major Cities in China
Explore 50 cities with unique attractions and experiences.
Places to Visit
city
Pingyao
China
7wondersoftheworld
Great Wall of China
China
Three Pagodas
China
mountain
Tianmen Mountain
China
Young Mao Zedong statue
China
Mogao Caves
China
Travel Essentials
Contact & Emergency
Phone Code: +86
Currency: Chinese Yuan Renminbi (CNY/RMB)
fire: 119
police: 110
ambulance: 120
Practical Info
Electricity: 220V / 50Hz / Type A, C, I
Driving: Right
Water: Bottled only
Tipping
- • NOT expected — tipping is not part of Chinese culture
- • Some upscale international hotels accept tips
- • Tour guides: 50-100 CNY/day is appreciated
When to Visit China
Best Months
April, May, September, October
Peak Season
Oct Golden Week (Oct 1-7), Jul-Aug (summer), Chinese New Year
Off Season
Nov-Mar (cold north, pleasant south)
- Jan-Feb
Chinese New Year (dates vary — biggest celebration)
- Apr
Qingming Festival, cherry blossoms
- Jun
Dragon Boat Festival
- Oct
Golden Week (Oct 1-7) — domestic travel peak
Top Destinations in China
- 1Great Wall of China
- 2Forbidden City & Tiananmen Square
- 3Terracotta Army (Xi'an)
- 4Shanghai (Bund, Pudong skyline)
- 5Guilin & Li River
- 6Zhangjiajie (Avatar mountains)
- 7Chengdu (pandas)
- 8Hong Kong
- 9Tibet (Potala Palace)
- 10Yangtze River cruise
- 11Huangshan (Yellow Mountain)
- 12Hangzhou (West Lake)
Cultural Tips
- Learn basic Mandarin — very few people speak English outside major cities
- WeChat Pay and Alipay are essential — cash is rarely used
- VPN needed for Google, Instagram, WhatsApp, Facebook
- Chopstick etiquette: never stick them upright in rice
- Hot water (hot tea) is the default drink — embrace it
- Red is lucky, white is for funerals
- Bargaining expected at markets, not in malls
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a visa?
Most nationalities need a visa. China recently introduced visa-free transit (72-144 hours) for some nationalities at major airports. Apply at Chinese embassy/consulate 1-2 months ahead.
Is China expensive?
Surprisingly affordable outside tier-1 cities. Budget: 200-400 CNY/day ($28-55). Street food: 10-30 CNY per meal. High-speed trains are excellent value.
Can I use Google in China?
No — Google, Gmail, YouTube, WhatsApp, Instagram, Facebook are blocked. Download a VPN before arriving. Baidu Maps instead of Google Maps.
What to Buy in China
Countries Bordering China - Cross-Border Travel Guide
Plan seamless cross-border travel to countries bordering China. Discover visa requirements, border crossings, and multi-destination trip opportunities.
And 8 more neighboring countries
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