China country guide

China country guide

China's capital is easily one of Asia's most appealing short-term tourist towns: there are myriad sights to check out, a solid nightlife scene, and heaps of cheap hostels with cosy courtyards and ice-cold beer. In addition, trips to the Great Wall from here make for very pleasant day trips.

On the flipside, the traffic is atrocious, the weather is awful, and after a week, you'll really feel an urge to just get the hell out. 

China country guide

Shanghai is a frenetic town where commerce rules and image means everything. There are huge expat communities here (monied white collar types, funked out artists, jaded English teachers, etc) that spend the bulk of their time getting hedonistic in the city's myriad upscale bars and lounges.

Be warned: tourists might get jaded in a hurry, because there is very little to do here other than eat and drink.

China country guide

China's most appealing backpacker destination draws some of the most unusual expats you'll ever meet.

In droves, they flock here for the cheap and abundant weed, laid-back locals that happily cater to westerner excesses, and some of the most spectacular mountain scenery in Asia – while paying prices cheaper than in both Cambodia and Thailand. 

China country guide

This popular sightseeing destination, steeped in history and packed with ancient relics, offers a hearty dose of Chinese culture within a solid tourist infrastructure.

If you’re into sightseeing, Xian will definitely keep your interest for 3-5 days. If sightseeing isn’t your thing, a stop (on your way to somewhere else) might still be worthwhile, if only to immerse in the tourist vibe, sample some local delicacies, and check out the nightlife.

China country guide

Few travelers venture this deep into the north for purely tourist purposes, but those that dare should expect a decent but not overly memorable experience.

In a nutshell, this hard-drinking northern town offers a killer ice festival, deeply ingrained Russian roots, decent shopping options, hearty Dongbei cuisine, and fierce bar brawls. Bundle up, enjoy the vodka, and watch your back!

China country guide

Famed for its natural beauty and high culture, this tourist town merits a visit, especially for those interested in sightseeing.

If you’re not into culture, the shopping options, restaurants, and bars should keep you stimulated for a few days, but if those are your only priorities, it's probably better to skip this town completely and get your pleasure fix in nearby Shanghai.

China country guide

Although the SE Asian trail has taken on a sour flavor is recent years (because of jaded locals, political instability, and rising costs), Guilin and Yangshuo remain destinations where switched-on vagabonds can ease back and decompress properly.

Although prostitution scams and taxi stings will annoy, the laid back locals, spectacular karst mountains, and excellent value for money make a trip to here well worth the effort.

China country guide

Guangzhou draws millions of Chinese tourists a year with world-class tourist services and typical big-city attractions. English speakers, unfortunately, are not as well accommodated, and may find the ghosts of the recent past (monstrous commercial growth and a money-lusting vibe) slightly off-putting.

China country guide

Flavored with Japanese, western, and Russian vibes, this seaside town is clean, green, and progressive. Typically the expats you meet will be either monied white collared types, grizzled English teachers, or wide-eyed Mandarin students.

For visitors, Dalian is pretty much like any other large Chinese city: there’s not much to do, other than shop, eat, and drink. Conclusion: give it three days, spend a few bucks, and then move on.

China country guide

Although famed for its fiery Sichuan cuisine, the main reason informed punters come this far west is not for the food (you can get quality Sichuan grub in noodle shacks China-wide), but for the nature.

Chengdu serves as the mainland’s gateway to Tibet. It's a sprawling metropolis with a quirky vibe, some rugged locals, and a whole bunch of Panda. If you’re on your way to Lhasa, it’s definitely worth a few days. If you're not, why bother?