Travel advice for China
From travel safety to visa requirements, discover the best tips for traveling to China
Book your individual trip, stress-free with local travel experts
written by Simon Lewis
updated 17.01.2024
Shanghai is a top contender for the buzziest city in Asia, a thriving business hub that's brashly modern yet wears its history on its sleeve. Dense with glitz and grit, the city has a sophisticated and international feel that makes it completely unlike any other mainland metropolis. See why Shanghai made our list of the best cheap places to travel in the world.
8 days / from2208 USD
Sichuan Specialities: Chengdu, Temples and Pandas
Discover the Buddhist history and the natural wonders of Sichuan. From bustling Chengdu and its giant pandas, to the national parks and lake districts of Sichuan Province, to the giant Buddha statue at Leshan, this trip is perfect for those who want to discover this culturally rich part of China.
view tour ⤍5 days / from838 USD
Family Time in Guilin and Yangshuo
This 5-day family trip is a magnificent opportunity to experience the beautiful outdoor settings of Guilin and Yangshuo. Walk, cycle and raft through awe-inspiring scenery, including dramatic limestone karst mountains, and learn about the everyday lives of the Zhuang and Yao ethnic groups.
view tour ⤍8 days / from1962 USD
Sichuan Family Adventure
Sichuan is home to a rich and vibrant culture, stunning scenery and wildlife, and delicious cuisine. Spend time with Chengdu's giant pandas, trek around Mount Qingcheng, stand in awe of the world’s largest Buddha at Leshan, and much more, all with this exciting trip, which is perfect for families!
view tour ⤍8 days / from2479 USD
Tantalising Tibet
Tibet, known as the Rooftop of the World, is one of the most spiritual and atmospheric places on earth: ancient monasteries are carved into the mountain and festooned with colourful prayer flags. Discover the secrets of this uniquely spiritual land with this once-in-a-lifetime trip.
view tour ⤍5 days / from3300 USD
Hong Kong Deluxe
Hong Kong makes a memorable introduction to the Chinese world. Glamorous, hectic, exciting and spectacular, with fabulous food, nightlife and shopping, this is a place like no other. Explore the city at your own pace, enjoying life’s little luxuries at every turn.
view tour ⤍4 days / from1040 USD
Hong Kong in a Nutshell
A teeming, exotic and alluring metropolis, Hong Kong is uniquely rich in both cultural diversity and contrasts. In fact, there is so much packed into Hong Kong, it can be hard to know where to start, which is where this unique trip comes in.
view tour ⤍9 days / from2137 USD
The People and Cultures of Guizhou
Discover the fascinating people and cultures of Guizhou, one of China's most diverse regions. Learn about the everyday lives of the Zhuang and Yao ethnic groups, whilst you enjoy their colourful customs and traditions, and pass through awe-inspiring scenery such as otherworldly rice terraces.
view tour ⤍14 days / from3346 USD
The Mystical Worlds of Shangri-La & Tibet
A perfect introduction to the mystical worlds of Shangri-La and Tibet. From the breathtaking plateaus and valleys, to the historical Buddhist monasteries and villages, this trip provides a unique insight into the culture and traditions of the Tibetan people.
view tour ⤍16 days / from5521 USD
Along the Silk Road
Travel along the Silk Road, and discover the best of China with this fascinating in-depth trip. Starting in Beijing, experience the Forbidden City, the Yellow River, the Great Wall of China, Heavenly Lake, the Terracotta Army of Warriors and much more, all with this unique, detailed trip.
view tour ⤍11 days / from3462 USD
The Best of China
From well-preserved tombs to The Great Wall, this tour of China packs in all the essentials. From the bright city lights of Beijing and Shanghai to breathtaking rolling landscapes, meandering rivers and ancient treasures, there’s much to delight all visitors to China.
view tour ⤍7 days / from1465 USD
China's Old Water Towns
The area around Shanghai is home to some of China's best-kept travel secrets. Ancient water towns – picturesque towns constructed on a network of canals, featuring classical weeping gardens and romantic arched bridges – grace the area. Explore China's old water towns on this unique trip.
view tour ⤍12 days / from2436 USD
Cultural China and Majestic Yangtze River Cruise
China is a vast and varied land, seemingly full to the brim of mega cities, dramatic limestone mountains and endless countryside. This trip takes in the best the country has to offer, visiting the historic cities of Beijing, Xian and Shanghai, before cruising down the Yangtze River.
view tour ⤍11 days / from2841 USD
Incredible Yunnan
Culturally rich and ethnically diverse, Yunnan is one of China’s most fascinating regions. Explore this scenic southwestern province, great to travel to year round, from the capital Kunming to the well-preserved ancient city of Jianshui, famous for its old walls.
view tour ⤍5 days / from2300 USD
Hong Kong Highlights
Hong Kong is a vibrant and appealing city, with its waterside location and towering skyscrapers, it offers the visitor modernity and tradition, the exotic and efficient. Perfect for a family break, there’s plenty to keep everyone entertained from Central to the New Territories and beyond.
view tour ⤍9 days / from2560 USD
Beijing and The Great Wall of China
Following a short stay in Beijing, with its awe-inspiring Forbidden City, you will venture through the majestic Great Wall lands of Changping and Simatai, and marvel in the vibrancy of the water town of Gubei, a magnificent collage of Great Wall, mountains, lakes and ancient villages.
view tour ⤍13 days / from4686 USD
Complete China: Beijing, Xi'an and Shanghai
Following a stay in resplendent Beijing, visit the awe-inspiring Forbidden City, Great Wall, and the Terracotta Army of Xi’an. Travel into the Himalayas, before hiking to the Tiger Leaping Gorge. Continue to Chengdu, home of the giant panda, before entering the mythical valley of Shangri-La.
view tour ⤍5 days / from2850 USD
Hong Kong Island Insights
The bustling and dynamic city of Hong Kong is brimming with opportunities to explore its colonial past and rich Chinese heritage and culture. The perfect destination for the intrepid explorer, this unique trip won’t leave you disappointed.
view tour ⤍11 days / from3360 USD
China and Tibet – An Unforgettable Adventure
From tombs and monasteries to world-famous squares and walls, this trip takes in both China and Tibet for an unforgettable journey. Explore Beijing and all its spectacular attractions and take in the stunning natural surroundings around Chengdu and on into Tibet.
view tour ⤍But where should you base yourself? The subway network – the biggest in the world – makes whizzing around town easy, but you'll have an easier stay if you choose the right area to start with. Whatever kind of trip you're planning, here's our expert's guide to where to stay in Shanghai.
People's Square is bang in the middle of the city, and from here you can walk to most of the attractions. It's served with countless places to eat and shop, and there are a couple of museums right on your doorstep. Architecturally, it's a total mish-mash, but then that is very Shanghai. If the hustle and bustle get too much, People's Park makes a great retreat.
Budget bargain: Mingtown Etour
The city's best backpacker hostel, featuring decent rooms (all shared bathrooms), a great bar with a courtyard, and an amazing location, tucked in an alley behind Tomorrow Square.
Stay in the heart of Shanghai: Jin Jiang Pacific Hotel
Housed in a historic neoclassical building, Jin Jiang Pacific Hotel offers elegant rooms located along the popular Nanjing Pedestrian Street. Directly opposite People's Square Metro Station.
Jing'an is the city's modern centre, and it's Shanghai at its busiest and buzziest, with a plethora of places to eat, drink and (mostly) shop. Many places to stay mainly come under the category of undistinguished business hotels, but there are a few quirkier venues tucked away too.
Fashion on a budget: CACHET Boutique Shanghai
Stylish, small and well located, this hotel was once an old apartment block. Ask for one of the higher floors – and it's worth paying a little more for a balcony.
Chic and sleek: The Puli Hotel
Elegant and attractive (and featuring a spa and a pool), Puli is off the main road, so not too noisy. Go for a high room with a view of Jing'an Park.
Shanghai's Old City was once a warren of alleyways: historically, it's where the Chinese population lived. In truth, there's not much history left, as the place is being torn down and rebuilt at a fearsome rate.
The area's traditional character remains in the bazaar around the Yuyuan gardens. You'll need to get cabs in and out, as it's the one area that isn't well served by the subway.
A boutique option: Indigo
This lavish modern property is right on the river, so the best rooms have great views.
The Bund, on the west bank of the Huangpu river, was where the great European trading houses and banks built their headquarters, competing to construct the grandest edifice. Today this strip of incongruously western buildings, facing the flashy skyscrapers of Pudong on the opposite bank, is China's Champs Élysées. If you're feeling flush, you'll find the city's plushest hotels here along with its swankiest shops and a plethora of fine dining and upscale nightlife establishments.
Heritage escape: Waldorf Astoria
In what was once the city's oldest gentleman's club, this stylishly updated heritage hotel is a feast of Neoclassical opulence.
A piece of history: Fairmont Peace Hotel
The most famous hotel in Shanghai is an Art-Deco marvel steeped in history with a renowned jazz bar.
The old French Concession is Shanghai at its most relaxed and sophisticated, with no high rises and a damping down of the commercial frenzy that characterises the rest of the city. Many of the mansions tucked discreetly off the tree-lined roads have been converted into stylish eateries, chic boutiques or quirky hotels. It's an area that invites, and rewards, leisurely strolling.
Intimate and and historic: Shanghai Hengshan Moller Villa Hotel
A unique northern European Norway-style building with more than 70 years history and located in Former French Concession of Shanghai.
Retro retreat: Shanghai Donghu Hotel
This old-Shanghai-style hotel is located in the vibrant Donghu Street, with several delicate gardens and a fountain surrounded.
Hard to believe, but the glittering sci-fi cityscape of Pudong, on the east side of the Huangpu river, was pretty much just paddy fields 30 years ago. Many of the gleaming new skyscrapers near the river, in Lujiazui, have luxurious hotels taking up the top floors. Here, it's all about the fantastic views, so try to get a high floor, and a room on a corner. A word of warning: accommodation here doesn't come cheap.
Spectacular sights: Grand Hyatt
Rooms here, on the top floors of the elegant Jinamo Tower, have floor-to-ceiling windows, and the very top floor has one of the world's highest cocktail bars.
Business class: The Eton Hotel
Corporate but comfortable, and nice big rooms – a little far from the centre, but right by the metro.
Discover more of Shanghai with The Rough Guide to Shanghai.
Top image © ESB Professional/Shutterstock
written by Simon Lewis
updated 17.01.2024
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From travel safety to visa requirements, discover the best tips for traveling to China