Hotpot
火锅Chongqing & Sichuan
A bubbling pot of chili-and-peppercorn broth you cook in at the table. Ask for a split pot (鸳鸯锅) if you want a mild side.
Food & places
Eat well, wander far
A short, opinionated list for a first trip. Show the Chinese name to a waiter or driver and you're set.
What to eat
Xiaolongbao
小笼包Shanghai
Delicate soup dumplings. Bite a small hole, sip the broth, then eat with a touch of black vinegar and ginger.
Peking duck
北京烤鸭Beijing
Lacquered, crisp-skinned duck carved at the table and wrapped in thin pancakes with scallion and sweet bean sauce.
Hand-pulled beef noodles
兰州牛肉面Lanzhou, found nationwide
Noodles stretched to order in a clear beef broth with chili oil and herbs. Fast, filling and very cheap.
Dim sum
早茶点心Guangzhou & Shenzhen
A long morning tea of har gow, siu mai and char siu buns. Go early on weekends; locals take it seriously.
Jianbing
煎饼果子Tianjin & Beijing
The classic street breakfast: a thin crepe with egg, crispy cracker, sauces and herbs, made in front of you.
Where to go
Beijing
北京3 to 4 days- Forbidden City
- Great Wall at Mutianyu
- Temple of Heaven
- Hutong alleys
Local tip: Forbidden City tickets sell out and require your passport. Book a week ahead.
Shanghai
上海2 to 3 days- The Bund
- Yu Garden
- Former French Concession
- Water towns nearby
Local tip: Walk the Bund after dark, then take the ferry across the river for the skyline view.
Xi'an
西安2 days- Terracotta Warriors
- Cycling the city wall
- Muslim Quarter food street
Local tip: Hire a licensed guide at the Terracotta Warriors. The story makes the visit.
Chengdu
成都2 to 3 days- Giant Panda Base
- Teahouses in People's Park
- Sichuan opera face changing
Local tip: Arrive at the panda base when it opens. The pandas are most active in the morning.
Guilin & Yangshuo
桂林 阳朔2 to 3 days- Li River cruise
- Cycling among karst peaks
- Rice terraces at Longji
Local tip: Take the high-speed train from Guangzhou or Shenzhen in about three hours.
Chongqing
重庆2 days- Hongyadong at night
- Monorail through a building
- Yangtze cable car
Local tip: The city is built on hills and maps feel three-dimensional. Use DiDi generously.
Before you fly
Pack your passport. Install GotoChina.
Two minutes at home means Gmail, Maps and WhatsApp work the moment you land.