China City Guides for First-Time Visitors (2026)

Each guide covers the things that trip up first-time visitors in that city: getting in from the airport, paying for the metro, which sights need a passport booking (and how far ahead), day trips and where to go next.

North

BeijingPEK · PKX · 240-hour transit port

East

ShanghaiPVG · SHA · 240-hour transit portHangzhouHGH · 240-hour transit port

Southwest

ChengduTFU · CTU · 240-hour transit portChongqingCKG · 240-hour transit port

South

GuangzhouCAN · 240-hour transit portShenzhenSZX · 240-hour transit portGuilinKWL · 240-hour transit port

Northwest

Xi'anXIY · 240-hour transit port

Central

ZhangjiajieDYG · 240-hour transit port

More cities coming. Planning the visa side first? Check if you can visit China visa-free.