China Travel Journey
Interested in Chinese culture? Want to travel to China but don’t know how? See China through our eyes. We’re your local guides to the culture, food, and hidden spots you won’t find anywhere else. Your real journey starts here!
About China Travel Journey
We might sound like some kind of official travel bureau, right? Relax. We’re not. We’re just two ordinary guys from China who wanted to do something interesting in our spare time.
Why? We want to share the real China we know and love with friends from all over the world. — the food we love, the places we recommend to our own friends, and the cultural details only locals know. We’ll show you the culture, but from our point of view.
In short, this is China from a local’s perspective — local, human, and a little bit personal. No filter, just real stories and helpful advice.
Top 10 Best Places to Visit in China
The Great Wall
One of the Seven Wonders, built to fend off invaders—talk about epic defense! Stretching like a dragon’s spine, it whispers tales of grit and glory. Walking on stones from centuries ago feels powerful and makes you truly feel the long story of China.
Terracotta Army
Imagine an entire army made of clay, buried for 2,000 years to protect an emperor. It’s mind-blowing craftsmanship—each face unique, like frozen soldiers from a lost war. It’s a sight that shows you the incredible power and artistry of ancient China.
Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding
Home of China’s most beloved symbol — the panda! In Chengdu, you can see these fluffy, lazy, bamboo-eating superstars up close. Watching a baby panda stumble and play is guaranteed to make you smile. You cannot be unhappy here, it’s impossible!
West Lake
A poetic lake in Hangzhou, surrounded by pagodas, gardens, and legends of eternal love. Paddle boats glide past willow-draped causeways; sunset turns it golden. This is like a perfect Chinese painting you can walk into.
The Bund
Welcome to Shanghai! On one side of the river are grand, old European buildings. On the other, the crazy, futuristic skyline of modern China. At night, when all the lights turn on, the view is pure magic. A must-see for sure.
Yellow Mountain(huangshan mountain)
Sharp granite peaks stick out from a sea of clouds, with ancient pine trees clinging to the rocks. It looks exactly like a traditional ink painting brought to life. Hike sunrise trails through sea-of-clouds; it’s ethereal, exhausting, unforgettable.
The Forbidden City
The ancient palace of emperors in Beijing: 8,728 rooms of red walls and golden roofs, once off-limits to common folk. It’s a huge city within a city, wander through courtyards where emperors schemed, you can feel the history and secrets in every grand courtyard.
Zhangjiajie National Forest Park
Remember the floating mountains from the movie Avatar? This is the place that inspired them! These giant sandstone pillars reaching for the sky are a truly unbelievable sight. It feels like you’ve landed on another planet where nature is the master artist.
Summer Palace
Where did the emperors go to escape the summer heat? Here! This is a massive, beautiful royal garden built around a huge lake. Stroll Kunming Lake’s marble boat at twilight—it’s serene luxury with a side of intrigue. It’s the most relaxing and elegant park imaginable.
Potala Palace
High up in the mountains of Tibet, this palace is a powerful symbol of faith. It was the home of the Dalai Lama, and its red and white walls against the bright blue sky are an unforgettable image. Climb to golden roofs and prayer halls echoing with chants. It’s spiritual vertigo —breathtaking views and a humbling peek into the Tibetan soul.
Taste of China – Top 10 Must-Try Foods
Peking Duck
Crispy golden skin wrapped around tender, juicy meat — Beijing’s royal treat from the Ming Dynasty. Wrap it in a thin pancake with sweet sauce, cucumber, and green onion for a sweet-savory crunch that melts in your mouth, never greasy. One bite, and you’ll wonder why you waited so long.
Kung Pao Chicken
A world-famous Sichuan dish that tastes even better here! It’s tender chicken stir-fried with peanuts and chilies in a tangy-spicy-sweet sauce. Born in the Qing era from a clever governor’s kitchen. We call this a “rice killer” because it makes you want to eat so much rice!
Hot Pot
Sichuan-style bubbling cauldron of fiery red broth with chilies and Sichuan pepper—numbing, spicy bliss. Choose from a mild or a numbing spicy base. And cook your own thin slices of meat and vegetables and noodles in it. Share with friends; it’s messy, sweaty fun that’ll have you toasting with cold beer.
Dim Sum
A Cantonese tradition of bite-sized dishes served in steamer baskets.. You sit and drink tea (yum cha) while waiters push carts past your table. From these carts, you choose small plates like shrimp dumplings, steamed buns, or savory chicken feet. It’s delicious, fun, and you can try so many things!
Mapo Tofu
Don’t let the simple look of tofu fool you. This dish is a flavor explosion: spicy, numbing from Sichuan peppercorns, and super fragrant. The tofu is silky soft, cooked with a bit of minced meat. Its bold flavors are summarized in six words: spicy, fragrant, hot, fresh, tender, crisp. Be prepared, it has a real kick!
Xiaolongbao
These are delicate steamed buns from Shanghai with a surprise inside: thin dough cradling pork and jellied broth—steamed to juicy perfection since the 19th century. Bite carefully (or burn your tongue like I do); savory explosion inside. Dip in ginger vinegar for zing. Tiny packets of steamy joy.
Sweet and Sour Pork
A popular and crowd-pleasing dish. It’s a perfect balance of flavors. Bite-sized pieces of pork are deep-fried until crispy and then tossed in a vibrant, sticky sweet and tomato sauce. It’s a favorite comfort food for both kids and adults across China. It’s simple, and it’s perfect.
Chow Mein / Fried Noodles
The ultimate Chinese street food. Noodles are fried in a super-hot wok with crunchy vegetables(like bean sprouts and cabbage) and meat, giving them a special smoky flavor we call wōkhèi (锅气). Chewy-crisp texture, savory umami. It’s fast, cheap, and one of the most satisfying meals you can find, especially late at night.
Dumplings
Don’t let the simple look of tofu fool you. This dish is a flavor explosion: spicy, numbing from Sichuan peppercorns, and super fragrant. The tofu is silky soft, cooked with a bit of minced meat. Its bold flavors are summarized in six words: spicy, fragrant, hot, fresh, tender, crisp. Be prepared, it has a real kick!
Roujiamo
Shaanxi’s “Chinese hamburger” and it’s one of the oldest in the world! It consists of tender, spiced stewed meat stuffed inside a flat, crispy baked bread “mo.” Juicy, meaty, aromatic chew that’s portable perfection. It’s a simple, savory, and amazing street food snack you have to try.
8 Best Cities to Visit in China | City Travel Guide
Beijing
Beijing is the heart of China — huge, historic, and full of incredible power. Street food sizzles; hutong bikes beat traffic. Stand on the Great Wall, and feel thousands of years of history all around you. Dive into history’s hustle, but pack layers for that sneaky winter chill. This is a city of epic stories.
Chengdu
Welcome to our city! Chengdu is famous for three things: the Giant Panda Breeding Base and amazing, spicy Sichuan food and a laid-back lifestyle. Visit Wuhou Shrine, Wenshu monastery, and taste authentic Sichuan snacks. It’s a city where you can eat well and just slow down. We love it here!
Shanghai
Shanghai is a vibrant, forward-looking financial hub that never sleeps. Neon-drenched futurism clashes with French Concession charm—stroll The Bund’s river glow, nibble xiaolongbao in alleys. As a shopping paradise, it caters to all tastes, from luxury brands on Nanjing Road to quirky local dynamic nightlife. It’s a nonstop mix of East meets West, old meets new.
Xi’an
Xi’an is a living museum and the cradle of Chinese civilization. As the eastern terminus of the Silk Road, it was the capital during several of China’s most significant dynasties. Cyclist Bell Tower buzz, Terracotta Army’s silent legions underground. Muslim Quarter’s lamb skewers smoke the air—chewy, spiced heaven. Ancient walls enclose modern munchies; rent a e-bike at dawn for that emperor-for-a-day rush.
Shenzhen
Shenzhen is a modern metropolis built in just a few decades. It is known for tech innovation, shopping, and theme parks like Window of the World. Just 40 years ago, this was a small fishing village. Now, Shenzhen is China’s glittering tech hub — glittering malls, drone-lit parks, and Huaqiangbei’s gadget chaos. It’s super modern, clean, and full of youthful energy.
Guangzhou
If you love to eat, come to Guangzhou! This busy, southern port city has been a center for trade for centuries. It’s the heart of Cantonese cuisine and the home of dim sum. Canton Tower twinkles over Pearl River dim sum dens—Pearl River cruises, ancient Chen Clan academy carvings. Humid, hearty food capital; metro’s a maze, but worth it for that morning tea ritual. Bustling, flavorful base for southern explorations.
Hong Kong
Hong Kong is one of a kind. A city of towering skyscrapers, packed between green mountains and the sea. Victoria Peak panoramas, Star Ferry hops, and Lan Kwai Fong neon nights. Dim sum skyscrapers, street-market steals—British-colonial spice in chaotic Cantonese. Hike Dragon’s Back for sea views; it’s dense, dazzling escape where East-West flirt shamelessly.
Chongqing
Chongqing is a megacity of staggering scale and futuristic aesthetics, often described as China’s very own”cyberpunk” city. Chongqing is famous for its super-spicy hot pot and its mind-bending landscape, where subways run through buildings on the 8th floor and neon-drenched nights along the Yangtze and Jialing Rivers. It’s a mountain city of steep hills with a gritty, energetic vibe.
Top Things to Do in China (Activities & Experiences)
01
Explore Local Wet Markets & Street Food Culture
A wet market is the heart of a Chinese neighborhood! It’s loud, chaotic, and full of life.: haggling over fresh mangoes, dodging fish guts, and snagging stinky tofu skewers that smell like regret but taste like victory. It’s raw daily life—watch aunties boss the stalls, grab a steaming bao, and feel the pulse of real China. No filters here, just flavors.
02
Hot Springs / Chinese Bathhouse Culture
Northern China’s steamy ritual: soak in geothermal pools, get a scrub-down that’ll leave you pink as a newborn. Massages, saunas, and zero-judgment nudity. Okay, I have a confession. I’m from southern China, so this northern tradition is still a mystery to me! If hot springs are more your style, soak under snowy mountains in Sichuan or Yunnan.
03
Robotaxis Riding / Autonomous Vehicles
Welcome to the future! Cities like Beijing and Wuhan now offer autonomous taxis. Hop in a Baidu Apollo Go for glitch-free cruises through Beijing’s buzz— no driver chit-chat, just AI smarts dodging scooters like a pro. If you love technology, you have to try it. It’s a little strange at first, but it’s an incredible feeling to see the steering wheel move by itself.
04
Watch Peking Opera or Sichuan Opera
This isn’t like Western opera. It’s a show of music, amazing costumes, and incredible acrobatics. Peking Opera dazzles with colorful costumes and sharp voices. Sichuan Opera thrills with its famous “face-changing” tricks where performers magically switch masks in the blink of an eye. It’s theatrical fireworks from imperial eras, equal parts screechy and stunning.
05
Join Evening Square Dancing & Morning Tai Chi
Want a taste of Chinese retirement life? In the morning, elders practice Tai Chi with slow, graceful moves in the park. Retirement life, Chinese-style. At night, grandmas dance in sync to loud pop music in city squares. It’s peekaboo retirement: slow breaths, zero shame. Tag along, botch the moves; locals’ll cheer your enthusiasm. Who needs gyms when parks party like this?
06
Take a High-Speed Bullet Train Journey
China’s bullet trains are clean, smooth, and efficient — faster than flying for many routes, and a travel experience in themselves. The best way to travel between cities. Our high-speed trains are super fast (over 300 km/h!), modern, and always on time. Landscapes blur like a fever dream, snacks trolley rolls by. World’s fastest net; book via app, snag a window seat for rural reveals.
China Travel Tips & Guides
Visa Guide
Most need a tourist L visa—apply online via the new portal launched Sep 30, 2025, for faster processing. Passport valid 6+ months, 2 blank pages; prep itinerary, hotel bookings. Visa-free till Dec 31 for 9 countries’ folks—check your eligibility. Always keep your passport and visa on you, as hotels need them for registration.
Transport in China
Getting around cities is easy! Subways are modern, clean, and have English signs and announcements. Download the 12306 app for train tickets, Didi app for rides (like Uber, cheaper), Amap for maps/GPS that actually work here—no Google Maps drama. For short trips, shared bikes like Meituan Bike are everywhere and super cheap—just scan a QR code on the bike to unlock it.
Money & Payments
This is very important: China is almost completely cashless now. You MUST set up Alipay or WeChat Pay and link an international card. Pay for scans everywhere—street carts to subways. ATMs spit yuan, but fees bite; carry 200-500 RMB backup. Visa/Mastercard works in big hotels, not stalls. Tip: Set up mini-programs in apps pre-trip. “Scan you or scan me?”—your new mantra. Spend worry-free.
Language Tips
English isn’t widely spoken outside major cities. Download Pleco (dictionary) and Google Translate(with a VPN). Learn basics: “ni hao” (hello), “duo shao qian?” (how much?) and “thank you” (xièxiè). Smile bridges gaps—locals love the effort. Don’t be shy to use gestures—locals are very friendly and helpful. No Mandarin? No problem. A great tip is to always have your hotel’s address saved in Chinese characters on your phone to show taxi drivers.
Answers to
popular questions
Got burning questions about hopping over to China? It’s normal to be curious! So, we’ve put together some quick answers to the most common questions we hear. We hope this helps you plan your amazing journey! Fire away in the comments if yours isn’t here.