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Last Updated 31st July 2026
If your algorithm is anything like mine, I’m willing to bet that one too many Giant panda videos or influencers trying viral matcha spots in Shanghai have left you feeling… well, influenced!
Coincidence? Actually, it’s not. In January 2026, it was announced that UK citizens could now visit China for up to 30 days without a visa. Yep, that means you can explore this iconic country for an entire month and skip the paperwork.
Now’s the perfect time to experience this trending destination for yourself. Read on to discover the best places to visit in China for first-timers. 🐼
Starting strong with China’s capital. In just over a century, Beijing has undergone the craziest transformation from fortress walls to mega skyscrapers. To say Beijing is a must for history lovers would be a huge understatement, when you can hop from traditional Hutong neighbourhoods, stunning temples and iconic landmarks like the Temple of Heaven, Tiananmen Square, and, of course, the Forbidden City.
The Forbidden City
Welcome to the largest palace complex on the planet. For almost 500 years, this served as private quarters to 24 emperors of the Ming and Qing dynasties, closed off to the outside world until 1924.
The Forbidden City famously has 9,999 rooms, and is roughly the size of 10 Buckingham Palaces combined. So, basically, it’s humanly impossible to squeeze everything into a day. Trust that the magic won’t get lost on you as you wander past gardens and golden rooftops, filled with endless tiny details.
Tickets sell out in advance, so the sooner you book, the better. But if you miss out, you can grab tickets to Jingshan Park instead for that famous aerial shot. Pro tip: aim for early morning or just before sunset.
Great Wall of China
You knew it was coming. Because if I could only pick one thing in China that you need to see, it’s got to be one of the World’s Seven Wonders.
The Great Wall of China is the stuff of legend. It spans almost the entire length of China from east to west, and walking the full stretch would take 18 months!
But visiting a single section is all you need to feel that wanderlust. It’s like those views go on forever, as you climb along the stony passages winding through the hilltops. “Breathless” is the best word to describe it (and I do mean that literally. It’s a bit of a hike but so unbelievably worth it!).
Here are the most popular sections to visit on a day trip from Beijing:
Lucy, our Finance Director, on her experience visiting the Mutianyu section:
“The Great Wall was just awesome. The enormity of it blows your mind. We got there early and had perfect weather, 32 degrees and clear skies, when we visited in May.”
Fun Fact: A study discovered that the key ingredient holding the Great Wall of China together is… sticky rice!
Nostalgic and futuristic. Quirky and sophisticated. Transformative and timeless. Shanghai doesn’t do straightforward. But all those contradictions just make it so Shanghai. Home to over 30 million people, big city life is on another level here. Just about anything feels possible (except maybe boredom).
Food and Drink
Hands up if you have a matcha addiction. 😔✋ I know where I’d rather be right now, and it’s café-hopping my way through Shanghai’s most stunning neighbourhoods, from the leafy streets of the former French Concession to lantern-clad labyrinths. Or staying until the street food stalls come out, and I can satisfy my savoury pancake fix.
Really though, Shanghai is a foodie capital. And in China? That’s saying something. You’ve got to try Shanghai’s signature dish, Xiaolongbao: delicate, steamed and filled dumplings. Seasoned pork is the most popular filling, but you can also try crab meat, shrimp or chicken. Whether Michelin Star or hole-in-the-wall is more your style, you’re never far from a mind-blowing meal.
The Bund
Even if you only have 24 hours in Shanghai, you need to go to the waterfront for sunset. Art Deco, neoclassical and bright neon-lit skyscrapers all collide, and you won’t know what to set your eyes on first. But somehow it all works.
You’ve got the photos, now what? Lots of cafés and shops stay up until late in Shanghai, so you could easily spend the night strolling the promenade. Or you know, hit up the rooftop bars! Especially when there are cocktails - exclusive to Shanghai - ready to be shaken or stirred.
The unexpected favourite. Chengdu is by far one of the best cities to visit in China, and it has everything to do with the vibes. By day it’s scenic courtyards, emerald lakes and the gentle hum of teahouses. Then by dusk… Let’s just say Chengdu has a wild side, so if you want any lively nights out on our China group tours, this is the spot for it. Speaking of wild, two words for you: Giant pandas!
Fun Fact: Chengdu was named Asia’s first UNESCO City of Gastronomy! Sichuan cuisine is known for its extreme spice (like seriously, your local takeaway has got nothing on it🌶️). If you’re gonna try it, order a split hotpot: where one broth is hot, and the other is milder.
Chengdu Panda Base
Want to meet China’s most iconic animals? Of course you do! The Chengdu Panda Base is where you can see adorable Giant pandas hanging out in the bamboo trunks, with lots of space to roam. Thanks largely to this research unit, Giant pandas are no longer on the endangered species list.
You can even see Red pandas here, too! We recommend getting here bright and early, as this is when the pandas are typically most active.
Teahouse Culture
POV: You’re sat in a bamboo armchair by the river. A hot cup of the local brew you just ordered is in your hands, as you breathe in the steam and fragrance. Birds are chirping, conversations around you are spiralling, and in the distance, you’re trying to guess which stranger will win that round of mahjong (you’re still not sure what the rules even are).
Sure, there’s more sightseeing to be had. More once-in-a-lifetime moments to be chased. But for now, in this moment, there’s nowhere you’d rather be.
Fallen to dust, risen from the ashes. Wondering what makes Xi’an one of the best places to visit for your first time in China? History.
13 dynasties. A fierce legacy as the ancient Silk Road’s first chapter (for over 1,500 years). Countless warriors, courtesans, monks and merchants. Yeah, you could say those fortress walls have seen their share of mythic stories.
Terracotta Army
Can you believe that one of China’s greatest archaeological wonders was only discovered just a few decades ago?
8,000 terracotta warriors and 520 horses are estimated to exist, with around 2,000 of these already excavated. They were buried alongside Qin Shi Huang, China’s first emperor, to protect him in the afterlife and guide his quest for immortality. The warriors were actually painted, carried real weapons and, the most astonishing part, no two look quite the same.
Xi’an City Walls
Words don’t really capture how it feels to be standing on the Xi’an City Walls, staring out into an entire sea of skyscrapers. Nor can you begin to describe what it’s like to cycle along those wide open paths at sunset, as bursts of orange and pink illuminate the sky. If a picture’s worth a thousand words, experiencing it in person must equal a billion.
You’ve never seen anything like Zhangjiajie, home to floating rock towers piercing into the sky. Picture swathes of jade forest, mist clinging around the edges. One word captures it best: otherworldly.
If you’ve seen the film Avatar (2009) before, you can practically hear the soundtrack’s melodies playing in your mind. For the unacquainted, don’t worry: the cinematic feeling isn’t lost on any visitor. What looks like pure fantasy is somehow all Mother Nature.
World’s Tallest Outdoor Elevator
We’re going up! This record-breaker is built into the limestone cliffs, reaching a whopping height of 326 metres (1,070 feet). It’ll take you to the top in just over a minute, and the views from up here are next-level. Oh, and the elevator cars are made of glass. 🤯
Tianmen Mountain
Enjoying that scenery from afar is one thing. Getting up close is a must for full immersion. From glass skywalks to mountain cable car rides, you won’t run out of activities to fill a day or two here. If you don’t mind breaking a sweat, take on the 999 steps leading up to Tianmen Cave (aptly known as Heaven’s Gate, after the sunlight pouring through the rocks, and the relief your legs will feel once it’s over).
Both cash and card are virtually non-existent in China. All payments are instead done through your phone. Downloading popular payment apps, such as AliPay or WeChat Pay, is highly recommended in advance of your trip. Then you can pick up that much-needed matcha at the airport right away!
You can also book rides, reserve tickets, scan QR codes, and so much more through these apps.
There are benefits to picking up a local SIM card, especially if you plan on doing independent travel and booking activities through Chinese apps (which often require a local number). But keep in mind that this can also come with navigating language barriers.
eSIMs can get everything set up before you even land in China. Then just toggle on your data plan in the settings when you arrive. You can easily top up data through your chosen app if you’re running low.
Our eSIMs for travel guide has all the details on how it works (plus how you can get 10% off as a booked Adventure360 traveller!).
A little goes a long way. Practising a few phrases in Mandarin before your trip is a great way to show respect for the local culture. Don’t worry if your pronunciation isn’t perfect; nobody’s expecting you to be fluent, it’s the gesture that counts.
English is not widely spoken outside of China’s biggest cities like Beijing or Shanghai. Having translation apps ready on your phone can be a huge lifesaver if you plan on visiting local areas, shops or restaurants.
Staying updated on official travel advice is the best way to ensure a seamless trip. We encourage all UK travellers to keep informed by regularly checking Foreign Travel Advice for China (FCDO) provided by the government.
This also includes any layovers or additional countries, special administrative regions or territories you may be visiting, alongside China.
We have a feeling China is only going to get more popular. As it should! From incredible food to cities, culture and nature, China has so much to offer, and it’s beyond what you could ever have imagined.
Want to experience China for yourself? Our China group tours do all the planning for you, from accommodation to transport, essential activities, local guides, and new friends to share the memories with. Start exploring now!
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