First Time in China: How to Plan Your Perfect Itinerary

Quick Summary

🗺️ Country Size: Vast - 9.6 million km²
⏱️ Ideal Duration: 3 weeks
💲 Budget Range: $50-$150 per day
🌡️ Best Time: April-May or September-October
🚅 Transport: High-speed trains connect major attractions
🏠 Where to Start: Beijing or Shanghai

Introduction

Having travelled to China few times already, I still remember the anxiety surrounding the logisitics: how do I apply for a visa? will I get it? will I be able to access my e-mail? will WeChat work?

Plus, China is such a big country with so much to see — planning your first trip can make you feel overwhelmed. I know that this is how we felt anyway.

Mountains, deserts, grasslands, beaches, vibrant megacities, cultural heritage... China has it all, so you can definitely feel a bit of a FOMO planning your trip.

So how do you go about planning your first trip?

First-Time China Planning Essentials
Climate Considerations
City Planning: Why You Need More Time
Transportation Strategy
Packing Smart for China
Connectivity & Tech Preparation
Budget Planning
Sample First-Time Itineraries
FAQs for First-Time China Travelers

First-Time China Planning Essentials

Accept That You Can't See It All

China is roughly the size of Europe or the United States. Your first trip should focus on a specific region or a well-connected route rather than trying to see everything.

Focus on Your Interests

Interested in cultural heritage? Beijing, Xi'an, and Nanjing might be your priority
Foodie? Consider Chengdu, Chongqing, Guangzhou, and Shanghai
Nature lover? Yunnan, Zhangjiajie, or Tibet could be highlights
Modern China? Shanghai, Shenzhen, and Hangzhou showcase innovation

Plan Around These First-Timer Mistakes

Overpacking the itinerary - most travelers underestimate travel times and fatigue
Skimping on city time - cities need 3-4 days minimum (more on this below!)
Following outdated advice - China changes incredibly fast
Neglecting climate differences - conditions vary dramatically across regions

🌟 Pro Tip: For your first trip, consider sticking to a single province or a small cluster of well-connected cities rather than trying to traverse the entire country.

Climate Considerations

To state the obvious: China is big.

For that reason, in every month you might decide to travel in, you can expect the weather to be vastly different between locations.

The deserts of Xinjiang, high altitudes of the Tibetan plateau, Arctic Harbin and Mohe, cool Yunnan, humid Hong Kong, tropical Hainan...

There is a lot to choose from, and each destination requires different travel clothes.

Our advice (that we don't always follow ourselves) is to try to limit yourself to places with similar temperatures — otherwise, you might discover that your backpack or suitcase simply cannot fit it all! Know what kind of temperatures and weather in general you're willing to handle (think extremes: hot, cold, rain) and decide accordingly.

Climate Zones to Consider:

Northern China (Beijing, Harbin): Four distinct seasons with cold winters
Central China (Shanghai, Chengdu): Milder but still variable weather, hot in the summer
Southern China (Guangzhou, Hong Kong): Subtropical with hot, humid summers
Western China (Tibet, Xinjiang): Extreme conditions, high altitude considerations, hot but dry in the summer, cold in the winter
Tropical South (Hainan): Beach weather year-round

🌟 Pro Tip: For a balanced first trip, Spring (April-May) and Fall (September-October) offer the most pleasant temperatures across most of China.

City Planning: Why You Need More Time

The biggest mistake we made on our first trip to China was not having enough time to explore the cities.

When asked by my husband what I would like to do and see the most— as he has already been to China — without hesitation I said that I wasn't interested in the cities at all, that those are just transition points for me, and I wanted to see nature and "the way people live."

I didn't realize somehow that life in the cities IS HOW PEOPLE LIVE.

Cities in China have been by far the most interesting thing we've experienced — there's always something going on (think old ladies dancing in the park or exercise bikes for kids that blow bubbles and play music).

The best food can also be found in the cities!

I would strongly advise allocating enough time to spend in each city you decide to visit, as it's not just the tourist attractions that are the real draw, but the atmosphere and the local hangouts - and it does take time to find those!

City Time Requirements:

Tier-1 Cities (Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Shenzhen): Minimum 4 days
Tier-2 Cities (Wuhan, Changsha, Kunming): 4 days recommended, 3 days to get a taste
Historical Centers (Xi'an, Nanjing, Hangzhou): Minimum 3 days
Regional Capitals (Chengdu, Kunming, Chongqing): Minimum 3 days
Smaller Cities and historical villages: Even 2 full days can be worthwhile

🌟 Pro Tip: Less is more when it comes to sightseeing. While 2 days in a city will get you nowhere, double it and you can be sure to find exciting things to do and amazing things to eat - and you'll probably still wish you had more time!

Transportation Strategy

Again, because China is so big— it might sound like a crazy idea to travel it overland. However, if there's one place in the world where that is in fact possible, it is China.

With its extensive high-speed train network, no destination is too far off.

Traveling by train is an adventure in its own right, and we always choose train over plane when feasible — in fact we are yet to take a domestic flight there.

Only train travel lets you appreciate the ever-changing landscape and the distance you travel. Only overland travel gives you the sense of a real journey rather than hopping from one tourist attraction to another.

With the prices and quality of Chinese trains, there should be no need to do much convincing. Why would you choose a plane if you can relax in a business-class seat for the same price?

Train Classes to Know:

G trains (Gaosu/高速): Fastest high-speed trains (300+ km/h)
D trains (Dongche/动车): Slightly slower high-speed trains (200-250 km/h)
Z trains (Zhida/直达): Direct express trains, good for overnight trips
K, T, and numbered trains: Slower options, but often more affordable

Key Train Routes for First-Timers:

Beijing ↔ Shanghai: ~4.5 hours by G train
Beijing ↔ Xi'an: ~5.5 hours by G train
Shanghai ↔ Hangzhou: ~1 hour by G train
Guangzhou ↔ Hong Kong: ~1 hour by G train
Chengdu ↔ Chongqing: ~1.5 hours by G train

💡 For train bookings, use Trip.com or 12306.cn (the official Chinese railway site)

Packing Smart for China

When it comes to packing for China, flexibility is key. You'll need to adapt to both urban environments and potential nature excursions.

Backpack vs. Suitcase Decision

The eternal travel debate: backpack or suitcase?

For China, this depends on your itinerary:

Backpack advantages: Better for uneven surfaces, stairs, crowded places
Suitcase advantages: Easier organization, better protection for belongings

We are strong advocates for backpack, but they require a skill of packing light — otherwise you feel like a turtle carrying all your belongings with you.

Backpacks offer more flexibility where moving around a lot, but consider a suitcase if you are going to take taxis to the train station and airport anyway.

Essential Items for China:

VPN service (if using local SIM card)
Power adapter (China uses Type A and Type I plugs)
Comfortable walking shoes
Modest clothing for temple visits
Translation app
Hand sanitizer and tissues/toilet paper
Medication (with prescriptions)

🌟 Pro Tip: Pack light but versatile - Chinese cities have everything you might need at affordable prices if you forget something.

Connectivity & Tech Preparation

Staying connected in China requires special preparation due to internet restrictions and language barriers.

Internet Access

The "Great Firewall" blocks many Western sites and apps, including Google, Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, and many news sites.

To access these, you'll need a VPN installed before arriving in China.

However, a fact that is often overlooked (especially in blogs earning commissions from VPN recommendations) — if you are using roaming and data on your regular mobile phone number, you can acceess all the websites and apps you want

Mobile Connection

Having a local SIM card is extremely valuable for maps, translation apps, and staying connected.

Essential Apps for China:

WeChat: The super-app for everything in China
Gaode Maps or Apple Maps: For navigation
DiDi: China's ride-hailing app
Trip.com: For travel bookings
Pleco: Best Chinese-English dictionary

💡 Download and set up all apps before arrival, as some app stores may be inaccessible in China.

Budget Planning

China can accommodate almost any travel budget, from backpacker-friendly to ultra-luxury.

Daily Budget Estimates (per person):

Budget: $30-70 (hostels, street food, public transport)
Mid-range: $70-150 (3-star hotels, casual restaurants, occasional taxi)
Luxury: $150+ (4-5 star hotels, fine dining, private transportation)

Money-Saving Tips:

Eat where locals eat for the best value (and often best food!)
Use public transportation in cities
Book train tickets in advance
Consider hostels or homestays for cultural immersion
Visit free attractions like parks, temples, and walking districts

Sample First-Time Itineraries

Classic China (10-14 Days)

Perfect for history enthusiasts and first-time visitors:

Beijing (4 days): Forbidden City, Great Wall, Temple of Heaven, hutongs
Xi'an (3 days): Terracotta Warriors, Muslim Quarter, City Wall
Shanghai (4 days): The Bund, Yu Garden, French Concession, day trip to Suzhou
Hangzhou (2-3 days): West Lake, tea plantations, temples

Southwest Nature & Culture (10-14 Days)

Ideal for nature lovers and foodies:

Chengdu (4 days): Pandas, Sichuan cuisine, Jinli Street
Chongqing (3 days): City views, hot pot, river cruise
Guilin/Yangshuo (4 days): Li River cruise, karst mountains, countryside
Kunming (2-3 days): Stone Forest, Green Lake Park

Modern China (10-14 Days)

For those interested in contemporary Chinese culture:

Shanghai (4 days): Skyscrapers, museums, shopping
Hangzhou (3 days): Tech campuses, West Lake, contemporary art
Suzhou (2 days): Modern & traditional gardens, canals
Shenzhen (3 days): Innovation hubs, modern architecture
Hong Kong (if possible, 2-3 days): East-meets-West culture

Use Only Latest Resources

China is changing at an incredible pace - going there made me realize what it means when a country's GDP is growing by significant percentages year over year.

China in 2025 is not comparable to China in 2015, so if you have an old guidebook or blog posts, you can be sure the information is outdated - especially the "How to" types of information.

Public transport, railway networks, the way to get tickets or buy mobile SIM cards— all of that is evolving quickly, so make sure you use the latest resources available!

FAQs for First-Time China Travelers

Q: Do I need a visa to visit China? A: Most visitors require a visa to enter China. The application process has been simplified in recent years, but requirements vary by country. Check with your local Chinese embassy or consulate for the most current information.

China has introduced a 30-day visa-free policy for many countries,

Q: Is it possible to travel in China without speaking Chinese? A: Yes, though it can be challenging in some areas. In major cities and tourist destinations, you'll find English signs and some English speakers. Having a translation app is extremely helpful. Learning a few basic phrases goes a long way.

Q: Is China safe for tourists? A: China is generally very safe for tourists with low crime rates. The biggest challenges are usually language barriers and navigating cultural differences. Standard travel precautions apply.

Q: Can I use credit cards in China? A: International credit cards have limited acceptance in China. Major hotels and upscale restaurants accept them, but for daily expenses, you'll need mobile payment options (WeChat and AliPay, which can be set up using an international credit card). Bring sufficient cash to exchange.

Q: What's the best time of year to visit China? A: Spring (April-May) and autumn (September-October) generally offer the most pleasant weather across most of China. Summer can be very hot and humid in many regions, while winter is cold in the north but mild in the south.