Country guide · China
Best places to visit in China
4 destinations compared, so you can choose where to spend your time.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Daniel Case, CC BY-SA 3.0
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Quick answer
For a first trip to China, start with Hong Kong: Harbour skyline, dim sum and mountain trails minutes from the towers. For beaches, look at Hong Kong and Macau. Beijing is the least expensive of the destinations in this guide.
Key facts
- Destinations in this guide
- 4
- Best months overall
- April–May and October–December
- Start with
- Hong Kong
- Least expensive here
- Beijing
4 places to visit in China
Best: October–December · 4 days
Hong Kong
Harbour skyline, dim sum and mountain trails minutes from the towers
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Best: April–May and September–October · 5 days
Beijing
Imperial palaces, hutong lanes and the Great Wall within a day's reach
Best: October–December · 3 days
Macau
Portuguese squares, Macanese cooking and the resorts of the Cotai Strip
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Best: April–May and October–November · 4 days
Shanghai
Art Deco riverfront, plane-tree lanes and a skyline across the Huangpu
Compare the destinations
| Destination | Known for | Best time | Ideal stay | Mid-range per day |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hong Kong | Victoria Harbour skyline and Dim sum | October–December | 4 days | $160–$300 |
| Beijing | Forbidden City and Great Wall | April–May and September–October | 5 days | $120–$230 |
| Macau | Ruins of St. Paul's and Portuguese egg tarts | October–December | 3 days | $150–$300 |
| Shanghai | The Bund and Pudong skyline | April–May and October–November | 4 days | $130–$250 |
When to visit China
Across these destinations the most reliable months are April–May and October–December. Timing still varies by place: Hong Kong is best in October–December; Beijing is best in April–May and September–October; Macau is best in October–December.
Signature dishes across China
| Destination | Try first | Also try |
|---|---|---|
| Hong Kong | Dim sum | Roast goose and char siu and Wonton noodles |
| Beijing | Peking duck | Noodles with soybean paste and Dumplings |
| Macau | Portuguese-style egg tart | Pork chop bun and African chicken |
| Shanghai | Soup dumplings | Pan-fried pork buns and Red-braised pork belly |
Events through the year in China
| Month | Events |
|---|---|
| January | Hong Kong: Hong Kong Marathon (usually January or February); Beijing: Ice skating on Houhai and in Beihai Park (usually January) |
| February | Hong Kong: Lunar New Year night parade in Tsim Sha Tsui (around Lunar New Year); Beijing: Spring Festival temple fairs in Ditan and Longtan parks (around Lunar New Year) |
| March | Hong Kong: Art Basel Hong Kong and art month events (usually March); Beijing: Two Sessions — annual national legislative meetings with tighter security around Tiananmen (usually early March) |
| April | Hong Kong: Ching Ming Festival — families visit ancestral graves (early April); Beijing: Beijing International Film Festival (usually April) |
| May | Hong Kong: Cheung Chau Bun Festival — parade and bun-tower scramble (usually around Buddha's Birthday, April or May); Beijing: Labour Day holiday — heavy domestic travel (1–5 May) |
| June | Hong Kong: Tuen Ng Dragon Boat Festival races in Stanley, Aberdeen and elsewhere (usually June); Beijing: Dragon Boat Festival (late May or June) |
| July | Hong Kong: Hong Kong Book Fair (usually July); Beijing: Lotus season at the Old Summer Palace and Beihai Park (usually July) |
| August | Hong Kong: Hungry Ghost Festival — offerings and Chinese opera (seventh lunar month, August or September) |
| September | Hong Kong: Mid-Autumn Festival lanterns in Victoria Park and the Tai Hang Fire Dragon Dance (September or early October); Beijing: Mid-Autumn Festival — mooncakes and moon viewing (September or early October) |
| October | Hong Kong: Mainland China Golden Week holiday crowds (early October); Beijing: National Day Golden Week — Tiananmen Square decorated (1–7 October) |
| November | Hong Kong: Christmas lights go up on Tsim Sha Tsui harbourfront buildings (usually late November); Beijing: Beijing Marathon (usually late October or early November) |
| December | Hong Kong: Christmas lights along the harbourfront and in malls (December); Beijing: Ice and snow activities begin in parks and on lakes (usually late December) |
How far apart they are
| From | To | Distance |
|---|---|---|
| Hong Kong | Beijing | 1,971 km |
| Hong Kong | Macau | 64 km |
| Hong Kong | Shanghai | 1,231 km |
| Beijing | Macau | 1,987 km |
| Beijing | Shanghai | 1,067 km |
| Macau | Shanghai | 1,275 km |
Questions travellers ask
+Where should I go on my first trip to China?
Hong Kong: Hong Kong wraps one of the world's densest skylines around Victoria Harbour, with Hong Kong Island's Central and Wan Chai facing Kowloon's Tsim Sha Tsui across a ten-minute Star Ferry crossing. Behind the towers, about…
+When is the best time to visit China?
Generally April–May and October–December, though it varies by region.