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ChinaStartHere.com

First time in China? Start here.

Tell us your travel time, group size, budget, and places you want to visit. We will prepare a free China itinerary and quote for Beijing, Shanghai, Xi'an, Luoyang, Xiamen, Chaoshan, and multi-city routes.

Get Free Itinerary & Quote See Sample Routes
Explore by location

See where each China route begins.

Choose a city marker to see what it is best for. Zoom or drag the map for a closer look, then open the city guide when you are ready.

Featured city map Tap a marker or city name. Drag to move after zooming.
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Watercolor map of China with provincial boundaries, major rivers, Taiwan, and a South China Sea Islands inset
Visa-free travel update

China is easier to visit in 2026.

Last updated: July 2026

Citizens from many countries can now visit China visa-free for short stays, including 30-day visa-free entry for eligible ordinary passport holders and 240-hour transit options for qualifying travelers.

Travel rules can change by nationality, passport type, route, and transit plan. Share your country, dates, and cities with us, and we will help you check the right starting point for your China trip.

Check My Route With a Local Expert Read China travel basics
30 days Visa-free stay for eligible ordinary passport holders from many countries and regions.
240 hours Transit option for eligible travelers when the route continues onward to a third country or region.
Plan with support Flexible rescheduling, clear route planning, and local support before and during your trip.
One-Day Tours Beijing, Shanghai, Xi'an, Luoyang, Xiamen, or Chaoshan in a clear day plan 3-5 Day Routes Short city pairings by high-speed rail, flight, or private transfer 7-10 Day Trips Classic first-time routes or coast and food-focused journeys Pick by Destination See what each city is best for before asking for a quote
Beijing Shanghai Xi’an Chaoshan Chengdu Chongqing Datong Dunhuang Guangzhou Guizhou Hangzhou Harbin Hong Kong Huangshan Inner Mongolia Lanzhou Lhasa Luoyang Nanjing Pingyao Qingdao Qinghai Sanya Shandong Shenzhen Suzhou Tianjin Xiamen Beijing Shanghai Xi’an Chaoshan Chengdu Chongqing Datong Dunhuang Guangzhou Guizhou Hangzhou Harbin Hong Kong Huangshan Inner Mongolia Lanzhou Lhasa Luoyang Nanjing Pingyao Qingdao Qinghai Sanya Shandong Shenzhen Suzhou Tianjin Xiamen
Brand introduction

Short, clear China routes before you commit.

ChinaStartHere.com is built for travelers who want to understand the route first: what fits in one day, what needs 3-5 days, and when a 7-10 day plan makes more sense.

Start with a city, a travel length, or a few must-see places. We help turn that into a practical itinerary with transport, guide language, hotel level, and local support.

Route length firstOne-day, 3-5 days, and 7-10 days are separated so users do not have to guess.
Destination clarityEach city explains what it is best for: history, skyline, food, coast, or heritage.
Local supportGuides, tickets, transfers, rail timing, and food stops can be added only where useful.
Inspiration

Pick a travel feeling, then let us shape the route.

These starters link to real route pages or the inquiry form so the next click always moves the trip forward.

First China Trip Icons, classic city order, easy arrival pacing Food & Culture Xi'an snacks, Chaoshan food, tea, markets, and old streets Heritage Cities Xi'an, Luoyang, Beijing, temples, grottoes, and ancient capitals Coast & Island Xiamen, Gulangyu, Nan'ao, softer family-friendly coastal days Family Friendly Private pacing, fewer hotel changes, rail timing, and local support
Essentials

Practical basics before the route is finalized.

First-time China travelers often need a few logistics answers before choosing cities. Keep these guides editable in WordPress as operations change.

Payments Mobile pay setup, backup cash, and daily spending notes eSIM & Apps Data, maps, translation, rides, and travel app preparation Visa-Free Notes Share passport, dates, entry city, and route for a local check High-Speed Rail Station timing, luggage, city pairing, and transfer planning
Tour packages

Routes grouped by the time travelers actually have.

Begin with a simple route card, then adjust date, pace, transport, guide language, hotel level, food interests, and pickup details.

How it works

Tell us the basics. We shape the route around your budget.

Start with your dates, people, must-see cities, and budget range. We will turn that into a clear one-to-one itinerary before you commit.

  1. Choose your support stylePrivate custom tour, group tour request, or free-and-easy trip with local help.
  2. Share budget and must-seesWe match cities, hotel level, transport, and pace to the money and time you want to spend.
  3. Get a practical route planYou see the route logic, daily flow, and quote before deciding what to book.
Destinations

Explore 28 recommended China destinations.

Compare ideal stay length, signature experiences, food, seasons, and practical route pairings before requesting a custom trip.

Beijing

Beijing

Beijing is the cle…

Great Wall, Forbidden City, hutongs, imperial history 3-4 days
Shanghai

Shanghai

Shanghai is an eas…

The Bund, city walks, museums, modern China 2-3 days
Xi’an

Xi’an

Xi’an combines the…

Terracotta Warriors, city wall, Silk Road history 2-3 days
Chaoshan

Chaoshan

Chaoshan rewards t…

Chaozhou, Shantou, gongfu tea, regional food 3-5 days
Chengdu

Chengdu

Chengdu balances c…

Giant pandas, Sichuan food, teahouses, nearby heritage 2-4 days
Chongqing

Chongqing

Chongqing is famou…

Layered cityscapes, hotpot, Yangtze gateway, Wulong 2-4 days
Datong

Datong

Datong is one of n…

Yungang Grottoes, Hanging Temple, frontier heritage 2-3 days
Dunhuang

Dunhuang

Dunhuang brings Si…

Mogao Caves, Silk Road history, desert scenery 2-3 days
Guangzhou

Guangzhou

Guangzhou is a his…

Dim sum, Cantonese heritage, Pearl River, business travel 2-3 days
Guizhou

Guizhou

Guizhou offers a s…

Ethnic villages, rural landscapes, waterfalls, photography 5-8 days
Hangzhou

Hangzhou

Hangzhou combines …

West Lake, Dragon Well tea, temples, water towns 2-3 days
Harbin

Harbin

Harbin turns deep …

Ice festival, snow activities, architecture, winter travel 2-4 days
Hong Kong

Hong Kong

Hong Kong pairs a …

Victoria Harbour, dim sum, city walks, family travel 3-4 days
Huangshan

Huangshan

Huangshan combines…

Yellow Mountain, hiking, ancient villages, photography 3-4 days
Inner Mongolia

Inner Mongolia

Inner Mongolia is …

Grasslands, desert, horseback culture, wide landscapes 4-7 days
Lanzhou

Lanzhou

Lanzhou is a linea…

Yellow River, hand-pulled noodles, Gansu gateway 1-2 days

Lhasa

Lhasa is best appr…

Potala Palace, Tibetan culture, monasteries, high-altitude landscapes 3-4 days
Luoyang

Luoyang

Luoyang offers mon…

Longmen Grottoes, temples, museums, ancient capitals 2 days
Nanjing

Nanjing

Nanjing layers Min…

Republican history, Ming heritage, museums, city walls 2-3 days
Pingyao

Pingyao

Pingyao preserves …

Ancient city, courtyards, merchant history, photography 1-2 days
Qingdao

Qingdao

Qingdao is a breez…

Coast, seafood, architecture, beer, Mount Laoshan 2-3 days
Qinghai

Qinghai

Qinghai opens onto…

Qinghai Lake, salt lakes, Tibetan culture, road trips 4-7 days
Sanya

Sanya

Sanya is China’s b…

Beach holidays, families, resorts, tropical nature 3-5 days
Shandong

Shandong

Shandong is a vari…

Qufu, Mount Tai, Jinan springs, coastal extensions 4-6 days
Shenzhen

Shenzhen

Shenzhen shows con…

Technology, architecture, modern China, coastal parks 2-3 days
Suzhou

Suzhou

Suzhou is celebrat…

Classical gardens, canals, old streets, water towns 2-3 days
Tianjin

Tianjin

Tianjin is an easy…

Architecture, city walks, food, Beijing side trip 1-2 days
Xiamen

Xiamen

Xiamen offers an a…

Gulangyu, coast, Hakka tulou, family pacing 2-4 days
Why travelers choose us

Your China concierge friend for the trip details that are hard to solve alone.

We keep the route simple, then help with the practical China problems travelers worry about: language, payments, tickets, transport, timing, and unexpected questions on the road.

One-to-one budget planningWe adjust cities, hotels, transport, guide time, and meals around your budget instead of forcing one fixed route.
Local concierge supportThink of us as a practical China friend who helps translate needs into workable local arrangements.
Language and payment helpWe can help reduce friction with local apps, mobile payment, tickets, addresses, pickup notes, and communication.
Realistic, calm pacingRoutes can be senior-friendly, child-friendly, food-focused, culture-heavy, or fast-paced depending on the group.
Custom trip request

Get a Free China Itinerary & Quote

Share your nationality, travel date, group size, budget, and places you want to visit. We will prepare a one-to-one China route plan and quote around your budget.