What to do in China: our highlights guide

China is easiest on a first visit when you pick a few regions and link them by high-speed rail or short flights. Most first trips combine Beijing, Xi’an, Shanghai and either Guilin or Chengdu. This guide sets out what each of those places offers, with dates and figures from Chinese sources, and links to our fuller pages.

Key facts

Forbidden City	built 1406 to 1420; about 720,000 m²; 24 Ming and Qing emperors; World Heritage Site since 1987
Terracotta Army	found 29 March 1974 near Xi’an; museum opened 1 October 1979; World Heritage Site since 1987
Great Wall at Badaling	built 1504 to 1505; 3,741 m walkable; peak 1,015 m
Li River	164 km long; karst peaks formed about 320 to 400 million years ago
The Bund, Shanghai	1.5 km along the Huangpu River; more than twenty historic buildings
Giant pandas, Chengdu	260 giant pandas at the research base by the end of 2024

Beijing: the palace, the wall and the old lanes

Start with the Forbidden City, the palace of 24 Ming and Qing emperors, begun in 1406 and finished in 1420. It has more than 70 palaces and about 9,000 bays within a 961 by 753 meter walled rectangle, so allow half a day and walk the central axis from the Meridian Gate north. The Temple of Heaven, where emperors prayed for harvests, and the Summer Palace, a lakeside garden begun in 1750, fill another day. For the Great Wall, Badaling is the best known section and its walkable length is 3,741 meters. See our pages on the Forbidden City, Great Wall, Temple of Heaven and Summer Palace.

Xi’an: the Terracotta Army and the city wall

Villagers digging a well found the first fragments of the Terracotta Army on 29 March 1974. The site is in Lintong, outside Xi’an, and the three pits hold close-to-life-size clay soldiers, chariots and horses. The Xi’an city wall, begun in 1374, is about 13.74 kilometers around and can be walked. The central burial chamber of the First Emperor’s tomb has never been excavated. See our Xi’an guide.

Shanghai: the Bund and the old concession

The Bund is a 1.5-kilometer riverfront with more than twenty historic buildings, and the former French Concession, opened in 1849, is known for tree-lined streets and lane houses. Shanghai is a high-speed rail ride from Suzhou and Hangzhou. See our Bund and French Concession pages.

Guilin and the Li River, or Chengdu and the pandas

For scenery, choose Guilin, where the Li River runs 164 kilometers through karst hills, with the Longji rice terraces nearby. For wildlife and food, choose Chengdu, where the panda base held 260 giant pandas at the end of 2024, and the Leshan Giant Buddha and Dujiangyan are day trips.

Planning a first trip

• Route. Ten to fourteen days usually covers Beijing, Xi’an, Shanghai and one scenic stop, with flights or fast trains between them.
• Seasons. Spring and autumn are usually the most comfortable in most of these places; summers are hot, and the Li River region is humid.
• Entry and visas. Rules change. Check the official Chinese embassy site for your passport. Our 240-hour transit guide for US citizens explains one option.
• Tickets and booking. Many sites limit daily visitors or require advance booking, so reserve through a guide or the official site.

Planning your first China trip with Absolute Asia Tours

Absolute Asia Tours has planned private trips in Asia since 1989. For a first visit we set the route, book the guides and timed entries, and arrange the transfers. We’re rated 4.8 out of 5 across about 900 traveler reviews. See our China tours or tell us your dates.

Sources (read in Chinese, Chinese Wikipedia): 故宫, 秦始皇兵马俑, 西安城墙, 外滩, 漓江. Last checked November 2026.

First time traveling to China: FAQ

How many days do you need for a first trip to China?

Ten to fourteen days usually covers Beijing, Xi’an, Shanghai and one scenic stop.

Which cities should a first-time visitor see?

Beijing for the Forbidden City and Great Wall, Xi’an for the Terracotta Army, Shanghai for the Bund, and Guilin or Chengdu for scenery or pandas.

When were the Terracotta Warriors found?

On 29 March 1974, by villagers digging a well near Xi’an.

How long is the walkable part of the Great Wall at Badaling?

3,741 meters.

Do I need a visa for China?

Rules change by passport and by year. Check the Chinese embassy site, and see our 240-hour transit guide for US citizens.