Planning a quick trip from Shanghai (上海, Shànghǎi) to Zhangjiajie (张家界, Zhāngjiājiè) can look intimidating at first. Between the famous “Avatar mountains,” Tianmen Mountain (天门山, Tiānmén Shān) and the different accommodation areas, it is easy to assume that you need an organized tour. But do you? The...

With its limestone peaks, rivers, rice fields and quiet countryside, Yangshuo (阳朔, Yángshuò) is one of the easiest places in China to make a trip feel romantic without needing an elaborate itinerary. The Traveler’s Question Travelling to Yangshuo in October. Looking for extra...

For many first-time visitors to China, setting up Alipay (支付宝, Zhīfùbǎo) and WeChat Pay (微信支付, Wēixìn Zhīfù)is one of the biggest sources of pre-trip anxiety. You may have installed the apps and linked your cards — but how do you know they’ll actually work when...

Planning a family trip to China a couple of years in advance can actually be an advantage. You don’t need to decide every hotel, train and attraction now. For a family of four, the better starting point is deciding how long you...

For a family visiting Guangzhou (广州, Guǎngzhōu), choosing the right neighborhood can make a surprisingly big difference — especially if you want bright lights, shopping, cafés, evening activities and convenient transport rather than a quiet business district. So is Beijing Road (北京路, Běijīng...

Avoiding Golden Week (黄金周, Huángjīn Zhōu) can make an enormous difference to a first visit to Beijing (北京, Běijīng). But if you postpone until later in autumn, should you choose late October or November? And with only six or seven days in China, is there...

With China’s high-speed rail network, Shanghai (上海, Shànghǎi) makes an excellent base for exploring several nearby cities. But if you have time for only two day trips, which should you choose: Suzhou (苏州, Sūzhōu), Hangzhou (杭州, Hángzhōu), Nanjing (南京, Nánjīng), Shaoxing (绍兴, Shàoxīng) or Wuxi (无锡, Wúxī)?...

Foreign visitors and expats in Beijing (北京, Běijīng) sometimes assume that they must use an expensive international hospital if they need medical care. But can foreigners actually visit Beijing’s major public hospitals — including China’s highly regarded Grade III Class A hospitals (三级甲等医院, sānjí...

A 22-hour layover at Shanghai Pudong International Airport (上海浦东国际机场, Shànghǎi Pǔdōng Guójì Jīchǎng) is long enough that finding somewhere to sleep, shower and eat comfortably becomes much more important than simply finding a seat at the airport. Should you stay airside at PVG, pay...

Getting from central Xi’an (西安, Xī’ān) to the Terracotta Army (兵马俑, Bīngmǎyǒng) is one of the most common transport questions for independent visitors. One traveler asked whether it is practical to simply order a DiDi (滴滴, Dīdī) early in the morning — and, importantly, whether another car...