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The Great Wall of China in mountain mist

China Travel Guide

Find Your China

30 expert guides for New Zealand travellers — from first-trip essentials to the places worth building a journey around

Plan with context

Start with the experience. Then choose the cities.

China is too varied to plan from a single checklist. Use this library to compare cities, landmarks, landscapes and practical questions before deciding which route fits your time and interests.

Every guide connects you to relevant places, reading and tours, so research can lead naturally to a workable itinerary.

Browse All 30 Guides

Complete library
Xi'an
Major Cities

Xi'an

Where Ancient Warriors Await Discovery

Explore guide
Beijing & Xi'an Discovery
Discovery Tours

Beijing & Xi'an Discovery

From Imperial Palaces to Ancient Armies

Explore guide
Shanghai & Surroundings Discovery
Discovery Tours

Shanghai & Surroundings Discovery

Contemporary Energy and Classical Beauty

Explore guide
Chongqing & Chengdu Discovery
Discovery Tours

Chongqing & Chengdu Discovery

Ancient Temples, Natural Wonders, and Warm Hospitality

Explore guide
Shanghai
Major Cities

Shanghai

Asia's Most Cosmopolitan City

Explore guide
Chengdu
Major Cities

Chengdu

Where Ancient Wisdom Meets Gentle Giants

Explore guide
Guilin
Major Cities

Guilin

China's Most Picturesque Landscape

Explore guide
Yunnan
Yunnan

Yunnan

Where Mountains, Minorities & Mystique Meet

Explore guide
Lijiang
Yunnan

Lijiang

Ancient Town of Water, Stone & Cultural Heritage

Explore guide
Dali
Yunnan

Dali

Ancient Nanzhao Kingdom Capital

Explore guide
Kunming
Yunnan

Kunming

Year-Round Mild Climate and Cultural Hub

Explore guide
Shangri-La
Yunnan

Shangri-La

Sacred Mountains & Tibetan Spiritual Traditions

Explore guide
Great Wall of China
Landmarks

Great Wall of China

Guided Tours from Beijing · Badaling, Mutianyu & Simatai Sections Compared

Explore guide
Forbidden City
Landmarks

Forbidden City

980 Buildings Spanning 24 Imperial Dynasties

Explore guide
Terracotta Warriors
Landmarks

Terracotta Warriors

8,000 Life-Sized Soldiers · Xi'an Day Trip · Included in CTS Tours' Beijing & Xi'an Itinerary

Explore guide
Yangshuo
Scenic Regions

Yangshuo

Gateway to Dragon's Backbone & Li River

Explore guide
Li River Cruise
Scenic Regions

Li River Cruise

83km Through UNESCO Karst Landscape

Explore guide
Hangzhou
Scenic Regions

Hangzhou

Where History & Natural Beauty Merge

Explore guide
Suzhou
Scenic Regions

Suzhou

Classical Aesthetics in Compact Spaces

Explore guide
Leshan Giant Buddha
Landmarks

Leshan Giant Buddha

71 Metres of Carved Devotion

Explore guide
Tianmen Mountain
Landmarks

Tianmen Mountain

World's Longest Cable Car & Sacred Peak

Explore guide
Temple of Heaven
Landmarks

Temple of Heaven

Imperial ritual architecture and the morning rhythms of Beijing

Explore guide
Xi'an City Wall
Landmarks

Xi'an City Wall

Walk or cycle above one of China's best-preserved ancient city walls

Explore guide
Big Wild Goose Pagoda
Landmarks

Big Wild Goose Pagoda

Tang dynasty Buddhist heritage at the heart of modern Xi’an

Explore guide
West Lake
Landmarks

West Lake

Causeways, temples and reflections in the heart of Hangzhou

Explore guide
Yu Garden
Landmarks

Yu Garden

Classical garden design inside Shanghai’s historic Old City

Explore guide
The Bund
Landmarks

The Bund

Shanghai’s historic waterfront facing the towers of Pudong

Explore guide

Ready to Plan Your Journey?

Our China specialists are ready to craft your perfect itinerary — tailored to your dates, interests, and pace.

Route ideas

See which places belong together.

These are starting points, not fixed itineraries. Follow each place into its full guide, then compare the route with your dates and preferred pace.

Good to know

China travel planning questions.

Clear starting answers for New Zealand travellers. Each topic links into deeper destination and practical guidance across the site.

Where should a first-time visitor to China go?+

Beijing, Xi’an and Shanghai make a strong first route: Beijing introduces imperial China and the Great Wall, Xi’an adds the Terracotta Warriors, and Shanghai shows the country’s modern side. Allow roughly 10–14 days for a comfortable guided journey.

How many days do New Zealand travellers need for China?+

Ten to fourteen days is a practical starting point for two or three major regions. A shorter stopover can work for one city, while three weeks gives enough time to add Yunnan, Sichuan, Guilin or Zhangjiajie without rushing.

What is the best season to visit China?+

Spring and autumn are the easiest all-round seasons for many classic routes. China covers several climate zones, so the best month depends on the cities and landscapes in your itinerary. Check the seasonal guide before choosing dates.

Can CTS help turn these guides into an itinerary?+

Yes. Use the guides to shortlist places and experiences, then send CTS your dates, pace, budget and interests. A New Zealand-based China specialist can recommend a group tour or shape a tailor-made itinerary.

Turn research into a journey

Tell us what caught your attention.

Share your dates, preferred pace and the places you saved. A CTS China specialist will help turn the shortlist into a realistic route.