A first journey
01Beijing, Xi’an & Shanghai
Imperial history, the Terracotta Warriors and modern China in one clear route.

China Travel Guide
30 expert guides for New Zealand travellers — from first-trip essentials to the places worth building a journey around
Plan with context
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.
Major CitiesWulingyuan peaks, Tianmen Mountain and the glass bridge — three distinct experiences
Explore guide →
Scenic RegionsHongyadong · Liziba Monorail · Raffles Sky Bridge · Hot Pot Capital of the World
Explore guide →
Major CitiesFrom Ancient Palaces to Modern Metropolis
Explore guide →
Major CitiesWhere Ancient Warriors Await Discovery
Explore guide →
Discovery ToursFrom Imperial Palaces to Ancient Armies
Explore guide →Contemporary Energy and Classical Beauty
Explore guide →Ancient Temples, Natural Wonders, and Warm Hospitality
Explore guide →
Major CitiesAsia's Most Cosmopolitan City
Explore guide →
Major CitiesWhere Ancient Wisdom Meets Gentle Giants
Explore guide →
Major CitiesChina's Most Picturesque Landscape
Explore guide →
YunnanWhere Mountains, Minorities & Mystique Meet
Explore guide →
YunnanAncient Town of Water, Stone & Cultural Heritage
Explore guide →
YunnanAncient Nanzhao Kingdom Capital
Explore guide →
YunnanYear-Round Mild Climate and Cultural Hub
Explore guide →
YunnanSacred Mountains & Tibetan Spiritual Traditions
Explore guide →
LandmarksGuided Tours from Beijing · Badaling, Mutianyu & Simatai Sections Compared
Explore guide →
Landmarks980 Buildings Spanning 24 Imperial Dynasties
Explore guide →
Landmarks8,000 Life-Sized Soldiers · Xi'an Day Trip · Included in CTS Tours' Beijing & Xi'an Itinerary
Explore guide →
Scenic RegionsGateway to Dragon's Backbone & Li River
Explore guide →
Scenic Regions83km Through UNESCO Karst Landscape
Explore guide →
Scenic RegionsWhere History & Natural Beauty Merge
Explore guide →
Scenic RegionsClassical Aesthetics in Compact Spaces
Explore guide →
Landmarks71 Metres of Carved Devotion
Explore guide →
LandmarksWorld's Longest Cable Car & Sacred Peak
Explore guide →
LandmarksImperial ritual architecture and the morning rhythms of Beijing
Explore guide →
LandmarksWalk or cycle above one of China's best-preserved ancient city walls
Explore guide →
LandmarksTang dynasty Buddhist heritage at the heart of modern Xi’an
Explore guide →
LandmarksCauseways, temples and reflections in the heart of Hangzhou
Explore guide →
LandmarksClassical garden design inside Shanghai’s historic Old City
Explore guide →
LandmarksShanghai’s historic waterfront facing the towers of Pudong
Explore guide →Our China specialists are ready to craft your perfect itinerary — tailored to your dates, interests, and pace.
Before you choose a route
Start here
Payments, apps, transport, language and the practical details Kiwi travellers ask about most.
Read the guide →Entry requirements
Check the current rules, documents and arrival steps before you book or fly.
Read the guide →When to go
Compare weather, crowds and travel conditions across China month by month.
Read the guide →What to eat
Explore regional flavours and signature dishes before deciding where your journey should lead.
Read the guide →Route ideas
These are starting points, not fixed itineraries. Follow each place into its full guide, then compare the route with your dates and preferred pace.
A first journey
01Imperial history, the Terracotta Warriors and modern China in one clear route.
Landscapes & nature
02Karst rivers, countryside paths and the sandstone peaks associated with Avatar.
A slower China
03A city-and-gardens route with water towns, classical landscapes and easy rail connections.
Southwest culture
04Highland scenery, heritage towns and a more relaxed journey through Yunnan.
Planning advice

travel tips · 15 min read
I’m Baker Gu — the packing list I give Kiwi clients before they fly: layers, adapters, meds, culture-smart bits, and how I keep bags light for long China legs.

travel tips · 13 min read
I’m Baker Gu — the app stack I install for clients before AKL: VPN, maps, WeChat, payments, translation — so free evenings don’t turn into guesswork.

travel tips · 9 min read
I compare the two gateways I get asked about most from New Zealand — history-heavy Beijing versus cosmopolitan Shanghai — and how October Discovery departures fit a visa-free trip.
Good to know
Clear starting answers for New Zealand travellers. Each topic links into deeper destination and practical guidance across the site.
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.
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.
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.
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
Share your dates, preferred pace and the places you saved. A CTS China specialist will help turn the shortlist into a realistic route.