China
China is a continent in one country, with ancient capitals, vast mountain ranges and some of the fastest cities on earth. The Great Wall and the sandstone pillars of Zhangjiajie are two of its most dramatic sights, and both can be paired with a few days in Beijing.
Why it is on my list
The Great Wall, then the floating peaks of Zhangjiajie. It is on my list because the wall is the classic image of China, while Zhangjiajie's misty quartzite towers look like another planet and inspired the floating mountains in Avatar. Both promise scale you cannot really picture from photographs.
Best time to go
April to May: Comfortable weather and green hills.
September to October: Clear skies and autumn color at the wall. Avoid the first week of October, the Golden Week holiday.
Summer: Hot and humid, with heavy rain in Zhangjiajie. Mist can be beautiful but views vary.
Winter: Cold and dry in Beijing, with quiet walls and sometimes snow.
Where to stay
Beijing: The hutong lanes near Nanluoguxiang or Dongcheng for character and easy subway access.
Great Wall area: Mutianyu or Huairou villages for early starts before tour buses arrive.
Wulingyuan: The gateway town to Zhangjiajie's park entrances.
Shanghai: A good second city for food and skyline views.
Getting there and around
Airports: Beijing Capital (PEK), Beijing Daxing (PKX), Shanghai Pudong (PVG). Direct flights from several US cities have been limited, so expect one stop.
High speed trains: Fast and reliable. Book via Trip.com.
Zhangjiajie: Fly into Zhangjiajie Hehua Airport (DYG) from Beijing or Shanghai.
Permits: None for the main sights. Carry your passport for tickets and trains.
What to eat
Peking duck: Crisp skin and thin pancakes in Beijing.
Jiaozi and baozi: Dumplings and buns.
Hunan cuisine: Spicy dishes, especially around Zhangjiajie, such as smoked pork and chili fish.
Hot pot: A social meal in a bubbling pot.
Zhajiangmian: Beijing noodles with savory bean sauce.
Street snacks: Jianbing crepes at breakfast.
What to drink
Tea: Green, oolong and pu-erh each have a regional heartland in China, and tea houses are everywhere.
Baijiu: Strong grain spirit, usually for banquet toasts.
Tsingtao and Yanjing: Common local beers.
Soy milk: A classic breakfast drink.
Coffee: Cafes are common in big cities.
Don't miss
Mutianyu and Jinshanling: Restored and wilder stretches of the Great Wall.
Forbidden City: The imperial palace in Beijing.
Temple of Heaven: Morning tai chi and calm gardens.
Zhangjiajie National Forest Park: Pillars, trails and the Bailong Elevator.
Tianmen Mountain: A cable car and a glass skywalk.
Hutongs: Old Beijing lanes best explored by bike or on foot.
Terracotta Army: A rewarding add on in Xi'an.
Day trips and side trips
Ming Tombs and Badaling: Easy from Beijing.
Summer Palace: Gardens and lake in the city.
Fenghuang Ancient Town: A river town near Zhangjiajie.
Xi'an by train: About four and a half hours from Beijing.
Festivals and events
Chinese New Year: Usually in late January or February. Expect closures and crowded travel.
Mid-Autumn Festival: Usually in September, with mooncakes.
Lantern Festival: Fifteen days after New Year.
Strawberry Music Festival: A spring festival in Beijing, usually around late April or May.
Music and dance
Peking opera: Colorful, stylized performances in Beijing theaters.
Tujia folk songs: The ethnic culture around Zhangjiajie.
Park dancing: Locals dance in squares in the evening.
Nightlife
Chinese cities stay up late, with night markets, karaoke and cocktail bars. The best nights start with dinner and drift between several venues.
When people go out: Dinner at 7 pm, bars from 9 pm.
Where the action is: Sanlitun and the hutong bars in Beijing, and the Bund and Xintiandi in Shanghai.
Good to know: KTV, private karaoke rooms, are a national pastime.
Photography spots
Jinshanling at sunrise: Unrestored wall winding over hills.
Forbidden City from Jingshan Park: Rooftops at dusk.
Zhangjiajie Yuanjiajie: Hallelujah Mountains in morning mist.
Tianmen Mountain: Cliff roads and cloud cover.
Drones: Strict rules apply. Flights near cities, airports and heritage sites are restricted and registration is required, so check current regulations.
Cost of living
Overall: $$ (cheaper than New York, with big city variation).
Coffee: $3 to $5.
Local lunch: $4 to $8.
Dinner for two: $25 to $60.
Beer: $1.50 to $4.
Mid-range hotel: $60 to $130.
Daily budget: $70 to $150.
Good value with excellent transport. Prices are approximate in US dollars as of 2026.
Working remotely
Wi-Fi: Fast, but many Western sites and apps are blocked without a VPN or roaming eSIM.
Coworking: Plentiful in Shanghai and Beijing.
Time zone: UTC+8, 12 hours ahead of US Eastern in summer.
Visa for longer stays: Tourist stays are limited, and work visas are complex.
Nomad rating: 3/5.
Good to know
Language: Mandarin. English is limited outside hotels and major sights, so translation apps help.
Currency: Chinese yuan (renminbi). Alipay and WeChat Pay now work with foreign cards.
Plugs: Types A, C and I, 220V. Most outlets take US flat plugs.
Entry for US citizens: A visa or an approved visa free arrangement is needed, so check current rules.
Getting around apps: Didi for taxis, Amap for maps, Trip.com for trains.
Tipping: Not expected.
Water: Drink bottled or boiled water.
SIM/eSIM: Roaming eSIMs bypass the firewall. Set up before arrival.
Useful phrases
Ni hao: Hello.
Xie xie: Thank you.
Duo shao qian?: How much?
Bu yao la: I do not want it.
Hen hao chi: Very tasty.
Meeting people
Social scene: Hostels, food tours and language exchange events.
Apps: WeChat is essential for messaging and payment.
Etiquette: Receive cards and gifts with two hands, and avoid sensitive political topics.
Stay smart: Beware of tea house scams and unofficial guides near major sights.
Staying safe
Violent crime is low, and cities feel safe at night.
Keep passport copies, since hotels register foreigners.
Watch for crowds and steep stairs at the wall and in Zhangjiajie.
Check air quality in winter and carry a mask if sensitive.