©Haines/Shutterstock
LONELY PLANET’S RECOMMENDED eSIM
Stay connected in China
Saily is an affordable eSIM service that helps you stay connected and secure, anywhere in the world.
Overview
China. The name alone makes you want to get packing. It's going places, so jump aboard, go along for the ride and see where it's headed.
Attractions
Must-see attractions
Save your favorites!
Sign in to save, get inspo & more
Dunhuang
The Mogao Grottoes are considered one of the most important collections of Buddhist art in the world. At its peak during the Tang dynasty (618–907), the…
Save your favorites!
Sign in to save, get inspo & more
Temple of Heaven Park & Dongcheng South
An oasis of methodical Confucian design, the 267-hectare Temple of Heaven Park is unique. It originally served as a vast stage for solemn rites performed…
Save your favorites!
Sign in to save, get inspo & more
Gansu
With its succession of squeaking prayer wheels (3km in total), hawks circling overhead and the throb of Tibetan longhorns resonating from the surrounding…
Save your favorites!
Sign in to save, get inspo & more
Xi'an
The Terracotta Army isn't just Xi'an's premier sight: it's one of the most famous archaeological finds in the world. This subterranean life-size army of…
Save your favorites!
Sign in to save, get inspo & more
Beijing
A marvel of Chinese garden design and one of Beijing's must-see attractions, the Summer Palace was the royal retreat for emperors fleeing the suffocating…
Save your favorites!
Sign in to save, get inspo & more
Sichuan
The magnificent Yading Nature Reserve, 140km south of Daocheng, centres around three sacred snowcapped mountains, a holy trinity encircled by forested…
Save your favorites!
Sign in to save, get inspo & more
Gansu
Set among wild, green mountains southeast of Tianshui, the grottoes of Maijishan hold some of the most famous Buddhist rock carvings along the Silk Road…
Planning Tools
Expert guidance to help you plan your trip
Best Things to Do
China offers a unique-in-the-world mix of ancient heritage and modern life. Get a taste of the country with our list of the best things to do in China.
Read articleBest Places to Visit
China is packed with dichotomy: ancient Buddhas sit alongside ultramodern, high-tech cities. These highlights will make your trip both restorative and exciting.
Read articleBest Time to Visit
Pick the best time for your visit to China with this seasonal guide to the weather, crowds and most fascinating festivals.
Read articleTransportation
China is astonishingly huge, amazingly diverse – and remarkably well connected. Here’s how to get around the country by train, bus, bicycle and more.
Read articleVisa Requirements
Stretching from Central Asia to the jungles of Vietnam, China is a land of endless travel opportunities. Here's what you need to know about getting a visa.
Read article
