Why visit
China is continent-sized travel. The Great Wall, Forbidden City, Xi'an's Terracotta Army, Chengdu pandas, Guilin karst rivers, and Shanghai's skyline. With high-speed rail linking most of it.
Country - Asia
China
historyculturefoodcitynature
How to use this result
Use it as a country shortlist
China works best as a first-pass travel idea. Start with the region, season, and themes on this page, then compare flights, entry rules, safety guidance, and local transport before treating it as a real option.
Compare the capital and side trips
Use Beijing as the administrative starting point, then check whether the strongest trip idea is actually the capital, a coastal area, a nature route, or another city in China.
At a glance
Location
35.0°, 105.0°
Coast
Has coastline
Country area
9,706,961 km²
3,747,877 mi²
Country population
1.43 billion
147/km²
Subregion
Eastern Asia
Currency
Chinese yuan (¥)
CNY
Dial
+86
Language
Chinese
Demonym
Chinese
Internet
.cn
UN
Member state
ISO code
CN / CHN
Where in the world
35.0° - 105.0°
China
Open in Google Maps
Click the map to open in Google Maps. Outline via svg-maps/world - CC BY 4.0
Did you know
- China uses a single time zone for the whole country, even though it spans 5 geographic time zones.
- The Great Wall is not visible from space with the naked eye: that is a myth.
- China has the world's largest high-speed rail network: more than the rest of the world combined.
Bordering China
Traveler notes
- High-speed rail covers Beijing–Shanghai in 4.5 hours
- Most travelers need a visa in advance
- 144-hour visa-free transit available in major cities
Plan checks
- Start research with the capital Beijing, then compare two or three other regions.
- Check passport validity, visa rules, health requirements, and travel insurance for current conditions.
- Reserve top restaurants 2–4 weeks out and plan two standout meals per city.
- Check opening days. Major sites close on Mondays or Tuesdays in many countries.
Signature travel cities in China
Shanghai
Shanghai is the Bund's colonial facades facing Pudong's skyline, French Concession lanes, Yu Garden's Ming-dynasty layout, and a food city of exceptional depth.
Xian
Xi'an is ancient Chang'an. Terracotta Army an hour out, 14th-century city walls you can bike, the Muslim Quarter's food street, and Big Wild Goose Pagoda.
Hong Kong
Hong Kong is Victoria Peak, Star Ferry, Mong Kok's markets, dim sum at its source, and Lantau and Lamma islands for the outlying side of the SAR.
Explore more
Facts last reviewed June 2026 against GeoNames and national statistics sources. See the editorial policy for how destination data is maintained.
Frequently asked about China
What is the capital of China?
Beijing is the capital of China.
What currency does China use?
China uses the Chinese yuan (¥), ISO code CNY.
What languages are spoken in China?
The primary language is Chinese.
Is China landlocked?
No, China has a coastline.
What countries border China?
China borders Afghanistan, Bhutan, Myanmar (Burma), India, Kazakhstan, Nepal, North Korea, Kyrgyzstan, Laos, Mongolia, Pakistan, Russia, Tajikistan, Vietnam.
What is the international calling code for China?
The calling code is +86.
When is the best time to visit China?
Apr–May, Sep–Oct. Check current weather and local events before booking.
Other Asia destinations
Brunei
Brunei is a small, quiet sultanate on Borneo: the water village of Kampong Ayer, the gold-domed Omar Ali Saifuddien Mosque, and primary rainforest in Ulu Temburong reachable by longboat.
Cambodia
Cambodia is Angkor: the largest religious monument on earth and a temple field that absorbs days. Beyond it, Phnom Penh's heavy history, Kampot's pepper farms, and southern islands with bungalow beaches.
Cyprus
Cyprus layers Greek and Roman ruins, Crusader castles, and divided Nicosia, the last split capital in Europe, over reliable Mediterranean beaches. The Troodos mountains add painted Byzantine churches and winter snow.
Georgia
Georgia (the country) is Caucasus travel. Tbilisi's old town, Kazbegi mountains, Kakheti's 8,000-year wine tradition, and a food scene that stands alongside any in the region.
India
India is as much a rite of passage as a destination. Taj Mahal and Jaipur palaces, Varanasi ghats, Kerala backwaters, Goa beaches, Himalayan Ladakh. One trip can only sample one region.
Indonesia
Indonesia is 17,000 islands. Bali for beaches and temples, Java for Borobudur and volcanoes, Komodo for dragons and pink-sand beaches, Sulawesi for diving. Pick two islands; don't try to see them all.