Roavina

Country guide

China

A photograph of China
Photograph · Severin.stalder · CC BY-SA 3.0

China covers 9.6 million km², third largest of any country, and holds more than 1.4 billion people — about 17 per cent of everyone alive. It is divided into 33 province-level divisions, two of them special administrative regions. Beijing is the capital; Shanghai is the most populous city by urban area. Between them the land runs from the Central Plain and the Yangtze and Yellow rivers out to desert, plateau, subtropical and temperate forest, and the Himalayas in the southwest. The first decision a visitor makes here is therefore not which sight to see but which climate to travel in.

Reviewed by Elena Voss · Roavina Travel Editor

Cities

Every city catalogued in this country so far, ranked by how much there is to see.

Practical information

Language spoken
Standard Chinese; regional languages are widely used
National practical orientation; regional and minority languages may also be used
Dialling code
+86 mainland · +852 Hong Kong · +853 Macao
International calling code; local area and mobile prefixes still apply
Currency
Renminbi (CNY); HKD and MOP in the SARs
Use the official local currency; card acceptance varies by place
Emergency number
110 police · 120 medical on the mainland
Use only for an emergency; tourist assistance may use a separate number
Plug type
Type A, C and I · 220 V
Check that chargers support the recorded voltage before using an adapter
Tap water
Not recorded
No single verified statement covers mainland China and both SARs

Planning a visit

  1. January: seasonal closure recorded
  2. February: seasonal closure recorded
  3. March: seasonal closure recorded
  4. April: seasonal closure recorded
  5. May: seasonal closure recorded
  6. June: seasonal closure recorded
  7. July: seasonal closure recorded
  8. August: seasonal closure recorded
  9. September: no seasonality data recorded — this month
  10. October: seasonal closure recorded
  11. November: seasonal closure recorded
  12. December: seasonal closure recorded

Top things to see

Ranked by importance — sitelinks, pageviews and heritage status, not editor preference.

  1. The House of Dancing Water The House of Dancing Water
    02 1 hr 30 min

    The House of Dancing Water

    The House of Dancing Water is a large-scale water-based theatrical production at City of Dreams Macau. Created by Franco Dragone, it combines acrobatics, martial arts, diving, and motorcycle stunts in a purpose-built theatre with a transforming pool.

    • Must see
    • Entertainment venue
    • Macau
  2. A Symphony of Lights A Symphony of Lights
    03 30 min

    A Symphony of Lights

    A Symphony of Lights is a nightly multimedia light and sound show in Hong Kong. The event involves more than 40 buildings on both sides of Victoria Harbour, with participating structures on Hong Kong Island and in Kowloon.

    • Must see
    • Entertainment venue
    • Hong Kong
  3. OCT East OCT East
    04 4 hours

    OCT East

    OCT East is a major theme park resort complex in Shenzhen's Yantian District, developed by Overseas Chinese Town Enterprises. It occupies mountainous coastal terrain east of urban Shenzhen.

    • Must see
    • Entertainment venue
    • Shenzhen
  4. Hong Kong Disneyland Hong Kong Disneyland
    05 8 hours

    Hong Kong Disneyland

    香港迪士尼樂園 Hong Kong Disneyland

    Hong Kong Disneyland Park sits on reclaimed land at Penny's Bay, on the north-eastern corner of Lantau Island, and is run by Hongkong International Theme Parks Limited.

    • Must see
    • Entertainment venue
    • Hong Kong
  5. Broadway Cinematheque Broadway Cinematheque
    06 2 hours

    Broadway Cinematheque

    百老匯電影中心 Broadway Cinematheque

    Broadway Cinematheque is a cinema complex in Hong Kong operated by Broadway Circuit, a major local cinema chain. The venue serves as a cultural hub dedicated to art-house, independent, and world cinema, distinguishing itself from mainstream multiplexes.

    • High
    • Entertainment venue
    • Hong Kong
  6. Shanghai Disneyland Park Shanghai Disneyland Park
    07 2 hours

    Shanghai Disneyland Park

    上海迪士尼乐园

    Shanghai Disney Resort is a major theme park destination in Pudong, Shanghai, operated by a joint venture between The Walt Disney Company and Shanghai Shendi Group.

    • High
    • Entertainment venue
    • Shanghai
  7. Window of the World Window of the World
    08 2 hours

    Window of the World

    世界之窗

    Window of the World is a large theme park in Shenzhen’s Nanshan District, known for reduced-scale replicas of famous landmarks from around the globe. Its Chinese name is 世界之窗.

    • High
    • Entertainment venue
    • Shenzhen
  8. Universal Beijing Resort Universal Beijing Resort
    09 2 hours

    Universal Beijing Resort

    北京环球度假区

    Universal Beijing Resort is a major theme park and entertainment complex located in Beijing, China. It represents the first Universal Studios-branded destination in mainland China and one of the largest of its kind in Asia.

    • High
    • Entertainment venue
    • Beijing
  9. Splendid China Folk Village Splendid China Folk Village
    10 2 hours

    Splendid China Folk Village

    锦绣中华民俗村

    Splendid China Folk Village combines two Shenzhen attractions: Splendid China, a miniature presentation of celebrated Chinese landmarks, and China Folk Culture Village, which focuses on ethnic traditions and reconstructed environments.

    • High
    • Entertainment venue
    • Shenzhen
  10. Water World, Ocean Park Hong Kong Water World, Ocean Park Hong Kong
    11 2 hours

    Water World, Ocean Park Hong Kong

    水上樂園 Water World

    Water World is Ocean Park Hong Kong’s water park on the southern side of Hong Kong Island. It is a major aquatic leisure attraction within the wider Ocean Park resort, combining water-based entertainment with a hillside setting.

    • High
    • Entertainment venue
    • Hong Kong
  11. Happy Valley Shenzhen Happy Valley Shenzhen
    12 2 hours

    Happy Valley Shenzhen

    欢乐谷

    Happy Valley Shenzhen, or 深圳欢乐谷, is a large urban amusement park in Shenzhen, Guangdong, built around themed environments, rides, performances and family entertainment.

    • High
    • Entertainment venue
    • Shenzhen
  12. Tang Paradise Tang Paradise
    13 2 hours

    Tang Paradise

    大唐芙蓉园

    Tang Paradise, known locally as Datang Furong Yuan, is a large cultural theme park in Xi'an, Shaanxi Province, China. The park is themed around the Tang Dynasty, which had its capital at Chang'an, the ancient name for Xi'an.

    • Notable
    • Entertainment venue
    • Xi'an
  13. Shanghai Haichang Ocean Park
    14 2 hours

    Shanghai Haichang Ocean Park

    上海海昌海洋公园

    Shanghai Haichang Ocean Park is a major marine-themed amusement park in Shanghai, China. Opened in 2018, it represents a significant tourism investment in the Pudong New Area, near the Dishui Lake region.

    • Notable
    • Entertainment venue
    • Shanghai
  14. 枫泾古镇
    15 2 hours

    枫泾古镇

    Fengjing Ancient Town is a historic water town located in the Jinshan District of southwestern Shanghai. The settlement traces its origins to the Yuan dynasty and developed significantly during the Ming and Qing periods.

    • Notable
    • Entertainment venue
    • Shanghai

Source: OpenStreetMap contributors, Wikidata ·

Common questions

How long should a first trip to China be?

Twelve to eighteen days can link Beijing, Xi'an, and Shanghai by high-speed rail, with Shenzhen as a southern extension. Hong Kong and Macao need separate border planning and should not be treated as ordinary domestic stops on the same timetable.

What entry documents are needed for China?

Entry rules differ between mainland China, Hong Kong, and Macao, even within one journey. Check the official immigration authority for every border segment and match the permission to the passport, purpose, and exact itinerary.

What is the best way to travel around China?

High-speed rail and domestic flights cover mainland distances, while metros handle most urban journeys. Hong Kong uses Octopus and separate border controls, and Macao has its own formalities, so prepare payment and identity requirements for each jurisdiction.

When is a practical time to visit China?

April to May and September to October are only broad mainland planning windows. Beijing, Shanghai, the south, Hong Kong, and Macao have different heat, rain, and holiday pressures; the least flexible regional leg should set the dates.

What money and payment basics apply in China?

Mainland China uses renminbi (CNY), while Hong Kong and Macao use HKD and MOP. Payment systems and card acceptance differ across those jurisdictions, so prepare the appropriate local method before crossing each border.

What practical safety details should I save for China?

On the mainland, save 110 for police and 120 for medical help; Hong Kong and Macao use separate emergency systems. Mainland electricity is recorded as 220 V with Type A, C, and I sockets, while tap-water guidance is not recorded.