Country guide

Up to 1 hour in China — page 11

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...

Photograph · Severin.stalder · CC BY-SA 3.0

39,939 Places

6Cities

Reviewed by Elena Voss · Roavina Travel Editor

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.

Checked 2026-08-25

Cities

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

Beijing
Photograph · N509FZ · CC BY-SA 4.0

Beijing 15,249 places
Shanghai
Photograph · King of Hearts · CC BY-SA 4.0

Shanghai 10,894 places
Hong Kong
Photograph · Mustang Joe · CC0

Hong Kong 6,345 places
Shenzhen
Photograph · Charlie fong · CC BY-SA 4.0

Shenzhen 3,885 places
Xi'an
Photograph · ScareCriterion12 · CC BY-SA 4.0

Xi'an 2,466 places
Macau
Photograph · Charlie fong · CC BY-SA 4.0

Macau 1,100 places

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

Top things to see

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

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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.

Up to 1 hour in China — page 11

Cities

Practical information

Top things to see

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Hong Kong–Macau Ferry Terminal

Statue of Anita Mui

Ching Chung Koon

Hysan Place

Kau Sai Chau Rock Carving

The TakeOut Comedy Club Hong Kong

Hin Tin Playground

Kadoorie Beach

Siu Lek Yuen Road Playground

Wu Shan Recreation Playground

Mong Kok Computer Centre

Discovery Park

Concord Square

Ma On Shan Plaza

Jiaoshan

Tianma Mountain

Hung Hom Square

Common questions