Tips & Answers · Community post
First time visiting China: should I skip the famous tourist spots?
EvenlocksShared Aug 26, 2026Hi everyone, I’m planning my first trip to China and I’m trying to decide my itinerary.
Many travel guides recommend Beijing, Xi’an, Shanghai, and other famous cities, but I’m not sure if that’s the experience I’m looking for. I prefer quiet places, beautiful scenery, and slower travel. I would rather spend a few days exploring one small town or natural area than rushing between crowded attractions.
Would you recommend visiting the classic destinations first, or going somewhere less famous?
Comments (1)
Absolutely, my friend. First off, do visit those spots recommended in most travel guides. There is a good reason they are so widely‑suggested — they genuinely deliver great value and are well worth your time.
That said, there are far more destinations suited to your preferences, so many I cannot possibly list them all here. I will just name a few other highly‑renowned places: Dali and Shangri‑La in Yunnan, Jiuzhaigou in Sichuan, and Yangshuo near Guilin.
I also keep recommending this route: Nanjing – Wuxi – Suzhou – Hangzhou – Shanghai. Here is why I highly endorse it. Stretching from Nanjing to Shanghai, this chain of cities is stunning. Each boasts famous historical landmarks within city limits, plus scenic spots and ancient towns in their surrounding areas, which should fit your tastes perfectly.
Crucially, Shanghai is a common departure point for leaving China. Ending your trip there saves you the hassle of backtracking. High‑speed rail connections between these cities are extremely well‑developed. There are more train departures than local buses in many places. More often than not, you do not even need advance tickets; you can simply show up and hop on the next available train.