City Guides
Explore China's Most Iconic Destinations
Shanghai 5 Days 4 Nights: A Complete Travel Diary
A real 5-day Shanghai diary — French Concession strolls, Disneyland tips, Yuyuan night lights, and honest food picks from someone who actually went.
3 Days in Shanghai with Parents: A Gentle-Paced Itinerary ✨
A slow-paced 3-day, 2-night Shanghai itinerary designed for traveling with parents — classic landmarks, authentic local food, and plenty of photo ops.
Shanghai Nightwalk: Into the Republic-Era Nightscape
From the sunset corridor of Pudong Art Museum to the golden bull reflections on the Bund — a nightwalk through Shanghai's most cinematic after-dark route.
Just Back from Shanghai — Hard Lessons Learned! 😭
12 hard-won tips from a real Shanghai trip — from the Bund's 10pm lights-off to ¥2 ferry hacks, Disneyland hotel picks, and why Tianzifang is dead.
Yuyuan & City God Temple: A Local's Guide to Getting It Right
Confused about Yuyuan Garden vs City God Temple vs the shopping area? A Shanghai local breaks it all down — what to see, when to go, and where to eat.
Xi'an Food Guide: I Still Dream About That Xiaochao Paomo
From ¥1 beef skewers to Sichuan-spiced ice cream, premium roujiamo to hand-pulled belt noodles — the definitive Xi'an eating guide with honest reviews.
5 Days in Xi'an: The Deep Dive — Walls, Warriors & ¥1 Beef Skewers
A 5-day, 4-night Xi'an deep dive — Muslim Quarter back alleys, Tang dynasty ruins, the full city wall walk, Terracotta Warriors + Lishan Garden, and ¥1 beef skewers you'll never forget.
2 Days in Xi'an: First-Timer's Guide to the Ancient Capital
Terracotta Warriors, Huaqing Palace, the Tang Dynasty Night City, city walls at blue hour, and the Bell Tower at golden hour — a perfect 2-day first visit to the 13-dynasty capital.
14 Best Photo Spots in Xi'an: Day & Night in the Ancient Capital
"One Xi'an city, half of Chinese history." After 5 days of walking every corner — here are 14 precise camera positions capturing the 13-dynasty capital at its most stunning.
2 Days in Chengdu: A Weekend Sprint Through the City's Soul
Hotpot, pandas, Kuanzhai Alley, Yulin night strolls, and way too many egg cakes — a 2-day, 1-night Chengdu blitz that covers all the essentials without exhausting you.
5 Days in Chengdu: A Culture Lover's Deep Dive
Temples, pandas, bamboo forests, Qingcheng Mountain, Dujiangyan, and Sanxingdui — a 5-day Chengdu itinerary for those who want more than just hotpot.
Shanghai's Coziest CityWalk: An Afternoon Staycation on Jufuchang Streets
A 3-hour golden-hour stroll through Shanghai's Jufuchang neighbourhood — Art Deco villas, mint-green mansions, and the best craft-coffee stretch in the French Concession.
18 Mind-Blowing Photo Spots in Chengdu: A Photographer's Map
From the Time-Space Ring to the SKP Tower of Life — 18 precise camera positions that capture Chengdu's fusion of ancient poetry and futuristic skylines.
Shaocheng CityWalk: The Most Authentic Old Chengdu Experience
Walk through the ancient Shaocheng district — People's Park tea culture, art-filled Citang Street, panda walls, and Kuanzhai Alley's courtyard heritage. This is where real Chengdu lives.
Shanghai in 4 Days: The Ultimate Classic Route for First-Timers
A photo-ready 4-day itinerary covering the Bund, French Concession, modern Shanghai, and the Hongkou literary district — perfect for first-time visitors.
Beijing in 2 Days: The Ultimate Weekend Speedrun
Land Friday night, hit all the highlights by Sunday — no wasted time, no detours. 20K steps/day, pure efficiency.
18 Photos Worth Flying to Shanghai For (+ Weekend Route)
A photographer's weekend in Shanghai — 18 jaw-dropping shots across old lanes, Art Deco landmarks, and the neon-lit Pudong skyline, with a ready-to-copy 2-day route.
The Real Beijing: 4 Local CityWalk Routes Beyond the Tourist Trail
Skip the crowded attractions. These 4 walking routes through Beijing's hutong neighborhoods reveal the city's real soul — local food spots, hidden temples, vintage shops, and genuine street life.
Xi'an Local's CityWalk: A Day in the Ancient Capital's Hidden Lanes
From a bustling morning market under the city wall, through incense-filled temples, art-lined alleys, and a calligraphy museum — this is how Xi'an locals actually spend their day.
Chengdu Solo Trip: A Planner's Dream Itinerary (With Jiuzhaigou Add-On)
A meticulous solo traveler's 3-day Chengdu guide — afternoon Yulin citywalk, morning pandas, afternoon Sanxingdui, and an overnight dash to Jiuzhaigou.
Is Chengdu Actually Fun? An Honest Route-by-Route Review
Three walking routes through Chengdu's main attractions — with real opinions on what's worth your time, what's overrated, and what surprised us most.
3 Days in Chengdu: The Relaxed, Happiness-First Guide
Sanxingdui before the crowds, a face-changing show at Wenshu Monastery, pandas at the base — a low-key 3-day trip that's easy on the legs and high on joy.
Xi'an Food Diary: Honest Reviews of Everything We Ate
Every meal documented — from the xiaochao paomo that haunts my dreams to the Hangzhou-priced lamb that felt like a steal. Plus the dishes we could have skipped.
3-Day Xi'an CityWalk: Old Town Alleys, Cat Temples & Film Studios
Forget the tourist checklist — these 3 walking routes cut through Xi'an's ancient back-alleys, local bookshops, cat-filled temples, and converted film studios.
4 Days in Xi'an: Every Meal Was a Revelation
An honest food-first Xi'an trip — walking the old quarters, discovering the best xiaochao paomo, a day trip to Maijishan, and finding the meal that made me promise to come back.
Xi'an in 5 Days: The Super-Detailed Guide (Routes + Food + Tips)
Five days of walking Xi'an's ancient capital — Terracotta Warriors, city walls at sunset, Muslim Quarter eats, and the real food streets tourists miss.
The Best CityWalk District in Chengdu: Yulin Neighbourhood
Vintage shops, killer street food, specialty coffee, and real local life — Yulin is where Chengdu actually lives. Walk it once and you'll understand.
Xi'an Attractions: Brutally Honest Worth-It Ratings
Every major Xi'an attraction rated with scores, prices, and real talk — what's essential, what's overpriced, and what most guides won't tell you.
Qingcheng Mountain + Dujiangyan: The Perfect Day Trip from Chengdu
A Taoist holy mountain and a 2,200-year-old irrigation system, done in one day — with cable car shortcuts, photo spots, and street food along the way.
5 Days in Chengdu with Kids: Pandas, Sichuan Opera & Sanxingdui
Tested over National Day with two kids — pandas at Dujiangyan (way fewer people!), Sanxingdui night session, Sichuan opera face-changing, and the secret wholesale building for panda souvenirs.
Xi'an in 3 Days: History, Warriors & Late-Night BBQ
Three themed days — historical landmarks, Terracotta Warriors, and a citywalk through the old city. Plus the BBQ spot where grillmasters literally walk up to your table.
Chengdu in 3 Days: The Obsessively Detailed Guide
The 3-day Chengdu guide that was planned with zero wasted steps — daily routes with walking directions, local food picks, and honest anti-scam tips.
Great Northwest China: 7-Day Qinghai Lake to Badain Jaran Desert Road Trip
Cross three provinces in 7 days — from Qinghai Lake's sacred waters to Qilian's grasslands and the wild Badain Jaran Desert
Seven Colors of Gannan: 7-Day Tibetan Shangri-La Adventure
Explore China's lowest-altitude Tibetan plateau — ancient monasteries, Zhagana stone villages, and grassland culture without altitude sickness
Northwest Grand Loop: 8-Day Silk Road & Qinghai Plateau Epic
The ultimate northwest China circuit — Mogao Caves, Rainbow Mountains, Emerald Lake, and Qinghai Lake in one incredible loop
Southern Xinjiang: 8-Day Silk Road Journey from Kuqa to Kashgar
Trace the ancient Silk Road through China's most exotic region — Buddhist caves, desert camps, bazaars, and the Pamir Plateau
Northern Xinjiang Grand Loop: 8-Day Tianshan to Altai Mountains
China's most spectacular autumn destination — Kanas Lake, Ghost Cities, and vast grasslands from Tianshan to the Altai Range
Nyingchi Spring Blossoms: 6-Day Peach Flowers & Blue Ice in Tibet
Experience Tibet's most magical season — wild peach blossoms along the Yarlung Tsangpo, ancient glaciers, and pristine spruce forests
Southern Tibet Spring: 8-Day Lhasa to Nyingchi Peach Blossom Journey
The complete Tibet spring experience — Potala Palace, sacred monasteries, Basomtso Lake, and the Nyingchi peach blossom valleys
Central Plains Discovery: 4-Day Henan Cultural Heritage Trail
Decode China's cultural DNA — Shaolin Temple, Longmen Grottoes, and 5,000 years of civilization at the heart of Chinese history
Southeast Shanxi: 4-Day Hidden Ancient Architecture Trail
Discover China's best-kept secret — medieval temples, thousand-year-old murals, and untouched Taihang Mountain villages
New Yunnan Days: 7-Day Erhai Lake to Lugu Lake Journey
The Yunnan trip beyond the tourist trail — tie-dye villages, Shaxi ancient town, Lugu Lake's Mosuo culture, and hidden mountain roads
Huizhou Spring: 4-Day Ancient Villages & Flower Fields in Anhui
Discover the real 'Painting Villages' of China — white-walled Huizhou architecture, rapeseed flower seas, and misty bamboo mountains
Best of China in 8 Days: Beijing → Xi'an → Shanghai
The classic first-timer route hitting China's top 3 cities — imperial palaces, ancient warriors, and futuristic skylines
Beijing Like a Local: A No-BS Flexible 2-6 Day Guide
Forget the cookie-cutter travel blogs. A local's real picks — where to eat, where to stay, which Great Wall to actually visit, and what to skip entirely.
18 Best Photo Spots in Beijing (With Exact Locations)
When you're feeling lost, come to Beijing. 600 years of history, neighborhood street life, and sunsets over palaces have a way of putting things in perspective. Here are 18 spots to capture it all.
Beijing's Most Classic Hutong CityWalk: Temples, Drums & Lakeside Sunsets
The one hutong walk I'd recommend above all others — from Ditan Park through Yonghe Temple, past the Drum Tower, and ending with sunset beers at Shichahai. 6-7 km of pure Beijing.
Beijing in 4 Days: The 20,000-Steps-a-Day Edition
A compact 4-day Beijing trip — efficient but unhurried. National Museum, Temple of Heaven, Great Wall, and Forbidden City, plus honest food reviews from someone who walked it all.
What to Actually Eat in Beijing: 13 Honest Reviews
Real food reviews from real meals — from ¥0 waiting hacks at Nanmen Sharou to the ¥80 birthday coupon trick at Siji Minfu. No fluff, just what's worth eating.
Shanghai in 2 Days: The Lazy Traveler's Copy-Paste Guide
Don't want to plan? Don't want to backtrack? Don't want to get scammed? This 2-day Shanghai guide handles it all — just follow and eat.
My #1 Shanghai CityWalk: Yongjia Road's Hidden Garden Lane
After years in Shanghai, this is the one walking route I keep coming back to — plane tree shade, garden villas, secret bookshops, and the best specialty coffee stretch in the city.
Beijing in 5 Days: The Only Guide You'll Need
A no-nonsense 5-day Beijing itinerary covering all the highlights — from the Forbidden City to the Great Wall, with real food recs and transit tips.
My All-Time Favorite Beijing CityWalk: Temples, Towers & Hidden Lanes
A quiet winter day, soft light on old buildings, no crowds — this is how Beijing citywalk should feel. From Lu Xun's house to the Forbidden City panorama at Jingshan.
Beijing with Kids: 5-Day Family Trip (Tried & Tested)
A real family's 5-day Beijing trip — from the Forbidden City to Universal Studios, with kid-tested tips on food, transport, and how to survive the Great Wall with little ones.
Beijing Trip: 9 Mistakes We Made (So You Don't Have To)
Honest lessons from a real Beijing trip with parents — from Forbidden City entry hacks to why your map app might send you to the wrong gate.
17 Jaw-Dropping Bund Photo Spots: From Day to Night
20,000 steps along the Bund, shooting from dawn to midnight — 17 specific locations where every photo looks like it belongs in a gallery.
China Delights: 11-Day Beijing → Xi'an → Guilin → Shanghai
Add Guilin's stunning karst landscapes and Li River cruise to the classic Golden Triangle route
Ultimate China: 15-Day Beijing → Xi'an → Guilin → Chengdu → Yangtze → Shanghai
The grand tour — pandas, Yangtze River cruise, karst mountains, ancient warriors, and megacities
Pandas & Golden Cities: 11-Day Beijing → Xi'an → Chengdu → Shanghai
History, warriors, pandas, and skyscrapers — the perfect route for animal lovers and culture buffs
Beijing & Xi'an Essentials: 6-Day Historical China
The essential historical China experience — Great Wall, Forbidden City, Terracotta Warriors in just 6 days
Beijing & Shanghai Express: 6-Day Modern & Ancient China
Ancient imperial capital meets futuristic megacity — connected by one of the world's fastest trains