Trip to China

[Anonymous]

Hi, We are planning a trip to China (Beijing, Shanghai, Shenzhen, Hongkong) in April 2026. If you've been, any tips you can share? Thank you! Happy Holidays.

[Anonymous]

We have dome Beijing-Shanghai by bullet train then flew to Hong Kong.
We have also done Bejing-Guangzhou-Hong Kong by air.

The train to Shanghai is cool and less hassle than going to one of the Beijing airports.

We stayed in Pudong in Shanghai, huge skyscrapers. Bund is more convenient for sightseeing.

We love Grand Hyatt Beijing. Get a club room it's excellent breakfast, snacks, happy hour. Taste of China is superb. Walkable to Temple of Heaven, Tiananmen, Forbidden City, hutongs.
Have concierge book you a car and guide for Mutianyu Great Wall. We did that twice. They can also get you a car and guide for Summer Palace and Forbidden City. It's just easier especially since tickets now require apps and such.
National Museum is great especially the ancient China exhibits lower level. Need tickets now I think. Used to just get in line.

Guangzhou was business. It's ok. Park Hyatt is wonderful.

Why Shenzen?

[Anonymous]

Do you need a visa to travel to China (as an American)?

[Anonymous]

You can do the whole trip on speed train, which would be much more pleasant than flying. First class tickets are pretty reasonable prices last time we were there and very comfortable. You can walk from Shenzhen into Hong Kong.

For the great wall, I would recommend going to a less popular location to avoid crowds. Look into Jinshanling, which is wilder and more scenic. Simatai is also a great choice for seeing parts of the original wall. Do NOT go to Badaling, which is the closest.

[Anonymous]

Cut 2 of the 4 cities from that itinerary. Pick 2 from this list: Beijing, Shanghai, Hong Kong. Yes, Shenzhen is just across the street from HK, but doesn't offer much you haven't already seen in Beijing or Shanghai.

For the Great Wall, Mutianyu is a good balance of not having to drive too far from Beijing, and not being too crowded. But still, go mid-week when it's less busy, and definitely not during any national holiday.

[Anonymous]

I've been to HK a few times and China twice.

How long are you going for?
Beijing is a must. But there are other more beautiful cities in China - eg Guilin, Xian.

Shenzhen would be worth it if you are shopping for things and dining-- it is cheaper than HK.

[Anonymous]

I would go to Xi’an over Shenzhen.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Do you need a visa to travel to China (as an American)?

Yes

[Anonymous]

Are there specific tips you’re looking for?

In Beijing—
—I disagree with pp who said get a driver and guide for Forbidden City, etc. Visiting these places is just like getting timed tickets for an amusement park or museum in US, and any taxi can get you there, obviously.
—Get a driver to go to one of the less popular places on the wall mentioned above, rather than going with a big tour.
—Do a guided walking tour of the hutongs, one that will take you somewhere great for Peking Duck.
—You can look on TripAdvisor for tours. We asked at the desk of our hotel and got a driver to take us to the Great Wall, but there are agencies listed in TripAdvisor too.
—It can be really hard to get a cab if you’re out in busy parts of the city between about 5 and 7.

Shanghai
— Stay near the Bund
—Go to a performance at one of the big theaters

I’ve traveled between cities by both train and plane and don’t really recommend one over the other. Do what works best for your schedule.

Hong Kong—not my favorite place. The Nan Lian Garden is nice.

[Anonymous]

NP.

How’s air quality in Beijing, Shenzhen and Shanghai? Anyone travel with mildly asthmatic kids? Any issues?

[Anonymous]

In Beijing and Shanghai, barely a need for a cab. The subway systems are extensive and efficient. Only issue is they close around 11pm/midnight (Chinese aren't late night party animals) but that's probably OK in OP's case.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:NP.

How’s air quality in Beijing, Shenzhen and Shanghai? Anyone travel with mildly asthmatic kids? Any issues?

Air quality has dramatically improved in Beijing. I wouldn't consider it a concern nowadays (air quality today in Beijing looks better than DC), but I don't know about asthmatic kids.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Do you need a visa to travel to China (as an American)?

Yes

Actually Americans do not need a visa for transit travel. This means you must enter through one country and exit to another. If you do that, you can visit China for 10 days without a visa.

https://us.china-embassy.gov.cn/eng/lsfw/zj/qz2021/202412/t20241217_11495647.htm

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We have dome Beijing-Shanghai by bullet train then flew to Hong Kong.
We have also done Bejing-Guangzhou-Hong Kong by air.

The train to Shanghai is cool and less hassle than going to one of the Beijing airports.

We stayed in Pudong in Shanghai, huge skyscrapers. Bund is more convenient for sightseeing.

We love Grand Hyatt Beijing. Get a club room it's excellent breakfast, snacks, happy hour. Taste of China is superb. Walkable to Temple of Heaven, Tiananmen, Forbidden City, hutongs.
Have concierge book you a car and guide for Mutianyu Great Wall. We did that twice. They can also get you a car and guide for Summer Palace and Forbidden City. It's just easier especially since tickets now require apps and such.
National Museum is great especially the ancient China exhibits lower level. Need tickets now I think. Used to just get in line.

Guangzhou was business. It's ok. Park Hyatt is wonderful.

Why Shenzen?

My husband is into modern architecture and I've heard that Shenzhen is the best place to see them. We love food and it looks that all the best chefs come to Shenzhen. Also want to check out tech places.

Have you been to Suzhou as day trip from Shanghai? I'd like to see silk factory and potentially buy some silk there.

We have about 12 days in the country so maybe we should just save Beijing for the next trip combining with Xi'an.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We have dome Beijing-Shanghai by bullet train then flew to Hong Kong.
We have also done Bejing-Guangzhou-Hong Kong by air.

The train to Shanghai is cool and less hassle than going to one of the Beijing airports.

We stayed in Pudong in Shanghai, huge skyscrapers. Bund is more convenient for sightseeing.

We love Grand Hyatt Beijing. Get a club room it's excellent breakfast, snacks, happy hour. Taste of China is superb. Walkable to Temple of Heaven, Tiananmen, Forbidden City, hutongs.
Have concierge book you a car and guide for Mutianyu Great Wall. We did that twice. They can also get you a car and guide for Summer Palace and Forbidden City. It's just easier especially since tickets now require apps and such.
National Museum is great especially the ancient China exhibits lower level. Need tickets now I think. Used to just get in line.

Guangzhou was business. It's ok. Park Hyatt is wonderful.

Why Shenzen?

My husband is into modern architecture and I've heard that Shenzhen is the best place to see them. We love food and it looks that all the best chefs come to Shenzhen. Also want to check out tech places.

Have you been to Suzhou as day trip from Shanghai? I'd like to see silk factory and potentially buy some silk there.

We have about 12 days in the country so maybe we should just save Beijing for the next trip combining with Xi'an.

DP but come on, you cannot go to China without visiting Beijing. Consider dropping Shanghai. Honestly it does not have much to offer if you are also doing HK.

For 12 days, I would do 4 days Beijing, 1-2 days Shenzhen, 2-3 days Hong Kong. I would add guilin/yangshuo, which is not far from Shenzhen/HK. Spend 3-4 days there. It is gorgeous there, laid back, bike friendly, great hotels, fresh simple Chinese cooking.