From quaint villages and friendly locals to stunning landscapes and ancient architecture, rural China offers travelers a unique Chinese experience.

China

10 Great Reasons to Visit Rural China

Find out where you can learn more about Hong Kong’s fascinating history, heritage and unique culture with this list of the city’s top museums to check out.

Hong Kong

The Best Museums in Hong Kong

Explore Beijing's imperial history, folk hutong culture and art scene at the 798 with the company of English-speaking experts.

Beijing

The 7 Best Guided Tours in Beijing

We've selected China’s prettiest towns that will take your breath away with their beauty.

The 10 Most Beautiful Towns In China

Any literature lover visiting Beijing should explore these landmarks, memorials, and libraries.

The Top Literary Landmarks To Visit In Beijing

Beijing, China’s sprawling capital city, is where the country’s long history of dynastic rule meets its ambition to become a high-tech giant. This dynamic plays out in the city’s architecture; ultra-modern structures built for the 2008 Olympics jar with the temples, palaces and hutongs (narrow alleyways) that have defined Beijing for centuries.

With six UNESCO World Heritage sites, including the Temple of Heaven and the enormous complex of palaces that make up the Forbidden City, Beijing thrums with imperial history. Many visitors use it as a base from which to explore the Great Wall of China; Badaling, the most frequented and best-known section of the wall, is within easy reach of the city.

Introducing Beijing

It might be the epicentre of Chinese history, but today Beijing is the country’s capital of cool. Former brothels are now stylish coffee shops, traditional hutongs house tiki bars and microbreweries, and a revolving carousel of works at the achingly trendy 798 Art Zone places the city comfortably at the forefront of modern Chinese art. 

While new restaurants routinely pop up all over, the best of Beijing’s cuisine can be sampled at its old-school hotpot and Peking-duck restaurants. As China’s cultural capital, Beijing also serves up a superb showcase of traditional entertainment, including Peking-opera playhouses and breathtaking acrobatic shows at Chaoyang Theatre.

Beijing culture

Beijing neighbourhoods

Picture Hong Kong and the first thing that springs to mind is its skyline: a condensed sprawl of skyscrapers soaring over Victoria Harbour, backdropped by verdant hills. Behind its urban exterior, however, is a region that remains deeply connected to and proud of its distinctive culture, which blends Chinese, British and indigenous influences.

Each of Hong Kong’s neighbourhoods, districts and islands has a personality of its own. Kowloon serves up sprawling markets and fascinating museums, while high-end Hong Kong Island offers endless options for shopping, drinking and dining. The outlying islands of Lamma and Cheung Chau give off a more laid-back, artsy vibe, and those craving nature should look no further than the hiking hotspot of Tung Lung Chau Island.

Introducing Hong Kong

With everything from top-notch restaurants to delicious street food, Hong Kong’s renowned cuisine is reason enough to visit. To eat as the locals do, tuck into Cantonese noodles and roast meat, or stack up dim sum dishes and wash them down with fragrant tea. 

There are some must-dos on any Hong Kong trip: riding the historic Star Ferry across Victoria Harbour; practising the ancient art of tai chi; browsing the Mong Kok markets; visiting the region’s temples and monasteries; watching horse racing in Happy Valley; and experiencing traditional Cantonese opera at Sunbeam Theatre. Vibrant festivities take place year-round, from the Mid-Autumn Festival (also known as the Mooncake Festival) to the Lunar New Year.

The best of Hong Kong culture

Hong Kong neighbourhoods

China’s business and financial centre, Shanghai appears to be throwing itself headfirst into the future, with soaring superstructures, opulent shopping malls and the world’s fastest commercial train zipping back and forth from Shanghai Pudong International. Peel your eyes away from the skyline, though, and you’ll see a different side to the city.

To experience real Shanghainese culture, take a stroll along traditional longtang, narrow residential lanes peculiar to Shanghai; tuck in to skewered quail in Qibao Town; watch elderly local residents play cards in Fuxing Park or practise tai chi as the sun rises; and attend a marriage market in People’s Square.

Introducing Shanghai

Visiting Shanghai is a true East-meets-West experience. Buddhist temples, classical gardens and the Old City offer a taste of traditional Chinese culture, while periods of European and American occupation have transformed China’s ‘City on the Sea’ into an international metropolis. The Bund, Shanghai’s busy waterfront on the Huangpu River, is lined with historic buildings of numerous architectural styles that include Art Deco, Renaissance Revival and Neo-Classical. Western influence is apparent in areas such as the former French Concession (FFC), whose tree-lined boulevards, bijou bistros and hip boutiques give the area a distinctly Parisian character.

Shanghai culture

Shanghai neighbourhoods

Things to do

Food & Drink

Places to stay

Check out our guide to the best places on the island of Ibiza to go for brunch and breakfast.

Europe

Spain

Ibiza

The 10 Best Brunch and Breakfast Spots in Ibiza

One of the most famous nights of the Ibiza party scene, find out how the world-famous Manumission first started out.

The History Of Manumission Parties In Ibiza

Acclaimed DJ and Ibiza expert Judge Jules curates his list of the top 5 places to eat in Ibiza

DJ Judge Jules' Guide To The Best Places To Eat In Ibiza

Find out everything you need to know about one of the biggest institutions of the global clubbing scene—the Pacha nightclub in Ibiza.

Pacha: Ibiza's Original Night Club

Take a short drive from party central and discover Giri Café, Ibiza. With locally sourced products and a chilled vibe, it's one not to miss.

Take a Break From Partying in Paradise at The Giri Café, Ibiza

The White Isle’s nightlife is world-renowned. Read our guide to the Ibiza’s best bars, from beachfront hang-outs to classy cocktail bars.

The 10 Best Bars in Ibiza, Spain

Bored of sunbathing and partying? Check out our suggestions for some more interesting and adventurous things to do on the island of Ibiza.

The Most Unique Experiences to Have in Ibiza

From gorgeous beaches to world-famous clubs, and from hippie markets to scenic views, here's our guide of the best things to experience in Ibiza.

Top Things To Do And See In Ibiza

Read our guide to the best neighbourhoods and spots to visit on the island of Ibiza.

The Coolest Neighbourhoods in Ibiza

Read our guide to the most romantic places to enjoy a meal for two on the island of Ibiza.

The Most Romantic Restaurants in Ibiza

Check out our guide to the best coffeeshops on the island of Ibiza to get your caffeine fix.

The Best Cafés and Coffeeshops in Ibiza

Read our guide to Ibiza’s best seafood restaurants to find delicious paellas, grilled lobsters, steamed mussels and more.

Best Seafood Restaurants In Ibiza

Check out our pick of the best boutique hotels to stay in on the island of Ibiza.

The Best Boutique Hotels in Ibiza

We update our guide to the best places in sunny Ibiza to enjoy classic Spanish food in a party atmosphere.

The Best Restaurants in Ibiza, Spain

Read our guide on where to go to shop for interior design, homeware and furnishings in Ibiza.

Best Interior Design and Homeware Stores in Ibiza

Shanghai is more than just the Bund. From a renovated slaughterhouse to protected national wetlands, here are Shanghai's most Instagrammable spots.

The Most Instagrammable Spots in Shanghai

Guilin's karst rock formations are some of the most recognizable mountains in China. But how were these amazing peaks formed?

How Were Guilin's Magical Mountains Formed?

How about a taste of Chinese tea? Here are the most authentic places to enjoy afternoon tea in Tianjin

The Most Authentic Tea Houses in Tianjin

The Best Travel, Food and Culture Guides for China, Asia - Local News & Top Things to Do