Editorial

China Travel Journal

Planning notes, route ideas, seasonal advice, and cultural context for private China journeys in 2026.

China private travel journal

Field notes for slower, better China journeys.

Planning briefs, route ideas, seasonal timing, and cultural context from the ChinaTourly desk. Use this hub to compare where to go, when to travel, and what deserves more time in a private itinerary.

2026 readyVisa, season, hotel, and route planning notes kept current. No rushArticles written for private pacing, not checklist tourism. Culture firstContext for heritage sites, craft studios, foodways, and local etiquette. Planner viewPractical tradeoffs before you choose cities and dates.
Colorful Chinese food market with regional specialties
May 30 2026

Chinese Regional Cuisines: The Eight Traditions...

All eight major Chinese cuisines explained: what makes Sichuan, Cantonese, Shanghainese, Shandong, Hunan, Fujian, Zhejiang, and Anhui each distinct.

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Variety of traditional Chinese dishes on a table
May 30 2026

Chinese Food Guide: What to Eat, Where to Eat It

What to eat in China and where: regional cooking traditions, how to order without Mandarin, handling dietary restrictions, and the...

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Close-up view of an open passport displaying various travel stamps in an airport setting.
May 30 2026

China Visa Requirements 2026: A Complete Guide ...

Key Takeaways As of 2026, travelers from 54+ countries and regions can enter China visa-free for up to 15 days...

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Chinese lantern festival celebration with red lanterns
May 30 2026

China Festivals and Ethnic Culture: The Complet...

China's festivals and ethnic cultures: national holidays, Tibetan celebrations, Yunnan minority traditions, and how to experience each as a visitor.

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Traditional Chinese temple courtyard with lanterns
May 30 2026

Chinese Etiquette: The Complete Guide for Visitors

Master Chinese etiquette before your trip: face, greetings, dining rules, temple protocol, gift-giving taboos, and essential social norms for visitors.

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A scenic view of a temple at Echoing-Sand Mountain, Dunhuang, surrounded by desert sand dunes.
May 30 2026

The Best Time to Travel the Silk Road: A Month-...

Key Takeaways The Silk Road corridor between Xi'an and Kashgar runs through extreme continental climate zones — winters of -20°C,...

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Peking duck being prepared at a Beijing restaurant
May 30 2026

Beijing Food Guide: What to Eat and Where

Beijing food guide: where to eat Peking duck, zhajiang noodles, and jianbing — with neighborhood-by-neighborhood restaurant recommendations.

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Traditional Chinese village surrounded by autumn foliage along a river - best time to visit China
May 15 2026

The Best Time to Visit China in 2026: A Month-b...

The honest answer: late September through early November and late March through May. Here is why — and the full...

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Hands marking destinations on a map - how ChinaTourly plans your private China trip
May 15 2026

How We Plan Your Trip: Inside the ChinaTourly P...

Most travel companies send a brochure. We send a conversation. Here is exactly what happens — and why it takes...

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