China is not one destination. It is a continent-sized country with at least a dozen cities that could anchor a trip on their own. For Spanish visitors seeing China for the first time and taking advantage of the 30-day visa-free entry, the question is not whether to go but where to start.
The six cities below cover the range: imperial history, modern skylines, ancient trade routes, wildlife, street food, and a technology-driven border city that Hong Kong expats can reach in under an hour. Each section includes suggested days, what to prioritise, and practical tips for getting around.
Before you map out the route, it’s worth knowing that you can book China attraction tickets, high-speed rail and city tours on Klook to skip the queues and lock in the must-see sights in advance.
Beijing: Where China’s History Lives
Suggested days: 3 to 4
Beijing is the logical starting point. Direct flights from Madrid land at Beijing Capital International Airport or the newer Daxing International Airport, and the city contains more UNESCO World Heritage Sites than almost any other capital.
The Forbidden City (故宫) is the centrepiece. It is the largest palace complex in the world and requires at least half a day. Book tickets online in advance through the official Palace Museum website, as walk-up entry is no longer available. The Temple of Heaven (天坛) is a short taxi ride south and is best visited in the early morning when local residents practise tai chi in the surrounding park.
The Great Wall is a day trip from the city. The Mutianyu section offers a good balance between restoration and scenery, with fewer crowds than the closer Badaling section. A return trip by private car takes roughly five hours including time on the wall.
For food, hutong alleyways around Nanluoguxiang and Wudaoying are worth an evening walk. Peking duck at a traditional restaurant is the city’s signature meal.
Getting Around Beijing
The Beijing Subway is extensive, affordable, and has English signage. Alipay works for metro tickets and street purchases. Taxis and DiDi are both reliable.
Shanghai: China at Full Speed
Suggested days: 2 to 3
Shanghai is China’s most international city and the easiest for European visitors to navigate. English is more widely spoken here than in any other mainland city, and the restaurant and hotel scene rivals any global capital.
The Bund (外滩) is the defining view: a row of colonial-era European buildings on one side and the Pudong financial district’s glass towers on the other. Walk it at dusk when both sides light up. Cross the river to the Lujiazui area for the Shanghai Tower observation deck, which at 632 metres is the tallest building in China.
The French Concession is the neighbourhood most European visitors gravitate toward. Tree-lined streets, independent cafes, boutique shops, and a pace that feels closer to Barcelona than Beijing. Nanjing Road is the main commercial strip but is more useful as a landmark than a destination.
For a cultural contrast, the Yu Garden (豫园) in the Old City dates to the Ming Dynasty and offers a compact glimpse of classical Chinese garden design.
Getting Around Shanghai
The Shanghai Metro is one of the world’s largest. Maglev train connects Pudong Airport to the metro network in 8 minutes at 430 km/h. Alipay QR codes work everywhere.
Xi’an: The Silk Road Starting Point
Suggested days: 2
Xi’an was China’s capital for over a thousand years and the eastern terminus of the Silk Road. For Spanish visitors with an interest in the historical connections between Europe and Asia, this city has a particular resonance.
The Terracotta Warriors (兵马俑) are the main draw and are located about 40 minutes outside the city by bus or taxi. The scale is difficult to describe until you stand at the edge of Pit 1 and see thousands of life-sized soldiers arranged in battle formation. Allow at least three hours.
Back in the city, the Ancient City Wall (城墙) is one of the best-preserved in China. You can rent a bicycle and ride the full 14-kilometre loop on top. The Muslim Quarter (回民街) is the food highlight: lamb skewers, roujiamo (often called Chinese hamburgers), and hand-pulled biangbiang noodles served from stalls that have operated for generations.
Getting to Xi’an
High-speed trains from Beijing take about 4.5 hours. From Shanghai, the train takes roughly 6 hours. Both routes are scenic and comfortable.
Chengdu: Pandas and Sichuan Heat
Suggested days: 2 to 3
Chengdu is the capital of Sichuan province and one of China’s most liveable cities. The pace is slower, the food is famous, and the giant pandas are here.
The Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding (大熊猫繁育研究基地) is the primary reason most visitors include Chengdu. Arrive early in the morning when the pandas are active and feeding. The base is well managed, and the experience of seeing pandas in a semi-natural habitat is difficult to replicate anywhere else.
Sichuan cuisine is the other reason to come. Hotpot is the centrepiece, but mapo tofu, kung pao chicken (宫保鸡丁), and dan dan noodles all originated here. The numbing-spicy flavour profile (麻辣) from Sichuan peppercorns is distinctive and intense. Jinli Ancient Street and Kuanzhai Alley are popular food and culture streets, though slightly tourist-oriented.
Chengdu also serves as a base for trips to Leshan Giant Buddha (a 71-metre stone statue carved into a cliff face, about 2 hours by bus) and Mount Emei, one of China’s four sacred Buddhist mountains.
Getting to Chengdu
Direct flights from Shanghai take about 3 hours. High-speed train from Xi’an takes approximately 3.5 hours.
Shenzhen: The Border City That Feels Like Tomorrow
Suggested days: 1 to 2
Shenzhen is the city most relevant to readers of this site. For Spanish expats based in Hong Kong, it is a day trip. For Spanish visitors flying into Hong Kong, adding Shenzhen is as simple as taking a train across the border.
Forty years ago, Shenzhen was a fishing village. Today it is a city of 17 million people, home to Tencent, Huawei, BYD, and DJI. The technology density is visible everywhere: driverless taxis, drone delivery, cashless payments at every street stall, and robotic restaurants that seem science-fictional until you sit down and order.
What to do: The Futian commercial district is the most accessible area from the border, with direct metro connections. OCT-LOFT (华侨城创意文化园) is a creative arts district with galleries, cafes, and weekend markets. Dongmen Pedestrian Street is a sprawling shopping and street food area. For technology tourism, the DJI Flagship Store and BYD headquarters both offer visitor experiences.
For food, Shenzhen draws from every regional Chinese cuisine. Cantonese dim sum, Chaoshan beef hotpot, and coconut chicken hotpot are local specialities worth trying.
Getting to Shenzhen from Hong Kong
Three main crossings: Lo Wu/Luohu (MTR East Rail), Lok Ma Chau/Futian (MTR East Rail), and West Kowloon High-Speed Rail. The border crossing guide has full details. Use Amap instead of Google Maps once you cross, and pay with Alipay.
Guilin and Yangshuo: China’s Natural Masterpiece
Suggested days: 2 to 3
If you have seen a Chinese landscape painting with jagged limestone peaks rising from still water, it was probably inspired by Guilin. The Li River cruise from Guilin to Yangshuo is one of the most photographed journeys in Asia and a welcome contrast to the urban intensity of the other cities on this list.
The Li River cruise (漓江游船) runs approximately 4 hours downstream and passes through karst mountain scenery that has drawn poets and painters for centuries. In Yangshuo, the countryside is best explored by bicycle or electric scooter. West Street (西街) is the tourist hub, with restaurants, bars, and shops, but the real draw is the surrounding countryside: rice paddies, water buffalo, and mountain silhouettes.
The Impression Liu Sanjie light show, directed by Zhang Yimou (who directed the 2008 Beijing Olympics opening ceremony), uses the Li River as its stage. Performances run most evenings and are worth booking in advance.
Getting to Guilin
Direct flights from Shanghai, Beijing, or Chengdu. High-speed train from Guangzhou takes about 2.5 hours, making it a natural continuation from Shenzhen or Hong Kong.
Suggested Itineraries
One Week (Classic Route)
Beijing (3 days) to Xi’an (2 days) to Shanghai (2 days). This covers the essential triangle and fits comfortably within the 30-day visa-free window. Travel between cities by high-speed rail.
Two Weeks (Deeper Exploration)
Beijing (3 days) to Xi’an (2 days) to Chengdu (2 days) to Guilin/Yangshuo (2 days) to Shenzhen (1 day) to Hong Kong (2 days). This route moves roughly south and ends at the Hong Kong border, which is ideal if your return flight departs from Hong Kong.
Weekend from Hong Kong (Day Trip)
Hong Kong to Shenzhen via Lo Wu or Futian crossing. Spend the day in Futian, Dongmen, or OCT-LOFT. Return the same evening. No overnight stay required. See our Shenzhen family day trip guide for a detailed itinerary.
Once you’ve settled on an itinerary, browse tours, tickets and experiences for each city on Klook to sort the Forbidden City, Terracotta Warriors and Li River cruise before you arrive.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a visa to visit these cities as a Spanish citizen?
No, if your total stay in mainland China does not exceed 30 days. Spain is covered by China’s visa-free entry policy through 31 December 2026. For full details on documents and registration, see our China visa guide for Spanish citizens.
What is the best time of year to visit China?
Spring (April to May) and autumn (September to October) offer the best weather across most cities. Avoid the first week of October (Golden Week) and Chinese New Year (late January or February), when domestic travel surges and prices increase significantly.
Can I use my Spanish bank card in China?
Physical Visa and Mastercard terminals are rare outside international hotels. Download Alipay before your trip and link your Spanish bank card for QR code payments, which work at almost every merchant, restaurant, and transport service.
Is China safe for solo travellers?
China consistently ranks among the safest countries for tourists. Violent crime rates are low, public transport runs efficiently, and most cities have extensive CCTV coverage. The main practical challenges are the language barrier and internet restrictions (Google, WhatsApp, and Instagram are blocked). Download a VPN or an eSIM before arrival.
How do I get between cities?
China’s high-speed rail network is one of the world’s best. Trains are clean, punctual, and affordable. Book tickets through the 12306 app or Trip.com. For longer distances (Beijing to Guilin, for example), domestic flights are more practical.
You can also book China high-speed rail tickets and intercity transfers on Klook, a handy English-language option alongside the 12306 app and Trip.com.
