The Via China (ViaCHN) Blog

3 Days in Chengdu: Pandas, Hotpot, and One Very Large Buddha

Three days in Chengdu, sequenced properly: Wuhou Shrine and Jinli on Day 1 to settle in, the panda base before 7:30 a.m. on Day 2, and Leshan Giant Buddha as a full day trip on Day 3.

3 Days in Shanghai: First-Timer's Perfect Itinerary

3 Days in Xi'an: Terracotta Warriors, the City Wall, and an Evening at Huaqing Palace

Three days in Xi'an, sequenced properly: Shaanxi History Museum and the Muslim Quarter on Day 1, terracotta warriors plus the Song of Everlasting Regret performance at Huaqing Palace on Day 2, and the city wall by bike on Day 3.

4 Days in Beijing: The Perfect First-Timer's Itinerary

Chongqing and Chengdu: 7-Day Southwest China Loop

Seven days covering Chongqing's vertical city and Chengdu's panda base, Leshan, and teahouse culture. High-speed rail connects them in 90 minutes — fly into one, out of the other.

China 10-Day Itinerary: Beijing, Xi'an, Shanghai

China 7-Day Itinerary: Beijing & Shanghai (Two Cities, Deeper)

China on a Stopover: 72 / 144 / 240-Hour Visa-Free Itinerary

China Trip with Kids: 2-Week Family Itinerary (Beijing, Shanghai, Chengdu)

East China 2-Week Itinerary: Shanghai, Hangzhou, Suzhou and Nanjing

One Month in China: In-Depth Itinerary for Slow Travel

South China Itinerary: Guangzhou, Guilin and Xiamen (11 Days)

Yunnan 10-Day Itinerary: Kunming, Dali and Lijiang

Zhangjiajie and Fenghuang: 5-Day Hunan Side Trip Itinerary

Imperial Palaces and Historical Insights: Reading Beijing's Royal Architecture

Shanghai Art Deco Walk: What the Guidebooks Don't Explain

Camel Riding at Mingsha Dunes: Sunset Experience Guide

How camel riding at Mingsha Mountain actually works—what the ride covers, what it doesn't, how to combine it with the sunset dune climb, and what foreign visitors need to know about tickets and payment.

The Central Axis Heritage: Walking Beijing's 7.8-Kilometer Spine

Chasing Hutong Memories: A Beijing Alleyway Adventure

Chengdu Teahouse: Covered-Bowl Tea, Ear Cleaning and a Slow Half-Day

Chongqing Heat: Hotpot and Jianghu Cuisine

Chongqing Night View: See the Two Rivers from Every Angle

Cycling the Xi'an City Wall

Erhai Lake Cycling Day Trip: The Full-Loop Reality

A practical guide to cycling around Erhai Lake, covering half-day routes, wind strategy, and what actually happens during the afternoon headwind that most guides don't mention.

Guangzhou Yum Cha: One Pot, Two Pieces and the Full Tea House Guide

Guilin Rice Noodles and Local Bites

Gulangyu Architecture Walk: A 2-Hour Passage Through Colonial History

A 2-hour walk through 13 countries worth of colonial and heritage architecture on one small island, without the crowds.

Imperial Costume Photo Experiences: Dress Like Royalty for a Day

Experiencing Multi-Ethnic Culture in Kunming

Dounan Flower Market and Local Bites in Kunming

Kunming Cross-Bridge Rice Noodles and Yunnan Bites

Lingyin Temple and Feilaifeng: Prayer, Blessings and a Half-Day Visit

Longjing Village and West Lake Longjing Tea: Drink in the Hills, See the Fields, Buy If You Like

Naxi Music and Culture Evening in Lijiang

Purple Mountain on Foot: Why You Shouldn't Take the Shuttle Bus

Shanghai Street Food: What to Eat on Your First Day

Shuhe Ancient Town Half-Day Walk

Sichuan Hotpot: What to Order, How to Eat It, First-Time Tips

Traditional Theater and Tea House Performances: An Evening of Old Beijing

West Lake on Foot or by Bike: Which Stretch, How to Do It

Xi'an Muslim Quarter Food Walk

Yangshuo: West Street, Yulong River and Ten-Mile Gallery

Two Days in Wulingyuan: A Practical Route Guide

Beijing in Autumn: When the Ginkgo Turns the City Gold

Beijing in Spring: Where Cherry Blossoms Meet Imperial Roofs

Beijing in Summer: The Season the City Moves to the Water

Beijing in Winter: When the Forbidden City Wears White

Best Time to Visit Chengdu: An Honest Season-by-Season Guide

Best Time to Visit Shanghai: Honest Advice

Best Time to Visit Xi'an: An Honest Season-by-Season Guide

Chengdu in Autumn: Tea, Mahjong, Shizi Lane, and the Slow Season

Chengdu in Spring: Pandas, Teahouses, and Heat That Doesn’t Overwhelm

Chengdu in Summer: Three Kingdoms, Wuhou Shrine, and Hotpot After Dark

Chengdu in Winter: Best Season for Pandas and Hotpot

Shanghai in Autumn: The Secret Month Locals Wait For All Year

Shanghai in Spring: When the French Concession Wakes Up

Shanghai in Summer: When the River Becomes Your Living Room

Shanghai in Winter: The Side That Doesn't Make the Postcards

Xi'an in Autumn: Clear Skies and Quiet Walls

Xi'an in Spring: Cherry Blossoms and the Ancient Wall

Xi'an in Summer: Nights on the City Wall

Xi'an in Winter: Quiet Walls and Hot Soup