When planning a trip to Asia, destinations like South Korea, Thailand or Vietnam often dominate the conversation. However, there is one massive, hyper-modern, yet deeply historic country that is rapidly becoming the ultimate travel hotspot for international tourists: Mainland China.
Despite vague negative perceptions or outdated media portrayals, the reality of traveling in modern China is nothing short of mind-blowing. From world-class safety and cutting-edge tech infrastructures to thousands of years of culinary & cultural history, China offers an unparalleled travel experience that caters to budget backpackers and luxury travelers alike.
If you are wondering whether China is worth visiting, here are 6 undeniable reasons why China is the best and most rewarding travel destination in Asia today, along with essential tips to make your journey unforgettable.
(Summary) Why you should travel China
1. One of the safest countries in the world. You can leave your laptop on a cafe table and walk away, knowing it will be there when you return. I kid you not!!
2. Ultra cheap Public transportation that saves your budget : Metros, DiDi, Taxis, etc
3. Very delicious, not expensive, yet endless varieties of food
4. Very friendly Chinese towards tourists
5. Diverse tourists attractions from historic wonders to modern/futuristic landscape
6. You can see the future through high tech of China (Driverless taxi, Drone, Robots)
7. With advanced e-payment platforms like WeChat & Alipay, you can travel cash-free and handle everything with your phone, including transportation, food ordering, shopping and ticketing.
1. Unrivaled Public Safety: Walk Without Fear Anywhere, Anytime
For any international traveler—especially solo female travelers—safety is the number one priority. One of the greatest misconceptions about China is that it is a risky place to visit. In reality, China is globally recognized as one of the safest countries in the world.
World-Class Crime Prevention Technology
China’s low crime rate is largely driven by its state-of-the-art digital infrastructure. Major cities are equipped with an extensive network of high-definition CCTV cameras and advanced facial recognition technology. This operates as a massive deterrent for criminal behavior. In the extremely rare event that a tourist faces a petty crime, like pocket-picking, perpetrators are identified and apprehended almost instantly.
Safe Nightlife and Peaceful Streets
Whether you are walking down a dark alleyway in Chongqing at 2:00 AM or strolling through Shanghai's Bund, you will notice a complete absence of street violence, drug-related crime, or aggressive scams. The local police presence is subtle yet highly efficient, allowing tourists to explore the country with ultimate peace of mind.
Want to know how safe China is?
2. Seamless and Budget-Friendly Transportation
Navigating a massive country can be daunting, but China boasts the most advanced, affordable, and comprehensive public transportation network on the planet.
The Bullet Train Network (CRH)
China’s High-Speed Rail (HSR) network is a technological marvel. Traveling at speeds up to 350 km/h (217 mph), these bullet trains connect almost every major city and remote tourist destination. They are incredibly clean, punctual, and highly cost-effective compared to domestic flights or Western train systems. For example, traveling from Beijing to Shanghai takes just over 4 hours in pure comfort.
Ultra-Cheap City Subways and Buses
Inside the cities, the subway systems are astonishingly modern, air-conditioned, and fully translated into English. Best of all, a standard metro ride usually costs less than $1 USD.
The Ride-Hailing Revolution: DiDi Chuxing
For door-to-door transit, you don’t even need to hail a traditional taxi. By using the DiDi Chuxing app (which features a full English interface, international credit card support, and auto-translation for text messages), you can summon a car anywhere within minutes at a fraction of the cost of Western rideshares.
Want to know why you should not take a taxi but take DiDi in China?
3. A Culinary Paradise: Delicious, Affordable, and Endless Variety
If you think you know Chinese food because you’ve eaten takeout in your home country, think again. True Chinese cuisine is incredibly diverse, deeply tied to local geography, and remarkably cheap.
The Eight Great Culinary Traditions
China is home to diverse regional flavor profiles that change every few hundred miles:
Sichuan & Chongqing: Famous for its fiery, tongue-numbing mala hotpot and bold spices.
Guangdong (Cantonese): Celebrated for its delicate, fresh flavors, dim sum, and roasted meats.
Shanghai (Jiangnan): Known for its sweet, savory braised dishes and world-famous Xiaolongbao (soup dumplings).
Xi'an (Shaanxi): A haven for wheat lovers, featuring hand-pulled biangbiang noodles and savory lamb burgers (Roujiamo).
Unbeatable Value for Money
You can easily enjoy a hearty, delicious bowl of local noodles or fresh street food for just $2 to $5 USD. Even sitting down for an authentic feast at a highly rated local establishment via lifestyle super-apps like Dazhong Dianping is remarkably affordable, giving you elite-level culinary experiences without breaking the bank.
Want to know about Dazhong Dianping?
It's all-in-one dining platform where you can check reviews, browse menus, reserve tables, skip the line virtually, and check food discounts for all restaurants across China
4. The Warmth of the Locals: Genuine Kindness and Hospitality
While geopolitical headlines can sometimes paint a rigid picture, the actual citizens of China are incredibly warm, welcoming, and hospitable toward international guests.
Natural Curiosity and Sincerity
Because parts of China have only recently opened up to massive waves of Western tourism, locals often view foreigners with a sense of friendly curiosity. It is incredibly common for locals to offer you a bright smile, strike up a conversation to practice their English, or go completely out of their way to guide you if you look lost.
Overcoming the Language Barrier
Even if a local resident doesn't speak a word of English, they will confidently pull out their smartphones, open up translation apps, and patiently communicate with you until your problem is solved. The innocent, pure-hearted nature of the people—especially in smaller towns and historical regions—is often what travelers remember most about their trip.
5. Breathtaking Diversity of Landscapes and Historic Wonders
China’s massive geographical footprint means it packs an entire continent’s worth of diverse travel experiences into a single nation. Whether you love high-altitude mountain trekking, tropical beaches, ancient ruins, or futuristic skylines, China has it all.
Must-Visit Landmarks and Natural Wonders
The Great Wall of China (Beijing): The iconic architectural marvel winding through rugged mountains.
The Terracotta Army (Xi'an): Thousands of life-sized clay soldiers guarding the tomb of China's first Emperor.
Zhangjiajie National Forest Park: The ethereal, towering sandstone pillars that inspired the floating mountains in the movie Avatar.
Guilin & Yangshuo: Breathtaking, mystical karst mountains stretching along the peaceful Li River.
The Forbidden City (Beijing): The massive, beautifully preserved imperial palace complex that housed dynasties for centuries.
The Potala Palace (Tibet): The majestic, sacred palace sitting atop the roof of the world.
6. The Perfect Harmony of Ancient Traditions and Hyper-Modern Cities
Unlike many destinations where modernization completely erases historical roots, China’s megacities excel at blending futuristic engineering with thousands of years of heritage.
Let’s look at how China’s top cities perfectly balance the old and the new:
Shanghai: Walk along The Bund to marvel at the colonial-era architecture, then turn around to see the futuristic Pudong Skyline, including the towering Shanghai Tower. Hidden just blocks away is the centuries-old Yu Garden.
Guangzhou & Shenzhen: Located in the southern tech hub, Shenzhen is the Silicon Valley of Asia, packed with drone-delivery systems and automated stores, while neighboring Guangzhou retains its deep-rooted Cantonese tea houses and ancient temples.
Qingdao & Dalian: Beautiful, clean coastal cities that blend historic European influences (German architecture in Qingdao, Russian and Japanese influences in Dalian) with pristine beaches, modern boardwalks, and world-class seafood industries.
Chongqing: The world's ultimate 3D cyberpunk city. Watch monorail trains drive directly through apartment buildings, explore futuristic skyscrapers built on steep cliffs, and then descend into Hongyadong, a dazzling, traditional stilt-house complex illuminated by lanterns at night.
Nanjing: The ancient capital of multiple dynasties features well-preserved Ming Dynasty city walls alongside thriving commercial districts and tech parks.
7. The Futuristic Convenience of a Cashless Society
An additional, incredible aspect of traveling in modern China is experiencing its highly automated, cashless ecosystem.
Alipay and WeChat Pay for Foreigners
Mainland China has almost completely skipped credit cards and moved straight to QR code mobile payments. Thankfully, international tourists can now easily link their Visa or Mastercard directly to Alipay or WeChat Pay. From buying a 50-cent bottle of water at a street stall to paying for a luxury hotel stay, you can complete every transaction seamlessly with your smartphone.
Check more about Alipay and WeChat Pay
The Rise of Autonomous Tech
Depending on the cities you visit (such as Shenzhen, Wuhan, or Beijing), you can easily book a driverless robotaxi via local apps, watch passenger drones fly overhead, or have your room service delivered by an automated robot inside your hotel. It feels less like a standard vacation and more like an eye-opening journey into the future.
Conclusion: Pack Your Bags for an Unforgettable Adventure
Mainland China is an extraordinary travel destination that offers an unmatched combination of extreme safety, incredible affordability, rich historical depth, and jaw-dropping modern infrastructure. It shatters every negative stereotype and rewards open-minded travelers with memories that last a lifetime.
Before you catch your flight, make sure to set up your mobile digital wallets (Alipay/WeChat), download a reliable mapping app like Gaode Map (Amap), activate an international travel eSIM, and prepare yourself to experience the most dynamic, vibrant, and welcoming country in Asia!
Check more about why Gaode Map(Amap) is the Best Map for tourists in China
