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National Day (国庆节) celebrates the founding of the People's Republic of China on October 1, and in 2026 the holiday runs October 1–7 — seven days that trigger the biggest domestic travel wave of the year. Hundreds of millions of Chinese travelers hit the road, rail and skies at once.

Xinjiang is one-sixth of China — bigger than many countries — yet it appears on very few international itineraries. That's exactly why it's worth your time: the landscapes are among the most dramatic in Asia, the cultures are distinct from anywhere else in China, and you'll rarely be surrounded by other tourists.

Inner Mongolia is China at its most open — literally: the horizon goes on forever, and the culture is Mongol, not Han. It's where the grasslands roll green in summer, the deserts glow gold in autumn, and travelers sleep in yurts under enormous skies. It's an easy, refreshing escape from Beijing (a short flight or overnight train), yet it feels a world away.

Dunhuang was the gateway where the Silk Road split around the Taklamakan Desert — and where caravans stopped to pray before the desert crossings. That history left behind the Mogao Caves (莫高窟): more than 700 grottoes carved over a millennium, holding some of the finest Buddhist frescoes and sculptures in existence.

In 2026 the calendar hands travelers something rare: Mid-Autumn falls on September 25–27 and National Day runs October 1–7, with only three working days (September 28–30) in between. Take those three days off and you get a 13-day stretch from September 25 to October 7 — a window that fits a serious China trip in one shot.

China's high-speed rail is the backbone of Golden Week travel — and during Mid-Autumn (September 25–27) and National Day (October 1–7, 2026), the popular routes sell out in hours. The difference between a smooth festival trip and a chaotic one is almost entirely decided by how you handle train tickets.

Mid-Autumn (中秋节) is the one night of the year when all of China looks up. The holiday — September 25–27 in 2026 — is anchored by a single act: watching the full moon, together. Everything else is built around it: the mooncakes, the tea, the lanterns, the poetry.

Picture this: you want to wander Beijing's hutongs at your own pace, spend an extra hour at the Xi'an Terracotta Warriors if you feel like it, and eat where the locals eat — but you also don't want to spend your trip panicking over train platforms, hotel check-ins and taxi directions in a language you don't speak.

The iconic White Rabbit Creamy Candy wrapper design has gone viral on social media, captivating global audiences. Discover the 80-year story behind China's most beloved sweet and where to find it on your next trip to China.

For International Travelers:

In December 2025, Chinese-American creator Sherry Zhu (Zhu Xuirui / 朱溪瑞) posted a one-minute video on TikTok with a line that detonated across the platform: "If you're seeing this video, you're Chinese. I know it sounds scary, but resistance is now pointless." The clip crossed 3 million views in days; hashtags #Chinamaxxing, #BecomingChinese and #VeryChinese then spread like wildfire across TikTok and Instagram. By early August 2026, cumulative views on Chinamaxxing-related hashtags had surged p

For International Travelers:

On 2 August 2026, China National Radio's Global Information Broadcast aired a segment that was quickly syndicated across Chinese media: Irish travel creator Travis Lyons (full name Travis Leon Price) ziplined across a giant sinkhole in Chongqing and rode "water go-karts" through emerald-green canyons in Henan. He called the experience "just like a real-life video game," and described the China journey from "future cities to mountain-and-water secrets" as "an adventure." Within hours, the clip ha

Most first-time visitors are surprised by one thing: China is not an expensive country to travel in — but it is an easy country to overspend in if you do not plan. The big four costs are accommodation, transport between cities, entry tickets, and eating in tourist zones. Each one has a cheap way and an expensive way to do the same thing.

As a local, it is a little frustrating to watch returning visitors line up again for the same famous viewpoints. You have already seen the sandstone pillars and the floating mountains. The second time in Zhangjiajie should feel different — wilder, harder, and far more personal.

Paul George decided to add China to his trip after a long stay in the United States. Like many first-time visitors, he imagined Beijing as a checklist: airport, Great Wall, Forbidden City. The reality was different.