8 posts · Curated China travel tips
China's 'Refund Upon Purchase' (即買即退) lets you get your tax refund immediately at the checkout counter — no airport queues, no waiting weeks. Here's exactly how it works in 2026, which stores participate, and what to watch out for.
China's departure tax refund just got a major upgrade in 2026: lower minimum spend, instant refund at the store, paperless processing, and expanded coverage. Here's everything you need to know to claim up to 11% back on your purchases.
Yunnan welcomed 8 million inbound visitors in 2025 — and the New York Times named it the only Chinese destination on its '52 Places to Go' list for 2026. From snow-capped mountains to tropical rice terraces, this 10-day itinerary covers China's most diverse province.
Xi'an saw a 124% surge in foreign visitors in 2025 — the fastest growth of any Chinese city. The Terracotta Warriors are the headline, but the real Xi'an is a 3,000-year-old city of noodle alleys, Silk Road history, and a food scene that rivals anything in China.
Chengdu ranked 5th nationwide for inbound tourism in 2025 — and 1st in central and western China. I went to university here. This 10-day itinerary takes you past the pandas and into the Chengdu that made me fall in love with travel.
Beijing welcomed 5.48 million inbound visitors in 2025 — more than ever before. But most of them saw the Forbidden City and left. This 10-day itinerary, from a China travel specialist who's been bringing clients here for over a decade, shows you the Beijing that changes how you see China.
Shanghai is where 9 million international visitors a year discover that China is nothing like what they were told. As a China travel specialist who's been here more times than I can count, this 10-day itinerary takes you past the Bund and into the Shanghai that locals actually live in.
Chongqing is where the 240-hour visa-free transit meets the most surreal urban landscape on earth. I grew up here — and this 10-day itinerary shows you the city through local eyes, from 8D metro stations to back-alley hot pot that will redefine your relationship with spice.
