Why it earns its place

Shanghai is where historic riverfront buildings and neon-lit skyscrapers share the same skyline. As one of China’s most global cities, it gives this journey a clear first look at how commerce, design, and technology shape modern urban life.

Begin at the Shanghai Tower for sweeping city views, then see its tuned mass damper, a massive counterweight designed to help the 632-meter tower stay stable in strong winds. Walk from the North Bund to the classic Bund, passing the Postal Museum, Waibaidu Bridge, and riverfront buildings from different eras. Later, step into a virtual Qin Dynasty world through an immersive XR Terracotta Army experience, then slow the pace at Yu Garden. In Xuhui, follow the story of Xu Guangqi to see how science, faith, and openness helped shape Shanghai’s local character. Hangzhou Why This City Hangzhou balances the poetic calm of West Lake with the energy of China’s digital economy. It brings together classical scenery, traditional medicine, and new technology in a way that feels distinctly local. City Guide Take a boat ride across West Lake, breathing in the misty, willow-lined views that have defined Chinese aesthetics for centuries. At Huqingyu Hall Chinese Medicine Museum, explore the history of traditional healing, then try an AI-assisted TCM wellness experience that shows how traditional observation methods can be presented through modern tools. Step into the Wensan Future Technology Center to see how local tech companies are shaping the future through robotics, digital innovation, and hands-on displays.

Why it earns its place

Shanghai is where historic riverfront buildings and neon-lit skyscrapers share the same skyline. As one of China’s most global cities, it gives this journey a clear first look at how commerce, design, and technology shape modern urban life.

Begin at the Shanghai Tower for sweeping city views, then see its tuned mass damper, a massive counterweight designed to help the 632-meter tower stay stable in strong winds. Walk from the North Bund to the classic Bund, passing the Postal Museum, Waibaidu Bridge, and riverfront buildings from different eras. Later, step into a virtual Qin Dynasty world through an immersive XR Terracotta Army experience, then slow the pace at Yu Garden. In Xuhui, follow the story of Xu Guangqi to see how science, faith, and openness helped shape Shanghai’s local character. Hangzhou Why This City Hangzhou balances the poetic calm of West Lake with the energy of China’s digital economy. It brings together classical scenery, traditional medicine, and new technology in a way that feels distinctly local. City Guide Take a boat ride across West Lake, breathing in the misty, willow-lined views that have defined Chinese aesthetics for centuries. At Huqingyu Hall Chinese Medicine Museum, explore the history of traditional healing, then try an AI-assisted TCM wellness experience that shows how traditional observation methods can be presented through modern tools. Step into the Wensan Future Technology Center to see how local tech companies are shaping the future through robotics, digital innovation, and hands-on displays.

Why it earns its place

As China’s political heart, Beijing is a city of grand imperial order and deep cultural roots. Today, old alleys, creative spaces, and new mobility experiences add another layer to the city’s imperial framework.

Explore the city’s ancient blueprint on an e-bike ride along the Beijing Central Axis. Walk through the Forbidden City to hear the stories of emperors who ruled from this massive wooden palace complex for 500 years. Visit the Temple of Heaven to see local morning life set against dignified religious architecture. At the Great Wall, take a cable car up to the ramparts; drone delivery may be possible when weather and local operations allow. Back in the city, wander through old hutong alleys, sometimes with the chance to step into a local home, and see how historic spaces are being transformed by modern creativity. Tianjin Why This City Tianjin is a thriving port city that mixes 1920s international architecture with modern logistics. It offers a clear look at how automation, clean energy, and logistics are being built into modern infrastructure. City Guide Explore Tianjin’s smart port ecosystem, where automated systems and clean-energy solutions show how modern logistics can work at scale. Later, stroll through the Wudadao Historic District to see Gothic mansions and colonial-era buildings while trying local snacks.

Why it earns its place

As China’s political heart, Beijing is a city of grand imperial order and deep cultural roots. Today, old alleys, creative spaces, and new mobility experiences add another layer to the city’s imperial framework.

Explore the city’s ancient blueprint on an e-bike ride along the Beijing Central Axis. Walk through the Forbidden City to hear the stories of emperors who ruled from this massive wooden palace complex for 500 years. Visit the Temple of Heaven to see local morning life set against dignified religious architecture. At the Great Wall, take a cable car up to the ramparts; drone delivery may be possible when weather and local operations allow. Back in the city, wander through old hutong alleys, sometimes with the chance to step into a local home, and see how historic spaces are being transformed by modern creativity. Tianjin Why This City Tianjin is a thriving port city that mixes 1920s international architecture with modern logistics. It offers a clear look at how automation, clean energy, and logistics are being built into modern infrastructure. City Guide Explore Tianjin’s smart port ecosystem, where automated systems and clean-energy solutions show how modern logistics can work at scale. Later, stroll through the Wudadao Historic District to see Gothic mansions and colonial-era buildings while trying local snacks.

Why it earns its place

Chengdu gives the journey its most relaxed rhythm. Known for pandas, tea houses, Sichuan cuisine, and strong community life, it shows a softer side of modern urban China.

Visit the Panda Breeding and Research Center early in the morning when the pandas are most active. Step into local life through a traditional Sichuan courtyard community, with stops such as a tea house, elderly cafeteria, community center, and Sichuan embroidery workshop. Try Sichuan flavors on a food street loved by locals, then head to East Suburb Memory Park to see how an old industrial area has become a hub for young creatives. Go backstage at a Sichuan opera theater to watch performers apply their makeup before enjoying a face-changing performance. Chongqing Why This City Chongqing is China’s mountain city, a dramatic, multi-layered metropolis built along the Yangtze River. With rail lines, bridges, towers, and rivers crossing at different heights, it gives the journey its most cinematic urban experience. City Guide Experience Chongqing’s mind-bending 8D layout by visiting Kuixing Tower and watching a train pass straight through a residential building at Liziba Station. Glide across the Yangtze River on the city’s famous cableway. Walk through neighborhoods where old walls feature modern artwork, and as night falls, sit down for an authentic riverside hotpot dinner. End the evening with glowing views of Hongya Cave and the city’s illuminated bridges.

Why it earns its place

Chengdu gives the journey its most relaxed rhythm. Known for pandas, tea houses, Sichuan cuisine, and strong community life, it shows a softer side of modern urban China.

Visit the Panda Breeding and Research Center early in the morning when the pandas are most active. Step into local life through a traditional Sichuan courtyard community, with stops such as a tea house, elderly cafeteria, community center, and Sichuan embroidery workshop. Try Sichuan flavors on a food street loved by locals, then head to East Suburb Memory Park to see how an old industrial area has become a hub for young creatives. Go backstage at a Sichuan opera theater to watch performers apply their makeup before enjoying a face-changing performance. Chongqing Why This City Chongqing is China’s mountain city, a dramatic, multi-layered metropolis built along the Yangtze River. With rail lines, bridges, towers, and rivers crossing at different heights, it gives the journey its most cinematic urban experience. City Guide Experience Chongqing’s mind-bending 8D layout by visiting Kuixing Tower and watching a train pass straight through a residential building at Liziba Station. Glide across the Yangtze River on the city’s famous cableway. Walk through neighborhoods where old walls feature modern artwork, and as night falls, sit down for an authentic riverside hotpot dinner. End the evening with glowing views of Hongya Cave and the city’s illuminated bridges.

Why it earns its place

Known as the "Millennium Merchant City," Guangzhou is the historic gateway of Chinese global trade. Today, its markets, workshops, factories, and wholesale networks reveal how quickly ideas can move through a modern supply chain.

Learn about centuries of global commerce at the Thirteen Hongs Museum. See the speed of modern manufacturing in Guangzhou’s textile district, where fabric markets, design studios, and wholesale shops reveal how quickly a garment can move from fabric to finished product and customer order. An optional XPENG smart EV factory experience can be arranged at extra cost, when available. Taste authentic Cantonese dim sum in a century-old tea house, and visit the Chen Clan Ancestral Hall to see Lingnan architecture and understand how family values shape local life. Shenzhen Why This City Shenzhen is often called China’s "Silicon Valley," but the more interesting story is how quickly it grew from reform-era experiment to a city of startups, electronics markets, drones, and new mobility. City Guide Start at Fisherman’s Village and the Reform & Opening-Up Museum to understand how a small community transformed into a modern metropolis. Hike Lianhua Mountain for city views, then see the striking design of the "Shenzhen Eye" subway station. Huaqiangbei Electronics Market can feel overwhelming at first, but that is part of its energy: components, gadgets, and small-scale innovation packed into one dense ecosystem. Explore Shenzhen’s drone industry through drone-related displays and local innovation showcases. Drone delivery and autonomous-driving experiences may be added when local operations allow. Finish at MixC World, where large-scale installations bring art, technology, and urban leisure together.

Why it earns its place

Known as the "Millennium Merchant City," Guangzhou is the historic gateway of Chinese global trade. Today, its markets, workshops, factories, and wholesale networks reveal how quickly ideas can move through a modern supply chain.

Learn about centuries of global commerce at the Thirteen Hongs Museum. See the speed of modern manufacturing in Guangzhou’s textile district, where fabric markets, design studios, and wholesale shops reveal how quickly a garment can move from fabric to finished product and customer order. An optional XPENG smart EV factory experience can be arranged at extra cost, when available. Taste authentic Cantonese dim sum in a century-old tea house, and visit the Chen Clan Ancestral Hall to see Lingnan architecture and understand how family values shape local life. Shenzhen Why This City Shenzhen is often called China’s "Silicon Valley," but the more interesting story is how quickly it grew from reform-era experiment to a city of startups, electronics markets, drones, and new mobility. City Guide Start at Fisherman’s Village and the Reform & Opening-Up Museum to understand how a small community transformed into a modern metropolis. Hike Lianhua Mountain for city views, then see the striking design of the "Shenzhen Eye" subway station. Huaqiangbei Electronics Market can feel overwhelming at first, but that is part of its energy: components, gadgets, and small-scale innovation packed into one dense ecosystem. Explore Shenzhen’s drone industry through drone-related displays and local innovation showcases. Drone delivery and autonomous-driving experiences may be added when local operations allow. Finish at MixC World, where large-scale installations bring art, technology, and urban leisure together.