Best Things to Do in China for Australian and New Zealand Visitors

For travelers arriving from Australia or New Zealand, a first China itinerary should combine a few high-value experiences with enough recovery and transfer time. Beijing, Xian and Guilin illustrate imperial history, archaeology and karst landscape, but they are not the only valid route. Compare alternatives in the where-to-go guide.

Top Things to Do in Beijing

Beijing works best when imperial sites, neighborhoods and one Great Wall day are paced across several days. Distances are large and major attractions may use timed booking or capacity controls. Check current official reservation requirements and keep the passport used for the booking available.
 

Walk a Great Wall Section
Choose the section by fitness, scenery and transfer time. Restored Badaling is accessible and busy; Mutianyu offers cableway options; wilder sections demand stronger hiking skills and should not be treated as ordinary park walks. Wear grippy footwear and carry water.

Understand the Forbidden City
The palace is more than a sequence of red gates. Use a focused route through ceremonial halls, residential areas and selected galleries, and allow time for security and entry. Pair it with Jingshan for an urban overview rather than rushing to another distant site.

Taste Beijing Food in Context

Roast duck, copper-pot mutton and noodle dishes suit different budgets and group sizes. Ask how dishes are portioned, mention allergies precisely, and avoid assuming that one famous restaurant represents every local style.

Spend Time at the Summer Palace

The lake, causeways, halls and hillside paths make this a landscape visit rather than one photo stop. A boat may operate seasonally and in suitable weather; verify on the day. Select a shorter accessible loop if stairs or heat are concerns.

Explore a Hutong Respectfully

Walk public lanes and distinguish living residential areas from staged courtyards. Ask before photographing residents or interiors. A guided neighborhood visit can add architectural context, but it should not interrupt ordinary community life.

Things You Must Do in Xian

Xian connects the Qin imperial legacy with Tang cosmopolitan history and a still-visible urban plan. Two or three full days allow a Terracotta Army excursion, the city wall and museums without treating the city only as a stop between trains.
 

Visit the Terracotta Army

The excavated pits show scale and variation better than a single warrior close-up. Read the site as archaeology: original fragments, reconstruction and modern replicas are not equivalent. The museum is outside central Xian, so include road time.

Walk or Cycle on Xian City Wall

The wall gives a clear view of the old-city grid. Cycling the full circuit requires time, weather tolerance and current rental availability; walking one gate-to-gate section is a valid alternative. Surface conditions and heat can affect comfort.

Taste Noodles and Roujiamo

Biangbiang-style noodles, roujiamo and dumplings reveal the region's wheat-based food culture. Confirm meat, spice and broth ingredients, especially for halal, vegetarian or allergy-related needs.
 

Add Pagoda and Museum Context

The Giant Wild Goose Pagoda relates to Buddhist translation and Tang-era exchange, while museums provide the objects needed to understand that history. Check gallery and site opening notices rather than assuming every component shares the same schedule.

Best Things to Do in Guilin and Yangshuo

Cruise or Explore the Li River

A cruise gives a long landscape sequence between Guilin and Yangshuo, while riverside viewpoints allow a slower local plan. Water levels, visibility and schedules vary with weather; use the current operator information.
 

Visit Central Guilin Landmarks

Elephant Trunk Hill is a recognizable city symbol, but combine it with riverside walking, a cave or a museum so the day is not built around one viewpoint. Check current access and crowd conditions.

Cycle the Yangshuo Countryside

The Yulong River area offers quieter karst scenery than the busiest town streets. Choose a route appropriate to traffic confidence, weather and daylight, wear a helmet, and do not assume rural roads are traffic-free.
 

Taste Guilin Rice Noodles

Rice noodles are an everyday meal with local variations in broth, toppings and condiments. Start lightly with chili and ask how pickles, peanuts or meat are added if allergies matter.
 

See the Longji Rice Terraces

Longji requires a road transfer and walking on stone paths and stairs. Water-filled fields, green crops and golden harvest occur at different times, and exact agricultural timing varies. Choose the village and viewpoint by mobility.

Consider a Yulong River Raft

Raft operations depend on water and weather and may apply passenger or safety restrictions. Use an authorized operator, secure electronics and follow instructions. For broader route options, review China recommendations for Australians and the China Tours collection.