First Time in China vs Second Time: How to Plan Each Trip

Planning • 7 min read

Your Second Trip Should Look Nothing Like Your First

First-time visitors and return visitors want fundamentally different things from China. A first trip is about the iconic highlights. A second trip is about going deeper — the regions and experiences most tourists never discover.

First Trip: The Classic Highlights

Must-see: The Great Wall, the Forbidden City, the Terracotta Warriors, Shanghai's Bund, and West Lake in Hangzhou.

Best first-time tours: Amazing China (10 days, $1,599pp) or Legends of China (12 days, $2,099pp) adding the Terracotta Warriors.

Second Trip: Going Deeper

Zhangjiajie Avatar Mountains, Yangtze River cruise, Chengdu pandas, Tibet, the Silk Road, or Mongolia.

Best second-time tours: Heart of China ($2,499pp), Tibet & Sacred Heartland ($5,299pp), Silk Road ($4,099pp), or Exquisite China ($4,499pp) for the comprehensive 21-day journey.

Can You Combine Both?

Exquisite China (21 days) covers classic highlights and deeper exploration in a single trip — Beijing, Lijiang, Chengdu, Zhangjiajie, Yangtze cruise, and Shanghai.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What should I see on my first trip to China?

The Great Wall, Forbidden City, Terracotta Warriors, Shanghai's Bund, and West Lake. These are the must-see highlights that define China as a travel destination.

What should I see on a second China trip?

Zhangjiajie Avatar Mountains, Yangtze River cruise, Chengdu pandas, Tibet, the Silk Road, or Mongolia — the deeper experiences most first-time tourists miss.

Can I combine highlights and deeper experiences in one trip?

Yes. Our Exquisite China tour (21 days) covers both classic highlights and deeper exploration — Beijing, Lijiang, Chengdu, Zhangjiajie, Yangtze cruise, and Shanghai.

What do return travellers most wish they'd added to their first trip?

The Terracotta Warriors, a Yangtze River cruise, and giant pandas in Chengdu — the three most-wished-for additions based on repeat traveller feedback.