Compare the cities without opening 17 tabs.
One table for the decisions that actually change a first trip: how far English gets you, whether foreign cards work, how painful arrival is, and how many days the city deserves. Scores are editorial, not a survey.
City comparison table
| City | Region | Days | Best time | English | Payments | Transit | Ease | Desk index | Lean budget | Airport |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Beijing 北京 | North | 4–5 days | April–May, September–October | 3 | 4 | 5 | 3 | 3.8 | $55–80/day | PEK / PKX |
| Shanghai 上海 | East | 3–4 days | March–May, September–November | 4 | 5 | 5 | 4 | 4.5 | $65–90/day | PVG / SHA |
| Xi’an 西安 | Northwest | 2–3 days | April–May, September–October | 2 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 3.3 | $40–60/day | XIY |
| Chengdu 成都 | Southwest | 3–4 days | March–June, September–November | 2 | 5 | 4 | 4 | 3.8 | $40–60/day | TFU / CTU |
| Chongqing 重庆 | Southwest | 2–3 days | March–May, September–November | 2 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 3.0 | $35–55/day | CKG |
| Hangzhou 杭州 | East | 2–3 days | March–May, September–November | 3 | 5 | 4 | 4 | 4.0 | $50–75/day | HGH |
| Suzhou 苏州 | East | 1–2 days | April–May, September–November | 2 | 5 | 4 | 4 | 3.8 | $40–60/day | Via SHA / PVG |
| Guilin & Yangshuo 桂林 · 阳朔 | South | 3–4 days | April–October (green); September–October (clear) | 2 | 3 | 2 | 3 | 2.5 | $35–55/day | KWL |
| Zhangjiajie 张家界 | Central | 3 days | April–May, September–November | 2 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 2.3 | $40–60/day | DYG |
| Guangzhou 广州 | South | 2–3 days | October–December, March–April | 3 | 5 | 4 | 4 | 4.0 | $45–65/day | CAN |
| Shenzhen 深圳 | South | 1–2 days | October–April | 3 | 5 | 5 | 4 | 4.3 | $55–80/day | SZX |
| Nanjing 南京 | East | 2 days | March–May, September–November | 2 | 5 | 4 | 4 | 3.8 | $40–60/day | NKG |
| Qingdao 青岛 | East | 2–3 days | May–October | 2 | 4 | 3 | 4 | 3.3 | $45–65/day | TAO |
| Xiamen 厦门 | South | 2–3 days | March–May, September–November | 2 | 4 | 3 | 4 | 3.3 | $40–60/day | XMN |
| Kunming 昆明 | Southwest | 1–2 days | Year-round; March–April and September–November | 2 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 3.5 | $35–55/day | KMG |
| Dali & Lijiang 大理 · 丽江 | Southwest | 4–5 days | March–May, September–November | 2 | 3 | 2 | 3 | 2.5 | $35–55/day | DLU / LJG |
| Harbin 哈尔滨 | Northeast | 2–3 days | December–February | 2 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 3.0 | $40–60/day | HRB |
The Desk index averages four editorial scores out of five: English, payments, transit and first-timer ease. It is not a survey, a ranking of “best cities”, or a sponsored list. A high score means less friction for a foreign visitor, not more culture.
A city can score low and still be the right choice. Use the table to narrow three candidates, then read the city file for the actual days, food and neighbourhoods.
Browse the city guidesThe table narrows it. The desk decides it.
Tell us the month, the travelers and the pace you want. We will tell you which two cities fit and which one to cut. Route Check starts at $49.
Ask the Trip Desk- Easiest first landing: Shanghai, Beijing, Shenzhen.
- Best food-to-friction ratio: Chengdu, Guangzhou, Xi’an.
- Best landscape payoff: Guilin & Yangshuo, Zhangjiajie, Hangzhou.
- Winter-specific: Harbin.