You've done the sakura circuit in Japan. You've seen the Instagram posts. But China’s flower culture? It's been going for 2,000 years longer, with philosophical weight that makes hanami look like a recent trend. If you're ready to go deeper than sakura, this is where you start.

China is massive, but some of the country's best destinations sit just a few hours from Beijing and Shanghai. We've picked eight side trips that show you different sides of China - from ancient water towns to mountain cities where your GPS gives up trying to make sense.

China is having a tourism moment. As visa rules relax and infrastructure develops, we're sharing five places that inspire us for 2026, from Yunnan's burgeoning wine scene to Guizhou's towering peaks. These aren't your typical tourist destinations, they're places that will help you discover what China really has to offer.