In Beijing or Shanghai, choosing the wrong district can add an hour of commuting to every day of your trip. These guides explain what each neighbourhood is actually like — transport links, food, noise, and who it suits — so you can pick an area before you book.
We describe areas and trade-offs rather than pushing specific hotels, and we say when a recommendation is subjective.
- Best area to stay in Guangzhou — first visit
Updated 20 September 2026 · Liwan, Yuexiu, Tianhe, Haizhu and the airport zone — metro access, the Canton Fair, and who each area suits
- Best area to stay in Guilin — city, Yangshuo or Longsheng
Updated 23 September 2026 · Which base fits your trip: city, Yangshuo, Longsheng and the airport side
- Best area to stay in Shenzhen — which end of the city fits your trip
Updated 27 September 2026 · Luohu, Futian, Nanshan, Shekou, Bao'an and Dapeng New District — what the city's own travel guide says about each, how you arrive, and where the coast is
- Best area to stay in Hangzhou — which district fits your trip
Updated 28 September 2026 · All 13 districts and counties, described the way the municipal culture, radio, TV and tourism bureau describes them — West Lake, the Grand Canal, Liangzhu, Qiandao Lake, and what the airport metro changes
- Best area to stay in Beijing — first visit
Updated 14 September 2026 · Pick an area by airport, sights and metro — six neighbourhoods compared and what to check before you book
- Best area to stay in Shanghai — first visit
Updated 18 September 2026 · Six areas compared by metro access, walkability and trip type — the Bund, People's Square, Jing'an, the former French Concession, Lujiazui, Hongqiao and Disney
- Best area to stay in Chongqing — first visit
Accommodation · 1 Oct 2026
- Best area to stay in Xi’an — first visit
Accommodation · 7 Oct 2026
- Best area to stay in Wuhan — which side of the rivers
Accommodation · 10 Oct 2026
- Best area to stay in Changsha — what the official lists show
Accommodation · 13 Oct 2026