Discover a different side of China.

City life, local food, shopping streets and practical travel inspiration for Dutch and European visitors exploring China.

Where to go

From futuristic skylines to traditional gardens and historic neighbourhoods.

Shanghai

Explore the Bund, French Concession, rooftop views, cafés and one of Asia's most energetic city centres.

Suzhou & Hangzhou

Classical gardens, canals, West Lake and tea culture — ideal short trips from Shanghai.

Beijing

Imperial architecture, hutongs, local cuisine and unforgettable trips to the Great Wall.

City fashion and travel

City Style

China's largest cities combine fashion, nightlife, street photography and contemporary Asian culture. Explore neighbourhoods where traditional streets meet modern design, cafés and independent boutiques.

Food worth travelling for

Every region has its own flavours, traditions and late-night favourites.

Dim Sum & Dumplings

From soup dumplings in Shanghai to neighbourhood noodle shops and steamed buns.

Sichuan

Hotpot, spicy noodles and bold flavours make Chengdu one of China's best food destinations.

Street Food

Night markets and local streets are perfect places to discover regional snacks and everyday food.

Shopping Guide

From luxury malls to local markets and independent Chinese design.

Modern Shopping

Shanghai, Beijing and Shenzhen offer huge malls, international brands and emerging Chinese labels.

Fashion & Design

Discover local fashion, independent boutiques and contemporary Chinese design.

Payment Tips

Mobile payment dominates daily life. International visitors can prepare Alipay or WeChat Pay before arrival.

Travel Questions?

Holland Notes is an independent travel information project for people interested in visiting China.

Travel information line: +31 00 000 0000

Example contact number — no booking or payment services are provided through this website.

Holland Notes | Discover China
China travel for Dutch visitors

Discover China beyond the guidebooks.

Independent travel notes for Dutch and European visitors who want to explore China with more confidence — from historic cities and local food to high-speed trains, mobile payments and everyday travel.

Places worth discovering

A few great starting points for a first journey through China.

Shanghai

Modern skylines, historic neighbourhoods, cafés, museums and an easy introduction to urban China.

Suzhou

Classical gardens, canals and old streets just a short high-speed train ride from Shanghai.

Hangzhou

West Lake, tea culture and relaxed city life surrounded by green hills.

Beijing

Imperial history, hutongs, the Forbidden City and easy access to the Great Wall.

Chengdu

Sichuan food, tea houses, pandas and a slower pace that makes the city easy to enjoy.

Xi'an

Ancient city walls, local Muslim Quarter food and the Terracotta Army.

Practical travel tips

China is easy to travel around once a few everyday systems make sense.

High-speed trains

China's rail network is fast and reliable. Major cities are often only one or two hours apart.

Mobile payments

Alipay and WeChat Pay are widely used. International bank cards can often be linked before travelling.

Getting connected

Prepare roaming, an eSIM or a local SIM before relying on maps, transport and translation apps.

Language

English is not universal, but translation apps and screenshots of Chinese addresses make independent travel much easier.

About Holland Notes

Holland Notes is an independent travel website collecting simple, practical information for visitors interested in travelling through China.