Travel Guides & Articles | Roam China Travel

China to Laos by Train 2026: The New China-Laos Railway from Kunming to Vientiane

The China-Laos Railway (opened 2021) — how to travel from Kunming to Vientiane via the new high-speed railway, train schedules and tickets, the Boten (China) to Boten (Laos) border crossing, visa requirements, stops along the way, and why this is now one of Asia's most exciting train journeys.

Updated May 2026

Read →

lgbtq

LGBTQ+ Travel in China 2026: Cities, Reality & What to Expect

LGBTQ+ travel in China — the legal status (homosexuality decriminalised since 1997, not a mental disorder since 2001, but no legal protections or recognition), Shanghai's underground queer scene (Jing'an district, JJ Bar is the institution), Chengdu's more relaxed queer culture, the 'don't ask, don't tell' dynamic for same-sex couples, and what's changed in 2025-2026 (some outdoor Pride events have been blocked again).

Updated May 2026

Read →

china long stay visa

China Long Stay Visa Guide 2026: Tourist, Business, Student & Work Visa Options Explained

Planning an extended stay in China? This comprehensive 2026 guide breaks down every long-stay visa option — from L tourist visa extensions and M business visas to X1 student visas, Z work permits, and S1/S2 family reunion visas. Learn eligibility requirements, application procedures, processing times, costs, and the path to a residence permit for stays beyond 180 days.

Updated May 2026

Read →

toolkit

4 Weeks in China Itinerary 2026: The Grand Tour from Beijing to Yunnan

A 4-week China itinerary covering the country's highlights — Week 1 in Beijing (Forbidden City, Great Wall, Xi'an), Week 2 in Sichuan (Chengdu, Jiuzhaigou, Leshan), Week 3 in Yunnan (Lijiang, Dali, Xishuangbanna), Week 4 in Shanghai and Suzhou. Train connections, what to cut if time is short, and the logical flow that avoids backtracking.

Updated May 2026

Read →

toolkit

Luoyang Peony Festival 2026: Peak Bloom Dates, Best Gardens & Practical Guide

The Luoyang International Peony Festival — 2026 dates and peak bloom periods (usually April 10-25), the best peony gardens (National Peony Garden, Peony Park, Guohua Peony Garden), prices, how long to spend in Luoyang, combining with the Longmen Grottoes, and why this is one of China's most photogenic events.

Updated May 2026

Read →

luxury

Luxury Travel in China 2026: Private Transfers, Premium Hotels & Exclusive Experiences

High-end China travel — the private train carriages that can be booked for the Shanghai-Beijing route, the best China luxury hotel brands (Aman Resorts has properties in Beijing and Lijiang, the Capella has extraordinary properties), private guide + driver packages, skip-the-line solutions for Forbidden City and Terracotta Warriors, and the money-can't-buy experiences in China.

Updated May 2026

Read →