We’ve been fortunate to spend a lot of time in China thanks to my husband’s job and my daughter’s Mandarin studies, which put us in major cities for weeks at a time, sometimes much longer. Depending on where you go, you can gaze at modern cityscapes, explore ancient religious sites, shop luxury brands, or even spend a day at Disneyland. There’s quite a bit to do with kids. Popular places in my China travel guides include Beijing, Shanghai, Hangzhou, and Chengdu.

The hotels there can also be fantastic and at significantly lower prices than you’d pay for similar quality in the United States and Europe. Not to mention the outstanding food and the pandas. We’ve visited or volunteered at several famous panda research bases, including Wolong, Dujiangyan, and Chengdu Panda Breeding and Research Center.