Author @thealepalombo (published 2026-08-03) recommends first-time visitors to…

Brief

Author @thealepalombo argues first-time visitors should prioritize Beijing or Shanghai—he estimates these cities work for roughly 80% of travelers. He advises adding secondary cities only if you have 3+ weeks, but for one-week to ten-day trips stick with a major city. He also calls out Asia-based bias and published an unfiltered video commentary.

Key details

For itineraries of 3+ weeks, include secondary cities; for trips of one week to ten days, pick Beijing or Shanghai to 'make many of you happy.'

He warns Asia-based residents may carry unnoticed biases against major cities and recorded an unfiltered video commentary over post-lunch coffee.

Many are telling you to skip Beijing and Shanghai, because too obvious or too touristy.

We have a different opinion.

First time ever for you to China? Start there. For 80% of people, it works and there's time for the rest later.

Here's the thing: China is not a one-week trip. If you have 3+ weeks, introducing secondary cities for sure works perfectly.

If you have a week or ten days: Beijing or Shanghai generally will make many of you happy.

There are nuances. And I think people living in Asia have biases about this they don't notice.

That's why I've recorded this video over post-lunch coffee, very much unfiltered.

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