As someone who's been to China/Japan/Korea multiple times, they each have their vibe but China is definitely underrated.
Japan is for people who want ultimate attention to detail and service. Korea is great for modern culture and trends. China offers something more raw, more diverse, more impactful.
China's "energy" is hard to describe. The vitality of the cities, how direct and warm people are, the street life vibe... Japan and Korea don't have that.
If it's your first time in Asia, Japan might be easier (more English signage, foreigner-friendly infrastructure). But if you want something more adventurous, more economical, more immersive - China is the better choice.
Plus with visa-free policies expanding and apps becoming more foreigner-friendly, visiting China now is way easier than 5 years ago. Could become the next hot destination by 2030.
My top recommendations: Chengdu (food and pandas), Guilin (scenery), Shanghai (modern + nightlife), Xi'an (history), Yunnan (nature and minority cultures). Each place could easily be a week-long trip.
