China is one of the largest countries in the world and you could spend weeks and even months exploring it and still not see all the highlights.
If you are planning to visit China for the first time there are some essential places you must add to your travel itinerary including world famous tourist attractions, cities, UNESCO sites and stunning natural wonders.
Where you visit really comes down to how much time you have, and what your interests are. If you are short on time you could visit the main cities and get around by plane, train or tour. If you have a flexible schedule of a few weeks or more you really can pack a lot of destinations into your itinerary.
Check out our guide to the best places to visit China and get inspiration for your next trip.
1. Beijing
Beijing is one of the most fascinating cities in the world with a rich culture, incredible tourist attractions and so many hotels, restaurants, museums and shops and more. Highlights of visiting Beijing are seeing the forbidden city, Tiananmen Square, the summer Palace and the Great Wall of China.
The Great Wall of trying it really is somewhere you must visit once in your life, It looks even more impressive in person and it stretches for miles and miles as far as the eye can see. There are lots of bus tours to visit the Great Wall or you can even do walking tours which lasts more than a day.
2. Shanghai
Shanghai is the largest city in China, a bustling metropolis with a huge population of 24 million people and there are so many places to visit. The famous promenade with the view of the. Bund is a great place to visit both at day at night where you can see the impressive skyline of Shanghai.
There are lots of museums oh, modern shopping centres and tourist attractions to keep you busy for more than just a few days. Popular places to visit include Yu Garden, Longhua Temple and Pagoda, the Jade Buddha Temple, the Shanghai Museum and the China Art Museum and the Shanghai Science and Technology Museum. Other recommended attractions include seeing the city skyline view from the Oriental Pearl Tower and going shopping on Nanjing Road.
3. X’ian
X’ian might look a long way in the middle of nowhere on a map of China and it is but this destination is home to the Terracotta Army Museum which is regarded as one of the greatest archaeological sites in the world. This really is the main reason to visit X’ian as the Terracotta Warriors really are magnificent and something you must try to see on any trip to China.
It really is worth the trip and journey time to see and to see the terracotta worries in person, you can visit independently or book an organised tour. There still surrounds lots of mystery around this location and there is thought to be even more ruins and things yet to be in uncovered. X’ian also has several markets, temples and a city wall to see, although the main attraction really is the Terracotta Warriors.
4. Hong Kong
Hong Kong is one of the most visited places in China and has long been a popular destination for foreigners to live working visit. Flying into Hong Kong is really unlike many other places in the world, possibly Manhattan and São Paulo are similar, all have huge skyscrapers rising high from the ground. Hong Kong is a great place for sightseeing.
Popular things to do in Hong Kong include exploring the islands and visiting beaches, going shopping, getting amazing skyline photos from Victoria Peak (The Peak) and visiting the Big Buddha (Tian Tan Buddha). You can also sample some of the best Chinese foods here, there are so many restaurants!
5. Suzhou
Suzhou is a city located close to Shanghai and is famous for its UNESCO World Heritage Sites include the Grand Canal and gardens. Suzhou is often described as the Venice of China, and it is unlike many other destinations around the world. Here you can get the ultimate tourist experience floating through the scenic canals transporting you to a different world. It really is like Venice!
7. Zhangjiajie National Forest Park, Hunan
When most foreigners think about China they usually think about cities and industry. But China also has spectacular nature and the Zhangjiajie National Forest Park located in Zhangjiajie, Hunan Province, China, really is a special destination. You might recognise this location from the 2009 blockbuster Hollywood movie Avatar which brought the location to the world stage.
The Zhangjiajie National Forest Park is comprised of dense forests, deep ravines, deep canyons, unusual peaks, caves, and pillar-like rock formations which are the most popular photo location for tourists. You can also see so many animals here including birds, giant salamanders, and rhesus monkeys.
If you aren’t scared of heights you can walk the Coiling Dragon path which is located in the Zhangjiajie National Forest Park. This scary route is known as the world’s most dangerous hiking trail and allows you to walk along the side of the sheer cliff face of Tianmen Mountain. Just don’t look down!
8. The Yangtze River and the Three Gorges
The Yangtze River is longest river in China and Asia and the Three Gorges Dam, which was constructed in the 1990’s is located close to the city of Yichang in Hubei province. Lots of local travel operators offer Three Gorges cruises where you can gain an appreciation for this region, see spectacular scenery and also stop off at popular tourist sites.
8. Hangzhou
Hangzhou is located in China’s Zhejiang province, and is around 2 hours from Shanghai by car. Hangzhou is a lesser known destination compared to some places on our list but a visit here is really recommended. Hangzhou’s main attraction is its West Lake, a beautiful space of water which has been celebrated by poets and artists for decades. You can get a real feel for the lake by taking a boat tour to see temples, pavilions, gardens and arched bridges and the Leifeng Pagoda, a beautiful structure built in 975 A.D.
9. Chengdu
Chengdu is the capital of southwestern China’s Sichuan province and it is a popular tourist destination due to its panda breeding programmes. In Chengdu you can visit the Giant Panda Breeding Center which is home to fifty pandas. Here you can see these beautiful animals up close and learn more about the work being done to conserve them.
Other than pandas, Chengdu is a very relaxed city to visit and other things recommended to do include Visiting the Wenshu Yuan Monastery, seeing mount Qingcheng, wandering down Jinli Pedestrian Street and taking a day trip to see the Leshan Giant Buddha.
10. Li River, Guilin
The Li River Cruise stretches 83 kilometers from Guilin to Yangshuo and has some spectacular scenery. The Li River has been voted one of the top 10 water wonders by National Geographic magazine and there are lots of ways to discover more of the area. Cruises are very popular whilst there are also lots of boat tours, bamboo rafting trips, and hiking adventures alongside the Li River to see more of the nature and surroundings.
China really does offer a fascinating cultural experience unlike many countries in the world. There are so many not to miss destinations, all are different and will appeal to all types of travellers. Also before visiting China we recommend learning some basic Chinese phrases to make your trip more enjoyable.
