China is a country in East Asia which has everything in abundance; a large territory, a huge population and a history that dates back to 4000 years. Each city will leave you in awe as we uncover its layers of urban scenes and natural wonders. Apart from the cutting-edge technology, China also offers infinite landscapes and views. With so many tourist destinations in China offering something for every traveler, it becomes one of the unmissable destinations not just in Asia but the world.
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Top Tourist Destinations In China
Five top cities like Beijing, Shanghai, Hong Kong, Chengdu and Xi’an are the most happening cities in China. Here’s a detailed China travel guide describing each of these places and what they have in store for its visitors.
Beijing – Capital City
Beijing, the capital of China, is a city with vast potential and abundant opportunities. You will be overwhelmed to see the many buildings of historical and architectural significance. The city’s rich history, culture, and architectural brilliance has earned it a place in the UNESCO World Heritage Site. Beijing in China is a city you have to see to believe it.
Top Tourist Attractions
The Great Wall – The Great Wall of China is a 2,000 years old wall built for protection against various nomadic groups from the Eurasian Steppe. The wall that stretches 3,000 mi across the hills is one of the Seven Wonders of the World. It is one of the top tourist destinations in China.
Forbidden City – Forbidden City is the largest ancient wooden complex in the world and one of the most beautiful places to see in China. Its architectural beauty imbued with Asian cultural imprints is simply breathtaking. Some of the finest artifacts and collections which tell the story of the past are housed here.
Temple of Heaven – The Temple of Heaven is a complex of imperial religious buildings that symbolizes the relationship between heaven and earth. This site, which is the largest building for religious worship in China, was used by emperors of the Ming and Qing dynasties to offer sacrifices.
Summer Palace – The Summer Palace is a stunning imperial garden that was used as a summer resort for the Qing dynasty’s royal family. This masterpiece of Chinese landscape garden design consists of palaces, gardens, hills and lakes.
Hutongs – The traditional alleyway neighborhoods is what Hutong is all about. A walking tour through the narrow lane, alley and small streets will give an insight into the old lifestyle of ordinary Beijingers. This is the best place to understand the real culture of Beijing.
Shanghai – Biggest City
Shanghai in China is the biggest city and has something for everyone. From museums to glamorous nightlife, from entertainment to luxury shopping, this place has it all. The cosmopolitan vibe of the place oozes an atmosphere of vitality that can be compared to New York and Paris. Super-fast trains, high-tech buildings and electrifying lighting feels like you are in the future.
Top Tourist Attractions
The Bund – Generally people come to this iconic waterfront to enjoy the city skyline and take in the serene views of the river. The perfect blend of the past and present makes it one of the most symbolic tourist destinations in China.
Shanghai Tower – With 632-meter in height, the Shanghai tower is the world’s third-tallest building. The huge building with 128 floors is made by stacking 9 cylindrical buildings, one on top of the other. Views from the observation deck are simply breathtaking.
Yu Garden – This is a traditional Chinese garden believed to have been built more than 400 years ago. The exquisite garden is divided into six areas: Sansui Hall, Dianchun Hall, Huijing Hall, Yuhua Hall, Wanhua Chamber and the Inner Garden. The unique artistic style of the garden makes it a must visit.
Former French Concession – This is one of the most beautiful and unique areas in Shanghai which has a lot of history, cultural and modern vibrancy to it. Its three-lined streets with shops and cafes is popular not just among the tourists but among the locals too.
Hong Kong – Bustling Metropolis
Hong Kong is a bustling metropolis that has a fusion of Eastern and Western cultures. High rise buildings, huge shopping malls, traditional street markets, fantastic nightlife and excellent food makes it one of the top tourist destinations in China. It is also a world-renowned shopping paradise, hence many travel to Hong Kong just to do that.
Top Tourist Attractions
Victoria Peak – Measuring at 552 meters above sea level, this peak is the tallest hill on Hong Kong Island. There is a tower on the peak called the Peak Tower from where you can have panoramic city views. It has an array of restaurants, shops and entertainment venues inside the tower.
Temple Street Night Market – This is a vibrant night shopping place where you can find a wide range of local delicacies. It is one of the famous places in China to shop for cheap clothes, delicious open-air street food, watches, pirated CDs and DVDs.
Lantau Island – Lantau Island, the largest island in Hong Kong is filled with long beaches, traditional fishing villages, and Buddhist monuments. It is also home to the Big Buddha, a 34-metre Tian Tan Buddha, resting high up on a hilltop. This mostly quiet but vibrant place is where modern attractions blend seamlessly with rich cultural heritage.
Chengdu – Home Of The Pandas
In contrast to the other metropolitan cities, Chengdu is a very relaxed and laid-back place. The place is also known as the ‘Land of Milk and Honey’ but what tourists come here mainly for is to see the Pandas.
Top Tourist Attractions
Panda Breeding Research Base – The Panda Research Base in Chengdu is where you have to head to if you want to see the Pandas relax, eat, and sleep. This government funded non-profit organization has a wide range of Giant Pandas and other rare animals.
Leshan Giant Buddha – The world’s largest stone Buddha (71-meter tall) carved out of a cliff face of Cretaceous red bed sandstones is one of the best places to visit in China. This place along with Mount Emei was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1996.
Wenshu Monastery – The Wenshu Monastery built during the Tang Dynasty is one of the largest and best-preserved Buddhist temples in China. This monastery is not just a place for worship but also a place for sightseeing and religious practices.
Xi’an – Ancient Capital City
Xi’an, one of the ancient capitals of China, is blessed with a great number of precious relics and historical sites. It was also the starting point of the Silk Road, hence played an important role in economic and cultural exchange in the ancient times. Xi’an is often referred to as the birthplace of Chinese civilization because of this. If you are looking to take back home some unique souvenirs and local products, it has to be from here.
Top Tourist Attractions
Terracotta Warriors – Xi’an’s Terracotta Warriors is one of the most famous archaeological sites and tourist destinations in China. It is believed that as many as 9,000 soldiers, some chariots, horses and cavalry made of baked clay are part of a massive funeral complex to protect the emperor of China in the afterlife. It is also referred to as the 8th wonder of the world.
City Wall – The City Wall of Xi’an is a well-preserved ancient wall. There are four main gates (East, West, North and South Gate) to choose where to start your exploration from. We recommend you to go around the wall cycling for the best experience.
Muslim Quarter – The Muslim Quarter is a vibrant street with all kinds of food stalls and small restaurants. The beautifully paved road with blue-gray flagstones and shaded trees are visited by both locals and tourists. The Great Mosque of Xi’an is also located here.
Guilin & Yangshuo – Most Beautiful Landscapes
Guilin and Yangshuo have been blessed with one of China’s most beautiful landscapes. While Guilin is surrounded by stunning karst peaks, Yangshuo is a peaceful countryside with ancient villages and terraced fields. With landscapes straight out of Chinese scroll painting, both the cities are popular Chinese tourist destinations.
Top Tourist Attractions
Li River Cruise – Do not miss the spectacular river cruise that moves between Guilin and Yangshuo. The entire journey is very scenic as the cruise passes through stunning karst landscapes.
Yangshuo Countryside – Cycling through ancient villages to experience nature at its best.
Reed Flute Cave – Impressive illuminated cave system from the light shows projected onto mountains is a fascinating one.
Suggested Reads: 12 Authentic Chinese Food Every Traveler Should Try
Conclusion
Given the size of the country, you will need at least two weeks to see all the top tourist destinations in China. If you decide to visit China someday, make sure to take time and plan well in advance, so that you’ll be well-equipped to navigate this huge nation. Do let us know of your experiences in the comment section below.
FAQs
The Forbidden City in Beijing is the most visited destination in China. Around 16 to 19 million people visit the place every year.
The five things China is famous for are the Great Wall of China, Terracotta Army, Forbidden City, flavorful Cuisine and Inventions and Innovations.
China is generally open to tourists and the people here are welcoming. However language barriers and internet restrictions are the main challenges travelers face.
