Rich in history, China is without dispute one of the most famous destinations in the world travel map. From historic sites to modern architectures, scenery to cuisine, human to traditions, this country can definitely satisfy the love of traveling, relaxing, exploring natural beauty and discovering culture of outdoor lovers.
Here, in this article, we suggest 10 amazing places that promise to satisfy the love for travel of any traveler, especially those who plan to spend their whole holiday in China.
1. Beijing
The first “must-visit” attractions must come to Beijing, the capital city of China for over 700 years and one of the largest metropolitan areas in the world. Aside from modern buildings, Beijing has conserved and preserved historic sites that attract hundreds of thousands of local and foreign visitors each year.
Two famous attractions in Beijing are The Great Wall and The Forbidden City. The Great Wall has a long history of more than 2300 and currently is the longest wall and greatest ancient architecture in the world.
Regarding The Forbidden City built in 1420 is the best-preserved imperial palace in China. It has grand halls and walls that display the essence and culmination of traditional Chinese architecture, making it one of the biggest places of history interest in the country.
In addition, you may make a visit to The Summer Palace, an ornate imperial garden once functioned as the residence of the royals in the warmer months and The Temple of Heaven in which emperors prayed for good harvests.
2. Shanghai
As one of the leading economic and business cities in the world, Shanghai’s skyline includes in a number of skyscrapers, shopping malls, luxurious hotels and prestigious arts centers. And, the architecture that best shows the modernity of the city is the Bund. Running along Huangpu River, the Bund is not only one of the world’s foremost business districts but it’s also the hottest destination of tourists to Shanghai.
Asides from The Bund, Shanghai has other popular tourist attractions such as the delightful traditional Yu Garden, the charming ancient Zhujiajiao Water Town and the tallest building in China, Shanghai Tower.
3. Chengdu, Sichuan
The best place to see giant pandas, China’s “national treasure” is in Chengdu, Sichuan Province. It has many large panda bases and nature reserves that protect wild and captive pandas, thereby, becomes an ideal destination for those who’d love to see baby pandas and get close to them.
The popularity of Chengdu is also contributed by delicious Sichuan food like Kung Pao chicken and spicy hotpot. Your trip may be incomplete without tasting these specialties.
4. Hangzhou
Called a “paradise on earth” of China, Hangzhou is home to the poetic West Lake and rustic and tranquil pagodas, gardens and temples in which people can enjoy the scenic beauty, stay away from the hustle and bustle of the urban life, then, completely relax.
The charming West Lake was actually man-made and created after the Chinese love for garden-style parks for recreation. Sitting on a boat to discover the lake, strolling along side or biking around, you will certainly be deeply in love with the scenery.
5. Xi’an
Xi’an, an ancient capital of China and the starting point of the Silk Road trade route, through Asia to Europe, is surely a “worth-visiting” place over your holiday here. Its most famous destination is the 2000-year-old underground Terracotta Army, the protectors of the tomb of the first emperor of China. The tomb complex had been discovered in 1914 and was declared a World Cultural Heritage by UNESCO in 1987.
Along with that, you may also make a visit to The Ancient City Wall, one of the oldest, largest and best-preserved Chinese city walls and Big Wild Goose Pagoda (Dayanta), the library and most prominent building of one of the oldest Buddhist temples in China.
6. Lhasa, Tibet
Lhasa, which is nicknamed the “Roof of the world”, is one of the most important and most beautiful cities in Tibet. The significance of Lhasa is that it has conserved and preserved much of its own culture while integrating into greater China. It is home to the Potala Palace that was constructed on the Red Hill more than 360 years ago and functioned as the residence of the Dalai Lama.
The palace is divided into White Palace, where the Dalai Lama lived, and the Red Palace, where Buddhist prayed and religious studies took place.
7. Xiangxi
As the most beautiful town in China, Fenghuang Ancient Town in Xiangxi, Hunan is always among hottest destination in China travel map. It features stilted houses, rich Miao and Tujia ethnic culture, so becomes a perfect destination for those who love travelling and even those who are engaged in Chinese art and literature.
The town has a history of over 400 years but currently keeps the layout and architecture exactly the same its original, with around 200 residential buildings, 20 streets and 10 winding alleys, all of which date as far back as the Ming dynasty.
8. Yangshuo
Featuring scenic hills, rivers and fishing villages, Yangshuo in the South of China is definitely one of the best places to visit. Stepping here, you can’t help falling in love with the fresh atmosphere and the rustic life of the locals that cannot be found in metropolitan cities. Yangshuo’s most famous attraction is Li River or Li Jiang, one of the world’s “Top 10 Watery Wonders” according to National Geographic.
To fully enjoy the picturesque scenery of the river, you might book a cruise boat or rent a bike and head to the countryside to find a more calming scene: fishermen setting out with cormorants, farmers working in their fields, traditional villages at the bottom of the mountain.
9. Shuzhou
Dubbed “Venice of the East”, Shuzhou (Jiangsu province) is also a “must-visit” destination in China. The city is famous for the canals, romantic water towns and traditional Chinese gardens that were added to the list of the World Heritage Site in 1997 and 2000.
It’s worth noting that Shuzhou’s water towns hold the quintessential image of traditional Chinese Yangtze Delta life, so tourists will have chance to enjoy the local life and pure atmosphere when coming here.
10. Nanjing
Nanjing should definitely be in your trip schedule to China for two reasons: it is one of the cleanest and best-looking cities in China and offers important cultural and historical sites.
The city’s five most famous attractions are the Massacre Memorial Hall, Confucius Temple, Ming City Walls, Sun Yat-sen’s Mausoleum – the birthplace of the Republic of China and the resting place of its founder, Sun Yat-sen and Nanjing Yangtze River Bridge.
The above are 10 places that are most worth visiting in China. Depending on your travel purposes as well as how long it lasts, you may pick up those that you prefer to go to.
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