China has become one of the most visited countries in the world due to its rich history and large-scale development. Let’s take a look at 18 amazing attractions!
It is the world’s second most populous country and the largest in East Asia. China is home to the world’s oldest continuous civilization, which formed an independent cultural unit in ancient times and was considered highly developed. Due to its size, it is a neighbour of many countries, including Vietnam, Laos, India, Mongolia and Russia.
Table of Contents
Best places in China
The Great Wall of China
China’s most famous attraction is the thousands of kilometers long wall, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The wall is a collection of fortification systems built along the northern border between the 3rd century BC and the early 17th century AD, aimed at protecting agricultural China from the attacks of northern nomadic tribes.
The sections of the wall visible today were built during the Ming Dynasty, which ruled from 1368 to 1644. Its exact length cannot be determined, with estimates ranging between 3,000 and 10,000 kilometers.
A small part of the wall has been restored, primarily for tourists. The most visited and well-restored section is the Badaling section, located near Beijing.
My trip to China – part 3: The Great Wall
Beijing
The country’s capital is one of China’s four ancient capitals.
Despite the events of the 19th and 20th centuries and the current accelerated urbanization and elimination of hutongs, Beijing still has numerous significant historical values.
Tiananmen Square („Gate of Heavenly Peace”) is China’s and Beijing’s most important attraction, not only for its own beauty but also because it leads to the entrance of the Forbidden City. Other world-class tourist attractions include the Summer Palace and the Temple of Heaven.
My trip to China – 3 days in Beijing
Zhangjiajie National Forest Park
This forest in Hunan Province is China’s first national forest park and is part of the Wulingyuan Scenic Area, which is also listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Its most distinctive geographical features are the pillar-like formations visible throughout the park. These were formed by ice expanding in winter and the plants growing on them. The pillars can also be seen in many ancient Chinese paintings.
It is becoming an increasingly popular tourist attraction. In 2016, the Zhangjiajie Grand Canyon Glass Bridge, the world’s longest (430 m) and highest (300 m) pedestrian glass bridge, was opened. Additionally, the park features a lift and three cable cars.
Hong Kong
A unique city where the Chinese and modern worlds blend together.
The current cityscape of the metropolis has its roots in the past. In the 19th century, the British leased it, which expired in 1997. This is when it came under Chinese control again.
The most striking part is the Victoria Peak. The iconic photos of the city are taken from there. The sight of the skyscrapers rising along the waterfront is even more impressive at night when they are lit up. And the ride on the funicular railway to the peak is a great experience.
Of course, Hong Kong has numerous attractions, and among them are several that preserve the past. These include the 1881 Heritage, the Blue House, and the Man Mo Temple.
Fujian Tulou
These unique buildings, mainly found in Fujian Province, are large, circular, or rectangular communal residences built by the Hakka people.
The oldest Tulou buildings were constructed in the 12th century, but most were built between the 15th and 20th centuries. They were added to the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2008 for their cultural value and unique architectural style.
Tourists mostly visit the villages around Yongding and Nanjing. The most famous here is Chengqi Lou, the largest and most well-known circular Tulou building.
Shanghai
Shanghai is China’s largest industrial city, one of the economic powerhouses of the Far East, and one of the country’s most important tourist centers.
There are few old relics left in the city. Most of these are found in the old town. Notable among them are the Temple of the City God, the Garden of Joy (Shanghai’s oldest park), and the Jade Buddha Temple.
Today, Shanghai has become a modern city filled with skyscrapers, with its most famous attraction being the TV tower. It offers a spectacular view from the riverside when illuminated.
My trip to China – part 4: Shanghai
Fenghuang
This city in Hunan Province is known for its legends and historical richness.
Founded during the Ming Dynasty, it is home to the Miao and Tujia ethnic groups, who have preserved their traditional lifestyle, folk art, and customs. The Fenghuang Museum and the Shen Congwen Memorial Museum showcase these aspects.
Fenghuang is famous for its well-preserved traditional wooden buildings lined up along the riverside. The houses are built on stilts and are often decorated with wooden carvings.
Shenzhen
One of China’s fastest growing cities, Shenzhen is outstanding both economically and culturally.
Bordering Hong Kong, the metropolis is a centre of technological innovation, home to the headquarters of world-renowned companies. Its modern skyscrapers, green parks and cultural districts offer visitors a variety of experiences.
The city is home to a number of fascinating attractions, including the Window of the World theme park, the Splendid China Folk Village and the Fairy Lake Botanical Garden.
Jiuzhaigou Valley
This valley in Sichuan Province gets its name from the nine ancient Tibetan villages located within its area.
In 1992, it was added to the UNESCO World Heritage List, recognizing the unique natural beauty and ecological significance of the area. Many rare and endangered species, such as the giant panda and the Sichuan golden monkey, inhabit the valley.
The valley is surrounded by high mountains and is home to several crystal-clear, colorful lakes. The most notable among them are Peacock Lake, Mirror Lake, and Five Flower Lake, which display stunning blue, green, and turquoise hues.
Lhasa
Lhasa, the center of the Tibet Autonomous Region, is the traditional seat of the Dalai Lama. It is one of the highest cities in the world, situated at 3,650 meters above sea level.
Its most famous building is the Potala Palace, the winter residence of the Dalai Lamas. Built in the 17th century, it is a World Heritage Site known for its immense size, beautiful decorations, and rich Buddhist art.
Another significant landmark is the Jokhang Temple, the holiest temple in Tibetan Buddhism, founded in the 7th century. It is the most important pilgrimage site for Tibetan Buddhists.
Mount Emei
Located on the western edge of the Sichuan Basin, Mount Emei is one of the four sacred Buddhist mountains in China. It received the UNESCO World Heritage Site designation in 1996.
The mountain is home to China’s first Buddhist temple, built in the 1st century. The site hosts seventy-six Buddhist monasteries from the Ming and Qing dynasties, most of which are near the summit.
Attractions include the sunrise and the so-called sea of clouds, visible from the mountain’s peak. The sea of clouds consists of various phenomena, such as an additional layer of clouds beneath the usual ones.
A cable car takes visitors up the mountain, and from the terminal, it is an hour’s walk to the two temples located at an altitude of 3,077 meters.
Leshan Giant Buddha
The stone statue faces Mount Emei and is the largest carved Buddha statue in the world.
It was built during the Tang Dynasty (618–907 AD) at the confluence of the Minjiang, Dadu, and Qingyi rivers. At the time of its construction, it was the tallest statue in the world.
The 71-meter-high statue depicts a seated Maitreya Buddha, the Buddha of the future era, with his hands resting on his knees. His shoulders are 28 meters wide, and a person can easily fit on the smallest toenail.
Terracotta Army
Also known as the Terracotta Warriors, these are the clay soldiers, horses, chariots, and musicians that guard the tomb of the first Chinese emperor, Qin Shi Huang.
The site, located about 30 kilometers from the center of Xi’an, the provincial capital of Shaanxi Province, was discovered in 1974. The figures vary in height from 184 to 197 centimeters, depending on their role in the army, with the generals being the tallest.
The army was buried with the first Chinese emperor, Qin Shi Huang, in 210–209 BC. The purpose of the structure and the statues was to ensure the emperor’s rule in the afterlife.
Longji Rice Terraces
The Longji Rice Terraces are considered one of the most spectacular agricultural landscapes in the world, situated at altitudes ranging from 300 to 1,100 meters above sea level.
„Longji” means „Dragon’s Backbone”, referring to how the terraces coil around the mountainsides like a dragon’s spine. They were built more than 650 years ago during the Ming Dynasty and have been actively cultivated ever since.
The best times to visit are in spring (April-May) and autumn (September-October), when they are particularly stunning. Numerous hiking trails lead along the terraces, allowing visitors to admire the landscape up close.
Jiayuguan Fortress
The fortress is located at the westernmost end of the Great Wall of China and played a key role in protecting the Silk Road.
It was built in 1372 during the Ming Dynasty when the construction of the Great Wall was also heavily supported. The construction took more than 160 years. It held strategic importance as it was the only passage between the Gobi Desert and the Tibetan Plateau.
The fortress’s massive, thick, and tall walls are made of brick and rammed earth, reinforced with multiple defensive layers and bastions. The main walls are 733 meters long and 11 meters high.
Tianmen Mountain
Located near Zhangjiajie City, Tianmen Mountain is famous for its natural beauty and spectacular rocky formations.
Its most spectacular natural formation is the Tianmen Cave, a massive natural rock arch that is 131.5 meters high and 57 meters wide. Also known as the „Gate to Heaven”. The ascent is an adventure in itself, involving 999 steps, a number considered lucky in Chinese culture.
At the mountain’s summit is the more than 1,500-year-old Tianmen Temple, an important center of Buddhist culture. The temple is surrounded by beautiful gardens and a tranquil environment.
The mountain also features one of the world’s longest cableways, spanning 7.5 kilometers and overcoming a height difference of 1,279 meters. Additionally, the glass walkway at an altitude of 1,430 meters is a popular attraction.
Hangzhou
For much of the past thousand years, Hangzhou has been one of China’s most famous and prosperous cities.
During the Southern Song Dynasty, from 1123 to 1276, it served as the capital, making it one of China’s historical capitals. At that time, it was the largest city in the world.
Hangzhou is famous for its historical sites and natural beauty and is considered one of China’s ten most beautiful cities. Despite significant urban development in recent decades, it has managed to preserve its cultural and historical values.
West Lake
The country’s most famous lake is located near Hangzhou, at the mouth of the Qiantang River.
Its natural beauty has greatly influenced Chinese poetry, painting, and garden design throughout Chinese history, and through the latter, the development of Japanese and Korean gardens. In 2011, it was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Many Chinese national heroes and heroines are associated with the lake, and numerous memorials can be found along its shores. Over the centuries, many renowned writers have chosen this picturesque environment as their place of retreat.
Huangguoshu Waterfall
One of China’s largest and most impressive waterfalls, located on the Baishui River.
It is part of the Huangguoshu waterfall cluster, which includes more than a dozen smaller waterfalls. The waterfall itself is about 77.8 meters tall and 101 meters wide, making it the widest waterfall in China.
Behind the waterfall, there is a unique cave called the „Water Curtain Cave” (Shuiliandong). Visitors can enter it, and it feels as though they are standing behind a curtain of water. The cave is more than 100 meters long.
