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30 Top Attractions & Things to do in China

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When most people go to China, they only want to see the Great Wall and Forbidden City in Beijing, walk along the Bund at Shanghai or take in the Terracotta Warriors at Xi’an. Maybe they’ll throw in a visit to Guangzhou or take a Yangtze River cruise. But there’s much more to China than just these famous sites.

There are plenty of amazing tourist attractions in China, from ancient cities to forests to temples to rice fields that look like they’ve been designed by artists to sacred mountains and stunning waterfalls. This desire to explore off the beaten path where Chinese tourists outnumber foreign tourists isn’t just confined to 20-something backpackers. Any traveler armed with a good phrase book, a pot of patience and a marvelous sense of humor should do just fine.

30. Xian City Wall

Xian City Wall

Hundreds of years ago, the Chinese built massive stone walls around their cities to defend them from invaders. Xi’an was no exception.

Constructed over 8 years in the 1370s, the Xian City Wall was a symbol of the city’s self-sustainability. That, in addition to Zhu Yuanzhang’s propensity for reclusiveness. Something he continued to display when he became the first emperor of the Ming Dynasty.

The Great Wall aside, the Xian City Wall is the best example in China. At almost 14km long, 12m high and 12m thick, the wall was a literal mountain and provided Xian City with envious protection.

Today, you can explore the top of the wall, which envelopes the Old Town, on foot or bike. This will take you to the wall’s renowned gates, some of which out-date the wall itself.

29. Zhangjiajie National Forest Park

Zhangjiajie

There is something otherworldly and utterly spiritual about Zhangjiajie National Forest Park. The quartz-sandstone has been weathered down by wind and rain over thousands of years. Where once a mountain range stood, today you’ll see only towering pillars draped in lush forests.

In the morning, the mist rises from the deep valley hundreds of meters below. The mix of sandstone and greenery creates a scenery that’s hard to reconcile with. It doesn’t seem earthly. No wonder it was a part of the inspiration for Avatar.

The park is best explored on tour, with lifts taking you to incredible viewpoints. But nothing tops the Grand Canyon Glass Bridge, the tallest in the world.

28. Three Pagodas, Dali

Three Pagodas

In southern China , the Three Pagodas are some of the region’s oldest surviving structures. They are a symbol of Dali, with the oldest of the trio constructed in the 800s.

Rising out of the land like old-growth forests, the Three Pagodas hold a noticeable presence wherever you go in Dali. The tallest, Qianxun Pagoda, stands at 70 meters and features 16 tiers. The other two are ten tiers rising to 42 meters.

Although you can’t go inside them, it’s a blessing to be able to explore so close to such ancient monuments. Behind them is the beautiful Chongsheng Temple, open to visitors.

27. Shilin Stone Forest

Shilin Stone Forest

Its name may seem like an oxymoron, but the Shilin Stone Forest is exactly that. Exploring the 270 million year-old stone forest is an unforgettable experience. It’s almost supernatural and such a vast spread of karst formations that you’d be forgiven for thinking it’s manmade.

It was, however, created by a sequence of seismic events and ageless erosion of the limestone. Today, there are hundreds of enormous stalagmite pillars that form an endless maze to explore.

But it’s not just rock. You’ll discover waterfalls, lakes and even underground rivers that provide a gorgeous contrast to the epic, yet odd landscape.

26. Lijiang Old Town

Lijiang Old Town

In northwest China, Lijiang boasts 800 years of history. Once the capital of the Naxi Kingdom, the old town of Lijiang takes you right back to its heyday, with the bonus of an epic mountain backdrop.

Like any good “old town”, Lijiang is flooded with romanticism, charm and rich culture. The layout of the historic streets remains as it did hundreds of years ago, while its unique heritage places it in contrast with other historic towns around China.

Under the rule of the Mu family, the town reflects the indigenous Naxi culture and architecture. You can see the best of these along narrow, cobbled streets, in addition to the beautiful stone bridges that cross Lijiang’s collection of elegant canals.

25. Wudang Mountain

Wudang Mountain

Travelers who’ve seen Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon already know how scenic the Wudang Mountains, located in northwestern Hubei Province, are. Besides being scenic, the Wudang Mountains iare the birthplace of Tai Chi. Thus, they’re the most important Taoist mountains in China. Religion, timeless culture and eye-catching temples can be found there. That’s in addition to the amazing surrounding peaks.

Known as the “original cradle of Tai Chi”, Wudang Mountain is the natural representation of wisdom and the values behind Chinese “shadowboxing”. Human history here can be traced back to the 5th century BC. Today there are nine palaces, eight temples and a dozen pavilions.

They lie in a mixed state of preservation. For some, they stand eternal. For others, they mark an example of Wudang Mountain’s incredible timeline.

24. Zhouzhuang

Zhouzhuang

Tell Venice there’s a new sheriff in town. Zhouzhuang is a historic river town along the southern section of the Yangtze River. The water flows by and under old-time townhouses and businesses as it has for over 1,000 years.

The gorgeous mix of colored and whitewashed buildings makes Zhouzhuang a photographer’s dream. In the early morning light tradition vessels float up and down the river and when the water settles, the mirror-like river reflects the splendor.

Located less than 32 km (20 miles) from Suzhou in east China , Zhouzhuang is famous for its twin bridges, Shide and Yongan that are symbols of the town. A boat ride is a good way to see the city.

23. Mount Tai

Mount Tai

Mount Tai, in Shandong Province, is one of China’s Five Sacred Mountains. Climbing Taishan (“shan” is mountain in Mandarin) was one of the first things a new emperor did; it’s said that 72 emperors made the climb.

They left behind great temples, inscribed tablets and other cultural relics. Travelers with imperial leanings will want to climb the 6,000-step east route as that’s what the emperors did.

Before the modern era, the tallest peak, Jade Emperor, was the center of Fengshan rituals for almost 2,000 years. Relics and ancient masterpieces can now be found around the 1,500m mountain. Significantly, you’ll discover not just the influence of Chinese Fengshan sacrifices, but that of numerous countries and cultures, from the Khmer to the Turkish.

Aside from the culture, you can explore the mountain and several temples. Get up there early as the East Pavilion is a memorable spot to watch the sunrise.

22. Tiger Leaping Gorge

Tiger Leaping Gorge

Straddling the border of Lijiang and Shangri-La, Tiger Leaping Gorge is one of the deepest in the world. At its highest to lowest point, the gorge measures almost 3,800 meters.

On either side of the gorge are two intoxicating mountains: Jade Dragon Snow and Haba Snow. Along with the gorge, carved by the monstrous white waters of the Jinsha River, you’ll be able to experience a wide breadth of landscapes.

The best way to explore is on foot, so be prepared to break a sweat. The Upper, Middle and Lower Gorge provide a range of intermediate to advanced treks, some over multiple days.

The hikes are not to be taken lightly though. Even for those in good physical shape, it’s a workout and can certainly wreck the knees. Accommodation along the way is in guesthouses, so hikers won’t need a tent. All bringing you to insane viewpoints and even down to the very bottom.

21. Suzhou Gardens & Canals

Suzhou

Suzhou is a picturesque city located on the Grand Canal about 65 km (40 miles) from Shanghai. It is famous for its silks, the canals that run through the city, and for its classical gardens with their fish ponds and rockeries.

Suzhou encapsulates the difference this Chinese city evokes compared to giants such as Shanghai and Beijing. Whereas these cities are becoming vast, futuristic metropolises, Suzhou is sticking close to its heritage and culture.

The traditional gardens are at first eye-catching. But upon further inspection, they’re equally historic. Some even date back a thousand years to the Song Dynasty.

Suzhou has about 80 classical gardens; the Humble Administrator’s Garden is among the most famous. A canal boat ride is a good way to experience the exquisiteness of Suzhou.

20. Mogao Caves

Mogao Caves

A former pilgrimage site along the famous Silk Road, the Mogao Caves have been a part of regional culture for well over a thousand years. In the heart of the 4th century, the caves became a place of art and culture.

Something that would remain the case until the 1300s. You can still explore the incredible caves today and despite the time that has passed, the artworks and scripture remain intact.

Just outside of Dunhuang, the Mogao Caves are one of China’s most revered archaeological sites. Within, they showcase the breadth of travelers and cultural backgrounds that found their way here along the Silk Road.

It’s not just nearby art forms. You’ll see styles that can be traced through Central Asia, India and as far as Persia.

19. Longji Terraces

Longji Terraces

Constructed by hand over 500 years ago during the Ming Dynasty, the Longji Terraces are a sight to behold. From any elevated viewpoint, you’ll need a moment to first gasp and take a breath before truly being able to take it all in.

In Longsheng, these rice terraces span like lush green footsteps up the mountainside. Each winding step curves around the ridgeline, forming an array of spectacular contour lines.

From December to March, during the growing season, the terraces are flooded with irrigated water. It’s a remarkable sight and one that is best appreciated on foot as you walk slowly around and up to even better views.

18. Summer Palace

Summer Palace

Located in northwest Beijing, the opulent Summer Palace is one of the most captivating, man-made landmarks in the country. The ancient imperial playground is surrounded by thriving forests, creating a more rural feel than its location would suggest.

Back in the day, the high court would descend upon the aptly named Summer Palace to escape Beijing’s summer heat during the hottest months of the year. The encompassing nature along with the cooling and Kunming Lake made it the perfect place to get business done.

Fast forward to today, and it’s a beautiful public park. Some buildings have been transformed into museums and galleries, while the embellished grounds provide excellent views.

17. Yangtze River Cruise

Yangtze River Cruise

Spanning 6,387 kilometers, the Yangtze River is the third longest on earth. It’s known as one of China’s mother rivers as it nurtures humans and nature alike throughout this enormous country.

Across such a lengthy body of water, there are bound to be some memorable landscapes. The best way to see more than just the odds and ends is to embark on a Yangtze River Cruise.

A cruise can help you discover the beauty of the Three Gorges of the Yangtze River. This is the most renowned section and marks an immense canyon that you’ll never want to leave.

To see the best of the river, cruise between Chongqing and Yichang, in either direction.

16. Hanging Monastery of Hengshan

Hanging Monastery of Hengshan

In Shanxi Province, the Hanging Monastery of Hengshan is dedicated to a trio of religions. This makes it one of a kind here in China. You’ll find the monastery celebrates all of Confucianism, Taoism and Buddhism.

The Hanging Temple has a lengthy history, having been constructed towards the end of the 5th century. It remains well-preserved over the last 1500 years, in no small part due to its enshrining of three of China’s most popular religions.

But it’s the architecture of the monastery, which clings on tight to the cliff face that will have you in awe. Thanks to cantilevers, it protrudes from the wall, with its two sections connected by a bridge.

15. Reed Flute Cave

Reed Flute Cave

As you cruise along the Li River, one of China’s best attractions is the impressive Reed Flute Cave. So much so, that even if you forego the cruise, you should add a trip here to your itinerary.

The sprawling limestone cave is marked by the reef that is strewn across the entrance. Such was its majestic beauty that some believed it could be made into flutes.

But that is just the beginning. The interior of the cave is a subterranean wonderland. Stalactites dangle from the ceiling in wondrous numbers, while stalagmites curve their way up from the cave floor.

Lightning now illuminates the cave and showcases scripture that dates to the 8th century.

14. Yungang Grottoes

Yungang Grottoes

There are some incredible Buddhist excavations throughout China, but none are as old as the Yungang Grottoes. Along the enormous wall, you’ll be able to witness 50,000 stone statues that can be traced back to the 5th and 6th centuries.

Near Datong City in Shanxi Province, the creations are spread throughout 252 caves. Each feature is more intricately detailed than the last, while the will of the old Northern Wei Dynasty is reflected in the selected Buddhist scripture.

It would take some time to see all the caves in proper detail. So to help you out, focus on the remarkable Five Caves. This was created by Tan Yao. The unity of design and layout makes it a masterpiece of early Chinese art.

13. West Lake, Hangzhou

West Lake

Gardens, temples, and charming bridges are found around the gleaming waters of West Lake in Hangzhou. It’s not a modern creation either, with West Lake inspiring residents and travelers since the 800s.

It was then, as an ancient capital of China, Hangzhou cemented itself in the nation’s timeline. Thousands of years of trade with neighboring communities and countries are shown in the artistry and romanticism that flows out of every inch of West Lake.

In the early hours, locals practise Tai Chi and the mist rises from the valley up to the Wulin Mountains. Trails take you around the lake where weeping willows create vast reflections on the water below.

Aside from walking, you can take a cruise to Little Paradise Island. Or head to the top of Leifeng Pagoda for all-encompassing views.

12. Jiuzhaigou

Jiuzhaigou

In Sichuan, Jiuzhaigou is a veritable gem of a national park . One of the best public parks in China, Jiuzhaigou, is a stunning collection of snow-capped peaks, waterfalls and emerald-hued lakes.

As you approach the mountains of southern China, there’s little warning of the fairyland that exists in Jiuzhaigou. Especially for the park’s 100+ lakes, each as crystal-clear and turquoise as the last. They’re fed by pristine snowmelt with their connecting streams, creating spectacular waterfalls.

The mountains, lakes and rivers combine for an idyllic network of valleys whose scenery is immensely vivid. Come in the summer for the best hiking and blooming flowers. Or wait for the snow and experience a winter wonderland.

11. Longmen Grottoes

Longmen Grottoes

South of Luoyang in Henan Province, the Longmen Grottoes is an ancient engineering masterpiece. Forget the four heads of Mount Rushmore, the Longmen Grottoes are home to an estimated 100,000 statues of Buddha and his followers.

These are all carved into the cliffs and caves of Longmenshan and Xiangshan peaks and set along the rolling Yihe River. Each creation varies significantly. Some are a cute 25 centimeter creation, others reach the lofty heights of 17 meters! They all vary in age. However, the bulk can be traced to periods between the 4th and 10th centuries.

Now a UNESCO site, you can explore the grottoes to learn about their creation and the various battles that have taken place here.

10. Pudong Skyline, Shanghai

Pudong Skyline

You’ll have your work cut out seeing all that there is to do in Shanghai . But there’s one particular experience you’ll want to do twice, or even daily.

Modern Shanghai is almost futuristic. Its collection of skyscrapers is some of the biggest on earth and each is distinct from the last. It’s a wild thought that most of this has been constructed in only the last twenty years.

The best collection of towers is known as the Pudong Skyline. This district of skyscrapers is best seen from the Bund , where the skyline is on display like an architectural buffet. Highlights include the Jinmao Tower, the Shanghai Tower and the striking Oriental Pearl TV Tower.

At night, the district combines to showcase an elaborate, electric rainbow of lights.

9. Hani Terraces

Hani Terraces

On the southern slopes of Ailao Mountain, the Hani Terraces are both head-turning and head-scratching. From above, the mix of colors and the lines that mark the banks look straight out of an abstract painting. Yet, the rice terraces are remarkably real.

These terraces have been used to grow rice crops for a millennium. Once just a rising mountain, over 2,500 meters above sea level, it’s been carved painstakingly by hand. This has created hundreds of distinct terraces, all in varying stages of production.

It’s a fascinating mix of nature and humanity, one that leads to a kaleidoscopic landscape that is mesmerizing to witness. The best time to visit is from December to March, when irrigation floods the terraces.

8. Leshan Giant Buddha

Leshan Giant Buddha

Rising 71 meters, Leshan Giant Buddha is the largest in the world. The jaw-dropping creation is carved into the side of a mountain. This was a feat that took 90 years to complete!

The carving of the rock was led by Hai Tong in the 8th century. He wanted to ensure the safety and happiness of his community. While the results are open to interpretation, what isn’t is the way you feel when you first take in the size and opulence of it.

Today, you can stand right at its feet, or cruise by on the Min River. This was a body of water that slowed down significantly with all the excess rock deposited into the banks.

7. Mount Huang

Mount Huang

A part of the Huangshan mountain range, Mount Huang is found in the Anhui province in eastern China. The range translates to the yellow mountains and became a UNESCO World Heritage Site thanks to its pristine beauty.

Your time here begins in Tangkouzhen, where you’ll take a shuttle to either the Western or Eastern steps. From there, you can embark on a range of hikes with changing difficulties. From the Eastern Steps, there is a cable car to the summit.

Whether you hike or ride the cable car, find a way to see the stunning Xihai Grand Canyon. This is a vast canyon mixed in with ethereal forests, hanging from the cliff’s edge. For amazing views, add a trip to either Lotus Peak or Shixin Peak. Stick around for sunset to discover why Huangshan is known as the Yellow Mountains.

6. Li River Cruise

Li River Cruise

Connecting Guilin to Yangshuo , the Li River snakes its way softly through majestic landscapes. Ancient limestone karsts soar up to the sky’s ceiling. Each of them is unique and as craggy and beautiful as the last.

With its breathtaking scenery and taste of a life far removed from the concrete metropolis, a cruise along the Li River is one of the best things to do in China. You can make your way to Guilin, jump on a 4 to 5 hour cruise and disembark at Yangshuo, where road transport is ready to take you back.

Along the way, you’ll see 80 kilometers worth of geography that has inspired authors and romantics alike. You’ll feel the same once you gaze upon Elephant Trunk Hill and Mount of Unique Beauty.

Cruises are available year-round. However, autumn marks the best time to explore.

5. Terracotta Army

Terracotta Army

There are no records of the creation of the Terracotta Army. It’s as if the 8,000 terracotta soldiers guarding the tomb of Qin Shi Huang were meant to go undiscovered.

But alas, they were found some 2,000 years later in 1974. It was then, locals sinking a well around 30 kilometers from Xi’an made an incredible discovery.

Fifty years later, the army has become one of the most famous tourist attractions in China. An overhand shades the army, ensuring the preservation of a remarkable feat of art and engineering. Among the soldiers are over 500 horses and 100 chariots, each featuring the same painstaking detail as the last.

The Terracotta Army lies within the emperor’s Masoleu Site Park, where you can embark on an insightful guided tour.

4. Victoria Harbour

Victoria Harbour

The world’s third largest seaport, Victoria Harbour, is beyond a hub of activity. It encapsulates the organized chaos of Hong Kong , where much is occurring, but nothing misses a beat.

The natural harbor sprawls out into the distance. Tanker ships come and go with the speed of little fishing boats jetting out from tiny villages. As much as you want to sit still, you never can. That’s because there’s always a better view to be had.

Come nightfall, you’ll become captivated and inspired by the smorgasbord of lights taking up the skyline. Hong Kong never sleeps and its array of skyscrapers become as vibrant as the galaxies above.

For the best views, stay on the Kowloon side and look across the harbor. You’ll then be able to experience the Avenue of Stars.

3. Forbidden City

Forbidden City

Surrounded by 3.5 kilometers of old fortress walls, China’s Forbidden City marks the country’s best collection of historic architecture. You can find the Forbidden City in the heart of Beijing . It’s a place so rich in dynastic history, rituals and, importantly, size that it’s visited by over 16 million people every year.

For over six centuries, the Forbidden City was at the forefront of the national conscience. It grew to be 900 buildings large, filled with some of China’s most historic figures, plus an eccentric cast of advisors.

This all changed in 1911, upon the fall of the Qing dynasty. It has transformed into an enormous piece of living history. Come and discover impressive feats of architecture, while learning about the dynasties that ruled China with an iron fist.

2. Potala Palace

Potala Palace

For centuries, the winter coming to Lhasa meant one important thing; it would once again be the abode of the Dalai Lama. This was a tradition that took place at the eye-catching Potala Palace until 1959.

That year, during a Chinese invasion, the Dalai Lama at the time fled to safe ground in India. It brought the end of an enduring tradition. However, it’s one you can get to know today with a visit to the palace.

Featuring 14 stories, the Potala Palace is renowned for its deep red central that shines like the sun surrounded by a whitewashed facade. Within lies hand-written Buddhist scripture and ancient gifts from emperors. Golden tombs, home to Dalai Lamas who passed away, are also located here.

1. Great Wall of China

Great Wall of China

Encompassing over 6,000 kilometers and almost four million bricks, the Great Wall of China is a true wonder. In fact, an ancient Chinese proverb goes that one cannot be a hero, unless he’s stepped onto the Great Wall.

The Great Wall of China runs from east to west, passing through a genuinely inspiring and complex array of landscapes. For if one walked the length of it, they would know the country like few others.

However, there aren’t many of us with the time to do such a thing. Some of the best places to see the wall are in Ningxia and Gansu. Both places showcase some of its best preserved sections. Travelers wanting to stay close to Beijing can visit the popular Badaling Pass section.

Map of Tourist Attractions in China

Map of China Attractions

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Reader interactions.

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May 13, 2019 at 7:20 pm

China has some of the most awe inspiring sights on the planet. Apart from Great Wall, Forbidden City and Terracotta Army there are hundreds of other sites to visit and sights to see.Almost inexhaustible!

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February 26, 2018 at 8:12 am

The Jiuzhaigou and the Reed Flute Cave looks so beautiful.

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June 1, 2017 at 9:56 pm

I can’t wait to visit China soon. all these place looks beautiful .

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February 25, 2017 at 4:53 am

wow every thing about china is fabulous

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September 19, 2016 at 7:41 am

I suggest to add to this list: the rainbow mountains Absolutely marveillous

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May 8, 2015 at 12:30 am

*added these to my list- Thank you for these great suggestions!

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December 27, 2013 at 4:26 am

I’ve visited China, one time. But I also wanted to know of some more places. But, now I came to know. Superb pictures and information I loved it.

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May 23, 2013 at 3:50 am

superb…..!!

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October 30, 2012 at 8:26 am

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Things to do in China – Must See Attractions and Places to Visit

Written By: The Planet D

Updated On: January 15, 2023

China is a country filled with unexpected surprises. To truly visit China you would need a lifetime, but here’s a list of what we loved and what we think were the best things to do in China.

Note : This is a list of experiences in China that we have done. Not a Google searched generic list. We have tested them all and can confidently recommend these China Attractions. 

Table of Contents

Best Things to do in China

When we visited China we were surprised by the warm welcome we received from the people, we were surprised by the beauty of the landscape and by the sheer size and scope of the cities.

The Hong Kong and Shanghai Skylines blew us away, the culture was fascinating and the scenery was spectacular.

1. Visit the Great Wall

It may seem the obvious choice, but there is a reason that everyone who visits China goes to see the Great Wall. It is the number choice for things to do in China!

However, not all parts of the Great Wall are equal. There are good walls to visit and not so good walls to visit.

We recommend going to the  Mutianyu Great Wall  section over the Badaling Section .

Badaling may be the more popular section as it is closer to Beijing, but the Mutianyu section is far less crowded.

As a matter a fact, when we were there we barely saw another tourist.

Check out our travel video of our Great Wall Hike to Mutianyu

Tip: A great time to visit is in December, there aren’t many tourists and the sky is crisp and clear. You can get to the Great Wall via public transportation from Beijing. For more information on the Great Wall, visit our post The Great Wall of China

2. Forbidden City

It is a fascinating tour to walk through the Forbidden City in Beijing . It housed the Emperors and their families for 500 years before the fall of the Qing Dynasty.

In the past, no commoner was ever allowed to step foot in the Forbidden City, but today it welcomes millions of tourists each year.

Visiting the Forbidden City is one of the top things to do in China for everyone.

Just tell your guide to speed things along. They tend to keep you there for hours.

While in Beijing, a visit to the Forbidden City is a must. You can see Tiananman Square, Chairman Mao’s Tomb all at the same time.

Beijing is a trip unto itself in China, See our post – 11 of the Very Best Things to do in Beijing

3. Terracotta Warriors

After the Great Wall, the Terracotta Warriors is the most famous attraction in China and you can’t leave the country without seeing it.

Located near the city of Xian, it is a spectacle that must be seen. Thousands of life-size clay warriors stand guard at this site that was only discovered in 1974.

The Emperor’s tomb has yet to be excavated but there is plenty to see as you walk the grounds of this amazing archeological site.

  • For more information on the Terracotta Warriors visit our post,  Are They Real or Are They Memorex ?

4. Cycle the Xi’an Wall

While you are visiting the Terracotta Warriors, it’s worth sticking around the ancient city of Xi’an.

It has the most intact wall in all of China and a great activity is to rent a bicycle to navigate around the top of the wall circling the entire old city.

Once you are done your cycling, you can visit the Muslim Quarter and enjoy some delicious dumplings.

A lot of people don’t think of hanging around Xi’an but trust me, it will be one of your favourite things to do in China.

  • For more information on cycling the Xi’an Wall, visit our  Good Day in Xi’an

5. Bamboo Raft the Li River

There isn’t a more traditional Chinese moment than taking a bamboo raft down the Li River.

Surrounded by beautiful karst formations of Yangshuo, you drift through the mist and take in the scenery as fisherman fish as they have for thousands of years.

Get up early to avoid the crowds and capture photos in the best light.

  • Read all about it at  Bamboo Rafting Down the Li River

6. Cruise the Three Gorges – Yangtze River

The Yangzi River may have been flooded a few years ago, but the Three Gorges is still a trip worth taking.

The Three Gorges Dam was the largest hydro-electric project in the world and was meant to power 10% of China.

Since China is growing so rapidly the project only ended up powering 3% of the population, but it is an amazing site to see.

The cruise is relaxing and the scenery is gorgeous.

  • Read more: The Three Gorges,  China’s Rapid Development

7. Shanghai Skyline from the Bund

China is filled with Spectacular cities like Beijing and Hong Kong. But no skyline on earth is quite as spectacular as Shanghai.

Walking along the bund makes for a wonderful stroll and there is nothing like seeing the new city across the river.

Can you believe it only took them 20 Years to build that skyline?

Our guide told us that when she was growing up, all that was farmland and people used to dream of crossing the water to be a part of Beijing.

Look at it now! No farmers anymore methinks!

8. Have a Hot Pot in Sichuan Province

A Hot Pot in Sichuan Province is the most exciting meal you will ever have.

Huajiao peppers from the region are so hot they make your tongue go numb. It’s not a hot that burns as much as a hot that excites the senses.

Do yourself a favour, when you are in China, make sure to eat a hot pot in Sichuan Province.

  • Read about our experience at Sichuan Hot Pot a Sizzling Night out.

9. Visit the Giant Pandas of Chengdu

When you think of China, it’s nearly impossible not to picture the Giant Panda.

Pandas are so cute, you would swear that there is a man inside a bear suit pretending to be a wild animal.

Sadly, the Panda is gravely endangered, but the Panda Research Base in Chengdu is doing it’s best to raise them in this breeding facility.

They are working hard to keep the official face of China alive and well for years to come.

  • For more information visit the  Giant Panda Research Base in Chengdu

10. Spend Time in a Local Park

The best way to get to know the locals in China is to hang out at a local park.

The people of China know how to enjoy life and you will see that clearly when you visit a park on a Sunday.

People sing Karaoke, dance, practice tai chi, strutt the runway and so much more. Believe us, you won’t be disappointed if you hang out at a local park.

11. Stroll the Romantic West Lake, Hangzhou

West Lake is the romance capital of China and most Chinese spend their honeymoons right here.

There is a beautiful legend about ill-fated love that takes place on the banks of West Lake. Read all about it at A Romantic Stroll on Hangzou West Lake.

  • Want to see more of China. Consider visiting Tibet.

12. Visit the Gardens of Suzhou

Suzhou is located just west of Shanghai in the Jiangsu Province just an hour’s ride on the bullet train from Shanghai.

It is not only a city of gardens but also a city of rivers and canals. This is why it is also referred to as the “ Venice of the Orient”.

The city has earned a worldwide reputation for its classical gardens, most of which were built for private use by aristocrats and wealthy businessmen as far back as the Sixth Century BC.

Many of these delicate classical gardens were built between the 14th and 20th centuries during the time of the Ming and Qing dynasties, and about 10 of them are still in good condition.

The largest of the gardens is the Humble Administrator’s Garden (Zhuo Zheng Yuan), which occupies four hectares.

It was built during the Ming Dynasty in 1522.

13. Nanjing Niushou Mountain

This new cultural park is an impressive place to visit.

This sacred site houses a Buddhist palace spanning six floors underground built inside a mountain.

There a nine-story Pagoda, the futuristic Usnisa Temple, a monastery and a large meditation hall and a giant sleeping Buddha.

But the most astonishing is the hall of 1,000 Buddhas in the Usnisa Temple spanning three stories in the middle of the mountain.

14. Tiger Leaping Gorge

Tiger Leaping Gorge is located in Yunnan Province and is one of the deepest gorges on earth.

The path takes you high above the Yangtze River along the Jinsha River (A tributary of the Yangtze) where you can trek anywhere from a couple of hours to several days.

Visitors can choose to hike the low trail or the high trail for spectacular views.

15. Walk along the Longest City Wall

We all know of the Great Wall of China and we now have heard of the oldest city wall, but China also has the longest city wall in the world.

The Nanjing city wall is a 35 kilometers (22miles) long wall that is the most well-preserved in all of China. Take a walk along it and while you are at it, learn calligraphy or take part in a tea ceremony.

16. Explore Hong Kong

Hong Kong is China’s most exciting city and we love spending time there.

There are so many things to do in the city as well as the surrounding islands and parks.

If you visit China, be sure to put a few days at the end of your trip to really explore it.

  • Check out all our things to do in Hong Kong for ideas!
  • Ten Thousand Buddha’s Monastery
  • All About the Man Mo Temple
  • Where to Stay in Hong Kong

17. Tea Ceremony

Tea is an important part of Chinese tradition and to learn how to drink tea properly is a must.

You can book a tea ceremony anywhere in China. Hotels and guest houses often offer them and many museums and cultural centres do too.

You will never look at tea the same way again.

18. Calligraphy Class

Haven’t you always wanted to feel the serenity of what it is like to sit and draw beautiful calligraphy symbols.

Take a class to get a real appreciation of calligraphy. It is a lot harder than it looks and truly makes you appreciate the art.

Great calligraphy in China can sell for tens of thousands of dollars.

19. Hot Cupping in Yangshou

Sure, you’ve had hot cupping at your local spa, but you haven’t experienced it until you’ve been hot cupping in Yangshou. 

Don’t go for the new swanky spas of China, look for Dr Li and the traditional experience. It’s one you’ll be able to instagram to death and definitely write home about.

20. Explore the Canals of Tong Li Water City

Tong Li Water City is one of the most beautiful places to visit in China. Located just one hour from Suzhou, Tongli is one of six ancient towns south of the Yangtze River.

It can even be reached by Shanghai public transit. It makes for a great day trip from Shanghai and is a very picturesque village known as the Venice of the East due to its beautiful canals.

Map of things to do in China

Enjoy this post on the very best things to do in china. save it to pinterest for future reference..

Have you been to China? What do you think are the best things to do in China? We’ve heard Tiger Leaping Gorges is amazing, but have yet to be there. That’s ok though, we loved China so much, we’ be sure to go back!

  • Where to Get off the Beaten Track in China
  • Top 10 Things to do in Shanghai
  • 5 Tips for Traveling China on a Budget
  • The Great Wall of China

Travel Planning Resources

Looking to book your next trip? Why not use these resources that are tried and tested by yours truly.

Flights: Start planning your trip by finding the best flight deals on Skyscanner

Book your Hotel: Find the best prices on hotels with these two providers. If you are located in Europe use Booking.com and if you are anywhere else use TripAdvisor

Find Apartment Rentals: You will find the cheapest prices on apartment rentals with VRBO . 

Travel Insurance: Don't leave home without it. Here is what we recommend:

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Need more help planning your trip? Make sure to check out our Resources Page where we highlight all the great companies that we trust when we are traveling.

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About The Planet D

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29 thoughts on “Things to do in China – Must See Attractions and Places to Visit”

I liked Silk Road, Guilin, and Yangshuo, these are really amazing and also went to the fishing village at Lingshui. I also liked the Sichuan hotspot and it was my most special meal.

Very helpful information about Great wall tour. All travellers should read this carefully; it will help you to travel the Great Wall of China. Due to the popularity of the Great Wall of China, the place is worth paying for a trip. A trip with friends or cousins to the great wall hiking tour will become a memorable trip for you. I had gone to China with my friends last month. Due to the first time in China, we travelled there by the help of a travel company namely Greatwall Trekclub.

Check out Hainan Island and hike the wooden bridge and glass stairway through Yalong Bay Rainforest. Unforgettable views. Then go to the fishing village at Lingshui where the families live on boats and store the fish in netted plots. You can eat freshly caught fish on a boat restaurant.

Travel to Yunnan. I know it seems to be very touristy, but that is the closest you’ll see from Tibet without having to do tour travel! I mean it is great to see. There is “old” cities, mountain, lake, clean country side, temple, natural park at 5000m altitude breathtaking landscape everywhere and loads of space. You won’t be feeling like an ant like if you were staying in Shanghai for instance. Shanghai is great too, you’ll be able to find food from all over China, and eating in China is definitely something you need to do: Shengjian, baozi, xiaolongbao, baicai, jianbing etc (some street food)

Thanks for sharing this blog to us. Really interested to know what to do in China.

Thanks for these great ideas. We are headed to China in fall and I was doing a little research about the best places to visit. Great post!

I think the best things I did in China was trekking off path in the jungles in Xishuangbanna, visiting the nature reserves in Hong Kong (completely surprised about them) and staying with a mongol family in a homestay in Inner Mongolia. It all was really great. The inner mongolian place had a website here http://anthropolodgy.com/ but the two other things was activities we did on our own

When I was in China, what I liked best was Guilin and Yangshuo for its wonderful places to photograph. I was in Beijing, Xian Shanghai and Hong Kong in addition to Guilin scene area

For me, the southwest of China is a must-do. Yunnan,Guangxi and Guizhou provinces are crammed with both larger tourist sites, and off the beaten track treks into the hills to remote villages. Most of China’s ethnic minorities are located in these provinces too.

Also, the northwest of China, AKA the Silk Road is also not to be missed. The Islamic culture, desert-scapes and ancient ruins are just amazing.

China is such a beautiful country. After my journey to China I realized traveling is going to be a major part of my life. been in the Tiger Leaping Gorge and it was incredible. one of the best experiences I had in China is sleeping in a Kyrgyz Yurt in Karakul Lake (Xinjiang province).

And also how many days do u think one needs to do all the 10 things that u have listed comfortably?

We did ours in about 21 days. Using trains, buses and a couple of flights to get around. Definitely take your time to enjoy and if you have less time, do less. We’re all about taking in the experience rather than checking off the list.

Hi…I am from india ,visiting Hongkong in the month of October,planning to visit china then…u have given some lovely places to visit in china…how do u suggest one should do it….take a package from a travel company or is it possible to do it on your own…me and my husband would like to do it on our own

It’s definitely easier with a tour. We do a lot of travel on our own but this one to China was with Intrepid Travel and we loved having a guide to help with the language barrier and directions. But it’s definitely a personal choice, depending on what you can handle and how long you have. If we went back to China, we’d definitely go on our own now that we got our feet wet with the tour.

Hi, We have been to Tiger Leaping Gorge and I do recommend it but we enjoyed even more hiking in the Meili Snow Mountain… a mountain range never climbed!

I’ve heard great things about Tiger Leaping Gorge

China is very different from the rest of the world. Thanks for the great tips. Will surely visit some places that you listed.

Thanks Johnny, we really loved China when we were there and you are so right, it is very different from the rest of the world.

I was in China for two months but I haven’t done half of these things! I really loved Sichuan hotpot, it’s one of my favorite meals ever. And the panda’s ofcourse, the most peaceful and awesome animals ever.

I love the hot pot! We couldn’t stop laughing while eating it because it was so spicy it made our tongues go numb. And yes, everyone must see the Pandas when they’re in China.

Hi, Thanks for sharing an useful information. And i like your destination sequence according to your priority. Nice post especially image collections are really awesome. Here i like these things very much Great wall of China, Forbidden City and Cruise the Three Gorges. Thanks for your list…

Regards, Sheeba

Glad you liked it thanks!

Very good post with almost great places to visit in China, but one great-missed monument, it’s of cours the famous Taj Mahal which is a finest example of Mughal original architecture. Chears !

Hi Najib, thanks for the suggestion, however the Taj Mahal is in India. We do agree, it’s great monument.

Great post, you covered a lot of ground very informative – love the panda pic

Very Great itinerary of China.its gives so many important information about the china. I’d definitely visit to china in future.

Thank you! There is so much more to see, but this is a great start.

Lots of things to go see. Im sure it would be hard to get all that in, in just one visit. I would love to walk the Great Wall and see the panda’s though.

It is tough to get it all in and it helps to be abel to fly to your destinations. But a must is walking on the great wall. we were pleasantly surprised with just how awesome it was! And yes, seeing the Pandas is a real treat.

  • Best China Tours
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Top 10 China Tourist Attractions List

The five-thousand-year civilization has endowed China with heavy historical atmosphere. The vast territory of the nation is also abounds with different natural landscapes. There are lots of classic China tourist attractions worth taking in. Here is a list of the top 10 China tourist attractions, which can help you in planning your China holiday better.

Top 10 Tourist Attractions List

Great Wall of China

Great Wall of China

Forbidden City , Beijing

Terracotta army , xi’an, shanghai disneyland park, the bund & oriental pearl tv tower , shanghai , li river , guilin, shaolin temple , luoyang, zhangjiajie national forest park, potala palace , lhasa, yangtze river, you may like.

PlanetWare.com

15 Best Places to Visit in China

Written by Bryan Dearsley Updated Mar 9, 2021

While many of the country's most important attractions are in and around the largest cities, some of the smaller towns and cities offer their own tourist treasures and are among the most beautiful places to visit in China. Thanks to China's rapidly expanding economy, its infrastructure has grown at an astounding rate, and it is now relatively easy to embark on some serious city hopping.

From the transportation hubs of Shanghai and Beijing, the arrival point for most tourists, it's possible to visit other important cities, such as historic Xi'an, famous for its Terracotta Army, or even venture out into the magnificent countryside surrounding its many large metropolitan areas.

However you choose to travel, these top tourist towns and cities are well worth taking the time to explore. Plan your trip with our list of the best places to visit in China.

1. Beijing: Home of the Imperial Palace and Forbidden City

2. historic xi'an: the terracotta army and more, 3. hong kong, 4. guilin and yangshuo, 5. shanghai, 7. ningbo and the tianyi ge library, 8. hangzhou and the historic grand canal, 9. qufu and confucius, 10. the city of ceramics: zibo, 11. quanzhou, 12. yangzhou, 13. foshan's famous buddhas, 14. dunhuang and jiayuguan, 15. the gardens of wuhan.

The Forbidden City in Beijing

China's second biggest city, Beijing has been the country's political center for more than 800 years. And for almost as long it has been an important center for cultural, economic, scientific, and academic life.

Beijing is home to many of China's best-known attractions , including the spectacular Imperial Palace , also known as the Forbidden City . Many of the city's top tourist attractions are in its well-preserved historic city center, making it possible to visit most of them on foot as part of an organized tour. Of these, highlights include the magnificent Temple of Heaven (Tiāntán) , Tian'anmen Square (the world's largest public square), and the beautiful Beihai Park . You should also include the fascinating Beijing Ancient Observatory . Built in 1442, it was still in use in the early 20th century.

A newer attraction that's worth a visit is the wonderfully designed Beijing National Stadium (Guójiā Tǐyùchǎng). Also known as the "Bird's Nest," this unique structure was built for the 2008 Olympics, and in addition to guided tours, you can visit the stadium during concerts and sporting events. Beijing is also a great place from which to explore the surrounding area and attractions, such as the Great Wall of China .

Terracotta warriors in Xian

The bustling city of Xi'an, situated between the Weihe River in the north and the Qinling Mountains in the south, is one of Northwest China's chief textile centers. It also possesses more items of archaeological interest than perhaps any other city of its size in China. The most important and best known of these tourist attractions is the world-famous Terracotta Army, which can be enjoyed with a tour to the impressive Emperor Qinshihuang's Mausoleum Site Museum.

Xi'an's history stretches back some 6,000 years, and by the 3rd century BC it boasted one of the highest urban populations in the country. The remains of the Han imperial residence can still be seen, along with fortifications and other evidence of the city's importance as the starting point of the famous Silk Road . From here, this fabled route wound its way through Central Asia and the Middle East as far as the Mediterranean, linking Xi'an with such far away cities as Istanbul and even Venice.

Among Xi'an's other important historic sites are the 64-meter-tall Pagoda of the Great Wild Goose , a survivor of the Tang Dynasty from AD 618 to 907, and the 43-meter-high Pagoda of the Small Wild Goose , built in AD 684 in honor of the Tang Emperor Gaozong. Another must-see is the Historical Museum of Shaanxi Province , China's most important archaeological museum, illustrating the origins and achievements of Chinese culture from prehistory to the Qing period of 1368 to 1911

Other points of interest include the Town Walls , completed in 1398 with four gates and numerous watchtowers, and the city's 15th-century mosque. This impressive structure features five courtyards and traditional Chinese buildings decorated with Islamic patterns.

Hong Kong

Hong Kong is, quite rightly, regarded as one of the world's most dynamic and exciting cities. While much of this can be attributed to its colonial past, it really owes its uniqueness to its rich mix of old and new China.

Famous as a high-tech center of banking and commerce, its modern luxury hotels and shops rub shoulders with many examples of an older, traditional way of life. This is seen everywhere, from its many authentic family-run restaurants to its ancient temples and fascinating street markets.

However long you're planning to visit, there are some Hong Kong attractions and fun points of interest that you simply must experience here. A highlight for many is hopping aboard the famed Star Ferry service and heading out from Victoria Harbour to the mainland and back - it's a great and affordable way to get your bearings and take in the city's impressive skyline.

Other must-dos include taking the funicular railway to the top of Victoria Peak , which provides another great vista, this time over the island and its many hills; and spending an evening exploring the busting Temple Street Night Market, one of the best street markets in Hong Kong .

Also, consider heading out on one of the hiking trails for great views and unique experiences, or spending a day on one of Hong Kong's glorious beaches .

Li River, Guilin

No trip to China is complete without spending at least a little time enjoying a river cruise. One of the most popular options - and one that's perhaps best left to a professional tour company to organize on your behalf - is a cruise along the majestic Li River , which connects the two important cities of Guilin and Yangshuo.

This 83-kilometer journey whisks you past spectacular scenery, as well as small Chinese villages, which offer a glimpse into the country's rich culture and traditions. It's a one-way, five-hour journey that begins upriver at Guilin, which boasts an airport and railway connections to destinations including Hong Kong, and ends in Yangshuo. Be sure to plan on spending time afterwards exploring the many historic sites in the latter.

Many tourists in fact spend at least a few days exploring Yangshuo and the surrounding area. It's certainly time well spent, and offers a variety of unique adventures and experiences not available elsewhere. Of these, perhaps the most popular is taking one of the fun, two-person, people-powered bamboo rafts along the quiet Yulong River.

Other must-dos in Yangshuo include making the trek up Moon Hill for its superb view, or renting a bike to explore the paths and trails along the Yulong. Be sure to take in the spectacular Liu San Jie Impression Light Show. Designed by the same team that provided the choreography for the 2008 Beijing Olympics, it's a fitting finale to your Yangshuo adventure.

Shanghai

The largest city in China, Shanghai is famous for being the country's most modern metropolis and offers a diversity of tourist attractions old and new . Boasting in excess of 24 million citizens, the city's highlights include numerous world-class museums and art galleries, ranging from the excellent Shanghai Museum to the China Art Museum . There are also a surprising number of quiet green spaces, old temples, and pagodas to explore - not to mention some great shopping experiences, too.

Must-see points of interest include Shanghai's broad promenade, the Bund . This lovely pedestrian walkway runs along the west bank of the Huangpujiang River and is popular for its very distinctive European architecture. It's an especially beautiful sight at night. Also notable here is the beautiful Yu Garden (the Garden of Happiness), with its many fine old buildings.

Other things to do in Shanghai include spending time exploring its more modern attractions, such as the 468-meter-tall Oriental Pearl Radio and TV Tower with its excellent views over the river and city. Be sure to include the fun Shanghai Science and Technology Museum , one of the country's most visited science museums, on your itinerary, along with Shanghai Disney .

Anshun Bridge in Chengdu

If, when you think of China, you think of pandas, you'll want to make sure the city of Chengdu is high on your list of must-sees. It's here you'll find the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding , a massive facility that is home to more than 80 of these wonderful animals.

Tours of the facility include a chance to see pandas up close. If you can, try to time your visit to coincide with feeding time. Also worth seeing, the on-site museum features exhibits detailing everything you'll ever want to know about the challenges of conserving these notoriously placid creatures.

For a chance to see pandas in the wild, take a day trip to the Wolong Nature Reserve , two hours west of Chengdu. This vast scenic area serves to protect the natural habitat of pandas and other important species.

Other Chengdu attractions worth seeing include numerous old pagodas and bridges, along with the many historic alleys in the old part of the city. There are also many religious sites here, too, such as the Monastery of Precious Light and Chengdu Huangcheng Mosque , one of China's oldest and most important Muslim sites.

  • Read More: Top Tourist Attractions in Chengdu & Easy Day Trips

Ningbo and the Tianyi Ge Library

Ningbo, located in the northeast corner of the province of Zhejiang just 25 kilometers from the East China Sea, has been one of the country's most important ports since the 7th century. Crisscrossed by countless navigable canals, this busy city is dubbed "Little Shanghai" and can trace its history back some 2,300 years to the period of the Qin Dynasty.

It's best known attractions include such historic sites as the magnificent Tianyi Ge Library . Built by high-ranking official Fan Qing between 1561 and 1566 to house his private book collection, it's one of the oldest of its kind in China. Consisting of some 80,000 rare Chinese volumes and manuscripts, this remarkably preserved collection also includes a large number of stone inscriptions dating from the 14th century. Also of interest is the artificial pond outside this splendid old two-story structure, intended to provide water in the event of a fire.

You'll also want to visit the 55-meter-tall, seven-story Tianfeng Ta Pagoda . Also known as the Tang Pagoda, this stunning structure was built in AD 695 and is well worth the climb for its panoramic views of the old city.

Ningbo is also somewhat of a popular seaside destination for Chinese tourism and has a number of wonderful, white sandy beaches. It's also popular for its shopping and dining options, too.

The Gongchen Bridge over the Grand Canal in Hangzhou

Located at the southern end of China's famous 1,776-kilometer-long Grand Canal , a remarkable engineering feat and UNESCO World Heritage site, Hangzhou is one of China's most visited cities. As big a draw as this centuries-old canal, which connects Hangzhou to Beijing, is the city's picturesque location at the foot of a tall mountain range overlooking beautiful West Lake with its many old shrines and temples, romantic bridges, and pleasant pagodas.

Still often called the "Silk City" for its many silk mills and markets, Hangzhou is famous for having attracted many of China's most important artists through the centuries, as well as famous travelers such as Marco Polo, who declared it the most beautiful city in the world. A tradition that has been around even longer than the legend of Marco Polo is taking the famous Dragon Well tea (lóngjing chá), handpicked in the surrounding countryside twice a year and still much celebrated in art and ceremonies throughout the city.

  • Read More: Top-Rated Tourist Attractions in Hangzhou

Entrance Gate, Confucius Graveyard

Thanks to its connections with Confucius, China's most revered philosopher, the small town of Qufu in southwest Shandong has long been one of the country's most important places of pilgrimage. Not only was Confucius born here in 551 BC, he was also buried here in 479 BC. As a result, numerous temples and shrines have been erected by devotees in celebration of his life and teachings.

Perhaps the most important of the three main historic sites related to the great teacher - together forming part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site - is the Cemetery of Confucius (Kong Lin). This large burial ground contains the graves of Confucius, family members, and numerous followers.

The grave itself is a mound marked by a 15th-century gravestone carrying the inscription "Grave of the Sacred King of Culture, who achieved Absolute Perfection." The graves of his son and grandson are situated close by. The cemetery, laid out around Confucius' grave in the 14th century, makes for a delightful excursion thanks to its more than 10,000 trees. Other important sites worth exploring are the Temple of Confucius and the Kong Family Mansion .

The City of Ceramics: Zibo

Situated in the center of Shandong province, the city of Zibo was the capital of the Qi Empire for 630 years. During this time it became famous for its ceramics and lacquered works of art. It was in fact here that China's famous green glass was first developed some 1,500 years ago, as well as the region's distinctive black glazed porcelain.

Between 960 and 1279, local makers also perfected the technique of coating earthenware with a brownish layer of glaze displaying tear-shaped runs. This still popular style has cemented Zibo's reputation for hand-made porcelain and ensured its status as China's major producer of ceramics.

Zibo's connection to the history of ceramics is celebrated at the Zibo Chinese Ceramics Center . This fascinating attraction features large collections of locally produced artifacts and displays showing both modern and traditional manufacturing methods.

Another attraction worth seeing is the Great Wall of the Qi . More than 2,500 years old, many sections of its 600-kilometer length still stand and can be visited. Zibo boasts a variety of other interesting cultural experiences, including its unique cuisine and theatrical performances, which can be included as part of a tour package.

Quanzhou's International Influences

Located in the southeast corner of Fujian province on the broad Jinjiang estuary, Quanzhou was already an important port in the 6th century. Highlights of this historic port include the Temple of the Beginning of the New Age , built in AD 686 and one of the largest temples in China.

Covering some 70,000 square meters, this vast temple site includes a number of impressive pagodas, including the 48-meter-tall eastern pagoda (Zhenguo) dating from the end of the Tang Dynasty around AD 700 and decorated with 39 bas-reliefs crafted from alabaster; and the 44-meter Pagoda of Longevity (Renshou Ta) from the early 10th century and decorated with birds and flowers.

Also of interest is the Mosque of Peace and Clarity , erected in 1009 in the style of a Damascus prayer house and financed by Muslim merchants. One of the oldest mosques in China, the building is notable for its impressive main gate and walls with Arabic engravings of the Koran.

Be sure to also visit the Quanzhou Maritime Museum with its historic displays, including a 24-meter-long 10th-century sailing ship; hundreds of sculptures; and stone tablets with inscriptions in old Chinese, Latin, Syrian, and Arabic. You'll also see numerous ceramic pieces crafted in Quanzhou from the 10th century onwards. Afterwards, spend time exploring the downtown area, popular for its shopping, authentic restaurants, and many fine hotels.

Yangzhou

Yangzhou lies in the central region of Jiangsu province between the Yangtze River and the Grand Canal and can trace its roots back some 2,400 years. It was the building of the canal in the 6th century, however, that saw the city rise in importance as a place of foreign trade, attracting the likes of Arab missionary Behao Aldin in the 7th century and later Marco Polo, who stayed here for a spell.

In addition to being famous for its traditional local cuisine, unique art forms, and handicrafts, the town boasts a number of first-rate attractions, which together form a great walking tour of the old town. These include the picturesque Narrow West Lake ; the old Bridge of the Great Rainbow (Dahong Qiao); the 18th-century Bridge of the Five Pavilions ; and Fuzhuang Island , reached by a zig-zag bridge and home to a number of pleasant pavilions and covered walks.

Another must-see attraction is the 4th-century Temple of Heavenly Peace . Located at the foot of the Mountain of the Plum Blossom (Meihua Ling), it's famous as being the place where, in AD 418, a Nepalese monk translated the Buddhist scriptures. Also worth seeing, the 1,500-year-old Daming Temple was once home to the monk Jianzhen, famous for spreading the Buddhist gospel to Japan.

Old and new buildings in Foshan City

Foshan lies in the center of Guangdong province, about 20 kilometers southwest of the larger city of Canton, and is notable for being one of the oldest towns in China. This popular tourist destination takes its name from three ancient bronze Buddha statues discovered here in AD 628 and soon after became one of the country's most important places of pilgrimage. Under the Song Dynasty from AD 960 to 1279, Foshan became known as a center of the porcelain industry along with metalworking and silk weaving.

Among Foshan's other attractions are the centuries-old Ancestral Temple , now used to stage traditional Cantonese opera performances, and Shi Wan , an old porcelain furnace that's been in operation since the 10th century and is said to have remained permanently lit.

Another highlight of a visit is simply wandering the old town's well-preserved European-influenced streets and courtyards. It's a real treat due to the shopping opportunities at the many small traditional potteries offering their unique goods for sale to curious passersby.

Mogao Grottos, Dunhuang

Although remote, the cities of Dunhuang and Jiayuguan are big draws for adventure seekers and certainly one of the best places to visit in China. Located to the northwest of China, these two cities have long been famous for their association with the Silk Road trading route, which connects Asia with Europe.

Dunhuang's proximity to the Gobi desert - the city was established on an oasis, the first (or last, depending on the direction you were headed) in China - makes it the perfect place to experience a fun sunset camel trek along the dunes. From here, you'll also be able to explore the spectacular ancient Mogao Grotto Caves , man-made dwellings literally chiseled out of the mountainside.

Jiayuguan, some 386 kilometers east of Dunhuang, is where you'll find the spectacular Jiayuguan Pass . This breathtaking natural scenery is enhanced by a number of once important forts, as well as the most westerly section of the Great Wall of China , a real treat to explore due to the fact fewer tourists venture to the area.

After all that adventure, you can enjoy the chance to explore historic Jiayuguan, a popular shopping destination for its many finely crafted goods, as well as a great place to experience authentic regional cuisine.

  • Visiting Dunhuang & Jiayuguan: Mogao Caves, Western End of the Great Wall of China & Camel Trekking

Cherry blossoms blooming at East Lake in Wuhan

Large by Western standards due to its population of nearly three-and-a-half million souls, Wuhan, the capital of Hebei Province, lies at the confluence of the Yangtze and Hanshui rivers on the Beijing-Canton rail route in Central China. Well over 3,000 years old, the city offers a number of first-rate tourist attractions worth exploring on foot.

One of the best is East Lake , the largest urban lake in China and famous for its many gardens, which burst forth each spring in a cacophony of color as cherry trees and lotus flowers bloom. Those with an interest in Chinese culture and history are well served, too, thanks to the excellent Hubei Provincial Museum . Highlights of the museum, regarded as one of the best in China, include rare finds from the 5th-century tomb of Marquis Yi (Zenghouyi), 2,500-year-old musical instruments, and a superb collection of bonsai trees.

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The Terracotta Army, Xi'an

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Li River, Guilin

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Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding

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Yangtze River and the Three Gorges

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Hangzhou's Historic West Lake

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Leshan Giant Buddha

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Hong Kong Skyline

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Zhangjiajie National Forest Park

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Tiananmen Square

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Beijing Ancient Observatory

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National Museum Of China

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The Temple Of Heaven

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The Fayuan Temple

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Nanjing road.

Nanjing Road

Oriental Pearl Tower

Oriental Pearl Tower

The construction of the Oriental Pearl Tower was completed in 1995 and it is the second tallest tower in China. This tower is surrounded by Yangpu Bridge and Nanpu Bridge, creating an amazing view of twin dragons playing with pearls. The unique architecture of this TV and radio tower makes it one of the most attractive places in Shanghai. It is surrounded by green grassland on all sides, making it even more photographic. You can travel up and down the tower in its double-decker elevator and enjoy the view from any of its six observation decks. Location: 1 Century Ave, Lu Jia Zui, Pudong, Shanghai, China Entry Fee: 120 CNY onwards per head Timings: 8 AM to 9:30 PM

Shanghai Museum

Shanghai Museum

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Shanghai Haichang Ocean Park

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Shanghai Auto Museum

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Madame Tussauds

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Longhua Temple And Pagoda

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Longji Rice Terrace

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Elephant Trunk Hill

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Yangshuo West Street

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Mt. Huashan

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Xian Muslim Quarter and the Great Mosque

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Bell & Drum Towers

Hanyang Tomb

Hanyang Tomb

Hanyang Tomb is a wonderful cultural site with more interesting and engaging spots of Terracotta Warriors. This well-structured site mustered with the emperor’s tomb, empress’ tomb along with burial pits and human sacrifice graveyard. The Burial Pits , popularly known as the underground museum or on site subterranean museum, is a worth visiting place in Hanyang Tomb with it's awesome site to walk on the glass floors to view the terracotta smaller scale people of factual values. Location: Weicheng District, Xianyang, Xianyang, Shaanxi, China

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Chimelong Paradise

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Sacred Heart Cathedral

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Canton Tower

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Shamian Island

Shamian Island

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Guangdong Museum

Pearl River

Pearl River

The Pearl River Delta has a bodacious leading role having an important strategic status in the overall effort of China to pursue economic and social development.   It is called Pearl River as the pearl-colored shells lie at the bottom of the river in the section that flows through the city of Guangzhou. Pearl River area is one of the best Places in China bustling with industrial estate yet you'll find the rising of China Pink Dolphins in massive groups floating on the bay. Heading over to the Pearl River, you will get a chance to enjoy night cruising with your loved ones, guided cycle tour of Guangzhou, and a famous Skywalk glass bridge tour. You can also take a day tour to capture the glimpses of alluring natural beauty all around. 

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Huangguoshu Waterfall

Huangguoshu Waterfall

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Shilin Stone Forest

People Also Ask About China

Which are the best places to visit in china with family.

1. Forbidden City: Forbidden city is one of the ancient Places to Visit in China that nestles in the heart of Beijing. The city is spread over an area of 180 acres and is home to some of the finest artifacts and collections that take you back in the timeline of Chinese History. 2. Terracotta Army: The Terracotta Army site is home to more than 8000 strong army frozen in time for almost 2000 years in the past. Heading over to one of the heritage Places to Visit in China, you will be able to witness the entire army with generals, warriors, and horsemen. This site is dedicated to the lost soldiers of Qin Shi Huang- the first known emperor of China. 3. Temple of Heaven: The Temple of Heaven is considered to be one of the most sacred and revered religious Places to Visit in China. Constructed before 600 years in Beijing, this is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Heading over to this place, you will be able to find the symbolism of Taoism. This place is also very much popular among the photographers as its backdrop lets them capture stunning snaps. 4. Great Wall Of China: The Great wall of China happens to be one of the most talked about architectural marvels in the world. The 6000 km long wall built about 2000 years in the past is definitely a paradise for history and architecture lovers.

What can you do in China in 3 days?

1. Boating On River Li: Cruising on the River Li for a period of 4 - 5 hours is surely one of the very first things that you can try out during your China trip. You will have a comfortable experience while kayaking on the river with your loved ones. You can also try out bamboo rafting from Yangshuo on River Li to witness the beautiful and scenic backdrop. 2. Interact With The Cute Pandas: Interacting with the pandas is one of the fun filled things that you do during your trip to China. Capturing the movements of these black and white fluffy animals munching, climbing, and hanging on the bamboo groves are truly adorable. 3. Hike The Floating Mountains: Hiking through the Zhangjiajie National Forest Park is one of the most sought after activities as it mimics the floating mountain in Avatar. You will get to hike around the stunning park with clouds surrounding you. 4. Taste The Hot Pot Of Sichuan: During your stay in China, you must make sure that you taste some of the local cuisines which are known for its fiery flavour. You can try out the hot pot of Sichuan Broth which is known for its color and spicy taste.

What is the best time to visit China?

How to reach china.

By Air: China has got a well connected flight network with the rest of the world. You will get plenty of direct flights to the international airports located in Hong Kong, Hangzhou, Guangzhou, Shanghai, Beijing, and Xiamen. Some of the common flight operators to China are China Southern, Hainan Airlines, Air China, and China Eastern Airlines. By Road: You can reach China from many of its neighbouring countries by bus or by a hired vehicle. You can reach China through Karakoram Highway from Pakistan, Tibet from Nepal, Vietnam, Laos, and Myanmar. By Water: China can be easily reached by ships from Kobe in Japan and the west coast of Korea. There are regular ferry services between Osaka in Japan and Shanghai, Weihai, Qingdao, Tianjin and Shanghai in China to Incheon in Korea, Hong Kong and Macau, and many others.

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Here are the requirements for a Chinese Visa: - Passport - Photographs - Letter of Invitation - Proof of State Residency - Visa Central Order Form - Visa Application Form - Travel Record - Health Declaration - Authorization Letter

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China’s Top Seven Tourist Attractions

Barsbold Baatarsuren

The ancient and varied provinces of China are home to some incredible tourist attractions , and they are quickly becoming one of the most famous places to visit on the planet. You will never be short of incredible sights to see in China, whether you plan to spend time in one of the country's sprawling cities or venture into its serene rural hinterlands.

With so much to see and do, compiling a definitive top ten list of China's major tourist attractions is difficult. But, after much deliberation and consideration, we've come up with a list of China's must-see tourist attractions. Others are simple, while others are a little more unusual, but they all serve to highlight the magnificence of one of the world's most fascinating civilizations.

The Great Wall of China

The Great Wall of China , the world's longest wall and an awe-inspiring feat of ancient defensive architecture, is one of the country's most recognizable landmarks . Its winding route takes in some spectacular scenery as it passes through rugged terrain and steep mountains. It is deserving of its status as one of China's "New Seven Wonders of the World" and UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

Great Wall of China

The wall stretches for 5,000 kilometers (3,100 miles) from China's western border to the east coast, but the most integrated and well-preserved parts are close to Beijing. When people talk about the Great Wall of China, they generally say something like this.

Hiking or walking along China's Great Wall is the best way to see the country's most popular landmark. Walk over centuries-old bricks and through the remains of a watchtower. Take your time to allow the past to come alive for you.

Guilin and Yangshuo's Li River — China's Most Popular Scenery

Artists have been drawn to the karst landscape along the Li River. The beauty of nature there has inspired generations of Chinese painters and writers, who have used their pens and brushes to capture the breathtaking scenery.

Guilin and Yangshuos Li River

It is now a popular photography location. When Chinese tourists think of natural beauty, they think of the Li River and Yangshuo.

The most beautiful part of the Li River is the 83-kilometer stretch between Guilin and Yangshuo. The riverbank is lined with bamboo groves and is adorned with stunning hills, steep mountains, and farming villages.

The Li River was named one of the "World's Top Ten Watery Wonders" by National Geographic Magazine in the United States. Former US Presidents Bill Clinton and George Bush (Senior), as well as Bill Gates, have also paid visits to the Li River.

You might try a SUP (stand-up paddleboard, also known as a mini raft) on the Yulong River, a bamboo raft, a bike tour through the countryside, or a thrilling drive in an all-terrain vehicle.

The Forbidden City & the Imperial Palace

The Forbidden City (Zjnchéng) - also known as the Imperial Palace - is China's largest and most important structure, located in the heart of Beijing and a must-see for anyone visiting the country. Most of the complex that can be seen today was constructed between 1406 and 1420 during the Yuan Dynasty, which lasted from 1271 to 1368. This sprawling complex, which included several magnificent palaces in one, was the home of 24 Ming and Qing Emperors, whose presence prohibited anyone other than the imperial family and their courtesans from entering.

The Forbidden City & the Imperial Palace

This vast complex, which spans 720,000 square meters and is surrounded by a 10-meter-high wall with watchtowers and a large moat, consists of ceremonial and administrative areas, as well as the emperor's private residence. Highlights include the five white marble Golden River Bridges; the 35-meter-tall Hall of Supreme Harmony, which houses the imperial throne; and the magnificent emperor's banquet hall (the Hall of Preserving Harmony); and the Palace Museum, which houses a wide collection of art and objects from the Ming and Qing dynasties.

Cobbled Pedestrian Streets and Small Waterways in Lijiang's Old Town

Lijiang Old Town is known for its ancient cobblestone avenues, stone bridges, and flower-filled water-wheel-driven canals. Everywhere there are shops, cafés, pubs, restaurants, snack stalls, hotels, and hostels.

Cobbled Pedestrian Streets and Small Waterways in Lijiang Old Town

Lijiang Old Town is known for its large waterwheels. They will be visible when you reach the old town. They rotate due to the river that runs through the old town. Next to them is Bar Street, which gets really busy at night.

You can also see Naxi art at the Naxi Hieroglyphs and Painting Exhibition Hall. The Naxi are the only people in the world who still write in hieroglyphs.

Erhai Lake in Dali — One of the Most Stunning Lakes in China

Dali's most beautiful spot is Erhai Lake. It's a lake on a hill. Erhai Lake is named after its shape, which is that of an ear. This plateau lake is like a deep blue jewel in the midst of lush greenery. The lake's water is calm and clear. The gentle breeze by the lake will make you feel at ease.

Erhai Lake in Dali

Every December, flocks of black-headed gulls from Siberia arrive at Erhai Lake to spend the winter.

The fastest way to get around the lake is by bike. It's a great pleasure to capture the elegance of a landscape bathed in sunlight and breezes. Around Erhai Lake, there are two bike routes: Haixi (on Erhai's west shore) and Haidong (on Erhai's east shore).

The Potala Palace in Tibet — Heart of the Roof of the World

Tibet's Potala Palace is a landmark. It was designated as a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage Site in 1994. It's a veritable treasure trove of Tibetan history, faith, culture, and art materials and articles. The valuable paintings, murals, scriptures, Buddhist statues, antiques, and religious jewelry housed inside the palace are well-known.

The Potala Palace in Tibet

You could see the architectural marvel that houses Tibet's regal heritage, hear stories from Dalai Lamas who lived in the palace, and view the palace from four different perspectives.

The Jade Dragon Snow Mountains in Lijiang

Outside of the Andes, Jade Dragon (Yulong) Snow Mountain is the nearest snow-capped mountain range to the equator. In the hearts of the Naxi people, Jade Dragon Snow Mountain is sacred.

The Jade Dragon Snow Mountains in Lijiang

The most stunning scenery of the mountain is made up of glaciers, canyons, waterfalls, and colorful azaleas blooming at various elevations, not to mention its snowy summits.

The famous hiking destination of Jade Dragon Snow Mountain. To get a closer look at the mountain's glory and experience its awesomeness, skip the cable cars and climb it step by step.

To get to a meadow at the southern foot of the mountain range, you'll have to cross a grassland and pass through a forest.

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hunan must see attractions

Top 11 Must-Visit Attractions in Hunan (Most Popular)

Hunan is a Chinese province with beautiful natural scenery and very rich historical and humanistic landscapes.

This province is home to world-famous geological wonders such as Zhangjiajie, Hengshan Mountain with its global reputation, Phoenix Ancient Town, the poetic, picturesque and dreamy Dongjiang Lake, and Shaoshan, the birthplace of the great man, Mao Zedong .

This article will guide you to enjoy the beautiful scenery of Hunan by introducing the top 11 famous attractions in this province.

Table of Contents

1. zhangjiajie wulingyuan – national forest park, 2. tianmen mountain, 3. hengshan mountain, 4. changsha orange isle, 5. yueyang tower, 6. yuelu mountain in changsha, 7. fenghuang ancient town, 8. dongjiang lake, 9. shaoshan (the birthplace of mao zedong, a place in hunan province), 10. mangshan, 11. changde peach blossom garden (taohuayuan).

Hunan, named for its location to the south of Dongting Lake, is known simply as “Xiang” (“湘”) with Changsha being its capital.

Hunan Province is one of the multi-ethnic provinces with a large land area. It has both natural landscapes and historical and humanistic landscapes. Fifty-five ethnic groups , including the Han, Miao, Bai, and Tujia, together constitute the unique Hunan culture.

So, what are the attractions worth visiting in such a special province? Let’s find out together.

zhangjiajie national park

The most worthwhile attraction in Hunan can be Zhangjiajie Wulingyuan. Wulingyuan Scenic Spot is one of China’s famous tourist attractions, a national 5A-level tourist area, one of the earliest places listed in China’s World Natural Heritage.

The natural scenery of Wulingyuan is characterized by wonderous peaks, deep valleys, and beautiful forests. There are more than 3,000 wonderous peaks in the shapes of people, beasts, vessels, and objects, with realistic and spectacular images.

Yellow Stone Village, Golden Whip Stream, and Yuanjiajie in the National Forest Park are the core attractions of Zhangjiajie. Huangshizhai is the most worthwhile attraction in Zhangjiajie Forest Park, and it is said that “if you don’t go to Huangshizhai, you’ve been to Zhangjiajie in vain”.

  • Ticket: $227 per person
  • Time to visit: March-May
  • Excursions: hiking, sightseeing, rafting, etc.

tianmenshan

Known as the “Number One Mountain Gate in China” and named after the natural wonder “Tianmen Cave”, Tianmen Mountain is one of the most famous peaks in China. It is known as the “First Divine Mountain in Xiangxi” and “Soul of Wuling”.

The Tianmen Mountain uplift began with the Yanshan Movement, and then underwent the Himalayan orogeny, creating the main body of this uplift. Through strong erosion and leaching, this uplift formed the current karst mountain landscape.

Tianmen Mountain integrates majesty, wonder, beauty, danger, and seclusion. The mountaintop forest is a primitive sub forest, with a variety of precious tree species and abundant wildlife resources.

In this forest, ancient trees tower high above the sky, vines are entwined, and stalagmites and stalagmites are everywhere, resembling a natural bonsai. It is known as the world’s most beautiful ‘Sky Garden” and “Heavenly Wonderland”.

  • Admission: 258 yuan/person
  • Opening Hours: 7:00-16:00
  • Recommended travel time: spring and autumn
  • Recommended amusement project: glass walkway

hengshan mountain snow scene

The Scenic Area of Hengshan Mountain is one of the five most famous mountains in China. As a famous Taoist and Buddhist holy place in China, Hengshan Mountain boasts over 200 temples, monasteries, nunneries, and temples around the mountain, which makes it a worthwhile place to visit in Hunan.

The high aptitude of Zhu Rong Peak of Hengshan Mountain, the beauty of the Hall of Buddhist Scriptures, the uniqueness of the Water Curtain Cave, and the depth of the Fang Guang Si (a temple) are known as the “Four Perfections of Hengshan”.

Spring flowers, summer clouds, autumn sun, and winter snow are “the Best Sceneries in Hengshan Mountain in the Four Seasons”.

This mountain has many natural sceneries and cultural heritages, such as Longwang Temple, the Cliff of Thinking, and Yangguan Village, etc. So, it is a comprehensive scenic spot with a variety of tourism resources.

  • Recommendation reason : Being able to experience Taoist culture and natural scenery.
  • Recommended time : suitable for all seasons
  • Amusement projects : mountain climbing, visiting Taoist temples, paying respects, and so on.

changsha orange isle

Changsha Orange Isle is one of the most famous tourist attractions in Changsha City, Hunan province. Facing Changsha City to the east, facing Yuelu Mountain to the west, and surrounded by water on all sides, Changsha Orange Isle is located in the middle of the Xiangjiang River, running from south to north across the river center and resembling a long island.

Famous for Mao Zedong’s poetry “Qinyuan Spring • Changsha”, Changsha Orange Isle is known as the “First Isle of China”.

There are many scenic spots on Orange Isle, including Youth Art Sculpture, Wentian Terrace, Orange Island Park, Zhenjiang Pavilion, Gongji Tower, Isle Head Square, Bamboo Garden, Baimu Orange Garden, Tingjiang Pavilion, and Xiaoxiang Celebrity Club. These spots complement each other.

  • The scenic area has a large area, so it is recommended to take a sightseeing train at 40 yuan/person (50% discount for students);
  • Fireworks will be displayed on New Year’s Day , Mid-Autumn Festival , the Lantern Festival, May Day, and other traditional festivals every year;
  • You should pay attention to the weather forecast in advance, and if it rains heavily, Orange Isle will be closed.

yueyang tower

Yueyang Tower is a national 5A-level tourist scenic area, a key cultural relic protection unit in China, and one of the top ten cultural heritage sites in Hunan province. It is known as the “Three Famous Buildings in South of the Yangtze River”, with Huanghe Tower and Tengwang Pavilion.

Yueyang Tower was built during the Eastern Jin Dynasty, and it has a history of over 1700 years. Climbing up the tower, one can overlook the beautiful scenery of the entire Dongting Lake.

Yueyang Tower is 19 meters high, and it is made of wood with three floors, four columns, cornices, an arch of wooden architecture, and a helmet roof. The entire building adopts a purely wooden structure, without using a single nail or rivet, all relying on the interlocking of wooden components.

Li Bai , Du Fu , Bai Juyi , Fan Zhongyan , and many other historical figures have visited Yueyang Tower and left poems that have been passed down through the ages.

  • Recommendation reason: You can enjoy one of the famous scenic spots in Hunan and enjoy the beautiful scenery of Dongting Lake;
  • Recommended time: suitable for traveling in spring and autumn, with a suitable climate;
  • Amusement projects: climbing to view the scenery and visiting the exhibition halls inside the building

aiwan pavilion

Yuelu Mountain is a landmark mountain in Changsha, located in the Orange Isle tourist attraction. It is the last peak of the 72 peaks of Hengshan Mountain and one of the four major destinations for maple viewing in China.

Yuelu Mountain boasts beautiful natural scenery and cultural heritage, with famous scenic spots such as Yuelu Academy, Aiwan Pavilion, Lushan Temple, and Yunlu Palace. The mountains are lush with ancient and famous trees.

The famous scenic spot, Yuelu Academy, was founded in the ninth year of Kaibao in the Northern Song Dynasty. It is known as the four ancient Chinese academies, along with the Bailudong Academy, Songyang Academy, and Suiyang Academy.

There is a pair of couplets at the entrance, “Genius is all in CHU, especially in the Yuelu Academy”, which is widely circulated.

  • Admission: free for the Gate; RMB40 for Yuelu Academy
  • Recommended time: In December of each year, red leaves come into your sight. Aiwan Pavilion and Huangxing Tomb are good places to see red leaves.
  • Opening Hours : 07:00-22:00

fenghuang night scene

Fenghuang Ancient City is a minority community mainly composed of 28 ethnic groups.

It is a national 4A level scenic area and has been awarded honorary titles such as “National Historical and Cultural City”, “National Key Cultural Relics Protection Unit”, and “Top Ten Cultural Heritage Sites in Hunan”.

Fenghuang Ancient City is located in the southwest of Xiangxi Tujia and Miao Autonomous Region, covering an area of 10 square kilometers. There are numerous antique buildings including Chaoyang Palace, Ancient City Museum, and Yang Family Ancestral Hall.

This ancient city is also known as one of the most beautiful places in China with its excellent scenery.

  • Tour Route : Hongqiao – Dongmen City Tower – Yang Family Ancestral Hall – Chongde Hall – Tianhou Palace – Longnan – Shen Congwen’s Former Residence – South Gate – Chaoyang Palace – Dacheng Hall – Jiang Tiaoyan – Tuojiang – Hangjiao Tower
  • Festival activities : New Year’s Eve, “Sanyuesan Festival” (The Zhuang Nationality March 3), “Tomb Sweeping Day”, and “April 8 th ” and “June 6 th ” of the Miao nationality.

Precautions:

  • Do not enter the house with an umbrella;
  • Do not casually step on the threshold;
  • When visiting Miao families, do not take the main seat in the main hall;
  • Coins are not allowed in the ancient city of Phoenix. It is best to prepare cash when you travel to the city.

little dongjiang lake

Dongjiang Lake is a national 5A level tourist attraction, national scenic spot, national wetland park, and national water conservancy scenic area. It is also the largest source of drinking water in Hunan Province.

“ There is a lake in the sky on earth, with a thousand sights in it, ”, which is how Chinese people praise the lake.

Dongjiang Lake is located in Zixing City in the southeastern Hunan Province. It is surrounded by the south of the Nanling Mountain and Luoxiao Mountains, and it is also one of the sources of Lei Shui drainage.

The lake covers an area of 160 square kilometers. It has a vast expanse of smoke and blue waves. The Water Mist in Dongjiang Lake is titled “Chinese Wonder and Cosmic Wonder”.

From April to November every year, before and after the sun rises and sets, from the gate of Dongjiang Scenic Area to the narrow Pinghu Lake of Xiaodong River, which is 12 kilometers away from Dongjiang Dam, the clouds are shining brightly, like a jade belt fluttering in the canyon and wandering in a fairyland. It is extremely beautiful and can be called a masterpiece of China.

The best time for observing mist:

  • 1. From April to October every year, from 6:30 am to 8:30 am and from 17:30 pm to 19:30 pm, it is the best time to observe the mist;
  • 2. There is no fog on rainy days, and the fog will be relatively small on cloudy days.

The main landscapes: Wuman Xiaodong River, Dongjiang Dam, Longjing Canyon, Doubi Lingyan, Dongjiang Drifting, Sanxiang Sishui Dongjiang Cultural Tourism Street (including Dongjiang Qishi Museum, Photography Art Museum, and Humanities Xiaoxiang Museum);

Tourist Projects : Dongjiang rafting, water parachuting, water plane, water motorcycle, water slide, lakeside fishing, Yao folk song, and dance performances.

the birthplace of maozedong

If you don’t visit Shaoshan when you come to Hunan province, you cannot say that you have been to Hunan province. Shaoshan is the hometown of the great leader Chairman Mao, as well as the place where he lived, studied, worked, and engaged in revolutionary activities in his youth.

Shaoshan, with its graceful and beautiful scenery, is named after Emperor Shun’s southern tour to play Shao music. It is a place of diverse great people and pleasant sceneries. Shaofeng is also the highest peak in the scenic area, with an altitude of 519 meters. It is the highest peak and one of the 72 peaks in Hengshan Mountain.

  • Famous tourist attractions: Mao Zedong’s Former Residence and Dishui Cave
  • Admission: Free at the entrance of the scenic area, Mao Zedong Memorial Park: RMB60 for adults, half-price (RMB 30) for children; A peak in Shaoshan scenic area: RMB40, Dishui Cave: RMB40 for adults.
  • Travel time: Shaoshan is a scenic area suitable for traveling in all four seasons, but it is recommended to travel in this sight for 2.5 hours.

mangshan national park

Mangshan National Forest Park, a national 4A scenic spot, is also known as “Little Mount Huangshan” and “Little Zhangjiajie” because of its strange mountains, beautiful water, secluded forests, and strange rocks.

This scenic area has the largest and most well-preserved native evergreen broad-leaved forest in the same latitude zone on Earth, as well as abundant animal and plant resources.

There are more than 50 nationally-protected animals, including the giant panda, and the southern yew, earning it the nickname of “Green Pearl” and “Animal and Plant Gene Bank”.

Mangshan consists of two scenic spots: Forest Park and Five Finger Peak (Wuzhifeng Peak). The forest park covers a large area and contains three attractions: General’s Cottage, Tiantai Mountain, and Monkey King’s Cottage. Five Fingers Peak is connected to the forest park, but it is also a separate scenic spot.

  • Tour Route : East Gate→Ropeway Wuzhifeng Station→Ropeway Upper Tiantai Temple Station→Trestle Middle Line→Canyon Restaurant→Motianling Elevator→Trestle Upper Line→Small Tiantai→Tiantai Temple→Tiantai Trail→Trestle Middle Line→Ropeway Tiantai Temple Station→Ropeway Wuzhifeng Station→East Gate
  • Travel recommendations: due to the high elevation of the scenic area, with an average height difference of 1300 meters, and the changing climate, please take rain gear and coats to prevent cold and warm weather
  • Travel time: spring, summer, autumn

peach blossom garden

Changde Peach Blossom Garden has been rated as one of the “Eight Cultural Landscapes in China that Must Be Visited in a Lifetime” and one of the first of the ten cultural and tourism towns with distinct characteristics in Hunan Province.

The scenic area is renowned both domestically and internationally for its picturesque scenery, prosperous temples, pavilions, abundant poetry, inscriptions, and unique historical legends.

Within this garden, there are exquisite bamboo groves, intertwined with longevity vines, and fragrant flowers and plants. Decorated with stone steps, winding paths, pavilions, and steles, it feels like a fairyland.

Admission: 128RMB for adults, 61RMB for child/elderly/student;

Travel time: Available in all seasons. Spring is the most recommended time for a visit. Every year from late March to May, the scenic area holds the annual “Peach Blossom Festival”.

Recommended route :

  • 1 . Taoyuan Tourist Center → Wuliu Wharf → Boating Qinxi → Tang Shiqiao Wharf → Qingu → Qinjie → Wuliu Town → “Taohuayuan” Tourist Center.
  • 2. Qinxi Square (Pier) → Boating Qinxi → Tang Shiqiao Pier → Qingu → Qinjie → Wuliu Lake → Wuliu Town → Performance with water in the mountain → Qinxi Square.

With this article, you can learn about the 11 major tourist destinations in Hunan province, each with its unique charm and characteristics.

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Jane He is a translator for Anyofchina.com. She loves anything about China, especially Chinese festivals, Chinese culture, Chinese ethnicity, Chinese food, and many cool facts about China. Being a Chinese, Jane is passionate about spreading anything with Chinese characteristics to people worldwide drawing on her experience, knowledge, and understanding of her homeland.

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Shanghai Attractions

Shanghai, known as the Paris of the East, is a gateway city to visit China. Sightseeing in Shanghai can be a daunting task. In a megacity Shanghai where there's something different to see around every corner, it can be hard to know where to start. If you are planning your visit, use our definitive guide to the top Shanghai attractions whenever you're entertaining out-of-town guests or simply want to play tourist and revisit iconic places. We've compiled the most popular sights and spots in Shanghai on tripadvisor with detailed info about their location, opening hours, tickets, and recommended visiting time, and the attractions include towering skyscrapers, great parks, museums, exotic streets, historical venues, etc. Landmarks like the Bund , Nanjing Road , Oriental Pearl TV Tower , Yu Garden & Bazaar are perennial favorites, but we’ve also highlighted a few of our favorite gems, such as Zhujiajiao Water Town , Shanghai Disneyland . Thirsty for more? Discover the 35 very best attractions in Shanghai to learn about its past and present, Start your Shanghai tour now!

Shanghai Attractions

Shanghai Attractions Map (Click to Enlarge)

Shanghai Attractions by Category - Table of Page Contents

Skyscrapers & observation decks & towers.

  • Oriental Pearl TV Tower
  • Shanghai World Financial Center
  • Shanghai Tower
  • Jinmao Tower

Exotic Buildings

  • Wukang Road
  • Heping Fandian
  • Xujiahui Catholic Church

Shopping Areas

  • Nanjing Road
  • Shanghai Xintiandi

Traditional Chinese Gardens & Temples

  • Yu Garden & Bazaar
  • Jade Buddha Temple
  • City God Temple
  • Jing'an Temple
  • Longhua Temple

Museums in Shanghai

  • Shanghai Museum
  • Urban Planning Exhibition Center
  • Shanghai History Museum
  • Shanghai Natural History Museum
  • China Arts Museum
  • Shanghai Science and Technology Museum
  • Shanghai Maglev Museum

Entertainment Sites in Shanghai

  • Shanghai Disney Resort
  • Huangpu River Cruise
  • Shanghai Circus World
  • Shanghai Sightseeing Tunnel
  • Shanghai Ocean Aquarium
  • Shanghai Zoo

Ancient Water Towns in Shanghai

  • Zhujiajiao Ancient Town
  • Fengjing Water Town
  • Qibao Ancient Town

Artistic Zones

  • Shanghai Tianzifang
  • M50 Creative Park

Public Parks in Shanghai

  • People's Square
  • Century Park

the Bund in Shanghai

No. 1: The Bund

The Bund, “a gallery of international architectures”, is the landmark of Shanghai. It is always the best place to view Shanghai. Take a stroll along the embankment of the Huangpu River, and you’ll get various architectural styles from Gothic, Baroque, Romanesque to Classicism and the Renaissance in your camera. The modern skyscrapers of Lujiazui across Huangpu River in Pudong New Area provide another backdrop. The night view here is more breathtaking, how about taking an evening cruise or a stroll by it?

Type: Historic Walking Areas, Points of Interest & Landmarks, Sights & Landmarks

Opening Hours: All Day

Tickets: Free Entry

Recommended Visiting Time: 1 - 2 hours

Address: On the bank of Huangpu River, Shanghai, Huangpu District, Shanghai 上海市黄浦区中山东一路(临黄浦江)

Oriental Pearl TV Tower in Shanghai

No. 2: Oriental Pearl TV Tower

Standing at the end of the Huangpu River, the Oriental Pearl TV Tower soars 468 meters, setting the character of the new urban area as well as its cityscape. An all-around panorama view of Shanghai from the tallest TV tower in Asia and the third tallest in the world can be amazing, walking on the glass bottom and feeling your adrenaline pumps is also cool. It is worthy to visit in the late afternoon that you could see the sunset and the city come alive with lights.

Type: Observation Decks & Towers, Modern Buildings & Landmarks

Opening Hours: 8:00-21:30

Tickets: CNY 35- CNY 458

Recommended Visiting Time: 2 hours

Address: No. 1, Century Avenue, Pudong New Area, Shanghai, China 上海市浦东新区世纪大道1号

Yuyuan Garden in Shanghai

No. 3: Yu Garden & Bazaar

Dating back to the 16th Century, Yuyuan Garden is the most revered green space in Shanghai. Known as the “Mountains and Forest within the City”, it is crowded to bursting point every day. And yet, it managed to maintain something of its air of serenity. Here, you’ll find ornate structures as well as intimate enclaves that are divided by “dragon walls”. Highlights include the Heralding Spring Hall, the Jade Magnificent Hall, and the Lotus Pool. Out of the Yuyuan Garden is the Yuyuan Bazaar where you could explore how elaborating and cute the traditional Chinese handicrafts and art works are, and also savor some local flavor snacks here…

Type: Gardens, Nature & Parks, Bazaar

Opening Hours: 09:00-16:30, No entry after 16:00, closed on Monday

Tickets: CNY 40 - Peak Season (Apr to Jun, Sep to Nov); CNY 30 - (Jul to Aug, Dec to Mar)

Address: No. 168 Fuyou Street, Huangpu District, Shanghai 上海市黄浦区福佑路168号

Shanghai Attractions

No. 4: Shanghai Disney Resort

Shanghai Disney Resort is the first Disney resort in mainland China and the sixth one in the world. In Disneyland Park, you can lignite your dream by exploring Mickey Avenue, Gardens of Imagination, Fantasyland, Treasure Cove, Adventure Isle, and Tomorrowland with different themes, characters, and activities. It is about 18 kilometers from Shanghai Pudong International Airport, about 27 kilometers from the Huangpu River area. Disney is a dreamland for both children and adults. With Disney Resort, your Shanghai tour will be more enjoyable.

Type: Theme Parks, Water & Amusement Parks

Opening Hours: 09:00~21:00

Tickets: CNY 261 - CNY 1250

Recommended Visiting Time: half day to one day

Address: No. 310 Huangzhao Road, Chuansha Town, Pudong New District, Shanghai 上海市浦东新区川沙镇黄赵路310号

Nanjing Road in Shanghai

No. 5: Nanjing Road

Running west from the Bund, Nanjing Road is Shanghai’s foremost shopping street and is one of the world’s busiest shopping streets. The Shanghai equivalent of New York’s Fifth Avenue, Nanjing Road boasts retailers from all over the world. In the daylight, you’ll admire the graceful architecture of the surrounding buildings. At night, you’ll marvel at the illuminated logos and brand names that line the avenue.

Type: Shopping, Street, Points of Interest & Landmarks

Address: Nanjing East Road & Nanjing West Road, Huangpu District & Jing’an district, Shanghai 上海市黄浦区&静安区,南京东路&南京西路

Shanghai World Financial Center

No. 6: Shanghai World Financial Center

Shanghai World Financial Center in the key CBD is a new and vital landmark in Shanghai. Being the fifth tallest building in the world with a total height of 492 meters, SWFC provides visitors the world's highest observatory at 474 meters high that is the best deck to appreciate the panorama of the whole old and new Shanghai, including the Bund, Oriental Pearl TV Tower, Jinmao Tower, and Huangpu River, and so on.

Sky Walk Opening Hours: 11:00~21:00 (No entry after 20:00, except for major festivals)

Tickets: Free Entry (Sky Walk: CNY 135 per person, CNY 200 for two)

Address: 上海市浦东新区世纪大道88号

Shanghai Tower

No. 7: Shanghai Tower

Just Completed in 2016, Shanghai Tower of 632 m high is at present the tallest skyscraper in China and proudly the second tallest one in the entire world, with the 828 m high Burj Khalifa Tower in Dubai being the No. 1. Designed by Gensler from America with the fabulous stream-lined spiral facade, the world's highest observation, great functions to save more energy, top-class environment for offices and other functions, Shanghai Tower is so much attractive to visitors from the globe. Catch the chance to stimulate your body at the over 500 m high place. Let's Go!

Opening Hours: 8:30-22:00

Tickets: CNY 180

Address: No. 501, Middle Yincheng Road, Pudong New Area, Shanghai China

Jinmao Tower

No. 8: Jinmao Tower

The Jinmao Tower is situated in the heart of Lujiazui Finance and Trade Zone in Pudong New Area. This 88-story skyscraper, Jinmao Tower rises 420 meters, making it one of the tallest buildings in the world. The Observation Deck of Jinmao Tower is on Level 88, 340 meters above the ground. In bright and comfortable light, you could enjoy a bird’s eye view of Shanghai City. In addition, it offers a topside view of the hotel atrium lobby.

Opening Hours: Jan - 08:30-21:00 (no entry after 20:30); Feb to Dec - 09:00-20:30 (no entry after 20:00)

Sightseeing Tickets: CNY 85

Address: 88 Century Avenue, Lujiazui, Pudong New Area, Shanghai 上海市浦东新区陆家嘴世纪大道88号

Shanghai Attractions

No. 9: Huangpu River

The Huangpu River, known as the Mother River of Shanghai as well as the largest river in Shanghai, is a 113-kilometer long river flowing through Shanghai which is the last tributary of Yangtze River ends in the East China Sea. Puxi (West Bank) and Pudong (East Bank) are bounded by it, forming the world-famous Bund, Lujiazui financial zone, and other important landmarks. The western side of Puxi is home to “An Exhibition of International Buildings”. The eastern side of Pudong is a recent development of the last few decades and is the new business and financial district boasting many awesome glass and steel towers.

Type: River Cruise; Bodies of Water

Opening Hours: 11:00~21:30

Tickets: CNY 120 per person (without dining and snacks onboard)

Recommended Visiting Time: 2 - 3 hours

Address: Huangpu River, Pudong New Area, Shanghai 上海市浦东新区黄浦江

Shanghai Museum

No. 10: Shanghai Museum

Shanghai Museum is not only the cultural landmark of Shanghai but the biggest museum in China with numerous fine Chinese artifacts. It contains over 120,000 items rated precious cultural relics. Unlike many museums in China, it arranges its exhibits by theme rather than by dynasty. The collection consists of 21 categories, having its highlights bronze wares from Shang and Zhou Dynasties, pottery and porcelain spanning 8,000 years, and a large variety of calligraphy works and paintings.

Type: Comprehensive Museum, historical & Cultural site

Opening Hours: 9:00-17:00, no entering after 16:00, closed on Monday (except national holidays)

Tickets: Free Ticket

Address: No. 201, Peoples Avenue, Huangpu District, Shanghai, China (上海市黄浦区人民大道201号)

Zhujiajiao Water Town in Shanghai

No. 11: Zhujiajiao Ancient Town

Known as the “Venice in Shanghai”, Zhujiajiao Ancient Town has a history of 1,700 years and is a well-preserved waterside ancient town. In Zhjiajiao Water Town, You could take the traditional boat to cruise along the canals and see the old residences, shops and bridges that are filled with classic architectural tone in Ming and Qing Dynasties (1368 - 1911).

Type: Water Town, Architectural Buildings, Historic Site

Address: Zhujiajiao Town, Qingpu District, Shanghai 上海市青浦区朱家角古镇旅游区

Jade Buddha Temple

No. 12: Jade Buddha Temple

Quite different from many other temples hidden in mountains and forests, Jade Buddha Temple shows itself in the center of Shanghai city. It enjoys a high reputation both home and abroad for the extraordinary jade Buddha enshrined within it, hence the temple’s name. Among the clouds of incense smoke, it’s kind of unexpected to see so many pilgrims in such a modern city, no fewer than in Tibet.

Type: Buddhist Temples, Sacred & Religious Sites, Architectural Buildings

Opening Hours: 8:00-16:30 (Except for Major Festivals, No entry after 16:00)

Tickets: CNY 20

Address: No. 170 Anyuan Road, Putuo District, Shanghai 上海市普陀区 安远路170号

Shanghai Attractions

No. 13: Old Wukang Road

Shanghai Old Wukang Road area is located in Huangpu district (黄浦区) and Xuhui District (徐汇区). Since its opening up in 1849, groups of foreigners from many countries came to Shanghai and settled down. Travelers can appreciate the diverse types of old buildings in exotic styles and feel the rich culture mixed with local Shanghai features and Western styles, with leafy trees side by.

Type: Historic & Cultural Site, Walking Streets, Old Exotic Buildings

Address: 22 Jianguo Middle Road, Huangpu District, Shanghai 上海市黄浦区建国中路22号

Tianzifang

No. 14: Tianzifang

Tianzifang at Taikang Road is one of the coolest places to wander in Shanghai. A lot of artistic and cultural studios of celebrities and young creatives set here in the typical Shikumen houses of both Shanghai and western styles make the mazy lanes full of artistic culture. Strolling along the old paths to see the daily life of the residents here to feel the old Shanghai flavor, watching people chatting and laughing in the restaurants and bars from many other countries, and finding various kinds of interesting items and Chinese crafts are especially funny!

Type: Historical & Cultural Lanes, Artistic Shops, International Restaurants

Address: No. 210, Taikang Road, Huangpu District, Shanghai, China

Shanghai Attractions

No. 15: Shanghai Xintiandi

Located in the downtown area of Shanghai City, Shanghai Xintiandi is a historical site as well as a fashionable center full of entertainment, restaurants, and shopping malls. You could enjoy the antique and rebuilt Shikumen structure which is a witness of the communication between the building cultures of western countries and China. Despite in old appearance, the inside life is tailor-made for people in modern society, you can feast on the international art galleries, fashion shops, coffee houses, themed restaurants, and so forth.

Type: Neighborhoods, Points of Interest & Landmarks, Shopping & Entertainment

Address: Xintiandi, Huangpu District, Shanghai 200021, China 上海市黄浦区新天地

Shanghai Urban Planning Exhibition Center

No. 16: Shanghai Urban Planning Exhibition Center

Are you curious about what turned Shanghai into today’s super city? Shanghai Urban Planning Exhibition Center is a must-see to witness how Shanghai became a cosmopolitan city from a shabby fishing village. With the theme of “ City, man, environment, and development” it serves for exhibition, research, communication, consultation, education, and sightseeing. The 3rd Floor is perhaps the most impressive, which displays a scale model of Shanghai. A cup of coffee on the top will be a good ending to this time travel.

Type: Museum, Exhibition Hall, Points of Interest

Opening Hours: 9:00-17:00; Tuesday to Sunday

Tickets: CNY 30

Address: No. 100, Peoples Avenue, Huangpu District, Shanghai, China.

Shanghai Attractions

No. 17: City God Temple

City God Temple of Shanghai, an important Taoist temple, also known as Chenghuang Temple or Cheng Huang Miao is located in the most prosperous and prestigious Yu Garden scenic area. It was built in the Yongle period of the Ming Dynasty (1403 - 1424). It has a history of nearly six hundred years and witnessed the rise and fall, the peace and war of Shanghai. The main building includes the front square, the main hall, the Yuan Chen hall, the God of wealth hall, the Ci Hang Hall, the city god hall, and the goddess hall. It was destroyed during the war and closed in 1966, and rebuilt and reopened in 1994.

Type: Temple, Park, Bazaar

Opening Hours: 08:30-16:30, No entry after 16:00, except for major holidays

Tickets: CNY 10

Address: 249 Fangbang Zhong Road, Huangpu District, Shanghai 上海市黄浦区方浜中路249号

Shanghai Circus World

No. 18: Shanghai Circus World

Referred as the No. 1 Circus World in China, Shanghai Circus World is a world-renowned comprehensive recreational venue with a uniquely designed building and acrobatic performance. It enjoys excellent hardware like complete facilities, advanced devices, and full-equipped functions as well as preeminent acrobats. Two great programs are performed in the Shanghai Circus World. One is ERA - Intersection of Time, from which the audiences could watch the most magical scenes and breathtaking acrobatics. The other is the Happy Circus, which is most loved by the kids and recommended as a family tour.

Type: Architectural Buildings, Theatre, Shows & Performance

Opening Hours: 09:00 ~ 19:30

Tickets: 130 RMB ~ 880 RMB

Address: No. 2266, Gonghexin Road, Zhabei District, Shanghai 200073, China

Shanghai Attractions

No. 19: Shanghai Sightseeing Tunnel

The Bund sightseeing tunnel is located in the Pudong New Area between Oriental Pearl TV Tower and the Nanjing East Road. It is a pioneering work in the history of tunnel construction. It is the first cross-river pedestrian tunnel in China, with a total length of 646.70 meters, with a total construction area of nearly 17500 square meters. With the ocean-themed lighting and shadow, it is like a dreamland. The entrance to the Bund sightseeing tunnel is located on the west side of the Oriental Pearl TV Tower, on the south side of the International Conference Center, and the other entrance is located on the north side of Chen Yi square of Puxi.

Type: Sightseeing, Points of Interest & Entertainment

Opening Hours: 09:00-21:30

Tickets: CNY 50 - CNY 70

Recommended Visiting Time: 1 hour

Address: 2789 Binjiang Avenue, Pudong New Area, Shanghai 上海市浦东新区滨江大道2789号

Shanghai Attractions

No. 20: Shanghai Ocean Aquarium

Shanghai ocean aquarium is next to the Oriental Pearl TV Tower. You can get to see all kinds of marine life from all over the world, as well as interesting animal shows. The four underwater tunnels are very popular, where allow you to step into them to watch sharks and turtles swimming overhead. Here, you can see the Australian archerfish, African multi finfish, Southeast Asian White ax shark, South American eel, Antarctic penguin, lovely seahorse, etc. It is the only aquarium in the world that has an independent Chinese exhibition area to display aquatic lives, such as Chinese sturgeon, rouge fish, Chinese alligator, giant salamander, etc.

Type: Features Animals, Aquariums

Opening Hours: 09:00-18:00 (no entry after 17:30)

Tickets: CNY 155

Address: 1388 Lujiazui Ring Road, Pudong New Area, Shanghai 上海市浦东新区陆家嘴环路1388号

Fengjing Water Town in Shanghai

No. 21: Fengjing Water Town

With a history of more than 1,500 years, Fengjing is the only township in Shanghai on the list of Historic Towns of China. This town is renowned for its cultural background, elegant waters, well-preserved ancient houses, and traditional lifestyle with a strong local flavor. It is also known as the birthplace of the famed Jinshan Peasant Painting, which has won popularity for its creative designs and bright colors that vividly depict town’s culture and customs.

Opening Hours: Aug to Apr: 08:00-16:30 (No entry after 16:00); May to Sep: 08:00-17:00 (No entry after 16:30)

Address: Lane 8588, Tingfeng highway, Fengjing town, Jinshan District, Shanghai 上海市金山区枫泾镇亭枫公路8588弄

Shanghai Attractions

No. 22: Jing'an Temple

Jing'an Temple is located in the prosperous Jing'an district, with convenient transportation. The architectural style of the temple is integrated with the Tibetan temple. The silver Buddha in the main hall weighs 15 tons. Guanyin hall is set in the East Chamber on the right side of the first floor. The Guanying Buddha inside is 6.2 meters high. On the left side of the west chamber is the hall of Sakyamuni, which houses the 3.87-meter-high Sakyamuni Jade Buddha. This jade Buddha is much larger than the Jade Buddha in Jade Buddha Temple. The roof of Jing'an Temple is covered with copper tiles, and the top of the pagoda behind the temple is painted in gold. Looking afar, the whole temple is shining under the sun.

Type: Historic Sites, Sacred & Religious Sites

Opening Hours: 07:30-17:00

Tickets: CNY 50

Address: 1686 Nanjing West Road, Jing'an District, Shanghai 上海市静安区南京西路1686号

Shanghai Attractions

No. 23: Longhua Temple

Longhua Temple is the oldest and largest ancient temple in Shanghai with a history of more than 1700 years. From south to north, along the central axis of Longhua temple is Maitreya hall, Tianwang Hall, Daxiong Hall, Sansheng hall, and Sutra library. The Daxiong hall is very solemn. In front of it, there are three golden statues of Buddhas, Tathagata, Manjusri, and Puxian. On the back, there are exquisite statues of Guanyin. On both sides of the hall, there are carved sixteen Arhats. There are bell and drum towers on the East and west sides of the temple.

Type: Sacred & Religious Sites

Opening Hours: 9:00-16:30

Address: 2853 Longhua Road, Longhua Town, Xuhui District, Shanghai 上海市徐汇区龙华镇龙华路2853号

Shanghai Attractions

No. 24: Shanghai History Museum

Shanghai History Museum was founded in 1983, formerly known as the Shanghai Museum of historical relics. In 1991, Shanghai History Museum was changed to its current name. It reflects the historical development of Shanghai. It has collected a large number of cultural relics and documents representing the historical process of Shanghai. If you are interested in the history of Shanghai, there are more than 4 hundred relics to see. Shanghai History Museum was founded in 1983, formerly known as the Shanghai Museum of historical relics. In 1991, Shanghai History Museum was changed to its current name.

Type: History Museums

Opening Hours: 09:00-17:00 (No entry after 16:00), Tuesday to Sunday

Address: 325 Nanjing West Road, Huangpu District, Shanghai 上海市黄浦区南京西路325号

Shanghai Attractions

No. 25: China Arts Museum

China Arts Museum used to be the National Pavilion of China in the Shanghai World Expo. The multimedia version of Qingming Riverside is the treasure of the China Arts Museum, there are many works of modern artists on display here. The exhibition hall of the art palace is mainly located on the 0-m, 5-m, 33-m, 41-m, and 49-m floors. You can take the elevator to go up and down the stairs. It is recommended to take the direct elevator to the 49-m floor to enjoy the multimedia "Qingming Riverside map". Then you can visit it from top to bottom. The other floors mainly display various works of modern Chinese artists, as well as temporary exhibitions of works of art at home and abroad.

Type: Specialty Museums

Opening Hours: 10:00-18:00 (No entry after 17:00), Tuesday to Sunday

Recommended Visiting Time: 3 - 5 hours

Address: 205 Shangnan Road, Pudong New Area, Shanghai 上海市浦东新区上南路205号

Shanghai Attractions

No. 26: Shanghai Natural History Museum

Shanghai Natural History Museum is one of the largest natural history museums in China, located in Jing'an District. In the museum, the skeleton of a 26-meter long Zhongjiamamen River dinosaur is the most eye-catching. It is the largest dinosaur in Asia with the longest neck in the world. The new museum has five floors, two on the ground and three underground. It usually starts from the second floor above the ground and goes down in turn. The whole journey takes about half a day to a day. The last two underground floors are the most abundant exhibition areas. There are 10 permanent exhibitions in the museum, which are divided into three systems: natural evolution, living environment, and human civilization.

Type: Features Animals, Specialty Museums

Opening Hours: 09:00-17:00 Tuesday to Sunday

Address: 510 Beijing West Road, Jing'an District, Shanghai 上海市静安区北京西路510号

Shanghai Attractions

No. 27: Shanghai Science and Technology Museum

Shanghai Science and Technology Museum is the largest science education site in Shanghai. Through various modern equipment and rich interactive ways, you can have an all-around understanding of natural science with shocking audio-visual effects. Shanghai Science and Technology Museum is rich in exhibits. There are hundreds of exquisite Wildlife Specimens and geological specimens, various robot performances with different functions, various models of electronic equipment and aerospace equipment, and a variety of scientific and technological inventions. The science and technology museum also has an IMAX three-dimensional giant screen, ball screen, four-dimensional and high-tech special cinema, etc.

Opening Hours: 9:00 - 17:00, Tuesday to Sunday

Tickets: CNY 45

Address: 2000 Century Avenue, Pudong New Area, Shanghai 上海市浦东新区世纪大道2000号

Shanghai Attractions

No. 28: People's Square

The People's Park is located in the center of Shanghai, on the east side of Nanjing Road pedestrian street, and it is very easy to reach by metro. It has always been known as the "lung" of the city. If you are a museum-goers, there are many museums nearby. In the park, you can see the very special matchmaking corner in China. The park can be roughly divided into three scenic spots: East, Center, and West. The central area is an open space with scenery building, teahouse, open-air theater; the scenic spots in the west area, including pavilions, corridors, gardens, rockeries, pools, etc. It is the main scenic spot of the park.

Type: Architectural Buildings, Parks

Address: 185 Renmin Avenue, Huangpu District, Shanghai 上海市黄浦区人民大道185号

Shanghai Attractions

No. 29: Shanghai Zoo

Shanghai Zoo is near Hongqiao Airport. There are more than 600 kinds of animals in the zoo, including a panda, elk, golden monkey, Siberian tiger, and other rare animals. There are amphibians and reptiles, herbivores, beasts of prey, birds of prey, and other animal exhibition areas, as well as a science and Education Museum, goldfish Gallery, butterfly museum, and other exhibition halls. There is also a reed-covered Swan Lake, inhabiting pelicans, swans, mandarin ducks, and other birds. It is also a good choice to stay in the zoo to rest on the lawn, bask in the sun, row boats and ride Ferris wheel.

Type: Features Animals, Zoos

Opening Hours: 08:00-17:00

Tickets: CNY 40

Address: 2381 Hongqiao Road, Changning District, Shanghai 上海市长宁区虹桥路2381号

Shanghai Attractions

No. 30: Century Park

Century Park is located at the southeast end of Century Avenue in Pudong. It is a large natural ecological park in Shanghai. The park is divided into a rural area, lakeside area, forest and lawn area, bird protection area, exotic area, etc. It is a good place for relaxation and entertainment in the city. Jingtian Lake in the garden is a large artificial lake, which is approximately around and about 300 meters in diameter. Another Zhangjiabang river passes through the park, creating an ecological environment with vertical and horizontal waterways in the garden.

Type: Parks, Points of Interest & Landmarks

Opening Hours: 06:00-18:00

Address: 1001 Jinxiu Road, Pudong New Area, Shanghai 上海市浦东新区锦绣路1001号

Shanghai Attractions

No. 31: Heping Fandian

Peace Hotel Museum or Heping Fandian Museum is the first museum in China built in the form of a hotel. The museum displays a number of "antique" items engraved with the words "华懋饭店", such as copper ice pot, copper key plate, copper thermos, copper ashtray, and the silver spoon, as well as calligraphy and paintings by famous artists. Due to its profound historical background, it has become the recording site of 33 films and TV plays. The South Building of Peace Hotel imitates the balanced apartment building of Renaissance, while the north building is the Gothic building of Chicago school.

Type: Points of Interest & Landmarks, Architectural Buildings

Opening Hours: 10:00-19:00

Address: 20 Nanjing East Road, Huangpu District, Shanghai 上海市黄浦区南京东路20号

Shanghai Attractions

No. 32: Shanghai Maglev Museum

The predecessor of the Shanghai Maglev Museum is the Shanghai Maglev Science and Technology Exhibition Hall, which is a professional exhibition hall to show the maglev technology and the development history of the Shanghai maglev train. It officially opened on August 16, 2007, with an area of 1250 square meters. It is divided into five parts: the birth of maglev, Shanghai maglev line, maglev exploration, maglev advantages, and maglev prospects. There are many interactive projects for tourists to participate in. Tourists can visit the maglev train for free with maglev train tickets of the day.

Opening Hours: 9:00-17:00

Tickets: Free Entry with valid Maglev Train Ticket

Address: 2100 Longyang Road, Pudong New Area, Shanghai 上海市浦东新区龙阳路2100号

Shanghai Attractions

No. 33: M50 Creative Park

M50 is the abbreviation of No. 50 Moganshan Road. It is located in the peninsula area on the South Bank of Suzhou River. It is a creative park reconstructed from the original textile factory. Compared with other creative parks, the biggest feature here is the graffiti and free gallery exhibition along the street. You can see the artworks of abstract, realistic, watercolor, oil painting, and so on. Over the past few years, M50 has attracted more than 130 artists from 17 countries and regions including UK, France, Italy, Switzerland, Israel, Canada, Norway, and Hong Kong, etc. The presence of these artists and creative design institutions creates a strong cultural atmosphere along the Suzhou River.

Type: Civic Centers, Art Museums

Opening Hours: 10:00-21:00

Address: 50 Moganshan Road, Putuo District, Shanghai 上海市普陀区莫干山路50号

Shanghai Attractions

No. 34: Qibao Ancient Town

Qibao ancient town was built in the Northern Song Dynasty. It is only 5 kilometers away from the downtown area of Shanghai. It can be reached directly by metro line 9. Qibao ancient town is the nearest ancient town to Shanghai, which retains the characteristics of a water town in the metropolis and shows a new and simple cultural atmosphere. Qibao means seven treasures. It is said that there are seven treasures in the ancient town, namely, the Golden Sutra, the sacred tree, the flying Buddha, the golden rooster, the jade chopsticks, and the Jade axe. The area of the ancient town is small, with only a few streets in total. The main scenic spots are Qibao old street, Qibao pawnshop, Zhou's Micro carving hall, cricket cottage, etc. It is also a food street with all kinds of local snacks.

Type: Ancient Town, Points of Interest & Landmarks

Opening Hours: 9:00-18:00

Recommended Visiting Time: 1 - 3 hours

Address: Intersection of Qingnian Road and Hengli Road, Minhang District, Shanghai 上海市闵行区青年路与横沥路路口

Shanghai Attractions

No. 35: Xujiahui Catholic Church

Xujiahui Catholic Church is adjacent to the prosperous Xujiahuidistrict. It is the largest Catholic Church in Shanghai. The red brick walls and two towering bell towers make this medieval Gothic building with hundreds of years of history particularly eye-catching. The simple exterior modeling and gorgeous interior decoration carry a strong religious atmosphere. You can also feel the rare tranquility in the city. Every night, the church is particularly charming under external lighting.

Opening Hours: 9:00-16:00 Monday to Saturday; 14:00-16:00 on Sunday

Address: 158 Puxi Road, Xuhui District, Shanghai 上海市徐汇区蒲西路158号

How to Plan a Shanghai Tour

How to Get to Shanghai: You can fly to Shanghai directly from Hong Kong, Tokyo, Seoul, London, Los Angeles & many overseas countries (regions) and almost all major Chinese cities, like Beijing, Xian; or take high speed bullet train to Shanghai from domestic cities.

Best Time to Visit Shanghai: March to May (in spring) & September to November (in autumn), because these periods offer beautiful nature scenery and comfortable weather for outdoor sightseeing and activities.

Top Attractions to Visit in Shanghai: The Bund, Lujiazui Skyscrapers, Yu Garden, Shanghai Museum, Wukang Road, Shanghai Disney Resort…

Best known as an international popular tourist destination, Shanghai perfectly preserves mixed culture of the western and eastern. The duration and theme of your Shanghai tour can be flexibly arranged based on your time and interests. Usually, tourists spend 2 days on sightseeing the most famous landmarks, including the Bund , Yu Garden, skyscrapers like Shanghai Tower, World Financial Center, Wukang Road, Shanghai Museum, etc. With one extra day, you can enjoy family fun in Disneyland Park or visit Zhujiajiao Water Town in the suburb. Don't miss the Shanghai Maglev Train, wonderful nightlife and Shanghai Cuisine.

✔ 2 Days Classic Shanghai City Tour ✔ 3 Days Shanghai Past and Present Contrast Tour ✔ 3 Days Shanghai Highlights & Zhujiajiao Water Town Tour

Travel Shanghai with Hangzhou Suzhou, More Nearby Destinations

Convenient transportation makes it quite efficient and popular to make day trips from Shanghai to Hangzhou , Suzhou , and longer vacation in Huangshan Mountain , Nanjing, Mount Jiuhua and other places in surrounding areas. So you can visit West Lake and learn Chinese tea culture in Hangzhou, marvel at tasteful classical gardens and witness Chinese silk productive process. Splendid rocky mountains with exotic pine trees are highlights in Huangshan Mountain.

✔ 5 Days Shanghai Hangzhou Suzhou Highlights Tour ✔ 6 Splendid East China Tour by Bullet Train ✔ 5 Days Shanghai Huangshan Tour by High Speed Train

Travel Shanghai with Beijing, Xian & More China Destinations

Beijing Xian Shanghai are golden triangle cities often visited together for a week holiday. You can use 3 days to visit the Great Wall and major iconic spots like Forbidden City, Temple of Heaven in Beijing, and leave 2 days for fulfilling your Terracotta Warriors tour in Xian. With more time, you can extend the trip from Shanghai to Zhangjiajie, Guilin, Chengdu, Yunnan, Silk Road, Tibet and more phenomenal destinations to enrich your China discovery. (more top China tours from Shanghai >> )

✔ 6 Days Beijing Shanghai Tour by High Speed Train ✔ 8 Days Best of China Tour (Beijing/Xian/Shanghai) ✔ 7 Days Shanghai Suzhou Beijing Contrast Tour by High Speed Train

Shanghai Travel Photos

Travel with China Discovery

As a leading travel agency in China which dedicates to offering high-quality China tours, China Discovery has helped thousands of travelers enjoy their trips to Shanghai, Beijing, Xian, etc., in China. Travel with us, you can enjoy worry-free tour services as well as well-organized itineraries, even our assistance of Chinese Visa application, convenient airport/train station pick-up & drop-off and transfer between all scenic spots, knowledgeable tour guide, safe & licensed private vehicle, satisfactory accommodation and dining and so on. You are free to choose from our most popular Shanghai tour packages or contact us to design a memorable holiday in Shanghai, China.

Recommended Shanghai Tour Packages

No matter how many days you plan to stay in Shanghai, there is always a tour suitable for you. Following are some best Shanghai tour packages covering most highlights in Shanghai. If you still have no idea where to start, you can design a tailor-made Shanghai trip with us.

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2 Days Classic Shanghai City Tour

Highlights: The Bund, Yu Garden, Shanghai French Concession, Shanghai Museum, Shanghai World Financial Center

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3 Days Beijing Essential Short Stay Tour

Highlights: The Bund, Yu Garden, Shanghai Museum,Shanghai World Financial Center, Jade Buddha Temple

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5 Days Shanghai Hangzhou Suzhou Tour

Highlights: The Bund, Shanghai Museum, West Lake, Tea Village, Lingyin Temple, Lingering Garden, Silk Factory, Tongli Water Town

Start planning your tailor-made holiday to China by contacting one of our specialists. Once inquired, you’ll get a response within 0.5~23.5 hours.

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9 Things to See in Moscow's Red Square

 Sir Francis Canker/Getty Images

In most cases, you'll be entering Red Square from the north, passing landmarks such as the Bolshoi Theatre and Duma parliament building as you make your way southward. Although you don't necessarily have to pass through the Voskresensky (or Resurrection in English) Gates in order to gain access to the square these days, they definitely provide a sense of arrival, to say nothing of the way their left arch frame's St. Basil's Cathedral if you look from just the right angle.

An interesting fact is that while a gate of some kind has stood here since the mid-16th century, the one you currently see wasn't built until 1994, having been destroyed in 1931 so that tanks could enter and exit Red Square during military parades.

St. Basil's Cathedral

TripSavvy / Christopher Larson 

Few sights are as iconic not only of Moscow and Red Square but indeed of Russia than St. Basil's Cathedral, whose colorful, onion-shaped domes are a symbol of the country around the world. Officially known as the Cathedral of Vasily the Blessed, this church has stood since 1561, which is quite miraculous when you consider all the turbulent history that has transpired since then.

Among other things, religion was severely prohibited during the Soviet period , which led some to believe that this emblem of the Russian Orthodox church might not withstand the tenure of the USSR. 

An interesting fact is that St. Basil's is the so-called "Kilometer Zero" of Russia; all of Moscow's main roads (which can take you anywhere in Russia) begin at the exits to Red Square. In this way, St. Basil's iconic status also has an extremely tangible element.

The Kremlin

TripSavvy / Christopher Larson

When you think of The Kremlin, it's unlikely that positive images enter your mind. The fact that simply saying the word "Kremlin" is too vague a descriptor (most Russian cities have their own Kremlin complexes; you should say "Moscow Kremlin") notwithstanding, this misunderstood place is incredibly beautiful, even if you don't like the policy that comes out of it.

Senate Square

In spite of its name, which refers to the role the building that rises above the square played during Imperial Russia, Senate Square is actually home to Russia's presidential administration, currently helmed by Vladimir Putin. In order to see where Russia's legislature operates from, walk just outside Red Square to the Duma parliament building.

Dormition Cathedral

Dating back to the year 1479, the gold-domed Dormition Cathedral pays homage to an Orthodox religious feast that commemorates the death of the Virgin Mary . As is the case with St. Basil's, it is curious that such a conspicuously religious structure was able to survive through the Soviet period.

Armoury Chamber

Though it takes its name from the fact that it housed Russia's royal arsenal when it was built in the 16th century, the most notable resident of the Kremlin's Armoury Chamber today is the Russian Diamond Fund.

Notable Kremlin Towers

Robert Schrader

The interior of the Moscow Kremlin is more beautiful and inviting than you'd expect, but the walls and towers that rise around it better live up to the intimidation with which the complex is associated. 

Borovitskaya Tower

Named to commemorate the dense forest that once stood atop the mount where it's built, this tower is extremely picturesque. Built in the late 15th century, it's visible from most places in the square, and also as you walk along the Moskva River.

Nikolskaya Tower

Also built in the year 1491, this tower currently suffered destruction at the hands of Napoleon's army in the 19th century. What you see now is the result of an 1816 re-design and renovation, though artillery fire during the Russian Revolution also caused superficial damage to the tower, named to honor St. Nikolas of Mozhaysk , so it's difficult to know which elements of it are original.

Spasskaya Tower

Known in English as the "Savior's Tower," this iconic, star-topped tower is perhaps the best-known of all the Kremlin's towers. Built in 1491 like the other two towers on this list, it's certainly the most photographed. As a result of its proximity to St. Basil's, it often makes its way into tourists' pictures.

Mausoleum of Lenin

Just as it's strange to learn how many religious monuments survived through the Soviet period, it's a bit odd to think that Lenin's preserved body still sits in a mausoleum just beneath the walls of the Kremlin on Red Square, given the lack of consensus about the ultimate impact of his Revolution, even in Russia.

It's not guaranteed that you'll be able to see the body (which, believe it or not, seems to be improving with age ) when you go, and if you do you will likely have to wait in line, but even strolling past the outside of the Lenin Mausoleum, flanked by stone-faced guards that almost look like statues, illuminates the gravity of his body still being here.

GUM Shopping Center

You might cringe, at least initially, when you realize that one of the most iconic stops on a tour of Red Square is a department store—until you see said department store, that is. Built in 1893 and known during Soviet times as the State Department Store, GUM  ( Glávnyj Universáľnyj Magazín​ or Main Universal Store in English) hearkens back to the grandeur of the late 19th century, both seen from the outside (especially, when lit up at night) and the interior, which might have you feeling like you're further west in Europe.

A trip inside GUM is a particularly good idea during winter, when frigid temperatures outside will have you savoring the heat, the quality of souvenirs, confections and other goods sold inside notwithstanding. Also, make sure not to confuse GUM with CDM, which sits near the Bolshoi Theatre, even though both are stunning and iconic in their own right.

State Historical Museum

The Russian State Historical Museum is located near Voskresensky Gates, though you should wait until after you've seen the first few attractions of Red Square and the Kremlin to head back there and go inside. To be sure, as you pass by its facade (whose late-19th century grandeur somewhat obscures that fact that it's currently a museum accessible to the public) you might not even think to try and gain entry.

Once inside the museum, you can plan to spend at least a couple of hours, given that artifacts here date back to the very beginning of the Russian state in the ninth century. As is the case with GUM, this will be a particularly alluring prospect if you visit in winter, when Moscow is arguably at its most beautiful, but certainly at its least tolerable. 

Minin-Pozharsky Monument

It's somewhat easy to disregard this monument, which pays homage to the two Russian princes who ended the so-called "Time of Troubles" in the mid-16th century, during which Polish-Lithuanian forces occupied Russia, among other awful things including a famine. That's because the statue currently sits just at the base of St. Basil's Cathedral, which makes it very difficult to photograph or even see without being overwhelmed by that much more famous edifice.

Though the statue originally sat at the very center of Red Square, it came to be an obstacle to the movement of tanks during the Soviet period, much like the Voskresensky Gates. As a result, authorities moved it during that time, and it's stayed where you currently find it ever since.

Kazan Cathedral

Taken by itself, the smokey-pink Kazan Cathedral is an architectural marvel; originally built in the 17th century, the church you find here today, located just north of the GUM department store, dates back only to 1993.

Unfortunately, since it sits not only in the shadow of GUM, but also in the shadow St. Basil's and the Towers of the Kremlin, it's easy to miss entirely if you aren't looking. As a result, you might wait until you've seen just about everything else in Red Square before coming here to take photos, and to appreciate the understated beauty of this oft-overlooked cathedral.

Moskva River

As you head south from St. Basil's Cathedral to exit Red Square, make sure to walk onto Bolshoy Moskvoretskiy Bridge, which crosses the Moskva River. If you look due north, you can get an excellent shot of the church framed, on the left, by the towers of the Kremlin. Directing your gaze a bit to the west allows you to see the skyscrapers of Moscow City as they rise above the Kremlin's walls.

Walking westward along the riverbank is also a worthwhile excursion, for the views it provides of Red Square and the Kremlin, as well as the fact that doing so takes you to other iconic Moscow attractions, including Gorky Park and the Pushkin Museum. The views you enjoy from the river and the bridge are particularly stunning at night, though you should make sure you bring a tripod if you want to get a clear picture, given how strong winds over and near the river can be.

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Moscow Metro: The Complete Guide

25 Best Things to Do in Moscow

The Impressive Castles of Eastern Europe

St. Basil’s Cathedral in Moscow: Planning Your Visit

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10 Must-Visit Palaces and Castles in Russia

Top 12 Things to Do in Kazan, Russia

Top 10 Attractions in Germany

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Discover Moscow: the best Moscow has to offer

A city for everyone, a unique experience for each person

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Moscow is a megacity with a distinct character, rich history, and a multitude of possibilities. Any time, any day, the city is always full of surprises.

Discover Moscow: the best Moscow has to offer. A city for everyone, a unique experience for each person. The website offers information on hundreds of places for you to visit: museums, theaters, parks, restaurants, cafés, shopping malls, and various tourist attractions, as well as articles on current events, recommendations, news reports, and tips on how to plan your trip and itinerary and not miss out on anything interesting. It provides plenty of information about the city so you can find what interests you most.

The project was created by the Moscow City Tourism Committee. The website is available in Russian, English, and Chinese.

Discover Moscow has a section titled #MoscowWithYou, which was created in collaboration with the city's cultural venues. It features dozens of online exhibitions, virtual tours, and interviews with the city's heroes.

Things to Do in Moscow, Russia - Moscow Attractions

Things to do in moscow, explore popular experiences, top attractions in moscow.

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Other Top Attractions around Moscow

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Sex-crazed tourists filmed making whoopie on thailand beach as others look on and laugh.

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Thailand’s Sin City beach is once again living up to its lascivious reputation , as yet another couple of tourists were caught taking advantage of the picturesque shore as the spot for a passionate round of lovemaking.

Months after another couple outraged officials with some sandy hanky panky, the latest naked pair were spotted blatantly fornicating under the streetlights at Pattaya Beach, a popular tourist destination dubbed “Sin City” for its bawdy bars and massage parlors.

The couple seemed unbothered in the 1-minute video as other beachgoers — seen sitting just yards away from the pair — look on and laugh.

“Is this normal in Pattaya?” the original video, shared to Facebook Wednesday, read.

It provoked shocked comments such as: “Why not go to a hotel with such performances?” and “What kind of people are these?”

The perverted rendevous occurred on a strip of Jomtien Beach, home to high-rise condominiums, hotels and restaurants, and not far from the Pattaya Water Sports Complex, according to Pattaya Mail.

The popular strip is flooded with locals and tourists at all hours of the day and late into the night, including the estimated 2 a.m. to 4 a.m. timeframe police estimate the sex-crazed pair engaged in their affair.

It is also a well-known spot for public lovemaking, despite such acts being illegal.

The city’s Tourist Police is investigating the incident, but fear the perverted pair may be long gone — while the video was only shared this week, it appears to have been filmed as long as three months earlier, Khaosod English reported.

Two people having sex on Pattaya beach at night while other people nearby watch in outrage.

Tents were seen strewn near the part of the beach the pair was seen lying on, which lifeguard officials told police were removed in December.

Sexual acts in public are illegal in Thailand — and are punishable by up to five years behind bars — but the rules have done little to stop offenders from blatantly engaging in the past.

In May of last year, a woman was caught performing oral sex on a man under a street light on a public sidewalk as workers set up a stage nearby.

Aerial view of Pattaya Beach.

Months earlier, a “disgusting foreigner” was caught having sex with a prostitute during an all-night booze bender on Christmas Day.

The blond tourist even waved to a bystander who had stopped to film the salacious sexcapade on his phone.

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Chinese Tourists Are Staying Close to Home. Paris and New York Are Hurting.

F or Ma Liang, a travel agent in Chengdu, China, bookings for overseas group travel are nearly full. “That’s because we’re barely offering any trips,” he said in an interview.

Demand for travel outside of China is so low that many services have been cut, from flight routes to excursions at the famous sights and shopping districts of cities like Paris, Rome, and New York—where throngs of Chinese used to roam in hordes, spending $255 billion in 2019, and becoming a lucrative cohort internationally.

All that changed during Covid, and it has yet to recover.

As of December, the capacity of flights leaving and entering China had reached just over half of the same period in 2019, according to flight analytics firm OAG Aviation Worldwide.

The routes themselves paint a striking picture. Domestic flights—or seats, to be precise—made up 92.6% last month while flights into or out of China made up only 7.4%, less than half the prepandemic level, according to OAG.

Analysts are beginning to be more realistic compared with their highly optimistic forecasts that Chinese leisure spending—including overseas travel—would skyrocket after Covid restrictions were dropped. Much of the pessimism now is based on the continued failure of consumer spending to rise.

“Non-domestic demand resumption remains uncertain,” Morgan Stanley analysts wrote last month. “It may take longer than expected for demand to recover from 70-80% of pre-Covid levels.”

Consultancy Oliver Wyman surveyed nearly 4,000 “affluent” Chinese and found that “many experienced international travelers from mainland China—namely, those who had already traveled internationally before the Covid-19 pandemic—are delaying their travel plans due to economic uncertainty.”

Retailers have struggled, especially luxury brands, which grew increasingly dependent on high-spending Chinese tourists over the course of the 2010s. In 2019, luxury spending by Chinese consumers represented about a third of the global market for high-end goods, according to Bain & Co. In 2023, that share had shrunk to just under a quarter.

That took a toll on top-line growth for the sector in the peak pandemic years, impacting everyone from industry giants like LVMH Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton and Kering to smaller specialty companies, such as Burberry Group and Canada Goose Holdings. Many companies have started to note a tourism rebound, but the recovery is slow. On Jan. 25, LVMH said the company’s sales for the fourth quarter ended Dec. 31 to Chinese consumers in France were still about 30% less than in the same quarter in 2019, even though LVMH’s business in China is thriving.

“We’re not particularly concerned, neither pessimistic nor optimistic, but we don’t see the big busloads of Chinese customers coming in groups,” said LVMH CEO Bernard Arnault on a call with analysts.

Another factor—though smaller—seems to be personal exhaustion. China’s youth are experiencing an unprecedented unemployment crisis, which has given employers leverage to overwork employees.

Unemployed 28-year-old Yang Qi of Shanghai said two of her employed friends told her they both aren’t traveling because of sheer exhaustion from work. “They’re totally burned out,” she told Barron’s. And younger people who do travel aren’t spending the way they used to.

For the small number of Chinese who are traveling abroad, Asian countries are the main beneficiaries. Most outbound flights from China this month were to South Korea, but seat capacity was still 22% lower than in the same period in 2019.

Japan and Thailand were next, but their numbers were a fraction of prepandemic levels. Destinations like the U.S. and to one-time shopping paradises for wealthy Chinese like France and Italy now lack regular direct flights, according to the World Travel and Tourism Council.

Observers are waiting to see how numbers fare for this month’s Lunar New Year holiday, long known as the world’s largest annual human migration. While traditionally most people return home to feast together and visit family, an uptick in outbound travel was seen before the pandemic. Li Ying, 29, of Beijing, said financial considerations had influenced her decision not to return home for the holiday.

Governments have been scrambling to boost tourism. One issue: China’s passport and visa processing centers are overwhelmed—20 million Chinese passports have expired since 2020, according to travel management company BCD Travel China.

In November, in a rare move for a visa-stingy country like China, Beijing said it would allowing visa-free entry for nationals of France, Italy, Germany, Spain, the Netherlands, and Malaysia starting Dec. 1. Ireland and Switzerland were recently added to the list.

Malaysia reciprocated the visa-exemption policy for China. A similar mutual agreement was reached between China and Thailand, and China and Singapore said their reciprocal visa-free plan would begin sometime in early 2024.

Time will tell if the visa moves affect travel, but Chinese consumer sentiment has repeatedly disappointed over the past year, with large numbers saving for what they see as an uncertain future.

—Sabrina Escobar contributed to this article.

Write to [email protected]

Chinese Tourists Are Staying Close to Home. Paris and New York Are Hurting.

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China’s 7 Most Significant Historical Sites You Should Visit

China’s 7 Most Significant Historical Sites You Should Visit

1. the great wall: the longest defensive system in the world.

  • Chinese: 长城 cháng chéng /channg chnng/
  • location: Beijing, the capital of China

The Great Wall of China is one of the greatest sights in the world. It's an ancient defensive architecture. The "Long Wall" has a long history — more than 2,300 years. It was built in different areas by different states/dynasties to protect different territorial borders.

The entire Great Wall of China zigzags across the mountains of northern China. We highly recommend hiking along the best-protected sections of the Great Wall: Mutianyu and Jinshanling .

  • Things to Do in Beijing
  • Recommended tour: Beijing Essential Tour with Great Wall Hiking at Mutianyu

2. The Forbidden City: 9999 Rooms for 24 Emperors

  • Chinese: 故宫 gù gōng /goo gong/

The Forbidden City (or the Palace Museum) is one of the must-visit attractions for travelers to China. It used to be an imperial palace in the Ming (1368-1644) and Qing (1644-1911) dynasties.

The layout of this palace is strictly according to Chinese fengshui theory. China's best-preserved imperial palace is the world's largest ancient palatial structure (7.2 ha. or 17.8 ac.), the essence and culmination of traditional Chinese architectural accomplishment.

  • How to Visit the Forbidden City: for Discerning Travellers
  • Recommended tour: Private 4-Day Emperor's Tour of Beijing

3. The Terracotta Army: First Emperor Qin's Buried Battalions

  • Chinese: 兵马俑 bīng mǎ yǒng /bing maa yong/
  • location: Xi'an

The museum, with three pits containing the Terracotta Army , covers an area of 22,780 square meters. Over 8,000 life-size terracotta soldiers and horses , and more than 10,000 bronze weapons were unearthed in these three pits.

The Terracotta Army is candidate for the title " eighth wonder of the world " and the is largest military museum underground. An interesting fact is that all the terracotta soldiers were made to face east towards Emperor Qin's enemies of the Warring States Period (475-221 BC).

Click to see Facts You Won't Know about the Terracotta Army and How to Visit the Terracotta Army — an Insider's Guide .

  • Things to Do in Xi'an
  • Recommended Tour: 3-Day Essence of Xi'an Private Tour

4. The Potala Palace: Masterpiece of Tibetan Architecture

  • Chinese: 布达拉宫 bù dá lā gōng /boo daa laa gong/
  • location: Lhasa (Tibet Autonomous Region)

If you are interested in Tibetan culture, the Potala Palace is the attraction which you should not miss. It was first built as the palace of Songtsen Gampo (617-650), founder of the Tu-Bo Dynasty (吐蕃王朝). After being rebuilt in the 17th century, it was the residence of Dalai Lamas.

There are plenty of precious historical relics in the palace, including over 10,000 Buddha statues made of gold, silver, jade, wood, or clay, and about 10,000 thangkas (scroll paintings related to Budhhism). The gorgeous mural paintings, wooden carvings, and color paintings used for decoration are outstanding.

  • Things to Do in Tibet
  • Recommended Tour: 4-Day Lhasa Highlights Tour

5. The Summer Palace: China's Largest Imperial Garden

  • Chinese: 颐和园 yí hé yuán /ee her ywen/

The Summer Palace is China&'s largest imperial garden. UNESCO added this 300-hectare (740-acre) site to the World Heritage List in 1998, and described it as "...a masterpiece of Chinese landscape garden design. The natural landscape of hills and open water is combined with artificial features such as pavilions, halls, palaces, temples and bridges to form a harmonious ensemble of outstanding aesthetic value."

The Summer Palace was a royal summer resort in the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911), so the architectures and the layout there are quite exquisite. Boat cruises are available on Kunming Lake. There are numerous stores in Suzhou Street, selling souvenirs like antiques, snacks, silk, jewelry, and tea. The shop assistants there are dressed in the costumes of the Qing Dynasty.

  • Recommended tour: 4-Day Beijing Boutique Tour

6. The Mogao Grottoes: a Holy Land of Buddhist Art

  • Chinese: 莫高窟 mò gāo kū /mor gaoww koo/
  • location: Dunhuang

The Mogao Grottoes are famous for their exquisite mural paintings and Buddha statues. It has 735 grottoes, 450,000 square meters of mural paintings, 2,415 colored Buddha statues made of clay, and more than 50,000 historical relics. All of these make the Mogao Grottoes the largest and the most significant "holy land" of Buddhist art.

The Mogao Grottoes' first carving was in 366, and with a contruction period spanning 16 dynasties, they are a summation of Buddhist art. The Mogao Grottoes are near an important city on the ancient Silk Road — Dunhuang, where you can see Crescent Spring (a miniature oasis in a pristine desert).

7. The Three Confucius Sites

  • Chinese: 三孔 sān kǒng /san kong/
  • Three confucius sites includes: Kong Family Mansion, Kong Family Mansion, Temple of Confucius
  • location: Qufu

Confucianism is a cornerstone of Chinese civilization. The Three Confucius Historical Sites (三孔 San Kong ) are all in Qufu, Shandong Province. Ancient architectural buildings, ancient stone tablets, and Confucius culture are the highlights.

The Kong Family Mansion was where the descendants of Confucius lived. It is huge and designed to reflect Confucian philosophy in its separation of areas for work, reception, and relaxation. The 480 rooms house a treasure of relics including imperial calligraphy.

The Cemetery of Confucius has become the graveyard of the Kong family, and more than 100,000 of Confucius' descendants are buried there. It is called Kong Lin ("Confucius' Forest").

Qufu Confucius Temple is the second largest scale ancient architectural complex in the world, after the Forbidden City. The temple was originally built as Confucius' house, and was changed into a temple to worship Confucius in the second year after his death. After that, extension of the temple continued, and today's 95,000 square meters was completed in the Yongzheng Period (1722-1735) of the Qing Dynasty.

Recommended Historical China Tours

There are some bestsellers including some of these historical sites:

  • 11-Day Classic Wonders Tour — Beijing, Xi'an, Guilin, Yangshuo, Shanghai
  • 16-Day Memories of China with Yangtze Cruise and Tibet Tour — Beijing, Xi'an, Lhasa, Yangtze, Shanghai

You could always contact us to tailor your own unique tour of China's historical sites.

You Might Like to Read

  • The 7 Ancient Wonders of China
  • Ancient Chinese Architecture
  • China's Top 6 Tourist Landmarks
  • 7 Great Endangered Attractions in China

Private China Tours

  • 12-Day Beijing, Xi'an, Guilin, Shanghai Tour for Your Summer Vacation
  • 13-Day A Broad Taste of China
  • 8-Day Beijing–Xi'an–Shanghai Private Tour
  • 11-Day Family Happiness
  • 14-Day Classic China Photo Tour
  • 3-Week Must-See Places China Tour Including Holy Tibet
  • One Week in China - 4 Time-Smart Itineraries
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  • How to Spend 19 Days in China in 2024/2025 (Top 5 Options and Costs)
  • China Itineraries from Hong Kong for 1 Week to 3 Weeks
  • China Weather in January 2024: Enjoy Less-Crowded Traveling
  • China Weather in February 2024: Places to Go, Costs, and Crowds
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  • China Weather in April 2024: Where to Go (Smart Pre-Season Pick)
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  • China Weather in June 2024: How to Benefit from the Rainy Season
  • China Weather in July 2024: How to Avoid Heat and Crowds
  • China Weather in August: Tips for Family Travel
  • China Weather in September: a Quieter Month in the Peak Season
  • China Weather in October: Where to Go, Crowds, and Costs
  • China Weather in November: Places to Go, Costs, and Crowds
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  • Per Diem Lookup

Frequently asked questions, per diem

What is per diem?

How do I find the per diem rate for (city/county, state)?

What is the difference between non-standard areas (NSA) and standard CONUS locations?

How are the CONUS per diem rates set for NSAs?

How does GSA set boundary lines for where per diem rates apply?

How can a CONUS non-standard area (NSA) receive a special review?

How can I request the establishment of a new NSA?

What if a city is not listed on the CONUS Per Diem website?

Can hotels refuse to honor the per diem rate to federal government employees and federal government contractors?

Is the hotel’s GOV rate the same as the federal per diem rate?

Are lodging taxes included in the CONUS per diem rate?

Are taxes and gratuity (tips) included in the Meals and Incidental (M&IE) expense rate?

What is considered an incidental expense?

How often is a study conducted on the M&IE expense rates?

What is the M&IE reimbursement rate during the first and last travel day?

Can I combine the lodging and M&IE per diem rates ("mix and match") in order to get a nicer hotel room or spend more on meals?

Do I need to provide receipts?

What do I do if there are no hotels available at per diem?

Do I receive a meal reimbursement for day travel away from my regular duty station?

How much per diem can I pay a contractor?

How much can a trucker deduct for meals per day?

Per diem is an allowance for lodging, meals, and incidental expenses. The U.S. General Services Administration (GSA) establishes the per diem reimbursement rates that federal agencies use to reimburse their employees for subsistence expenses incurred while on official travel within the continental U.S. (CONUS), which includes the 48 contiguous states and the District of Columbia. The U.S. Department of Defense (DOD) establishes rates for travel in non-foreign areas outside of CONUS, which includes Alaska, Hawaii, and U.S. territories and possessions. The U.S. Department of State establishes rates for travel in foreign areas. For more information on rates established by DOD and the State Department visit travel.dod.mil and aoprals.state.gov .

Please visit www.gsa.gov/perdiem  to find the rates. Click on a state on the map to view that state's rates or enter the location in the search box. Even though some cities are listed for your lookup convenience, not all cities can or will be listed. To look up the county a destination is located in, visit the Census Geocoder . If neither the city nor county you are looking for is listed on the GSA per diem rate page, then the standard CONUS rate applies.

Non-standard areas (NSAs) are frequently traveled by the federal community and are reviewed on an annual basis. Standard CONUS locations are less frequently traveled by the federal community and are not specifically listed on our website.

Per diem rates are set based upon contractor-provided average daily rate (ADR) data of local lodging properties. The properties must be fire-safe and have a FEMA ID number. The ADR is a travel industry metric that divides room sales rental revenue by the number of rooms sold. All rates are evaluated to ensure that they are fair and equitable in the GSA and Office of Management and Budget approval process. For more detailed information, visit the Factors Influencing Lodging Rates page.

5 U.S.C § 5702 gives the Administrator of the U.S. General Services Administration (GSA) the authority to establish the system of reimbursing Federal employees for the subsistence expenses (lodging, meals, and incidentals) of official travel. The law governs how GSA sets rates today, and allows the GSA Administrator to establish locality-based allowances for these expenses with a reporting requirement back to Congress. The law was established to protect Federal employees by fairly reimbursing them for travel expenses. In addition, if a Federal employee cannot find a room within the established per diem rates, the travel policy allows the agency to reimburse the actual hotel charges up to 300 percent of the established per diem rates.

The per diem program has several standards that it follows in its systematic structured per diem methodology. The first level is having a "standard rate" that applies to approximately 85 percent of counties in the continental United States.

It is GSA's policy that, if and when a Federal agency, on behalf of its employees, requests that the standard rate is not adequate in a specific area to cover costs of travel as intended by the law, GSA will study the locality to determine whether the locality under study should become a "non-standard area." If the study recommends a change, a change will be implemented as deemed appropriate. GSA has implemented a process to review and update both the standard and non-standard areas annually.

The standard "boundary line" for where non-standard areas apply is generally one county. This is the case for approximately 85 percent of the non-standard rates that GSA sets. However, in some cases, agencies have requested that the rate apply to an area larger than one county, such as a metropolitan area. In a very small number of cases, an agency can and has requested that a rate apply to just a city and not the entire county. In some rural areas, a rate sometimes applies to more than one county due to lack of an adequate data sample to set a rate otherwise.

GSA uses the Federal Information Processing Series (FIPS) code standard for its apply areas. While GSA often uses ZIP codes to select hotel data samples, the apply area is coded by a FIPS code, unless a Federal agency only wants the rate to apply to certain ZIP codes. These codes are managed by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) to ensure uniform identification of geographic entities through all federal government agencies.

In order for GSA to conduct a "special" review of a non-standard area (NSA) during the current fiscal year, a Federal Agency Travel Manager or an equivalent individual in grade or title must submit a signed letter on agency letterhead or stationery stating that the present per diem rate is inadequate. The request should contain the following information:

  • The geographical areas you want us to study, especially ZIP codes.
  • The property names (including addresses, ZIP codes, and rates) where your federal travelers stay while on temporary duty travel and those properties (including addresses, ZIP codes, and rates) that will not honor the federal lodging per diem rate.
  • The number of times actual expenses were used and/or federal travelers had to use another lodging facility to stay within the maximum allowable lodging per diem rate, which resulted in additional transportation expenses (rental car, taxi) being incurred.

All valid requests postmarked no later than 12/31 will be eligible for this review. All valid requests received after 12/31, but before 4/1 will be evaluated during the following fiscal year's annual review cycle. After all the requirements are submitted, GSA will obtain updated data from our contractor to determine whether a per diem rate should be increased, decreased or remain unchanged. We will conduct no more than one "special" review for a particular NSA annually.

Letters should be sent to: General Services Administration, Office of Government-wide Policy, 1800 F St. NW., Washington, DC 20405. For more direct service, please also scan and email your request (a signed letter on agency letterhead must be attached) to [email protected] .

The procedure and the request deadline are the same as FAQ #6. However, requests received after 3/31 will not be included in the following fiscal year's annual review cycle because the annual review will have already begun.

If a city is not listed, check to ensure that the county within which it is located is also not listed. Visit the Census Geocoder to determine the county a destination is located in. If the city is not listed, but the county is, then the per diem rate is the rate for that entire county. If the city and the county are not listed, then that area receives the standard CONUS location rate.

Hotels are not required to honor the federal per diem rates. It is each property’s business decision whether or not to offer the rate. Hotels also may or may not choose to extend the rate to other individuals, such as government contractors.

Hotels sometimes offer a "GOV" rate, which might be different than the federal per diem rate. If it is higher, you need to receive approval for actual expense prior to travel in order to receive full reimbursement. It is the traveler’s responsibility to know the federal per diem reimbursement rates, and should not assume a GOV rate is the same as the federal per diem rate. See the FTR Chapter 301, Subpart D-Actual Expense and follow your agency's guidelines.

Lodging taxes are not included in the CONUS per diem rate. The Federal Travel Regulation 301-11.27 states that in CONUS, lodging taxes paid by the federal traveler are reimbursable as a miscellaneous travel expense limited to the taxes on reimbursable lodging costs. For foreign areas, lodging taxes have not been removed from the foreign per diem rates established by the Department of State. Separate claims for lodging taxes incurred in foreign areas not allowed. Some states and local governments may exempt federal travelers from the payment of taxes. For more information regarding tax exempt status, travelers should visit the State Tax Forms page.

Yes, the meals and incidental expense (M&IE) rate does include taxes and tips in the rate, so travelers will not be reimbursed separately for those items.

The Federal Travel Regulation Chapter 300, Part 300-3 , under Per Diem Allowance, describes incidental expenses as: Fees and tips given to porters, baggage carriers, hotel staff, and staff on ships.

An M&IE study has traditionally been conducted every three to five years. Based upon the recommendations of the Governmentwide Travel Advisory Committee, GSA began reviewing rates every three years starting with rates for FY 2016.

On the first and last travel day, Federal employees are only eligible for 75 percent of the total M&IE rate for their temporary duty travel location (not the official duty station location). For your convenience, the M&IE breakdown page has a table showing the calculated amount for the "First and Last Day of Travel."

For federal employees, the Federal Travel Regulation (FTR) does not make a provision for "mixing and matching" reimbursement rates. The lodging per diem rates are a maximum amount; the traveler only receives actual lodging costs up to that maximum rate. Therefore, there is no "extra" lodging per diem to add to the M&IE rate. Likewise, the M&IE per diem cannot be given up or transferred to lodging costs. See FTR 301-11.100 and 301-11.101 for more information.

For any official temporary travel destination, you must provide a receipt to substantiate your claimed travel expenses for lodging and receipts for any authorized expenses incurred costing over $75, or a reason acceptable to your agency explaining why you are unable to provide the necessary receipt (see Federal Travel Regulation 301-11.25 ).

You may ask your agency to authorize the actual expense allowance provision. The Federal Travel Regulation (FTR) 301-11.300 through 306 notes that if lodging is not available at your temporary duty location, your agency may authorize or approve the maximum per diem rate of up to 300% of per diem for the location where lodging is obtained. You should also ensure you have checked www.fedrooms.com to confirm there are no rooms available at per diem in the area where you need to travel.

According to the Federal Travel Regulation (FTR), travelers are entitled to 75% of the prescribed meals and incidental expenses for one day travel away from your official station if it is longer than 12 hours. Please see FTR 301-11.101 .

GSA establishes per diem rates and related policies for federal travelers on official travel only, and cannot address specific inquiries concerning the payment of contractors. If the contractor is on a federal contract, check with the contracting officer to see what is stated in their contract. Contractors should also check the travel regulations of their company.

GSA establishes per diem rates, along with its policies for federal employees on official travel only. Truck-related questions should be addressed either to the Department of Transportation ( www.dot.gov ) or the Internal Revenue Service ( www.irs.gov ).

PER DIEM LOOK-UP

1 choose a location.

Error, The Per Diem API is not responding. Please try again later.

No results could be found for the location you've entered.

Rates for Alaska, Hawaii, U.S. Territories and Possessions are set by the Department of Defense .

Rates for foreign countries are set by the State Department .

2 Choose a date

Rates are available between 10/1/2021 and 09/30/2024.

The End Date of your trip can not occur before the Start Date.

Traveler reimbursement is based on the location of the work activities and not the accommodations, unless lodging is not available at the work activity, then the agency may authorize the rate where lodging is obtained.

Unless otherwise specified, the per diem locality is defined as "all locations within, or entirely surrounded by, the corporate limits of the key city, including independent entities located within those boundaries."

Per diem localities with county definitions shall include "all locations within, or entirely surrounded by, the corporate limits of the key city as well as the boundaries of the listed counties, including independent entities located within the boundaries of the key city and the listed counties (unless otherwise listed separately)."

When a military installation or Government - related facility(whether or not specifically named) is located partially within more than one city or county boundary, the applicable per diem rate for the entire installation or facility is the higher of the rates which apply to the cities and / or counties, even though part(s) of such activities may be located outside the defined per diem locality.

IMAGES

  1. The Top 20 Places to Visit in China

    chinese tourist sites

  2. 9 Places You Need To Visit In Beijing, China

    chinese tourist sites

  3. 17 Top-Rated Tourist Attractions in Beijing

    chinese tourist sites

  4. Best Tourist Attractions Along the Great Wall of China

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  5. Great Wall Of China

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  6. 17 Top-Rated Tourist Attractions in Beijing

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VIDEO

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  2. Chinese Tourists still reject Thailand and Japan as a Travel Destination

  3. Insight: Chinese Tourists to US

  4. Chinese Tourist

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  6. Intro to China/ Tourist Spot

COMMENTS

  1. China's Top 15 Must-Visit Attractions: Historical ...

    Why Travel with China Highlights (98.8% positive customer reviews among 10,000+) Unique experiences tailored to your interests: Enjoy a premium trip that goes beyond the typical tourist attractions. Hassle-free travel and peace of mind: Every aspect of your trip will be carefully planned and organized by your 1:1 travel consultant.

  2. 15 Top-Rated Tourist Attractions in China

    Discover fascinating, unusual, and adventurous things to do with our list of the top tourist attractions in China. 1. The Great Wall of China. 2. The Forbidden City & the Imperial Palace, Beijing. 3. The Terracotta Army, Xi'an. 4. The Summer Palace, Beijing.

  3. 14 of the best places to visit in China

    14. Forbidden City, Beijing. Among China's imperial sights, none can compare in size, grandeur or mystique to Beijing's Forbidden City. Built between 1406 and 1420, this sprawling palace was off-limits for 500 years until the overthrow of the last Qing emperor in 1911.

  4. 15 Best Places to Visit in China (2024)

    Why Travel with China Highlights (98.8% positive customer reviews among 10,000+) Unique experiences tailored to your interests: Enjoy a premium trip that goes beyond the typical tourist attractions. Hassle-free travel and peace of mind: Every aspect of your trip will be carefully planned and organized by your 1:1 travel consultant.

  5. 40 beautiful places to visit in China

    China overflows with beautiful places to visit: Desert vistas. Lush gorges. Charming riverside towns. Epic statues and buildings. Let these pictures inspire your next vacation.

  6. 30 Top Attractions & Things to do in China (+Map)

    30. Xian City Wall. 28. Three Pagodas, Dali. 30. Xian City Wall. Hundreds of years ago, the Chinese built massive stone walls around their cities to defend them from invaders. Xi'an was no exception. Constructed over 8 years in the 1370s, the Xian City Wall was a symbol of the city's self-sustainability.

  7. The Best Places to Visit and Things to Do in China

    China's top minority cities include 8 tourist cities in China with ethnic attractions such as Kaili, Lhasa, Xishuangbanna, Guilin, Yangshuo, and Longsheng. China Tours. ... Would definitely travel with China Highlights again! more. Feb 2024, Karol . Top Things to Do in China. The Great Wall of China in Beijing ...

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    The Closed Tram, Speed slide, the China dream stone sity, the Great Wall hotel, Yisonglou restaurant are constructed inthe tourist area, so its facilities and function are perfect.The tourist area was added to the national 5A scenic spot list by the National Tourism Administration of China in 2011.

  9. Must-see attractions China, Asia

    Summer Palace. Beijing. A marvel of Chinese garden design and one of Beijing's must-see attractions, the Summer Palace was the royal retreat for emperors fleeing the suffocating….

  10. Things to do in China

    Beijing is a trip unto itself in China, See our post - 11 of the Very Best Things to do in Beijing. 3. Terracotta Warriors. After the Great Wall, the Terracotta Warriors is the most famous attraction in China and you can't leave the country without seeing it. Located near the city of Xian, it is a spectacle that must be seen.

  11. Top 10 China Tourist Attractions List

    Being among the top ten China tourist attractions list, this river is renowned for the green hills, clear water, wonderful grottos and charming rocks. The 83-kilometer (52-mile) section from Guilin to Yangshuo represents the essence of Li River. The water is like a jade band twining around the verdant hills, with idyllic villages occasionally ...

  12. 15 Best Places to Visit in China

    5. Shanghai Shanghai. The largest city in China, Shanghai is famous for being the country's most modern metropolis and offers a diversity of tourist attractions old and new.Boasting in excess of 24 million citizens, the city's highlights include numerous world-class museums and art galleries, ranging from the excellent Shanghai Museum to the China Art Museum.

  13. Top 30 China Destinations, Top 30 Places to Go in China 2024/2025

    Here is the list of top 30 China destinations or places to go for travel in China, including Beijing, Xian, Shanghai, Guilin, Lhasa, Chengdu, etc. ... Beijing has many world famous tourist sites are located in or near Beijing, such as Forbidden City, Great Wall of China, Temple of Heaven, etc.

  14. 55 Places to Visit in China 2024: Tourist Places & Attractions

    The Great Wall of China, The Forbidden City, Imperial Palace, The Terracotta Army, The Summer Palace, Li River, Guilin, Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding, Yangtze River and the Three Gorges and many more. The China tourist places offer an overwhelming adventure taking the tourists back in the timelines to the cultural and heritage ...

  15. China's Top Seven Tourist Attractions you Should know About

    The ancient and varied provinces of China are home to some incredible tourist attractions, and they are quickly becoming one of the most famous places to visit on the planet.You will never be short of incredible sights to see in China, whether you plan to spend time in one of the country's sprawling cities or venture into its serene rural hinterlands.

  16. Top 11 Must-Visit Attractions in Hunan (Most Popular)

    Wulingyuan Scenic Spot is one of China's famous tourist attractions, a national 5A-level tourist area, one of the earliest places listed in China's World Natural Heritage. The natural scenery of Wulingyuan is characterized by wonderous peaks, deep valleys, and beautiful forests. There are more than 3,000 wonderous peaks in the shapes of ...

  17. Sightseeing in Shanghai: 35 Top Shanghai Attractions 2024

    Top Attractions to Visit in Shanghai: The Bund, Lujiazui Skyscrapers, Yu Garden, Shanghai Museum, Wukang Road, Shanghai Disney Resort…. Best known as an international popular tourist destination, Shanghai perfectly preserves mixed culture of the western and eastern. The duration and theme of your Shanghai tour can be flexibly arranged based ...

  18. The 10 Most Popular Tourist Destinations in China

    Hangzhou — Next Best Place to Heaven. Huangshan — Majestic Beauty. Suzhou — Elegant Water Towns and Gardens. Hong Kong — Like Nowhere Else on Earth. 1. Guilin — China's Top Karst Landscape. Guilin, with its marvelous limestone scenery, is renowned as one of the most beautiful places on earth.

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    St. Basil's Cathedral. TripSavvy / Christopher Larson. Few sights are as iconic not only of Moscow and Red Square but indeed of Russia than St. Basil's Cathedral, whose colorful, onion-shaped domes are a symbol of the country around the world. Officially known as the Cathedral of Vasily the Blessed, this church has stood since 1561, which is ...

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    Tourism Board executive director Dane Cheng touts fresh incentives such as buy-one, get-one-free flight deals and complimentary tickets to attractions.

  21. About

    The project was created by the Moscow City Tourism Committee. The website is available in Russian, English, and Chinese. Discover Moscow has a section titled #MoscowWithYou, which was created in collaboration with the city's cultural venues. It features dozens of online exhibitions, virtual tours, and interviews with the city's heroes.

  22. THE 15 BEST Things to Do in Moscow

    11. The Museum of Cosmonautics. 2,147. Science Museums. The Monument to the Conquerors of Space was erected at Prospekt Mira in Moscow. This outstanding city landmark has been jointly designed by architects Michail Barsh and Andrey Kolchin, and sculptor Andrey Faydish-Krandiyevskiy. September 28th, 1967 Soviet government initiates founding of ...

  23. Video of sex-crazed tourists having sex on Pattaya Beach in Thailand

    The tourists were caught having sex on the shores of Pattaya Beach while others looked on. Facebook/Denis Krungtep. Tents were seen strewn near the part of the beach the pair was seen lying on ...

  24. Chinese Tourists Are Staying Close to Home. Paris and New York ...

    Demand for travel outside of China is so low that many services have been cut, from flight routes to excursions at the famous sights and shopping districts of cities like Paris, Rome, and New York ...

  25. China Tourism: Rich Attractions and a Good Environment

    Here is some useful information about tourism in China: where tourists go, why tourism in China is so good, trends, when tourists travel, and how tourists travel. Rich Tourist Resources in China: Top Cities and Attractions. China covers an area of 9.6 million square kilometers (3.7M sq mi) and has a history of over 5,000 years.

  26. China to offer visa-free travel to travellers from six countries

    China will offer visa-free travel to nationals from Switzerland, Ireland, Hungary, Austria, Belgium and Luxembourg from March 14, foreign minister Wang Yi said on Thursday.

  27. Ant International's Expansion Is Increasingly Strategic

    Growth In Korea . One of the most important markets for Alipay+ is South Korea. Not only is Korea a top destination for Chinese tourists and business travelers, it is also China's fifth largest ...

  28. 7 Top Historical Sites in China You Should Know

    The seven most significant are the Great Wall, the Forbidden City, the Terracotta Army, and the Potala Palace, the Summer Place, the Mogao Grottoes, and the three Confucian sites. All of these are UNESCO World Heritage. 1. The Great Wall: the Longest Defensive System in the World. Chinese: 长城 cháng chéng /channg chnng/.

  29. Frequently asked questions, per diem

    The Federal Travel Regulation 301-11.27 states that in CONUS, lodging taxes paid by the federal traveler are reimbursable as a miscellaneous travel expense limited to the taxes on reimbursable lodging costs. For foreign areas, lodging taxes have not been removed from the foreign per diem rates established by the Department of State.

  30. Maldives signs China military pact in further shift away from India

    Maldives on Tuesday said China will provide it with "military assistance," in the latest sign that the Indian Ocean archipelago's pro-China shift is well under way following the election of ...