©Haines/Shutterstock
China. The name alone makes you want to get packing. It's going places, so jump aboard, go along for the ride and see where it's headed.
Best Time to Visit
Best places to visit, your next trip starts here.
Go from dreaming to planning with trip planning options made to help you craft your ideal itinerary.
Attractions
Must-see attractions.
Po Lin Monastery & Big Buddha
Po Lin is a huge Buddhist monastery and temple complex that was built in 1924. Today it seems more of a tourist honeypot than a religious retreat,…
This cable-hauled funicular railway has been scaling the 396m ascent to the highest point on Hong Kong Island since 1888. A ride on this clanking tram is…
Forbidden City
Forbidden City & Dongcheng Central
Enclosed by 3.5km of citadel walls at the very heart of Beijing, the Unesco-listed Forbidden City is China’s largest and best-preserved collection of…
Mogao Grottoes
The Mogao Grottoes are considered one of the most important collections of Buddhist art in the world. At its peak during the Tang dynasty (618–907), the…
Temple of Heaven Park
Temple of Heaven Park & Dongcheng South
An oasis of methodical Confucian design, the 267-hectare Temple of Heaven Park is unique. It originally served as a vast stage for solemn rites performed…
Army of Terracotta Warriors
The Terracotta Army isn't just Xi'an's premier sight: it's one of the most famous archaeological finds in the world. This subterranean life-size army of…
Summer Palace
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…
Gyantse Kumbum
Commissioned by a local prince in 1427 and sitting beside Palcho Monastery, Gyantse Kumbum is the town’s foremost attraction. This 32m-high chörten, with…
Top picks from our travel experts
The ultimate guide to things to do in china.
Kunqu Opera Museum
Down a narrow lane, this small museum is dedicated to kūnqǔ, the opera style of the region. The beautiful old theatre houses a stage, musical instruments,…
Museum of Contemporary Art & Planning Exhibition
One of those thrillingly space-age, 'only in China' architectural projects, this gargantuan exhibition space designed by Coop Himmelb(l)au anchors…
CCTV Headquarters
Known locally as Da Kucha (大裤衩, Big Pants), the 234m-tall CCTV Tower is an architectural fantasy that appears to defy gravity. Designed by Rem Koolhaas…
Giant Panda Breeding Research Base
One of Chengdu’s most popular attractions, this panda park 18km north of the city centre is the easiest way to glimpse Sichuan’s most famous residents…
798 Art District
Contemporary art meets communist history at this thrilling enclave of international galleries installed within China's model factory complex of the 1950s…
Luoyang Old Town
Any Chinese city worth its rice has an Old Town. Within Luoyang’s is this scenic area comprising a plethora of water-banquet restaurants, costume shops…
Humble Administrator’s Garden
The largest of Suzhou's gardens, the Humble Administrator’s Garden is often considered to be the most impressive, but its fame draws in constant crowds,…
Victoria Peak
Standing at 552m, Victoria Peak is the highest point on Hong Kong Island. It is also one of the most visited spots by tourists, and it’s not hard to see…
Ming Xiaoling Tomb
Zhu Yuanzhang (1328–1398), the founding emperor of the Ming dynasty (also known as the Hongwu Emperor), was buried in the tomb of Ming Xiaoling; he was…
The most climbed mountain on earth, and the most revered of China's five sacred Taoist peaks, Tai Shan is one third of Shandong's claim to having 'yī shān…
The Great Wall
Historically a strategic portal between the fertile lands of the capital and the more arid plains beyond, Badaling has been called the ‘Key to Northern…
Famed for its Ming-era guard towers and excellent views, the 3km-long section of wall at Mutianyu, northeast of Beijing in Huairou County, is largely a…
Jiankou Great Wall
For stupefying hikes along perhaps Beijing’s most incomparable section of Wall, head to Jiankou, where white-knuckle sections like ‘Upward Flying Eagle’…
National Museum of China
Vast and energy-sapping, China's showpiece museum is housed in an immense 1950s Soviet-style building on the eastern side of Tian'anmen Sq, and claims to…
Tian'anmen Square
Flanked by triumphalist Soviet-style buildings, Tian'anmen Sq is an immense void of paved stone (440,000 sq metres, to be precise) at the symbolic centre…
Shanghai Museum
The Bund & People's Square
This must-see museum escorts you through the craft of millennia and the pages of Chinese history. It's home to one of the most impressive collections in…
Rice Terraces
Longji's famed rice terraces have been luring travellers to the region for decades to witness some of China's most spectacular scenery. Rising to 1000m,…
Presidential Palace
After the Taiping took over Nanjing, they built the Mansion of the Heavenly King (天王府, Tiānwáng Fǔ) on the foundations of a former Ming-dynasty palace…
Yabuli Ski Resort
Heilongjiang
Yabuli was China’s first destination ski resort. Since 2009 the resort has expanded to cover two mountains and now has a good division of advanced,…
An original M50 gallery and one of Shanghai's first contemporary art spaces, ShanghART is still going strong 20 years on.
Garden of the Master of the Nets
Off Shiquan Jie, this pocket-sized garden is considered one of Suzhou's best preserved. Laid out in the 12th century, it went to seed and was later…
Sanxingdui Museum
The Sanxingdui Museum, 40km north of Chengdu in Guanghan (广汉), exhibits relics of the Shu kingdom, a cradle of Chinese civilisation dating from 1200 BC to…
Hong Kong Global Geopark
Sai Kung Peninsula
Part of the Unesco Geopark network, this spectacular geopark consists of two regions of formations: volcanic rock from 140 million years ago that often…
A huge development for Shanghai's contemporary art scene, this enormous gallery is housed in the former hangar of Longhua Airport and sprawls over 9000 sq…
Symbolic of concession-era Shanghai, the Bund was the city’s Wall Street, a place of feverish trading and fortunes made and lost. Originally a towpath for…
Lord Stow’s Bakery
Though the celebrated English baker Andrew Stow has passed away, his cafe and the original Lord Stow’s Bakery here keep his memory alive by serving his…
Planning Tools
Expert guidance to help you plan your trip.
Best Things to Do
China is a giant and complex patchwork of cultures, languages and cuisines. As you might expect, there's a lot to see and do - here are the top experiences.
Transportation
Despite its vast size, traveling around China is convenient and efficient, thanks to its high-speed rail network and abundance of airports and local buses.
Visa Requirements
Stretching from Central Asia to the jungles of Vietnam, China is a land of endless travel opportunities. Here's what you need to know about getting a visa.
Latest stories from China
Filter by interest:
- All Interests
- Adventure Travel
- Art & Culture
- Beaches, Coasts & Islands
- Food & Drink
Art and Culture
Feb 21, 2024 • 5 min read
Ancient Buddhas? Ultra-modern cities? Tasty dim sum? Baby pandas? Our list of the best places to visit in China has all this and more.
Jan 2, 2024 • 11 min read
Apr 5, 2023 • 5 min read
Mar 28, 2023 • 3 min read
Oct 10, 2022 • 6 min read
Oct 29, 2021 • 11 min read
Oct 28, 2021 • 9 min read
Oct 27, 2021 • 7 min read
Oct 27, 2021 • 5 min read
Oct 24, 2021 • 4 min read
in partnership with getyourguide
Book popular activities in China
Purchase our award-winning guidebooks.
Get to the heart of China with one of our in-depth, award-winning guidebooks, covering maps, itineraries, and expert guidance.
China and beyond
15 Top-Rated Tourist Attractions in China
Written by Bryan Dearsley Updated Jan 24, 2024
Ever since the world first discovered China through the writings of adventurer Marco Polo more than 700 years ago, this large Asian country has come to be regarded as the embodiment of all that is mysterious and exotic. Even now, after decades of economic growth, this vast country has lost none of its fascination. Indeed, the contrast between China's ancient customs and the new ultra-modern state that is developing has only increased the fascination with a culture that dates back many millennia.
It's a culture that is much celebrated by the Chinese themselves, as evidenced by the preservation of such important historic sites as the Forbidden City and the Summer Palace in Beijing, each recalling the days of China's emperors. And then, of course, there's the famous Great Wall, winding for 6,700 kilometers all the way from the Yellow Sea to Central Asia, while its countless shrines exude the spirit of age-old Eastern religions.
Thanks to its size, China as a tourist destination offers limitless scope for exploration. Whether you choose to travel aboard a luxury cruise ship through the picturesque Yangtze Gorges, visit a bustling city, or seek out the tranquillity of an ancient temple, this country is full of incredible experiences and sightseeing possibilities.
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, 5. cruising the li river, guilin, 6. chengdu research base of giant panda breeding, sichuan, 7. the yangtze river and the three gorges, 8. the classical gardens of suzhou, jiangsu, 9. the potala palace, tibet, 10. shanghai's promenade: the bund, 11. hangzhou's historic west lake, 12. the mausoleum of light: the northern imperial tomb, shenyang, 13. leshan giant buddha, sichuan, 14. the hong kong skyline, 15. zhangjiajie national forest park, hunan.
"Nobody can be a true hero unless he has been on the Great Wall" goes the popular Chinese saying, one that clearly demonstrates the importance placed upon this unique ancient monument.
Known in Chinese as 'Changcheng', or the Long Wall, the magnificent Great Wall of China stretches more than 6,000 kilometers from the fortresses of Shanhaiguan in the east all the way to Jiayuguan in the west. Along the way, it passes through Hebei, Tientsin, and Beijing , where the best-preserved sections of the wall can be visited, as well as Inner Mongolia, Ningxia, and Gansu.
Averaging six to eight meters in height but rising as high as 16 meters and wide enough in places for five horses or 10 men to pass, the wall boasts numerous battlements and watchtowers. Some of the wall's oldest fortifications date back as far as the 7th century BC, with the best-known areas added around 210 BC when its various sections were joined together.
Today, the most visited section of the wall is near Badaling Pass northwest of Beijing, easily reached by public transport or organized tours. Other restored sections worth a visit include the section near Gubeikou , 130 kilometers from Beijing; and in Mutianyu , just 70 kilometers northeast of Beijing.
Location: Huairou District, China
China's largest and most important building, also known as the Imperial Palace, is situated in the very heart of Beijing and is a must-see when visiting the country. Started during the Yuan Dynasty between 1271and 1368, much of the complex seen today was built between 1406 and 1420.
Really many splendid palaces in one, this sprawling complex was the residence of 24 Ming and Qing Emperors whose presence forbade the entry of anyone other than the imperial family and their courtesans. Covering some 720,000 square meters and protected by a 10-meter-high wall with watchtowers and a wide moat, this massive complex consists of areas set aside for ceremonial and administrative purposes, as well as a private residence used by the emperor.
While it can take many hours to see everything, highlights include the five white marble Golden River Bridges; the Hall of Supreme Harmony, a 35-meter-tall building housing the imperial throne; and the exquisite emperor's banquet hall (the Hall of Preserving Harmony).
The Palace Museum with its large collection of art and artifacts from the Ming and Qing dynasties is another must-see.
Spread across an area of more than 720,000 square meters, this impressive nearly 100-year-old museum contains historic buildings that themselves date back to the early 1400s . It takes a lot of time to explore, so be prepared to spend at least a day here. If you can, do a little advance research using the museum's official English-language website to pre-plan the exhibits you're most interested in visiting.
Highlights include fine examples of paintings and ceramics. The museum also houses the country's vast collection of important works of art made from jade and bronze. English language museum tours are available.
Other important attractions in the vicinity of the Imperial Palace include the famous Tiananmen Square , and the Temple of Heaven . One of the country's most important religious sites,this impressive temple dates back to the 15th century.
Address: 4 Jingshan Front St, Dongcheng, Beijing, China
It was while digging wells on the outskirts of Xi'an in the 1970s that farmers stumbled across what was to be China's most important archeological find: the Terracotta Army.
Distributed over three large underground pits and built to guard the First Emperor's tomb, the find included more than 8,000 life-size warriors, some 520 horses, and more than 100 chariots, along with numerous other non-military characters dating from around 280 BC. Although some were severely damaged due to the passing of time, many of the statues unearthed have been painstakingly re-assembled and stand as a testament to the importance bestowed upon the emperor and the afterlife.
This remarkable find is part of Emperor Qin Shi Huang's Mausoleum Site Park and is one of China's most important tourist destinations. It offers the unforgettable experience of standing in front of this assembly of soldiers and horses as if inspecting a centuries-old parade. English-language guided tours are available.
Address: Lintong District, Xi'an, Shaanxi, China
An easy 15-kilometer commute from Beijing, the sumptuous Imperial Summer Palace (Yíhé Yuán) is set amid more than 700 acres of beautiful parkland and is one of China's most visited attractions. While the palace itself was built in 1153, its large lake was added in the 14th century to enhance the Imperial Gardens .
Highlights include the magnificent Hall of Benevolence and Longevity (Renshou Dian), with its throne; and the beautiful Great Theatre, a private three-story structure built in 1891 to satisfy the imperial family's love of opera. This historic venue is still used for performances of traditional Chinese plays and musical events and is worth a visit for a performance or show.
Other highlights include the Hall of Happiness and Longevity (Le Shou Tang Hall) with its lovely gardens and courtyards, as well as many miles of picturesque pathways and walking trails.
If time allows, try to also take in the ruins of the Old Summer Palace in Yuanmingyuan Park. Said to have once been one of the country's most elaborate and architecturally attractive palaces, this once impressive structure was destroyed by colonial forces in the mid-1800s.
Address: 19 Xinjiangongmen Rd, Haidian District, China
The town of Guilin in the northeast corner of Guangxi boasts some of China's most beautiful countryside. It's famous for the Li River which meanders through the town and surrounding karst mountains.
While for hundreds of years this unique scenery has attracted poets and artists and has been the subject of countless fairy tales and legends, these days, it's popular with tourists from around the world wanting to see this natural splendor up close.
The best way to enjoy the area is to take a cruise along the Li River . The most popular stretch is from Guilin to Yangshuo, where the river winds peacefully through some 80 kilometers of remarkable rock formations and caves with romantic names such as the Mount of Unique Beauty , Elephant Trunk Hill, and Reed Flute Cave .
You can choose from a tourist cruise ship to small bamboo punts, and depending upon the type of boat used, trips can take anywhere from a few hours to multiple days.
No visit to China would be complete without at least one panda experience. While the country's top zoos boast many fine specimens of these fascinating creatures, the best place to see them in a close approximation to their natural habitat is at the excellent Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding in Chengdu in the province of Sichuan.
Here, you'll have the chance to watch as many as 80 pandas go about their daily routines, from foraging to playing in the facility's large park-like setting. In addition to viewing these splendid animals up close, you'll learn a great deal about them from the many permanent exhibits and displays detailing ongoing conservation efforts to safeguard their future.
If possible, try to time your visit for the morning feeding sessions. Not only are the pandas at their most active, it's also when you'll get some memorable photos. Better still, sign up for one of the unique experiential volunteer programs that will have you involved in the feeding and care of these cuddly creatures - and possibly even holding a baby panda. English language tours are available.
Address: 1375 Xiongmao Ave, Chenghua District, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
- Read More: Top Tourist Attractions in Chengdu & Easy Day Trips
Known in China as Chang Jiang ("Long River"), the mighty Yangtze River extends more than 6,000 kilometers, making it the longest and most important river in China. It also has the distinction of being the third longest in the world after the Amazon and the Nile.
Flowing from Tibet in the west to Shanghai in the east through eight provinces, the Yangtze has, for more than 2,000 years, been China's major transportation route as some 2,700 kilometers are navigable. Its vast catchment area, with its 700 tributaries, covers about one-fifth of the total area of the country and encompasses a quarter of the country's agricultural land.
While its immense length ensures the river can be visited at numerous points in China, by far the most popular for tourists is the beautiful Three Gorges. Named Qutang, Wu, and Xiling, they cover a 200-kilometer stretch between the towns of Fengjie and Yichang. In places a mix of raging torrents and dangerous shallows, here the river winds its way through the gorges and their rugged cliffs and high mountain peaks in a stretch of scenery as dramatic as the Grand Canyon.
Numerous sightseeing options are available, from luxurious riverboat cruises focusing on the region's many historical attractions and places of scenic beauty to challenging adventure tours along the most dramatic sections of the river.
Considered one of the world's most important historic gardens and designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Classical Gardens of Suzhou should rank highly on your China travel itinerary. Located in the historic city of Suzhou in Jiangsu province, these magnificent gardens were established in the 11th century, at a time when the city was experiencing unprecedented growth, and were among some 270 or more gardens planted here.
Of the surviving restored gardens, the most famous is the delightful Garden of Lingering . This seven-acre garden was laid out in 1800 on the site of a park originally created during the Ming Dynasty. One of the most famous garden complexes in China, it boasts a pool, several attractive buildings, a man-made hill, a grove of peach trees, and a lovely covered pathway on the walls of which hang more than three hundred stone tablets engraved with old Chinese characters.
Also worth visiting is the Garden of the Cang Lang Ting Pavilion . This two-acre garden offers many unique features, including a double arcade connecting the inner and outer sections.
Address: 178 Dongbei St, Gusu District, Suzhou, Jiangsu, China
Another of China's most recognizable historic structures is the magnificent Potala Palace in the town of Lhasa, Tibet. Constructed as a fortress and residence for the Dalai Lama, it was for centuries a center of political and religious power and contains many of the religion's most important treasures.
The first of the two Potala Palaces, the Red Palace , was built in the 17th century and contains the complex's most important shrines. These are found in the Enthronement Hall, the walls of which are covered with murals depicting scenes from the lives of the Dalai Lamas and the Tibetan kings. Other highlights of the Red Palace are its many vast halls devoted to the religion's teachings and the elaborate tombs, known as "stupas," of a number of Dalai Lamas.
The equally impressive White Palace was completed in 1648 and includes the sleeping quarters, studies, and reception rooms, most untouched since 1959 when the Dalai Lama fled Tibet. While in Lhasa, be sure to visit the superb Jewel Gardens . Part of the Dalai Lama's summer residence, these 90-acre gardens were first started in the 1840s and encompass everything from grand palaces and pavilions to pleasant lakes.
Address: 35 Central Beijing Road, Lhasa, Tibet, China
A remarkable act of smart city planning and preservation can be seen in Shanghai's splendid riverside promenade, the Zhongshan Lu, perhaps better known as the Bund (Wàitan). As you stroll this wide pedestrian zone along the Huangpu Jiang River, you'll almost forget you're bang-smack in the middle of China's largest city (Shanghai's population exceeds 24 million people).
Famous for its European feel, a fact owed to the district's past as the location of the city's International Settlement, the Bund is popular for its 52 preserved English- and French-influenced buildings, many now restaurants, cafés, stores, and art galleries. Representing a variety of influences from Gothic to Renaissance styles including a number of Art Deco buildings, the architecture includes highlights such as the old harbor customs office, with its bell tower, and the majestic Peace Hotel.
For the best views of the Bund, visit the 468-meter Oriental Pearl Tower on the opposite bank of the Huangpu Jiang River. If time allows, be sure to also visit the Yu Garden. Known affectionately as the "Garden of Happiness," this must-see garden can trace its roots back to 1559 when it was laid out. Many of the original structures survive to this day.
Address: Zhongshan East 1st Rd, Wai Tan, Huangpu, Shanghai, China
- Read More: Top Tourist Attractions in Shanghai & Easy Day Trips
Few cities in China can boast quite the same concentration of splendid historic sites and ancient temples as the city of Hangzhou (Hangchow). Capital of Zhejiang province and located at the southernmost end of China's famous Grand Canal , much of this rich collection is gathered around lovely West Lake, a six-kilometer-square stretch of water in the heart of the old city which is surrounded by numerous hills, pagodas, and temples.
Divided into five distinct sections by man-made causeways dating back as far as the 11th century, it's a marvelous area to explore on foot as you cross from one stretch of water to the next, only to be met with another cluster of fine old buildings. It's particularly pleasant in spring when its many peach trees are blossoming.
Part of the fun is lingering on the lake's many fine old bridges, one of the best being the Broken Bridge (Duanqiao) linking the Baidi Causeway with the shore, and exploring Little Paradise Island with its four mini-lakes linked by the zigzagging Bridge of the Nine Arches .
Be sure to hop aboard one of the many tour boats and small pleasure craft available to whisk you around the lake. And if time permits, stick around for the fun musical fountain show held each evening.
- Read More: Top-Rated Tourist Attractions in Hangzhou
In China's mountainous northeastern region is the old city of Shenyang. This important center for trade and culture is home to the Mausoleum of Light (Zhaoling), also known as the Northern Imperial Tomb.
One of northeastern China's most important historic sites, it's included on the UNESCO World Heritage Site's list of Imperial Tombs of the Ming and Qing Dynasties and is noted for its unique architectural style: a combination of traditionally arranged Chinese burial sites and castle-like buildings of the early Qing period.
Buried here in a vast site covering more than 180,000 square meters that took eight years to complete is Emperor Huang Taiji, who reigned from 1626-35. The site is notable for its 'Path of Souls', a laneway lined with stone columns and sculptures of the emperor's favorite horses.
Another important site is the imposing Imperial Palace dating from the early Qing era, the second largest completely preserved palace complex in China after the Imperial Palace in Beijing. The complex served as a residence for the first Qing Emperors and includes several splendid courtyards around which are grouped numerous buildings, including the Hall of Exalted Government (Chongzheng Dian) housing the imperial throne.
Location: Huanggu District, Shenyang, China
" The mountain is a Buddha and the Buddha is a mountain. " So goes the famous Chinese saying, one that's attributed to the spectacular 71-meter-tall Leshan Giant Buddha. And it certainly makes sense as you stand at its feet as the colossal statue towers high above you.
Started in AD 713 by a Buddhist monk and completed 90 years later, this important religious icon is carved entirely from a stone cliff face and is the largest Buddha sculpture in the world. Representing the Buddha Maitreya, the statue is even more dramatic given its location overlooking the river that it was designed to appease which had often proven treacherous for shipping.
Designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Giant Buddha continues to draw huge numbers of pilgrims from across the globe and is widely regarded as one of China's must-visit attractions. Easily accessible from the city of Chengdu , the Leshan Giant Buddha can be reached by a fun ferry trip from the public docks in Leshan. The scenic park in which the Buddha is set is also worth exploring, so be sure to allocate sufficient time to your itinerary.
Address: 2345 Lingyun Rd, Shizhong District, Leshan, Leshan, Sichuan, China
Widely considered one of the world's most dramatic city skylines - as much a result of its having one of the highest concentrations of skyscrapers as it is the presence of the tall hills that frame them - Hong Kong has for decades been the bustling capital of finance and commerce in this part of the Pacific. And it's a cityscape that can be enjoyed from a number of different vantages.
One of the best views is from Victoria Peak on Hong Kong Island, where the skyscrapers frame the city's huge harbor, a special treat after nightfall. Equally stunning is the view from Victoria Harbour itself. Here, you can also take one of Hong Kong's famous ferries. Operated by the Star Ferry company, you can hop aboard and head to various points to wander and explore, such as Kowloon. Or you can simply stay on board and enjoy the views.
If possible, try to time your trip to coincide with the nightly laser extravaganza, a stunning 360-degree laser-light show that uses the harbor's skyscrapers as a magical backdrop. For the best views, try to catch the show from the Kowloon side of Victoria Harbour.
Traveling with family? If so, you'll want to include Hong Kong Disneyland on your travel itinerary. China's first Disney theme park opened in 2005 and while visitors will notice many of the same rides as in the brand's other properties, careful attention was paid to China's cultural heritage. A highlight for fans of Disney's animated movies is the new in 2023 World of Frozen , while 2024 will see the opening of Stark Expo , an area dedicated to the characters of the Marvel universe.
- Read More: Top-Rated Tourist Attractions in Hong Kong
When you first set eyes on Zhangjiajie National Forest Park in Hunan province, it's certainly not difficult to see how filmmaker James Cameron was able to draw inspiration from it.
Cameron's box office hit Avatar , could well have been set in this area of stunning natural beauty, its many unique pillar-like rock formations looking like some incredible alien landscape right out of a sci-fi movie. One of the tallest pillars, standing at an impressive 1,080 meters, has been renamed "Avatar Hallelujah Mountain."
This is one of the lesser-known places to visit in China, but it's well worth the effort to get here. In addition to its many natural wonders, which can best be explored as part of an organized tour, the park boasts a number of new man-made attractions. The first to be built was the Bailong Elevator, aka the "Hundred Dragons Sky Lift." Elevating groups of up to 50 people 326 meters skyward in under two minutes, it's an impressive structure and one that offers dramatic views all the way.
Also notable is the Zhangjiajie Grand Canyon Glass Bridge. Opened in 2016, it's heralded as the world's highest and tallest pedestrian bridge. Standing 300 meters above the ground and extending 430 meters along a spectacular cliff face, it's an attraction that's definitely not recommended for the faint of heart but one of the best things to do if you are looking to add a little adventure to your day.
Location: Wulingyuan District, Zhangjiajie, Hunan, China
More on China
Touropia Travel Experts
Discover the World
30 Top Attractions & Things to do in China
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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, 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
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 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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
Share this post:
17 Best Places to Visit in China
15 Best Cities to Visit in China
12 Most Beautiful National Parks in China
10 Most Amazing Temples in China
9 Most Beautiful Regions in China
14 Most Beautiful Small Towns in China
10 Best Places to Visit the Great Wall of China
10 Top Tourist Attractions in Beijing
9 Best Things to Do in Lhasa, Tibet
10 Best Things to Do in Yangshuo, China
Reader interactions.
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!
February 26, 2018 at 8:12 am
The Jiuzhaigou and the Reed Flute Cave looks so beautiful.
June 1, 2017 at 9:56 pm
I can’t wait to visit China soon. all these place looks beautiful .
February 25, 2017 at 4:53 am
wow every thing about china is fabulous
September 19, 2016 at 7:41 am
I suggest to add to this list: the rainbow mountains Absolutely marveillous
May 8, 2015 at 12:30 am
*added these to my list- Thank you for these great suggestions!
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.
May 23, 2013 at 3:50 am
superb…..!!
October 30, 2012 at 8:26 am
Leave a Reply Cancel reply
Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *
This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed .
- 86-19138970032 (GMT+8 18:00~09:00)
- Beijing Xian Tours
- Shanghai Beijing Tours
- Hong Kong Guilin Tours
- Hangzhou Suzhou Tours
- Kunming Lijiang Tours
- Shanghai Yangtze Cruise Tours
- Chengdu Tibet Tours
- More Short Stay Tours
- China Tours in January
- China Tours in February
- China Tours in March
- China Tours in April
- China Tours in May
- China Tours in June
- China Tours in July
- China Tours in August
- China Tours in September
- China Tours in October
- China Tours in November
- China Tours in December
- High Speed Trains
- China Yangtze Cruise Tour
- Photography
- Desert Adventure
- Ethnic Villages
- Biking Tours
- Kung Fu Tours
- Heritage Sites Exploration
- China Spring Tours
- China Summer Tours
- China Autumn Tours
- China Winter Tours
- Best-value Yangtze Cruises
- Top Family-friendly Cruise Ships
- Top 3 Luxury Yangtze River Cruises
- Yangtze River Highlights
- Yangtze River Cruise Routes
- Upstream or Downstream?
- Dining & Drinking
- Accommodations
- On-board Activities
- Yangtze Cruise Booking Steps
- Inner Mongolia
- Fanjingshan
- How to Plan Your First China Tour
- How to Plan Beijing Tour
- How to Plan Xian Tour
- How to Plan Shanghai Tour
- How to Plan Guilin Tour
- How to Plan Sichuan Tour
- How to Plan Family Tour
- 2024 China Travel Ideas
- Best Time to Visit China
- What to Pack for Your China Journey
- Updated China Travel News
- Ultimate Chinese Visa Guide
- Chinese Visa Types
- Chinese Visa Requirements
- Do I Need a Visa for China
- Chinese Visa Application
- Chinese Visa Exemptions
- 144-hour Visa Free
- Shenzhen Visa on Arrival
- Hainan 30-day Visa Free
- Embassies & Consulates
- Invitation Letter
- Useful Visa FAQs & Tips
- Entry Regulations
- Baggage Allowance
- Customs Declaration
- Exit Regulation
- How to Book Train Tickets
- How to Collect Train Tickets
- How to Cancel & Alter Train Tickets
- How to Read Train Tickets
- China High Speed Train Types
- Seats Class & How to Choose
- Friendly Facilities on the Train
- The Train Station Departure Process
- Available Food and Drinks on the Train
- Western Toilets on the Train
- Luggage Racks & Baggage Allowance
- Beijing Train Stations
- Shanghai Train Stations
- Guilin Train Stations
- Xian Train Stations
- Chengdu Train Stations
- Hong Kong West Kowloon Railway Station
- Beijing - Xian
- Beijing - Shanghai
- Guangzhou - Shanghai
- Shenzhen - Shanghai
- Chengdu - Xian
- Shanghai - Hangzhou
- Shanghai - Xian
- Chengdu - Chongqing
- Kunming - Lijiang
- Beijing Capital International
- Beijing Daxing International
- Shanghai Pudong International
- Shanghai Hongqiao International
- Guangzhou Baiyun International
- Hangzhou Xiaoshan International
- Chengdu Tianfu International
- Chengdu Shuangliu International
- Xian Xianyang International
- Shanghai - Beijing
- Hong Kong - Shanghai
- Guangzhou - Beijing
- Chengdu - Lhasa
- Shanghai - Guilin
- Shanghai - Sanya
- Travel in Spring Season
- Travel in Summer Season
- Travel in Autumn Season
- Travel in Winter Season
- Weather in January
- Weather in February
- Weather in March
- Weather in April
- Weather in May
- Weather in June
- Weather in July
- Weather in August
- Weather in September
- Weather in October
- Weather in November
- Weather in December
- Top 10 China Destinations
- Top 15 Things to Do
- China World Heritage Sites
- Top 10 Best Natural Beauties
- Top 10 Museums in China
- Top 10 Old Towns & Villages
- Five Great Mountains in China
- Top 10 Monasteries & Temples
- Top 10 Ski Resorts
- Top 10 Beautiful Lakes in China
- 7 Best Beaches in Sanya
- Top 6 Beautiful Waterfalls
- Panda Volunteering
- Having fun on Ice and Snow Festival
- About Us Who We Are Our Team Why Travel with Us Feedback & Reviews Travel Stories Travelers' Gallery Payment Guide Customer Support Contact Us
- Tour Experiences
Destinations
- Travel Guide
Best Places to Visit for Expats in China
No matter you are in China for business, study or permanent living, you are highly suggested to make maximize use of your weekends and holidays to explore this wonderful country. Maybe getting up close to the incredible landscapes is your preference? Are you interested in the unique culture of the Great Wall, Kung Fu and ancient army? Or do you want to take your taste buds on a trip by sampling Chinese specialties? China offers all of this and more.
Here are up-to-date lists of Best Places to Visit in China for China Expats . All are voted completely by over 20,000 foreigners in China.
China Icons
Best China Tours for Expats in China:
- ☛ 3 Days Classic Zhangjiajie Natural Wonders Tour
- ☛ 2 Days Leisure Chengdu Private Tour with Panda Visit
- ☛ 3 Days Beijing Essential Short Stay Tour
- ☛ 4 Days Jiayuguan Dunhuang Tour (Silk Road Short Break)
For Nature Lovers
Have you been yearning to nature for a long time? China has everything for you, from the majestic gorges to towering Kast Mountains, magical avatar mountains to holy snow mountains, breathtaking Yellow Mountain to beautiful Rainbow Mountains, stunning rivers to pure alpine lakes, otherworldly stone forest to spectacular waterfalls, and so on.
- Guilin Guilin's Scenery is the best under heaven! This ideal place always drives tourists crazy with majestic Karst Hills, emerald rivers…
- Yellow Mountain "No mountain is worth seeing after a trip to Yellow Mountain". Yellow Mountain, or called Huangshan, is the most beautiful mountain in China!
- Zhangjiajie Avatar Mountains are calling! Here in Zhangjiajie, you can get up close to thousands of magical Avatar pillars!
- Guizhou Guizhou has China's largest waterfall - Huangguoshu Waterfalls, a rising star among mountaineers - Fanjingshan…
- Daocheng Yading Daocheng is praised as the Last Pure Land on Our Planet! It has superb snow mountains, ice glaciers, alpine lakes, valleys…
- Hangzhou When it comes to the most beautiful lake in China, Hangzhou West Lake usually tops the list. Mountains of tea plantations in this city are also amazing!
- Kunming Kunming, the spring city with pleasant weather all year round, is also rich in natural wonders like the stone forest, red land…
Best China Tours for Nature Lovers
- ☛ 3 Days Classic Jiuzhaigou Tour
- ☛ 4 Days Guilin Highlights Tour
- ☛ 3 Days Huangshan Highlights Leisure Tour
- ☛ 3 Days Classic Fanjingshan Tour
- ☛ 5 Days Kunming, Jianshui & Yuanyang Rice Terraces Tour
For Chinese History & Culture Fans
With as long as 5,000 years of history, China has abundant of cultural museums and heritages to explore. It is because of its long history and splendid culture that every year China attracts flocks of visitors to come and travel around. If you are also Chinese culture fans, simply visiting museums isn’t always enough. You’ll get the most satisfactions out of ruins of ancient times in front of you and visiting places that once the capital and prosperous hub in the past. Getting close to its historic cities and sites is like opening a door to trace the mysterious and splendid past. And in China, the cities below are the top picks to trace its past.
- Beijing From the world-class Great Wall to spectacular Forbidden City, Beijing, of course, always tops the travel list of Chinese culture fans.
- Lijiang Lijiang Old Town is one of the four best well-preserved ancient towns in the whole China. Lijiang also has Baisha Village, Shuhe Ancient Village…
- Suzhou "Suzhou Gardens are the finest under heaven". Suzhou City has a flavor of elegance everywhere, from the classic gardens to water towns, silk factories to ancient streets…
- Foshan Fungfu Fans? Why not add Foshan, the Hometown of Marital Arts, into your trip? You can learn the stories of many martial arts masters here, including Bruce Lee!
- Shaolin Temple Shaolin Temple is the birthplace of Chinese Kung Fu that you see in many Kung Fu movies. Here, you can join the Kung Fu classes and enjoy Kung Fu shows.
- Kaili If you are curious about the minority culture in China, or want to visit some well-preserved minority villages, Kaili is one of the best choices.
- Leshan Leshan Giant Buddha is a must-visit for all Buddhist devotees. This stone Buddha is the tallest in the world!
Best China Tours for Chinese History & Culture Fans
- ☛ 2 Days Beijing Layover Highlights Tour
- ☛ 3 Days Classic Xian Tour
- ☛ 3 Days Romantic Lijiang Tour with Visits to Naxi Kingdom
- ☛ 3 Days Essence of Luoyang Tour
- ☛ 3 Days Best Dunhuang Culture and Scenery Tour
- ☛ 3 Days Kaili Minority & Cultural Experience Tour with Xijiang Miao Village
For Families
If you are in China with your kids and searching for places to spend your weekends and holidays, choices are a lot. You can visit the China Icons like Great Wall and pandas, sail the picturesque Yangtze River or Li River and marvel at the Avatar Mountains in Zhangjiajie and so on.
- Xian Terracotta Warriors and Horses, Ancient City Wall, Muslim Quarter, Giant Wild Goose Pagoda , Bell Tower, Drum Tower… Everyone can have fun in Xian.
- Yangtze River The classic Yangtze River cruises take 4~5 days. If you have more days, you can have an in-depth visit of 11~15 days. Everything is perfectly arranged for your family.
- Zhangjiajie Floating Avatar Mountains, Zhangjiajie Glass Bridge, Yellow Dragon Cave, nearby tranquil Fenghuang Ancient Town…
- Chengdu Everyone loves adorable Pandas! And in Chengdu, you can not only admire their lovely looks in a distance but also be a one-day keeper to feed them...
- Yangshuo Guilin’s scenery is the best under earth, and the landscape in Yangshuo is the best in Guilin. Yangshuo is an ideal place to take a glimpse of Chinese countryside!
- Xiashuangbanna Featured with large groups of plants and wild animals and a strong flavor of tropical and South East Asian, Xishuangbanna is a popular tourist land for families.
Best China Tours for Families
- ☛ 4 Days Beijing Family Tour with Kids Fun
- ☛ 2 Days Xian City Break
- ☛ 3 Days Classic Guilin Tour
- ☛ Days Best Shanghai Family Holiday Tour
For Hiking Aficionados
Looking for some amazing accesses to wonderful mountains, gorges and so on by your steps? No matter you are beginners or experienced hikers, China can perfectly fulfill your dreams. There are notable great wall, popular Yellow Mountain, adventurous Mount Kailash, little-known Yubeng and so forth for you to choose!
- Great Wall "He who has not climbed the Great Wall is not a true man"! There are top 7 sections of great walls are calling, including Mutianyu, Jinshaling, Badaling, Simatai, etc.
- Tiger Leaping Gorge The Tiger Leaping Gorge hiking trail is one of the most famous routes in the world! It is a totally natural one winding through the hillside and cliffs high above a gorgeous gorge.
- Mount Siguniang The beautiful Mount Siguniang provides diverse of hiking opportunities, from leisure hiking to top professional hiking to the summits of Snow Mountains.
Best China Tours for Hiking Aficionados
- ☛ 2 Days Mutianyu and Jinshanling Great Wall Hiking
- ☛ 3 Days Tiger Leaping Gorge Hiking Tour
- ☛ 2 Days Mount Emei Leisure Hiking Tour from Chengdu
- ☛ 3 Days Xian Mount Huashan Leisure Tour
For Foodies
Every city in China offers diverse delicious dining options. You can of course treat your taste mud with excellent dishes in the city you are living or working. However, if you want some authentic tastes of specialties of different regions, you can head to Chengdu for Sichuan Cuisine dishes like Kung Pao Chicken, to Chongqing for Nine-grid hot pot, to Shunde for excellent Cantonese Cuisine, to Xian for various kinds of cooked wheaten food…
- Chengdu Chengdu is the capital of Sichuan, the province where many notable dishes like including Mapo Tofu, Twice Cooked Pork and Gong Bao (yes Kung Pow) Chicken originate.
- Beijing Everyone knows Beijing Roast Duck! Instant-boiled Mutton is also delicious. You may also like the unique Fermented Mung Bean Juice, Rolling Donkey, Pea Flour Cake…
- Chongqing The hot pot meals in Chongqing, the Hot Pot City in China, are considered to the best and most beloved. You can throw almost any ingredient into the hotpot.
Best China Tours for Foodies
- ☛ 2 Days Best Chengdu Food Tour with City Sightseeing
- ☛ 5 Days Brilliant Lingnan Culture & Food Tour
- ☛ 4 Days Beijing Food Hunting Tour
For Photography Enthusiasts
Photography is a great way to record the beautiful China and forever keep your memories during your travels in China. No matter you are professional photospheres with superb photographic "guns" or shutterbugs who just want some interesting Instagram images, China never let you down. From the sprawling mountains to the scenic beaches, idyllic rice terraces to never-ending meadows, China is full of great places to press your shutter.
- Longji Rice Terraces Longji Rice Terraces in Guilin is not only famous for its huge size and traditional minority culture, but also unique terraces in amazing shapes of moons, phoenixes, dragons...
Best China Tours for Photography Enthusiasts
- ☛ 4 Days Xiapu Mudflat Photography Tour
- ☛ 4 Days Yuanyang Rice Terrace Awesome Photography Tour
For Modern Charms Philatelists
Looking forward to visit the modern cities to experience the rapid development of China or to feel the most state-of-the-art high-techs? There are also a lot of recommendations in China.
- Hong Kong From high-end shopping malls to colorful recreation venues, luxury cruises to stunning skyline, every corner in Hong Kong gives you perfect explanations about modern.
- Shenzhen Shenzhen is regarded as an incubator for cutting-edge design, a rule-breaking tech hub and a bastion of next-gen urbanism. High-tech stories usually starts here!
- Guangzhou Guangzhou is at the forefront of modern living, but is not that crazy as Shanghai and Shenzhen. Shopping and dining sprees there are great!
Best China Tours for Modern Charms Philatelists
- ☛ 3 Days Shanghai Past and Present Contrast Tour
- ☛ 2 Days Essence of Hong Kong Tour
- ☛ 2 Days Shenzhen Short Stay Tour with All Essences
Helpful China Expats Travel Guide
- Weekend Trips from Beijing
- Weekend Trips from Shanghai
- Shanghai Day Tours 2024
- Weekend Trips from Chengdu
- Weekend Trips from Guangzhou
- Weekend Trips from Shenzhen
- Weekend Trips from Hangzhou
- Weekend Trips from Suzhou
- China Expats Travel Tips
Recommended China Tours for Expats 2024
This is the most popular China tour to Beijing, Xian and Shanghai to visit the most iconic China attractions - Great Wall, Terracotta Warriors, The Bund, etc., and explore great of both China’s past and present.
With the Golden Triangle plus the fabulous Karst and countryside scenery of Guilin, this tour leads you to top 4 destinations anyone cannot miss out in China especially for the first-timers.
Travel from north to south China, meet stunning nature and culture, urban and countryside scenery with relaxing cruise experience on the beautiful Yangtze River.
Coverinng top highlights in China to please your eyes, ease your spirit, witness grand and beautiful landscape in special ways.
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.
Have a question? Get answers from our travel experts or guests
- Your Question:
- Your Email:
- Affordable and valuable price
- 100% tailor-made packages
- Highly rated customers reviews
- Efficient customer support
China Tours
- Top 10 China Tours
- Classic China Tours
- China Tours from Beijing
- China Tours from Shanghai
- China Tours from Hong Kong
- China Tours from Chengdu
- Short China Trips
- Customize China Tour
- China Panda Tours
- Family Tour with Kids
- High-Speed Train Tour
- Silk Road Travel
- Yangtze River Cruise
- Hiking & Trekking Tours
- Photography Tours
- China Minority Travel
- Beijing Shanghai Tours
- Shanghai Yangtze Tours
- Chengdu Jiuzhaigou Tours
- Chengdu Lhasa Tours
- Suzhou Hangzhou Tours
- Guilin & Yangshuo
- Zhangjiajie
“Very good experience”
“WONDERFUL 25 DAYS IN CHINA - PRIVATE TOUR”
“Awesome China tour from northeast to southwest”
Any questions, please email us at: [email protected] or call us at: 86-19138970032 (Monday-Friday 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. GMT+8)
- Terms & Condition
- Privacy Policy
- Customer Support
Copyright © 2011-2024. All rights reserved.
Cookie policy
We use cookies to give you the best experience on our website. Continue using our website means you agree with our cookie policy. For more info, please read here .
- [email protected]
- 86-773-286-5632 (Intl rates apply)
China Travel, Experience Your Way!
We are a China-based company and have been serving online customers for over 20 years. We provide private one-stop China trips that are fun and flexible, with the freedom to choose local activities and experiences to make your trip. We are more than happy to customize your unique trip. We are here to help and enhance your tour with more experience and more fun.
Top China Tours 2024/2025 - Tailor-made Packages at Affordable Prices
Here we offer the most popular China tours in 2024. You can experience the country's cultural diversity and widely varying landscapes throughout these tours.
Glories of China
11 Days | Beijing - Xian - Guilin/Yangshuo - Shanghai
Explore the iconic ‘must-see’ destinations of China from north to south.
China Adventure Journey
13 Days | Beijing - Xian - Chengdu - Guilin - Shanghai
Immerse yourself in Guilin’s karst landscape and see the cute Giant Pandas in Chengdu.
Silk Road Glorious Tour
15 Days | Shanghai - Xi'an - Dunhuang - Turpan - Jiaohe - Urumqi - Kashgar
Explore the historical, beautiful, and mysterious Silk Route of Old China with this unique tour.
Classic China Tours
The classical China tours are designed for first-time travelers to the top destinations while involving the top tourist attractions.
Classic China Tour
8 Days | Beijing - Xi'an - Shanghai
China Golden Triangle trip is usually chosen by the first-time traveler and includes the Must-sees in China.
China Impression Journey
11 days | Beijing - Xian - Yangtze River - Shanghai
Explore both the ancient cultures and prosperous features and relax on the Yangtze River Cruise.
China Panoramic Impression
16 days | Beijing - Xi'an - Lhasa - Yangtze River Cruise - Shanghai
Explore sacred Tibet and other classic parts of China, enabling you to experience more of the real China.
Top China Destinations
Visa-free, Vibrant Culture
Capital of China. Historical sites
Ethnic minorities. Snow mountains
Scenic area in China. Landscapes
The Roof of the World
Zhangjiajie
UNESCO Global Geopark. Glass bridge
Travel Tips & Articles
Lantern festival 2024, china entry and exit requirements and procedures, plan your first trip to china - where to go/best time/budget..., 2024 chinese zodiac, popular chinese girls names, palm reading guide, why book with us.
O ne-Stop Service
Discuss 1:1 with our dedicated experts, who'll take care of all your concerns; including questions about guides, hotels, and transfers.
R icher Experiences
Local activities to create cultural experiences, with insightful local guides, like making terracotta warriors, or making dumplings.
Y ou Are the Boss
You set the pace on your private tour. You decide how much to pack for your trip, and which activities and scenery to enjoy, according to your preference.
2 Day Private Tour Highlights Guilin, Li River Cruise and Yangshuo
I had a great experience during this private 2 days tour organized by Vanessa at China Travel and guided by Gary, a highly professional, friendly and knowledgable guide. In particular the 4 hour Li river cruise on a 4 star boat and the 2 1/2 hour bicycle ride along the Yulong river with fantastic scenery exceeded my expectations! ... more>>
-- by Chris
Request a custom itinerary today and get one step closer to your personalized trip
Create Your Trip
- Destinations
Let's Discover China With Local Travel Experts
A community of qualified local travel experts bring you authentic chinese experience., best china travel marketplace to book your tours.
DiscoverChina.com offers best tour packages which fulfill your all travel needs. We almost assist in 30 Cities including Shanghai tours , Beijing tours , Guilin tours and much more. You can explore and book a customized tour with us (Without paying the upfront cost). Our aim is to provide the best facilitation and guidance when you plan to travel to China .
China tourism enriched a strong historical culture which attracts people to travel to China. From the Great wall tour to wonderful beaches in Sanya, It's worth it to see such beautiful places visit in China ! Explore and discover the historical cities to visit in China and enjoy the unforgettable journey! Mongolia travel
Top Destinations
Beijing 10 tours
Hong Kong 6 tours
Shanghai 14 tours
Guangzhou 0 tours
Guilin 10 tours
Anyang 0 tours
Changsha 0 tours
Chengdu 2 tours
Recommended tours.
See Tours By Attractions
Why Choose DiscoverChina?
Local travel experts
Travel with qualified local travel companies that is owned and operated by Chinese.
Authentic experiences
You will meet real local agents in each city. For instance; Discover Shanghai with Shanghai-based agent.
tours and activities
There XXX choices from YY cities. Book your trips jumping over the cities.
Risk-free cancelation policy
You can always cancel your booking FOR FREE Within 24 Hours prior to the departure time.
Money back guarantee
If our services don't meet your expectations or missed any part of the trips because of the local agencies, we will refund you money.
Repurchase loyalty
if you make a booking for the next cities, you will get 5% discount.
Tailor made program
Should you need a longer tours, just select and contact an agent to get a free quote.
Instant confirmation
No need to wait a long time for tour confirmation. Just book and get a confirmation immediately.
Latest Articles
- Why Discover China
- Terms & conditions
- Privacy Policy
- Visa to China
- When to travel
- Work with Us
- Agent sign up
Search This Section
China's top attractions: a complete guide, highlights ››.
- Guiyang's tourist appeal grows
- Chinese tourist arrivals to Cambodia's Angkor up significantly
- 'Ice city' sees booming tourism
- China announces visa-free policy for 6 European countries: FM
- Exploring ancient charms of Guizhou: A journey to Hongyang village
- Greece expects more Chinese visitors with extra direct air links
Travel Talk ››
- A gravesite alive with tradition
- 'Ghost city' brings Silk Road to life
- Force of nature
- Tours that explore all life's possibilities
Events & Festivals ››
- "Happy Chinese New Year" celebration events launched in Malta
- Beijing Wtown kicks off Christmas season
- Beijing W-town welcomes international guests
- Daily guide to shows, concerts, events in China
Trip Ideas ››
- 8 things that you can't miss in Macao
- 6 day Chinese civilization tour in Henan
- Seven-day Jiangxi tour route
- 7-day classic tour route in Zhejiang
Tours Suppliers :
Destinations ››.
China's top 7 Danxia landforms
Top 10 temples for Spring Festival prayers
Top 8 October destinations in China
Top 10 attractions in Fujian, China
Top 10 attractions in Henan, China
Top 10 attractions in Qinghai, China
Top 10 attractions in Guizhou, China
Top 10 tips for Westerners traveling in Beijing
Top 10 attractions in Jilin, China
Top 10 attractions in Hubei,China
Top 10 domestic destinations for rich Chinese in 2012
Top 10 attractions in Guangxi, China
Travel Essentials
- Visa & Customs
- World Clock
- Currency Converter
- Travel Agencies
- Train Timetable
- Airlines Guide
- Learning Chinese
Unique China ››
Complaints ››.
- Inner Mongolia
- Heilongjiang
Local Tourism Administration ››
Tourism related laws.
- Implementation Rules for Law on Control of the Entry & Exit of Aliens
- Rules for the Implementation of Frontier Health and Quarantine Law
- Law on Control of the Entry and Exit of Aliens
- Frontier Health and Quarantine Law
- Law on Import and Export Commodity Inspection
Useful Info
- China's Tourism Offices in Foreign Countries
- Medical Assistance
- Telephone and Postal Codes
- China Hotline Numbers
- INSTITUTIONS
- China Tourist Visa
- Here are the documents you are to prepare before submission of visa application
- Getting a visa
- Consular Authentication of Documents in China
- Notice of port visa application procedures for foreigners
- Do I need a visa?
- FAQs about China's port visas
- Other frequently asked questions about Chinese visa
- How can a foreigner travel in China on his own vehicle?
- What documents are needed to apply for group tourist visas?
- What are the requirements for 72-hour transit visa exemption?
Copyright© www.gov.cn | About us | Contact us
Website identification code bm01000001 registration number: 05070218, all rights reserved. the content (including but not limited to text, photo, multimedia information, etc) published in this site belongs to www.gov.cn., without written authorization from www.gov.cn, such content shall not be republished or used in any form..
Copyright© www.gov.cn | Contact us
Website identification code bm01000001, registration number: 05070218.
- Group Enquiry? NEW
- 55 Places to Visit in China
China Tourist Places
Quick navigation, must places to visit in china, the great wall of china.
Forbidden City
Imperial Palace
The Terracotta Army, Xi'an
The Summer Palace
Li River, Guilin
Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding
Yangtze River and the Three Gorges
Best of Malaysia
Potala Palace
Hangzhou's Historic West Lake
The Mausoleum of Light
Leshan Giant Buddha
Hong Kong Skyline
Zhangjiajie National Forest Park
Places to Visit in Beijing
Tiananmen square.
Best of Hong Kong
Beijing Capital Museum And The National Centre For The Performing Arts
Beijing Ancient Observatory
National Museum Of China
The Temple Of Heaven
Great Wall Of Badaling
The Fayuan Temple
Shichahai Rents Out Ice Skates
Best of Japan
Places to Visit in Shanghai
Nanjing road.
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 Haichang Ocean Park
Shanghai Auto Museum
Madame Tussauds
Longhua Temple And Pagoda
Best of Tokyo
Places to Visit in Guilin
Longji rice terrace.
Reed Flute Cave
Elephant Trunk Hill
Yangshuo West Street
Gudong Waterfall
Places to visit in xi’an, xi'an city wall.
Shaanxi History Museum
Best of Macau
Mt. Huashan
Xian Muslim Quarter and the Great Mosque
Bell & Drum Towers
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
Places to Visit in Guangzhou
Shangxiajiu pedestrian street.
Chimelong Paradise
Sacred Heart Cathedral
Canton Tower
Best of Beijing
Shamian Island
Guangdong Museum
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.
Other Places to Visit in China
Huangguoshu Waterfall
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.
What are the requirements for Chinese Visa?
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
Trending in China
Adventure in china.
Sightseeing in China
Aerial Activities in China
China travel guides.
China Reviews
Popular Nearby Places Around China
More things to do in china, more on china tourism, popular related destinations.
Best Domestic Packages
Best international packages, domestic honeymoon packages, international honeymoon packages, places to visit in india, international places to visit, things to do in india, international things to do, popular on thrillophilia.
- We assure the privacy of your contact data.
- This data will only be used by our team to contact you and no other purposes.
Your enquiry has been received successfully. Our destination expert will reach out to you soon!
- Best China Tours
- China City Packages
- Great Wall Tours
- Yangtze Cruise
- Tibet Discovery
- Yunnan Exploration
- Silk Road Adventure
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.
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.
An official website of the United States government
Here’s how you know
Official websites use .gov A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States.
Secure .gov websites use HTTPS A lock ( Lock A locked padlock ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.
- For International Visitors
- Know Before You Visit
Customs Duty Information
What is a customs duty.
Customs Duty is a tariff or tax imposed on goods when transported across international borders. The purpose of Customs Duty is to protect each country's economy, residents, jobs, environment, etc., by controlling the flow of goods, especially restrictive and prohibited goods, into and out of the country.
Dutiable refers to articles on which Customs Duty may have to be paid. Each article has a specific duty rate, which is determined by a number of factors, including where you acquired the article, where it was made, and what it is made of. Also, anything you bring back that you did not have when you left the United States must be "declared." For example, you would declare alterations made in a foreign country to a suit you already owned, and any gifts you acquired outside the United States. American Goods Returned (AGR) do not have to be declared, but you must be prepared to prove to U.S. Customs and Border Protection the articles are AGR or pay Customs duty.
The Customs Duty Rate is a percentage. This percentage is determined by the total purchased value of the article(s) paid at a foreign country and not based on factors such as quality, size, or weight. The Harmonized Tariff System (HTS) provides duty rates for virtually every existing item. CBP uses the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States Annotated (HTSUS), which is a reference manual that the provides the applicable tariff rates and statistical categories for all merchandise imported into the U.S.
Duty-Free Shop articles sold in a Customs duty-free shop are free only for the country in which that shop is located. Therefore, if your acquired articles exceed your personal exemption/allowance, the articles you purchased in Customs duty-free shop, whether in the United States or abroad, will be subject to Customs duty upon entering your destination country. Articles purchased in a American Customs duty-free shop are also subject to U.S. Customs duty if you bring them into the United States. For example, if you buy alcoholic beverages in a Customs duty-free shop in New York before entering Canada and then bring them back into the United States, they will be subject to Customs duty and Internal Revenue Service tax (IRT).
Determining Customs Duty
The flat duty rate will apply to articles that are dutiable but that cannot be included in your personal exemption, even if you have not exceeded the exemption. For example, alcoholic beverages. If you return from Europe with $200 worth of purchases, including two liters of liquor, one liter will be duty-free under your returning resident personal allowance/exemption. The other will be dutiable at 3 percent, plus any Internal Revenue Tax (IRT) that is due.
A joint declaration is a Customs declaration that can be made by family members who live in the same household and return to the United States together. These travelers can combine their purchases to take advantage of a combined flat duty rate, no matter which family member owns a given item. The combined value of merchandise subject to a flat duty rate for a family of four traveling together would be $4,000. Purchase totals must be rounded to the nearest dollar amount.
Tobacco Products
Returning resident travelers may import tobacco products only in quantities not exceeding the amounts specified in the personal exemptions for which the traveler qualifies (not more than 200 cigarettes and 100 cigars if arriving from other than a beneficiary country and insular possession). Any quantities of tobacco products not permitted by a personal exemption are subject to detention, seizure, penalties, abandonment, and destruction. Tobacco products are typically purchased in duty-free stores, on sea carriers operating internationally or in foreign stores. These products are usually marked "Tax Exempt. For Use Outside the United States," or "U.S. Tax Exempt For Use Outside the United States."
For example, a returning resident is eligible for the $800 duty-free personal exemption every 31 days, having remained for no less than 48 hours beyond the territorial limits of the United States except U.S. Virgin Islands, in a contiguous country which maintains free zone or free port, has remained beyond the territorial limits of the United States not to exceed 24 hours. This exemption includes not more than 200 cigarettes and 100 cigars:
- If the resident declares 400 previously exported cigarettes and proves American Goods Returning (AGR) , the resident would be permitted or allowed to bring back his AGR exempt from Customs duty.
- If the resident declares 400 cigarettes, of which 200 are proven AGR or previously exported and 200 not AGR or not previously exported, the resident would be permitted to bring back his 200 previously exported cigarettes tax and Internal Revenue Tax (IRT) free under his exemption.
- The tobacco exemption is available to each adult 21 years of age or over.
In December 2014, President Obama announced his intention to re-establish diplomatic relations with Cuba. The President did not lift the embargo against Cuba. Absent a democratic or transitional government in Cuba, lifting the embargo requires a legislative statutory change. Since the announcement, however, the Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) has amended the Cuba Assets Control Regulations (CACR), effective January 16, 2015, to authorize travel within certain categories to and from Cuba and to allow certain imports from and exports to Cuba.
All travelers, including those from Cuba, must comply with all applicable laws and regulations. This includes the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (“HTSUS”) (2016) limitations on personal exemptions and rules of duty extended to non-residents and returning U.S. residents.
Persons subject to U.S. jurisdiction are authorized to engage in all transactions, including payments necessary to import certain goods and services produced by independent Cuban entrepreneurs as determined by the State Department and set forth in the State Department’s Section 515.582 list located at FACT SHEET: U.S. Department of State Section 515.582 List . On October 17, 2016, the Office of Foreign Asset Control relaxed restrictions so authorized travelers, arriving direct from Cuba, are now able to bring Cuban merchandise for personal use back to the United States and qualify for the U.S. Resident exemption (HTSUS 9804.00.65, which allows up to $800 total in goods, and adults 21 and older may include 1 liter of alcohol, 200 cigarettes, and 100 cigars). This exemption also applies to travelers, arriving from any country in the world, with declared Cuban merchandise.
Declared amounts in excess of the exemption are subject to a flat 4% rate of duty, and any applicable IRS taxes, pursuant to HTSUS 9816.00.20 and 19 CFR 148.101, which impose a duty rate of 4% of the fair retail value on goods from a Column 2 country.
Regarding goods: The Department of State will, in accordance with the State Department’s Section 515.582, issue a list of prohibited goods. Placement on the list means that any listed good falls within certain Sections and Chapters of the HTSUS which do not qualify for this exception.
Regarding entrepreneurs : The Cuban entity must be a private business, such as a self-employed entrepreneur or other private entity, not owned or controlled by the Government of Cuba. Travelers engaging in these transactions are required to obtain evidence that demonstrates the goods purchased were obtained from a Cuban entrepreneur, as described above, and should be prepared to furnish evidence of such to U.S. Government authorities upon request. Evidence may include a copy of the entrepreneur’s license and/or an invoice and/or purchase order demonstrating the goods were purchased from a specific Cuban entrepreneur. Whether a traveler presents adequate evidence that a good qualifies from importation and that it was bought from a licensed independent Cuban entrepreneur shall be determined on a case-by-case basis by the inspecting CBP officer.
Imports under Section 515.582 (i.e., imports from licensed independent entrepreneurs not on the Department of State’s prohibited list) must comply with all current U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) formal and informal entry requirements, as applicable. This means that, while there is no value cap on the amount of goods that may be imported under this provision, the applicable duties in the HTSUS must be considered.
In particular, HTSUS 9804.00.65 allows for the duty-free importation of personal-use articles from a Column 2 country when the fair retail value of such goods is under $800. Also see 19 C.F.R. 148.33. HTSUS 9816.00.20 establishes a duty rate of 4% of the fair retail value for personal-use articles under $1,000 imported from a Column 2 country. Thus, any articles imported under this section for personal use with a value of under $800 can be imported duty free, and any articles imported for personal use with a value between $800 and $1800, will be subject to a flat 4% duty rate. Any articles valued over $1800, regardless of whether for personal use, will be subject to entry and should be classified, appraised, and assessed duty appropriately under the specific HTSUS Column 2 rates. Also see 19 C.F.R. 148.101 and 148.102. Any commercial importation, i.e., not for personal use, is subject to entry requirements and payment of applicable duties, fees, and taxes.
While these revised regulations may facilitate certain travel and trade with Cuba, all other laws and regulations applicable to international travel and the importation/exportation of goods remain in full effect. This means that all United States agency requirements applicable to a particular importation must be met and fully complied with, such as the regulations of the Food and Drug Administration, the Consumer Product Safety Commission, and the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service.
Alcoholic Beverages
One American liter (33.8 fl. oz.) of alcoholic beverages may be included in your returning resident personal exemption if:
- You are at least 21 years old.
- It is intended exclusively for your personal use and not for sale.
- It does not violate the laws of the state in which you arrive.
Federal and state regulations allow you to bring back one liter of an alcoholic beverage for personal use duty-free. However, states may allow you to bring back more than one liter, but you will have to pay any applicable Customs duty and IRT.
While federal regulations do not specify a limit on the amount of alcohol you may bring back beyond the personal exemption amount, unusual quantities may raise suspicions that you are importing the alcohol for other purposes, such as for resale. CBP officers enforce the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) laws, rules, and regulations and are authorized to make on-the-spot determinations that an importation is for commercial purposes. If such determination is made, it may require you to obtain a permit and file a formal entry to import the alcohol before the alcohol is released. If you intend to bring back a substantial quantity of alcohol for your personal use, you should contact the U.S. Port of Entry (POE) through which you will be re-entering and make prior arrangements for the importation.
Also, state laws might limit the amount of alcohol you can bring in without a license. If you arrive in a state that has limitations on the amount of alcohol you may bring in without a license, that state's law will be enforced by CBP, even though it may be more restrictive than federal regulations. We recommend that you check with the state government about their limitations on quantities allowed for personal importation and additional state taxes that may apply. Ideally, this information should be obtained before traveling.
In brief, for both alcohol and cigarettes, the quantities eligible for duty-free treatment may be included in your $800 or $1,600 returning resident personal exemption, just as any other purchase should be. But unlike other kinds of merchandise, amounts beyond those discussed here as being duty-free are taxed, even if you have not exceeded, or even met, your personal exemption. For example, your exemption is $800 and you bring back three liters of wine and nothing else, two of those liters will be dutiable and IR taxed. Federal law prohibits business-to-private consumer shipping of alcoholic beverages by mail within the United States.
How to Pay Customs Duty
If you owe Customs duty, you must pay it before the conclusion of your CBP processing. You may pay it in any of the following ways:
- U.S. currency only.
- Personal check in the exact amount, drawn on a U.S. bank, made payable to U.S. Customs and Border Protection. You must present identification, such as a passport or U.S. driver's license. CBP does not accept checks bearing second-party endorsement.
- Government check, money order or traveler's check if the amount does not exceed the duty owed by more than $50.
In some locations/POEs, you may pay duty with either MasterCard or VISA credit cards.
Increased Duty Rates
Items from certain countries.
Under what is known as its "301" authority, the United States may impose a much higher than normal duty rate on products from certain countries. Currently, the United States has imposed a 100 percent rate of duty on certain products of Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, The Federal Republic of Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Portugal, Spain, Sweden and the Ukraine. If you should bring more of any of these products back with you than fall within your exemption or flat rate of duty, (see below) you will pay as much in duty as you paid for the product or products.
While most of the products listed are not the type of goods that travelers would purchase in sufficient quantities to exceed their exemption, diamonds from the Ukraine are subject to the 100 percent duty and might easily exceed the exemption amount.
For information on countries that may become subject to a higher than normal duty rate, check the Department of Commerce Web site.
Countries With Free or Reduced Customs Duty Rates
The United States gives Customs duty preferences-that is, conditionally free or subject to reduced rates-to certain designated beneficiary developing countries under a trade program called the Generalized System of Preferences (GSP). Some products that would otherwise be dutiable are not when they are wholly the growth, product, or manufacture of a beneficiary GSP country. Visit the Office of United States Trade Representative website for additional GSP information.
- Many products from Caribbean and Andean countries are exempt from duty under the Caribbean Basin Initiative (CBI), Caribbean Basin Trade Partnership Act, Andean Trade Preference Act and the Andean Trade Promotion and Drug Eradication Act.
- Many products from certain sub-Saharan African countries are exempt from duty under the African Growth and Opportunity Act.
- Most products from Israel, Jordan, Chile and Singapore may also enter the United States either free of duty or at a reduced rate under the U.S. free trade agreements with those countries.
- The North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) went into effect in 1994. If you are returning from Canada or Mexico , your goods are eligible for free or reduced duty rates if they were grown, manufactured, or produced in Canada or Mexico, as defined by the Act.
Additional information on these special trade programs can be found on the CBP Web site.
Household Effects & Personal Effects - Customs Duty Guidance
Household effects conditionally included are duty-free. These include such items as furniture, carpets, paintings, tableware, stereos, linens, and similar household furnishings; tools of the trade, professional books, implements, and instruments.
You may import household effects you acquired abroad duty-free if:
- You used them abroad for no less than one year.
- They are not intended for any other person or for sale.
For Customs purposes, clothing, jewelry, photography equipment, portable radios, and vehicles are considered personal effects and cannot be brought in duty-free as household effects. However, duty is usually waived on personal effects more than one year of age. All vehicles are dutiable.
Mailing and Shipping Goods - Customs Duty Guidance
Unaccompanied purchases are goods you bought on a trip that are being mailed or shipped to you in the United States. In other words, you are not carrying the goods with you when you return. If your unaccompanied purchases are from an insular possession (IP) or a Caribbean Basin Initiative (CBI) country and are being imported within 30 days and sent directly from those locations to the United States, you may enter them as follows:
- Up to $1,600 in goods will be duty-free under your personal exemption if the merchandise is from an IP.
- Up to $800 in goods will be duty-free if it is from a CBI or Andean country.
- Any additional amount, up to $1,000, in goods will be dutiable at a flat rate (3%).
To take advantage of the Customs duty-free exemption for unaccompanied tourist purchases (mailing/shipping) from an IP or CBI country:
Step 1. At place and time of purchase, ask your merchant to hold your item until you send him or her a copy of CBP Form 255 (Declaration of Unaccompanied Articles), which must be affixed to the package when it is shipped.
Step 2. (a) On your declaration form (CBP Form 6059B), list everything you acquired on your trip that is accompanying you. You must also complete a separate Declaration of Unaccompanied Articles form (CBP Form 255) for each package or container that will be sent to you after you arrive in the United States. This form may be available where you make your purchase. If not, you may find the form on the CBP website.
Step 3. When you return to the United States, the CBP officer will: (a) collect Customs duty and any tax due on the dutiable goods you have brought with you; (b) verify your list of unaccompanied articles with your sales receipts; (c) validate your CBP Form 255 to determine if your purchases are duty-free under your personal exemption ($1,600 or $800) or if the purchases are subject to a flat rate of duty.
Step 4. Two copies of the three-part CBP Form 255 will be returned to you. Send the yellow copy of the CBP Form 255 to the foreign shopkeeper or vendor holding your purchase, and keep the other copy for your records.
Step 5. When the merchant gets your CBP Form 255, he or she must place it in an envelope and attach the envelope securely to the outside wrapping of the package or container. The merchant must also mark each package "Unaccompanied Purchase." Please remember that each package or container must have its own CBP Form 255 attached , the most important step to follow in order to gain the benefits allowed under this procedure.
Step 6. If your package has been mailed, the U.S. Postal Service will deliver it after it clears Customs. If you owe duty, the Postal Service will collect the duty along with a postal handling fee. If a freight service transports your package, they will notify you of its arrival and you must go to their office holding the shipment and complete the CBP entry procedure. If you owe duty or tax, you will need to pay it at that time in order to secure the release of the goods. You could also hire a customs customhouse broker to do this for you. However, be aware that customhouse brokers are private businesses and are not CBP employees, and they charge fees for their services.
If freight or express packages from your trip landed in the U.S. before you return and you have not made arrangements to pick them up, CBP will authorize their placement into general order bonded warehouse or public storage after 15 days (days for perishable, flammable, explosives). This storage and all other related charges (transportation, demurrage, handling) will be at your risk and expense. If the goods are not claimed within six months, they will be sold at auction.
Per U.S. Postal Service regulations, packages sent by mail and not claimed within 30 days from the date of U.S. arrival will be returned to the sender unless the amount of duty is being protested.
'Consumption boom': Domestic travel surges in China during Lunar New Year
China experienced an estimated 474 million domestic travel trips during the Lunar New Year. Image: Unsplash/Jimmy Woo
.chakra .wef-1c7l3mo{-webkit-transition:all 0.15s ease-out;transition:all 0.15s ease-out;cursor:pointer;-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;outline:none;color:inherit;}.chakra .wef-1c7l3mo:hover,.chakra .wef-1c7l3mo[data-hover]{-webkit-text-decoration:underline;text-decoration:underline;}.chakra .wef-1c7l3mo:focus,.chakra .wef-1c7l3mo[data-focus]{box-shadow:0 0 0 3px rgba(168,203,251,0.5);} Spencer Feingold
.chakra .wef-9dduvl{margin-top:16px;margin-bottom:16px;line-height:1.388;font-size:1.25rem;}@media screen and (min-width:56.5rem){.chakra .wef-9dduvl{font-size:1.125rem;}} Explore and monitor how .chakra .wef-15eoq1r{margin-top:16px;margin-bottom:16px;line-height:1.388;font-size:1.25rem;color:#F7DB5E;}@media screen and (min-width:56.5rem){.chakra .wef-15eoq1r{font-size:1.125rem;}} China is affecting economies, industries and global issues
.chakra .wef-1nk5u5d{margin-top:16px;margin-bottom:16px;line-height:1.388;color:#2846F8;font-size:1.25rem;}@media screen and (min-width:56.5rem){.chakra .wef-1nk5u5d{font-size:1.125rem;}} Get involved with our crowdsourced digital platform to deliver impact at scale
Stay up to date:.
- China experienced a sharp increase in domestic tourism during the recent Lunar New Year.
- The level of travel and spending surpassed pre-pandemic figures, according to government data.
- Economists, however, note that the surge in consumption does not necessarily indicate an economic revival.
People across China celebrated big during the Lunar New Year last month, with holiday travel and consumer spending surpassing pre-pandemic levels, according to government figures.
During the eight-day festival in mid-February, China experienced an estimated 474 million domestic travel trips, the country's Ministry of Culture and Tourism reported. The number of trips marked an over 34% increase from the year prior and a 19% jump from 2019.
“During this past Chinese New Year, domestic and international travel for Chinese tourists grew significantly,” Trip.com Group, the travel service conglomerate, said in a statement. “Domestically, the popularity of ice and snow travel in the north, and hot spring and island travel in the south led to a surge in interprovincial trips.”
People also spent heavily as they gathered to celebrate the Lunar New Year, also known as the Spring Festival. According to government figures, domestic tourists spent over 632 billion yuan (roughly $88 billion), an increase of 7.7% compared to holiday spending in 2019 and a 47.3% year-over-year hike.
Chinese tourists today are willing to spend more to enhance their travel experience.
“China's Spring Festival holiday has ignited a new round of consumption boom,” China’s state-run Xinhua news agency stated . “After a lapse of four years, the Chinese Spring Festival once again became the peak of global travel consumption.”
Economic revival?
Consumer spending and domestic travel during the annual Lunar New Year is seen as an indicator of economic trends in China. Economists warn, however, that this year’s high level of consumption does not necessarily indicate an economic revival .
“Recent figures indicate that China’s consumption has finally picked up, but they are not strong enough to warrant an economic recovery led by the private sector this year,” said Seisaku Kameda, the Executive Economist at the Sompo Institute Plus, the internal think tank of the Sompo Group.
This year’s surge in domestic travel and spending comes as China continues to grapple with sluggish growth and an uneven economic recovery from the pandemic. “Consumer sentiment is mildly recovering,” Kameda added. “We, however, should not overestimate these developments.”
In January, the World Economic Forum’s Chief Economists Outlook found that China was an exception to the buoyant economic activity expected across Asia, with a “previous combination of strong and moderate growth expectations being replaced with largely moderate (69%) expectations for 2024.”
New spending patterns
In its report, China’s Ministry of Culture and Tourism added that a record 163 million people spent over 8 billion yuan ($1.1 billion) at cinemas across the country during the Lunar New Year. The movie-going figures marked an over 18% and 26% increase, respectively, compared to the year prior.
Moreover, roughly 16,300 commercial performances were held during the festival week, an over 50% increase from 2023.
“Consumption for Chinese tourists, both domestically and abroad, has also increased, but new spending patterns have arisen,” Trip.com Group added in its statement. “Chinese tourists today are willing to spend more to enhance their travel experience, whether it’s visiting unique attractions or enjoying highly customised service.”
Trip.com Group also noted a recent surge in interest in traditional Chinese cultural events such as lantern festivals and dragon dance performances and a sharp increase in customised travel orders.
Don't miss any update on this topic
Create a free account and access your personalized content collection with our latest publications and analyses.
License and Republishing
World Economic Forum articles may be republished in accordance with the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International Public License, and in accordance with our Terms of Use.
The views expressed in this article are those of the author alone and not the World Economic Forum.
Related topics:
The agenda .chakra .wef-n7bacu{margin-top:16px;margin-bottom:16px;line-height:1.388;font-weight:400;} weekly.
A weekly update of the most important issues driving the global agenda
.chakra .wef-1dtnjt5{display:-webkit-box;display:-webkit-flex;display:-ms-flexbox;display:flex;-webkit-align-items:center;-webkit-box-align:center;-ms-flex-align:center;align-items:center;-webkit-flex-wrap:wrap;-ms-flex-wrap:wrap;flex-wrap:wrap;} More on China .chakra .wef-17xejub{-webkit-flex:1;-ms-flex:1;flex:1;justify-self:stretch;-webkit-align-self:stretch;-ms-flex-item-align:stretch;align-self:stretch;} .chakra .wef-nr1rr4{display:-webkit-inline-box;display:-webkit-inline-flex;display:-ms-inline-flexbox;display:inline-flex;white-space:normal;vertical-align:middle;text-transform:uppercase;font-size:0.75rem;border-radius:0.25rem;font-weight:700;-webkit-align-items:center;-webkit-box-align:center;-ms-flex-align:center;align-items:center;line-height:1.2;-webkit-letter-spacing:1.25px;-moz-letter-spacing:1.25px;-ms-letter-spacing:1.25px;letter-spacing:1.25px;background:none;padding:0px;color:#B3B3B3;-webkit-box-decoration-break:clone;box-decoration-break:clone;-webkit-box-decoration-break:clone;}@media screen and (min-width:37.5rem){.chakra .wef-nr1rr4{font-size:0.875rem;}}@media screen and (min-width:56.5rem){.chakra .wef-nr1rr4{font-size:1rem;}} See all
How Brazil and China can use data for a more sustainable cattle sector
Andre Vasconcelos, Erasmus zu Ermgassen and Yuan Zhang
February 27, 2024
Davos 2024: Special Address by H.E. Li Qiang, Premier of the State Council of the People’s Republic of China
January 17, 2024
How China can enhance collaboration by rebuilding trust
Liming Chen
January 14, 2024
China’s approach to data and AI is changing. Here’s what that means
January 11, 2024
3 reasons to take the long view on China
Nicolas Aguzin
January 3, 2024
How is AI reshaping the travel experience?
December 19, 2023
- International edition
- Australia edition
- Europe edition
Chinese tourism to Australia still in the doldrums after pandemic travel bans
Tourism industry disappointed but hopeful Chinese holidaymakers could return by year’s end – but economists predict a longer wait
- Get our morning and afternoon news emails , free app or daily news podcast
In the two weeks either side of lunar new year, Mandy Ho, who manages a hot air balloon company in Melbourne, has many balls in the air.
Most mornings before dawn, when weather permits, her colleagues fly Chinese tourists from the vineyards of the Yarra Valley over Melbourne’s eastern suburbs to parkland on the city’s fringe. Interpreters make sure nothing is lost in translation.
Ho has spent weeks preparing tourists and arranging buses to collect them from hotels. She’s already met some of them while running the company’s Mandarin smartphone app, website and Chinese social media channels.
Sign up for Guardian Australia’s free morning and afternoon email newsletters for your daily news roundup
But this year, she’s noticed a shift. Ho says Chinese tourist numbers are still down by about half when compared with pre-pandemic levels. It’s a financial hit for the company, Global Ballooning, as the Chinese market brings in about 50% of its clients.
“I was expecting a full recovery this year as it’s the first year they can travel overseas for Chinese new year,” Ho says. “But it’s been a much slower recovery than what we expected.”
Ho isn’t the only tourism operator disappointed by the sluggish return of Chinese tourists. Tourism Australia figures show 102,000 Chinese holidaymakers visited Australia in September 2023. Four years earlier, the number was 688,000 in the same month.
“I think there’s a few reasons for this,” Ho says.
“The economy in China isn’t great and a lot of people are choosing to go to Singapore, Thailand and Malaysia because they’re visa-free. This is the first year they’ve been able to travel since the pandemic and they’re preferring short-haul flights.”
Ho’s analysis is supported by statistics from booking platform Trip.com, which has reported a 30% increase in Chinese tourism to south-east Asia in recent weeks, compared with 2019 levels. Trips to Hong Jong, Japan and South Korea have also increased.
As Chinese tourists take their money elsewhere, Ho and other tourism providers have had to get creative.
“We tried not to put all our eggs in the one basket,” Ho says. “We diversified our market and this year we’re seeing a lot people coming back from the United States, from Taiwan and Hong Kong, too.”
‘We’re not hitting alarm bells just yet’
Peter Shelley from the Australian Tourism Export Council, a peak body for tourism operators, says many of his members are also disappointed but are not panicking.
“If we are honest, I think we were all hoping it would be a little bit more buoyant. It was never going to be 100%, we hoped it would be about 75%,” Shelley says.
“Are we worried about it? I don’t think anyone is hitting the alarm bells just yet. It’s still early days, and maybe by the end of the year we’ll be back to 2019 levels.”
Shelley says many Chinese consumers now realise Australia is an expensive country to visit and fly to. This month, there’s about 170 scheduled flights between China and Australia. That’s 86% of all flights during the same month in 2019.
Tourism Australia, a government agency that promotes holiday making, knows what’s at stake. In 2019, Chinese visitors spent $12.4m in Australia. The agency hopes tourism will return to pre-pandemic levels by the end of the year, despite Oxford Economics suggesting that may not happen until 2025-26.
“[While] travel with China reopened a year later than other markets, we are confident about its recovery as the market continues to steadily rebuild,” a Tourism Australia spokesperson says.
But some experts are concerned by anecdotal evidence this past fortnight. Dr Paul Stolk, a senior lecturer in tourism at Newcastle University, says this lunar new year was a litmus test on the health of the Chinese market.
“This is the period of time where we should see a lot of activity,” Stolk says. “This period we are in right now could be really telling in terms of whether we will see any bounce back and where it will occur, including capital cities and regional hotspots.”
‘We’ve been back to normal’
The Great Ocean Road – a long winding roadway that hugs the south-eastern Victorian coastline over steep cliffs – is usually filled with busloads of Chinese tourists. For years, signs by the side of the road have reminded Chinese tourists to drive in the left lane.
after newsletter promotion
Before the pandemic, some restaurants in coastal towns along this road printed menus in Mandarin. After years of lockdowns, many business owners hoped the Chinese tourists would rush back to the coastline and help them rebound.
Liz Price, the general manager of Great Ocean Road Regional Tourism, acknowledges the Chinese tourism market has been slow to recover in the region. But she says recent weeks give some cause for optimism.
“We have had some reports that the numbers have increased over the summer and there has been some growth in coaches day-tripping out of Melbourne,” Price says.
This may be due to the Australian government reissuing group visas for Chinese travellers in September. Dr Maneka Jayasinghe, a tourism expert at Charles Darwin University, says this should lead to an increase in tourists in coming months.
Sally Cannon, who runs the Apollo Bay Bakery about two-and-a-half hours drive west of Melbourne, which claims to be the home of the scallop pie on the Great Ocean Road, is also optimistic.
Unlike Ho, Cannon has noticed an increase in Chinese tourists over the last two weeks. So, too, have other business owners closer to Melbourne, in Lorne. Cannon says she’s hopeful the numbers will continue to rise.
“Pre-Covid, Chinese tourists were a big part of our business,” Cannon says. “Over the past few years, we’ve managed to continue without them, but it’s nice to see them return.
“This has been the first year since Covid where it’s felt we’ve been back to normal. I just have this feeling it will continue.”
‘It was like a green light’
Like many sections of the Australian economy, political tensions between Beijing and Canberra have had some impact on tourism. But analysts differ on the how significant the influence has been.
Tom Parker, the chief executive of the Australia China Business Council, says tensions may have played a role in tourism numbers until prime minister Anthony Albanese’s trip to Beijing in November – the first by an Australian leader in seven years.
“Symbolism is important in China,” Parker says.
“This trip certainly symbolised a lot within China, including that it was OK to engage with Australia again. It was like a green light. These things are never said directly, but the visit, at that leadership level, told a story.”
Shelley says the impact of geopolitical tensions would have been clearer if the borders had been open during the pandemic era.
“If we were talking about this a few years ago, I think the impact would have been quite high,” Shelley says. “I must say, the current government has smoothed the waters but there could still be an undertone of tension.”
Ho believes the enduring appeal of the Australian landscape will always attract tourists from China, no matter the political climate. She just hopes they won’t wait too long to return.
“I definitely think they will come back,” Ho says. “There’s just so much to offer. By the end of this year, I’m sure the numbers will have increased.”
- Tourism (Australia)
- Asia Pacific
- Australian foreign policy
Most viewed
Indian police detain three accused of raping Brazilian-Spanish tourist
Reporting by Baranjot Kaur in Bengaluru, Andre Romani in Sao Paulo, and Graham Keeley in Barcelona; additional reporting by Akanksha Khushi in Bengaluru; Editing by Josie Kao
Our Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles. , opens new tab
China's February new yuan loans seen retreating from record high
China's bank lending likely pulled back sharply in February from an all-time high in January due to seasonal factors, a Reuters poll showed, even as the central bank seeks to spur sluggish economic growth and fight deflationary pressures.
Watch CBS News
After AT&T customers hit by widespread outage, carrier says service has been restored
By Brian Dakss, Aimee Picchi
Edited By Anne Marie Lee
Updated on: February 22, 2024 / 8:17 PM EST / CBS News
Customers of numerous U.S. cell service providers reported outages and other service problems early Thursday morning, according to the website Downdetector.com , which tracks such reports. AT&T had the most by far, with tens of thousands of customers telling Downdetector they had no service.
Customers of T-Mobile, Verizon, UScellular and Consumer Cellular were also reporting issues, though far fewer. T-Mobile and Verizon told CBS News that their networks were operational, although some customers may be encountering problems when trying to reach people on another network.
The reports of AT&T outages appear to have started at around 4 a.m. EST, Downdetector said, then seemed to wane some two hours later, then picked up again and were about 60,000 at 11 a.m. EST.
But by 3:10 p.m. EST on Thursday AT&T said the problem had been resolved.
"We have restored wireless service to all our affected customers," AT&T said on its website. "We sincerely apologize to them. Keeping our customers connected remains our top priority, and we are taking steps to ensure our customers do not experience this again in the future."
Later Thursday night, the company attributed the outage to a software bug.
"Based on our initial review, we believe that today's outage was caused by the application and execution of an incorrect process used as we were expanding our network, not a cyber attack," the company said on its website . "We are continuing our assessment of today's outage to ensure we keep delivering the service that our customers deserve."
Officials: Don't call 911 to test your phone
Earlier in the day, some officials urged people not to call 911 to test whether their phone was working.
"Many 911 centers in the state are getting flooded w/ calls from people trying to see if 911 works from their cellphone. Please do not do this," the Massachusetts State Police wrote on X, the former Twitter.
Likewise, Chicago's Office of Emergency Management & Communications had a similar message for local residents, noting that on X that people who actually need to get through to 911 should use a landline or find a friend or relative who uses a service other than AT&T and ask them to make the call.
Some municipalities experienced difficulties with 911 service.
The San Francisco Fire Department said in a post on X, "We are aware of an issue impacting AT&T wireless customers from making and receiving any phone calls (including to 911). We are actively engaged and monitoring this. The San Francisco 911 center is still operational."
In North Carolina, the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department said on X at 3:15 a.m. EST that it was "aware of a nationwide outage impacting AT&T cellphone customers this morning. Customers were briefly unable to contact 9-1-1. There are no disruptions to our call center's ability to receive 9-1-1 calls. Service should be returning shortly."
And in Florida, the Flagler County Sheriff's Office posted on X at 6:43 a.m. EST that, "Texts to 911 from affected AT&T users are now being received. If you have an emergency, and cannot dial out, send a text message to 911."
The transit system serving Philadelphia and its suburbs, SEPTA, said on X that, "Due to AT&T communication outages, some trains may reflect a delay, however all trains are operating on or close to schedule."
AT&T outage
As of 8 a.m. ET on Thursday, Downdetector had more than 60,000 reports of service issues from AT&T customers. Most of the complaints were focused on problems with their mobile phones or wireless service.
Outages were highest in Atlanta, Charlotte, Chicago, Dallas, Houston, Indianapolis, Louisville, Miami and San Antonio, according to Downdetector.
In a statement to CBS News, Verizon said its network was operating normally, although some customers experienced issues earlier Thursday when calling or texting people who use another carrier. It said that it was continuing to monitor the situation.
A spokesperson for T-Mobile said it didn't experience an outage and that its network was operating normally.
"Downdetector is likely reflecting challenges our customers were having attempting to connect to users on other networks," the spokesperson said.
UScellular also told CBS News that its network was operating normally.
"We are, however, aware of a disruption that could be impacting UScellular customers attempting to roam on or call customers of another carrier," it said in a statement.
How to turn on Wi-Fi calling
Even if you have no cellular service, you should be able to make phone calls using wireless internet access, which is what AT&T is recommending for its customers.
To turn on Wi-Fi calling on an iPhone, go to "settings," then "phone" and next click on "Wi-Fi" calling. Apple says you may need to confirm or enter your address for emergency services.
You'll see "Wi-Fi" in the status bar while you are looking at the control center, which means your phone will use the wireless internet service in your home or office to make calls.
To turn on Wi-Fi calling on Android phones, Google says to open your phone app, then tap "more settings." Then tap "calls," and from there tap "Wi-Fi calling." If that's not an option on your phone, it means your carrier doesn't provide the option, according to Google.
What does SOS mean on my phone?
Some customers reported seeing an "SOS" message on their iPhones.
This can happen when a cellular service isn't widely available, but your phone is letting you know that it will still work for emergency calls, according to Apple.
IMAGES
COMMENTS
China Highlights, Discovery Your Way! Discover China with the most-chosen and best-rated tour company for personalized travel in China. Boasting over 10,000+ reviews and a 98.8% 5-star rating, we're committed to saving your time in planning and ensuring smiles throughout your travels. Explore and kickstart your personalized travel experience ...
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.
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.
Shanghai. Beijing. New Territories. Outlying Islands. Yunnan. Sichuan. Explore China holidays and discover the best time and places to visit.
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.
28. Three Pagodas, Dali. 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.
Our China guide gets you closer to top travel destinations, top things to do, and a useful travel guide. We are here to make you understand China more deeply and plan a trip easier. Capital: Beijing (since 1271) Population: 1.41 billion (2021) Area: 9.6 million km² (3.7 million mi²) Location: East Asia; Top Travel Destinations in China
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. Tailor-made Tour Package Refundable Quick Response 3,580+ comments (1,810+ reviews)
China Provinces. China has thirty-four provincial-level administrative units covering seven geographical regions. In the north, there are Beijing, the capital, Tianjin Municipality and the other three provinces. Heilongjiang, Jilin and Liaoning are the three provinces in the northeastern part that have chilly winters.
8 Days Best of China Tour (Flight/Bullet Train Covered) This is the most popular China tour to Beijing, Xian and Shanghai to visit the most iconic China attractions - Great Wall, Terracotta Warriors, The Bund, etc., and explore great of both China's past and present. 10 Days Most Classic China Tour.
China Travel organizes China trips with multiple destinations. Single city day tours, Yangtze River cruises and China train bookings are also available. [email protected]; 86-773-286-5632 (Intl rates apply) Contact Us; China Tours. Classic China Tour; Top 10 China Tours;
China Small Group Tours 2024/2025. Join a small group tour at the lowest price and enjoy top-notch services provided by the largest online China travel agency! There are 10 itineraries covering the most popular destinations and below are the three best sales. Best of China 8 Days Beijing/ Xian/ Shanghai from.
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.
Best China TravelMarketplace To Book Your Tours. DiscoverChina.com offers best tour packages which fulfill your all travel needs. We almost assist in 30 Cities including Shanghai tours, Beijing tours, Guilin tours and much more. You can explore and book. a customized tour with us (Without paying the upfront cost). Our aim is to provide the best.
Tourism in China gets off to roaring start in 2024. Chinese New Year holiday sees 474 million domestic trips. CCTV gala's branch venues prove hit with tourists. Visa-free travel to boost tourism ...
40 beautiful places to visit in China. Link Copied! Three Pagodas, Dali, Yunnan: The oldest of these three Buddhist towers dates back to the mid-ninth century. At 69 meters and 16 stories high, it ...
GUILDLINES. Customs. China Tourist Visa. Here are the documents you are to prepare before submission of visa application. Getting a visa. Consular Authentication of Documents in China. Notice of port visa application procedures for foreigners.
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 ...
History Tourists inside the Forbidden City, Beijing. The first Chinese-operated travel agency, in China was founded by banker Chen Guangfu in 1923.: 89 Tourism began emerging as part of bourgeois lifestyle and a nascent industry during China's nationalist era.: 91 After the People's Republic of China was founded in 1949, tourism was not a contributing sector of the company's economy due to the ...
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 ...
15-Day Shanghai, Kunming, Shangri-la, Lijiang, Chengdu, Xi'an and Beijing Tour World Heritage & Southern China Discovery. 13. Jiuzhaigou — Immerse in the Serene Splendor of Lakes and Natural Beauty. Jiuzhaigou, located in Sichuan province, is a must-visit destination in China, especially for nature enthusiasts.
To take advantage of the Customs duty-free exemption for unaccompanied tourist purchases (mailing/shipping) from an IP or CBI country: Step 1. At place and time of purchase, ask your merchant to hold your item until you send him or her a copy of CBP Form 255 (Declaration of Unaccompanied Articles), which must be affixed to the package when it ...
In its report, China's Ministry of Culture and Tourism added that a record 163 million people spent over 8 billion yuan ($1.1 billion) at cinemas across the country during the Lunar New Year. The movie-going figures marked an over 18% and 26% increase, respectively, compared to the year prior.
As China's economy stalls, Australia braces for the impact on its currency and tourism market Read more Shelley says many Chinese consumers now realise Australia is an expensive country to visit ...
Indian police have detained three men and are searching for four others accused of attacking two tourists and gang-raping the woman, authorities and the couple said.
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.
Customers of numerous U.S. cell service providers reported outages and other service problems early Thursday morning, according to the website Downdetector.com, which tracks such reports. AT&T had ...