China offers an incredible diversity of attractions, from ancient historical sites and UNESCO World Heritage landmarks to breathtaking natural scenery and modern architectural marvels. With over 5,000 years of civilization, China presents travelers with endless opportunities for exploration and discovery.

Last updated: November 2025

Planning Your Visit

China is vast, and it's impossible to see everything in one trip. Focus on 2-3 regions or cities for a 1-2 week visit. Popular first-time itineraries include Beijing-Xi'an-Shanghai or Beijing-Guilin-Shanghai combinations.

Historical Sites & Landmarks

The Great Wall of China (Beijing)

One of the world's most iconic structures and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

  • Best Sections:
    • Mutianyu: Most popular, well-restored, cable car access, relatively less crowded
    • Badaling: Closest to Beijing, most touristy, fully accessible
    • Jinshanling: Great for hiking, more authentic, stunning views
    • Simatai: Only section open at night, dramatic scenery
  • Best Time: Spring (April-May) or Fall (September-October)
  • Tips: Arrive early to avoid crowds, wear comfortable shoes, bring water
  • Time Needed: Half day to full day

The Forbidden City (Beijing)

The world's largest palace complex and former home of Chinese emperors for 500 years.

  • Highlights: Hall of Supreme Harmony, Imperial Garden, Palace Museum treasures
  • Tickets: Book online in advance (limited daily capacity)
  • Audio Guide: Highly recommended for understanding history
  • Time Needed: 3-4 hours minimum
  • Tips: Enter from south (Meridian Gate), exit north to Jingshan Park for panoramic views

Temple of Heaven (Beijing)

Magnificent temple complex where emperors performed annual ceremonies.

  • Beautiful architecture and gardens
  • Popular with locals for morning exercises
  • Less crowded than Forbidden City
  • Time needed: 2-3 hours

Terracotta Warriors (Xi'an)

One of the greatest archaeological discoveries of the 20th century.

  • What to See: Three main pits with thousands of life-sized warrior statues
  • Location: 1 hour from Xi'an city center
  • Best Time: Weekday mornings to avoid tour groups
  • Hire a Guide: Essential for understanding the history and significance
  • Time Needed: Half day including travel

Xi'an City Wall

Best-preserved ancient city wall in China, perfect for cycling.

  • Rent bikes to cycle the 14km perimeter (2-3 hours)
  • Beautiful views especially at sunset
  • Access points at major gates

Summer Palace (Beijing)

Stunning imperial garden and palace complex on Kunming Lake.

  • Beautiful lakeside scenery and traditional architecture
  • Great for leisurely walks
  • Boat rides available on the lake
  • Time needed: 2-3 hours

Ticket Booking Tips:

  • Book major attractions online in advance (many require passport registration)
  • Peak season (May-October) sells out quickly
  • Some sites require Chinese ID or passport for entry
  • Student discounts available with valid ID

Natural Wonders & Scenic Areas

Guilin & Yangshuo (Guangxi)

Stunning karst mountain landscapes and the Li River - China's most picturesque scenery.

  • Li River Cruise: 4-hour boat trip from Guilin to Yangshuo (must-do)
  • Yangshuo: Charming town perfect for cycling through rice paddies and karst peaks
  • Activities: Bamboo rafting, rock climbing, cooking classes
  • Best Time: April-October (avoid rainy season July-August)
  • Time Needed: 2-3 days

Zhangjiajie National Forest Park (Hunan)

Inspiration for Avatar's floating mountains - otherworldly pillar-like formations.

  • Highlights: Avatar Hallelujah Mountain, Tianzi Mountain, Golden Whip Stream
  • Glass Bridge: Iconic glass landscape bridge with spectacular views
  • Cable Cars: Multiple cable cars for accessing viewpoints
  • Best Time: Spring and autumn for clear weather
  • Time Needed: 2-3 days

Jiuzhaigou Valley (Sichuan)

UNESCO site with colorful lakes, waterfalls, and snow-capped peaks.

  • Crystal-clear turquoise and emerald lakes
  • Multi-level waterfalls
  • Tibetan villages and culture
  • Best in autumn (September-October) for fall colors
  • High altitude (2,000-3,000m) - acclimatize gradually

Yellow Mountains (Huangshan, Anhui)

Famous for granite peaks, ancient pine trees, and "sea of clouds."

  • Iconic Chinese landscape painting scenery
  • Sunrise viewing from mountain peaks
  • Cable cars or hiking trails available
  • Consider staying overnight on the mountain
  • Best time: Spring or autumn

Lijiang & Tiger Leaping Gorge (Yunnan)

Ancient town and one of the world's deepest gorges.

  • Lijiang Old Town: UNESCO site with Naxi minority culture
  • Tiger Leaping Gorge: Spectacular 2-day hiking trail
  • Jade Dragon Snow Mountain: Nearby glacier mountain
  • Diverse ethnic minority cultures

Modern Cities & Urban Attractions

Shanghai

China's most cosmopolitan city blending East and West.

Must-See Attractions:

  • The Bund: Iconic waterfront with colonial architecture and modern skyline views
  • Yu Garden: Classical Chinese garden in old town
  • Shanghai Tower: World's 2nd tallest building with observation deck
  • French Concession: Tree-lined streets with cafes, boutiques, and art deco buildings
  • Nanjing Road: Premier shopping street
  • Tianzifang: Artsy neighborhood with galleries and cafes

Hong Kong Special Administrative Region

A dynamic city where East meets West with a unique culture, part of China.

  • Victoria Peak: Panoramic city and harbor views
  • Star Ferry: Iconic harbor crossing
  • Temple Street Night Market: Vibrant street market
  • Lantau Island: Big Buddha and Po Lin Monastery
  • Dim Sum: World-class Cantonese cuisine

Shenzhen

High-tech hub and modern metropolis near Hong Kong.

  • Window of the World theme park
  • OCT Loft creative culture park
  • Dafen Oil Painting Village
  • Modern architecture and shopping

Cultural & Religious Sites

Potala Palace (Lhasa, Tibet Autonomous Region)

Iconic Tibetan Buddhist palace and former residence of the Dalai Lama.

  • UNESCO World Heritage Site
  • Requires Tibet Travel Permit
  • High altitude (3,650m) - acclimatize first
  • Limited daily visitors - book in advance

Longmen Grottoes (Luoyang)

Thousands of Buddha statues carved into limestone cliffs.

  • Over 100,000 Buddhist statues
  • UNESCO World Heritage Site
  • Best visited in spring or autumn

Leshan Giant Buddha (Sichuan)

World's largest stone Buddha statue carved into a cliff.

  • 71 meters tall, carved in 8th century
  • Can climb down stairs to Buddha's feet
  • Combine with nearby Mount Emei

Food & Cultural Experiences

Chengdu (Sichuan)

Spicy food capital and home of giant pandas.

  • Giant Panda Base: See pandas in semi-natural habitat (go early morning)
  • Sichuan Cuisine: Hot pot, mapo tofu, dan dan noodles
  • Jinli Ancient Street: Traditional architecture and street food
  • Tea Houses: Experience traditional tea culture

Suzhou (Jiangsu)

"Venice of the East" famous for classical gardens and canals.

  • UNESCO classical gardens (Humble Administrator's Garden)
  • Water towns like Zhouzhuang and Tongli
  • Silk production and museums
  • Easy day trip from Shanghai

UNESCO World Heritage Sites

China has 57 UNESCO World Heritage Sites, more than any country except Italy. Key sites mentioned in this guide include:

  • The Great Wall of China
  • Forbidden City (Imperial Palaces of the Ming and Qing Dynasties)
  • Terracotta Army (Mausoleum of the First Qin Emperor)
  • Summer Palace
  • Potala Palace
  • Longmen Grottoes
  • Classical Gardens of Suzhou
  • Lijiang Old Town
  • Jiuzhaigou Valley Scenic

Best Time to Visit

Spring (April-May)

Ideal weather, flowers blooming, comfortable temperatures. Peak season begins.

Summer (June-August)

Hot and humid in most areas. Peak tourist season. Good for Tibet and northwest.

Autumn (September-October)

Best time overall. Pleasant weather, fall colors, harvest season. Book early!

Winter (November-March)

Cold in north, mild in south. Fewer tourists, lower prices. Good for Harbin Ice Festival.

Avoid These Periods:

  • Chinese New Year (late Jan/early Feb): Everything closes, massive crowds traveling
  • Golden Week (Oct 1-7): National holiday, extremely crowded, prices spike
  • Summer holidays (July-August): Domestic tourism peak, very crowded

Sample Itineraries

Classic First-Timer (10-14 days)

  • Beijing (3-4 days): Great Wall, Forbidden City, Temple of Heaven, Summer Palace
  • Xi'an (2 days): Terracotta Warriors, City Wall, Muslim Quarter
  • Shanghai (2-3 days): The Bund, Yu Garden, French Concession
  • Optional Add-on: Suzhou day trip or Guilin (2-3 days)

Natural Wonders (10-12 days)

  • Guilin/Yangshuo (3 days): Li River, karst landscapes
  • Zhangjiajie (2-3 days): Avatar mountains
  • Huangshan (2 days): Yellow Mountains
  • Shanghai (2 days): City exploration

Sichuan Adventure (7-10 days)

  • Chengdu (2-3 days): Pandas, food, culture
  • Jiuzhaigou (2-3 days): Colorful lakes
  • Leshan (1 day): Giant Buddha
  • Mount Emei (1-2 days): Sacred Buddhist mountain

Practical Tips

Essential Advice:

  • Book in Advance: Popular attractions have limited capacity
  • Arrive Early: Beat the crowds and heat
  • Hire Guides: Worth it for historical sites to understand context
  • Comfortable Shoes: Expect lots of walking
  • Bring Cash: Some sites don't accept mobile payments
  • Download Maps: Offline maps essential
  • Learn Basic Chinese: Especially numbers and directions
  • Respect Rules: No touching artifacts, follow photography restrictions
  • Stay Hydrated: Bring water, especially in summer
  • Be Patient: Crowds are common at popular sites

Booking Resources

Useful Platforms:

  • Trip.com: Flights, hotels, train tickets, attraction tickets
  • 12306.cn: Official railway booking (Chinese interface)
  • WeChat Mini Programs: Many attractions have official booking
  • Klook/GetYourGuide: Tours and attraction tickets with English support

Final Tips:

China's attractions are incredibly diverse. Don't try to see everything - choose quality over quantity. Allow time to soak in the atmosphere, interact with locals, and enjoy the journey between destinations. The most memorable experiences often happen unexpectedly!