Written by Catherine |
1. The Great Wall of China
Badaling Great Wall enjoys the highest popularity among all the sections. It is the optimal choice for first-timers and those who want to enjoy the classic landscape of Great Wall. Besides, Badaling is well-equipped with cableway and tram, making it an ideal choice for family tour as well.
Mutianyu is, by far, the best-preserved Great Wall section in China. Hiking on Mutianyu is suitable for tourists that are full of energy, as the entire section measures 5.4km long and it takes about 5 hours to finish the whole hiking. However, if you travel with the old and children, you may consider taking the cableway up to the wall and tour around the essential segment from No. 14 to No. 20 beacon tower with gentle slope and also great vistas.
Recommended Tours:
2. The Terracotta Army
Recommended Tours:
3. The Forbidden City
Recommended Tours:
4. The Li River
Recommended Tours:
- 3 Days Guilin Tour with Li River Cruise & Longji Terrace
- 5 Days Guilin, Yangshuo and Terrace Field Photography Tour
5. The Potala Palace
Perched on a hill in Lhasa, Tibet, the Potala Palace stands as the summit of Tibetan architectural arts an also offers a spiritual journey into Tibetan Buddhism. The whole complex mainly consists of the Red Palace and White Palace. The Red Palace towers in the center and today, you can find sacred stupas of Dalai Lamas, the religious leaders of Tibetan Buddhism, worshipped here. And the White Palace used to be the residence and working place of Dalai Lamas.
While visiting, people can also observe various religious instruments, including golden statues, exquisite murals and Thangka paintings, and admire the panoramic views of the city.
Travel Tips:
- 1. Independent travelling is not accepted in Tibet. Make sure you travel with a local travel agency.
- Visitors should be properly dressed to enter this religious site. Please respect local religious customs and traditions while visiting and note that taking pictures is forbidden in the hall.
Recommended Tours:
6. The Zhangjiajie National Forest Park
Nature lovers, hikers and photographers flock to Zhangjiajie National Forest Park for good reason. Picture this: thousands of towering sandstone pillars, their jagged peaks blanketed in emerald foliage and often hidden in swirling mist. This magical landscape actually inspired the floating Hallelujah Mountains in Avatar. Walking through these ancient formations, you’ll swear you’ve stepped onto another planet.
Your four-day ticket allows you explore at your own pace. You’ll find everything from easy nature walks to challenging multi-day treks, though many visitors prefer a well-planned two-day itinerary to catch the must-see spots. Whether you come for scenery, outdoor thrills, or Instagram-worthy shots, Zhangjiajie will never disappoint you.
The first-day route offers a breathtaking vista of towering pillars from the mountaintop. Visitors can enter from the east gate and take Bailong Elevator to reach the top of Yuanjiajie, then follow the hiking trail or take a shuttle bus to Yangjiajie and Tianzi Mountain.
On the second day, still enter from the east gate and take a shuttle bus to Ten-Mile Gallery, then transfer to the sightseeing train to enjoy the views along the way. Afterwards, get on a shuttle bus to Golden Whip Stream (Jin Bian Xi) and then finish the hiking with Yellow Stone Cottage (Huang Shi Zhai).
Recommended Tours:
7. The Summer Palace
The Summer Palace is hailed by locals as an ideal destination to escape the bustling city of Beijing. As the imperial resort built from hundreds of years ago, the Summer Palace shows a harmonious blend of natural scenes and architecture with magnificent palaces perfectly embedded in the Longevity Hill and major sights like the Long Corridor, embracing the tranquil Kunming Lake.
It will take about 3 hours to tour around Kunming Lake on foot. If you want a more leisure experience, you may consider taking a boat ride, which enables you to have a general view of pavilions and halls around the lake.
Or, you may rent a bike or scooter in Yangshuo and cycle along the country road all the way to the Ten-Mile Gallery to have an immersive sightseeing tour in the natural “oil painting”.
8. The Majestic Yellow Mountains
As one of the most iconic natural wonders in China, Huangshan Mountain (Yellow Mountain) in the southern part of Anhui Province is a famous natural and cultural UNESCO World Heritage site. It has long been an inspiration for traditional Chinese landscape painting, and is known worldwide for its “Four Wonders”: unique pine trees, bizarre rock formations, sea of clouds, and mineral-rich hot springs.
During a Huangshan tour, you can marvel at the pine trees growing tenaciously in rock crevices, and rocks show different bizarre formations due to the over millions of years of weathering. The entire scenic area will transform into a celestial realm when the peaks are embraced by the surging sea of clouds.
For the best experience, start your hike at dawn and spend a night on the mountain – the sunrise and sunset views are absolutely worth it. After your trek, unwind in the therapeutic mineral hot springs, the perfect way to relax tired muscles.
- 3 Days Huangshan Private Tour with Local Village
- 2 Days Huangshan Private Tour: Yellow Mountain, Hongcun Village
- 4 Days Huangshan Tour with Hongcun & Xidi Villages
9. The Bund in Shanghai
The Bund in Shanghai is an iconic waterfrond promenade in the city, which is often regarded as the “Paris of the East in miniature”. Stretching about 1.5 kilometers along the west bank of the Huangpu River, this historical riverside is lined with 52 historic buildings in diverse European styles. It is where visitors can look into Shanghai’s golden era as the financial hub of the Far East from the 19th to the 20th century.
The best time visit is at night, when the facades of the historic buildings being illuminated by bright lights. You can stroll along the corridor to see both these historical buildings on the west shore, and Lujiazui’s modern skyscrapers on the east shore. Taking a Huangpu River cruise in the evening is also a popular way to enjoy the night beauty of the Bund.
Recommended Shanghai Tours including the Bund:
- 2 Days Best Shanghai Layover Tour
- 3 Days Classic Private Shanghai City Tour
- 4 Days Shanghai Private Tour with Zhujiajiao Watertown Tour
10. West Lake in Hangzhou
West Lake presents is one of the most poetic landscapes in China. This UNESCO World Heritage site, also known as “paradise on earth,” harmoniously and perfectly blends natural beauty with cultural heritage that spans centuries.
West Lake offers spectacular scenery throughout the whole year. In spring, peach blossoms and willow trees will lit the Su Causeway. Summer brings fields of lotus blooming across Quyuan Garden. When autumn comes, the lake will transform into a mirror under the silky moonlight. In winter, the landscape becomes a tranquil wonderland dusted with snow.
Visitors can freely stroll or cycle along the Bai Causeway or take a boat on the lake to savor the timeless beauty that has inspired countless poets, and painters. Also, you can explore further to the surrounding Lingyin Temple, Silk Museum, and tea plantations for more cultural experiences.
Best Hangzhou Tours including the West Lake:
- Hangzhou Cultural Day Tour
- 2 Days Hangzhou Essence Tour
- 2 Days Hangzhou Tour: Tea Plantation, Bamboo Forest…
11. The Yangtze River
The Yangtze River is China’s longest river, stretching over 6,300 km. It is also known as the nation’s “Mother River” as it has nurtured Chinese civilizations for centuries. While extending through gorges like the legendary Three Gorges Dam, the world’s largest dam, this river also feeds fertile farmlands along the way.
The best cruise seasons are spring (April-May) and autumn (September-October). In these seasons, you’ll travel with comfortable temperatures, clear air. And the views of misty cliffs and terraced hillsides will be splendid than ever. Days bring marvelous landscapes, while evenings offer relaxation on well-equipped ships. Most visitors choose classic Three Gorges cruises to experience the river’s full majesty.
Recommended Yangtze River Tour:
12. Xi’an City Wall
The Xi’an City Wall is the most complete ancient city wall that still survives in China, often called the “Open-air Museum of Ming Dynasty History”. This 14th-century, 12 meters-tall fortification stretches 13.7 kilometers around the old city, with impressive watchtowers and gates. Standing here, visitors can step back into Xi’an’s golden era as the eastern terminus of the Silk Road.
The best time to visit is early morning or late afternoon, when you can walk or bike along the wide ramparts in comfortable temperatures while enjoying panoramic city views. The South Gate area is particularly lively in the evenings with cultural performances. Renting a bicycle to circle the entire wall is the most authentic way to experience this ancient defensive system.
Recommended Xi’an Tour includes Xi’an City Wall:
- 3 Days Xian Private Trip: History Exploration & Tang Costume Experience
- 2 Days Xian Small Group Tour (with Hanyangling Museum)
The top 12 tourist attractions and landmarks in China not only introduces the country’s splendid history and culture behind ancient wonders, but also leads visitors to feel the uncanny workmanship of the nature. Exploring these sites will leave you with unforgettable memories in the tours to China and a deeper understanding of China’s rich heritage.
See more China’s top attractions at Top 15 Things to Do in China and 10 Most Famous Ancient Towns in China
