Top 20 China Tourist Attractions You Must Visit

August 25, 2022

Top 20 China Tourist Attractions You Must Visit

Thinking of the must-visit attractions in China other than the Great Wall of China? Check out the full list - Forbidden Cities, Mud Armies, Alpine Lakes, and more.

China, the most populous country in the world, is packed with natural attractions. China's history goes back thousands of years, and it has around 47 World Heritage sites so far.

Visitors flock to China, and oftentimes they head straight to some of the world's most famous tourist sites. If you are heading to China and not sure where to start your exploration,

1. The Great Wall of China

The Great Wall of China

The Great Wall of China is the longest wall in the world. It is one of the most recognizable symbols of China and deserves its status as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, as well as being one of the "New Seven Wonders of the World".

This defensive architecture spans 5,000 kilometers over steep mountains, providing unparalleled views of the countryside.

2. Terracotta Army Xian

Terracotta Army Xian

In The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor starring Jet Li, the undead emperor resurrects his own group of warriors, and these warriors are like the Terracotta Army of Xi'an.

Xi'an's Terracotta Army are life-size models that farmers discovered when they were digging a well. The armies represented the battalion that defeated all other Chinese armies during the Warring States period (475-221 BC).

In 1987, the Terracotta Army became listed as another one of China's UNESCO World Cultural Heritage Sites. It is considered one of the greatest archaeological sites in the world.

3. The Forbidden City of Beijing

The Forbidden City of Beijing

In ancient times, the Forbidden City was reserved for the elite only. Common people or ordinary people are not allowed to enter. Known as the "Palace Museum," the Forbidden City served as the imperial palace of the Ming and Qing dynasties for 560 years until 1911.

The Forbidden City in Beijing is a grandiose display of Chinese architecture, with more than 8,000 rooms with golden ceilings. It was also home to 24 emperors and houses Chinese cultural and historical relics.

4. Lane River Gui

Lane River Gui

You may have seen idyllic Chinese paintings with karst landscapes as a background. To experience this beautiful scene that often appears in Chinese paintings and has inspired many poets and artists, head to the Li River.

It winds its way between hills, steep cliffs, and farming villages, surrounded by bamboo groves. The most beautiful part of the river is located between Guilin and Yangshuo which extends about 83 kilometers.

5. Huangshan or Yellow Mountains

Huangshan or Yellow Mountains

Tucked in eastern China, near Shanghai and Hangzhou, the Yellow Mountains is one of the three best national parks in China - the other two being Zhangjiajie National Forest Park and Jiuzhaigou National Forest Park.

They are the most drawn and photographed mountains in China due to their strangely shaped rocks, exotic pine trees, seas of clouds, and hot springs.

Rumor has it that China's super ancestor, the Yellow Emperor, resides there. In 1990, UNESCO listed the Yellow Mountains as a World Heritage Site.

6. West Lake in Hangzhou

West Lake in Hangzhou

In the 13th century, Marco Polo declared Hangzhou to be "the most beautiful and elegant city in the world."

Skillfully crafted after the Chinese love of garden-style gardens, it has earned the nickname "heaven on earth" of China.

The lake is a picture of tranquility, with its attractive pagodas and Chinese-style arched bridges.

7. Zhang Ye D pressured the landscape

Zhang Ye D pressured the landscape

Located in the remote northwest of China, Danxia is a haven for photographers. They have earned the nickname "the Rainbow Mountains" because of their zigzag, multi-colored formations.

The name Danxia means 'red and red clouds', and this name originated from the presence of vibrant red rock formations that are best seen when the sun shines on them.

Visit Zhangye between June and September for the best weather. The best time to take pictures of the mountains is during sunrise and sunset. Prepare yourself for a breathtaking view.

8. Zhang grafted the slope poles

Zhang grafted the slope poles

Zangjiajie is known for its lofty peaks, deep valleys, and unique rock pillars. He became the inspiration for the Alleluia Mountains in James Cameron's avatar.

The distinctive flowing columns of Zhangjiajie National Forest Park sometimes appear as a beautiful backdrop for Chinese-themed movies and animation shows.

9. Lhasa Potala Palace

Lhasa Potala Palace

In 1994, the Potala Palace was declared a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage site. It is the symbol of Tibet and includes murals, scriptures, sculptures, Buddhist statues, antiques and religious jewelry.

10. J IU home shopping “is colorful alpine lakes

J IU home shopping “is colorful alpine lakes

If you want to see something great, head to Jiuzhaigou in remote western China. Jiuzhaigou is famous for its multicolored lakes shaded by green foliage.

The lakes change colors during the day and year, and on clear days they reflect the mountains. Autumn is the perfect season to visit Jiuzhaigou, when the landscape changes to the vibrant colors of autumn.

11. Giant panda

Giant panda

Cute and cuddly pandas (keep in mind, not the ones that fight kung fu) are loved by young or old. Visit the hometown of pandas in Chengdu to see them in their natural habitat. Chengdu Panda Center is located in the northern part of the city.

There are three places to see pandas up close: Chengdu Panda Breeding and Research Center, Bifengxia Panda Base and Dujiangyan Panda Valley.

12. Beijing Summer Palace

Beijing Summer Palace

The Summer Palace in Beijing was originally built in 1750 but was destroyed during the war in 1860. In 1886, the palace was restored to its original structure.

Summer Palace is another wonderful garden design for Chinese landscape. An array of hills and lakes complement man-made features such as palaces, temples, pavilions, and bridges.

13. Elegant Suzhou Water Parks and Cities

Elegant Suzhou Water Parks and Cities

Water towns in China such as Suzhou are an example of traditional Chinese villages.

In Suzhou, you'll find old wooden houses lining the waterways, punctuated by stone bridges that will take you back in time to ancient China.

14. Xidi Village

Xidi Village

Xidi village is fondly called Xixi because of the three rivers that run from east to west. But there was a relay station in the western part of the village, the name was changed to Xidi.

The village has a rich history of nearly 1,000 years under its belt and served as a witness to the Ming and Qing dynasties while sitting at the foot of the southern Huangshan Mountain.

It has over a hundred well-maintained old folk houses and a number of beautiful and well-preserved gardens.

15. Hong Kong Village

Hong Kong Village

Hongcun is located at the southwest foot of the Yellow Mountains, which span an area of about 28 hectares. Part of Hongcun is an old village spanning 19.11 hectares of land.

The village was also featured in the Ang Lee Crouching Tiger movie, Hidden Dragon. It has stood the test of time and has nearly 900 years of history.

March and April is the perfect time to witness the flower blooms and early November is the time to visit to see the fall colors.

16. Temple of Heaven

Temple of Heaven

The Temple of Heaven symbolizes the relationship between heaven and earth - the world of God and the world of man - which lies at the heart of Chinese cosmogony. Emperors played a special role in the relationship.

China was ruled by a series of feudal dynasties for more than two thousand years, its legitimacy depicted through the design and layout of the temple.

17. The 13 Ming Tombs in Beijing

The 13 Ming Tombs in Beijing

The number 13 can be an unlucky number or a lucky number, depending on the person's superstitions. During the Ming Dynasty, there were 13 imperial tombs scattered over an area of 40 square kilometers from Changping District to the northwest part of Beijing.

The construction of the tomb lasted for more than two hundred years. The first tomb was built at Changling in 1409, while the last tomb, Siling, was built in 1644 during the reign of the last emperor of the Ming. Seniority in imperial families is the basis of the size and grandeur of imperial shrines.

18. Mogao Caves

Mogao Caves

Legend has it that the first Mogao Cave was established by a Buddhist monk, Li Zun (Lo Tsun) in 366 AD, who had a vision of a thousand Buddhas. A wealthy pilgrim on the Silk Road financed the first temple, and others followed after.

The murals were originally designed to aid in devotional meditation, but eventually acquired a narrative purpose as well.

Mogao Caves are also known as Mogao Caves, Dunhuang Caves, or Caves of a Thousand Buddhas. There are only 30 cave temples out of 600 that are open to the public.

19. Lungi Rice Stands

Lungi Rice Stands

Rice terraced fields, such as that of Longji (Dragon Backbone’s Rice Terraces) that are built by the Zhuang people, offer fantastic sceneries.

The terraces of Longji sit on the hillsides and looks like ribbons to visitors who climb from the bottom to the top of the hills.

The first terraces were first constructed during the Yuan Dynasty (1271–1368) and were completed in the Qing Dynasty (1644–1911). Popular terraced fields are Jinkeng Red Yao and Ping’an Zhuang terraced fields.

20. Hong Kong Disneyland

Hong Kong Disneyland

In the words of Michael D. Eisner and Donald Tsang: “Disneyland Hong Kong is young and young at heart – hoping to be a source of joy and inspiration, and a lasting symbol of cooperation, friendship and understanding between the people of Hong Kong and the United States of America.”

Gather your family, relive your childhood fantasies, meet your favorite Disney characters and enjoy fun rides at Hong Kong Disneyland.

Source : tripzilla

Tags tourism

Top 20 China Tourist Attractions You Must Visit