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From the Rainbow Mountains to majestic temples, there is a wealth of magical places to visit in China. Whether it is Beijing, the capital city of China unfolding the great history of the country, or Shanghai, the global financial hub, one can find many things to do in China for overwhelming holidays.
If you are planning to visit China soon, you should start preparing the list of places you would like to see on this dream vacation. From the Great Wall of China to the Mount Kailasa, there is a lot to choose from. Your beautiful China tour should also include the architectural marvels like the Oriental Pearl Tower and the Temple of Heaven.
Want to know all the top things to do in China? Here is the list of attractions that should definitely be included on your China trip. Take a look!
1. Walk through the Great Wall of China
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The first landmark that comes into picture when anyone imagines of China tours is the Great Wall of China. Dating back to the 7th century BC, the Great Wall of China is, indeed, the most special place in the country.
However, the present existing wall was built during the Ming dynasty between 1368 to 1644. Made of brick, stone, wood, and other goods, this massive fortified wall was built to protect China from nomadic invasion. Your northern China travel must include this most impressive structure in China.
2. Explore the Forbidden City
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Located in the heart of Beijing, the Forbidden City is one of the best things to see in China as it provides a keen insight into the history of China with the help of age-old artworks and artifacts.
This palace complex was home to the emperors from the Ming Dynasty and Qing Dynasty, and at present, has been listed as a World Heritage Site. You will discover the largest collection of the ancient wooden items in the Forbidden City Museum.
3. Visit the Temple of Heaven
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Another great thing to do in Beijing, China, is to visit the Temple of Heaven. Located in the southeastern part of Beijing, the Temple of Heaven is one of the most famous religious buildings in China.
This Taoist temple was built between 1406 and 1420 to organize the annual prayer for a good harvest in the region. The temple has a parkland of 2.73 square kilometers and three main parts called the Hall of Prayer, the Imperial Vault of Heaven, and the Circular Mound Altar.
4. Take a tour of Tiananmen Square
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Tiananmen Square is one of the best places to visit on your China trip to understand the rich culture and important events in the history of China. A tour of the Tiananmen Square will help you visit the most famous historical places in China such as the Great Hall of the People, Monument to the People’s Heroes, and the National Museum of China. The square also gained popularity for the pro-democracy movement that happened here in 1989.
5. Learn the Chinese history at Yu Garden
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Of all the beautiful places you want to be a part of your China travel list, the Yu Garden is surely the top one. With an area of 20,000 square meters and a history of over 400 years, Yu Garden is considered the best tourist place in the city of Shanghai.
The garden is divided into 6 picturesque areas- Inner Chamber, Sansui Hall, Huijing Hall, Dianchun Hall, and Yuhua Hall. You can buy interesting Chinese stuff from the Yuyuan Bazaar and take a tour of the Chinese carvings and sculptures.
6. Explore the living museum of The Bund
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If you are still wondering what to do in China, head to The Bund in Shanghai and you will find a plethora of activities to indulge in. The Bund is the “pride of Shanghai” and often referred to as the museum of buildings as its 1.5 kilometers stretch is lined by 52 historical buildings.
Taking a walk through the living museum of the Bund is one of the best things to do in Shanghai for any history lover and sightseer.
7. Click pictures of the Oriental Pearl Tower
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The Oriental Pearl Tower is another place of interest in Shanghai that stands as an architectural marvel by the Huangpu River in Pudong New Area. With a height of 468 meters (1,535 feet), the Oriental Pearl Tower was the tallest structure in China until 2007.
The tower has fifteen observatories to enjoy the panoramic views of the city, a restaurant, an exhibition, and a shopping area.
8. Hike around the Mount Kailash
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Whether you are an explorer, a religious person, an adventurer, or an avid photographer, Mount Kailash fascinates all. This highest peak in the Kailash range of the Himalayas in Tibet is a wonderful getaway from China.
Soaring to 22,000 feet, the huge peak of Mount Kailash has many mysteries and startling facts associated with it. There are beautiful hiking trails around Mount Kailash dotted with other must-see attractions.
9. Relax at Jiuzhaigou
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China is blessed with a great treasure of natural beauty and if you are willing to go on a nature trip to China, Jiuzhaigou should be a part of your holiday plans. Jiuzhaigou National Park is like a natural masterpiece in China.
What makes the place unique is its tree-fringed lake and the red-yellow leafy trees surrounding it. Covered by the forested mountains and multicolored lakes, Jiuzhaigou is a haven for photographers.
10. Get adventurous at Mount Hua
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Imagine yourself hiking through a narrow wooden plank bolted to a cliff at a height of 200 feet! Thrilled, aren’t you? Well, Mount Hua, one of the most popular attractions in China, also offers the most dangerous hike in the world. And if you believe in “Adventure: the pursuit of life”, this is the place for you.
Located in the Shaanxi province, Mount Hua is one of the Five Great Mountains of China and considered one of the most sacred places by the locals.
11. Marvel at the wonders of Stone Forest
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Also known as Shilin, the Stone Forest is one of the unique places to visit and a must-see in China. The marvelous set of limestone cliffs that look like stalagmites will make you feel that the entire forest is made of stones.
The tall rocks against the vast greenery create a gorgeous landscape that you must capture on your south China trip. The Stone Forest is divided into 7 parts such as Zhiyun Cave, Naigu Stone Forest, Dadie Shui Waterfall, etc.
12. Find solace at Leshan Giant Buddha
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One of the best things about China is Buddhism. The 71-meter tall ancient statue Leshan Giant Buddha attracts millions of tourists to Sichuan province of China every year. Built between the years 713 and 803, Leshan Giant Buddha is regarded as the tallest pre-modern statue in the world. There are different lookouts to observe the statue from above and below.
13. Sail through the Three Gorges
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Sailing through the Three Gorges is one of the fun things to do in China. Stretching along the Yangtze River of China, the Three Gorges is a breathtaking reservoir location. The name Three Gorges comes from the set of three picturesque gorges in the region, called Wu, Xiling, and Qutang.
One of the best places in the region is the Baiheliang Underwater Museum that has a huge collection of stone carvings. The Three Gorges Dam is another great sight to see in China.
14. Hike the forests around Mount Emei
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Mount Emei is one of the four sacred mountains of China and is also home to the first Buddhist temple built in China during the 1st century A.D. In addition to this, more than 30 temples are found in the surroundings of Mount Emei.
Hiking through the subtropical forests and subalpine pine regions of Mount Emei (with trees that are over 1000 years old) is amongst some cool things to do in China.
15. Spend a great day at Jade Dragon Snow Mountain
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To get the best views of the snow-capped peaks, Jade Dragon Snow Mountain is one of the cool places to visit in China. The Jade Dragon Snow Mountain is located around 15 kilometers from Lijiang Old Town in Yunnan province of China.
One of the best features of Jade Dragon is the 4-kilometer long Ganhaizi meadow that looks like a beautiful piece of greenery sandwiched between snowy mountains.
Aren’t you fascinated by the natural beauty and architectural wonders of China? What places did you like the most? We would love to know!
