Top 10 Attractions to Visit in China
China is the third-most visited country. Many visitors travel to China for its culture, history, and beautiful landscapes. There are also high-efficiency transportation systems and Chinese dishes for a special vacation experience. For your travel consideration, here are the top ten attractions in China.
Great Wall
The Great Wall of China snakes its way through northern China, a massive construction that spans many cities and is still the world's longest wall. It's defined as the most recognizable landmark in China. It was built in the first place for the purpose of protecting the borders of ancient China, with a total length of 8850 kilometers.
There are several famous sections of the Wall in Beijing, including Badaling (the most visited section), Mutianyu (well-known and rich in encompassing greenery), Jinshanling (for serious hikers), and Simatai (a crumbling, rugged stretch of wall). As suggested, the Mutianyu Great Wall provides stunning views of the hills while being less crowded. This section offers a thrilling toboggan run as well, which you can ride from the top of the wall to the bottom of the hill. Restaurants, hotels, and cable cars are also available there. There are embrasures, peculiar guards, intensive watchtowers, the Closed Tram, and the Great Wall Hotel to provide a better experience for visitors.
The Great Wall of China
Forbidden City
The Forbidden City is a palace complex at the center of the Imperial City of Beijing, surrounded by a number of opulent imperial gardens and temples. This attraction mustn't be missing if you travel to China. This complex resembles splendid palaces, in which 24 Ming and Qing Emperors reside.
The complex consists of 8,886 rooms depicting the opulence of the residences of Chinese emperors. It was divided into two parts: the Outer Court, used for ceremonial purposes, and the Inner Court, the residence of the Emperor and his family. The Emperor occupied the Palace of Heavenly Purity, while the Palace of Earthly Tranquility was for the Empress. The Hall of Mental Cultivation is the office of the Grand Council. It may take a couple of hours to take a visit. You can also visit the Palace Museum, which contains a large collection of artworks from the Ming and Qing dynasties.
Li River
The Li River is well-known for its cruises to view the breathtaking karst mountain and river scenery. It is on the list of the top ten watery wonders in the world according to National Geographic Magazine and was picked by CNN as one of the "world's 15 best rivers for travelers". The most popular route for the Li River cruise is from Guilin to Yangshuo, which takes around 4 hours to view remarkable rock formations and caves with romantic names such as the Mount of Unique Beauty, Elephant Trunk Hill, and Reed Flute Cave.
The most fascinating of all the views offered by Li River is the Yellow Cloth Shoal. The scenery is featured on the back of China's 20 CNY banknote. It's famous for the overall views of seven peaks on each side reflected on the water. It's named after a huge, yellowish rock lying flat under the water, which looks like a piece of cloth. Yangshuo, which lies at the end of the cruise, is a town with beautiful scenery. There are numerous activities available, such as hanging out on West Street and exploring nearby caves.
Li River in Guilin
Terracotta Army
The Terracotta Army is a collection of terracotta sculptures of the armies of Qin Shi Huang, the first emperor of China. It's a form of funerary art to bury armies with the emperor for the purpose of protecting him after his death. According to the 2007 data, three pits contain over 8,000 soldiers, 130 chariots, and 520 horses, mostly found in the pits near Qin Shi Huang's Mausoleum. Other pits exist for lots of non-military figures: officials, musicians, and acrobats.
The Terracotta Army is a part of the Mausoleum of the First Qin Emperor, which is the Qin emperor's imperial palace. The Necropolis is situated at the foot of Mount Li. It looks like a pyramid surrounded by two solid walls. Warriors guard the tomb. The Chinese government has made this site a history museum for visitors since 1974. It's one of the most popular tourist destinations in China. It's an amazing experience to stand in front of thousands of soldiers and horses, just like inspecting a centuries-old parade.
Panda Research Base
Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding, it's a popular base for travelers to see lots of pandas in what's close to their natural habitats at a close distance. Setting it up in the first place was for the purpose of constructing an ecosystem close to their natural habitats. There is a research and breeding center, nurseries, and a giant panda museum. Except for giant pandas, red pandas and black swans can also be seen.
You can have a close look at their activities and see panda cubs being fed in the nurseries. Walking through a bamboo forest to take in the views is a relaxing time as well.
Tips: Do not touch the pandas or frighten them. Visitors should go early in the morning because giant pandas prefer cold temperatures.
Panda Research Base
Yangtze River
It's the longest river in Asia, the third-longest worldwide, and the longest to flow entirely within one country in the world, with a length of 3,900 miles. The Yangtze River plays an important role in the history, culture, and economy of China.
A cruise is the best way to take in the views along the Yangtze River and enjoy the food provided onboard. There are nighttime performances and parties as well. The most popular route is from Chongqing to Yichang. The ship passes through the Three Gorges-Qutang Gorge, Wu Gorge, and Xiling Gorge. Fascinating rocks and peaks stand on both sides of the river.
The ship stops over at the Three Gorge Dam, which attracts tourists from all over the world. It is a hydroelectric power station the largest dam in the world, located in Xiling Gorge in Yichang City. The magnificent dam provides a splendid view with abundant architecture, fountains, and some more viewing areas. Escalators and buses can take you around, and to the terraces which provide the best view.
The Bund
The Bund, literally the "outer beach" is a waterfront area in central Shanghai. This protected historical district faces the Skyline of Pudong, which is a prosperous area. Lots of banks and trading houses from other countries were set up here, which was a major financial center in east Asia.
The bund stretches along Zhongshan Road, which is characterized by various Western classical and modern styles of architecture. In these prosperous streets, you can go shopping, take a Huangpu River cruise at night, and join some clubs. There are many highlights here: the sightseeing waterfront, the best night view in Shanghai, and Western-style building clusters. Main buildings include: American Club 209 Fuzhou Rd. was a popular club for expatriates, containing bars, rooftop gardens, and billiard rooms. It's typical American Georgian architecture. Union Building (No. 3, the Bund), previously home to some insurance companies, is now a shopping center. However, there are some other well-known architectures.
The Bund in Shanghai
Jiuzhaigou
Jiuzhaigou, literally "Nine Settlement Valley," was inscribed by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site. There are waterfalls, colorful lakes, and snow-covered peaks. The core scenic spots are virgin mixed forests, which present vibrant colors—yellow, orange, and red in the autumn, along with wild animals and plants, making this season a popular time for visitors.
It's characterized by abundant green, blue, and turquoise-colored lakes, which are called Haizi, meaning "son of the sea" by locals. They are the result of glacial activity, and the water is so clear that you can see the bottom of lakes. The color of lakes varies with their depths and surroundings. One highlight, Rize Valley contains lots of lakes, such as Swan Lake, Mirror Lake, and some others. The primeval forest along the valley is a preserved ancient woodland. Mountains and cliffs can be seen from the front there.
Mogao Caves
The Mogao Caves, also called the Thousand Buddha Grottoes or Dunhuang Caves, are one of the most well-known Chinese Buddhist grottoes. There are abundant murals, printed images, painted sculptures, and textiles, presenting stories of medieval economics, culture, politics, arts, religions, and scenes of social and commercial life. The relics it contains provide invaluable evidence for studying ancient China and Central Asia.
735 caves and more than a thousand sculpted Buddhas exist in Mogao presently. While the caves' styles varied as much as the thousand years of artistic activity, Indian and Western cultures had a strong influence in the early period, while the Tang dynasty had a distinct imperial court style.
Out of 30 accessible caves, you can only visit several within a day. You can explore thousands of murals, sculptures from different centuries, and manuscripts painted on walls.
Mogao Caves in Dunhuang
Victoria Harbor
Victoria Harbor is a natural landform separating the Kowloon Peninsula in the north from Hong Kong Island in the south. It has played a key role as a harbor for thousands of vessels passing through. Meanwhile, it's one of the main attractions in Hong Kong, located in the population's dense region.
It's known for the night views and skyline towards Hong Kong Island. The best permanent light and sound show on the list of Guinness World Records mustn't be missing. From the top of Peak Tower, the piazza at the Cultural Center, and the promenade of Tsim Sha Tsui, panoramic views of Victoria Harbor can be seen. Many major public shows are hosted here; Avenue of Stars is open to the public in honor of the outstanding people in Hong Kong's film industry.
If you're planning to travel to China and explore its culture, history, and natural scene, please don't hesitate to contact us, just simply tell us your interests and needs, and one of our travel experts will create a tailor-made itinerary for you within 24hrs.
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