Exploring the Best Places to Visit in China: A Travel Guide 🇨🇳

China, the Gateway to East Asia, is a fascinating country. It is an ancient civilization that gave the world Peking Man, gunpowder, and noodles. Visitors making their first trip to China usually stick to the larger cities. However, more experienced travelers to the Middle Kingdom often strike out in other directions. Traveling may be a bit more frustrating because of the language barrier, but it’s most definitely doable for independent travelers. Here’s a look at the best places to visit in China.

1. Kunming: The Eternal Spring City 🌷

Kunming is the economic, transportation, industrial, and cultural center of Southwest China. It is linked by rail to all of China’s major cities as well as with Vietnam. The mild climate makes it a good place to visit any time of the year.

Highlights of Kunming:

• Flower Industry: Because of the fine climate, flower growing is a major industry. Tourists can visit flower exhibits and auctions and a huge botanical garden.
• Ethnic Diversity: Kunming serves as a base from which to explore the rainbow of ethnic minorities in the area.

2. Jiuzhaigou Valley: A Fairyland on Earth 🏞️

Jiuzhaigou Valley has been described as a fairyland because of its many waterfalls, snow-covered karst mountains, and 108 blue, turquoise, and green-colored lakes. These lakes are so crystal clear that one can see the bottoms.

Highlights of Jiuzhaigou Valley:

• Waterfalls and Lakes: Experience the beautiful and colorful lakes and waterfalls.
• Giant Pandas: It is also the habitat of giant pandas, though the chances of seeing them are slim due to the park size and the number of tourists.

3. Hangzhou: The Most Magnificent City 🌿

Famed for its natural scenery, Hangzhou and its West Lake have been immortalized by countless poets and artists. In the 13th century, Marco Polo described the city as the most beautiful and magnificent in the world.

Highlights of Hangzhou:

• West Lake: Hangzhou’s most famous site, West Lake, is a large lake separated by causeways and lined with ancient buildings and gardens designed for relaxation and spirituality.
• Historical Sites: Visitors will find pagodas, temples, walking paths, and tea farms along its shores.

4. Yangshuo: Picturesque Countryside 🚴

Yangshuo in South China was once a magnet for backpackers because of its cheap prices and laid-back atmosphere. Today, it draws all sorts of travelers to enjoy its beautiful scenery and karst mountains.

Highlights of Yangshuo:

• Outdoor Activities: Yangshuo makes a good base to take a day trip to Guilin for a leisurely trip on the Li River.
• Biking Route: Many travelers choose to rent bicycles for the trip back since the route is relatively flat and gives them the opportunity to view farmers toiling in their fields.

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5. Lhasa: The Heart of Tibetan Buddhism 🕍

Lhasa is the most important city in Tibet and one of the highest elevated in the world at 11,500 feet. Despite its absorption into Greater China, Lhasa has retained much of its culture.

Highlights of Lhasa:

• Potala Palace: It is home to the Potala Palace, which was the former home of the Dalai Lama. The palace was constructed on the Red Hill more than 360 years ago.
• Norbulingka: Another palace is Norbulingka, built in 1755. It was the Dalai Lama’s summer palace before his exile.

6. Xi’an: The Starting Point of the Silk Road 🏺

Xi’an was once the start of the indispensable Silk Road that made commerce between many countries in Eurasia possible. It was also the imperial seat for no fewer than eleven dynasties before the unification of China between 1000 BC and 1000 AD.

Highlights of Xi’an:

• Terracotta Army: Its most famous attraction is the rather recently discovered Terracotta Army, the protectors of the tomb of the first emperor of China.
• City Walls: Xi’an also boasts 14th-century city walls that are more than eight miles long. They are not only a part of the city’s history but traveling in Xi’an sometimes requires going under, on, or around them.

7. Shanghai: The Megacity by the Sea 🏙️

Located on the East China Sea and the mouth of the Yangtze River, Shanghai is the largest city in China. Its skyline is filled with skyscrapers, while shiny shopping malls, luxurious hotels, and prestigious art centers are rising alongside.

Highlights of Shanghai:

• Vibrant Nights: The city nights in Shanghai are representative of the Western view of Chinese cities with bright neon signs, bustling streets, and numerous businesses.
• The Bund: The most popular place to go for a stroll is The Bund, Shanghai’s colonial riverfront along the Huangpu River.

8. The Great Wall of China: The Endless Monument 🛡️

The Great Wall of China is an assemblage of smaller walls built by various dynasties over many years. Builders erected these walls for protection from invasion by those from the north.

Highlights of the Great Wall:

• Length: The Great Wall itself measures approximately 5,500 miles in length, although some sections lie in ruin or have disappeared altogether. It is the longest man-made structure in the world.
• Popular Sections: There are several sections of the Great Wall of China that visitors find interesting. Badaling is the most popular section of the wall as it is the closest to Beijing and easy to climb.

9. Hong Kong: The Glittering Commercial Center 🌆

Located off China’s southeastern coast, Hong Kong is a glittering, world-class commercial center where Chinese culture and British colonial influences merge seamlessly.

China offers an endless array of attractions, each with its unique set of experiences and sights. From bustling cities to tranquil villages, there is something for everyone in this ancient land. As you plan your journey through this fascinating country, make sure to include these must-visit destinations on your itinerary. Whether you’re marvelling at the architectural wonders of Shanghai, exploring the historical depths of Xi’an, or soaking up the natural beauty of Hangzhou, your adventure in China promises to be unforgettable.