Best Cities to Visit in China

Best Cities to Visit in China

China is a huge country full of history, beauty, and incredible places to see. With such a large land mass, it is well worth planning a trip ahead of time so that you can be sure to see the sites you want to see and get a mix of history, landscapes, and anything else that draws you here. Here are some of the unmissable and most visited destinations in China. We hope that this Best Cities to Visit in China post inspires you. 

Best Cities to Visit in China

Beijing 

Beijing makes it to the top of many people’s ‘to visit in China’ because of the Great Wall, which stretches for an incredible 6,000 kilometers, as well as it being home to the Beijing National Stadium. It is the capital of China, a common place to travel in and out of, and home to many incredible sites in China. Needless to say, it is well worth spending some time here. Another must-see while you are here is The Forbidden City the imperial palace complex that is considered to be a divine place.

Xi'an

Xi’an draws tourists every year because it is home to an incredible archaeological find, The Terracotta Army, from around 280 BC. The site is part of Emperor Qin Shi Huang’s Mausoleum Site Park and has over 8,000 military characters. Other sites to see here are the Giant Wild Goose Pagoda (a Buddhist landmark), the Shaanxi History Museum, as well as the Great Mosque of Xi’an (a Tang dynasty mosque).

Guangzhou

Guangzhou, also known as the “City of Flowers” due to its blooming flowers all year long, is an important port city in the south of China. It is also an ancient city in China that is the birthplace of Cantonese cooking so if you enjoy dim sum and high-end but classic foods, this is a place to dine out and experience all that Guangzhou has to offer. When you want to experience something unique to the city, head to Shamian Island, a beautiful pedestrian-only island where you can walk around and see the beautiful banyan trees, architecture, and grand mansions.

Chengdu

Chengdu is the capital of Sichuan Province and where you want to go for a panda experience while in China, to the Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding. It feels like an open park here and you get to see pandas going about their days. While you’re here, be sure to also visit Mt. Emei as well as the Leshan Giant Buddha.

Shanghai

Shanghai is a city that has a European feel, the Zhongshan Lu (a riverside promenade), and many café, restaurants, and bars. Be sure to leave time to visit Yu Garden, often referred to as the “Garden of Happiness”. 

There are many beautiful places in China, with these 5 just a few of the many. A special mention has to be given to Hong Kong as well, which has one of the most incredible concentrations of skyscrapers and as a result, a beautiful skyline. While in Hong Kong, add Tian Tan Buddha and Victoria Peak at the top of your list! We hope that this Best Cities to Visit in China post inspires you. Happy travels!

Scenic Train Routes in China