The best — and most unforgettable — experiences in China

China has mesmerized visitors for millennia with its art and architecture, commerce and culture. In the twenty-first century, the country’s stunning landscapes, historical landmarks and soaring skylines continue to captivate travelers, and China genuinely offers a unique mix of ancient heritage and modern endeavors within a single trip covering thousands of years of history.

The world’s largest network of high-speed trains connects bustling cities throughout China, making it easier than ever for visitors to experience the country’s diverse geography, ethnic groups and cuisines. China now also offers a visa-free transit policy for citizens of more than 50 countries, allowing entry through designated airports and ports for up to 10 days. Though a language barrier will likely come up during a visit, locals’ warmth and friendliness consistently shine through regardless of where a specific trip leads.

The eight experiences below appear in Lonely Planet, covering top things to do throughout China. They range from imperial palaces in Beijing to ice festivals in China’s far north, giving travelers considerable range across both geography and season. Fast, reliable high-speed rail connects most of these destinations, meaning travelers can realistically combine several stops on this list within a single well-planned itinerary instead of treating each region as a separate trip entirely. Provinces such as Sichuan and Gansu reward travelers specifically interested in nature and ancient trade history. In contrast, cities such as Beijing, Shanghai and Xi’an offer considerably denser concentrations of major historic and cultural landmarks within walking or short subway distance of one another. Travelers $TRV should budget genuinely realistic time between each stop, since China’s considerable overall geographic size genuinely means even the very fastest high-speed trains still genuinely require several hours to cover the distances between some of these specific regions covered throughout this particular list.

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China’s world-class capital serves up a slew of sights that no savvy traveler should miss. The crown jewel of China’s imperial palaces, the Forbidden City, served as the seat of Ming and Qing dynasty emperors for more than 500 years, giving visitors genuine insight into centuries of imperial rule within a single sprawling complex. Jingshan Park and the Drum and Bell Towers offer a panoramic view of the city’s palaces and old quarters from above.

The Temple of Heaven, where emperors once prayed for a good harvest, stands as another genuine architectural gem worth exploring. With its lakes, pavilions, palaces and bridges, the Summer Palace ranks as a masterpiece of Chinese landscape design, rewarding visitors with hours of exploration across its considerable grounds.

Wandering through the former Legation Quarter and hútòngs, the traditional alleyways lined with courtyards and residences, offers a genuine window into the past, even though many have given way to modern development throughout the surrounding city. This blend of preserved historic neighborhoods and rapid modernization gives Beijing genuine range for travelers interested in both old and new China simultaneously.

No visit to Beijing would be complete without a walk along the Great Wall specifically. While Badaling ranks as the most famous section, Mutianyu sees considerably fewer tourists and stays accessible by foot and cable car, and the site even features a toboggan track visitors can ride down after reaching the top. Beijing’s subway system offers travelers a genuinely efficient way to move between these major sites, since the Forbidden City, Temple of Heaven and Summer Palace all sit reasonably close to dedicated subway stations. Travelers $TRV should book Forbidden City tickets online in advance specifically, since the site limits daily visitor numbers and popular dates can sell out during peak domestic travel seasons. Comfortable walking shoes genuinely matter throughout a Beijing visit, given how much ground sites such as the Forbidden City and Summer Palace actually cover. A portable phone charger also helps considerably given how much navigation a full day between these spread-out sites genuinely requires.

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The Bund showcases the genuine contrast between Shanghai’s historic colonial architecture and its iconic modern skyline, positioned just across the Huangpu River from one another. The tree-lined streets of the former French Concession, a foreign enclave from 1849 until 1943, stay dotted with European and old Shanghainese-style shíkùmén buildings, which today host trendy cafés and boutiques frequented by a genuinely fashionable crowd.

Shanghai has emerged as a genuinely world-class city for the arts, with the Yuz Museum, the Long Museum, Tank Shanghai, and the Centre Pompidou at the West Bund Museum exhibiting the work of local and international artists alike. The city also holds the museum commemorating the first meeting of the Chinese Communist Party, which marked its birth back in 1921, giving history-minded visitors genuine context on modern Chinese political history.

Jing’an Temple, Yuyuan Gardens and Zhujiajiao Ancient Town provide a genuine glimpse of Shanghai’s traditional beauty well beyond the city’s futuristic skyline. This range between cutting-edge contemporary art and preserved traditional sites gives Shanghai considerable depth for travelers hoping to explore beyond the Bund alone.

The historic former capital of Nanjing, the canals and gardens of Suzhou, and Hangzhou, with its lake and tea gardens, all sit less than an hour by train from Shanghai, making each an easy day trip for travelers with extra time to spare. Travelers $TRV should budget at least a full day specifically for the West Bund museum district, since Tank Shanghai and the Centre Pompidou outpost alone can each take several hours to explore properly. Evening visits to the Bund reward travelers with genuinely dramatic views, since both the colonial-era buildings and the Pudong skyline across the river light up considerably after sunset. A reusable water bottle also helps considerably given how much walking a full day across the Bund and West Bund museum district genuinely involves. Comfortable walking shoes also help considerably given how spread out Shanghai’s major districts genuinely stay across the city.

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Sichuan province in the southwest holds more than 1,300 wild giant pandas, with the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding ranking as the best place to catch a genuine glimpse of the bears up close. Conservation efforts have helped downgrade the animal’s status from endangered to vulnerable in recent years, reflecting genuine progress in protecting this iconic species.

The provincial capital of Chengdu holds a reputation as China’s unofficial LGBTIQ-plus hub, and even despite recent crackdowns on sexual minorities, visitors will still find a genuinely vibrant scene throughout the city. Chengdu even hosted the country’s first, if only symbolic, same-sex marriage back in 2010, giving the city genuine historical significance within this specific context.

Roughly 45 minutes from Chengdu in Le Shan, a 233-foot-tall (71-meter-tall) Giant Buddha carved directly out of a cliff overlooks the confluence of the Min, Dadu, and Qingyi Rivers. This massive stone figure ranks among the most impressive Buddhist monuments found anywhere in China, rewarding visitors willing to make the short trip from the provincial capital.

To the north, Jiuzhaigou National Park offers genuinely unbeatable natural views of turquoise lakes, snow-capped mountains and waterfalls, giving nature-focused travelers a considerably different experience than Chengdu’s urban and cultural attractions. Chongqing, a separate city-state just over an hour from Chengdu, resembles a genuinely cyberpunk city rising against a backdrop of rolling hills. Travelers $TRV hoping to see the pandas at their most active should visit the breeding base early in the morning specifically, since these animals tend to rest during the warmer midday hours. Travelers visiting the Giant Buddha at Le Shan should also consider a boat tour on the river below, since this vantage point offers a genuinely different perspective on the statue’s considerable scale. A reusable water bottle also helps considerably given how much walking a full day between the panda base and Le Shan genuinely involves. Binoculars also help considerably for observing the pandas from the specific viewing distances the breeding base enforces.

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The eastern terminus of the storied Silk Road, Xi’an holds one of the world’s most spectacular archeological marvels, the Army of Terracotta Warriors. China’s first emperor, Qin Shi Huang, commissioned this collection of life-size ceramic soldiers, chariots and horses specifically to protect him in the afterlife, giving the site genuine historical and spiritual significance beyond its considerable visual impact.

The nearly 9-mile-long, or 14-kilometer-long, ancient city walls, the seven-story Big Goose Pagoda, and the Bell and Drum Towers rank among Xi’an’s other extraordinary historic landmarks. This concentration of major historic sites within a single city gives Xi’an genuine depth for travelers hoping to spend several days exploring beyond the Terracotta Warriors alone.

The Muslim Quarter holds genuine fame for its vibrant street food and traditional market showcasing Islamic culture throughout the neighborhood’s winding lanes. Shuyuanmen Street delights visitors with its traditional paper-cut art, giving craft-focused travelers a genuinely worthwhile stop beyond the city’s larger archeological attractions.

This pairing of ancient military history, religious architecture and vibrant street culture gives Xi’an considerable range for travelers interested in multiple facets of Chinese history within a single destination. Travelers $TRV should budget at least half a day for the Terracotta Warriors site specifically, since the excavation pits span considerable ground and the museum’s exhibits reward genuinely unhurried exploration. Renting a bicycle to ride along the top of Xi’an’s ancient city walls gives travelers a genuinely unique way to see the old city from above, circling the entire nearly 9-mile loop at a relaxed pace. A hat and sunscreen also help considerably given how exposed the open excavation pits stay throughout most of the day. A reusable water bottle also helps considerably given how exposed the excavation site stays throughout most of a typical visit. A light jacket also helps considerably for the considerably cooler indoor museum galleries surrounding the excavation pits. A collapsible fan also helps considerably during warmer months given how crowded the indoor exhibition halls can genuinely get.

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Along the ancient trade route that connected China with the West, travelers find numerous diverse ethnic minority groups such as the Muslim Hui, Uyghurs and Kazakhs living throughout the region today. Traces of Buddhist influence, originally imported by traders centuries ago, remain clearly visible throughout Gansu even today.

The Mogao Grottoes in Gansu province’s Dunhuang contain thousands of murals and painted sculptures, representing a genuine high point of Buddhist art spanning from the fourth to the fourteenth centuries. This considerable span of artistic history gives the grottoes genuine significance for travelers interested in the evolution of Buddhist artistic tradition across more than a thousand years.

In Zhangye Danxia National Geopark, stripes of red, yellow, and blue adorn the majestic Rainbow Mountains, creating one of the most visually striking natural landscapes found anywhere in China. This geological formation draws photographers specifically hoping to capture the mountains’ unusual coloring during optimal lighting conditions.

Travelers $TRV can see the westernmost fort of the Great Wall in Jiayuguan, with the peaks of Qilian and Hei rising dramatically in the background. This particular fort marks the historic edge of Chinese imperial territory, giving visitors genuine insight into how far the Great Wall’s defensive network once extended into the country’s western frontier. Travelers hoping to photograph the Rainbow Mountains at their most vivid should visit late afternoon, since the angle of sunlight at that time intensifies the rock formations’ natural coloring. Travelers visiting the Mogao Grottoes specifically should book tickets well in advance, since the site limits daily visitor numbers to help preserve the delicate ancient murals inside each cave. Layered clothing genuinely matters throughout Gansu, since desert temperatures can swing considerably between daytime heat and genuinely cold nights. A reusable water bottle also helps considerably given how dry conditions genuinely stay throughout the region’s desert climate. A dust mask also helps considerably given how windy conditions genuinely turn throughout parts of the region’s exposed desert terrain.

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Zhangjiajie National Park in central Hunan province offers breathtaking hikes amid the sandstone spires that inspired the Hollywood sci-fi epic “Avatar.” Climbing the 999 steps to Heaven’s Gate, a natural rock arch at Tianmen Mountain, rewards determined hikers, or travelers can instead take a 30-minute cable-car ride, one of the world’s longest, to marvel at the majestic peaks and deep valleys below.

In southwestern Yunnan province, a trek along Tiger Leaping Gorge, one of the deepest gorges in the world, rewards travelers with stunning views of the cliffs and roaring Jinsha River. Starting the trek in culturally rich Lijiang and ending at an altitude of 10,825 feet, or 3,300 meters, in the city of Shangri-La gives hikers a genuine sense of accomplishment alongside the dramatic scenery along the way.

Shangri-La itself offers a place where Tibetan spirituality meets natural serenity, giving trekkers a genuinely meaningful endpoint beyond simply completing a physically demanding hike. This blend of physical challenge and cultural immersion gives the Tiger Leaping Gorge trek considerable appeal for travelers seeking more than scenery alone.

Once a sleepy settlement, Yangshuo in southern Guangxi now holds a pleasant, laid-back vibe that draws travelers seeking a slower pace. The town, along with nearby Guilin, is perhaps best known for the karst landscapes along the scenic Li River, a view so iconic it appears featured on the 20 yuán banknote. Travelers $TRV attempting the full Tiger Leaping Gorge trek should budget at least two full days, since the considerable elevation change and rugged terrain make rushing the route genuinely unsafe for most hikers. Travelers specifically hoping to photograph Zhangjiajie’s sandstone spires shrouded in mist should visit early in the morning, since fog tends to burn off considerably by midday during warmer months. Sturdy hiking shoes also help considerably given how uneven the terrain genuinely stays along both the Zhangjiajie trails and the Tiger Leaping Gorge route. Trekking poles also help considerably given the steep, uneven sections found throughout the Tiger Leaping Gorge route specifically.

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An architectural highlight of Fujian province, the UNESCO-listed tǔlóu are circular earthen houses originally built for defense during warfare and communal living among extended families. The 300-year-old king tǔlóu in Gaobei Village ranks as the most iconic of them all, giving architecture enthusiasts a genuinely worthwhile destination within the broader province.

The coastal city of Xiamen boasts traditional Buddhist temples, fortresses, and a collection of Amoy Deco architecture, which blends European Art Deco with elements of Fujian and Southeast Asian design. These distinctive buildings are best seen along bustling Zhongshan Road and idyllic Gulangyu Island, giving visitors genuine range between urban energy and a considerably quieter island atmosphere.

A short hop from Xiamen, Quanzhou stands as the considered starting point of the so-called Maritime Silk Road. Accordingly, it features Buddhist, Taoist, Christian and Islamic influences throughout the port city’s architecture and places of worship. This religious diversity reflects centuries of maritime trade that brought merchants and ideas from across Asia and beyond directly to this particular stretch of Chinese coastline.

This pairing of defensive architecture, colonial-era design and genuine religious diversity gives Fujian considerable range for travelers interested in China’s coastal history specifically, beyond the country’s more famous inland attractions. Travelers $TRV visiting Gulangyu Island specifically should note that motor vehicles are banned entirely, making the island a genuinely peaceful, walkable escape from Xiamen’s busier mainland streets. Travelers visiting the tǔlóu specifically should consider an overnight stay within one of the roundhouses themselves, since several have been converted into guesthouses offering a genuinely immersive alternative to standard hotels. Comfortable walking shoes also help considerably given how much of Gulangyu Island rewards exploring entirely on foot. A reusable water bottle also helps considerably given the region’s warm, humid coastal climate throughout most of the year. A light rain jacket also helps considerably given how quickly coastal weather can shift throughout a typical day in the region. Sturdy sandals also help considerably given how much time visitors spend walking between the roundhouses and nearby coastal sites.

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China’s northernmost province, Heilongjiang holds genuine fame for its frigid winters and distinct regional culture. The seasonal Harbin Ice and Snow World features gigantic ice sculptures and castles, ice slides and a Ferris wheel, a display that draws millions of visitors between December and February each year.

Elsewhere in Harbin, visitors can sense the relative proximity of Russia at the Church of St. Sophia, an Orthodox church built in 1907 that reflects the city’s genuinely unique cross-cultural history. The Unit 731 Museum provides a genuinely sober look into a shocking historical episode, documenting the human experiments conducted by the imperial Japanese army during World War II.

The 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics made winter sports throughout China newly popular among both domestic and international visitors. The Yabuli Ski Resort in Harbin, Changbaishan in Jilin province, and Thaiwoo Ski Resort in Hebei province, which hosted the actual Olympic events, all rank among the best slopes found anywhere in the country.

This pairing of historic ice festivals, sobering wartime history and genuinely world-class ski resorts gives Heilongjiang considerable range for winter travelers seeking more than a single type of cold-weather experience. Travelers $TRV visiting Harbin specifically during the ice festival should pack genuinely serious cold-weather gear, since nighttime temperatures during the festival season can drop considerably below freezing throughout the entire event. Travelers hoping to try genuine local winter cuisine should sample Harbin’s specific street food scene, since the city’s cold climate has shaped a distinctly hearty culinary tradition well suited to freezing temperatures. Waterproof boots also help considerably given how much ice and packed snow visitors genuinely navigate throughout Harbin during the festival season. Hand and foot warmers also help considerably given how quickly extremities can genuinely chill during extended time outdoors at the ice festival. A thermos for hot drinks also helps considerably given how much time visitors spend outdoors admiring the festival’s ice sculptures. Sunglasses also help considerably given how brightly sunlight reflects off the festival’s snow and ice sculptures on clear days.