Must-visit destinations in China's most fascinating cities
China's Imperial Capital - 5,000 Years of History
Palace Museum
The Forbidden City, also known as the Palace Museum, is the world's largest imperial palace complex and a UNESCO World Heritage site. Built between 1406-1420, it served as the imperial palace for 24 emperors during the Ming and Qing dynasties. The complex covers 720,000 square meters with 980 buildings, showcasing the finest examples of traditional Chinese architecture.
Pro Tip: Book tickets online in advance and enter through the Meridian Gate (South Gate) for the best experience.
天坛
The Temple of Heaven is a masterpiece of Chinese architecture and one of Beijing's most iconic landmarks. Built in 1420, it was where emperors of the Ming and Qing dynasties performed important sacrificial ceremonies to pray for good harvests. The complex features the magnificent Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests, a circular wooden structure built without nails.
Pro Tip: Visit early morning to see locals practicing tai chi and traditional exercises in the park.
Mutianyu Section
The Great Wall at Mutianyu offers one of the best-preserved and most scenic sections of this world wonder. Located 70km northeast of Beijing, this section features stunning mountain views, fewer crowds than Badaling, and well-preserved watchtowers. Built during the Ming Dynasty, it showcases the incredible engineering and military architecture of ancient China.
Pro Tip: Take the cable car up and toboggan down for a fun and scenic experience.
颐和园
The Summer Palace is a vast imperial garden and palace complex that served as the summer retreat for Chinese emperors. Built in 1750, it features beautiful gardens, pavilions, halls, and the famous Kunming Lake. The palace is renowned for its perfect blend of natural landscape and artificial architecture, representing the pinnacle of Chinese garden design.
Pro Tip: Rent a boat on Kunming Lake for a different perspective of the palace complex.
天安门广场
Tiananmen Square is the world's largest public square and the symbolic heart of China. Covering 440,000 square meters, it has witnessed many important historical events. The square is surrounded by significant buildings including the Forbidden City, Great Hall of the People, and China National Museum.
Pro Tip: Arrive before sunrise to witness the impressive flag-raising ceremony performed by the People's Liberation Army.
Ancient Capital of 13 Dynasties - Cradle of Chinese Civilization
龙门石窟
The Longmen Grottoes are one of China's most famous Buddhist art treasures and a UNESCO World Heritage site. Carved into limestone cliffs along the Yi River, these grottoes contain over 100,000 Buddha statues and 2,800 inscriptions. Created over 400 years starting from the 5th century, they represent the pinnacle of Chinese Buddhist stone carving art.
Pro Tip: Visit in late afternoon for the best lighting on the Buddha statues and cooler temperatures.
白马寺
The White Horse Temple is considered the first Buddhist temple in China, established in 68 AD during the Eastern Han Dynasty. Known as the 'Cradle of Chinese Buddhism', it has a history of over 1,900 years. The temple features traditional Chinese architecture and houses important Buddhist artifacts, making it a significant pilgrimage site.
Pro Tip: Don't miss the international Buddhist temples zone featuring temples from Thailand, India, and Myanmar.
洛阳博物馆
The Luoyang Museum is one of China's finest regional museums, showcasing the rich history and culture of this ancient capital. The museum houses over 10,000 artifacts spanning 5,000 years of history, including bronzes, ceramics, jade, and stone carvings. It provides comprehensive insights into Luoyang's role as an ancient capital of 13 dynasties.
Pro Tip: The museum offers free guided tours in English - check the schedule at the entrance.
关林庙
Guanlin Temple is dedicated to Guan Yu, a famous general from the Three Kingdoms period. It houses the tomb of Guan Yu and is one of the three major Guan Yu temples in China. The temple complex features traditional Chinese architecture and beautiful gardens, serving as an important site for both historical significance and religious worship.
Pro Tip: Visit during the Spring Festival period to experience traditional temple fairs and cultural performances.
The Pearl of the Orient - Where East Meets West
外滩
The Bund is Shanghai's most famous waterfront area, featuring a stunning collection of colonial-era buildings on one side and modern skyscrapers on the other. This 1.5-kilometer stretch along the Huangpu River showcases the contrast between old and new Shanghai, making it one of China's most iconic urban landscapes.
Pro Tip: Take a evening cruise on the Huangpu River for the best views of both sides of the Bund.
东方明珠塔
The Oriental Pearl Tower is Shanghai's most recognizable landmark, standing 468 meters tall in the heart of Lujiazui. This futuristic tower features unique spherical designs and offers spectacular observation decks with panoramic views of Shanghai. It also houses a revolving restaurant and the Shanghai History Museum.
Pro Tip: Book the second sphere combo ticket for the best value and most impressive views.
豫园
Yu Garden is a classical Chinese garden built in 1559 during the Ming Dynasty. This exquisite garden features traditional Chinese landscaping with pavilions, rockeries, ponds, and bridges. Surrounded by the bustling Old Town, it offers a peaceful retreat and represents the pinnacle of southern Chinese garden design.
Pro Tip: Combine your visit with the nearby Old Town market for traditional snacks and souvenirs.
上海博物馆
The Shanghai Museum is one of China's finest museums, housing an exceptional collection of ancient Chinese art and artifacts. The museum's distinctive round building with a square base symbolizes the ancient Chinese concept of a round heaven and square earth. Its collection spans 5,000 years of Chinese history.
Pro Tip: Don't miss the ancient bronze collection on the first floor - it's considered one of the best in the world.
玉佛寺
The Jade Buddha Temple is one of Shanghai's most famous Buddhist temples, known for its two jade Buddha statues brought from Burma. Built in 1882, the temple features traditional Chinese temple architecture and serves as an active center for Buddhist worship and meditation in the heart of the city.
Pro Tip: Visit in the morning to witness monks performing their daily prayers and rituals.
The Flower City - Gateway to Southern China
陈家祠
The Chen Clan Ancestral Hall is a masterpiece of Lingnan architecture and one of Guangzhou's most important cultural landmarks. Built in 1894, it features intricate carvings, colorful ceramics, and traditional Guangdong architectural elements. Today it houses the Guangdong Folk Art Museum, showcasing the region's rich artistic heritage.
Pro Tip: Look for the intricate ceramic sculptures on the roof ridges - they're some of the finest examples of Cantonese decorative arts.
沙面岛
Shamian Island is a historical area that served as an international settlement in the 19th and 20th centuries. The island features well-preserved European-style buildings, tree-lined avenues, and a tranquil atmosphere. It offers a glimpse into Guangzhou's colonial past and serves as a peaceful retreat from the bustling city.
Pro Tip: The island is perfect for photography - many buildings feature beautiful European architectural details.
广州塔
The Canton Tower stands 604 meters tall as Guangzhou's most iconic landmark. Built for the 2010 Asian Games, it features a unique 'female' design with observation decks offering panoramic views of the Pearl River Delta. The tower includes restaurants, entertainment facilities, and the world's highest Ferris wheel.
Pro Tip: Book the Bubble Tram (Ferris wheel) experience for a unique 360-degree view of Guangzhou.
六榕寺
The Temple of the Six Banyan Trees is one of Guangzhou's oldest Buddhist temples, dating back over 1,400 years. It is famous for its Flower Pagoda, a 57-meter tall octagonal structure with colorful exterior decorations. The temple has been an important Buddhist center throughout Chinese history and remains an active place of worship.
Pro Tip: Climb the Flower Pagoda for panoramic views of the surrounding old town area.
南越王墓博物馆
This museum is built around the tomb of the Nanyue King from the Western Han Dynasty (206 BC-24 AD). The museum houses over 1,000 artifacts unearthed from the tomb, including the famous jade burial suit. It provides fascinating insights into the ancient Nanyue Kingdom and early Chinese civilization.
Pro Tip: The jade burial suit is the museum's most famous artifact - don't miss this incredible piece of ancient craftsmanship.
The Land of Abundance - Home to Giant Pandas and Sichuan Culture
大熊猫基地
The Chengdu Panda Base is the world's most famous panda conservation center, home to over 200 giant pandas and red pandas. This world-class research facility offers visitors the rare opportunity to observe these endangered animals up close in their natural habitat-like environment. The base plays a crucial role in panda breeding, research, and conservation efforts globally.
Pro Tip: Arrive early (before 8:30am) when pandas are most active during feeding time.
锦里古街
Jinli Ancient Street is a beautifully preserved traditional commercial street that showcases the essence of old Chengdu. Dating back over 1,800 years, this pedestrian street features traditional Sichuan architecture, folk customs, local snacks, and handicrafts. It's often called the 'First Street of Shu Kingdom' and offers an authentic taste of ancient Chinese culture.
Pro Tip: Try the famous Sichuan snacks like rabbit head, dandan noodles, and brown sugar glutinous rice cakes.
武侯祠
Wuhou Shrine is China's only temple dedicated to both a king and his subjects, honoring Zhuge Liang and other heroes from the Three Kingdoms period. This historic complex features beautiful gardens, ancient architecture, and numerous cultural relics. It's one of the most important historical sites in China and offers deep insights into the legendary period of the Three Kingdoms.
Pro Tip: Combine with Jinli Ancient Street next door for a complete cultural experience.
宽窄巷子
Kuanzhai Alley consists of three parallel ancient streets from the Qing Dynasty, showcasing the original local lifestyle of old Chengdu. This historic district features well-preserved traditional courtyard houses, local snacks, tea houses, and folk culture. It represents the perfect blend of historical charm and modern vitality in contemporary Chengdu.
Pro Tip: Visit a traditional teahouse to experience the famous Sichuan 'gaiwan' tea ceremony.
人民公园
People's Park is the heart of Chengdu's leisure culture, where locals gather to enjoy tea, play mahjong, and practice traditional activities. Built in 1911, it's the city's first public park and features the famous Heming Teahouse, beautiful gardens, and the unique ear-cleaning service. This park perfectly embodies Chengdu's relaxed and easy-going lifestyle.
Pro Tip: Try the traditional ear-cleaning service - a unique cultural experience that's surprisingly relaxing!
都江堰
The Dujiangyan Irrigation System is one of the world's oldest and most successful water conservancy projects, built in 256 BC. This UNESCO World Heritage site has been functioning for over 2,000 years and still irrigates the Chengdu Plain today. It's a masterpiece of ancient Chinese engineering that demonstrates the harmony between human wisdom and nature.
Pro Tip: Don't miss the Fish Mouth Levee - the key structure that divides the river for irrigation and flood control.
Your perfect itinerary combining history, culture, and modern marvels
From imperial palaces to modern skylines, from ancient temples to contemporary art