- China's landscapes range from the alien sandstone peaks of Zhangjiajie to the colorful alpine lakes of Jiuzhaigou.
- Ancient capitals like Xi'an and Beijing sit alongside ultramodern cities like Shanghai and Chengdu.
- Guilin and Suzhou are known for their scenery and classical gardens, while Lhasa offers a window into Tibetan Buddhist culture.
- Food, temples, and local traditions are just as central to a great China trip as the sights themselves.
- Combining travel with a bit of language study can make these destinations feel far more accessible.
China is vast. In fact, it's off-the-scale massive, and its diversity is really second to none. Choosing this country as your next travel destination will provide you with an almost limitless scope for exploration. This article offers CLI's recommended 10 best places to visit in China.
If you'd like to make the most of your trip, it also helps to pick up a little Mandarin before you go. Many travelers choose to Learn Chinese in China itself, combining language study with the kind of hands-on cultural immersion this list is all about.
01 Why visit China?
Especially now, after decades of economic growth, the contrast between China's ancient traditions and its ultramodern cities is on full display. This makes the country more fascinating than ever to explore.
There are many great reasons to visit China, from its natural wonders and food culture to its history and living traditions.
The natural wonders
The Middle Kingdom has many of the world's most jaw-dropping natural landscapes. You can take your pick between the sublime sapphire lakes of Tibet, the grand deserts of Inner Mongolia, the breathtaking rock pillars of Zhangjiajie, the picturesque Yangtze gorges, or the stunning rice terraces of Longsheng.
Thanks to its varied geography, China is brimming with some of the most beautiful natural scenery on earth.
The delicious food
The authentic cuisine you'll eat while in China will be unlike anything you've had before. Chinese people love to eat, and their traditional cuisine covers a huge variety of ingredients.
Cooking plays a central role both in society and the national psyche. When people meet in the street, a common greeting is "你吃了吗?" (Nǐ chī le ma?, meaning "Have you eaten yet?"). All you need to access this world of unexpected surprises is a pair of chopsticks and an adventurous palate.
The fascinating culture
Chinese culture exerts a profound influence on the philosophy, etiquette, and traditions of all of Asia. China's languages, architecture, music, literature, martial arts, philosophy and religion, business etiquette, and history all carry global influence.
China's traditions and holidays are also celebrated by people around the world, but the best way to experience all of this firsthand is by coming to China.
02 The 10 best places to visit in China
Is it possible to limit a list of extraordinary places to visit in China to a mere 10? Not really.
No matter whether you're an urban traveler, a hiker, a climber, a backpacker, a foodie, or an avid museum-goer, China offers an almost limitless array of incredible experiences. Choosing among all the fascinating destinations China has to offer is tough, but limited time and resources often make it necessary.
Most visitors to mainland China will need a visa before departure. It's worth checking the requirements early, since processing times and rules vary depending on your nationality and travel plans, and our Chinese visa application guide is a good place to start.
Discover some of China's most fascinating, adventure-filled, and unique destinations with our list of the 10 best places to visit in China.
1. Zhangjiajie 张家界
Zhangjiajie, which boasts more than 3,000 quartzite sandstone peaks, is home to some of China's most surreal scenery. This spectacular landscape is best known for inspiring James Cameron's Floating Mountains of Pandora.
In fact, one of the tallest pillars, at around 3,500 feet high, has been renamed "Avatar Hallelujah Mountain" by Wulingyuan District authorities.
Whether you choose to go with an organized tour, raft along a river, hike to your heart's content, or take a hair-raising stroll along a scenic glass walkway, visiting this place will make you feel like you're in a sci-fi movie.
Where? Zhangjiajie is about 200 miles northwest of Changsha, the capital city of Hunan Province and the region's main traffic hub.
2. Jiuzhaigou 九寨沟
You may recognize the colorful alpine lakes of Jiuzhaigou from one of those eye-catching screensaver images on your computer. No, the photos are not computer-generated.
The sparkling lakes of this national park are filled with water that changes color throughout the day and year. Its spectacular hues come from reflections of the surrounding landscape, as well as algae and calcified rocks at the bottom of the shallow lakes.
Reputed to be one of the most beautiful waterscapes in the world, Jiuzhaigou boasts emerald lakes, layered waterfalls, colorful forests, and snow-capped mountains. This remote region was inhabited by various Tibetan and Qiang peoples for centuries, and seven of the nine surrounding Tibetan villages are still populated today.
Where? Jiuzhaigou is located 200 miles north of Chengdu, the capital city of Sichuan, near the border with Gansu.
3. Lhasa 拉萨
The holy city of Lhasa is home to one of Tibet's most recognizable historic structures, the magnificent Potala Palace. Now a nine-story museum, it was originally built as a fortress, a winter residence for the Dalai Lama, and a seat of government.
Standing 12,139 feet above sea level, it's the highest palace on the planet. Beyond the spectacular prayer halls of the palace, you can also explore the medieval Jokhang Temple and the monastic cities of Drepung and Sera.
Wandering through the whitewashed alleys of Lhasa's old town, at the heart of the Tibetan quarter, is also well worth your time. There you'll discover many backstreet handicraft workshops, hidden temples, and local teahouses.
Where? Lhasa is located in the Tibet Autonomous Region in southwestern China.
4. Chengdu 成都
If you feel like a visit to China wouldn't be complete without seeing at least one panda, Chengdu should be at the top of your list. The best place to see them up close and in a natural habitat is the excellent Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding.
Chengdu is also UNESCO's first-ever City of Gastronomy, and many travelers find that they come for the pandas but stay for the food. Chengdu's cuisine is famous for its history, variety, and liberal use of spicy chili peppers.
The city's relaxing teahouse culture, hip craft-beer bar scene, and Sichuan opera shows all combine to make this destination one of the best places to visit in China.
Where? Chengdu is the capital city of Sichuan Province.
5. Xi'an 西安
Xi'an, formerly known as Chang'An, is one of the oldest cities in China and one of the Four Great Ancient Capitals, along with Beijing, Nanjing, and Luoyang. Since the 1980s, it has emerged as an important industrial, national security, and space-research hub.
As you probably know, Xi'an also boasts one of China's, and the world's, most important archaeological finds: the Terracotta Army. This life-sized army of thousands of sculpted warriors, chariots, and horses was built to stand guard over the tomb of China's first emperor.
The level of detail depicted in this assembly of thousands of soldiers and horses is mind-blowing. Each warrior's expression, hairstyle, and armor is unique.
Today, the Terracotta Army has become one of the symbols of China. The site's popularity makes it hard to believe it was discovered quite recently, in 1974, when farmers stumbled upon this over 2,000-year-old site by accident while drilling a well.
Don't leave Xi'an without eating lunch at the Muslim Quarter, a fascinating enclave inside the ancient city wall that can be traced back to the Tang Dynasty (618 to 907 CE).
Where? Xi'an is the capital city of Shaanxi Province, in northwestern China.
6. Shanghai 上海
Shanghai is an ultra-modern metropolis that's also China's most populous city. Apart from some of China's most amazing restaurants, it features an enormous array of cultural and aesthetic gems.
Shanghai's architecture represents a variety of influences, from Gothic to Renaissance styles, including a number of Art Deco buildings. The city's highlights range from the Yu Garden pagodas and the golden roofs of the Jing'An Buddhist Temple to the majestic Peace Hotel and the old customs office with its iconic bell tower.
For a glimpse of Shanghai's futuristic cityscape, take a stroll along the splendid riverside promenade, Zhongshan Lu, better known as the Bund (Wàitān). For the best views, visit the 468-meter Oriental Pearl Tower on the opposite bank of the Huangpu River.
Where? Located on the southern estuary of the Yangtze River, Shanghai is easily accessible by train.
7. Beijing 北京
No list of the best places to visit in China would be complete without Beijing, the country's political and cultural capital. Don't miss the Forbidden City, also known as the Imperial Palace, at the very heart of the city.
Other unmissable sites include the famous Tiananmen Square, the Lama Temple, and the Temple of Heaven, one of the country's most important religious sites, dating back to the 15th century. Don't forget to explore the sumptuous parks of the Summer Palace, one of China's most visited attractions.
One of the best ways to really get under the skin of the capital is to get lost in its enchanting ancient alleyways, known as the hutongs. According to many Beijingers, the hutongs are the heart and soul of the city, so make sure to stop for some jiaozi (dumplings) at one of the many hole-in-the-wall dumpling places while you're there.
During your visit, arrange for a day trip to see part of the Great Wall of China. Try to pick one of the less crowded sections, like Mutianyu, Jinshanling, or Gubeikou.
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Where? Beijing is located in the north of China, surrounded by Hebei Province and Tianjin to the southeast.
8. Huangshan 黄山
Huangshan, or the Yellow Mountain, is one of China's most popular scenic destinations. It's said that once you've ascended its peaks, you'll never want to climb another mountain.
If the mist-wreathed granite peaks, bamboo forests, and twisted pines look familiar, it's because the beauty of Huangshan has been immortalized in countless Chinese scroll paintings and movies. Parts of "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon" were even filmed here.
Once known as the Black Mountains, a Tang Dynasty emperor renamed them in honor of the Yellow Emperor Huangdi. According to legend, the Yellow Emperor rode off from the peaks to heaven on the back of a dragon, one of the most enduring symbols in Chinese mythology.
Where? Huangshan is a mountain range in Eastern China's Anhui Province.
9. Suzhou 苏州
Suzhou has historically been known as a center of high culture and elegance. This "Venice of the East" has produced generations of writers, artists, scholars, and politicians, and it's famous for its meticulously landscaped gardens and crisscrossing waterways.
The Classical Gardens of Suzhou, designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site, should rank highly on your China travel itinerary. Many of these gardens were laid out according to principles of feng shui, and some of the most famous include the Humble Administrator's Garden, the Master of Nets Garden, the Lingering Garden, and the Blue Wave Pavilion.
Suzhou's Old Town is ideal for exploring on foot, by bike, or on a lazy gondola ride. Steep-sided bridges arch over 21 miles of thousand-year-old canals, and narrow cobblestone streets meander past rows of ancient houses with whitewashed walls and black roofs.
Where? Suzhou is located in southeastern Jiangsu Province, about 62 miles northwest of Shanghai and around 50 miles from Wuzhen Water Town, another great stop for fans of traditional Chinese architecture.
10. Guilin 桂林
For hundreds of years, Guilin's scenic hills and rivers have attracted poets and artists and inspired countless fairy tales and legends. It's hard to exaggerate the beauty of Guilin, neighboring Yangshuo, and the entire Li River area.
This region of limestone karst hills and mountains formed over 200 million years ago, when the area was under the sea, and it has a dreamy, hypnotic quality.
Here you can explore serene rivers on traditional bamboo rafts, visit water caves filled with stalactites and stalagmites, or trek through the breathtaking rice terraces of Longsheng. You can also rock climb on some of the world's most famous karst peaks, or simply relax and take in the views.
Guilin has something to offer everyone, boasting some of the world's most sublime landscapes. The destination is so special that we've developed a comprehensive Guilin Travel Guide for your browsing pleasure.
Don't miss visiting Guilin's "Two Rivers and Four Lakes" area, which is especially attractive at night when the lakes are lit up with colorful lights. While you're there, you also won't want to miss chowing down on a bowl of mifen, a delicious local dish made of rice noodles with spicy and sour toppings.
Where? Guilin is a prefecture-level city in the northeast of China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region. It sits on the west bank of the Li River and borders Hunan to the north.
03 Best places to visit in China: vocabulary
Here are a few useful terms to know before, and during, your trip. If you'd like to build on this vocabulary in a structured way, it's worth putting together a proper Chinese study plan before you travel.
| Chinese | Pinyin | Meaning | Where you'll hear it |
|---|---|---|---|
| 长城 | Great Wall | Beijing | |
| 兵马俑 | Terracotta Army | Xi'an | |
| 熊猫 | Panda | Chengdu | |
| 胡同 | Traditional alleyway | Beijing | |
| 园林 | Classical garden | Suzhou | |
| 米粉 | Rice noodles | Guilin | |
| 喀斯特地貌 | Karst landscape | Guilin, Yangshuo | |
| 古城 | Ancient city | Xi'an, Suzhou | |
| 高铁 | High-speed rail | Nationwide |
04 FAQ
What is the best first-time destination in China?
Beijing and Shanghai are the most common starting points for first-time visitors, thanks to their international flight connections and iconic landmarks. Many travelers combine one of these cities with a scenic destination like Guilin or Xi'an.
Do I need a visa to visit China?
Most nationalities need a visa to enter mainland China, although rules and exemptions change from time to time. Check the latest requirements well before you book your trip.
Which city is best for seeing pandas?
Chengdu is widely considered the best place to see giant pandas up close, thanks to its dedicated panda research and breeding base. The city is also known for its spicy Sichuan cuisine and relaxed teahouse culture.
Is Guilin worth visiting compared to bigger cities?
Yes. Guilin offers a very different experience from Beijing or Shanghai, with karst mountains, rivers, and rural scenery rather than skyscrapers. It's a popular choice for travelers who also want to study Mandarin in a smaller, more immersive setting.
How do I get between major Chinese cities?
China's high-speed rail network connects most major cities quickly and comfortably, and is often faster door-to-door than flying for shorter routes. Domestic flights are the better option for longer distances, such as travel to Tibet or Xinjiang.
05 Final thoughts
China, amazing and diverse, should be on everyone's travel list. The myriad unique experiences that await travelers to the Middle Kingdom will make this one of the most unforgettable trips of your life.
Already been to most of the places on this list? Check out some of our other articles on less-visited destinations like Hainan, Harbin, Hangzhou, or Shenyang for more great travel ideas.
And just to make sure you don't get confused during your cross-continental journey, be sure to check out our article on Chinese time zones (note: there aren't any!). Pack your bags and hit the road today!