Top 30 Tourist Places in China
China, a country with a rich history spanning thousands of years, boasts a diverse range of attractions that cater to all kinds of travelers. From ancient wonders like the Great Wall to the bustling modernity of Shanghai, and from the serene beauty of Guilin’s landscapes to the cultural treasures of Xi’an, China offers a unique blend of the old and new. Here are the top 30 tourist places in China, each with its tourism specialty, locality, best time to visit, nearby attractions, and recommended restaurants and hotels.
1. The Great Wall of China, Beijing
Tourism Specialty: Ancient fortification, hiking Locality: Northern China Best Time to Visit: April to October Nearby Attractions: Ming Tombs, Beijing City Nearby Restaurants: The Schoolhouse at Mutianyu, Xiaolongpu Restaurant Nearby Hotels: Commune by the Great Wall, Brickyard Retreat at Mutianyu
2. Forbidden City, Beijing
Tourism Specialty: Imperial palace, history Locality: Beijing Best Time to Visit: April to October Nearby Attractions: Tiananmen Square, Jingshan Park Nearby Restaurants: TRB Hutong, Dadong Roast Duck Nearby Hotels: The Peninsula Beijing, Waldorf Astoria Beijing
3. Terracotta Army, Xi’an
Tourism Specialty: Ancient sculptures, archaeology Locality: Shaanxi Province Best Time to Visit: March to November Nearby Attractions: Xi’an City Wall, Big Wild Goose Pagoda Nearby Restaurants: De Fa Chang, Xi’an Restaurant Nearby Hotels: Sofitel Legend People’s Grand Hotel, Grand Hyatt Xi’an
4. The Bund, Shanghai
Tourism Specialty: Historic waterfront, skyline views Locality: Shanghai Best Time to Visit: March to May, September to November Nearby Attractions: Oriental Pearl Tower, Nanjing Road Nearby Restaurants: M on the Bund, Hakkasan Shanghai Nearby Hotels: The Peninsula Shanghai, Waldorf Astoria Shanghai on the Bund
5. Li River, Guilin
Tourism Specialty: Scenic river cruises, karst mountains Locality: Guangxi Province Best Time to Visit: April to October Nearby Attractions: Reed Flute Cave, Elephant Trunk Hill Nearby Restaurants: McFound, Chunji Roasted Goose Restaurant Nearby Hotels: Shangri-La Hotel Guilin, Lijiang Waterfall Hotel
6. Zhangjiajie National Forest Park, Hunan
Tourism Specialty: Unique rock formations, Avatar Mountains Locality: Hunan Province Best Time to Visit: April to October Nearby Attractions: Tianmen Mountain, Yellow Dragon Cave Nearby Restaurants: He Tian Yuan Restaurant, Wulingyuan Restaurant Nearby Hotels: Pullman Zhangjiajie Hotel, Crowne Plaza Zhangjiajie Wulingyuan
7. West Lake, Hangzhou
Tourism Specialty: Scenic beauty, cultural sites Locality: Zhejiang Province Best Time to Visit: March to May, September to November Nearby Attractions: Lingyin Temple, Leifeng Pagoda Nearby Restaurants: Lou Wai Lou, Zhi Wei Guan Nearby Hotels: Four Seasons Hangzhou, Hyatt Regency Hangzhou
8. Potala Palace, Lhasa
Tourism Specialty: Tibetan culture, architecture Locality: Tibet Best Time to Visit: May to October Nearby Attractions: Jokhang Temple, Norbulingka Nearby Restaurants: Tibetan Family Kitchen, Dunya Restaurant Nearby Hotels: Shangri-La Hotel Lhasa, St. Regis Lhasa Resort
9. Yellow Mountain (Huangshan), Anhui
Tourism Specialty: Natural beauty, hiking Locality: Anhui Province Best Time to Visit: April to November Nearby Attractions: Hongcun Village, Xidi Village Nearby Restaurants: Huangshan Xiaolongbao, Laojie Diyi Lou Nearby Hotels: Huangshan International Hotel, Xihai Hotel
10. Jiuzhaigou Valley, Sichuan
Tourism Specialty: Colorful lakes, waterfalls Locality: Sichuan Province Best Time to Visit: September to November Nearby Attractions: Huanglong Scenic Valley, Songpan Ancient Town Nearby Restaurants: A Bu Lu Zi, Tibetan Barley Restaurant Nearby Hotels: InterContinental Resort Jiuzhai Paradise, Sheraton Jiuzhaigou Resort
11. Hong Kong
Tourism Specialty: Skyscrapers, shopping, dining Locality: Special Administrative Region Best Time to Visit: October to December Nearby Attractions: Victoria Peak, Disneyland Hong Kong Nearby Restaurants: Lung King Heen, Tim Ho Wan Nearby Hotels: The Ritz-Carlton Hong Kong, Mandarin Oriental Hong Kong
12. Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding, Sichuan
Tourism Specialty: Giant pandas, conservation Locality: Sichuan Province Best Time to Visit: March to May, September to November Nearby Attractions: Wuhou Shrine, Jinli Ancient Street Nearby Restaurants: Yu’s Family Kitchen, Chen Mapo Tofu Nearby Hotels: The Temple House, Niccolo Chengdu
13. Suzhou Gardens, Jiangsu
Tourism Specialty: Classical gardens, canals Locality: Jiangsu Province Best Time to Visit: April to October Nearby Attractions: Humble Administrator’s Garden, Lingering Garden Nearby Restaurants: Song He Lou, DeYueLou Nearby Hotels: Pan Pacific Suzhou, Suzhou Marriott Hotel
14. Yangshuo, Guangxi
Tourism Specialty: Karst landscapes, outdoor activities Locality: Guangxi Province Best Time to Visit: April to October Nearby Attractions: Moon Hill, Yulong River Nearby Restaurants: Pure Lotus Vegetarian Restaurant, Lucy’s Cafe & Bar Nearby Hotels: Banyan Tree Yangshuo, Yangshuo Mountain Retreat
15. Lijiang Old Town, Yunnan
Tourism Specialty: Ancient town, Naxi culture Locality: Yunnan Province Best Time to Visit: April to October Nearby Attractions: Jade Dragon Snow Mountain, Black Dragon Pool Nearby Restaurants: N’s Kitchen, Lamu’s House of Tibet Nearby Hotels: InterContinental Lijiang Ancient Town Resort, Amandayan
16. Macau
Tourism Specialty: Casinos, historic sites Locality: Special Administrative Region Best Time to Visit: October to December Nearby Attractions: Ruins of St. Paul’s, Senado Square Nearby Restaurants: The Eight, Robuchon au Dôme Nearby Hotels: The Venetian Macao, Wynn Palace
17. Yunnan Stone Forest, Kunming
Tourism Specialty: Karst formations Locality: Yunnan Province Best Time to Visit: March to May, September to November Nearby Attractions: Dianchi Lake, Western Hills Nearby Restaurants: The Green Lake Restaurant, Heavenly Manna Nearby Hotels: Green Lake Hotel, InterContinental Kunming
18. Longji Rice Terraces, Guangxi
Tourism Specialty: Terraced fields, ethnic culture Locality: Guangxi Province Best Time to Visit: April to October Nearby Attractions: Ping’an Village, Jinkeng Rice Terraces Nearby Restaurants: Li An Lodge Restaurant, Zhuangxiang Renjia Restaurant Nearby Hotels: Li An Lodge, Longji Star-Wish Resort
19. Leshan Giant Buddha, Sichuan
Tourism Specialty: Largest stone Buddha Locality: Sichuan Province Best Time to Visit: April to October Nearby Attractions: Mount Emei, Lingyun Temple Nearby Restaurants: Leshan Restaurant, Buddha Zen Restaurant Nearby Hotels: Anantara Emei Resort & Spa, Hong Zhu Shan Hotel
20. The Summer Palace, Beijing
Tourism Specialty: Imperial gardens, lakes Locality: Beijing Best Time to Visit: April to October Nearby Attractions: Old Summer Palace, Beijing Zoo Nearby Restaurants: Bai Jia Da Yuan, Naoki Nearby Hotels: Aman Summer Palace, Beijing Xihua Jade Hotel
21. Hainan Island
Tourism Specialty: Beaches, resorts Locality: Southern China Best Time to Visit: November to April Nearby Attractions: Sanya, Wuzhizhou Island Nearby Restaurants: Fresh at Mandarin Oriental, Mei Zhou Dong Po Nearby Hotels: The Ritz-Carlton Sanya, Mandarin Oriental Sanya
22. Mount Tai (Taishan), Shandong
Tourism Specialty: Sacred mountain, temples Locality: Shandong Province Best Time to Visit: April to October Nearby Attractions: Dai Temple, Red Gate Palace Nearby Restaurants: Tai’an Restaurant, Fenghuang Mountain Villa Nearby Hotels: Taishan International Hotel, Ramada Plaza Taian
23. Harbin Ice and Snow Festival, Heilongjiang
Tourism Specialty: Ice sculptures, winter festival Locality: Heilongjiang Province Best Time to Visit: December to February Nearby Attractions: Saint Sophia Cathedral, Sun Island Nearby Restaurants: Hamamas Kofi House, Tatoc Nearby Hotels: Shangri-La Hotel Harbin, Sofitel Harbin
24. Dunhuang, Gansu
Tourism Specialty: Silk Road history, Mogao Caves Locality: Gansu Province Best Time to Visit: May to October Nearby Attractions: Crescent Lake, Singing Sand Dunes Nearby Restaurants: Silk Road Dunhuang Hotel Restaurant, Mogao Caves Restaurant Nearby Hotels: Dunhuang Hotel, Silk Road Dunhuang Hotel
25. Qingdao
Tourism Specialty: Beaches, beer culture Locality: Shandong Province Best Time to Visit: May to October Nearby Attractions: Tsingtao Brewery Museum, Laoshan Scenic Area Nearby Restaurants: The Diner, Korona Grill House Nearby Hotels: Shangri-La Hotel Qingdao, Hyatt Regency Qingdao
26. Xiamen
Tourism Specialty: Gulangyu Island, coastal city Locality: Fujian Province Best Time to Visit: March to May, September to November Nearby Attractions: Nanputuo Temple, Hulishan Fortress Nearby Restaurants: Lujiang Harbourview Restaurant, Jacky Angela Steakhouse Nearby Hotels: Conrad Xiamen, Swiss Grand Xiamen
27. Huanglong Scenic Area, Sichuan
Tourism Specialty: Colorful pools, natural beauty Locality: Sichuan Province Best Time to Visit: September to November Nearby Attractions: Jiuzhaigou Valley, Songpan Ancient Town Nearby Restaurants: Huanglong Resort Restaurant, Jiuzhai Jade Hotel Restaurant Nearby Hotels: Huanglong Hotel, InterContinental Resort Jiuzhai Paradise
28. Nanjing
Tourism Specialty: Historical sites, Ming Dynasty architecture Locality: Jiangsu Province Best Time to Visit: March to May, September to November Nearby Attractions: Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum, Nanjing City Wall Nearby Restaurants: Nanjing Impressions, Jinling Hotel Plum Garden Nearby Hotels: The Ritz-Carlton Nanjing, InterContinental Nanjing
29. Kaiping Diaolou, Guangdong
Tourism Specialty: Watchtowers, historical architecture Locality: Guangdong Province Best Time to Visit: April to October Nearby Attractions: Chikan Ancient Town, Li Garden Nearby Restaurants: Lingnan Impression Garden Restaurant, Kaiping Village Restaurant Nearby Hotels: Pan Tower International Hotel, Kaiping Wilson Hotel
30. Shaolin Temple, Henan
Tourism Specialty: Martial arts, Buddhism Locality: Henan Province Best Time to Visit: April to October Nearby Attractions: Pagoda Forest, Songshan Mountain Nearby Restaurants: Shaolin Vegetarian Restaurant, Wushu Hotel Restaurant Nearby Hotels: Chanwu Hotel, Zen Retreat Hotel
These top 30 tourist places in China offer a wide array of experiences, from exploring ancient historical sites and enjoying modern urban landscapes to immersing in natural beauty and cultural heritage. Each destination provides a unique glimpse into the diverse and rich culture of China.