20 Must-Visit Attractions in China: A Trip to Remember

China boasts a diverse array of natural landscapes and a rich cultural heritage. From breathtaking mountains to stunning cultural sites, its wonders are worth a visit in this lifetime.

1. Mount Huangshan (Anhui) - The First Wonder Mountain of China

Mount Huangshan, also known as Yellow Mountain, is a world-renowned mountain scenic area famous for its “Five Wonders”: peculiarly-shaped pines, grotesque rocks, seas of clouds, hot springs, and winter snow. The pines cling to the cliffs, forming unique shapes, while bizarre rock formations and fog-filled valleys create a landscape that seems to appear and disappear like a dream. Abundant hot springs and the enchanting winter snow scenes make it a place that leaves visitors reluctant to leave.

2. Jiuzhaigou (Sichuan) - The King of Water Landscapes

Jiuzhaigou is a famous natural scenic spot comprising three valleys: Shuzheng, Rize, and Zechawa. The area is filled with colorful lakes, spectacular waterfalls, steep cliffs, and verdant forests. The lakes in Jiuzhaigou are crystal-clear, with calcified deposits and surrounding vegetation reflecting brilliant colors, creating an extraordinary multicolored landscape.

3. Guilin (Guangxi) - The Finest Scenery Under Heaven

Guilin is renowned for its karst landscape, celebrated for its green hills, clear waters, unique caves, and exquisite rocks. Its scenery is often described as “the finest under heaven.” The peaks here rise abruptly in various shapes, while the Li River winds through the area like a crystal-clear mirror. Guilin also boasts numerous mysterious caves adorned with countless stalactites, forming a truly magnificent sight.

4. Zhangjiajie (Hunan) - Lost Mountain Painting

Zhangjiajie is a mountainous scenic area known for its unique sandstone pillar formations, deep valleys, caves, and waterfalls. The core attraction is Wulingyuan, which features rare quartz sandstone pillar formations. This site inspired the “Hallelujah Mountains” in the movie “Avatar.” It is also one of China’s first UNESCO World Natural Heritage sites.

5. Kanas (Xinjiang) - The Garden of the Gods

Kanas is a well-known natural scenic spot in China. Its core attraction, Kanas Lake, is famous for its clear waters, surrounded by snow-capped mountains, forests, and grasslands. The lake is known for its mysterious monster legends, color-changing waters, and stunning scenery. The area also features picturesque river bends like Shenxianwan, Moon Bay, and Wolong Bay, as well as beautiful Tuva villages like Hemu and Baihaba.

6. Huangguoshu Waterfall (Guizhou) - The First Waterfall of China

Huangguoshu Waterfall is one of the world’s most famous waterfalls, standing at 77.8 meters high and 101 meters wide, earning the title of “A Pearl Among World Waterfalls.” The waterfall cascades down steep cliffs with tremendous force, and its thunderous roar can be heard from afar. The surrounding area, known as the Huangguoshu Waterfall Cluster, includes other waterfalls and karst landscapes such as Tianxing Bridge and Doupotang, forming a spectacular hydrological landscape.

7. Mount Huashan (Shaanxi) - The First Dangerous Mountain in China

Mount Huashan is one of China’s Five Great Mountains, known for its steep cliffs and unique rock formations. It features five main peaks: Sunrise Peak, Lotus Peak, Wild Goose Peak, Maiden Peak, and Jade Peak, with the South Peak being the highest at 2,154 meters. Its rugged terrain and distinctive shapes attract numerous adventurers and tourists. Huashan is also a Taoist sacred site with numerous temples, caves, and stone carvings.

8. Mount Sanqing (Jiangxi) - The First Celestial Peak in Jiangnan

Mount Sanqing is a famous Taoist mountain in China, known for its unique granite formations and diverse plant life. The mountain is filled with various strangely-shaped rocks and peaks, which captivate visitors and have earned it the title “Divine Mountain of the East.” It is also a paradise for rare flora and fauna and is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site.

9. The Three Gorges of the Yangtze River (Chongqing, Hubei) - A Hundred-Mile Gallery of Scenery

The Three Gorges of the Yangtze River is a renowned natural and cultural attraction in China, comprising Qutang Gorge, Wu Gorge, and Xiling Gorge, stretching about 193 kilometers. The area features swift rivers, steep mountains, and breathtaking scenery. Qutang Gorge is known for its imposing steepness, Wu Gorge for its deep and graceful beauty, and Xiling Gorge for its numerous rapids.

10. Meili Snow Mountain (Yunnan) - The God of Snow Mountains

Meili Snow Mountain is a magnificent mountain in the Himalayas, known as “The God of Snow Mountains.” Its main peak, Kawagebo, rises to 6,740 meters, making it the highest peak in Yunnan Province. Often regarded as one of the world’s most beautiful mountains, it attracts countless climbers and tourists. Meili Snow Mountain is also a sacred mountain in Tibetan culture, revered for its divine and mysterious significance.

11. Suzhou Gardens (Jiangsu) - The Best Gardens in China

Suzhou Gardens are representative of classical Chinese gardens, dating back over 2,500 years. With renowned gardens such as Humble Administrator’s Garden, Lingering Garden, Master of the Nets Garden, and Mountain Villa with Embracing Beauty, they exemplify the unique style of Jiangnan gardens. These gardens artfully use water, plants, and architecture to create poetic and picturesque spaces.

12. Mogao Caves (Gansu) - The Pearl of Eastern Art

The Mogao Caves are a famous Buddhist art sanctuary, dating back to the 4th century. Over the centuries, it has accumulated a rich collection of murals, statues, and grottoes, showcasing the artistic development of ancient Buddhism. The caves provide a window into the history, culture, and art of ancient China.

13. Lijiang Old Town (Yunnan) - The Suzhou of the Plateau

Lijiang Old Town is an ancient city inhabited by the Naxi ethnic group. Built in the late Song and early Yuan dynasties, the town has a history of over 800 years. Located in the Lijiang Basin and surrounded by mountains, its streets are paved with red breccia rocks, forming a unique grid pattern. The town features ancient buildings, traditional residences, temples, and wells, reflecting the rich Naxi culture.

14. Mount Tai (Shandong) - The First Mountain Under Heaven

Mount Tai is one of China’s Five Great Mountains, often considered the most sacred. With a height of 1,532.7 meters, it has been revered as a symbol of power and spirituality. As a place where emperors once worshipped heaven, Mount Tai is known as “The First Mountain Under Heaven.” It features numerous ancient sites, historical relics, and unique natural landscapes and is China’s first “World Cultural and Natural Heritage” site.

15. West Lake (Hangzhou, Zhejiang) - Heaven on Earth

West Lake in Hangzhou is one of China’s most famous scenic spots, covering an area of about 6.39 square kilometers. It is known for its beautiful lake scenery and rich historical and cultural heritage. Surrounded by mountains on three sides, West Lake has many famous sights, such as the Su Causeway, Bai Causeway, and the Lesser Yingzhou Isle. The “Ten Scenes of West Lake,” including Broken Bridge Remnant Snow, Autumn Moon Over the Calm Lake, Viewing Fish at Flower Harbor, Orioles Singing in the Willows, Twin Peaks Piercing the Clouds, Leifeng Pagoda in the Sunset, and Three Pools Mirroring the Moon, are particularly celebrated.

16. The Palace Museum (Beijing) - One of the Five Great Palaces in the World

The Palace Museum, also known as the Forbidden City, was the imperial palace of the Ming and Qing dynasties, built in 1420 during the reign of Emperor Yongle. The museum serves to collect, research, and display Chinese cultural artifacts. It consists of a vast complex of ancient buildings, including palaces, gardens, and temples, all of which are known for their rich historical, cultural, and artistic value.

17. The Great Wall of China (Northern China) - The Dragon on the Land

The Great Wall of China, a massive military defense project from ancient times, was first constructed in the 7th century BC. Spanning over 21,000 kilometers across northern China, it was built to defend against invasions from northern nomadic tribes and to maintain stability in the Central Plain. The Great Wall, with its walls, passes, beacon towers, and watchtowers, is an awe-inspiring sight.

18. Terracotta Army of Qin Shi Huang (Shaanxi) - The Underground Kingdom

The Terracotta Army is part of the Mausoleum of the First Qin Emperor. The site includes four pits, with Pit 1 being the largest. The pits contain thousands of life-sized terracotta soldiers, horses, and chariots arranged in battle formation, making it the largest underground military museum in the world. The craftsmanship is exceptional, with each figure having unique facial expressions and vivid, lifelike details, showcasing the skills of Qin Dynasty artisans.

19. Potala Palace (Tibet) - The Jewel of the Plateau

The Potala Palace is one of the most famous buildings in Tibet. Originally constructed in the 7th century AD, the palace has undergone several expansions to reach its current grandeur. It serves as the political, religious, and cultural center of Tibet, as well as a remarkable example of Tibetan architectural art. The Potala Palace stands majestically atop Red Hill in Lhasa at an altitude of 3,700 meters, built along the contours of the mountain, creating an imposing sight.

20. Summer Palace (Beijing) - The Royal Garden Museum

The Summer Palace is one of the Four Great Gardens of China and one of the most famous royal gardens in the world. Originally built in the 15th year of Emperor Qianlong’s reign (1750) during the Qing Dynasty, it was initially called Qingyi Garden. After several expansions and renovations, it reached its current scale during the reign of Emperor Guangxu. The lake covers three-quarters of the entire garden, with a South Lake Island connected to the eastern shore by a long bridge. The Summer Palace is home to many famous scenic spots, each with unique characteristics, and it skillfully blends the grandeur of royal gardens with the graceful beauty of gardens in southern China.