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Tourist Attractions in China

The most interesting and beautiful tourist sites in China

Photos, reviews, descriptions, and links to maps

About China

China hides more secrets and beauties than it seems at first glance. It is not only a country of high technology and developed megacities, but also an amazing embodiment of traditions, culture and love for nature.

In Shanghai, you should definitely walk along the Waitan Embankment, visit the Forbidden City, go up to the observation deck in the Pudong New District. In Hong Kong you should see Victoria Bay and admire the light show.

It is impossible to leave without attention the Great Wall of China. In addition to it, there are amazing palaces, monasteries and temples in the country. The Hanging Monastery of Xuankong-si rests on a rock, the Summer Imperial Palace and the Potala Palace embody the grandeur of Chinese architecture. China has magical gardens where time stands still. Also the greatest monuments of Chinese religion are the Yungang Cave Grottoes and the Lunmen Cave Temples. The terracotta army of Emperor Qin Shihuangdi is impressive.

A fantastic place, Zhangjiajie National Park, transports you to another reality. Rice terraces epitomise man’s ability to use the gifts of nature. No less beautiful place is the Cane Flute Cave. And you should definitely see pandas in China. They are very special here.

Top Cities to Visit in China

Top-35 Tourist Attractions in China

Great Wall of China

4.3/5
16377 reviews
This fortress began to be built in the 220s BC for defence against nomadic tribes on the orders of Emperor Qin Shi Huangdi. At that time, China had achieved incredible power and prosperity. The length of the wall from edge to edge is 2450 kilometres, and if you take into account all the bends and branches, the figure increases to 8852 kilometres. About one million people took part in the creation of the most grandiose fortress. Tens of thousands died and were bricked up in the walls.
Open time
Monday: 9:00 AM – 4:30 PM
Tuesday: 9:00 AM – 4:30 PM
Wednesday: 9:00 AM – 4:30 PM
Thursday: 9:00 AM – 4:30 PM
Friday: 9:00 AM – 4:30 PM
Saturday: 9:00 AM – 4:30 PM
Sunday: 9:00 AM – 4:30 PM
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Great Wall of China

Stone Forest National Geological Park Naigu Scenic Area

4.1/5
17 reviews
The park covers an area of 350 square kilometres. It was formed 200 million years ago at the bottom of an ancient sea that shoaled. The park is called a stone forest because of the rocks, which are up to 40 metres high. Shilin is divided into 7 zones with stone gardens, grottoes, meadows, caves, lakes and waterfalls. A torch festival is held here every year.
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Shilin National Park

Forbidden City

4.6/5
914 reviews
The Forbidden City is located in the centre of Beijing. According to the astronomers who determined the place for construction, it stands at the centre of the globe. It is the largest palace complex in the world. The area of the city is 720 thousand m². After its creation in 1406-1420, 24 emperors of the Ming and Qing dynasties ruled there. Nobody could get there, too curious people were punished by death penalty. Now the forbidden city is open to tourists.
Open time
Monday: Closed
Tuesday: 8:30 AM – 4:30 PM
Wednesday: 8:30 AM – 4:30 PM
Thursday: 8:30 AM – 4:30 PM
Friday: 8:30 AM – 4:30 PM
Saturday: 8:30 AM – 4:30 PM
Sunday: 8:30 AM – 4:30 PM
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Forbidden City

Renli River

It is one of the cleanest rivers in China. The silk ribbon is 426 kilometres long. It winds through hills and cliffs shrouded in haze. The river landscapes have inspired many poets and artists. On its banks are the largest and most beautiful deposits of karst rocks. While travelling along the river, tourists can see the Buffalo Gorge, Crow Cave, the town of Xingping, and the picturesque Nine Horseshoe and Yellow Cloth mountains.
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Li River (Lijiang)

Potala Palace

4.8/5
1244 reviews
It is a beautiful royal palace and a famous centre of Buddhism. It is located in Lhasa. The first structure here was built by King Songtsen Gampo of Tibet in 637 on the place where he meditated. Then he decided to make the city his capital and get married, so he built a huge palace. It has hardly survived. The modern complex was erected by the Dalai Lama. It is located on a hill 3700 metres high, surrounded by a valley.
Open time
Monday: 9:30 AM – 2:00 PM
Tuesday: 9:30 AM – 2:00 PM
Wednesday: 9:30 AM – 2:00 PM
Thursday: 9:30 AM – 2:00 PM
Friday: 9:30 AM – 2:00 PM
Saturday: 9:30 AM – 2:00 PM
Sunday: 9:30 AM – 2:00 PM
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Potala Palace

Waitangi

The image of Waitang Quay is one of the most recognisable in Shanghai. It is part of Sun Yat-sen Street. There are 52 architectural buildings of different styles along the promenade. It has been the site of films and is the city’s most popular tourist attraction. It is home to the HSBC building, the Shanghai Customs House, and the Pease Hotel.
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Waitang Waterfront

Pudong

It is a large neighbourhood in Shanghai that began to develop in the 1980s. It has an area of 522.8 km² and a population of 1.5 million. Pudong has become the business and financial centre of China. There are many very recognisable structures on its territory. Among them is the Jinmao skyscraper, its height is 420 metres. Also one of the tallest hotels in the world was built there. It is called the Grand Haigt Shanghai and has an observation deck.
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Pudong New Area

Tiger Leaping Gorge

4.6/5
328 reviews
The Leaping Tiger Gorge is a canyon in the Sino-Tibetan mountains on the Yangtze River. It stretches for 15 kilometres, in a place where the mountains reach a height of 2,000 metres. It attracts rafting enthusiasts. The gorge got its name because of the legend of a tiger that jumped over the river. The area is inhabited by Naxi people who grow crops and provide services to tourists. The scenery in this area is magnificent.
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Leaping Tiger Gorge

紅河ハニ棚田

4.4/5
10 reviews
This man-made agrarian wonder covers 16,500 hectares in the southern part of Yunnan Province. The mountains on whose slopes the terraces were created are called Ailo, and the river is called Huanghe. The rice terraces are a self-cleaning system. The soil on which the rice grows is not leached by water. The terraces, which are 1300 years old, were created by the Hani people. They look especially magical in spring when they are flooded with water.
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Honghe-Hani Rice Terraces

Victoria Cove

It is a harbour created by nature between Hong Kong Island and Kowloon. It has become an important strategic site, a centre of trade. Victoria Cove is a popular tourist spot. It hosts annual fireworks displays, as well as the Guinness Book of World Records light and sound show. It is created by lasers, spotlights, flashes and lights. It is completely free to watch.
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Victoria Cove in Hong Kong

Xi Lake

4.7/5
829 reviews
This is a freshwater lake in Hangzhou. It is considered one of the most beautiful places in China. Dams and small islands divide it into 5 parts. The lake is surrounded by emerald mountains on three sides. There are many lotus flowers, irises, bridges, and gazebos on it. According to legend, Sihu came from a fallen pearl. It is famous for its “ten species”. All parts of the lake are on the UNESCO heritage list.
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Xihu Lake

Yuanmingyuan Park

4.4/5
1123 reviews
It is the summer residence of the emperors of the Qing Dynasty. It is built on the outskirts of Beijing. There are more than 3,000 buildings in the whole park. Its total area is 290 hectares. On the territory of the residence are temples, palaces, living quarters and an artificial lake. It can be divided into two parts: palace and park. The beautiful backdrop for the residence is the mountains. Every landscape here is inspiring.
Open time
Monday: 7:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Tuesday: 7:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Wednesday: 7:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Thursday: 7:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Friday: 7:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Saturday: 7:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Sunday: 7:00 AM – 5:00 PM
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Summer Imperial Palace

Emperor Qinshihuang's Mausoleum Site Museum

4.6/5
3458 reviews
At the age of 13, Qin Shi Huangdi began to build a tomb. After persuasion from his advisers, the ruler abandoned the tradition of burying a living army with him and decided to replace it with a clay one. In March 1974, peasants discovered a tomb with thousands of statues of soldiers. The figures all have different faces and detailed clothing. It took 38 years and more than one life to create the tomb. Living concubines and treasures were buried with the ruler.
Open time
Monday: 8:30 AM – 5:00 PM
Tuesday: 8:30 AM – 5:00 PM
Wednesday: 8:30 AM – 5:00 PM
Thursday: 8:30 AM – 5:00 PM
Friday: 8:30 AM – 5:00 PM
Saturday: 8:30 AM – 5:00 PM
Sunday: 8:30 AM – 5:00 PM
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The terracotta army of Emperor Qin Shi Huangdi.

Old Town of Lijiang

4.5/5
940 reviews
Lijiang is an urban district in Yunnan Province. It has an old town within its boundaries, which attracts tourists. There is the Black Dragon Pool, the beautiful Jade Dragon Mountain, and Elephant Hill. Around this are lined with ancient streets, houses, shops. The old town is drenched in flowers. Every corner here is steeped in history, and wherever you look there is beautiful nature.
Open time
Monday: Open 24 hours
Tuesday: Open 24 hours
Wednesday: Open 24 hours
Thursday: Open 24 hours
Friday: Open 24 hours
Saturday: Open 24 hours
Sunday: Open 24 hours
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Lijiang Old Town

Three-Gorges Tribe Scenic Spot （Northwest Gate）

4.3/5
35 reviews
Construction of a dam on the Yangtze River began as early as 1992. Now it is the largest and one of the most powerful hydropower plants in the world. To build it, 1.3 million people had to be relocated. To generate power, 32 generators of 700 MW each and two of 50 MW each are installed on the dam. The HPP is 2309 metres long and 185 metres high. The dam recouped a third of its cost in the first year of operation. It also cleans the waters of the Yangtze from pollution.
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Three Gorges HPP

Classical Gardens of Suzhou

4.6/5
25 reviews
Suzhou Gardens is a masterpiece in its genre. They comprise several picturesque and peaceful gardens located in the city of Suzhou in eastern China. They were created by wealthy Chinese people. The oldest gardens were created in the fourteenth century. Each garden is made in the Chinese style. There are artificial stone slides, lakes, elegant bridges, pavilions, temples. The gardens have a lotus pond, an exhibition of dwarf trees, and galleries.
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Suzhou Gardens

Huangshan Mountain

4.8/5
293 reviews
Located in Anhui Province in eastern China, the Huangshan Mountains are a UNESCO heritage site and one of the most popular tourist destinations in China. The 77 peaks are over 1,000 metres high. The cliffs are covered with pine trees. There are 16 thermal springs, 24 streams, 2 lakes and 3 waterfalls in the Yellow Mountains area, as they are called. There are hotels for tourists on the tops of the mountains, and there is a funicular railway and paths for climbing.
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Huangshan Mountains

Leshan Giant Buddha

4.6/5
1370 reviews
The statue is carved into the rock of Mount Lingyunshan on the bank of the river. The Buddha is 71 metres high. It is one of the oldest and tallest statues in the world. For 1000 years it has been the leader among the statue giants. The Buddha’s head is turned towards the sacred Emeishan Mountain. The creation of the statue took 90 years and began in 713. Tourists like to climb on the giant’s fingers, which are 1.6 metres long.
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The Buddha statue in Leshan.

Zhouzhuang

The Venice of China, as the city is called, is located 30 kilometres from Suzhou. The ancient town stands on the Jinghan Canal. It is built up with white houses and villas of intellectuals who liked to live in Zhouzhuang. There are 14 stone bridges built across the water canals. One of the main structures is the house of a millionaire at that time. It has 100 rooms and its area is 2 kilometres square. It is a very romantic and colourful Chinese town.
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Zhouzhuang

Longmen Grottoes

4.6/5
1313 reviews
They are Buddhist temples that are located in Henan Province. The caves were created in 495-898 in limestone cliffs on the banks of the Yihe River. The exact number of temples is not known. There are at least 2,345 grottos with 43 temples. More than 100,000 statues were carved in them. During the Sui Dynasty, many of them were beheaded. The Lunmen Cave Temples are one of the most striking examples of Buddhist art.
Open time
Monday: 8:00 AM – 5:30 PM
Tuesday: 8:00 AM – 5:30 PM
Wednesday: 8:00 AM – 5:30 PM
Thursday: 8:00 AM – 5:30 PM
Friday: 8:00 AM – 5:30 PM
Saturday: 8:00 AM – 5:30 PM
Sunday: 8:00 AM – 5:30 PM
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Lunmen Cave Temples

Jiuzhai Valley National Park

4.6/5
605 reviews
A place of fabulous multi-coloured lakes and multi-level waterfalls is Jiuzhaigou National Park. It is located in Sichuan Province in northern China. The park is in a valley with nine villages inhabited by the Tibetan and Qiang people. Jiuzhaigou consists of three valleys. In them you can see broad-leaved forests with amazing fauna, rivers, waterfalls and lakes of incredible beauty.
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Jiuzhaigou National Park

Yungang Grottoes

4.6/5
205 reviews
It is a complex of 252 man-made caves. They are located 16 kilometres from Datong. There are 51,000 Buddha images in them. The tallest ones reach 17 metres in height. All the grottoes stretch for one kilometre. In addition to statues, they contain Buddhist scenes, ornaments, sculptures of Apsaras. This is one of the largest cave complexes in the world.
Open time
Monday: 8:30 AM – 5:00 PM
Tuesday: 8:30 AM – 5:00 PM
Wednesday: 8:30 AM – 5:00 PM
Thursday: 8:30 AM – 5:00 PM
Friday: 8:30 AM – 5:00 PM
Saturday: 8:30 AM – 5:00 PM
Sunday: 8:30 AM – 5:00 PM
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Yungang Cave Grottoes

悬空寺

4.6/5
285 reviews
Shanxi Province is rich in architecture, history and culture. It is one of the first regions in the country where Buddhism began to flourish. The monastery was built in 419. It combines the three religions and is extremely popular with tourists. The 40 halls and pavilions of the monastery stand on wooden piles. The rock serves as an inner wall and Buddha statues were carved in it. In total, there are 80 of them in the monastery.
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Xuankong-si Hanging Monastery

Yangtze River

4.3/5
879 reviews
China’s longest river flows through many beautiful places in the country. During cruises there is a chance to sail through canyons and gorges, board boats and sail up to cliffs, visit excursions in different places. These can be natural and architectural monuments, ancient temples and cities. Throughout the cruise the views are very picturesque.
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Yangtze River Cruises

Longji Rice Terrace Scenic Spot

4.8/5
44 reviews
These are some of the most beautiful rice terraces in China. They are located near the pretty village of Pingyang. They are also called the Dragon Ridge. They were built on the side of a mountain. It’s 1,100 metres high. In winter the terraces look snow-white because of the snow, in spring they are flooded with water, in summer they have a bright green colour, and in autumn they look golden. There are hotels for tourists.
Open time
Monday: Open 24 hours
Tuesday: Open 24 hours
Wednesday: Open 24 hours
Thursday: Open 24 hours
Friday: Open 24 hours
Saturday: Open 24 hours
Sunday: Open 24 hours
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Longji Rice Terraces

Mogao Caves

4.6/5
508 reviews
Mogao is a grand monument of Chinese culture. It is located in the province of Gansu. The cave complex unites 492 sanctuaries. They are decorated with frescoes, sculptures. Mogao is one of the oldest Buddhist temples in China. It was built in the mountains of the Gobi Desert in the IV century. It took a millennium to create the decorations and decorate the caves. The area of fresco painting is 42 thousand km².
Open time
Monday: 8:00 AM – 5:30 PM
Tuesday: 8:00 AM – 5:30 PM
Wednesday: 8:00 AM – 5:30 PM
Thursday: 8:00 AM – 5:30 PM
Friday: 8:00 AM – 5:30 PM
Saturday: 8:00 AM – 5:30 PM
Sunday: 8:00 AM – 5:30 PM
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Mogao Caves

Taishan Mountain

4.5/5
224 reviews
It is one of the five sacred mountains of Taoism. It is located in Shandong Province. The height of the mountain is 1,545 metres. You can take a lift to the top of the mountain. There is a temple on it, to which pilgrims constantly arrive. 80% of the mountain is covered with coniferous and deciduous forests. There are 1000 species of plants, many of them medicinal.
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Taishan Mountain

Wudang Mountain

4.8/5
47 reviews
Wudangshan is a mountain range in Hubei Province. It consists of 72 peaks, 36 cliffs and 24 valleys. It is the second most popular monastic complex in China. It is said that it was in this ancient cradle of Taoism that the martial arts were born. An ancient Taoist university was located there. The most popular among tourists are the Golden Pavilion, the Forbidden City, and the Palace of the Purple Cloud.
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Wudangshan Monasteries

Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding

4.6/5
1531 reviews
Sichuan Province is densely populated by pandas. In the panda nursery created to care for the pandas, conditions resemble their natural habitat. Small pandas are kept there, and when they are ready to live independently, they are released into the wild. At the nursery, the animals are fed and given medical care. After a hearty breakfast, the pandas become quite lazy and slow. This is the best time to observe them.
Open time
Monday: 7:30 AM – 5:00 PM
Tuesday: 7:30 AM – 5:00 PM
Wednesday: 7:30 AM – 5:00 PM
Thursday: 7:30 AM – 5:00 PM
Friday: 7:30 AM – 5:00 PM
Saturday: 7:30 AM – 5:00 PM
Sunday: 7:30 AM – 5:00 PM
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Giant Panda Research Nursery in Chengdu

Temple of Heaven

4.6/5
1753 reviews
Beijing’s only round temple is part of the Temple of Heaven monastery complex. It was built in 1420. It is a place of worship for emperors and prayers for a good harvest. One of the most sacred places in Beijing. The temple consists of the Altar of Heaven, the Hall of Prayer, the Imperial Heaven Vault and the Hall of Temperance. The area of the whole complex is 267 hectares. The park near the temple is endowed with great beauty.
Open time
Monday: 6:00 AM – 8:00 PM
Tuesday: 6:00 AM – 8:00 PM
Wednesday: 6:00 AM – 8:00 PM
Thursday: 6:00 AM – 8:00 PM
Friday: 6:00 AM – 8:00 PM
Saturday: 6:00 AM – 8:00 PM
Sunday: 6:00 AM – 8:00 PM
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Temple of Heaven

Zhangjiajie National Forest Park

4.7/5
580 reviews
The park is located in the Zhangjiajie Mountains. It is the place where the fantastic scenery of the film Avatar was born. The park was opened in 1982, its area is 13 thousand km². The height of the quartzite cliffs reaches 800 metres. They are covered with trees and some of the mountain peaks rise up to 3000 metres. There is a ropeway among the mystical rocks. It offers a mind-blowing view. You can climb the mountains via paths.
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Zhangjiajie National Park

Fortifications of Xi'an

4.5/5
840 reviews
It is the only surviving city wall in China. It’s 12 metres high, 15 metres wide. It is almost 12 kilometres long. In the past, the wall protected the city from attacks, and after reconstruction it became a landmark. A park has been created near it, and a marathon is held on its territory. The wall offers a great view of Sian. It is illuminated at night and looks mesmerising.
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The city wall in Xi'an

Reed Flute Cave

4.4/5
191 reviews
In the city of Guilin, there is Guangmingshan Mountain, which is overgrown with reeds. There is a fabulous rock called the Cane Flute Cave. It was created by the ocean, leaving behind amazingly shaped crevices. It is the largest karst cave in China. It’s 500 metres long. Stalactites, stalagmites, underground lake is illuminated by multicoloured garland. Inside the cave there is a park with benches where you can relax.
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Cane Flute Cave.

Three Pagodas

4.4/5
349 reviews
The Three Pagodas of Chunsheng Temple are one of the oldest and best preserved structures in southern China. They are located 1 kilometre from Dali town on the shore of Erhai Lake. The architecture of the pagodas is unique for Buddhist structures. They were built of bricks, covered with white clay and decorated with patterns. The roofs of the pagodas are made of copper. The three pagodas of Chunsheng Temple are called the most beautiful symbol of Dali.
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The Three Pagodas of Chunsheng Temple

Ming Ancestors Mausoleum

4.5/5
2 reviews
These are several mausoleum complexes throughout China. Emperors of the Ming and Qing dynasties, who ruled the country for more than 500 years, are buried in them. All the tombs are made according to the principles of “feng shui” and testify to the beliefs and religion of the Chinese at that time. The emperors’ tombs are on the UNESCO World Heritage List.
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The tombs of the Ming and Qing emperors
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