50 Best Places to Visit in China: The Ultimate Travel Guide

China is a sprawling land of grand ancient history, breathtaking natural landscapes, and cutting-edge modernity. Stretching across East Asia from high mountain plateaus to bustling coastal megacities, this vast nation offers visitors an unmatched journey through thousands of years of imperial heritage and stunning regional diversity.

Why Visit China

From iconic ancient monuments like the Great Wall to the surreal karst mountains of Guilin and futuristic skylines in Shanghai, China is a destination of endless discovery. Whether you are eager to taste world-renowned regional cuisines, trek through remote alpine valleys, or admire ancient Buddhist cave art, China promises a transformative travel experience.

• Marvel at timeless architectural wonders and imperial palaces.
• Experience diverse, world-famous culinary traditions across every province.
• Explore otherworldly natural landscapes, from Karst mountains to desert dunes.
• Discover vibrant modern cities connected by state-of-the-art high-speed rail.

Quick Facts

50 Best Places to Visit in China

1. The Great Wall of China (Mutianyu & Badaling)

• Location: Beijing / Hebei Province
• Best Time to Visit: September to November or April to May
• Category: Historical Monument / UNESCO World Heritage Site
• About the Place: Spanning thousands of kilometers across northern ridge lines, the Great Wall is an awe-inspiring feat of ancient defensive engineering. Visiting sections like Mutianyu offers sweeping mountain panoramas, restored watchtowers, and unforgettable walking paths along history.
• Travel Instructions: Accessible via direct express buses, private drivers, or tour shuttles from central Beijing (approx. 1.5 hours).
• Explore More: Read our full guide to The Great Wall of China

2. The Forbidden City (Palace Museum)

• Location: Downtown Beijing
• Best Time to Visit: September to November
• Category: Imperial Palace / UNESCO World Heritage Site
• About the Place: Located at the heart of Beijing, the Forbidden City served as the ceremonial home of 24 emperors during the Ming and Qing dynasties. This vast palatial complex features nearly 1,000 historic buildings filled with crimson halls and ancient royal treasures.
• Travel Instructions: Take Beijing Metro Line 1 directly to Tiananmen East or Tiananmen West Station. Passport required for entry.
• Explore More: Read our full guide to The Forbidden City

3. Terracotta Army (Mausoleum of the First Qin Emperor)

• Location: Xi'an, Shaanxi Province
• Best Time to Visit: March to May or September to November
• Category: Archaeological Site / UNESCO World Heritage Site
• About the Place: Discovered by local farmers in 1974, this subterranean army consists of thousands of life-sized terracotta soldiers, horses, and chariots buried to protect Emperor Qin Shi Huang in the afterlife. Each warrior exhibits unique facial features and armor details.
• Travel Instructions: Take tourist bus 916 or a taxi from central Xi'an to the Lintong District site (approx. 45 minutes).
• Explore More: Read our full guide to Terracotta Army

4. The Bund & Lujiazui Skyline

• Location: Shanghai
• Best Time to Visit: October to November or April to May
• Category: Urban Landmark / Waterfront
• About the Place: Shanghai’s waterfront promenade offers a dramatic view across the Huangpu River. On one side stand grand European colonial buildings on The Bund; on the other rise hyper-futuristic skyscrapers like the Shanghai Tower and Oriental Pearl Tower.
• Travel Instructions: Take Shanghai Metro Line 2 or Line 10 to East Nanjing Road Station and walk 5 minutes east.
• Explore More: Read our full guide to The Bund & Lujiazui Skyline

5. Li River Cruise & Yangshuo

• Location: Guilin / Yangshuo, Guangxi Region
• Best Time to Visit: April to October
• Category: River Scenery / Karst Landscapes
• About the Place: Winding between towering emerald karst mountains, the Li River journey from Guilin to Yangshuo is one of China’s most iconic scenic trips. In Yangshuo, visitors enjoy bamboo rafting, cycling through rice paddies, and rock climbing.
• Travel Instructions: Fly or take a high-speed train to Guilin, then board a scenic 4-hour river cruise downstream to Yangshuo.
• Explore More: Read our full guide to Li River & Yangshuo

6. Zhangjiajie National Forest Park

• Location: Hunan Province
• Best Time to Visit: September to November or April to May
• Category: National Park / UNESCO World Heritage Site
• About the Place: Renowned for inspiring the floating mountains in the movie Avatar, Zhangjiajie features thousands of quartz-sandstone pillars soaring into foggy skies. Cable cars, glass bridges, and cliffside boardwalks offer dramatic canyon vistas.
• Travel Instructions: Fly to Zhangjiajie Hehua Airport (DYG) or take a high-speed train, then hire a shuttle to Wulingyuan entrance.
• Explore More: Read our full guide to Zhangjiajie National Forest Park

7. Jiuzhaigou Valley Scenic Area

• Location: Northern Sichuan Province
• Best Time to Visit: September to November (Autumn colors)
• Category: Nature Reserve / UNESCO World Heritage Site
• About the Place: Jiuzhaigou is famous for multi-tiered waterfalls, snow-capped alpine peaks, and colorful lakes ranging from emerald green to bright turquoise. The valley's pristine ecosystems and Tibetan villages make it a nature photographer's dream.
• Travel Instructions: Take a high-speed train from Chengdu to Huanglongjiuzhai Station, followed by a local transfer bus.
• Explore More: Read our full guide to Jiuzhaigou Valley

8. Potala Palace

• Location: Lhasa, Tibet Autonomous Region
• Best Time to Visit: May to October
• Category: Architectural Wonder / UNESCO World Heritage Site
• About the Place: Perched high above the city of Lhasa, the Potala Palace was the historic winter residence of the Dalai Lamas. This towering fortress-palace features white and red walls, sacred chapels, gilded stupas, and rich Tibetan Buddhist artwork.
• Travel Instructions: Fly or take the Qinghai-Tibet Railway to Lhasa; travel permit and licensed guide required for entry.
• Explore More: Read our full guide to Potala Palace

9. West Lake (Xi Hu)

• Location: Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province
• Best Time to Visit: March to May or September to November
• Category: Cultural Landscape / UNESCO World Heritage Site
• About the Place: West Lake has inspired poets, painters, and emperors for centuries. Surrounded by willow-lined causeways, ancient pagodas, and tea hills, visitors enjoy serene wooden boat rides and lakeside cycling.
• Travel Instructions: Take Hangzhou Metro Line 1 to Longxiangqiao Station, located a short walk from the eastern shore.
• Explore More: Read our full guide to West Lake Hangzhou

10. Yellow Mountain (Huangshan)

• Location: Anhui Province
• Best Time to Visit: April to November
• Category: Mountain Range / UNESCO World Heritage Site
• About the Place: Huangshan is celebrated for peculiar pine trees, granite rock formations, thermal hot springs, and seas of clouds swirling beneath jagged peaks. It offers some of China's most breathtaking sunrise viewpoints.
• Travel Instructions: Take a high-speed train to Huangshan North Station, followed by a 1-hour shuttle to Tangkou town.
• Explore More: Read our full guide to Yellow Mountain

11. Chengdu Giant Panda Breeding Research Base

• Location: Chengdu, Sichuan Province
• Best Time to Visit: Year-round (Mornings are best for panda activity)
• Category: Wildlife Sanctuary / Research Center
• About the Place: Home to dozens of adorable giant pandas and red pandas, this sprawling conservation sanctuary offers visitors a chance to observe pandas playing, eating bamboo, and resting in naturalistic bamboo habitats.
• Travel Instructions: Accessible via Chengdu Metro Line 3 to Panda Avenue Station, then a short feeder bus connection.
• Explore More: Read our full guide to Chengdu Giant Panda Base

12. Summer Palace (Yiheyuan)

• Location: Northwest Beijing
• Best Time to Visit: April to October
• Category: Imperial Garden / UNESCO World Heritage Site
• About the Place: A masterpiece of Chinese landscape garden design, the Summer Palace centers around Kunming Lake and Longevity Hill. Visitors can walk through the painted Long Corridor, view marble boat pavilions, and enjoy dragon boat lake rides.
• Travel Instructions: Take Beijing Metro Line 4 to Beigongmen Station or Line 16 to Xiyuan Station.
• Explore More: Read our full guide to The Summer Palace

13. Yu Garden & Old City

• Location: Shanghai
• Best Time to Visit: March to May or September to November
• Category: Traditional Classical Garden
• About the Place: Built during the Ming Dynasty, Yu Garden features classical pavilions, koi-filled ponds, ornate dragon walls, and rockeries surrounded by the lively tea houses and market streets of Shanghai's Old Town.
• Travel Instructions: Take Shanghai Metro Line 10 or Line 14 to Yuyuan Garden Station.
• Explore More: Read our full guide to Yu Garden

14. Classical Gardens of Suzhou

• Location: Suzhou, Jiangsu Province
• Best Time to Visit: April to October
• Category: Historic Gardens / UNESCO World Heritage Site
• About the Place: Suzhou is famed for intricate landscape gardens like the Humble Administrator's Garden and Lingering Garden. Designed to mimic natural landscapes, they combine water features, limestone bridges, and historic tea pavilions.
• Travel Instructions: Take a 30-minute high-speed train ride from Shanghai Railway Station to Suzhou Station.
• Explore More: Read our full guide to Classical Gardens of Suzhou

15. Mogao Caves (Dunhuang)

• Location: Dunhuang, Gansu Province
• Best Time to Visit: May to October
• Category: Buddhist Art Sanctuary / UNESCO World Heritage Site
• About the Place: Situated along the ancient Silk Road, Mogao Caves harbor over 490 hand-carved cave temples containing thousand-year-old Buddhist murals, colorful statues, and priceless historical manuscripts.
• Travel Instructions: Fly into Dunhuang Airport (DNH) or arrive by train, then book official visitor center bus tickets.
• Explore More: Read our full guide to Mogao Caves

16. Victoria Peak & Victoria Harbour

• Location: Hong Kong Special Administrative Region
• Best Time to Visit: October to December
• Category: Urban Skyline / Viewpoint
• About the Place: Victoria Peak offers unmatched views over Hong Kong's dazzling skyscraper skyline and harbor. The historic Peak Tram carries visitors up lush slopes for daytime panoramas or glittering evening vistas.
• Travel Instructions: Take the Peak Tram from Central or take Bus 15 from Central Ferry Piers to Victoria Peak.
• Explore More: Read our full guide to Victoria Peak & Harbour

17. Leshan Giant Buddha

• Location: Leshan, Sichuan Province
• Best Time to Visit: March to May or September to November
• Category: Ancient Statue / UNESCO World Heritage Site
• About the Place: Carved directly into a cliff face during the Tang Dynasty, the 71-meter-tall Leshan Giant Buddha is the world's largest stone Buddha statue, sitting serenely over the confluence of three rivers.
• Travel Instructions: Take a 1-hour high-speed train from Chengdu to Leshan Station, followed by a short taxi ride.
• Explore More: Read our full guide to Leshan Giant Buddha

18. Longsheng Rice Terraces (Longji)

• Location: Longsheng County, Guangxi Region
• Best Time to Visit: May to June (Water mirrors) or September to October (Golden harvest)
• Category: Cultural Agriculture / Hiking
• About the Place: Sculpted over hundreds of years by Zhuang and Yao ethnic minority communities, these massive terraced hills resemble dragon scales. Hiking trails link wooden hilltop villages with panoramic terrace views.
• Travel Instructions: Located 2.5 hours by car or tour shuttle north of Guilin city center.
• Explore More: Read our full guide to Longsheng Rice Terraces

19. Temple of Heaven (Tiantan)

• Location: Southern Beijing
• Best Time to Visit: Year-round
• Category: Imperial Sacred Complex / UNESCO World Heritage Site
• About the Place: Emperors of the Ming and Qing dynasties visited this sacred park complex to pray for bountiful harvests. Its iconic circular Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests stands as a masterpiece of wooden joinery architecture.
• Travel Instructions: Take Beijing Metro Line 5 directly to Tiantan Dongmen (Temple of Heaven East Gate) Station.
• Explore More: Read our full guide to Temple of Heaven

20. Lijiang Old Town

• Location: Yunnan Province
• Best Time to Visit: March to May or September to November
• Category: Historic Town / UNESCO World Heritage Site
• About the Place: Famous for wooden Naxi architecture, cobblestone alleys, and clear canal waterways, Lijiang Old Town offers rich indigenous culture against the backdrop of Jade Dragon Snow Mountain.
• Travel Instructions: Fly directly to Lijiang Sanyi Airport (LJG) or arrive via high-speed train from Dali or Kunming.
• Explore More: Read our full guide to Lijiang Old Town

21. Tiger Leaping Gorge

• Location: Shangri-La / Lijiang, Yunnan Province
• Best Time to Visit: October to May
• Category: Canyon Trekking / Nature
• About the Place: One of the deepest river canyons on Earth, Tiger Leaping Gorge cuts dramatically between snow peaks along the Jinsha River. High-trail trekking paths offer breathtaking views for adventure enthusiasts.
• Travel Instructions: Take a 2-hour bus or taxi transfer from Lijiang to Qiaotou trailhead.
• Explore More: Read our full guide to Tiger Leaping Gorge

22. Ancient City of Pingyao

• Location: Shanxi Province
• Best Time to Visit: September to November or April to May
• Category: Walled Ancient City / UNESCO World Heritage Site
• About the Place: Pingyao is China's best-preserved Han walled city, complete with massive Ming city walls, cobblestone streets, red lantern courtyards, and China's very first draft bank museums.
• Travel Instructions: Take a high-speed train to Pingyao Ancient City Railway Station, located 15 minutes from the gates.
• Explore More: Read our full guide to Ancient City of Pingyao

23. Longmen Grottoes

• Location: Luoyang, Henan Province
• Best Time to Visit: April to May or September to October
• Category: Ancient Buddhist Statues / UNESCO World Heritage Site
• About the Place: Carved into limestone cliffs along the Yi River, Longmen Grottoes feature over 100,000 Buddhist statues spanning several dynasties, dominated by the colossal 17-meter Fengxian Temple Buddha.
• Travel Instructions: Take Luoyang Metro Line 2 to Longmen Grottoes Station or take a taxi from Luoyang Longmen High-Speed Station.
• Explore More: Read our full guide to Longmen Grottoes

24. Mount Emei

• Location: Leshan / Emeishan, Sichuan Province
• Best Time to Visit: April to October
• Category: Sacred Buddhist Mountain / UNESCO World Heritage Site
• About the Place: One of China's Four Sacred Buddhist Mountains, Mount Emei features ancient mist-covered pine forests, wild monkeys, historic temples, and a golden statue atop Golden Summit peak.
• Travel Instructions: High-speed trains run from Chengdu directly to Emeishan Railway Station in 1.5 hours.
• Explore More: Read our full guide to Mount Emei

25. Wuzhen Water Town

• Location: Tongxiang, Zhejiang Province
• Best Time to Visit: March to May or September to November
• Category: Historic Water Town
• About the Place: Over 1,300 years old, Wuzhen is a picturesque canal town featuring ancient stone arch bridges, traditional black-tiled houses, river boat transport, and atmospheric lanternlit night walks.
• Travel Instructions: Board a direct express bus from Shanghai or Hangzhou bus stations (approx. 1.5 hours).
• Explore More: Read our full guide to Wuzhen Water Town

26. Shangri-La (Zhongdian)

• Location: Diqing Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, Yunnan
• Best Time to Visit: May to October
• Category: High-Altitude Alpine Culture
• About the Place: Situated on the edge of the Tibetan Plateau, Shangri-La offers high-altitude prairie views, Tibetan monasteries like Songzanlin, alpine lakes, and vibrant ethnic minority customs.
• Travel Instructions: Take a high-speed train directly from Lijiang or fly into Diqing Shangri-La Airport (DIG).
• Explore More: Read our full guide to Shangri-La

27. Zhangye Danxia Landform (Rainbow Mountains)

• Location: Gansu Province
• Best Time to Visit: June to September
• Category: Geological Wonder / Colorful Sandstone
• About the Place: World-famous for its rainbow-colored rock strata, the Zhangye National Geopark looks like a painted canvas. Erosion over millions of years has sculpted dramatic red, yellow, and orange sandstone waves.
• Travel Instructions: Arrive at Zhangye West Railway Station via bullet train, then take a 30-minute shuttle to the geopark.
• Explore More: Read our full guide to Zhangye Danxia

28. Mount Wuyi (Wuyishan)

• Location: Fujian Province
• Best Time to Visit: March to November
• Category: Nature & Tea Culture / UNESCO World Heritage Site
• About the Place: Famous as the birthplace of Da Hong Pao black tea, Mount Wuyi features dramatic red sandstone gorges, bamboo raft cruises along Nine-Bend River, and ancient cliffside tea plantations.
• Travel Instructions: Take a bullet train to Wuyishan North or Nanping Station, located near the scenic area gates.
• Explore More: Read our full guide to Mount Wuyi

29. Historic Centre of Macao

• Location: Macao Special Administrative Region
• Best Time to Visit: October to December
• Category: Colonial History / UNESCO World Heritage Site
• About the Place: Blending Portuguese colonial heritage with southern Chinese culture, Macao features charming cobblestone plazas, the iconic Ruin of St. Paul's facade, pastel churches, and modern luxury resorts.
• Travel Instructions: Take a ferry or bus across the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge from Hong Kong.
• Explore More: Read our full guide to Macao

30. Qinghai Lake

• Location: Qinghai Province
• Best Time to Visit: July to August (Canola flower blooms)
• Category: High-Altitude Lake / Wildlife
• About the Place: The largest lake in China, Qinghai Lake sits high on the Tibetan Plateau. In mid-summer, surrounding shores turn into vivid yellow fields of blooming canola flowers against deep blue waters.
• Travel Instructions: Located 2.5 hours by private car or tour bus west of Xining city center.
• Explore More: Read our full guide to Qinghai Lake

31. Fujian Tulou

• Location: Nanjing & Yongding Counties, Fujian Province
• Best Time to Visit: September to November
• Category: Earthen Architecture / UNESCO World Heritage Site
• About the Place: Built by the Hakka people between the 15th and 20th centuries, these massive enclosed circular earthen communal houses were designed for fortification, housing hundreds of family members in timber courtyards.
• Travel Instructions: Take a bullet train to Nanjing (Fujian) Station and take a local bus or taxi to the Tulou clusters.
• Explore More: Read our full guide to Fujian Tulou

32. Dali Old Town & Erhai Lake

• Location: Yunnan Province
• Best Time to Visit: March to May or September to November
• Category: Cultural Lakeside Town
• About the Place: Home to the Bai ethnic culture, Dali features historic stone town gates, traditional three-tower pagodas, craft coffee shops, and scenic bike paths hugging the shores of Erhai Lake.
• Travel Instructions: Take a 2-hour bullet train from Kunming directly to Dali Railway Station.
• Explore More: Read our full guide to Dali & Erhai Lake

33. Mount Hua (Huashan)

• Location: Huayin, Shaanxi Province
• Best Time to Visit: April to October
• Category: Sacred Taoist Mountain / Cliffside Hiking
• About the Place: Famed for steep vertical cliff paths and the thrilling Plank Walk in the Sky, Huashan is one of China's Five Sacred Mountains, offering breathtaking mountain cable car rides and Taoist shrines.
• Travel Instructions: High-speed trains run from Xi’an North to Huashan North Station in under 30 minutes.
• Explore More: Read our full guide to Mount Hua

34. Three Gorges of the Yangtze River

• Location: Chongqing / Hubei Province
• Best Time to Visit: April to May or September to October
• Category: Scenic River Cruise
• About the Place: The Yangtze River cuts through dramatic mountain canyons at the Qutang, Wu, and Xiling Gorges. Multi-day luxury river cruises offer shore excursions to ancient temples and massive dam engineering works.
• Travel Instructions: Board luxury Yangtze river cruise ships departing from Chongqing Chaotianmen Port down to Yichang.
• Explore More: Read our full guide to Three Gorges

35. Fenghuang Ancient Town (Phoenix Town)

• Location: Xiangxi, Hunan Province
• Best Time to Visit: March to May or September to November
• Category: Riverfront Cultural Town
• About the Place: Built along the Tuojiang River, Fenghuang features historic wooden stilt houses (Diaojiaolou), stone bridges, Miao ethnic silver markets, and magical nighttime lighting reflections on the water.
• Travel Instructions: Take a bullet train to Fenghuang Gucheng Station, then take a short taxi ride to the riverfront.
• Explore More: Read our full guide to Fenghuang Ancient Town

36. Honghe Hani Rice Terraces (Yuanyang)

• Location: Yuanyang County, Southern Yunnan
• Best Time to Visit: December to March (Terraces filled with water)
• Category: Cultural Landscape / UNESCO World Heritage Site
• About the Place: Cascading down steep slopes of the Ailao Mountains, these 1,300-year-old rice terraces carved by the Hani people reflect vibrant morning sunrises and sunsets like thousands of mirrors.
• Travel Instructions: Take a bus or private car 5 hours south of Kunming via Jianshui.
• Explore More: Read our full guide to Yuanyang Rice Terraces

37. Harbin Ice and Snow World

• Location: Harbin, Heilongjiang Province
• Best Time to Visit: Late December to February
• Category: Winter Festival / Ice Sculpture Park
• About the Place: The world's largest ice and snow festival showcases monumental illuminated ice castles, giant snow sculptures, ice slides, and winter sports celebrations in sub-zero Manchurian winters.
• Travel Instructions: Fly to Harbin Taiping International Airport (HRB) or arrive via bullet train; take Metro Line 2 to Ice and Snow World Station.
• Explore More: Read our full guide to Harbin Ice and Snow World

38. Mount Taishan

• Location: Tai'an, Shandong Province
• Best Time to Visit: September to November or April to May
• Category: Sacred Mountain / UNESCO World Heritage Site
• About the Place: Considered the premier sacred mountain of East China, Mount Tai has been climbed by Chinese emperors for over 2,000 years. Thousands climb the stone steps overnight to watch its legendary summit sunrise.
• Travel Instructions: High-speed trains connect Beijing or Shanghai directly to Tai'an Station at the base of the mountain.
• Explore More: Read our full guide to Mount Taishan

39. Yading Nature Reserve (Daocheng Yading)

• Location: Garzê Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, Sichuan
• Best Time to Visit: September to October
• Category: Sacred Alpine Wilderness
• About the Place: Referred to as the "Last Shangri-La," Yading features three holy snow-capped mountains, crystal-clear glacier lakes, and alpine meadows revered by local Tibetan communities.
• Travel Instructions: Fly to Daocheng Yading Airport (DCY)—one of the world's highest airports—or drive overland from Chengdu.
• Explore More: Read our full guide to Yading Nature Reserve

40. Tianmen Mountain & Glass Skywalk

• Location: Zhangjiajie, Hunan Province
• Best Time to Visit: April to November
• Category: Mountain Peak / Cable Car & Skywalk
• About the Place: Accessible via one of the world's longest passenger cable car rides, Tianmen Mountain features cliffside glass skywalks and Tianmen Cave—a massive natural hole in the mountain peak.
• Travel Instructions: The main cable car station is located directly inside Zhangjiajie city center.
• Explore More: Read our full guide to Tianmen Mountain

41. Crescent Spring & Singing Sand Dunes

• Location: Dunhuang, Gansu Province
• Best Time to Visit: May to October
• Category: Desert Oasis / Dunes
• About the Place: Located in the Gobi Desert, this natural crescent-shaped oasis lake has endured for thousands of years amidst towering golden sand dunes. Visitors enjoy camel rides, sand sliding, and desert sunsets.
• Travel Instructions: Located just 6 km south of downtown Dunhuang; easily reachable by taxi or local bus 3.
• Explore More: Read our full guide to Crescent Spring

42. Shaolin Temple & Mount Song

• Location: Dengfeng, Henan Province
• Best Time to Visit: April to May or September to October
• Category: Martial Arts Heritage / UNESCO World Heritage Site
• About the Place: The birthsite of Zen Buddhism and Chinese Shaolin Kung Fu, this ancient monastery nestled on Mount Song offers live martial arts demonstrations, historic pagodas, and scenic mountain trails.
• Travel Instructions: Located 1.5 hours by tourist bus from Luoyang or Zhengzhou.
• Explore More: Read our full guide to Shaolin Temple

43. Thousand Island Lake (Qiandao Lake)

• Location: Chun'an County, Zhejiang Province
• Best Time to Visit: April to October
• Category: Freshwater Lake / Islands
• About the Place: A vast freshwater lake dotted with over 1,000 wooded islands. Famed for crystal-clear waters, island jumping boat tours, cycling trails, and submerged ancient underwater city ruins.
• Travel Instructions: Take a high-speed train from Hangzhou or Shanghai directly to Qiandaohu Railway Station.
• Explore More: Read our full guide to Thousand Island Lake

44. Xidi & Hongcun Ancient Villages

• Location: Yi County, Anhui Province
• Best Time to Visit: March to April (Rape blossoms) or November
• Category: Traditional Villages / UNESCO World Heritage Site
• About the Place: Nestled at the foot of Huangshan, these Ming and Qing dynasty villages showcase white-walled, gray-tiled Hui-style architecture, lotus ponds, and ancient stone bridges that inspired classical paintings.
• Travel Instructions: Take a local tour bus or taxi 1 hour from Huangshan North Station.
• Explore More: Read our full guide to Xidi & Hongcun

45. Yalong Bay & Sanya Beaches

• Location: Sanya, Hainan Island
• Best Time to Visit: November to April
• Category: Tropical Beach Resort
• About the Place: Known as China's Hawaii, Sanya offers white palm-lined beaches, luxury tropical resorts, water sports, and duty-free shopping along Hainan’s warm tropical coastline.
• Travel Instructions: Fly directly into Sanya Phoenix International Airport (SYX) or take Hainan island bullet trains.
• Explore More: Read our full guide to Sanya & Yalong Bay

46. Yungang Grottoes

• Location: Datong, Shanxi Province
• Best Time to Visit: May to October
• Category: Ancient Rock Sculptures / UNESCO World Heritage Site
• About the Place: Dating back to the 5th century, Yungang Grottoes feature 252 caves carved into sandstone cliffs containing over 51,000 Buddhist statues showcasing early Sino-Buddhist art influences.
• Travel Instructions: Take Datong Bus 603 or hire a taxi from Datong South High-Speed Station (approx. 30 minutes).
• Explore More: Read our full guide to Yungang Grottoes

47. Mount Wutai (Wutaishan)

• Location: Xinzhou, Shanxi Province
• Best Time to Visit: June to September
• Category: Sacred Mountain / UNESCO World Heritage Site
• About the Place: Home to dozens of historic monasteries, Mount Wutai is dedicated to Manjushri, the Bodhisattva of Wisdom. Its cool alpine climate makes it a peaceful pilgrimage destination.
• Travel Instructions: Accessible via train to Wutaishan Station or direct tourist coach from Taiyuan.
• Explore More: Read our full guide to Mount Wutai

48. Xishuangbanna Tropical Rainforest

• Location: Southern Yunnan Province
• Best Time to Visit: November to April
• Category: Tropical Wildlife & Dai Culture
• About the Place: Bordering Laos and Myanmar, Xishuangbanna offers lush tropical rainforests, wild Asian elephants, golden Buddhist pagodas, night markets, and vibrant Dai water-splashing cultural traditions.
• Travel Instructions: Fly directly to Xishuangbanna Gasa Airport (JHG) or take a bullet train from Kunming.
• Explore More: Read our full guide to Xishuangbanna

49. Kanas Lake & Hemu Village

• Location: Altay Region, Northern Xinjiang
• Best Time to Visit: September (Autumn golden larch forests)
• Category: Alpine Lake & Tuva Cultural Village
• About the Place: Nestled near the Siberian border, Kanas Lake features changing water colors surrounded by golden larch forests, Tuva wooden cabin villages, and pristine mountain hiking.
• Travel Instructions: Fly to Altay Airport (AAT) or Kanas Airport (KJI), followed by scenic mountain shuttle buses.
• Explore More: Read our full guide to Kanas Lake & Hemu

50. Mount Qingcheng & Dujiangyan

• Location: Dujiangyan, Sichuan Province
• Best Time to Visit: April to October
• Category: Taoist Sacred Mountain & Ancient Irrigation / UNESCO World Heritage Site
• About the Place: Mount Qingcheng is recognized as one of the birthplaces of Taoism, covered in lush evergreen mist. Nearby stands Dujiangyan, an ancient 2,200-year-old eco-irrigation system still functioning today.
• Travel Instructions: Take a 30-minute high-speed intercity train from Chengdu Railway Station to Qingchenglshan Station.
• Explore More: Read our full guide to Mount Qingcheng & Dujiangyan

Featured Image

The Great Wall of China