Incredible Things to Do in China You Can’t Miss

See 13 fun things to do in China: stroll the Great Wall at Mutianyu, explore palace rooms in Forbidden City, cuddle young pandas in Chengdu, drift by stone peaks on a Li River cruise - this lineup hits top places around China for trips you won’t forget

China covers vast lands - from towering mountain plateaus to low river gullies - blending imperial pasts with massive urban hubs home to 1.4 billion people, shaped by 56 unique ethnic groups. Beyond aged customs, spot silent shrines near bustling desert outposts, terraced paddies sprouting rice, alongside bullet trains that rarely lag. This complete guide highlights must-see places across China, unpacking well-known landmarks with honest context, seasonal tips, cost insights, visa details, along with mindful travel methods that skip crowds and protect nature

Hike the Great Wall at Mutianyu, Jinshanling, and Simatai

The Great Wall stretches beyond 21,000 kilometres - put together once Qin Shi Huang joined China in 221 BC - making it longer than our planet's circumference. Over at Mutianyu, a repaired section spans 5.4 km with 23 watchtowers along the way; hop on a cable car to climb up (¥100 single trip or ¥140 round-trip), then slide back down via sled (¥100 for the 1.5-km path). Once spring arrives, wild apricot flowers pop near the ancient stones, while autumn coats the route in golden hues

Jinshanling’s got 10 kilometres of rugged, wild wall - cracked towers blend with wide-open desert skies, perfect for photographers hunting untouched decay. The hike lasts about three hours, keeps moving, but isn’t brutal. Meanwhile, Simatai lights up at night; cross the see-through skybridges if you don't mind heights. Ditch the crowds at Badaling by reserving secluded sections where it stays peaceful

Historical background: Qin forced 300,000 labourers to construct it; by the Ming era, builders poured sticky rice into the plaster mix. It landed on UNESCO’s roster in ’87, yet holds firm using some six million blocks. To reach the site: hop a local Beijing bus - pay 10 to 40 yuan - or book a guided trip running 300 to 500. Top visuals show up from October into November - but dodge Golden Week, particularly the first weeks of autumn. Parents travelling with kids may prefer gondolas or slides - roughly 200 yuan total. A more expensive choice? Helicopter tours run around 2,000 yuan. Stay eco-friendly - skip wall graffiti, though cleanup teams pitch in once in a while

Explore Beijing's Forbidden City, Tiananmen, and Hutong Neighborhoods

The Yongle Emperor started building the Forbidden City in 1406 and finished it by 1420. It covers 72 hectares, with almost 10,000 rooms, seen as heaven’s blessing. Red walls enclose wide courtyards; within them, 24 emperors ruled a nation of five hundred million souls. The Treasure Gallery displays old jade seals - you add 10 yuan extra to get in. Close by, Tiananmen Square stretches over 440,000 sq m, houses Mao’s mausoleum - free access but prepare for lines up to two hours - and detailed carvings on the People's Heroes Monument share tales from China’s past.

Jingshaw Park’s highest point overlooks the ancient palace, where Emperor Chongzhen took his last breath. Twisty alleys like Nanluoguxiang keep houses from the Qing dynasty, today turned into trendy cafés; riding around in cycle rickshaws costs 100 yuan hourly, letting you see local life face-to-face

Explore 1.8 million pieces - take a look at the Yongxuan throne. Grab an audio guide for 40 yuan to hear stories about palace workers’ rivalries. Entry during summer evenings is 30 yuan, when lanterns brighten the grounds. Reserve early via WeChat; it costs 60 yuan on packed days, but only 30 when things are quiet. Open Tuesday to Sunday, 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Take Metro Line 1 - it’s just 3 yuan. Kids dive into catchy mobile games while parents head to Quanjude, craving roast duck, about 200 yuan. Cold bites hard between October and March.

Visit Xi'an's Terracotta Army, City Walls, and Muslim Quarter

Qin Shi Huang’s burial site, built in 210 BC, includes roughly 8,000 life-sized warriors - each standing near 1.8 meters, with unique facial features pointing to diverse origins - though within Pit 1 alone, you'll also spot 130 old-style war carts. Traces of hidden mercury, detected at levels up to one hundred times higher than average soil readings, support historical claims made by Sima Qian. The Ming defensive barrier runs almost 14 km; here, bike rentals run 45 yuan hourly as cyclists ride past around a thousand small shops in the Muslim District, where bowls of yangrou paomo sell for 20 yuan, while roujiamo go for only 15

Big Wild Goose Pagoda stores old Tang writings; close by, you'll hear the Bell and Drum Towers chime. Long ago, under Han rule, Chang’an served as a major halt on the Silk Road route. These days, hop on a G-train - it’s only five hours from Beijing, around 550 yuan. Veterans pay just 120 off regular pricing, toss in another 200 for a local guide when wanted. Ideal time? Go between March and November while the weather stays open. Snap photos without using flash - it's a must. Taking the train rather than a plane cuts carbon emissions by almost 90%

Cuddle Giant Pandas at Chengdu Research Base and Leshan Buddha

Chengdu's 240-hectare spot is home to more than 200 pandas - see baby ones tumbling at mealtime, between 8 and 10 each morning. Just a short way off, Dujiangyan, made in 256 BC, channels the Minjiang River so it can irrigate about 5,300 sq km. In Leshan, you’ll find a massive 71m-tall Buddha from the Tang era, cut right into rock where two rivers come together

Sichuan shelters most wild pandas - more than 239 little ones arrived since 2012. Tickets begin at CNY 55; a ride on the bus costs CNY 10; hop the metro to Dujiangyan for just CNY 20. Spot tender bamboo sprouts when spring rolls around, watch trees turn amber each autumn. Hands off critters - but tossing in CNY 300 helps guard their woodland home. Craving a front-row view? Shell out CNY 3,000 to tag along with a keeper.

Cruise Li River's Karst Towers from Guilin to Yangshuo

A 83-kilometer boat ride takes you past places where fishermen use cormorants - these jagged limestone peaks show up a lot in paintings. Climbing isn’t new here; more than 500 routes stretch along Yangshuo’s lively West Street area. Step into Reed Flute Cave, where glowing colours bounce off rocks that dangle from above

Boats run 200 yuan between April and October - scenic green spots along the way. Bike hires go for 30 yuan daily. No plastic boats permitted; swap to electric rides out in the countryside, roughly 50 yuan. Pick wheels over water if you're after quiet routes.

Admire the Yellow Mountains' Cloud Seas, Pines, and Hot Springs

Huangshan's jagged peaks drew writers back in Tang times. Take the western gondola up - costs about eighty yuan. Be there by first light on Guangming Top. Wander across many high points, roughly seven dozen, while trekking close to sixty klicks along trails.

Get ready: roughly 230 yuan for three days, between March and November. Instead of guesthouses at 200 yuan, think about spending near 300 if you hire porters. Stick to clear paths - zero straying allowed. Toss nothing, not a scrap or wrapper.

Wander Lijiang Old Town's Naxi Canals and Snow Mountain

An ancient 800-year-old labyrinth linked to UNESCO, created by the Naxi folks. The Black Dragon Pond reflects Jade Dragon Peak, rising 5,596 meters high. This place housed the Mu clan once, going way back to the Ming era. Look around - Dongba markings are etched all over.

Grab a free CNY 50 offer when you book – stays are only CNY 150. Support small Naxi crews instead.

Discover Zhangjiajie's Avatar Floating Quartzite Pillars

Three thousand pillars rise high, while the Bailong Elevator climbs 108 meters - the tallest outside ever built. Along Golden Whip's path, stretching 7.5 klicks, bamboo grows close on both sides. From Tianzi summits, you get views, with footbridges laid in glass up there.

Pray at Lhasa's Potala Palace and Jokhang Temple

In 637 AD, people put up the Dalai fortress. The Red Palace holds a soaring 13-level chapel tower. Devotees inch closer to Jokhang’s holy Jowo figure. Circling that spot, the Barkhor trail hums with spinning prayer wheels

Tibet trips: permits run about 400 yuan, entry adds another 200. Adjust to thin air up at 3,650 meters; move through spots by going clockwise instead.

Stroll Shanghai's Bund Art Deco vs Pudong Futurism

Back in the 1930s, folks spotted the Oriental Pearl rising high - about 632 meters up. Close by, where Yu Garden's ancient bridge has stood since 1559, tight alleyways weave through the French Concession. Instead of crowds, there’s a quiet teahouse called Huxinting waiting off the path.

Check it out solo - entry’s 40 yuan. Or hop on the maglev, which hits 430 kph, for only 50 yuan.

Hike Longji Rice Terraces' Zhuang Harvests

660 meters of shiny steps roll downhill - sleep at local houses in Ping’an or Dazhai. Events jump out in fall months, so hop on the cableway to see it all stretch far.

Trek costs CNY 100 - organic rice is extra, about CNY 150 at local guesthouses.

Explore Jiuzhaigou's 93 Glacier Lakes and Autumn Maples

720 square kays under UNESCO care. Nuorilang stretches nearly 300 meters wide - a big fall. Through Zechawa’s woods, pandas roam free. Sitting in Sichuan, tied into a wider stretch of untamed land.

Valley: priced at 220 or 310 yuan - extra 90 for travel. Closed during the winter months.

Tour Dunhuang Mogao Caves' 45,000 sq m Frescoes

492 Tang-era caves - cave 285 features a towering 33-meter Amitabha figure. Within, colorful Apsaras hover in the air; meanwhile, camels trek across faraway sands. A travel book notes this spot

Silk Road: win 200 yuan from May to September - no pics inside.

Sail Three Gorges Dam's 22,500 MW Engineering Marvel

175 meters high; echoes of monkeys hit Qutrate’s cliffs. Tiny vessels glide along tight water trails.

Cruise: 4 nights from $3K during Chinese New Year - runs Mar through Nov. Ships that pollute less.

Bike Pingyao's 1370 Ming Ramparts and Beef Noodles

Tall walls stretch around an ancient money centre. When night falls, the Qiao family’s place shines softly - lanterns dangle from old wood overhead

Historian tip: Back in '91, Xu Pingfang wrote about the Silk Road - Mogao’s mix of Tang and Persian styles lasted a full millennium.

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