Top 10 Places to Visit in China: A Complete Guide for First-Time Travelers

Planning your first trip to China? From ancient wonders to modern skylines, misty mountains to mouthwatering cuisine, here are the 10 best places to visit in China — complete with sightseeing tips, food suggestions, and travel insights to inspire your next adventure.

🇨🇳 1. Beijing – A City of Emperors and Dynasties

Let history whisper through palace walls and ancient stones in the mighty heart of China.

What makes it special: Beijing is China’s historical and political capital, where emperors once ruled behind crimson walls and the Great Wall stretches across wild hills.

Top Attractions:

• Forbidden City
• Great Wall of China (Mutianyu or Jinshanling)
• Temple of Heaven & Summer Palace

Must-Try Food:

• Peking Duck
• Zhajiangmian (noodles with soybean paste)
• Jianbing (savory pancake)

What to Wear:

• Spring/Fall: Light layers and walking shoes
• Winter: Warm coats, thermal layers

Forbidden City

Great Wall of China

Temple of Heaven

Peking Duck

🏺 2. Xi’an – Home of the Terracotta Army

Stand before an eternal army and feel the pulse of an empire that once ruled the world’s crossroads.

What makes it special: Ancient and atmospheric, Xi’an marks the eastern end of the Silk Road and holds thousands of years of imperial glory.

Top Attractions:

• Terracotta Warriors
• City Wall (bike ride!)
• Muslim Quarter & Big Wild Goose Pagoda

Must-Try Food:

• Roujiamo (Chinese burger)
• Biangbiang Noodles
• Lamb skewers, pomegranate juice

What to Wear:

• Layers for fluctuating temperatures, comfy shoes

Terracotta Warriors

Big Wild Goose Pagoda

City Wall

Roujiamo (Chinese burger)

🧘 3. Luoyang & Shaolin – Cradle of Buddhism and Kung Fu

Enter a world where ancient monks trained in silence, and stone cliffs speak the language of faith.

What makes it special: A spiritual and cultural gem, home to China’s oldest Buddhist temples and the legendary Shaolin martial arts.

Top Attractions:

• Longmen Grottoes
• Shaolin Temple (with Kung Fu show!)
• White Horse Temple

Must-Try Food:

• Luoyang Water Banquet
• Steamed dumplings

What to Wear:

• Modest dress for temple visits, comfortable shoes for exploring

Longmen Grottoes

Shaolin Temple

White Horse Temple

Luoyang Water Banquet

🏞️ 4. Zhangjiajie – Avatar’s Floating Peaks

Feel the awe of walking through a living fantasy world where mountains float in the sky.

What makes it special: Otherworldly sandstone pillars, misty cliffs, and thrilling walkways make Zhangjiajie one of China’s most unique landscapes.

Top Attractions:

• Zhangjiajie National Forest Park
• Tianmen Mountain
• Glass Bridge

Must-Try Food:

• Spicy fish hotpot
• Local wild mushrooms and tofu dishes

What to Wear:

• Hiking shoes, layers, and a rain jacket for mountain weather

Zhangjiajie National Forest Park

Tianmen Mountain

Glass Bridgee

Smoked Pork with Tofu and Vegetables

⛰️ 5. Huangshan – The Yellow Mountain

Watch the sun rise through seas of clouds and breathe in landscapes that inspired poets for centuries.

What makes it special: Dreamlike peaks, ancient pines, and mystical fog make Huangshan a legendary destination in Chinese art and literature.

Top Attractions:

• Xihai Grand Canyon
• Sunrise viewpoints (Bright Summit, Lotus Peak)
• Nearby ancient villages: Hongcun & Xidi

Must-Try Food:

• Smelly Mandarin Fish
• Sticky rice with ham
• Local tofu soups

What to Wear:

• Warm layers, gloves, good-grip shoes

Xihai Grand Canyon

Sunrise viewpoints

Hongcun

Smelly Mandarin Fish

🚣 6. Guilin & Yangshuo – Where Nature Paints the Land

Drift down jade-green rivers surrounded by limestone peaks — this is the China of your dreams.

What makes it special: Ethereal karst landscapes, bamboo rafts, and peaceful rice fields create an escape into natural serenity.

Top Attractions:

• Li River Cruise
• Longji Rice Terraces
• Yangshuo biking & bamboo rafting

Must-Try Food:

• Beer Fish
• Guilin Rice Noodles
• Snail Soup

What to Wear:

• Light clothing, sunhat, insect repellent, hiking shoes

Li River Cruise

Longji Rice Terraces

Yangshuo

Guilin Rice Noodles

🏡 7. Yunnan – A Journey Through Cultures and Mountains

Wander through ancient towns, alpine lakes, and minority villages in one of China’s most magical provinces.

What makes it special: A melting pot of ethnic cultures and landscapes ranging from snow-capped mountains to tropical forests.

Top Attractions:

• Lijiang Old Town
• Dali & Erhai Lake
• Shangri-La (Tibetan temples and meadows)
• Tiger Leaping Gorge

Must-Try Food:

• Crossing-the-Bridge Noodles
• Yak Meat Hotpot
• Rose-flavored Flower Cakes

What to Wear:

• Warm layers for high-altitude towns, sun protection

Lijiang Old Town

Shangri-La

Erhai Lake

Tiger Leaping Gorge

🎎 8. Guizhou – Hidden Villages and Miao Traditions

Discover colorful embroidery, lush hills, and ancient rhythms untouched by time.

What makes it special: A lesser-known treasure full of rich minority heritage and untouched natural beauty.

Top Attractions:

• Xijiang Qianhu Miao Village
• Huangguoshu Waterfall
• Zhenyuan Ancient Town

Must-Try Food:

• Sour Soup Fish
• Glutinous rice dishes
• Spicy chili condiments

What to Wear:

• Raincoat, layers, comfortable hiking shoes

Xijiang Qianhu Miao Village

Xijiang Qianhu Miao Village

Huangguoshu Waterfall

Zhenyuan Ancient Town

🏙️ 9. Shanghai – Where Old Meets New

Feel the electric energy of a city where futuristic skyscrapers kiss the sky above colonial boulevards.

What makes it special: China’s most international city, combining tradition, fashion, finance, and art in one dazzling package.

Top Attractions:

• Pudong skyscrapers & Shanghai Tower
• The Bund
• Yu Garden

Must-Try Food:

• Xiaolongbao (soup dumplings)
• Shengjianbao
• Sweet & Sour Spare Ribs

What to Wear:

• Trendy outfits, umbrella, walking shoes

The Bund

Yu Garden

Pudong skyscrapers 

Guantangbao

🌉 10. Hong Kong – Where Cultures Collide

Skyscrapers, jungle trails, floating markets, and rooftop cocktails — all in a single day.

What makes it special: A unique blend of East and West, offering food, fashion, beaches, temples, and global vibes.

Top Attractions:

• Victoria Peak
• Big Buddha & Ngong Ping 360
• Temple Street Night Market

Must-Try Food:

• Dim Sum
• Roast Goose
• Egg Tarts

What to Wear:

• Casual wear, light jacket, beachwear or hiking gear if needed

Victoria Peak

Temple Street Night Market

Big Buddha 

Roast Goose

✈️ Final Travel Tips

• Best Time to Visit: April–May and September–October
• Getting Around: China’s high-speed rail and domestic flights make multi-city trips easy
• Language: English is spoken at major attractions, but a guide or translation app is helpful
• Money: Alipay/WeChat Pay are widely used; prepare some cash for small vendors

Ready to explore China your way?
From imperial cities to misty mountains, this list is just the beginning. Let us design your dream trip — with private guides, seamless transport, and handpicked experiences. Contact us today to start your journey.