Top 12 Tourist Attractions in China

Popular China landmarks and tourist spots

• 1 Great Wall of China

  9 /10

  

  Stretching well over 6350 km (3,948 miles) in length, the Great Wall of China is one of the few man-made structures visible from space. The wall follows from east to west, and its history goes back for over 2000 years. While much of the wall has come to ruin, it is one of the most historical architectural design pieces globally and is a must-see when visiting China ...

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• 2 Forbidden City

  8.4 /10

  

  Forbidden to outsiders no longer, enter the Forbidden City, the most famous attraction in the heart of Beijing, China, and see the former imperial palace, which now houses the Palace Museum. For almost five hundred years, from the mid-Ming Dynasty until the end of the Qing Dynasty, the Forbidden City was the Emperor's home and the Emperor's household. It was the political and ceremonial center of the Chinese government ...

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• 3 Jiuzhai Valley

  7.8 /10

  

  Tucked away in the mountains of the northern part of China's Sichuan Province is the Jiuzhai Valley (or Jiuzhaigou National Park). It is a haven for nature lovers and birdwatchers. Its 72,000 square kilometers of forests, lakes, waterfalls, and springs are home to rare animals and birds, such as the panda and the Sichuan takin. It is dubbed as the 'Wonderland on Earth' because of its natural beauty and its flora and fauna's diversity ...

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• 4 Ancient Dali

  7.4 /10

  

  Dali's Ancient City is also called the Backpackers' Paradise. The Bai culture draws tourists in to observe the fascinating culture of the Bai people. It was a walled city when it was first established over 600 years ago. A gate is located on each side of the wall ...

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• 5 Silk Road

  7.4 /10

  

  Follow the path that Marco Polo once trod. Travel on the Great Silk Road. This trading caravan is a veritable feast of historical and cultural delights that will provide you with deeper insights into China and its connection to the Western world ...

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• 6 Temple of Heaven

  7.4 /10

  

  The Temple of Heaven is considered one of the holiest sites in China, particularly for Taoists who believe in Heaven worship. The Temple of Heaven is located south of the Forbidden City and is the place of worship for the monarchs of China. The Chinese royalty (primarily of the Qing and Ming dynasties) go to the temple to pray for a good harvest via elaborate ceremonies and sacrifices ...

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• 7 Yangtze River

  7.4 /10

  

  The Yangtze River is Asia's longest river. Only the Amazon River and the Nile River are longer. Its 6,300 kilometers stretches from the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau's snowy height in Western China. It is commonly called Chiang Jiang ('Long River') but, because it spans quite many towns and regions, it also has several local names ...

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• 8 Dunhuang

  7.4 /10

  

  At the western end of the Gansu's Province Hexi Corridor, there lies an oasis of tranquility and beauty – the Dunhuang. This ancient town used to be a major point in the Great Silk Road of China. Its name is a combination of two words – grandness (dun) and prosperity (huan). It is located at the juncture of the Xinjiang, Gansu and Qinghai, which makes it very strategic for China's trading activities ...

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• 9 Mount Taishan

  7.3 /10

  

  Be enthralled with the natural museum that is Taishan Mountain. Have your fill of fantastic artwork and cultural relics that await you in this mountain, the leader of the so-called Five Sacred Mountains. Taishan Mountain sits majestically at the heart of Shandong Province in China, across the cities of Zibo, Tai'an and Jinan ...

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• 10 Terracotta Warriors Army

  7.2 /10

  

  Imagine life-sized statues of magnificent warriors by the thousands, all lined up to accompany the emperor to the afterlife. The sight of over 8,000 terracotta figures of the army is simply awe-inspiring and unforgettable. It was discovered by farmers in 1974 and is considered the 20th century's most important archeological excavation ...

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• 11 Tiananmen Square

  7.1 /10

  

  Tiananmen Square is not just your ordinary park. It is replete with history, history that shook not only China but the whole world. Tiananmen Square (which literally means 'Gate of Heavenly Peace') sits right at the heart of the city of Beijing and is an important tourist spot ...

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• 12 Suzhou Gardens

  7.1 /10

  

  Tour the ancient and splendid city of Suzhou, with its rich cultural traditions, ancient houses and splendid landscapes. Suzhou, after all, is the capital of the Wu Kingdom during the 514 B.C. You will be in for a treat, as this city is famous for its scholars, architects, artists, and of course, its gardens. The beauty and artistry of the gardens are such that these are considered the best gardens in the world ...

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