15 Unforgettable Chinese Cities To Visit On Your Next Trip

China is a vast country with a rich history and diverse regional cultures. From bustling modern megacities to ancient imperial capitals, China has something to offer every type of traveler. Here are 15 of the best cities to visit on your trip to China.

1. Beijing

Beijing is China’s capital and one of the most popular destinations for visitors. As China’s political and cultural center, Beijing offers numerous historic sites like the Forbidden City, Tiananmen Square, the Temple of Heaven, and the Great Wall of China. Beijing also has vibrant shopping districts like Wangfujing and lively nightlife areas like Sanlitun.

Don’t miss top attractions like:

The Forbidden City, an impressive 15th century imperial palace complex with 9,999 rooms.
Tiananmen Square, site of Chairman Mao’s mausoleum and the 1989 pro-democracy protests.
The Temple of Heaven, an ornate 15th century altar complex where emperors prayed for good harvests.
The Great Wall at Badaling or Mutianyu, two of the most popular restored sections near Beijing.
The Summer Palace, a sprawling imperial garden retreat with lakes, temples, and palaces.
Wangfujing Street, Beijing’s famous shopping street with modern malls and traditional markets.
Sanlitun, a trendy neighborhood with shops, bars, and nightclubs.
The 798 Art District, a funky community of galleries, shops, and cafés housed in a former factory complex.
Hutong neighborhoods like Shichahai, old alleyways with courtyard residences, restaurants, and shops.

Beijing offers a great mix of historical sights and modern energy. Spend at least 3 full days exploring the capital.

2. Shanghai

Shanghai is China’s largest, most cosmopolitan city. As a bustling financial hub and port city, Shanghai has an ultra-modern skyline combined with European influences from its history as an international settlement. Don’t miss sights like:

The Bund, Shanghai’s iconic waterfront promenade with colonial European buildings.
Nanjing Road, China’s premier shopping street with huge malls and luxury stores.
Yu Garden, a 16th century garden with ponds, pavilions, rockeries and tea houses.
Shanghai Tower, the world’s 2nd tallest building with panoramic views from the observation deck.
Shanghai Museum, one of China’s best museums exhibiting ancient bronzes, paintings, calligraphy and artifacts.
Xintiandi, a high-end shopping and entertainment district known for shikumen stone houses.
French Concession, an elegant residential neighborhood with European architecture, cafes, and boutiques.

Shanghai’s exciting mix of cultures and rapid growth make it a must-visit city. Plan a minimum of 2-3 days here.

3. Xi’an

Xi’an served as China’s capital and imperial center under several powerful dynasties. As one of the Four Great Ancient Capitals of China, Xi’an is steeped in history. Top attractions include:

The Terracotta Army, an underground mausoleum with thousands of lifesize terracotta soldiers from around 200 BC.
The City Walls, massive Ming Dynasty fortifications surrounding Xi’an’s old city.
The Great Mosque, a Chinese style mosque founded in the 8th century with lovely courtyards.
The Shaanxi History Museum, which houses artifacts from ancient capitals across the Shaanxi region.
The Giant Wild Goose Pagoda, a 7-story Buddhist pagoda with Tang Dynasty frescoes.
The Muslim Quarter, with bustling markets and street food stalls.
The Tang Dynasty Show, a performance with music and dance from the Tang era.

Xi’an’s ancient sites and culinary delights require 2-3 days to experience.

4. Guilin

Guilin in Guangxi province is famous for the breathtaking karst limestone formations spread across its suburbs and the Li River. Some top sights include:

A Li River cruise from Guilin to Yangshuo, passing mist-shrouded peaks, fishermen and water buffalo.
Reed Flute Cave, a dazzling cave filled with stalactites, stalagmites and limestone formations illuminated in colored lights.
Elephant Trunk Hill, a huge rock formation resembling an elephant drinking from the river.
Seven Star Park, a park centered around seven karst pinnacles, with caves, gardens and hiking trails.
Daxu Old Town, an ancient village with Ming and Qing dynasty architecture.
Yangshuo, a laidback town surrounded by landscapes popular for hiking, biking and rock climbing.

Spend at least 2-3 days enjoying the scenery in Guilin and Yangshuo.

5. Chengdu

The capital of Sichuan province, Chengdu is renowned for its laidback teahouse culture and spicy Sichuan cuisine. Top sights include:

The Giant Panda Breeding Research Base, where you can view endangered giant pandas in a natural habitat.
Jinli Ancient Street, a restored historic street lined with traditional buildings, shops, and restaurants.
Wuhou Temple, a temple complex honoring 3rd century strategist Zhuge Liang with restored Qing architecture.
Du Fu’s Cottage, a thatched cottage museum displaying the life of the Tang poet Du Fu.
Sichuan Cuisine, trying authentic hot pot, mapo tofu, twice cooked pork and other fiery dishes.
Teahouses, sipping tea while people watching or listening to Sichuan opera singers.

2 days is enough to see Chengdu’s highlights along with relaxing at a teahouse.

6. Hangzhou

Hangzhou has been renowned for its natural beauty since the Tang Dynasty poets like Li Bai wrote about West Lake’s ethereal landscapes. Top sights include:

West Lake, Hangzhou’s iconic lake surrounded by gardens, pagodas, and causeways like Broken Bridge.
Lingyin Temple, an ancient Buddhist temple with a stunning feitian peak flying over the temple gate.
Leifeng Pagoda, a 5-story octagonal pagoda on Sunset Hill beside West Lake.
Six Harmonies Pagoda, a 16th century pagoda overlooking the Qiantang River.
Dragon Well Tea Plantations, visiting the origin of China’s most famous green tea.
Hangzhou’s Historic Hefang Street, with traditional shops, restaurants and tea houses.

Explore Hangzhou’s lakefront beauty for 2-3 days to relax from China’s bustling cities.

7. Suzhou

Suzhou is renowned for its classical gardens, canals, and silk production. Top attractions include:

The Humble Administrator’s Garden, the largest and most famous classical garden with ponds, pavilions and viewing platforms.
The Lingering Garden, another exquisite UNESCO World Heritage garden with interconnected halls, towers and ponds.
The Master of Nets Garden, a compact yet intricately designed garden reflecting Chinese aesthetics.
Pingjiang Road, an arched street along a canal with museums, teahouses and boutique hotels in ancient buildings.
The Suzhou Museum, an architecturally stunning museum exhibiting ceramics, jades, paintings and calligraphy.
Suzhou’s canals, taking a relaxing cruise to admire waterside gardens and old residences.

Suzhou deserves 2 days to unwind in its classical gardens and soak up the historical ambiance.

8. Lijiang

Lijiang in Yunnan province enchants visitors with its preserved old town and stunning scenery. Top sights include:

Dayan Old Town, a maze of cobblestone lanes, wooden buildings, canals and stone bridges retaining ancient Naxi culture.
Jade Dragon Snow Mountain, a towering snow-capped mountain great for hiking and cable cars.
Black Dragon Pool Park, a scenic park with pavilions, gardens, and reflections of Jade Dragon Mountain.
Dongba Cultural Museum, displaying the unique pictographic script, culture and religious artifacts of the Naxi people.
Naxi Orchestra, listening to traditional Naxi music at the old town’s theater.
Tiger Leaping Gorge, one of China’s deepest canyons with turquoise waters and scenic hiking trails.

Lijiang’s splendid scenery and Naxi heritage deserve 3 days minimum.

9. Huangshan

The iconic Huangshan or Yellow Mountains are renowned for their grotesquely shaped granite peaks protruding through seas of misty clouds. Top attractions include:

Mount Huang hiking, climbing the granite stairs and trails to marvel at the oddly-shaped rocks, pine trees, hot springs, and amazing views above the clouds.
Tunxi Old Street, strolling past Ming and Qing era houses, shops, and teahouses.
Hongcun village, an ancient village with gorgeous Ming and Qing architecture set in a picturesque landscape.
Xidi and Hongcun villages, two ancient villages granted UNESCO status for their magnificent traditional architecture.
Huangshan Hot Springs, soaking sore muscles after long hikes in the warm mineral waters.
Shexian County, visiting the centuries-old Huangshan stone town and nearby villages.

Huangshan deserves 3 days to properly hike the mountains and take in the scenery.

10. Zhangjiajie

The stunning karst spire mountains of Zhangjiajie National Park inspired the natural settings for Avatar. Top sights include:

The spire-like quartzite rock formations, particularly the 3,540 foot tall Avatar Hallelujah Mountain.
Tianzi Mountain, taking the world’s highest cable car up this 3,200 foot tall mountain for phenomenal views.
Glass Bridge, walking this vertigo-inducing transparent bridge suspended 3,870 feet above the valley floor.
Golden Whip Stream, hiking along this gorgeous canyon with emerald pools, waterfalls, cliffs and caves.
Bailong Elevator, riding this glass elevator along a cliff face for panoramic mountain vistas.
Yuanjiajie scenic area, with iconic spire mountains like the Southern Sky Pillar.

Zhangjiajie’s towering avatar mountains warrant 2-3 days for photography, awe-inspiring hikes and panoramic views.

11. Hong Kong

While technically a special administrative region, Hong Kong combines Chinese heritage with 150 years of British colonial influence. Must see attractions include:

Victoria Peak, riding the tram up Hong Kong Island’s tallest mountain for sublime skyline views.
Star Ferry, crossing Victoria Harbour on an iconic green and white ferry for harbor views on the cheap.
Central’s Mid-Levels Escalators, the world’s longest outdoor covered escalator system traversing steep hills.
Lantau Island, taking the cable car to visit the Tian Tan Big Buddha and Po Lin Monastery.
Hong Kong Disneyland, visiting Mickey and friends at Hong Kong’s own Disneyland.
Lan Kwai Fong, experiencing Hong Kong’s bustling nightlife district.
Temple Street Night Market, bargaining for deals on clothes, souvenirs and gadgets.

Hong Kong’s sights and shopping deserve 3 days minimum.

12. Yangshuo

Although small, the quaint village of Yangshuo rewards visitors with splendid karst mountain scenery. Attractions include:

Floating down the Li River on a bamboo raft, passing iconic peaks like Yellow Cloth Shoal.
Biking or walking through Moon Hill Park around the massive moon-shaped hole eroded through the limestone.
Hiking through terraced rice fields to the summit of Folded Brocade Hill for panoramic views.
Watching Impression Liu Sanjie , a music and light spectacular staged on the Li River.
Exploring the country roads and villages around Yangshuo by bicycle or motorbike.
Trying your hand at rock climbing on the limestone sport climbing routes just outside town.

Yangshuo’s laidback atmosphere and scenery deserve 2-3 days in the countryside.

13. Jiuzhaigou

In northern Sichuan, Jiuzhaigou National Park stuns visitors with its multicolored lakes, waterfalls, forests and snowy peaks. Top sights include:

The blue, green and golden hues of Jiuzhaigou‘s crystal clear lakes.
Nuorilang Waterfall, one of Jiuzhaigou’s widest waterfalls thundering into a turquoise pool.
Shuzheng Lakes and Waterfalls, over a dozen tranquil lakes linked by cascading waterfalls.
Walking along wooden boardwalks through vibrant forests and meadows.
Riding over blue lakes and snowy mountains on the park shuttle bus.
Tibetan villages where you can sample yak butter tea and handicrafts.
Photographing the snowcapped Minya Konka or Ganzigou mountains from overlooks.

Jiuzhaigou warrants 2-3 days to fully experience the park’s pristine beauty and tranquility.

14. Macau

The former Portuguese colony of Macau blends southern European influences with Chinese heritage. Top sights include:

The UNESCO listed Historic Center with Portuguese shops, homes and forts like the Ruins of St. Paul’s.
Walking along the Senado Square town plaza flanked by pastel buildings.
Admiring Macau’s modern skyline from the 338m high Macau Tower.
Sampling fusion cuisine like Portuguese chicken and African chicken at restaurants.
Playing casino games or enjoying shows at hotels like the opulent Venetian Macao.
Riding the gondola lift up to the A-Ma Temple.
Shopping for almond cookies and other sweets at Koi Kei Bakery.

Macau’s unique fusion of East and West deserves 1-2 days of exploration.

15. Dali

In Yunnan’s Cang Mountain range, the ancient town of Dali charms visitors with its pagodas, historic gates, temples, and stone paved streets. Top attractions include:

Walking the historic Foreigners’ Street lined with traditional Bai minority shops and homes.
Climbing the city walls and nine dragon spires of Chongshen Pagoda for panoramic views.
Browsing for handicrafts at the Dali Old Town street market.
Escape the old town’s crowds by biking around Erhai Lake and local villages.
Exploring the sandstone grottoes and carved niches at Three Pagodas of Chongsheng Temple.
Learning about Bai culture at the Dali Museum housed in an ancient aristocratic mansion.

Dali’s ancient ambiance deserves 2 days minimum.

Start Planning Your Trip!

China offers diverse destinations from modern megacities to ancient capitals, natural splendors and ethnic minority villages. Each city provides a window into a different regional culture. Use this list of the 15 best cities to visit in China to start planning an itinerary that covers the country’s highlights based on your interests. With China’s efficient high-speed rail system, you can easily get around between cities and regions. Immerse yourself in China’s history, culinary adventures and stunning landscapes on a trip you’ll never forget!