Quick Answer
From the Great Wall to Guilin's karst rivers and Zhangjiajie's stone pillars — the best places to visit in China, and how to fit them into one trip.
Why it matters
Beijing — the Great Wall and Forbidden City. Xi'an — the Terracotta Army and Silk Road food. Shanghai — the Bund and a dazzling skyline. Chengdu — giant pandas and Sichuan flavour. These four anchor most first trips; the Golden Triangle covers the big three in a week.
TL;DR (Quick Answer)
- First-timer classics: Beijing, Xi'an, Shanghai.
- Scenery icons: Guilin, Zhangjiajie, Jiuzhaigou.
- Build a trip: the multi-day itineraries.
The Must-See Cities
Beijing — the Great Wall and Forbidden City. Xi'an — the Terracotta Army and Silk Road food. Shanghai — the Bund and a dazzling skyline. Chengdu — giant pandas and Sichuan flavour. These four anchor most first trips; the Golden Triangle covers the big three in a week.
The Landscape Wonders
Guilin's Li River karst peaks, Zhangjiajie's "Avatar" pillars, and Jiuzhaigou's turquoise pools are China's scenic headliners. For a deep nature trip, see the 12-day nature route.
Ancient Towns & Water Villages
Slow down in the Wuzhen and Zhouzhuang water towns, Pingyao's walled old city, and Lijiang's cobbled lanes — bundled in the water towns itinerary.
Yunnan & the Southwest
Dali, Lijiang and Shangri-La form China's most scenic cultural loop — see the Yunnan tours guide.
Beaches & Highlights to Finish
Add tropical Sanya, surreal Chongqing, or refined Hangzhou and Suzhou. Browse every option in our destination guides.
Plan Your Bucket-List Trip
Read how many days you need, then take the quiz or message a designer to combine your top picks into one route.
FAQ
What are the best places to visit in China?
The classics are Beijing (Great Wall), Xi'an (Terracotta Army) and Shanghai, plus scenery icons Guilin, Zhangjiajie and Jiuzhaigou, and the Yunnan towns of Dali, Lijiang and Shangri-La.
What is the number one tourist attraction in China?
The Great Wall of China near Beijing is the most famous, with the Terracotta Army in Xi'an and the Li River in Guilin close behind.
How many places can I visit in one China trip?
Three to four destinations in a week to ten days is comfortable; two weeks lets you add nature parks or a Yunnan loop.
