Top 10 Must-Visit Places in China for Foreign Travelers

China is too large to see in one trip. These ten places are the ones we recommend again and again, selected on three measures: how unique the landscape is, how easy it is to reach, and how consistently travellers rate it. We cover history, mountains, cities and food. Pick two or three per trip — resist the urge to cram.

1. Beijing: the Great Wall and the Forbidden City

The Great Wall spans two thousand years of history; the Forbidden City is the largest surviving complex of traditional wooden palaces anywhere. Add the Temple of Heaven, the Summer Palace and the hutongs, and Beijing is the most direct route into Chinese history.

Allow: 3–4 days | Best season: April–May and September–October, when the ginkgo and maple turn

2. Xi'an: the Terracotta Army and the city wall

More than 2,000 years old and with no two faces alike, the Terracotta Army is one of the most astonishing archaeological sites on earth. The city also has a complete Ming dynasty wall, the Big Wild Goose Pagoda and the Muslim Quarter's northwestern street food.

Allow: 2–3 days | Best season: March–May and September–November

3. Zhangjiajie: the floating mountains of Avatar

More than 3,000 quartz sandstone pillars rise vertically from the valley floor, the tallest over 200 metres. The Hallelujah Mountains in Avatar were inspired by Yuanjiajie. Tianzi Mountain, Golden Whip Stream and the Ten-Mile Gallery make up the core of Wulingyuan.

Allow: 3–4 days, extendable to Fenghuang ancient town | Best season: April–June and September–November, when mist sits between the pillars after rain

4. Guilin and Yangshuo: the Li River

"Guilin's scenery is the finest under heaven." A four-hour cruise from Guilin to Yangshuo threads between karst peaks mirrored in the water — the classic Chinese landscape, and the image on the back of the 20-yuan note. Add a countryside cycle and a bamboo raft on the Yulong River.

Allow: 3 days | Best season: April–October, with the fullest water in May–June

5. Chengdu: home of the giant panda

The Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding lets you watch pandas at their most active, in the early morning feeding window. The city itself — Kuanzhai Alley, teahouses in People's Park, and a staggering density of Sichuan restaurants — is the best place in China to slow down.

Allow: 2–3 days, extendable to Leshan and Mount Emei | Best season: March–June and September–November

6. Chongqing: the 8D mountain city

Two rivers meet here, the metro runs straight through a residential block, and the illuminated tiers of Hongyadong make this a city your map app will never quite get right. Hotpot, xiaomian noodles and the Yangtze cableway are mandatory. Wulong's karst bridges and the Wujiang gallery are 2–3 hours away.

Allow: 3–4 days including Wulong or Pengshui | Best season: March–May and September–November

7. Jiuzhaigou and Huanglong: travertine lakes

More than a hundred lakes shift from peacock blue to emerald green, and in autumn the coloured forest is mirrored in all of them. Reach it by air, overland via Chengdu, or on the newer high-speed rail to Huanglongjiuzhai station.

Allow: 2–3 days | Best season: mid-to-late October, for autumn colour and high water levels

8. Shanghai: the Bund and the skyline

The Bund's colonial-era facades face the Lujiazui towers across the river — the most concentrated conversation between China's modern history and its present economy. The public transport is superb, which makes Shanghai an ideal first or last stop.

Allow: 2–3 days, extendable to Hangzhou and Suzhou | Best season: March–May and October–November

9. Hangzhou and Suzhou: classical gardens

The Ten Scenes of West Lake and Suzhou's classical gardens together define the Chinese idea of refinement. High-speed rail gets you there from Shanghai in about 45 and 25 minutes respectively — an easy extension.

Allow: 2 days | Best season: March–May and September–November

10. Lhasa and Tibet: the Potala Palace

The 3,700 m "sunlight city" gathers the Potala Palace, the Jokhang Temple and the Barkhor circuit into the most complete picture of Tibetan culture you can see. A Tibet permit is required, and you should allow time to acclimatise, so put it towards the end of your trip.

Allow: 4–5 days | Best season: April–June and September–October

How to combine them

• 7 days, classic history: Beijing → Xi'an → Chengdu
• 8 days, mountains and gorges: Zhangjiajie → Chongqing → Wulong
• 10 days, city to nature: Shanghai → Chongqing → Chengdu → Jiuzhaigou
• 12 days, the full first-timer: Beijing → Xi'an → Chengdu → Chongqing → Guilin

Transport between these places, ticket reservations and the best hours to visit each all take local knowledge. Our team can stitch them into one smooth route.

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