Originally built during the Tang Dynasty, Huaisheng Mosque is believed to be the oldest surviving mosque in China. According to an ancient manuscript, it was built by a Muslim missionary, Abu Wangus, who was thought to be an uncle of the prophet Mohammed. The structure's 108-foot (32.9-meter) freestanding minaret is a local landmark.
Built in 1984 on the site of a former imperial palace, Beijing’s Chaoyang Park is the largest park in the city at 714 acres (289 hectares). Visitors enjoy relaxing or boating at Lotus Lake, exploring the artworks and fountains on display, treating the kids to amusement park rides, taking a bike ride, or playing basketball.
It’s no surprise that the House of the Dancing Water was introduced to Macau by former Cirque du Soleil director Franco Dragone. Macau’s most spectacular show, staged at City of Dreams, features stunts, acrobatics, and elaborate choreography in a theater that uses as much water as five Olympic-sized swimming pools.
Samye Monastery was Tibet’s first monastery where some of the earliest monks were ordained. Built in the 8th century, the site is famous for both its age and for its shape as a giant mandala—a symbol of the Buddhist universe—with the central temple representing Mt. Meru in Buddhist cosmology.
Founded in 1317, Dongyue Temple is dedicated to Tai Shan, one of the five great mountains of Taoism. Still an active temple, it’s one of the largest Taoist temples in north China at 11.7 acres (4.7 hectares). It’s also one of Beijing’s more unusual temples, with 76 small rooms representing the “departments” of the Taoist underworld.
Qingdao’s first pier, Zhanqiao Pier, is a landmark of the city. Built in 1891, the 1,444-foot (440-meter) pier stretches into Qingdao Bay—and at the end of the pier stands the octagonal Huilan Pavilion, which famously forms a part of the Tsingtao beer logo. Zhanqiao Pier also offers stellar sea views, helping solidify it as one of the most popular attractions in Qingdao.
Also known as Guangren Lama Temple, Guangren Temple is the only Tibetan Buddhist temple in Shaanxi province. It dates back to the early 18th century but was extensively rebuilt during the 20th century. The 3-acre (1.3-hectare) area encompasses a multitude of halls and shrines, as well as a vast spirit wall and an ancient bodhi tree.
The Bright Filial Piety Temple (Guangxiao Si), the city’s oldest Buddhist temple, was originally constructed in the fourth century and rebuilt numerous times due to fire damage.The main hall of the temple features a 33-foot (10-meter) statue of the Buddha and another large statue of Guanyin, the goddess of compassion.
Located in Tsim Sha Tsui, the Hong Kong Science Museum is committed to educating the public about science, technology, and astronomy. The museum offers a wealth of learning opportunities, including daily live demonstrations, interactive exhibits, science films, and lectures, and is a fun and educational day out for the whole family.
Giant pandas are the main draw at Beijing Zoo, a wildlife attraction with a heritage dating back over 100 years. Besides distinctively Chinese animals, such as white tigers, golden monkeys, and milu deer, it hosts everything from giraffes to polar bears. The Beijing Aquarium is within the zoo, but a separate ticket is required.
Housed in a classical, multistory pavilion-style building in central Beijing, the National Art Museum of China (NAMOC) is one of the largest art museums in the country. Its collection spans over 100,000 works across different periods of Chinese art, from imperial to contemporary, as well as notable works by international masters.
St. Joseph's Church (sometimes referred to as the East Cathedral is one of four significant Catholic cathedrals in Beijing. Construction finished in 1655, making it the second oldest in the city after the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception. It’s predominantly Romanesque in style but with some Chinese architectural features.
The largest of the three main areas of Hong Kong, the New Territories stretches from north of Kowloon to the Chinese border and also includes the outlying islands of Hong Kong. New Territories offers both the urban sprawl typical of the city, as well as the natural beauty of mountains, beaches, and unspoiled countryside.
At the Chengdu Sichuan Opera Art Center, learn about the history of Sichuan opera, enjoy tea and local cuisine, and take in a performance. Located in downtown Chengdu, the comprehensive cultural center is made up of Jinjiang Theater, Yuelai Teahouse, Pansun Restaurant, and the Sichuan Opera Museum.
The epicenter of Harbin’s annual ice and snow festival, Harbin Ice and Snow World is China’s ultimate winter wonderland. This vast outdoor playground features ice slides, ice pagodas, ice bars, ice bicycles, live performances, ski slopes, and more. Up to 1,000 installations illuminated in colored lights deliver an icy razzle-dazzle that’s built afresh on a new theme each year.
Located in Ditan Park, the Temple of Earth is the last remaining temple dedicated to the God of Earth, and the second largest of the five altar temples in Beijing. Built in 1530 by Emperor Jiajing, it is believed to have been used by 14 emperors as a place of sacrifice and to pray to the God of Earth for a good harvest.
Mengding Mountain (Mengding Shan) is considered the birthplace of the world’s tea culture and home to some of the oldest plantations. Visitors to this verdant and historic locale can tour a tea plantation, soak up spectacular views, and purchase tea close to the source.
Recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2005, Macao's Historic Centre includes more than 20 historic and culturally significant sights. From churches and temples to forts and squares, Macao's Historic Centre reflects the area’s rich cultural legacy and its unique mix of Portuguese and Chinese influences.
Step back in time at the Shijia Hutong Museum. Located in Beijing’s Dongcheng District, the museum gives visitors insight into life in the hutong alleyways and traditional courtyards homes of years past, with exhibits that showcase life at various points in the 20th century, from contracts and bus tickets to furnished rooms.
Called the “back garden of Hong Kong,” Sai Kung is known for its laid-back fishing villages and stunning natural beauty, with beautiful country parks, rugged peaks, unique geological features, pristine beaches, and over 70 islands. Located in the New Territories, it’s a popular day trip and weekend destination for locals and visitors.
The most convenient beach to Sanya is coconut palm-lined Sanya Bay. It's one of three major beaches on Hainan Island, and it enjoys superb views across the water to the Western, Eastern, and Phoenix islands. It’s not as heavily commercialized as Yalong and Haitang bays and is thus a quieter option for enjoying a day of sun, sea, and sand.
Located south of Hangzhou’s West Lake, the UNESCO World Heritage–listed China National Silk Museum (NSM) is the largest museum in the world devoted to silk. In addition to an extensive collection of silk garments, textiles, and relics, the museum covers 5,000 years of silk development, history, and culture across eight galleries.
Built in 1846, Flagstaff House Museum of Tea Ware is the oldest remaining British Colonial building in Hong Kong. Formerly the residence of the Commander of the British Forces in Hong Kong, today it features exhibitions, demonstrations, and lectures on tea, tea culture, and the history of tea in China.
Set within the compound of the old Monte Fort, the Macao Museum chronicles the history of this region and its blend of European and Asian cultures. Exhibits cover the territory’s history, the relationship between China and Portugal, Macanese religion, folk customs, architecture, and urban development.
Located within the Plover Cove Country Park, Plover Cove Reservoir is the second-largest reservoir in Hong Kong, and the first “reservoir in the sea” in the world. Part of the Hong Kong UNESCO Global Geopark, the area around the reservoir offers fantastic hiking and cycling, and is a popular destination for day trips.
Built by the Jesuits to repel an attack from the sea, the Monte Fort (Fortaleza de Monte) is the oldest military fortification on the Macau peninsula. Though cannons were readied and defense preparations made, the only military action the Monte Fort ever saw was during an unsuccessful raid by the Dutch in 1622.
Housed in a silver cone-shaped building designed by architect I.M. Pei, the Macao Science Center (Centro de Ciencia de Macau)is a science-themed museum and learning center. With exhibitions, films, live demonstrations, and interactive experiences across different science and technology themes, the museum offers a fun learning environment for the whole family.
Home to Shanghai’s contemporary art scene epicenter, M50 Creative Park, Moganshan Road (Moganshan Lu) was once known for its street art and grimy, gritty vibe. Today, the street art is under demolition, while luxury edifices such as the 1,000 Trees building are transforming the district. Galleries, cafes, and bookstores line the streets.
Located on Hong Kong’s Victoria Peak, Lion’s Pavilion at the Peak offers some of the best free views in the city. Visit the multilevel structure, built by the Tai Ping Shan chapter of the Lions Club International, alongside plenty of other tourists for the stunning views over Victoria Harbor and the Hong Kong skyline.
Located at the foot of Mt. Maling, Tianya Haijiao, which means “edge of the sky and the corner of the sea” is commonly referred to as the End of the Earth. Considered for a long time to be the southernmost point of China, today it’s a cultural and scenic spot, and one of the most popular attractions on Hainan Island.
