Located in the Yuexiu District of Guangzhou, the Temple of the Five Immortals (Wuxian Guan) is a historically important Taoist temple. It was built in the Ming dynasty to commemorate the five immortals of legend who prevented famine by bringing rice cultivation to the people. Today it offers a peaceful escape from the bustle of Guangzhou.
Step back in time to the Ming and Qing dynasties when you walk along Yangzhou Dongguan Street. The slate-lined street, dotted with red lanterns outside quaint shops and cafés, has a museum to explore, plus old merchant homes and courtyards to photograph. Along with admiring the little lanes and ancient gates, it’s also just fun to people-watch.
Taishan UNESCO Global Geopark lies a few hours from Qufu, the birthplace of Confucius. Mount Tai—one of China’s five sacred mountains—is worshiped and protected. Renowned for the power of renewal and birth, the peak is studied by scientists due to its geological makeup of ancient rocks, dating back through several ages.
Considered one of the most important Zen Buddhist temples in western Sichuan, Zhaojue Temple dates back to the seventh century. While few traces of the original buildings remain, Zhaojue Temple is regarded as the ancestral temple for many Japanese and Southeast Asian Buddhist temples.
Historically, Macau was home to two small islands that sat just offshore of the mainland: Coloane and Taipa. Following recent land-reclamation efforts, however, a third island, Cotai, has filled in the gap. Each of the three areas, now merged into one island, retains its own identity, offering distinct experiences for travelers.
For a huge collection of cultural artifacts, visit the Xinjiang Autonomous Region Museum. Visitors can find three permanent exhibitions on the history of Xinjiang, and one with mummies. Among the objects on view are bronzes, textiles, ancient books, clay sculptures, fossils, and plenty of period costumes. It’s a huge space, so make sure to wear comfortable walking shoes and block off a few hours for your visit.
Hong Kong’s second racecourse, Sha Tin Racecourse draws crowds tens of thousands strong to yell, cheer, and bet on the horses, usually on Sunday afternoons. It’s run by the Hong Kong Jockey Club, an institution dating back to 1884, and hosts both local races and the occasional international meet.
Nowhere is China’s rapid modernization more apparent than at the China World Trade Center (Guomao) in Beijing. Completed in 2010, the complex houses Beijing’s tallest skyscraper, the China World Trade Center Tower III, as well as upscale hotels, shopping complexes, apartments, convention space, and office buildings.
One of Fuzhou’s major tourist attractions, West Lake Park (Xihu Gongyuan) is a classical Chinese garden with 1,700 years of history. Covering 104 acres (42 hectares), the park is a tranquil escape for busy sightseers. It features lakefront scenery; several small islets; peaceful walking trails; and a handful of cultural attractions, including a museum and a temple.
Dali’s Three Pagodas are one of China’s national treasures dating back to the ninth and tenth centuries. The three symmetric towers are one of the country’s most visited attractions because of their architecture and size. A lake named Reflection Pond reflects the pagoda’s images, located at the foot of the Cangshan Mountains. Visiting these sites is a must when you’re seeing Dali's sites.
Conveniently located only 30 minutes from downtown Shanghai, Jinjiang Action Park offers a great alternative to city sightseeing. With more than 40 rides encompassing roller coasters, flywheels, water rides, bumper rides, a 4D cinema, an arcade, and the tallest Ferris wheel in the city, the park promises a day of family fun.
Follow the sizzle of wok frying and the shouts of vendors to this quintessential after-dark hotspot in Beijing. The pedestrianized Donghuamen Night Market teems with locals and tourists who come for the adventurous street food, including skewers of scorpion, snake, starfish, or lamb testicles (as well as tamer options).
Located on the southeast coast of Hainan Island, Haitang Bay is one of the new hot spots on the Chinese resort island. Stretching for around 27 miles (43 kilometers), Haitang Bay is home to a wide range of high-end, luxury hotels and resorts. Enjoy wonderful views, a pretty beach, and the biggest duty-free shopping center in the world.
Learn about more than 5,000 years of local history and culture at the Guangzhou Museum, located inside Zhenhai Tower in Yuexiu Park. Built in 1380, the 5-story Zhenhai Tower is a historic landmark of old Guangzhou. Today, it houses nearly 1,000 exhibits illustrating the city’s development and offers spectacular views over the city.
Located on Ersha Island in Guangzhou, the Guangdong Museum of Art (GDMoA) is a major cultural institution. In addition to a permanent collection that showcases modern and contemporary fine art, primarily in the form of paintings, sculptures, and ceramics, the museum also hosts over 60 special exhibitions and shows a year.
Green Lotus Peak (Bilian Feng), the most famous peak in Yangshuo, is so named because it resembles a green lotus bud rising out of the Li River. With an elevation of 977 feet (298 meters), Green Lotus Peak offers stunning panoramic views over Yangshuo and the Li River, and has attracted visitors for more than a thousand years.
A popular side trip from the classic Three Gorges Yangtze cruise, the Lesser Three Gorges extend along the Daning River, a Yangtze tributary that meets the main river at Wu Gorge. Also known as the Little Three Gorges, Small Three Gorges, or Xiao Sanxia, the three are: Dragon Gate Gorge (Longmen Xia), Emerald Gorge (Dicui Xia), and Misty Gorge (Bawu Xia).
Located on the site of the Shanghai Expo 2010 in Puxi, the World Expo Museum is the only official museum in the world entirely dedicated to World Expos. Eight permanent exhibition halls showcase around 3,000 objects related to the expos, including their history, impact, and future.
When Shanghai’s Lupu Bridge was completed in 2003, it was the world’s longest spanning steel arch bridge. The bridge with a total length of 12,795 feet (3,900 meters) and a main span of 1,805 feet (550 meters) takes its name from the two districts that it connects, Luwan and Pudong, and it extends across the Huangpu River.
Learn about the history and development of Hong Kong, from 400 million years ago to the 1997 handover, at the Hong Kong Museum of History. Featuring eight galleries, numerous exhibits, artifacts, life-size dioramas, and multimedia displays, the museum covers the territory’s natural, archaeological, ethnographic, cultural, and local history.
At the northwest corner of West Lake lies Solitary Hill (Gu Shan), the largest and only natural island in West Lake, covering an area of almost 50 acres (20 hectares) and rising to a height of 125 feet (38 meters). Beautifully landscaped and full of scenic and historical spots, Solitary Hill is a great place to appreciate both nature and history.
Nestled deep in the Hong Kong peninsula, Tai Po Kau’s unspoiled forest provides escape from the densely populated and often intense city center. Home to more than 100 species of tree, the reserve’s winding trails are popular with hikers and wildlife-watchers alike, all of whom are hoping to catch a glimpse of the rare birds, insects, and mammals.
The extinct Tai Mo Shan volcano is the highest peak in Hong Kong, rising 3,140 feet (957 meters) above sea level. The surrounding 3,558 acres (1,440 hectares) of highland are home to the scenic Ng Tung Chai waterfalls, several panoramic lookouts, and a range of flora and fauna, including snakes, insects, and more than 100 species of bird.
At the northwest corner of West Lake and at the foot of Jade Spring Hill, Hangzhou Botanical Garden’s 568 acres (230 hectares) offer a peaceful escape from the hustle and bustle of Hangzhou. In addition to its extensive collection of flowers, plants, and trees, visitors can also enjoy a number of ponds, pavilions, and promenades.
Located in the Peak Galleria at the summit of Victoria Peak, Hong Kong’s Trick Eye Museum is home to over 50 different illusions across five sections. Beginning in Seoul, the family-friendly franchise has spread across Asia and differs from traditional museums in that it actively encourages photography and interaction.
Yangshuo Cooking School offers classes to those visitors who want to not only munch their way around China, but also to take home a new skill: the ability to re-create some of their favorite regional dishes. Set in a traditional farmhouse on the Li River, the Yangshuo Cooking School offers a scenic spot to get hands-on.
Also known as the Bamboo Forest Monastery, Chuk Lam Sim Yuen is a large multilevel temple complex built into the hills above Tsuen Wan. Featuring multiple halls and altars, the temple is known for its beautiful statues, including the three largest indoor golden Buddhas in Hong Kong, and offers a tranquil escape from the hustle and bustle of the city.
Located in the north of Sai Kung peninsula, Hoi Ha Wan Marine Park is a marine biodiversity park where eight species of mangrove, 120 species of coral fish, and over 60 species of hard coral live. One of the most accessible marine parks in the city, Hoi Ha Wan is a popular destination to experience nature in Hong Kong.
Get an overview of some of Hong Kong’s best sights on a 1-hour sightseeing tour aboard an open-top 1920s-style tram, which includes an onboard guide, prerecorded commentary, and a mini museum. Gain insight into Hong Kong life and history as you pass by bustling streets, modern skyscrapers, historic landmarks, and top attractions.
Part of the Happy Valley franchise of theme parks, Happy Valley Chengdu is the largest amusement park in western China. Located in the Jinniu District, the park features a variety of rides such as roller coasters, tilt-a-whirls, bumper cars, and water rides, as well as magic shows, concerts, and other performances.
