Located in the Dongcheng District, Beijing’s Pearl Market (Hongqiao Market) is the place to go for anything pearl-related. The largest pearl market in the country, it sells the gems in nearly every size, shape, color, quality, and price imaginable, as well as a range of other goods, including clothing, electronics, and even seafood.
Regarded as the birthplace of Taoism, and one of its most sacred mountains, Mt. Qingcheng (Qingcheng Shan) has a history dating back 2,000 years. Surrounded by peaks and lush forests, Mt. Qingcheng offers a peaceful escape from the big city of Chengdu, and there are plenty of temples, historical sites, and cultural relics for visitors to enjoy.
Uncrowded and off the beaten path, the Huanghuacheng Great Wall rewards hikers who want to experience part of the wall that is wilder and more private than the longer stretches. This is the only waterside portion that’s open to visitors, offering spectacular views of the surrounding countryside and reservoir.
Hong Kong Island lies in the southern reaches of the Hong Kong region and is home to some of its most popular attractions. Highlights include Victoria Peak, the Central Mid-Levels escalator, Aberdeen, Deep Water Bay, and Stanley Market. The Central and Causeway Bay areas are prime destinations for shopping, eating, and sightseeing. A surprising amount of greenery lies along the mountainous interior, while charming fishing villages, coves, and harbors dot the coastline.
The architecture, infrastructure, and way of life in Wuzhen, one of the six famous ancient water towns south of the Yangtze River, hasn’t changed much over the centuries. Traditional houses, shops, and markets built along canals crossed by ancient bridges make the atmospheric town feel like a living history museum.
One of the most popular attractions in Yangshuo, Moon Hill (Yueliang Shan) is easily recognizable by its crescent-moon-shaped natural arch, the remnants of what was once a limestone cave (Moon Palace). Rising 750 feet (230 meters), Moon Hill offers stunning panoramic views of the countryside, which is dotted with unique karst formations.
Once a hub for trade with India, Gyantse is a city steeped in history with a culture and people still deeply rooted in tradition. Travelers who venture to this destination along the Nyang-chu River will find Buddhist temples, lively local markets, charming back streets, and Tibet’s largest stupa monument, Gyantse Kumbum.
Part of the Forbidden City during the Qing Dynasty, this 10th-century park is one of China’s oldest, largest, and most important ancient imperial gardens. Situated in the center of Beijing, the 171-acre (69-hectare) garden features a temple, bell and drum towers, a white pagoda, pavilions, lakes, and the intricate Nine-Dragon Wall.
Experience the magic at Shanghai Disneyland, the first Disney park in Mainland China. Enjoy thrilling rides, shows, and attractions; shop and dine; and pose with your favorite characters in six different themed areas: Mickey Avenue, Gardens of Imagination, Fantasyland, Adventure Isle, Treasure Cove, and Tomorrowland.
The National Museum of China is the largest museum in the country, and one of the largest in the world. It features rotating exhibits exploring the history of China, from the Opium Wars and the founding of the Communist Party, to the Sino-French and Sino-Japanese Wars, the Chinese Revolution of 1911, and the social unrest of 1989.
Located in Mongkok, Flower Market Road is one of the most colorful and fragrant roads in the city. At the Hong Kong Flower Market, located here, you’ll find everything from delicate orchids and bonsai trees to succulents, exotic plants, and fresh-cut flowers, as well as seeds, containers, accessories, and gardening and floral supplies.
Banpo Village, a well-preserved archaeological site in the Yellow River Valley, dates back more than 6,000 years. Thought to be one of the oldest human settlements in China, this Neolithic village once comprised a defensive moat and about 45 circular mud-and-wood thatched houses—predecessors of later Chinese architecture.
Originally built in 1302, Confucius Temple in Beijing is China’s second-largest temple dedicated to the great ancient Chinese thinker and teacher, whose influence is still felt today. The temple, which covers a space of 5.4 acres (2.2 hectares), also offers a peaceful sanctuary from the urban hustle and bustle.
Impression Sanjie Liu is a unique outdoor night show directed by renowned filmmaker Zhang Yimou and staged at the Li River in Yangshuo. In the world’s largest natural theater, Yimou uses the river as a stage and the mist-shrouded karsts as a backdrop for a spectacle of light, sound, and intricate choreography.
The Ngong Ping 360 connects Tung Chung to Ngong Ping plateau, home to the iconic Big Buddha, Po Lin Monastery, and Ngong Ping Village. Opened in 2006, the cable car provides easy access to the hillside attractions, and its views of Lantau Island and beyond have made the gondola journey itself a tourist attraction in its own right.
Located along the waterfront in Hong Kong’s Tsim Sha Tsui district, the Avenue of Stars is the city’s answer to the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Celebrating the film industry of Hong Kong, the promenade features celebrity handprints, statues, and plaques of renowned actors such as Bruce Lee and Jackie Chan. The area is particularly popular in the evening, as visitors gather here to watch unobstructed views of the nightly light show, A Symphony of Lights.
At 10,167 feet (3,099 meters), Mt. Emei is the highest of the Four Sacred Buddhist Mountains of China. The UNESCO World Heritage Site includes over 70 temples, monasteries, and attractions, culminating in the Golden Summit, where visitors can take in the giant Puxian Buddha and stunning mountain views.
The quaint Aberdeen fishing village is famous for its picturesque harbor, where local Tanka boat people live on houseboats, junks, and sampans lashed together in messy rows bobbing in the shadow of modern skyscrapers. Situated between Hong Kong Island and smaller Ap Lei Chau, Aberdeen Harbour is home to one of Hong Kong’s most famous seafood restaurants (and among the largest floating restaurants in the world), Jumbo Kingdom.
Lantau Island’s Big Buddha (Tian Tan Buddha) is a huge, bronze, seated Buddha that’s 112 feet (34 meters) tall. The statue is a popular pilgrimage site for both worshippers and tourists who climb the 268 steps leading to its base for panoramic views of the South China Sea. The journey to the mountain summit on the Ngong Ping 360 cable car is an attraction in itself.
With its sinuous, undulating roof and glass frontage, the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre (HKCEC pulls focus even amid Hong Kong Island’s dramatic skyline. A landmark in its own right, it’s home to a number of restaurants, including Golden Bauhinia, a popular spot for watching the nightly light show over Victoria Harbour.
Located in Kowloon, Goldfish Market (Tung Choi Street) is one of the more unusual streets in Hong Kong. As the name suggests, the street is full of shops and stalls selling goldfish, as well as other types of fish and marine creatures, amphibians, reptiles, and other small animals, along with aquarium supplies and accessories.
While the Juyongguan segment of the Great Wall of China is the closest to Beijing, it's not the most visited; after all, the steps here are still steep and often uneven. Those who make the tough climb up are rewarded with stellar views of the wall winding along the hilltops and—perhaps more importantly—sparser crowds. The Juyongguan Great Wall (Great Wall at Juyong Pass), built during the Ming Dynasty, also features some interesting architectural elements (beyond the wall itself). Most notable is the Cloud Platform (Yun Tai), a squat white marble tower built in 1342 as a base for three stupas (and later a temple) that were subsequently destroyed. Visitors can still see carvings and inscriptions inside the platform's tunnel.
On the hillside of the Mount Everest Base Camp in Tibet, the Rongbuk Monastery offers travelers incredible views not only of the world’s most famous mountain, but also the breathtaking scenery that surrounds it. Its unique location makes it the world’s highest monastery—a perfect backdrop for colorful prayer flags flapping in the wind.
Beyond Guangzhou’s soaring skyscrapers, discover another, older side of the city when you visit Shamian Island. A sandbank island in the heart of the city that once served as a busy port, Shamian Island was divided between British and French concessions in the 19th century. Today, it’s known for its heritage architecture and ample charm.
Topped by the wonky, 1,000-year-old Cloud Rock Leaning Pagoda, Suzhou’s Tiger Hill is China’s answer to the Leaning Tower of Pisa. The site is an artificial burial mound that likely conceals the remains of the city’s founder, King Helü. Gardens, pools, bonsai, bamboo forests, and tea houses make the hill a charming place to linger.
The Mong Kok district in Kowloon is one of the busiest and most densely populated areas in the world. Known for its lively street markets, massive shopping malls, a seemingly endless array of food options, as well as billboards, neon, and people everywhere, it’s also a great place to experience local Hong Kong culture.
Since its construction in 1910, the Hong Kong Clock Tower has become one of the city’s most recognizable landmarks. The area in front of the tower, which was built to commemorate the railway line between Kowloon and mainland China, has become a popular hangout among locals, making it a great spot for people watching.
The Legend of Kung Fu Show, which premiered at Beijing’s Red Theatre in 2004, tells the story of a young monk who dreams of one day becoming a kung fu master. The best kung fu practitioners from all across China tell the story through Chinese martial arts, traditional and modern dance, and Chinese acrobatics.
The Grand Canal is the longest and oldest man-made waterway in the world, once covering 1,115 miles (1,794 kilometers) from Beijing to Hangzhou. Dating from the fifth century BC, this engineering marvel is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Some sections are still in use today.
The history of Fuli Ancient Town, beside the Li River, dates back more than 1,000 years. A picturesque scene set amid some of Yangshuo’s most famous karst formations, many of the town’s cobbled roads and old stone houses remain intact. The village is known for its intricate painted fans, handmade from bamboo and delicate tissue paper.
