Erhai (Lake Er is a 97-square-mile (250-square-km lake sandwiched between the town of Dali and the Cangshan Mountains in China’s Yunnan Province. The local Bai people—one of China’s 56 recognized ethnic minority groups—have long used the waters of the lake for carp fishing with cormorants.
The China Central Television (or CCTV Headquarters is situated within an unusually shaped skyscraper in Beijing’s central business district. This seemingly gravity-defying structure, designed by Dutch architect Rem Koolhaas, is playfully nicknamed "Big Pants" among Beijing locals.
The Museum of the Mausoleum of the Nanyue King houses the contents of the royal tombs of the Nanyue ruler Zhao Mo. The skeletons of Zhao Mo, along with 15 of his courtiers, who were buried alive to serve him in death, and several thousand objects from the empire are on display.
Stretching south from Tiananmen Square, along Beijing’s central axis, Qianmen Street was once the main commercial street of the city, with a history dating back more than 600 years. Renovated in 2007, today it’s a bustling pedestrian street, filled with shops, stalls, and restaurants housed in recreated late Qing Dynasty-era buildings.
Considered China’s first bank, the 19th-century Rishengchang Exchange sits at the heart of UNESCO World Heritage–listed Pingyao, a city that was once one of China’s financial centers. The low-rise courtyard complex is now a museum, with more than 20 rooms devoted to banking history. The vaults contain safes where gold and silver were stored.
Considered one of the best urban hikes in Asia, Dragon’s Back runs along a ridge, resembling its namesake, in Shek O Country Park. It’s a great way to escape Hong Kong’s concrete jungle and see stunning views of Shek O beach, Tai Long Wan (or Big Wave Bay), Tai Tam Bay, Stanley Peninsula, and the South China Sea.
A limestone peak behind the western shore of Hangzhou’s West Lake, Feilai Peak (Feilai Feng) stands out from the gentler slopes around it—so much so that its name, which means Peak Flying From Afar, commemorates the belief that it magically appeared from India. It’s home to over 500 Buddhist carvings, dating from the 10th to the 14th centuries.
Located in the silk capital of China, the Suzhou Silk Museum covers several thousand years of silk culture and development. The contemporary building houses galleries that showcase different aspects of silk and sericulture, including silkworm breeding, weaving, production, technology, trade, and examples of silk textiles, fashion, and products.
One of Hong Kong’s most popular dining, entertainment, and nightlife destinations, Lan Kwai Fong has the highest concentration of watering holes in the city: more than 100 restaurants, bars, and clubs are all crammed into just a few blocks. Conveniently located in Central, it’s where expats, locals, and visitors go to eat, drink, and be merry.
Namtso Lake is the second-largest salt lake in China and a major tourist attraction in Tibet. Its reflective blue waters are surrounded by snow-capped peaks and the occasional nomad camp. The lake sits at a high elevation—15,479 feet (4,718 meters)—and has spiritual significance for Tibetans.
See a more authentic side of Hong Kong in the vibrant working-class district of Sham Shui Po. Located in Kowloon, this district welcomes visitors and locals to shop for a wide variety of goods at bargain prices, enjoy one of the many traditional local eateries, check out the burgeoning art scene, and to go off the beaten path.
Take a step back in time at Daxu Old Town, one of the four ancient towns of Guangxi Province. Located on the eastern banks of the Li River, southeast of Guilin, the town is known for its cultural sights, historic architecture, and traditional artisan shops.
Set in the village of Jingsheng, not far from the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Pingyao, the Wang Family Courtyard is one of China’s largest non-royal historic residences. The sprawling complex, built by the Wang family in the 17th to 19th centuries, spans more than 60 acres (25 hectares), with ancestral halls, a temple, castles, a museum, and courtyard homes.
The lazy Yulong River winds through the heart of Baisha Ancient Town, a village dating back over 1,000 years set amid the spectacular karst landscape of the Guilin and Yangshuo area. In addition to occupying one of the most scenic points on the Yulong River, the town is known for its kumquats, exported throughout China.
The 88-story Two International Finance Centre (Two IFC), completed in 2003, is the second-tallest building in Hong Kong and the tallest on Hong Kong Island. Towering above the island skyline and standing apart from other skyscrapers, this Hong Kong Island landmark attracts visitors for its sweeping views and proximity to world-class shopping.
One of Xi'an’s newest attractions, the Xian Museum, stands nearby one of its oldest, the Small Wild Goose Pagoda, built around 707. The 15-tiered stone structure has witnessed centuries of history—a history on display in its neighboring museum through a collection of archaeological pieces, jade ornaments, calligraphy, and Buddhist art.
Two of Xian’s most iconic structures are the Bell and Drum Towers, and the square in between is a popular spot for mingling, from early morning exercise to evening people-watching. It’s possible to go inside the towers, learning all the layers of history they’ve seen since they were built in the Ming Dynasty. There are many places to eat and drink near this area, especially the Muslim Quarter, for a roast leg of lamb.
About 1,500 years old, the Shuanglin Temple complex is home to China’s largest collection of painted Chinese clay sculptures, which are intricately decorated and well-preserved. To place each collection of sculptures in context, each chamber is painted with dramatic backdrops depicting China’s varied landscapes.
The extensive Seven Star Park (Qixing Gongyuan)—arranged around the seven peaks from which it derives its name—ranks among Guilin’s oldest attractions. A pavilion sits atop Putuo Mountain in the center of the park, while Seven Star Cliff contains several illuminated caves. A fish pond and the Guilin City Zoo are popular with kids.
The oval-shaped National Center for the Performing Arts (NCPA is made from thousands of titanium plates combined with sheets of glass. Surrounded by an artificial lake, the structure looks like a giant egg floating on the water when viewed from afar. Opera, concert, and theater halls host national and international performances.
The largest of Hong Kong’s outlying islands, Lantau is twice the size of Hong Kong Island, yet it has only a fraction of the population. Where Hong Kong is an urban jungle of sorts, Lantau is a mostly quiet escape famous for its long beaches, traditional fishing villages, Buddhist monuments, outlet shopping, and mountainous interior popular with hikers. The northern tip of the island is home to both Hong Kong International Airport and Hong Kong Disneyland.
Set atop a mountain overlooking the rocky coast of Hong Kong Island, Ocean Park offers visitors white-knuckle thrills, family-friendly rides, and wildlife exhibits. A top draw for wildlife lovers, the zoo houses two giant pandas, and the aerial cable car ride to Thrill Mountain reveals unrivalled views of the Hong Kong peninsula.
Get up close and personal with the biggest names in film, television, music, sports, politics, history, and more at Madame Tussauds Hong Kong. Located on Victoria Peak, the Hong Kong branch of the world-famous Madame Tussauds features more than 10 interactive zones and over 100 incredibly lifelike wax figures.
Meijiawu Tea Village, just west of West Lake, is a top producer of Longjing (Dragon Well) tea, considered one of the finest teas in China and the world. Surrounded by mountains, valleys, and streams, Meijiawu Tea Village is a picturesque locale where visitors can learn all about the heritage, production, and benefits of Longjing tea.
The Mausoleum of the First Qin Emperor (Qin Shi Huang Tomb) houses China’s first emperor, Qin Shi Huang. It reportedly took nearly four decades to complete in the third century BC with a workforce of hundreds of thousands of people. Emperor Qin was entombed here, surrounded by his now famous terracotta army, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Little of the tomb itself has been excavated.
In a city full of striking skyscrapers, Lippo Centre stands out with its unusual design. Nicknamed the “Koala Tree” for its resemblance to koalas climbing a tree, the building, which was designed by American architect Paul Rudolph, consists of two office towers with a large common atrium and a 4-story retail podium at its base.
Located just north of Tiananmen Square in the center of Beijing is the monumental Gate of Heavenly Peace (Tiananmen Tower. Originally built during the Ming Dynasty as an entrance to the Imperial City, today it’s a national symbol of modern China, and one of the most popular tourist attractions in the city.
Go back in time to visit Xizhou, an ancient village town near Dali in Yunnan. People of Bai ethnicity live here and have preserved their culture, architecture, and local delicacies, like Xizhou Baba, a savory or sweet bread. Some well-preserved Bai houses are dated to the Ming Dynasty. Visitors can barter at the large daily market, explore the tea culture, make local tie-dye textiles, and much more.
With soaring-eaved roofs and timber-framed homes threaded with lanterns, Shaxi Ancient Town (Shaxizhen) represents the China that time forgot. Lovingly preserved since its era as a market town on the Tea Horse Road, highlights include the Ming Dynasty Xingjiao Temple and the Yujin stone arch bridge. Try and catch a Chinese opera performance or the lively Friday market.
Climbing Mt. Everest may not be physically (or financially) possible for many travelers, but laying eyes on the world’s tallest peak from Mt. Everest Base Camp in Tibet is. A visit to the Tibet Autonomous Region wouldn’t be complete without an excursion to take in the spectacular view of Everest’s north face. All tourists come here on tours, as these are required for travel in Tibet.
