China attractions

A 7-story tower that looks deceivingly taller, the Six Harmonies Pagoda (Liuhe Pagoda) was constructed in 970 to ward off evil spirits believed to be responsible for the Qiantang River’s tidal bore. The pagoda is a masterpiece of ancient Chinese architecture and an enduring symbol of the city of Hangzhou.

Located at the northernmost part of Hong Kong Island, and east of Causeway Bay, is the North Point District. Formerly an industrial area, North Point is primarily a residential neighborhood, but one that offers great dining options, bustling wet markets, historic landmarks, and other hidden gems off the beaten path.

White Cloud Mountain (Baiyun Shan, Baiyun Mountain, or Mt. Baiyun), located just north of Guangzhou City, gets its name from the wreath of wispy clouds that circle the mountaintop after a heavy rain. A visit to the mountain and the surrounding 17-square-mile (44-square-kilometer) park area is a popular way to stretch your legs, take in some fresh air, and escape the busy city.

Yangshuo Park, located in central Yangshuo, is a favorite hangout of local residents, who come to the park to exercise, play games such as chess or mah-jongg, sing and dance, or relax and unwind. It’s an easy place to escape the tourist crowds of West Street and to spend a few hours relaxing and enjoying life as the locals do.

When the Tianjin Eye opened to the public in 2008, it became—and remains—Earth’s tallest observation wheel to be built over a bridge. The 394-foot (120-meter) wheel straddles the Hai River above the Yongle Bridge, offering stellar views of this city that is home to some 14 million people. One rotation around the wheel takes about 30 minutes. From the top, it’s possible to see up to 25 miles (40 kilometers) away on a clear day.

The Chengde Mountain Resort is located just north of the city of Chengde and is China's largest imperial garden. The former summer residence of the Qing dynasty’s emperors and royal members, this vast complex took almost a whole century to complete, with construction taking place between 1703 and 1792. The imperial grounds include the emperor's residential buildings plus the royal gardens and a number of striking temples. The various styles of the buildings and landscapes appear to blend in with the surrounding lakes, mountains, and forest.

Get a glimpse of traditional culture at Yuen Po Street Bird Garden, where Hong Kong’s bird lovers gather to socialize, shop, and show off their songbirds. Designed in the style of a traditional Chinese garden, the garden also features numerous stalls selling everything you need to take care of birds—including the birds themselves.

When the Casino Lisboa first opened in 1970 it set the stage for the gambling legacy that continues to power Macau’s economy to this day. Macau’s original casino, designed to resemble a towering lotus leaf, is home to a hotel, four gaming floors, shopping arcade, restaurants, a swimming pool, and a Parisian-style cabaret show.

Across the water from Hong Kong Island on the tip of the Kowloon Peninsula, Tsim Sha Tsui (TST) is a buzzing, dynamic district that encapsulates Hong Kong’s diversity. From the Indian restaurants and martial arts schools in Chungking Mansions to fascinating museums and luxurious hotels, this is Hong Kong in all its glorious color.

Nathan Road, one of Kowloon’s main thoroughfares, runs in a south-north direction from Tsim Sha Tsui to Sham Shui Po. It’s a shopper’s paradise, where you can find everything from large malls to designer boutiques to electronics shops, as well as extensive dining, entertainment, and nightlife options.

The inverted scarlet pyramid that towers over Pudong isn’t just an icon of Shanghai. It’s home to one of Asia’s largest art museums, including works previously housed at the Shanghai Art Museum. Spread across several huge floors, the China Art Palace tells the story of the rise of modern art in Shanghai and hosts world-class exhibitions.

At the West Sea Grand Canyon (Xihai Grand Canyon, a network of steep steps leads travelers through ever-changing landscapes of pine forests and rocky crags, offering incredible views over Xihai. The scenic area offers some of the best scenery on the already scenic Yellow Mountain (Huangshan.

Home to more than 450 species spread across nine different zones, from the deep ocean to China, the Shanghai Ocean Aquarium (SOA) is one of Asia’s largest aquariums and the country’s best. Expect to see everything from jellyfish and sharks to Yangtze alligators, Humboldt penguins, and giant stingrays—as well as one of the world’s longest aquarium tunnels.

If you’ve ever wanted to see the world in an hour or two, you can do it at Window of the World in Shenzhen. This theme park features 130 miniature replicas of the planet’s most famous cultural and natural landmarks: the Eiffel Tower, Leaning Tower of Pisa, Pyramids of Giza, Sydney Opera House, Niagara Falls, Matterhorn Mountain, and more.

The former home of Du Fu, one of China’s most revered and influential poets, this 24-acre (10-hectare) park and museum is now dedicated to his life and legacy. Inside, you can see examples of his work, while the ground’s lush gardens and pretty streams provide a peaceful respite from the hustle and bustle of Chengdu.

A few hours north of Chongqing on the north banks of the Yangtze River sits one of the most bizarre (and bizarrely popular with Chinese tourists) sites in China: Fengdu Ghost City. This temple complex atop a hill overlooking the river offers a vivid representation of the three tests that the dead must pass to enter the netherworld.

Located on the 100th floor of the International Commerce Centre (ICC), Hong Kong’s tallest building, Sky100 Hong Kong Observation Deck is the city's highest observation deck at 1,289 feet (393 meters) above sea level. It’s also the only indoor observation deck in Hong Kong offering 360-degree views of Hong Kong and Victoria Harbour.

Shenzhen’s Splendid China Folk Village theme park comprises an array of miniature replicas of China’s most famous landmarks, each about one-fifteenth the size of its real-life counterpart. Among the famous sights depicted are the Terracotta Army, Great Wall of China, Forbidden City, Summer Palace, West Lake, and a mini Li River.

The Eastern Qing Tombs (Qing Dong Ling) are the largest and best preserved mausoleum complex in China. A UNESCO World Heritage site, the complex of 15 tombs and more than 500 structures contains the remains of 5 emperors, 15 empresses, 3 princes, 2 princesses, and 136 imperial concubines of the Qing Dynasty (1644 to 1911).

The philosopher Confucius was born into Qufu’s Kong family in 551 BC: his most common Chinese name is Kongfuzi. The Kong Family Mansion (Kong Fu), also known as the Confucius Mansion, is one of three Confucian sites in Qufu to share a UNESCO World Heritage listing: the sprawling, 17-acre (7-hectare) complex comprises more than 480 rooms.

Sichuan food (known in Chinese as Chuancai is one of China’s eight great cuisines. The Museum of Sichuan Cuisine (Chuancai Museum outside Chengdu pays tribute to its spicy delights. Enjoy a range of displays, hands-on activities, tastings, a shop, an enormous temple of the kitchen god, and (of course cooking classes.

Located on bustling Nanjing West Road, and surrounded by modern skyscrapers and shopping malls, Jing’an Temple lives up to its name as the Temple of Peace and Tranquility. Escape from the hustle bustle of Shanghai, learn about the long history of the temple, and admire its impressive statues and relics.

Nine-century-old Zhouzhuang Water Town, the oldest water township in China and one of the most famous, comprises a network of scenic canals, 14 stone bridges, and well-preserved buildings from the Ming and Qing dynasties. The late Chinese painter Chen Yifei immortalized the village in his paintings.

The holiest of China’s five sacred mountains and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Mt. Tai (Tai Shan or Taishan) towers over Shandong province, its slopes lined with temples, gates, archways, and pavilions. Pilgrims flock to follow in the footsteps of emperors, climb the 6,660 steps linking heaven and earth, and marvel at ancient trees, including 2,100-year-old cypresses.

This impressive museum provides unprecedented access to the science, history, and cultural heritage of the Three Gorges region near the Yangtze River. Exhibits showcase traditional painting, calligraphy, and porcelain, as well as ancient coins and sculpture from the Han Dynasty, traditional costumes, and artifacts from southwest China.

One of nine classical Chinese gardens in Suzhou that share a UNESCO World Heritage listing, the Lion Grove Garden (Shizilin) takes its name from its fantastical rock formations, which many believe resemble dancing lions. With its tranquil pavilions, and tangled webs of pines, cypress, and rock, it feels like a sacred mountain.

China’s signature river trip, a Three Gorges (Sanxia) cruise is the defining experience of the Yangtze, Asia’s longest river. Famed for their beauty for more than 1,000 years, the Three Gorges have been reshaped by the rising waters of the Three Gorges Dam. But the magic of Qutang Gorge, Wu Gorge, and Xiling Gorge endures.

Qinghefang Ancient Street, the best-preserved historical street in Hangzhou, stretches 1,575 feet (480 meters). East of West Lake, it’s a great place to shop, dine, and appreciate classical architecture. A number of buildings are from the Ming (1380–1644) and Qing (1644–1912) dynasties, and some of the shops date back hundreds of years.

An art deco masterpiece on the Bund, the Fairmont Peace Hotel (Heping Fandian), with its distinctive green copper pyramid roof, has been a Shanghai landmark, and a favorite of celebrities and dignitaries, since 1929. Originally the Cathay Hotel, it became the Peace Hotel in 1956 and reopened in 2010 as the Fairmont Peace Hotel.

In the modern metropolis of Hong Kong, you’re never short on options for how to get around. For a really authentic Hong Kong experience, though, you should ride the Hong Kong Tramways at least once. The tramways are one of the city’s earliest forms of public transportation, plus one of the most eco-friendly and cost-effective.