Formerly a sleepy fishing village along the Li River, Xingping town (or Xingping village) is now a popular visitor destination for its rural landscape and well-preserved ancient architecture. Hiking and biking are popular ways to soak in the scenery, and Xingping is also the starting point of many river cruises as it’s on an especially beautiful stretch of the Li River.
The Yulong River, also known as the Little Li River, is the largest tributary of the Li River, and it runs 26 miles (43 kilometers) across Yangshuo county. The river flows past limestone karsts, bamboo forests, rice paddies, ancient villages, and stone bridges. Floating down the river, or hiking or biking next to it, provides up-close views.
One of Guangzhou’s most significant historical attractions, the Chen Clan Ancestral Hall (also known as the Chen Clan Academy) dates to the late 19th century. The large campus comprises 19 buildings, and was initially built as an academic temple complex. Today, the striking landmark is home to the Guangdong Folk Art 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.
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.
China's Chimelong Safari Park—among the largest wild animal parks in the world—is home to some 20,000 animals and is presently the only zoo in the country to be awarded the 5A class tourist attraction level, the highest level attainable. More than 500 species are represented, including giant pandas, black rhinos, and Chinese white tigers.
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 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.
At the top of Luhuitou Mountain, south of Sanya, Luhuitou Park (“deer look back”) was named after a traditional love story. It's the only mountaintop park near Sanya and offers spectacular views over Sanya and the South China Sea, making it a popular destination for sunset.
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.
Situated in northeast Guilin, beautiful Fubo Hill (Fubo Shan) sits half in and half out of the Li River, causing the passing water to swirl and lending it its other name: “Wave-Subduing Hill.” With a height of 695 feet (213 meters), Fubo Hill offers spectacular views of the city and river views from its summit.
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.
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.
Among Guangzhou’s most significant religious landmarks, the Buddhist Temple of the Six Banyan Trees dates back to AD 537 and is still active today, with a community of monks. Visitors marvel at the vibrantly painted exterior of the temple’s Flower Pagoda, which soars some 187 feet (57 meters) high.
Jingjiang Wangcheng City, also called the Jingjiang Mansion, was the seat of the Jingjiang Family, who reigned in this part of China between 1368 and 1644. The mansion was designed to function as the inner city of Guilin, with extensive halls, pavilions, and more than 40 secondary buildings surrounding the main mansion.
Built in 1988 to commemorate 2,000 years of Buddhist history in China, Nanshan Temple and the surrounding Buddhism Cultural Zone serve as a window into China’s rich Buddhist heritage. The temple is situated at the foot of Nanshan Mountain, and its architecture was heavily influenced by the Tang Dynasty.
One of the main attractions along Yangshuo’s scenic “Ten Mile Gallery,” this large, ancient tree is said to be over 1,400 years old. At 56 feet (17 meters) tall and with a trunk 23 feet (7 meters) around, this massive tree covers an area of nearly 11,000 square feet (1,000 square meters).
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.
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.
Also known as the Dragon Bridge, the 600-year-old Yulong Bridge stands amid hundreds of tall karst peaks, rural mudbrick villages, rice paddies, and grazing water buffalo. The 197-foot-long (60-meter-long) single-arched bridge—the largest of its kind in Guangxi Province—is shaped like a rainbow bending its way over the languid Yulong River.
Wuzhizhou Coral Island, a former fishing village, ranks among Sanya’s most scenic beach destinations. The tiny butterfly-shaped island, ringed by soft, white sand beaches, gets its name from the colorful coral reefs just off the beach, where divers and snorkelers head to spot conchs, sea urchins, and a host of tropical fish.
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.
While the Yulong Bridge is the largest single-arch bridge in the province and the Xiangui Bridge is the oldest passage across the Yulong River, the Fuli Bridge is the tallest span. When seen from a distance, the bridge’s high arched back and the reflection it creates in the water form a perfect circle, called a full moon by locals.
Boasting an impressive 70 rides and attractions, Chimelong Paradise is China’s largest amusement park and holds numerous world records, with many of its rides imported from abroad and made with the latest amusement park technologies. Daily live performances and a 4D theater round out the entertainment offerings.
Rising 217 feet (66 meters), Solitary Beauty Peak (Duxiu Feng) has been a famous scenic spot in Guilin since ancient times. Also known as the “Pillar of the Southern Sky,” it’s one of the area’s highest peaks. Climb to the pavilion at the peak to take in sweeping views over the city.
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.
Zipping over the waves, TurboJET’s fleet of scarlet hydrofoil ferries link Hong Kong and China’s Shenzhen area to Macau in a fraction of the time (or carbon cost) of flying. Services nip between Hong Kong’s Sheung Wan and Macau’s Outer Harbour day and night in a little under an hour. Other routes run shorter and less frequent schedules.
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.
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.
The highest of the bizarre rock formations that jut up from either side of the Li River is Yao Mountain at nearly 3,000 feet (900 meters. Views from the peak extend out over the hills, rice fields, and rural villages outside of Guilin. The peak was named after the Yaoshan Emperor Temple, which can be found about halfway up the mountain.
