The third-largest country in the world, with the world’s largest population, China is famous for many things. Most notably the Great Wall of China and the Forbidden City.
But it has so much more to offer, and this birthplace of tea leaves, gunpowder, papermaking, and the compass is sure to delight visitors of all ages and cultures.
Visit Ancient Sites
The Great Wall of China and the Forbidden City are top tourist attractions, unlike any other. Be sure to include them on your Chinese travel itinerary. However, although these are the best known, they are far from the only sites of historic value.
The famous terracotta warrior army discovered in the city of Xi'an in China's Shaanxi province now stands guard over a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Visit this museum and learn more about this fascinating archaeological find.
Do Tai Chi In The Park
Tai Chi is a gentle martial arts form that is practiced by millions of Chinese daily. We found this to be a wonderful way to start the day, in the Temple of Heaven Park in Beijing.
Tai Chi is considered to have many benefits, for one’s physical as well as mental health. It’s suitable for all ages, and slow focused movements are a form of meditation. When you’re tired of sightseeing and need to recharge your body and mind, give this ancient art form a go.
Cruise The Yangtze River
Passing through 10 provinces, the Yangtze River is the third-longest in the world. We saw several historic sites on our journey on this mighty waterway. Some of China’s most impressive recent technological achievements are also based around this river.
The abundance of natural vegetation, rocky outcrops, and deep valley gorges that graced our journey made it all the more enjoyable. If you love to explore the great outdoors as much as we do, include a river cruise on your trip.
Tour The Summer Palace
The Summer Palace, once the getaway destination of China’s imperial families, is now a popular tourist getaway. Surrounded by landscaped gardens and restful lakes, it's the ideal spot for some quiet contemplation.
We found it gets very busy in the afternoon, so schedule your visit for the morning hours to escape the crowds. And if strolling the gardens makes you work up an appetite, there’s tea and light refreshments on sale too.
Be Amazed By The Reed Flute Cave
The Reed Flute Cave was one of the highlights of our Chinese travels. It's an exhibition of natural rock formations, lit up to display their rugged beauty, and we know you’ll love it too.
The lights in this cave may be of a more recent addition, but the stalactite and stalagmite limestone formations date back millennia.
Stroll Through The Suzhou Gardens
The Gardens of Suzhou are another natural gem. These gardens can be explored on foot or by boat, but we found that the boat ride was the most pleasant option.
With 10 gardens awaiting your admiration, set aside at least 3-4 hours to navigate the area. And while you’re there, why not have a picnic lunch while you take in the views?
Get Up Close To A Panda
Panda bears are native to China so this is the only place you’ll find them in the wild. They are regarded as a national treasure though so you’ll find them in many zoos and animal sanctuaries as well.
If you want to see these cute black and white bears, we highly recommend checking out the Sichuan Giant Panda Sanctuaries in Sichuan province.
Explore China
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