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Tourist Cities in China
The following chart contains a list of popular tourist destinations in China. Please click on each city in the chart for a detailed description:
Beijing
Beijing is the capital of the People’s Republic of China, and it is the nation’s center of government, economy, culture, and international activities, as well as a transportation hub. It has 18 districts and counties, with an area of 16,800 square kilometers and a population of 11 million.
Beijing has a long history. As early as 500,000 years ago, Peking Man lived there. It is also an ancient cultural city. It was established in 1045 B.C and for 800 years served as the capital of the Liao, Jin, Yuan, Ming, and Qing dynasties
Beijing is also known as a tourist city for its many places of interest, including ancient buildings, royal gardens, temples, palaces, and modern structures. It is a gathering place of artists and other people of talent. Urban construction has brought new changes to Beijing, making it both an ancient and a modern metropolis.
Major Attractions:
The Great Wall is a symbol of the ancient Chinese civilization. It was built as a defensive structure. Stretching 6,350 kilometers, it is classified as a World Cultural Heritage. The best preserved and most imposing section of the wall is at Badaling, 80 kilometers north of Beijing, but the magnitude and beauty of the wall can also be seen at Jinshanling, Mutianyu, and Simatai.
Palace Museum of Beijing, formerly known as the Forbidden City, lies in the center of Beijing. Built between 1406 and 1420. It served as the imperial palace for the Ming and Qing dynasties. It has 9,000 halls and rooms, containing many precious relics. It is the largest palace in the world and one of the mankind’s major cultural legacies.
The Ming Tombs covering an area of 40 square kilometers, the Ming Tombs is a group of mausoleums of 13 Ming emperors and their empresses and concubines. Two of the tombs, Changling and Dingling, are open to the public. The most famous is the Dingling, an underground palace.
Tian’anmen Square located in the center of Beijing, Tian’anmen Square covers 400,000 square meters. It is the largest city square in the world. Tian’anmen(the Gate of Heavenly Peace), was the front gateway to the imperial palace in the Ming and Qing dynasties. A picture of Tian’anmen is at the center of the Chinese national emblem. The inauguration ceremony of the People’s Republic of China was held at Tian’anmen on October1, 1949.
Zhongshan Park and People’s Cultural Park were the Ming and Qing royal temples for ancestor worship and served as parks in 1914 and 1924 respectively.
The Temple of Heaven, Bulit in 1420, is the place where emperors of the Ming and Qing emperors would pray to Heaven for good harvests. It is the largest temple complex in China.
Yonghegong Lamasery, built in 1694, the Yonghegong Lamasery is the largest lamasery in Beijing. In the tower there is a standing figure of the Buddhist saint Maitreya carved in sandalwood, eight meters in diameter and 26 meters tall.
Jingshan Park used to be a royal garden of the Ming and Qing dynasties. Jingshan Park is located adjacent to the Palace Museum. It is the best place for a panoramic view of the whole city.
The Summer Palace was an imperial palace and a royal garden of the Qing Dynasty. It is an outstanding example of imperial gardens in classical Chinese style.
Beihai Park was the imperial garden of the Liao, Jin, Yuan, Ming, and Qing dynasties. It is one of the oldest of the Chinese gardens.
Yuanmingyuan was an imposing imperial palace built during the reigns of Emperor Kang Xi and Qian Long of the Qing Dynasty. Unfortunately, it was destroyed by foreign invaders. The ruins of Yuanmingyuan are well preserved and are open to the public.
Beijing Zoo is the oldest zoo in China and has a wide variety of animals, including the giant panda, the golden monkey, the white-lipped deer, the red-crowned crane, and many rare animals from other parts of the world.
Marco Polo Bridge, built in 1189, is the oldest and the grandest arch bridge in Beijing, spanning the Yongding River in southwestern Beijing. It was here that the war of resistance against Japan began.
Hutongs are a special feature of downtown Beijing, where there are 4,550 of them. A Hutong is a kind of lane lined on both sides by courtyards containing compound houses. The best-preserved Hutongs are those around the Mansion of Prince Yixin. Riding in old-fashioned pedicabs through these Hutongs is something special for your Beijing trip.
The Ancient Observatory, the Temple of the earth, Fragrant Hills Park, the ruins of the Chinese Ape-man, the China Ethnic Culture Park, the Big Bell Temple, the World Park, the Grand View Garden, Taoranting Park, the Temple of Pool and Cudrania, and Longqing Gorge.
Chengde
Chengde, 230 kilometers from Beijing, is one of ancient cities listed by the State, and is one of the ten national-class scenic spots. In 1994, the Mountain Resort and its surrounding temples were designated as a World Cultural Heritage by UNESCO. Chengde has convenient transportation. Tourist trains and regular buses shuttle between Chengde and Beijing.
Major Attractions:
The Mountain Resort, also named the Temporary Imperial Dwelling Palace in Rehe, the Mountain Resort was built during the reigns of Emperors Kang Xi and Qian Long of the Qing Dynasty. It has 120 ancient buildings, such as pavilions, towers, and temples.
The Eight Outer Monasteries were built in groups on the eastern and northern slopes of the Mountain Resort. The glistening gilted tiles and grandiose construction show a harmonic combination of many architectural styles. There are Puning Temple, Putuo Zongcheng Temple, and Pule Temple.
Mulan Hunting Ground was formerly an imperial hunting ground and is now a national park.
Chengdu
Chengdu, the capital of Sichuan Province, covers an area of 12,400 square kilometers and has a population of 9.6 million. It is located in the western Sichuan Basin, and is a center of science and technology, commerce and trade, finance and a transportation hub, as well as telecommunications center in southwestern China.
Chengdu abounds in natural resources and has a mild climate. It has many places of interest, and it is famous worldwide for its traditional arts and crafts, ethnic folklore, and beautiful landscapes.
Chengdu enjoys an advantageous geographical location. The Shuangliu International Airport is one of the six largest airports in China; the Chengdu Railway Station is the largest transportation center in southwestern China and is the convergin point of the Baoji-Chengdu, Chengdu-Chongqing, and Chengdu-Kunming railway lines. It has easy access to the Three Gorges on the Changjiang River in the east, and Tibet, Jiuzhaigou, and Huanglong Temple in the west, the Terra-cotta Warriors of Xi’an in the north, and Mt. Emei and the Giant Buddha of Leshan in the south.
Major Attraction:
Du Fu’s Thatched Hut is the former residence of the Tang Dynasty poet Du Fu, who lived in Chengdu for three years and nine months from the year759. During this time, Du Fu wrote 240 poems. The hut consists of the office, the hall of poetry and history, the wicker gate, and the temple in Memory of Minister of Works.
The Temple of Marquis Wu was built in the 6th century for the royal chancellor Zhuge Liang of the Kingdom of Shu during the Three Kingdoms period.
Panda City located in northern suburban Chengdu, the Panda City covers an area of 600,000 square meters. It is the home of 20 jiant pandas.
Dujiang Dam, built 2,000 years ago is one of the four famous water-conservation projects of ancient China.
Mt. Qingcheng is one of the sacred places of Taoism.There are many Taoist relics and ancient sites on the mountain.
Other attractions include Wangjianglou Park, the Institute of Wisdom, Baoguang Temple, Chengdu Zoo, and Qingyang Palace.
Chongqing
Chongqing, located in the southeastern part of the Sichuan Basin, where the Changjiang River and Jialing River meet, is the largest industrial and commercial city in southwestern China and economic center of the upper reaches of the Changjiang River. It is a metropolis under the direct jurisdiction of the Central Government. Called “YU?for short, Chongqing was established some 3,000 years ago. It is also known as a city of mountains, rivers, and fog. Chongqing is most attractive at night. It has many places of interest in both urban and rural areas. Traveling eastward along the Changjiang River, one can enjoy the magnificent Three Gorges.
Major Attractions:
Dazu Grottoe, situated 168 kilometers from downtown Chongqing, is another outstanding example of later Chinese grotto art. There are more than 100 cliff carvings containing 60,000 sculptures.
Jinyun Mountain is fifty-five kilometers from downtown Chongqing. Jinjyn Mountain, alson known as the lesser Mt. Emei, is a state-level scenic spot.
The Three Gorges is 193 kilometers long on the Changjiang River, extending from Baidicheng of Fengjie County in the west to Nanjinguan of Yichang City in the east. It consists of Qutang, Wuxia, and Xiling gorges. Chongqing is the best launching place for a cruise trip down through the Three Gorges. Fifty or so luxury boats shuttle between Chongqing, Yichang, and Wuhan.
Night view of Chongqing
Chongqing is known as a city of mountains. As night falls, people can get a panoramic view of the whole city in Pipashan Park or Eling Park.
Other attractions include the Four-Sided Mountain, the Wansheng Stone Forest, and the North Hot-Spring Park.
Dalian
Dalian, located at the southern tip of the Liaodong Peninsula, is important as a port and as an industrial and tourist city. Dalian has a long coastline and is surrounded on three sides by the sea and small islands. Dalian’s mild climate and clean and beautiful environment make the city an ideal holiday resort. Every year, Dalian sees many international events and activities.
Major Attractions:
Dalian Beach is a tourist attraction and summer resort of national caliber. Stretching 31 kilometers, the beach has many scenic spots, such as the Wooden-Club Isle, Fujiazhuang, Mt. Baiyun, Xinghai Park, and Black-Rock Reefs.
Lushunkou Scenic Spot is a state-level scenic spot. The ruins of the Japanese-Russian War can be found here.
Jinshitan Summer Resort situated along the banks of the Yellow Sea, the resort commands a breathtaking landscape including mountains covered with lush vegetation, reefs in various shapes, a seaside with soft clean sand, and rippling eater in the blue sea. The resort has a bathing beach and an 18-hole golf course.
Other attractions include Xinghai Park, Mt. Laotie, Snake Island, and the murals in the Han Tombs.
Datong
Datong, located in northern Shanxi Province, is an ancient cultural city dating back to 2,000 years and known at home and abroad for its many places of interest, such as the Yuangang Grottoes and the Overhanging Monastery on Mt. Hengshan.
Major Attractions:
Yungang Grottoes, built more than 1,500 years ago during the Northern Wei Dynasty, are a treasure-house of ancient Buddhist art with its 53 rock caves and 51,000 statues. It is as famous as the Mogao Grottoes in Dunhuang, Gansu Province, and the Longmen Grottoes in Luoyang, Henan Province.
Mt. Hengshan is one of the five most famous mountains in China. Mt. Hengshan is magnificent, with precipitous cliffs, old pines, and hills upon hills. There are many relics in the mountain, among which the Overhanging Monastery built 1,400 years ago, it is the most famous.
Yingxian Wooden Pagoda, built 900 years ago, during the mid-Liao Dynasty, is the oldest and the highest wooden pagoda in China.
Other attractions include the Upper and Lower Huayan Temples, the Nine-Dragon Wall, Shanhua Temple, and the Great Wall.
Guangzhou
Guangzhou, the capital of Guangdong Province, stands along the banks of the South China Sea. It is a famous ancient cultural city, a port city for foreign trade, and the largest industrial and commercial city in southern China. Guangzhou has a humid climate, and flowers bloom there all year round, hence its name as the City of Flowers.
There are 150 historical sites and many modern facilities for recreation in Guangzhou. The city is also famous for embroidery, local opera, and food. Guangzhou has convenient transportation. The Beijing-Guangzhou and the Beijing-Kowloon railways link Guangzhou with all the other big cities in China. Highways, airlines, and water transportation provide easy access to all parts of the country and the world.
Major Attractions:
The Chen Family Temple was built with funds raised by the Chen families in 72 counties of Guangdong Province. It is a representative work of art of traditional architecture in the ancient Guangdong and Guangxi regions.
The Six-Banyan Monastery is a well-known attration in Guangzhou. The compound includes an ancient pagoda and three huge bronze Buddhist statues, the tallest in the city of Guangzhou.
Mt. Baiyun is a scenic spot in suburban Guangzhou. In the mountain, there are a tropical botanic garden, the Bright Pearl Tower, the Nengren Temple, and the Nine Dragons Hot Spring.
Yuexiu Park, located on the beautiful Yuexiu Mountain, is the largest park in Guangzhou.
Sun Yat-sen’s Memorial Hall is an octagonal structure built with money raised by overseas Chinese and Guangzhou residents in honor of Dr. Sun Yat-sen.
The Oriental Amusement Park, lying at the foot of Mt. Baiyun, is a large modern recreation center.
Mt. Dinghu is eighty-six kilometers east of Guangzhou. Mt. Dinghu is a state-level reserve, with 2,000 species of rare plants.
Guilin
Guilin is an ancient city on the shore of the mesmerizing Lijiang River in northeastern Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region. The serene mountains, sparkling waters, and exotic rocks typical of the karsts landmass in the Lijiang River basin have inspired the saying that goes “The landscape of Guilin is unmatched under heaven.?/P>
Major Attraction:
The Lijiang River is 83 kilometers long, that runs from Guilin to Yangshuo, forming an outstanding feature of the beautiful landscape in Guilin.
Yangshuo is a paradise enhanced by beautiful natural landscape. Hence the saying, “The landscape of Yangshuo is unmatched in Guilin.?/P>
The Reed-Flute Rock is a wonderful limestone cave with a large number of stalactites, stalagmites, stiletto-stalagmites, rocky curtains, and cave corals.
Seven-Star Park is the largest park in Gulin.
The Mountain of Splendid Hues consists of many layers of variously colored rocks.
Elephant-Trunk Hill looks very much like a giant elephant, drinking water with its trunk. It is the symbol of the city of Guilin.
Lingqu Canal, dug in 214 B.C., is one of the three biggest water conservation projects of ancient China and the oldest existing canal in the world.
Other attractions include Duxiu Peak, Nanxi Park, the Taohua River, the Giant Banyan, and the Huashan-Lijiang National Folklore Park.
Hangzhou
Hangzhou is the capital of Zhejiang Province. It is located along the banks of the Qiantang River and at the southern end of the Beijing-Hangzhou Grand Canal. One of the Seven Capitals of Ancient China, Hangzhou is an ancient cultural city and a major tourist city famous for the beautiful scenery on the West Lake. In the 13th century, Marco Polo praised Hangzhou as the most beautiful city in world. Hangzhou is also famous for silk and tea.
Major Attractions:
The West Lake is so named because it is located west of the city of Hangzhou. It is surrounded by mountains on three sides. There are many places of interest in the lake area.
Thousand-island Lake, 160 kilometers from downtown Hangzhou, is located in the Fuchun-Xin’an River region, a state-level scenic spot. There are 1,078 islands of various sizes on the upper reaches of the Fuchun River. That’s how the lake got its name.
Temple of the Soul’s Retreat, lying at the foot of Mt. Lingyin (the Soul’s Retreat), is one of the most famous ancient Buddhist temples in China.
The pagoda of Six Harmonies, 60 meters tall, was built in 970. Made of brick and wood, it is a representative masterpiece of ancient Chinese architecture. The top floor of the pagoda provides a panoramic view of the tough-and-tumble Qiantang River.
Chinese Silk Museum, a national institution, tells the story of the Chinese silk industry over the last 5,000 years.
Hu Qingyu’s Hall is the only museum of traditional Chinese medical herbs in China.
Chinese Tea Museum houses relics that tells the history of Chinese tea. Visitors can also enjoy drinking various teas.
General Yue Fei’s Tomb lies at the southern foot of the Qisia Mountain Range. General Yue Fei (1103-1142) is a national hero of the southern Song Dynasty.
Song City is a multi-functional cultural center built based on the architectural characteristics of the Song Dynasty.
Other attractions include Feilai Peak, Yanxia Cave, Nine Streams, and Yunxi.
Huangshan
The City of Huangshan, founded in 1983, is located in southern Anhui Province. It has three districts and four counties. Mt. Huangshan enjoys worldwide fame for its beauty. There are many places of interest around the mountain, such as the well-preserved houses, archways, temples, bridges, and streets. Famous local products include She Ink stones, Hui Ink, loquat fruit, and MaoFeng Tea.
Hefei is capital of Anhui Province, 194 kilometers from the city of Huangshan. The Huangshan Airport has regular connections to Beijing, Shanghai, Hangzhou, Guangzhou, Shenzhen, and HongKong. Huangshan also has convenient land transportation.
Major Attraction:
Mt. Huangshan Scenic Spot is the only mountainous scenic spot among China’s ten most famous scenic spots. Mt. Huangshan is celebrated for having all the wonders of mountain scenery; spectacular rocky peaks, odd-shaped pines, crystal-clear mountain springs, and seas of clouds. It has been listed as a World Natural and Cultural Heritage.
Ancient Street in Tunxi is 1.5 kilometer long. It was built in the Southern Song Dynasty. The street is lined on both sides with buildings in the Ming and Qing styles and has become a commercial center.
Shexian County, built 2,000 years ago is one of the ancient cultural cities of China. Shexian County used to be a commercial center of Anhui Province. There are a great number of relics and historical sites, such as the archways in Tangyue, and the stone arches in Xuguo.
Yixian County is famous for well-preserved ancient villages and dwellings built during the Ming and Song Dynasties.
Mt. Qiyun, towering in the Xiuning County of Huandshan, is a state-level scenic spot. It is known as one of the four sacred places for Taoism, the other three being Mt. Longhu in Jiangxi, Mt. Wudang in Hubei, and Mt. Heming in Sichuan.
Kunming
Kunming, an ancient cultural city, is the capital of Yunnan Province. It is situated 1,894 meters above sea level, with an annual mean temperature of 14.5 cc, hence its name “the City of Perpetual Spring.?Kunming has 3.5 million residents. It has 26 ethnic peoples including Han, Yi, Bai, Hani, Zhuang, Dai, and Miao. It is one of Southeast Asia’s transportation hubs, with convenient land and air connections. Kunming is known for its rich tourist resources, mild climate, beautiful plateau landscape, long history, and ethnic folklore. It is known as the Kingdom of Animals, plants, and Non-ferrous Metals.
Major Attractions:
Stone Forest consists of exceptionally beautiful limestone formations. In a 350 square kilometers area, there are oddly-shaped peaks, waterfalls, caves, and lakes.
Dianchi Lake, lying at the foot of the West Mountain in Kunming, covers an area of 320 square kilometers, surrounded by 10 scenic spots.
West Mountain, rising on the western shore of Dianchi Lake, on the southwestern outskirts of Kunming, is a large nature reserve with many places of interest, such as the Longmen and Tiange grottoes.
Grand View Pavilion on the southern tip of the Grand View Park in western Kunming was built in 1690 and rebuilt in 1866. The doorposts are inscribed with 180-word couplets in the handwriting of the popular Qing Dynasty poet Sun Ranwong.
Village of Ethnic Culture, located on the northern side of Dianchi Lake, serves as a window through which people learn about the life styles of the 26 ethnic peoples.
Jiuxiang Dcenic Spot is 90 kilometers away from downtown Kunming. This scenic spot has over 100 limestone caves. It is a national-level scenic spot with the greatest number of limestone caves of any scenic spot in China.
Other attractions include Yuantong Buddhist Temple, the Golden Hall, Cuihu Park, the Blace-Dragon Pool, and the Ancient Alu Caves.
Lhasa
The Tibet Autonomous Region is known worldwide as the Roof of the World for its average elevation of 4,000 meters above sea level. Tibet is charming, with its beautiful landscape, brilliant culture, and mysterious folklore.
Lhasa, the capital of the Tibet Autonomous Region, is located along the banks of the Lhasa River, a tributary of the Yarlung Zangbo River. It was the capital of the Turpan Empire in the early 7th century. Lhasa (“sacred place? has abundant sunshine; hence its reputation as the Solar City. It is a center of politics, economy, transport, and religious activities. There are many places of interest in Lhasa, such as the Potala Palace, and the Jokhang Monastery.
Major Attractions:
Potala Palace, built in the 7th century, is a renowned complex of Chinese palatial architecture and a crystallization of classical Tibetan architecture, and it deserves its position as part and parcel of the world’s cultural heritage. It spreads across an area of 410,000 square meters. Beginning from the fifth Dalai Lama, the Potala has been a venue for major religious and political ceremonies. It is the winter palace of the Dalai Lamas.
Jokhang Monastery, built in the year 647, is the earliest wood-and-masonry structure still existing in Tibet. It is said that the plans of the monastery were drawn by Princess Wencheng of the Tang Dynasty. The inscribed tablets as well as the willow trees planted by Princess Wencheng in the year 823 in front of the monastery are historical evidence of the union of the Han and Tibetan peoples over the centuries.
Norpulingkha (“garden of treasures? is situated in the western suburbs of Lhasa. It used to serve as the summer palace for Dalai Lamas.
Barkhor Street shows the traditional lifestyle and appearance of Lhasa’s Old City. Pilgrims turn their prayer-wheels on the street, and visitors can get everything Tibetan they could hope for.
Other attractions include Drepung Monastery, Sera Monastery, Pamoche Monastery, and Yamzho Yumco Lake.
Luoyang
The ancient city of Luoyang, located along the southern banks of the middle reaches of the Yellow River. It is one of the Seven Ancient Capitals of China. More than 70 rulers had their capitals here; hence the name “Capital of Nine Dynasties.?In addition to many places of interest, Luoyang takes pride in its peonies. Every April, the city’s Peony Show attracts numerous visitors from home and abroad. Luoyang is also famous for its three-colored glazed pottery, bronze ware, and palace lanterns.
Major Attractions:
Longmen Grottoes, built in the year 494, during the Northern Wei Dynasty, is one of China’s three leading treasure-houses of grotto art, with 2,100 grottoes, 43 Buddhist pagodas, 100,000 Buddhist sculptures, and 3,600 stone tablets. The largest Buddhist sculpture here stands 17.14 meters tall.
Temple of the White Horse, founded in the year 68, has been known as China’s first temple since the introduction of Buddhism.
Lord Guan’s Forest is also known as Emperor Guan’s Temple. It is said that the head of General Guan Yu of the Kingdom of Shu was buried here after he was murdered and decapitated by two traitors. There are more than 1,000 cypress trees here.
The Museum of Ancient Tombs is the first such museum in China, with distinctive scholastic and artistic value.
Other attractions include the ruins of Shang capital, the Luoyang Museum, Peong Park, and the Tomb of Bai Juyi, a famous Tang poet.
Nanjing
Nanjing, known as Jinling in ancient China, is the capital of Jiangsu Province. It is located on the lower reaches of the Changjiang River, surrounded by mountains and rivers, with a humid climate. Nanjing served as the capital for ten dynasties. It covers an area of 6,500 square kilometers and has 5.06 million residents. A metropolis both ancient and modern, Nanjing has many places of interest, such as the Confucian Temple, and the Sun Yatsen Mausoleum.
Major Attractions:
Linggu Temple is one of the famous Buddhist temples of China. Its 22-meter-tall Hall of Amateurs was constructed without an inch of wood and without pillars or beams; hence its name Beamless Hall.
Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum was built on the southern side of Zhongshan Mountain, for Dr. Sun Yat-sen (1866-1925), the great pioneer of the Chinese revolution. It was built during 1926 and 1929, the 73 meter-tall mausoleum lies 159 meters above sea level. It is composed of a 392-flagstone stairway, a pavilion with a stone tablet under its roof, a memorial hall and the tomb. In the tomb chamber is placed a marble statue of Sun Yat-sen in a reclining position; beneath the statue lies his body. The entire layout covers 80,000 square meters. It is a state-level scenic spot.
Scenic Belt along the Qinhuai River
The section from Dongshui Pass to Xishui Pass in Nanjing is known as the Ten-Li Qinhuai. It was a gathering place of businessmen and men of letters in ancient times. Scenic spots and places of historical interest include Bailu Sandbar on the river, Zhonghua Archway, and Confucian Temple. Traveling on the boat, one can enjoy the natural beauty of rivers and lakes along the banks, as well as performance given by the local people.
Confucian Temple was built for the local people to pay tribute to Confucius. Today, the temple area has become a commercial center, where people can enjoy local delicacies and snacks. Every April through October, the temple area attracts the locals with various activities, such as night fairs, lantern show, performances, demonstration of arts and crafts making, and local snacks. A Lantern Festival is held from the first day through the 15th day of the first month on Chinese lunar calendar.
The Ming City Walls are the best-preserved and longest city walls in China.
The Ming Tomb is the tomb of Zhu Yuanzhang, the founder of the Ming Dynasty.
Other attractions include Xuanwu Lake, Mt. Xixia, Yuhua (Rain Flower) Terrace, and Mochou Lake.
Qingdao
Qingdao is located on the Jiaodong Peninsula on Jiaozhou Bay in the Yellow Sea. The city is loved for its clear fresh air, blue sea, green hills, the red-tiled roofs of its houses, and its abundant trees and flowers. It is a famous summer resort, a coast city, and an ancient cultural city. The tourist activities, the perfect reception facilities, and the convenient transportation on land, air and sea make Qingdao an ideal destination for holiday makers.
Qingdao Pier is the symbol of Qingdao. It was built in 1897 and is an extension of the city’s main thoroughfare, jutting 440 meters out into the sea. A traditional octagonal pavilion has been added at the southern end. It is an ideal place to enjoy the sea view.
Lesser Qingdao, also known as Qindao is located on Qingdao Bay. Trees are green here all year round.
Bathing Beach
Qingdao has a long snaking coastline known as Bathing Beach. The water is cleat and the sand is fine, making it an ideal place for bathing in the sea.
Mt. Laoshan, located 40 kilometers east of Qingdao, is a national-classic scenic area whose perfect combination of rocky prominence with a vast expanse of water delights the viewers with an unpredictable variety of captivating loveliness.
International Architecture Fair
Many buildings here were built in German, Japanese, and other foreign styles. The most typical buildings of the area can be found in the Eight Passes Villa Blocks.
The Shilaoren Resort, located in eastern Qingdao, has bathing beaches, five-star hotels, golf courses, the international Beer Center, and luxury villas.
The Catholic Church, situated on Zhejiang Road, was built in 1934 by the Germans.
The Christian Church, built in 1910 in the style of an ancient German castle, can hold 1,000 people.
The International Beer Center is located in the Resort of Shilaoren. People can enjoy the world-famous Qingdao beer here.
Other attractions include Qingdao Television Tower, Zhanshan Temple, Ocean Amusement Park, the Marine Museum, Mt. Tianzhu, and the Langya Terrace Scenic Spot.
Sanya
Sanya, located at the southernmost tip of Hainan Island, is surrounded on three sides by mountains and one side by sea. It has a coastline of 180 kilometers. The port, bay, islands, trees, sand beach, and caves provide a rich tourist resource. The sunshine and the tropical fruits and landscape make Sanya an ideal choice for escaping the winter cold. Sanya has convenient transportation systems. The Phoenix International Airport has regular flights between Sanya and 18 cities, including Beijing. The expressway provides easy travel to and from Haikou. The Yulin Port has liners shuttling between Sanyan and domestic and foreign port cities.
Sanya Beach
The annual mean temperature in Sanya is 25 c. Over 300 days in a year have sunshine. The coastline is long and the sand on the beach is fine and white. The shallow sea is flat and the waves are mild. All these offer the best choice for sea bathing, as well as water skiing and motor boat racing.
Tianyahaijiao Beach, located at the southernmost tip of Hainan, is studded with 100 rocks rendered smooth, round and delicate-looking by pounding waves. Inscriptions on the rocks were done by outstanding calligraphers of ancient China. Most of them say “The end of the earth and the edge of the sea.?/P>
Wonders of Mountains and sea are seen here on the beach.
Summit Park, protruding onto the sea, looks like a deer. The park was built on the summit, where people can get a panoramic view of tropical Sanya.
The Yalongwan Holiday Resort is a national-class holiday resort. It is well equipped, and people can participate in various water sports, as well as golf and rock climbing.
Dadonghai, known as the Golden Beach, has warm water and a flat sand beach. It is an ideal place for sea bathing.
Sanya International Golf Club is Ten kilometers west of the End of the Earth and the Edge of the Sea, the club covers an area of 880,000 square meters and has 18-hole golf courses. In addition, there are luxury villas and various recreation facilities.
Shanghai
Shanghai, located along the beach of the East China Sea and the southern banks of the mouth of the Changjiang River, is a city under the direct jurisdiction of the Central Government. It is also the largest metropolis and one of the ancient cultural cities of China. It is a flourishing international metropolis, known worldwide for its highly developed industry, commerce, and finance and its convenient land, are and sea transportation, rich tourist resources, great variety of food, and recreational facilities.
Major Attractions:
Yuyuan Garden, built in the Ming and Qing styles, is the most famous classical garden in Shanghai. There are 40 scenic spots in the garden.
Temple of the Jade Buddha, built in 1882, is a well preserved monastery of Zen Buddhism, where a jade statue of Sakyamuni is enshrined.
The Oriental Pearl Television Tower is the highest television tower in Asia, 468 meters high. Standing on the tower, one can have a panoramic view of the whole city.
The Bund, located along the banks of the Huangpu River, is the symbol of Shanghai.
Longhua Temple, built in the 242, is the oldest and largest temple in Shanghai. The temple is also famous for its pagoda and its peach blossoms.
Yangpu and Nanpu Bridges
The 7,658-meter-long Yangpu Bridge and the 8,346-meter-long Nanpu Bridge are double-cable-stayed long-span suspension bridges. They are among the longest bridges in the world.
Former Residence of Dr. Sun Yat-sen
Dr. Sun Yat-sen and his wife Soong Ching-ling lived here from 1918 through 1924.
Residents?New Village
Visitors can live here together with local residents and learn about the lifestyle of people of Shanghai.
Ancient Town of Waters and Rivers
The simple yet elegant buildings and bridges in various shapes on the rivers in the ancient small town form a typical scene of southern China.
Nanjing Road
The 5-kilometer-long Nanjing Road is the busiest commercial center in Shanghai. Every day, the street lined by stores, adepts 1 million people. It is an ideal place for shopping, eating and recreation.
Other attractions include Grand View Garden, the former residences of Soong Ching-ling and Lu Xun, Guyi Garden and Dianshan Lake.
Shenzhen
Shenzhen located on the middle-south coast of Guangdong Province. Shenzhen neighbors Daya Bay in the east, the mouth of the Zhujiang (Pearl) River in the west, and Hong Kong in the south. Shenzhen covers an area of 2,020 square kilometers and has a population of 3 million. It is one of China’s major port cities opening to the outside world and one of the earliest special economic zones implementing reform and opening policies. It is also a newly rising tourist city with the most up-to-date tourist facilities and simple arrival procedures for visitors from abroad.
Major Attractions:
Splendid China is by far the world’s largest and most elaborate miniature-scenery park, where people can enjoy miniature replicas of the country’s best-known natural scenery and places of historical and cultural interest.
The China Folk Culture Villages features life-size replicas of more than 20 villages chosen from areas inhabited by minority peoples. Here people can learn about the lifestyle and national folklore of the ethnic groups in China.
The Window of the World displays world wonders, historical sites, natural landscape, and foreign folklore in scaled-down replicas. Performances of singing and dancing are also staged.
The Wildlife Zoo has 3,000 animals of 150 species from all parts of the world.
The Xiangmi Lake Summer Resort is a large tourist and entertaining center where the charm of a tropical landscape is accentuated nicely by buildings with distinctive national characteristics.
Other attractions include Xili Holiday Village, Xianhu Botanic Garden, Shekou Sea world, and Yinhu Tourist Center.
Suzhou
Suzhou is located along the side of Lake Taihu in the Changjiang River region, and 100 kilometers east of Shanghai. Suzhou is an ancient cultural city built 2,500 years ago. Suzhou is crisscrossed by rivers. Many private gardens built since the Song Dynasty, make the city known for classical gardens. In addition, many historical sites are extremely attractive for visitors.
Xuzhou Gardens
Most of the gardens in Suzhou, Jiangsu Province were private gardens built in ancient China. They are tranquil, exquisite, elegant, and harmonious with nature. Accordingly the builders invented ingenious techniques to put a cramped space to best use. There are flowers and trees, pools, hills, and pavilions, thus forming a natural yetr richly landscaped environment. The most famous gardens in Suzhou are the Humble Administrator’s Garden, the Garden to Linger In, the Wangshi Garden, and the Lions Grove.
The Humble Administrator’s Garden built during 1506 and 1521 in the Ming Dynasty. The Humble administrator’s Garden is regarded as one of the four major gardens in China, along with the Summer Palace in Beijing, the Mountain Summer Resort in Chengde, and the Garden to Linger In in Suzho. It is the largest classical garden in Suzhou and is famous for water landscapes.
The Linger In Garden is one of the four major gardens in China and is well arranged and elegant. It was built during the reign of Emperor Jia Qing of the Ming Dynasty (1522-1566).
Tiger Hill, located on the north-western outskirts of Suzhou, is 26 meters high. The Slanting Pagoda on the hill was built in the year 959. It is the symbol of ancient Suzhou City.
The Embroidery Research Institute is an organization for the study of needling techniques of the Suzhou school of embroidery. Its other task is to provide the State with embroideries for presentation to foreign countries as gifts or for use as exhibits.
Suzhou Silk Festival
Suzhou is known as the Home of the Silk. During the Silk Festival starting on September 20 through 25, various activities are held, such as silk garment exhibits, trade talks, and performances.
Hanshan Temple
Hanahan and Shide, eminent monks of the Tang Dynasty once lived here; hence its name. The temple is famous for its bells, mentioned in a poem by the Tang-dynasty poet Zhang Ji: “Beyong the Suzhou walls, the Hanshan Temple/Rings bells, which reach my boat.?On New Years?eve, the bell rings 108 times, welcoming the New Year.
Wuhan
Wuhan, capital of Hubei Province, is located at the confluence of the Changjiang and Hanshui rivers in central China. It is, in fact, an aggregate of three towns-Wuchang, Hankou and Hanyang. Due to its advantageous geographical location, Wuhan has become a commercial center. Built 3,500 years ago, the city has rich natural and cultural resources. It provides easy access to many scenic spots, such as the Three Gorges and Shennongjia.
Yellow Crane Tower
Lying at the foot of Sheshan on the southern banks of the Changjiang River, the Yellow Crane Tower is one of the three famous towers on the lower reaches of the Changjiang River, the other two being Yueyang Tower in Hunan, and Teng-wang Tower in Niangxi. It has five stories and is 51.4 meters high.
East Lake
Located in the eastern suburbs of Wuhan, East Lake is one of the major tourist attractions in China. The 33-square-kilometer lake is six times larger than the West Lake in Hangzhou.
Other attractions include Guiyuan Temple, the Platform of Guqin, Qing-Chuan Tower, and the government building of the Revolution of 1911.
Urumqi
Urumqi, capital of tht Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, is located on the banks of the Urumqi River at the northern foot of Tianshan Mountain. Urumqi is inhabited by many minority peoples. It was an important city along the ancient Silk Road and is now an important city along China’s northwestern border. It has rich tourist resources. The Urumqi Airport is the center of transportation in northwestern China.
Tianchi Lake
100 kilometers away from Urumqi, the 4.9-square-kilometer Tianchi Lake at the foot of Tianshan Mountain is an ideal resort in summer and an ideal place for alpine skiing in winter.
Baiyanggou
A summer resort and tourist attraction on the southern outskirts of Urumqi, it has a vast pastureland and a waterfall dropping 40 meters. Visitors can enjoy various local sports such as horse racing and holding a sheep in the mouth.
Red Mountain
Towering in the heart of Urumqi, the Red Mountain is 1,391 meters above sea level. The top of the mountain is shaped like a tiger; hence its popular name, Tiger-Topped Mountain.
Yarkhoto
An ancient city 10 kilometers to the west of Turpan, Yarkhoto used to be the capital of Yarkhoto Prefecture of Gaochand, a kingdom during the period from the 16th Kingdoms to the Northern Dynasties. After the year 640 of the Tang Dynasty, it had served as the seat of Yarkhoto County before it dradully declined and sank into oblivion.
Gaochang
Covering an area of 2 million square meters and 40 kilometers southeast of Turpan, the ancient city of Gaochang used to be a political, economic, and cultural center in northwest China, as well as an important city along the Silk Road.
The Flaming Mountain rises to a height of 500 meters in the central north of the Turpan Basin. It is 100 kilometers in length and 10 kilometers in width. Under the scorching sun its red sandstone slopes look hot and fiery like burning fire, hence its name.
The Grape Gully is the 8-kilometer-long, 0.5-kilometer-wide valley, east of Turpan. Grapes and other fruits are planted here, hence its name.
Wuxi
Wuxi, an ancient cultural city, is located in southern Jiangsu on the central part of the Changjiang River Delta, west of Suzhou and 128 kilometers from Shanghai. It is a major industrial center and is known as a fertile Land of Fish and Rice. Wuxi is located on the side of Lake Taihu. The ancient Grand Canal runs through the city. It is a popular destination for tourists because of its beautiful landscape, numerous places of interest, rich natural resources and interesting customs.
Taihu Lake, covering an area of 2,000 square kilometers in Jiangsu and Zhejiang provinces, is one of the three largest freshwater lakes in China.
The Turtle-Head Islet derives its name from its shape. It is the best place to admire the beauty of Taihu Lake.
Taihu Lake Film City is an outdoor location for China Central Television Station. Four sections have been built: The Three Kingdoms, Europe, The Tang Dynasty, and The Outlaws of the Marsh.
Liyuan Park is a famous park in south China, and is located next to the Turtle-Head Islet.
The Jichangyuan Garden is a famous classical garden of southern China. It is located at the eastern foot of Huishan Mountain and is the best example of incorporating surrounding landscape into a man-made garden.
Clay figurines from Huishan are painted sculptures in an exaggerated, romantic style. They are extremely lifelike.
The Ancient Grand Canal is a wonder of the ancient Chinese civilization.
The Giant Buddha in Mt. Lingshan
A bronze statue of Sakyamuni stands 88 meters tall on the slope of Lingshan Mountain in the Mashan District.
Xiamen
Xiamen, a picturesque city off the coast of southeastern China, consists of Gulang Island, and some regions along the northern banks of the Jiujiang River. It was one of the first four special economic zones to open to the outside world.
Xiamen abounds with tourist resources. It is charming because of its beautiful island scenery, pleasant subtropical climate, brilliant culture, convenient transportation, and completed facilities for tourism.
Gulang Island is a small island in southwestern Xiamen. Gulang Island is known as the Garden on the Sea. There are 18 traditional European buildings on the island. The coastline zigzags with natural bathing beaches. The 92.7-meter-high Solar Rock, the highest peak on the island, is the symbol of the city. Many residents on the island are music fans and play musical instruments, hence its name the Musical Island.
The Jimei School Village is a school complex established by Tak Kah-kee, a famous leader of patriotic overseas Chinese. All buildings in the village were built in traditional Fujian style. Every year, the Dragon Boat Race is held here during the Dragon Boat Festival.
South Putuo Temple, lying at the foot of Wulao Mountain in southern Fujian Province, is a well-known ancient religious sanctuary in China. It is adjacent to Xiamen University.
Xi’an
Xi’an, the capital of Shaanxi Province, is located in the heart of the Guanzhong Basin, with the Weihe River running in the north. It is the largest metropolis in northwestern China. Known as Chang’an in ancient China, Xi’an is a world-renowned ancient capital. For 1,062 years starting from the 11th century B.C., Xi’an was the capital of 13 dynasties including Western Zhou, Qin, Western Han, Eastern Han, Sui, and Tang. Thus Xi’an has a great number of precious relics and historical sites. The most well known among these is the Tomb of Emperor Qin Shihuang, with the Terracotta Warriors and horses. Xi’an is also at one end of the ancient Silk Road.
Major Attractions:
Terra-cotta Warriors and Horses, known as the Eighth Wonder of the World, more than 7,000 life-sized terra-cotta warriors and horses, have been unearthed near the Tomb of Emperor Qing Shihuang.
Huangqing Pool has been a famous hot spring since ancient times.
Xi’an City Wall is the only well-preserved large-scale city wall surrounded by moats in China.
Wild Goose Pagoda, built in the Tang Dynasty, is the symbol of Xi’an.
The Banpo Village Ruins, 6,000 years old, are from a matriarchal commune of the Yellow River region.
Stele Forest is a treasure house of Chinese calligraphy with a huge collection of stone tablets inscribed by outstanding calligraphers of all dynasties.
The Mosque, built in the year 742, is one of the four largest mosques in China.
Famen Monastery is a well-known Buddhist establishment where the finger bones of Sakyamuni are preserved. It has China’s largest underground Buddhist palace.
Maoling Mausoleum is a grand tomb of Liu Che, or Emperor Wu Di, or the Han Dynasty.
Mausoleum of the Yellow Emperor is located in the northwest of Huangling County. The tomb is surrounded by many old cypresses.
Other attractions include Shaanxi History Museum, the pit of the bronze chariots of the Western Zhou-Dynasty, Mt. Huashan, the Lesser Wild Goose Pagoda, and the Zhaoling Mausoleum.
Hong Kong
Located in southeast China, next to Guangdong Province, Hong Kong is made up of Hong Kong Island, Kowloon Peninsula, the New Territories, and 235 small islands, with a total area of 1,091 square kilometers. Victoria Harbor is a world-class port. The climate in Hong Kong is sub-tropical, pleasant in all seasons.
After the Opium War in 1840, the Qing Government ceded Hong Kong Island and the Kowloon Peninsula and later leased the New Territories to Great Britain. In September 1984, the Chinese and the British Governments signed a joint declaration on the Hong Kong issue. China resumed sovereignty over Hong Kong on July 1, 1997, and Hong Kong has become a special administrative region of the People’s Republic of China.
Among the more than 6 million residents in Hong Kong, 95 percent are Chinese. Chinese and English are the official languages of Hong Kong, and Cantonese is the most popular dialect. Hong Kong is a major center for commerce, manufacturing, and finance in the world. It is also a tourist attraction. It has luxurious and comfortable hotels, domestic and foreign delicacies, a rich cultural heritage, excellent shopping, active night life, beautiful beaches, safe and convenient transportation, and complete facilities for tourism.
Major Attractions:
Hong Kong Park, located in the commercial center of Hong Kong, covers an area of 10 hectares, with the largest collection of birds.
Bank of China Tower, a 70-story building, 315 meters high, is the headquarters of the Bank of China in Hong Kong.
Ocean Park is one of the largest recreation centers in Southeast Asia.
A world-class Exhibition Center became the focus of the world on July 1, 1997 during the grand ceremony of Hong Kong’s return to China.
Victoria Park is the largest park in Hong Kong.
Central Plaza, a 78-story commercial building, 374 meters high, is the fourth highest building in the world and the highest in Asia.
Aw Boon Haw Gardens is a private villa built in oriental style in 1935 by Hu Wenhu, a philanthropist in Hong Kong.
Victoria Peak, 554 meters above sea level, is the most famous luxury living area on Hong Kong Island. Standing on the summit, one can get a panoramic view of Hong Kong and the islands on the South China Sea.
Other attractions include Wan Chai, Causeway Bay, Middle Kingdom, Repulse Bay, Aberdeen, and Happy Village.