Top 10 Must-Visit Cities in China

Guilin is a city located on the western bank of the Li River, bordering Hunan Province to the north. The city's name, which means 'osmanthus forest,' is derived from the osmanthus trees (Osmanthus spp) that grow both along the river and within the urban area. Renowned for its stunning karst landscapes, Guilin has long been celebrated for its natural beauty. If you appreciate breathtaking natural scenery, Guilin is the place to visit. It's often referred to as a 'paradise on earth.' U.S. President Nixon once praised it, saying, 'I’ve visited over 80 countries and 100 cities around the world, but none surpasses the beauty of Guilin.' When in Guilin, you can't miss the tranquil Li River boat tours, the majestic limestone mountains such as Elephant Trunk Hill, and the picturesque Yangshuo scenic area—all natural masterpieces.

Guilin is one of China's most famous tourist destinations, and the phrase 'With water, with mountains, the most beautiful is Guilin' is often associated with the city. The Chinese regard Guilin as a slice of heaven on Earth. The State Council of China has designated Guilin as a nationally renowned historical and cultural city. In 1950, the capital of Guangxi Province was moved from Guilin to Nanning, and it remains the provincial capital to this day. Historically, Guilin was a political, economic, and cultural center of the Lingnan region. In 1981, the State Council included Guilin along with three other cities (Beijing, Hangzhou, and Suzhou) in the list of cities that should be preserved for their historical, cultural, and natural heritage.

Hong Kong is one of the two Special Administrative Regions of the People's Republic of China, along with Macau. It is the only autonomous region on mainland China. Located at the mouth of the Pearl River, east of the Lingdingyang channel, and bordered by the Shenzhen River and the city of Shenzhen in Guangdong Province, southern China, Hong Kong is a global financial and economic hub. The city's dynamic pace and vibrant atmosphere are bound to impress any visitor. In Hong Kong, you’ll experience a fusion of diverse cultures. If you're a shopping enthusiast, Hong Kong is paradise. Additionally, the city offers many exciting attractions, including Lantau Island, Disney Land, Victoria Square, and the Dragon Boat Festival.

Hong Kong is one of the Four Asian Tigers (along with South Korea, Taiwan, and Singapore) and is classified as an Alpha+ global city, reflecting its significant influence on the global economy. It is one of the world’s leading financial centers, consistently ranked high in Financial Development Index, and has been recognized as one of the most competitive and free economies in the world for many years. Hong Kong also boasts the highest concentration of skyscrapers, particularly around the Victoria Harbor area. The city consistently ranks high on the Human Development Index (HDI) and is known for having one of the highest life expectancies in the world.

The Chinese often say, "Above there is heaven, below there is Suzhou and Hangzhou," to praise the beauty of Suzhou and Hangzhou. As one of China's most famous and prosperous cities for over 1,000 years, Hangzhou is known for its stunning natural landscapes, especially West Lake. The city is famous for its silk, green tea, and the thriving silk industry, as well as its historical connection to the ancient Silk Road. Hangzhou is located in the northern part of Zhejiang Province, eastern China, at the southern terminus of the Grand Canal, in the lower reaches of the Yangtze River. The entire city stretches to the west, bordering the mountains of Anhui Province, and to the east, it is bordered by the flatlands around Hangzhou Bay. The city is built around the eastern and northern sides of West Lake, with the Qiantang River to the north.

Hangzhou is renowned for its historical sites and breathtaking natural beauty. The city is listed among the top 10 most beautiful cities in China. Despite the development of many new urban areas in recent years, it has retained much of its historical and cultural heritage. Today, tourism plays a significant role in Hangzhou's economy. One of its most famous landmarks is West Lake, which covers over 6 square kilometers and includes several smaller tourist attractions. Hangzhou also features a variety of historical and cultural sites, including ancient temples, old neighborhoods, and natural landscapes blending the beauty of lakes and mountains. Notable sites around West Lake include Lingyin Temple, a 1,700-year-old Buddhist temple, and the Six Harmonies Pagoda. Hangzhou is also famous for its tea and silk, with visitors able to tour the National Silk Museum and the National Tea Museum, or participate in the art of tea ceremonies.

Chengdu is a city in southwestern China and the capital of Sichuan Province, ranked as the fifth most populous city in China. It is a major transportation and trade hub in China. Over 4,000 years ago, the Jinsha culture of the Bronze Age was established in this region. The fertile Chengdu Plain is known as the "Heavenly Land of Abundance," which translates to "paradise on earth." With a history spanning over 2,000 years, Chengdu has been a cultural center famous for its ancient traditions, including the arts of poetry and classical literature, as well as Sichuan cuisine. The city also boasts significant historical sites, such as the Sanxingdui Museum and the Qingyang Palace.

However, Chengdu is most famous today for its giant pandas. Around 80% of the remaining 1,000 giant pandas in China are located in Chengdu. Visitors can see these adorable creatures at the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding or participate in volunteer programs at the Sichuan Giant Panda Sanctuary. Chengdu is also a major center for several key industries in China. Sichuan has long been known as the capital of Chinese herbal medicine. Today, Chengdu is a hub for pharmaceutical production and research in China. The Chengdu Hi-Tech Zone attracts numerous high-tech projects from companies like Intel and Microsoft, and is also home to the headquarters of Lenovo. Chengdu Shuangliu International Airport, the sixth-largest in mainland China, served 13.89 million passengers in 2005, ranking 89th globally. It is the fourth city in China with international flights.

Mount Huang is a prefecture-level city located in the Huangshan region of Anhui Province, China. The urban area of this city originally centered around Tunxi, which is now part of the Tunxi district. Mount Huang is the southernmost prefecture of Anhui Province, bordered to the northwest by Chizhou, to the northeast by Xuancheng, and to the southwest by Jiangxi Province and to the southeast by Zhejiang Province. The Huangshan Mountain range was designated a UNESCO World Heritage natural site in 1990. Known as one of China’s most famous tourist destinations, Mount Huang boasts over 140 points of interest for visitors. In 2007, the area attracted more than 1.5 million visitors.

Visitors can reach the base of the mountain by train or flight from Shanghai, or travel from the airports in Hangzhou or Wuhu. By 1990, a 50-kilometer road had been constructed to provide access to the scenic spots at Mount Huang. Today, visitors can take a cable car from the base to one of the mountain peaks. The area is equipped with numerous inns and hotels for accommodation. Many travelers enjoy hiking, staying overnight on the summit, and descending by a different route the next day. The China National Tourism Administration has rated Mount Huang as a 5A-level scenic area, making it one of the most famous landmarks in Anhui Province. Visitors will be awestruck by the majestic natural beauty of Mount Huang: towering cliffs, seas of clouds, and hot springs. This breathtaking mountain range has also inspired countless Chinese paintings and poems.

Lhasa is the capital of Tibet, an autonomous region of China. This city has traditionally been home to the Dalai Lama and is famous for the Potala and Norbulingka palaces, which are regarded as the holiest sites in Tibetan Buddhism. With a population of approximately 255,000 people and an altitude of about 3,650 meters, Lhasa is one of the highest cities in the world. The name Lhasa literally means 'place of the gods', although ancient Tibetan documents and inscriptions show that it was originally called Rasa, meaning 'place of the court'. Lhasa boasts many historical landmarks, including the Potala Palace, Jokhang Temple, Sera Monastery, Zhefeng Temple, Drepung Monastery, and Norbulingka. However, many of these important sites were damaged during the Cultural Revolution.

The city of Lhasa is surrounded by three concentric circumambulatory paths that are used by pilgrims for worship. The sacred Jokhang Temple is at the heart of these paths, and many pilgrims will stop to kneel along these routes as a sign of respect. The innermost path, Nangkor, encircles the Jokhang Temple and the Jowo Shakyamuni statue, the holiest figure in Tibetan Buddhism. The middle path, Barkor, winds through the old town and passes by Jokhang and other nearby buildings. The outermost path, Lingkor, surrounds the entire traditional city of Lhasa. Due to the construction of a new, large road, Beijing Lam, the Lingkor path is no longer frequently used by devout pilgrims. Every August, Lhasa hosts the Shoton Festival, one of the largest traditional festivals in Tibet, which has been celebrated since the 7th century.

Suzhou, located in Jiangsu Province, China, is just a 30-minute bullet train ride from Shanghai. Known for its rich culture and picturesque scenery, Suzhou has long been a birthplace of some of China's most beautiful women, often credited with their stunning looks due to being born in this land of elegance. Visitors are drawn to Suzhou for its ancient charm, winding canals, stone bridges, and century-old traditional buildings. When in Suzhou, one cannot miss its famous canal system, which has earned the city the nickname 'Venice of the East'. The canals, with their greenish-gray waters and stone-paved banks, make for a serene boat ride through this romantic landscape.

By night, the banks of the canals are illuminated by bright lanterns, casting reflections on the water, creating a scene straight out of a movie. Though bustling with life, Suzhou remains peaceful and quiet. The city’s many stone bridges arch gracefully over the waterways—there are so many that it's hard to keep track of their names. Each bridge, with its distinct shape—some tall, others small, or steep—is a silent witness to the countless memories shared by couples over the years. A visit to Suzhou inevitably evokes thoughts of its lush gardens and tranquil canals. Despite its small size, Suzhou is home to nine UNESCO-listed classical gardens, a testament to its rich cultural heritage that must be preserved.

Beijing is the second-largest city in China, after Shanghai, and one of the most populous cities in the world. It serves as the political, cultural, and educational center of China. The city is home to the headquarters of many of China’s largest state-owned enterprises and is a key transportation hub for the country's national highways, expressways, railways, and high-speed rail. Beijing Capital International Airport is the second busiest airport in the world by passenger traffic. The city's history spans over three millennia, and as the final capital in China's four great ancient capitals, it has been the political heart of the nation for most of the past seven centuries. Beijing is renowned for its majestic palaces, temples, gardens, tombs, ancient city walls, and gates, making it a cultural and artistic hub in China. Few cities in the world have served as the political and cultural center of such a vast region for so long.

Beijing also preserves some of the most well-preserved historical sites in China. History enthusiasts will find plenty of destinations to explore, such as the Great Wall of China, one of the world’s most famous wonders, the Forbidden City, the largest and best-preserved imperial palace complex in the world, and the Summer Palace, a stunning royal garden built by Empress Dowager Cixi. Visitors can also wander through narrow alleys connecting ancient neighborhoods nestled within the modern urban landscape. Beyond its glorious history, Beijing boasts a modern side with striking landmarks like the Bird's Nest Olympic Stadium and vibrant shopping centers where visitors can indulge in retail therapy.

Shanghai is the largest city in China and the country’s main economic hub. This is why it’s no surprise that the city is alive with vibrancy and modernity, both day and night. Unlike Beijing, Shanghai isn’t home to many impressive historic landmarks, except for the Yu Garden, the Jade Buddha Temple, and the Huangpu River. What sets Shanghai apart for visitors is its immersion into fast-paced, modern city life, where you can marvel at the skyscrapers of the bustling financial district in Pudong or enjoy the dazzling night skyline along the Huangpu River. Today, Shanghai boasts the world’s busiest port, surpassing even Singapore and Rotterdam. Originally a small fishing village, Shanghai evolved into one of the world’s most important cities by the 20th century, becoming the cultural and political center during the Republic of China era. In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, Shanghai was the third-largest financial hub globally, trailing only New York and London, and the largest commercial center in the Far East.

After Mao Zedong took power in 1949, Shanghai entered a period of economic slowdown, due to high taxes and the government’s push to eliminate capitalist economic structures. However, with the economic reforms introduced by Deng Xiaoping in the 1990s, especially after 1992, Shanghai experienced a remarkable economic boom, surpassing Shenzhen and Guangzhou to become the driving force behind China’s economic growth. Despite challenges like rapid urban migration and the growing wealth gap, Shanghai’s impressive skyline and vibrant city life continue to symbolize China’s economic miracle and make it an attractive destination for travelers.

Xi'an is the capital city of Shaanxi province in China. This city, which is a direct-controlled municipality, holds immense historical significance as one of China’s Four Great Ancient Capitals, having served as the capital for 13 different dynasties, including the Zhou, Qin, Han, and Tang. Xi'an is the second-most famous city in China for its historical landmarks, after Beijing. As the capital during the peak periods of the Qin, Han, and Tang dynasties, it was also the starting point of the ancient Silk Road, connecting Asia with Europe and playing a pivotal role in the trade and cultural exchanges between the two continents. As a result, the city is home to many iconic historical sites, such as the Terracotta Army, part of the tomb of Emperor Qin Shi Huang, which continues to amaze archaeologists and remains shrouded in mystery. Other famous landmarks include the Great Mosque, a 1,200-year-old Islamic place of worship, and the Banpo Archaeological Site, a museum showcasing the region's ancient history.

Xi'an is also an important transportation hub, with its main train station, the Xi'an Railway Station, and other stations such as the West Xi'an Station and North Xi'an Station, providing extensive rail connections. The city's airport, Xi'an Xianyang International Airport, located 47 km from downtown Xi'an, is the largest in Northwestern China. It serves major airlines like Chang'an Airlines and China Eastern Airlines, and has international flights to destinations such as Bangkok, Fukuoka, Hong Kong, Osaka, Pusan, Sapporo, and Singapore. Xi'an also has a developing metro system, with the first line opening in 2009. Currently, six subway lines are under construction, with completion expected in 2020.