Best of China for Travel and Sightseeing
By Sara Naumann, About.com Guide
Visit the best of China's travel and sightseeing destinations, attractions, restaurants, hotels and more. This ought to get you started thinking about how to plan your own itinerary. The only problem is probably lack of time...
Best China Photos
Get a sneak peak at some of China's top attractions as well as a few places off the beaten path.
- Beijing Photos
- Chengdu Photos
- Guilin Photos
- Gulangyu Photos
- Great Wall Photos
- Hangzhou Photos
- Harbin Photos
- Jiuzhaigou Photos
- Panda Photos (Chengdu Breeding Base)
- Pingyqo Photos
- Shanghai Photos
- Shaolin Temple Photos
- Tibet Photos
- Xiamen Photos
- Xi'an Photos
- Yangshuo Photos
Best China Activities
If you let it, sightseeing can be a passive activity. Here are some of ideas to get your blood flowing.
- Visit Temples
- Study Kung Fu
- Learn to Prepare and Drink Tea
- Ski China's Slopes
- Go on a Pilgrimage to the Four Holy Buddhist Mountains
- Hike Remote Stretches of the Great Wall
- Bike Around the Karst Mountains in Yangshuo
- Celebrate Chinese New Year and the Lantern Festival
- Get a Massage
- Boat Around the West Lake in Hangzhou
- Visit a Tea Village
- Best Kids' Activities
Best of Shanghai
Some say a visit to a big city in China doesn't allow you to see "authentic" China. I say, 18 million Chinese people call Shanghai home; that's a lot of folks who probably think it's pretty darn real. (I call it home. I think it's real.)
- Best Shanghai Markets
- Best Shanghai Shops
- Best Place to Get a Suit Made
- Best Place to Buy Pearls
- Best Chinese Cuisine Restaurants
- Best Dumplings (in the World)
- Best Boutique Hotels
- Best Budget Inns
- Best Luxury Hotels
- Best Touristy Tourist Spot
- Best Temples
- Best Walking Tour
- Best Things to Do on the Weekends
- Best Day Trips Out of Town
Best Temples, Shrines and Monasteries
Visiting temples offers a respite from the craziness of China. Each one is unique - sometimes sterile in its renovation, sometimes pathetic in its dilapidation. I love the architectural details and people watching. I love the smell of incense. Here are some of my favorites.