Top 10 China Tourist Attractions List

The Great Wall is one of the most famous China attractions for tourists and a great wonder of the world, taking a lot of manpower and material resources. It was enlisted in the World Cultural Heritage Directory in 1987, and becomes one of the New Seven Wonders of the World.
 

The Great Wall is an old military fortification with about 2,700 years’ history. More than 20 dynasties had built it in different extent. Stretching over 21,196 kilometers (13,170 miles) from the west frontier to the east coast, the Great Wall is like a giant dragon tramping over rugged mountains and passing through desolate deserts.
 

To the northwest of Beijing city, the Badaling Great Wall is the best preserved and steepest section of the Great Wall, receiving numerous visitors from all over the world. To avoid crowds on holidays, Mutianyu in good condition with dense watch towers is an option.

 Recommended Tour:   1 Day Beijing Tour with Great Wall from $139

The Forbidden City, aka the Palace Museum, is the imperial palace during the Ming and Qing Dynasties (1368 - 1911). Passing through over 500 years, this palace has witnessed 24 emperors’ achievement as well as failures.
 

There are more than 9,000 glorious rooms symmetrically arranged along the axis. These rooms are all in bright colors with decorations, like carvings and murals, of highest grade, demonstrating the majesty of the imperial city. Housing the Palace Museum inside, it showcases the world with precious historical relics.
 

Not only one of the most popular China attractions for tourists, the Forbidden City is also one of the World Culture Heritage Site, which takes the leading position in the World’s Five Palaces (the other four: Palace of Versailles in France, Buckingham Palace in the UK, the White House in the US, and the Kremlin in Russia).

 Recommended Tour:   2 Days Beijing Highlights Tour with Forbidden City from $259

Speaking of Xi’an, the first thought coming up in your mind must be the Terracotta Army, which is one of the iconic China tourist attractions. It was praised by the former French president Chirac as the eighth world wonder, and was listed in the World Cultural Heritage Directory in 1987.

The Terracotta Army is the world’s largest underground troop, burying with Qin Shi Huang (259 - 210 BC), the first emperor of the united China. Deployed in the complete military formation, the invincible army, which dominated the Warring States Period (475 - 221 BC) and helped Qin Shi Huang achieve the unification, are reproduced in front of you. The vivid life-size figures seem to be alive, protecting the great king in the underground world.

 Recommended Tour:   3 Days Xi'an Private Tour to Terracotta Army from $339

With the theme of magical fairy tale world, full of creativity and adventure spirit, Shanghai Disneyland Park for sure is one of the best tourist attractions in China. It’s the first Disneyland Park in mainland China that incorporates the elements of Chinese culture including Hua Mulan theme parade floats and 12 China Zodiac themed murals.

This huge and well-known fun paradise is home to many global-first amusement items, boasting the world’s tallest Disney castle, the first Expedition Island Area and the first TRON Lightcycle Power Run in the world. Apart from these, tourist could also enjoy interacting with your favorite cartoon characters, watching the splendid performances of The Lion King Musical, visiting Seven Dwarfs’ mysterious houses, exploring tribal heritages, etc.

The Bund is the landmark of Shanghai, symbolizing this city’s history. Owing the title of World’s Architecture Expo, this region brims with European buildings of Classical Revival style along the Huangpu River.
 

On the opposite bank is Lujiazui Finance and Trade Zone. Oriental Pearl TV Tower, standing upright and dominating the skyline with other abundant skyscrapers is another symbol of Shanghai and one of the top tourist attractions in China.

During the night, the buildings along the Huangpu River will be lit like shining crystal palaces. Taking photos with your beloved one against this enchanting backdrop must leave you an unforgettable and sweet memory.

 Recommended Tour:   3 Days Shanghai Private Tour from $409

The karst landscape along Li River has attracted countless tourists since the old times. Literati of different dynasties have stepped their foot on this dreamlike land and left many well-known lines praising the incredible scenery. In 2009, Li River scenic area has been selected by World Record Association as the Largest Karst Landscape of the World.
 

Being among the top ten China tourist attractions list, this river is renowned for the green hills, clear water, wonderful grottos and charming rocks. The 83-kilometer (52-mile) section from Guilin to Yangshuo represents the essence of Li River. The water is like a jade band twining around the verdant hills, with idyllic villages occasionally appearing along the bank. Rafting along the river is truly like traveling in a landscape scroll.

 Recommended Tour:  4 Days Private Tour from Guilin to Yangshuo from $549

Bruce Lee, Jackie Chan, Jet Li, all these Kung Fu stars have brought Chinese Kung Fu onto the world stage. Shaolin Martial Art is one of the most important Kung Fu schools, originated in Shaolin Temple. Therefore, lots of foreign friends, who are enchanted by the fancy martial art, are attracted to this renowned temple including leaders of many nations, such as Russian President Putin, former US Secretary of State Kissinger, as well as the stars of NBA and Hollywood.
 

This thousand-year-old temple is the birth place of Chinese Buddhism, shaded in the thick forests of Song Mountain. Surrounded by the faint sutras-chanting sound and the curling up incense, you may be infected by the tranquility and get calm. If you are a Kung Fu enthusiast, the stunning Shaolin martial art performance must not be missed.

 Recommended Tour:  3 Days Private Luoyang Tour with Shaolin Temple from $389

Because of its unique landform of Quartz Sandstone Peak Forest, Zhangjiajie National Forest Park spontaneously becomes one of the main tourist attractions in China, and was titled “China’s First Authorized National Forest Park” and inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1992.
 

With 98% forest coverage, Zhangjiajie National Forest Park is a huge biological treasure house and natural oxygen bar, dubbed as the “Natural Museum”, featuring its karst landscapes including grotesque peaks, quiet valley, limpid streams, and abundant wildlife. There are six major scenic areas and over 90 smaller attractions in the park, such as Yellow Stone Stronghold, Golden Whip Stream, Yuanjiajie and Yaozizhai. Yellow Stone Stronghold is the largest viewing platform in the whole forest park where you can expect the most spectacular view of various stone forests. If you are an adventurer, you could also challenge the world’s highest and longest Glass Bridge in Zhangjiajie Grand Canyon, which is only 40 km (25 mi) away from the forest park.

 Recommended Tour:  2 Days Zhangjiajie Tour with National Forest Park from $309

Among the major tourist attractions in China, this gilded Potala Palace is the symbol of Tibet, hugging the lofty mountain. It was listed in the World Heritage Directory of UNESCO in 1994.
 

Potala Palace is the holy place in the eye of Tibetan Buddhism believers. Pious people perform the One Step One Kowtow ritual all their way to the palace, praying and showing their respect to the religion. With over 1,300 years of history, a lot of historical relics were remained there, like splendid murals, pagodas, sculptures, thangka, precious sutras and jewels.

 Recommended Tour:  4 Days Tour of Lhasa with Potala Palace from $629

It is the third longest river of the world, after Nile River in Africa and Amazon River in South America.

Being one of the most popular tourist attractions in China, Yangtze River is noted for the numerous great sights along the bank. You can enjoy the natural beauty in Lushan National Park of Jiujiang, immerse in the historical atmosphere in Confucius Temple of Nanjing, or feel the metropolitan skyline in the Bund of Shanghai.

The scenery of the Three Gorges scenic area is the most beautiful one, attracting travelers with its towering hills, steep cliffs, jagged rocks, mysterious karst caves and historical sites. You can take in the magnificent scenery of grand Qutang Gorge, beautiful Wu Gorge and precipitous Xiling Gorge while cruising. In the middle of the soaring cliffs and green water, the view is like a traditional Chinese landscape painting spreading before your eyes.

 Recommended Tour:  Yangtze River Cruise from Chongqing