Top Ten China Tourist Attractions (2025 Guide)
As the curator of the world’s oldest continuous civilization, China has a great numbers of historical attractions, as well as natural wonders to see. If you got no idea which attractions to visit in China, for the first timers, we would recommend the following top ten China tourist attractions for your consideration: the Great Wall, Forbidden City, Terracotta Army, Gulin Landscape, etc.
1. The Great Wall of China
There is a saying in China,"You are not a hero unless you climb on the Great Wall". One of the best China tourist attractions, the Great Wall has a history that can be dated back to 2,000 years ago, during the Qin dynasty. It is the symbol of China owing to its architectural grandeur and historical significance. The most famous sections are Mutianyu, Jinshanling, Badaling, and Simata.
Whether you are traveling with your kids,friends, partner, or you are on a students’ educational tour to China, a visit to the Great Wall is a must-visit on your Beijing tours.
2. The Forbidden City in Beijing
Encircled by a 52m-wide moat at the very heart of Beijing, the imposing and magnificent Forbidden City is China's largest and best-preserved ancient buildings. It is so called because it was off limits for 500 years.
The Forbidden City was the imperial seat for Ming and Qing dynasty from 1420 until 1912 when the last emperor, Pu Yi, gave up the throne. It was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1987, and is now known as one of the top 5 palaces in the world. A visit to the Imperial Place of Forbidden City, or named the Palace Museum, you can learn about China’s imperial life and discover many art treasures.
3. The Terracotta Warriors in Xi’an
Discovered accidentally in 1974 when a local farmer was digging a well, The Terracotta Warriors then becomes one of the world's 8 wonders, and one of the most attractive tourist attractions in China.
The Terracotta Army is a collection of terracotta sculptures depicting the armies of Qin Shi Huang, the first Emperor of China. Each sculpture has its individual unique faces, hair and armor styles according to their rank. It was listed by UNESCO in 1987 as one of the world cultural heritages. There are many secrets and background stories of the Terracotta Army to be revealed.
4. Karst Landscape of Guilin & Yangshuo
There is an old saying "East or West, Guilin’s scenery is the best". The landscape is decorated with lofty peaks, steep cliffs, fantastic caves, farming villages, and bamboo groves. With its breathtaking scenery and the tranquil life far away from the concrete metropolis, the scenic area is one of the top tourist attractions in China.
On your Guilin tours, simply unwind cruising the Li River or biking in the idyllic countryside, embraced by the Karst peaks. When traveling with your children, a Karst cave exploration is also highly recommended.
5. The Potala Palace in Lhasa
The word Potala means "Buddha of Mercy" in Tibetan language. The Potala Palace is a 9-storey building with a thousand rooms up on the Red Hill. It is unique and famous for its magnificent white walls surrounding the inner red palace.
Legend has it that in the 7th century, the then Tibet King Songtsen Gampo built the original palace to greet his bride Princess Wen Cheng of the Tang Dynasty. Now the palace is a museum, and has become the symbol of Lhasa city, Tibet. On your Tibet tours to Lhasa, Potala Palace is a must-visit attraction, but indoor photography is forbidden.
6. The Bund in Shanghai
The Bund is a waterfront area in central Shanghai. It usually refers to the buildings and wharves on this section of the road, as well as some adjacent areas. The Bund is a symbol of Shanghai and the epitome of Shanghai's history.
To the west of the Bund, there are group of 52 buildings with various styles, Gothic, Baroque, Rome, Renaissance, Classic and the combination of Eastern and Western style. On the opposite of the Bund, Lujiaozui's many striking skyscrapers stand on another bank of Huangpu River. The Bund should definitely be put on your travel list when visiting Shanghai.
7. Jiuzhaigou Valley in Sichuan
Located in the northern Sichuan province, Jiuzhaigou Valley was inscribed by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site in 1992 and a World Biosphere Reserve in 1997. One of the best national forest parks in Chna, tt is an outstanding example of China's varied landscape owning to its crystal blue lakes and multi-layered waterfalls. As a number of Tibetan villages reside here, it is also a terrific place to learn about the Tibetan culture.
8. Yellow Mountain in Anhui
Situated in the south of Anhui Province, the Yellow Mountain, also known as Huangshan, is famous for its scenery, sunsets, peculiarly shaped granite peaks, Huangshan Pine trees, and views of the clouds from above. One of China's best tourist attractions, Yellow Mountain is always a hot subject of traditional Chinese paintings and literature, as well as modern photography. And the most outstanding feature of Huangshan lies in its changing scenery, different from season to season.
9. West Lake in Hangzhou
One of the most famous tourist attractions in China, West Lake is a freshwater lake located in the historic area of Hangzhou. Numerous temples, pagodas, gardens, and artificial islands dotted in and around the lake make it a classical Chinese watercolor painting.
It was described as "having influenced garden design in the rest of China as well as Japan and Korea over the centuries" and as "an idealized fusion between humans and nature." West Lake was also made a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2011.
10. The Yangtze River
Meandering about 3,964 miles, Yangtze River is the third longest river in the world after the Nile in Africa and the Amazon in South America. The river is of historical, economical and cultural importance to the country.
The Yangtze River cruise between Chongqing and Yichang is a big draw to tourists. After the completion of the mammoth Three Gorges Dam, more and more modern and well-equipped luxury cruise ships run in the river, allowing the international travelers to learn about Chinese culture and enjoy the natural scenery in a more leisurely and comfortable way.
