6 of the Most Beautiful Destinations in China You Must Visit

By Elie Lam Blog China May 6, 2025

As one of the biggest countries in the world, there are plenty of destinations in China worth visiting. So, it comes as no surprise that it’s becoming increasingly popular for holidaymakers to make their way into China and leave feeling hungry for more. But with over 700 official cities across the country, how would you know what are the best destinations in China and why these spots deserve to be on your travel list?

Well, fret not because our holiday advisors have set up the perfect cheat sheet to help you decide on the best destinations in China to spend your vacation days next. From modern bustling cities to relaxing wonders of the outskirts, here are 6 of the most beautiful destinations in China you must visit.

Starting out in the capital city of Beijing

Beijing Photo by Victor He on Unsplash

If it’s your first time visiting China, you shouldn’t miss checking out the capital city of Beijing. Offering a fantastic blend of modern architecture and carefully curated traditional scenes, Beijing is one the best destinations in China to start with.

The Forbidden City of Beijing stands tall on our list of must-visit places when you’re in China, with constructions dating back between 1406 and 1420. Once the imperial palace and winter residence of the Emperor of China from the Ming Dynasty, the Forbidden City remains the world’s largest preserved royal complex. That said, we recommend keeping a minimum of 2 hours to visit this attraction as this allows you to truly soak in the sights and history that the Forbidden City has to offer.

Situated within the Beijing Olympic Park, the Beijing National Stadium or Bird’s Nest Stadium is another architectural marvel that calls Beijing home. Famed from the 2008 Beijing Olympics, the stadium covers an astounding 204,000 square meters and can accommodate up to 80,000 guests. And as a travel tip, we’d say to visit after dark. While the stadium is gorgeous in the day, it’s the sight of it lighting up in the evening that we just can’t get over.

Should you have some extra time in your itinerary, taking a day trip out of the city centre and into the Huairou District is a must. This is where you’ll come face to face with the historical 21,196 km Great Wall of China and catch glimpses of the villages nearby from above.

Despite having much to see, do, and experience, Beijing is perfectly doable in just 5 days and 4 nights with Holiday Tours, making it a wonderful place to visit in China during long weekends or if you simply want a short escape.

Experience the jaw-dropping skylines of Shanghai

Shanghai Photo by Edward He on Unsplash

Famed as a modern city with strikingly beautiful skylines, Shanghai is a destination that blends East and West influences perfectly. In fact, the city is so popular it even has a classic Cantonese song that drums up memories from its first few beats. Sung by the Hong Kong artiste Frances Yip, hearing “Shanghai Beach” blaring from the speakers will tell you why Shanghai is the place to be.

In the daytime, immerse yourself in a relaxing experience at the Yu Garden that is nestled within Huangpu. It features Ming dynasty-styled pavilions and greenery across its 5 acres of space and is even home to the Huxunting Teahouse which was built in 1855. For those feeling peckish, you’ll be glad to know this teahouse is still operational today for a spot of tea overlooking the calm lake of the garden.

Come nightfall, you’ll want to head down to The Bund, Shanghai’s waterfront area that lines the Huangpu River. From here, you’ll feel like you’ve been transported to a different kind of China as the architectural styles still take on that of European influences – particularly those from the Neoclassical and Renaissance eras.

The Bund offers an iconic view into Shanghai’s after-dark views, with lights from the buildings illuminating the skyline for an unforgettable vacation. Alternatively, hopping on a ferry cruise is another fantastic way to see The Bund from the waters. Be warned, however, that this gives you a strikingly different view of the city and can leave you feeling the unwillingness to leave.

Spend the day with the pandas of Chengdu

Chengdu Photo by Hat Trick on Unsplash

Have you ever dreamed of spending a day getting up close and personal with round and silly pandas? Then Chengdu is the place to visit in China for you. Set in the southwestern province of Sichuan, Chengdu is the officially the fourth most populous city in the country.

No less than 6 panda conversation bases call Chengdu home, including the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding and Wolong Shenshuping. This is possibly why the city is well known for pandas and why panda-loving adventurers see Chengdu as one of the must-visit destinations in China. The pandas are often placed in habitats that mimic their real-life environments, allowing you to see them in their most comfortable state where they can truly be themselves.

Beyond visiting these adorably vulnerable animals, you’ll also find amazing hotspots such as the Jinli Ancient Street that’s set in the heart of Chengdu. Tastefully constructed with a traditional Sichuan touch, a visit to the Jinli Ancient Street often feels like you’ve taken a time travel machine into the past. Adorned with shopping stalls, renowned eateries, and even street performances on some days, there’s always something to taste or experience here at Jinli Ancient Street. And did we mention that Chengdu is really famous for extremely spicy Sichuan dishes that will set mala lovers’ tongues wagging?

Thankfully, there’s plenty for you to discover after a sensation-numbing meal in Chengdu. With a laidback atmosphere within its gorgeous natural surroundings and teahouses galore, it never really matters if it’s your first- or tenth-time visiting Chengdu because you’ll always find something to experience here. For a more fuss-free escapade to Chengdu, you may also consider our simplified 8-day,7-night Charming Chengdu trip as your next vacation.

The interestingly unique city of Guangzhou

Guangzhou Photo by cindy hwang on Unsplash

For a unique glimpse into China, you’ll have to drop by the city of Guangzhou. It boasts a wider population that speaks Cantonese rather than the broader-spoken Mandarin across China, a choice reflective of the city’s history. Guangzhou is located on the Pearl River, with skyscrapers such as the Canton Tower lining the beautiful city.

The tower that stands at 400 meters tall is China’s tallest structure and has an observation deck that you can enter for a fee. It offers a fantastic bird’s eye view of the city and the Pearl River itself, earning itself a spot as one of the top destinations in China you must visit.

However, what surprises visitors the most about Guangzhou is how it preserves its historic trades despite its modern outlook. Cantonese opera remains an iconic trade in Guangzhou and offers intricate storytelling alongside its art of makeup, music, choreography, and wardrobe just to name a few. Today, visitors are welcome to catch one of the remaining few shows that’s kept alive in Guangzhou and we can’t recommend it enough for holidaymakers with an appetite for something unique.

In Guangzhou, Cantonese cuisine – better known as traditional “yue” cuisine takes precedence. Their emphasis is strong on the fresh ingredients used and meals are prepared with a balance of sweet, sour, and umami flavours. That said, we think you shouldn’t leave Guangzhou without trying the roast goose or popping into a traditional restaurant in the morning for a spot of dim sum to share.

Welcome to Xiamen, China’s city to be

Xiamen Photo by Zhen Yao on Unsplash

Xiamen, a sub-provincial city in southwestern Fujian has become China’s next hottest destination in recent years, and we can see why. Located close to the sea, Xiamen dishes out one of the best and freshest seafood selections across China. Topped with its reasonably affordable prices, just visiting to fill your belly already makes visiting Xiamen worth it even if it’s for a day trip.

But don’t leave just yet, as there’s plenty more that the city has to offer. In fact, Gulangyu Island that’s just a short ferry ride away is a crowd favourite. Do remember to bring your passport along to catch the ferry though, or you might be denied boarding. Also dubbed the Garden of the Sea, the island had been awarded the UNESCO World Heritage Site status in 2017. Gulangyu Island prides itself as a pedestrian-only island, meaning you won’t see cars, motorcycles, or even bicycles on the roads.

Aside from the benefits of fresher air from the lack of automobile pollution, having everyone on foot means you get to enjoy a much slower experience on Gulangyu Island. To soak in the best atmosphere, we recommend staying off the beaten path and into the residential areas for a glimpse of local life. However, it’s important to respect the residents at Gulangyu Island if you wish to do this because it is their homes and lives after all.

The tea trade is another one of Xiamen’s most popular attractions, giving tea lovers a run for their money when visiting the city. For the tea connoisseurs, a visit to the scenic Yannanfei Tea Field is a must. Stretched across what feels like acres of endless tea plantations, you’ll be spoilt with wafts of the aromatic tea leaves growing – or if you’re lucky, you might be there at its first pick seasons.

Leave your city worries behind and come explore the ancient city of Xi’an

Xian Photo by Manoj kumar kasirajan on Unsplash

When tracking down the answer to the big question of where to go in China, Xi’an often pops up as one of the most unique ancient cities. Offering a profound glimpse into the country’s history, Xi’an is a fantastic destination to visit in China, especially if you’re looking to leave your bustling city worries behind even for just 5 days with Holiday Tours.

For starters, no visit to Xi’an would be complete without a meeting with the legendary Terracotta Warriors that are housed in the Terracotta Warriors and Horses Museum today. Over 7,000 pottery soldiers, horses, chariots, and even weapons that have been restored from its yesteryears are placed here, each representing the architectural marvel that dates back to the late 200 BCE.

According to history, these warriors were a form of funerary art that was buried with Emperor Qin Shi Huang to protect him in his afterlife. Most of these statues were discovered by local farmers of Lintong County in 1974, with the sensational archaeological find later being recognized as a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage in 1987.

Fast forward to the present, many visitors still find the grand sight of these warriors a breathtaking experience that words cannot describe. Instead, the best way to embrace it is to see it with your own eyes.

But the marvels of Xi’an don’t just stop at its historical sights. Home to some of the best culinary offerings, the city is where you can get some of the best local fixes like cold skin noodles known as “Liang pi” and pork burgers called “roujiamo”. For our Muslim readers, you’ll be glad to know that halal food is also in abundance in Xi’an, with some of the popular items on the menu being kebabs and spicy beef ball noodle soups. This is thanks to the large Muslim community residing in the city, creating a safe space where you can explore and dine at Xi’an without worries.

With so much to see and uncover across various destinations in China, we can only say there’s no better time than now to make your way there. After all, the interchanging seasons between spring to summer is one of the most perfect times to see any of the destinations in China, complete with fantastic weather that’s neither too warm nor so cold that it chills your bones.

However, we wouldn’t recommend dropping into any of the destinations in China during their major holidays such as Chinese New Year. This is as traffic between cities can be high and travelling can pose a problem even for the locals especially via rail services. The National Week of the 1^st to 7^th of October – also known as the “Golden Week” is another period that should be avoided as many working-class locals find it to be the perfect opportunity to return to their hometowns to be with family.

But if you’re ready to explore China or still have questions on the best destinations to visit in China, then be sure to reach out to our team who are happy to help. Together, we’ll find you the perfect place to visit in China and turn your vacation into the best you’ve ever had.