Things to see and do on a trip to China?

China is an incredible country with a wide variety of landscapes and traditions due to its vast size. While in the north we find icy and snow-covered landscapes, in the south the climate is warmer and more humid. We are definitely talking about a country of contrasts, where tradition and modernity coexist, as cities such as Beijing, Hong Kong or Shanghai are home to some of the tallest skyscrapers in the world. You’ve probably already heard of the Great Wall of China or the Terracotta Soldiers, but there’s so much more to see in China!

In this post, we talk you through the main cities to visit in the country and the must-sees in each of them. We’ll also give you some tips about the country’s customs and tell you what to look out for before you start your trip. China is a country very different from European countries, and it is better to be prepared if you don’t want to find surprises. And of course, we also talk about the country’s cuisine, so different from what we are used to eating in the West. Ready? Let’s get started.

What are the most beautiful cities to see in China?

1. Hong Kong, the city of skyscrapers

Find out what else to see in Hong Kong Things to see and do in Hong Kong, China?

Hong Kong is one of the most crowded cities in the world, a continuous chaos of cars and people coming and going. Although the city is part of China, it still retains its own currency and language. While in China the official language is Mandarin, in Hong Kong it’s Cantonese, and the requirements for entering the country also change. To travel to China you’ll need a visa, while to travel to Hong Kong a passport is sufficient.

In the city, don’t miss Nan Lian Garden, Tian Tan Buddha and Victoria Peak, where you’ll have the best views in Hong Kong. We recommend you spend at least three days on the island to enjoy its streets, markets and cuisine, and take trips to nearby fishing villages such as Tai O, or hike the Dragon’s Back trail.

2. Hangzhou and the West Lake

Located in the southeast of China and only 180km from Shanghai, Hangzhou is one of the main tourist cities in the country for its historical and cultural heritage as well as for the picturesque corners where you can’t help but take a thousand photos. Around the West Lake are located the main points of interest and temples to visit such as the 6 Harmonies Pagoda, the Lingyin Temple or the Leifeng Pagoda. In the surrounding area there are also a myriad of excursions to do in areas such as the Xinan River, Tianmu Mountain, Qingliang Peak or Xixi National Park. Want to know more? Then check out this post: Things to see and do in Hangzhou, China?

3. Harbin and the Snow and Ice Festival

The city of Harbin is in northern China, on the border with Russia and Korea, so we can see a great influence of these countries in its architecture, cuisine and traditions, in fact, the city is known as the Little Russia of China. Walking through its streets you’ll be surprised by the baroque and renaissance styles of the façades, so different from the traditional Asian styles.

Every year between late December and February is the Ice and Snow Festival, one of the most important things to see in China, which attracts tourists from all over the world for the icy spectacle that is lit up at night with lights of a thousand colours. If, on the other hand, you are travelling in summer or spring, you can’t miss Sun Island and the Siberian Tiger Park. In this post we tell you how to prepare your trip to Harbin: Things to see and do in Harbin, China?

4. Canton

Known as Guangzhou in the local language and despite its reputation as a business city, there is plenty to see in Canton, the third largest city in China. Among the points of interest to see in the city we highlight the Canton Tower, an emblem of the city with 600 meters high, the Temple of the Six Banyan Trees, whose complex contains some of the most beautiful buildings to see in China, or the Temple of the Chen family. Shamian Island will also surprise you with its European flair. Here is some more information about Canton: Things to see and do in Canton, China?

5. Shanghai, the most modern city to see in China

Shanghai is one of the most impressive cities to see in China for its incredible skyscrapers and the modernity of its streets and infrastructure that makes many compare it to New York. The best way to see the skyline is from the Bund district, across the river, or from the top of some of the towers such as Shanghai Tower, Pearl Tower or the Shanghai World Financial Center. The entrance fee to go up is usually around €16.

But don’t be fooled, not everything in the city glitters. Traditional neighbourhoods remain, such as the French Concession, known as the Paris of the East for its colonial-influenced Western architecture. It is a very pleasant neighbourhood for strolling and shopping. Other must-see sights in the city include the Shanghai Museum, the Jade Buddha Temple and the Fuixing and Yuyuan Gardens. Getting to the city is easy as its airport is one of the main entry points to the country, along with Beijing, although flying from Spain you will most likely have to make a stopover in another European city. Here is a post with more details about the city: What to see and do in Shanghai China

6. Beijing

Beijing is one of the most impressive and historically significant cities on the Asian continent. The Chinese capital is the political, social, economic and cultural heart of the country, so the city has a lot to offer. What is most striking is the contrast between the modernity that floods the streets and the tradition that can still be seen in its customs and in the façades of its temples. It is usual to dedicate several days to see the capital for all it has to offer and to be able to make a day trip to the Great Wall of China.

On your visit to Beijing, don’t miss the Temple of the Lamas and the Temple of Heaven, Jingshan Park and the Forbidden City, probably the city’s most popular tourist attraction, which we recommend visiting early in the morning to avoid queues. Another must-see in the city are the street markets where you can eat or buy souvenirs. Be prepared to haggle, though.

Find out what else to see in Beijing Things to see and do on your trip to Beijing?

7. Xi’an, the City of the Terracotta Soldiers

Xi’an is famous for the Terracotta Warriors, a site of more than 6,000 carved stone statues that lay underground for centuries until their discovery in 1974. The complex is located 30 kilometres from the city and can be reached by bus from Xi’an Central Station or by organised tours. Visiting hours are from 8:30am to 5:30pm, and until 6pm in summer, and admission is 120 yuan (€15).

It’s recommended that you spend a couple of days in the city to see other sights such as the 14km-long Xian City Wall, which can be cycled along. It’s also worth a stroll through the Muslim quarter, visiting the mosque and spending some time at the Da Ci’en Temple, which contains some of the most impressive temples and pagodas to see in China. In this post we tell you more about the city: Things to see and do in Xi’an, China?

Travel Tip: To organize your trip we recommend using Passporter totally free. You can be inspired by the experiences of other travelers, choose the places that interest you most, create the travel route with a geolocated map, upload all important documents such as reservations and invite your friends so that everyone can participate in the organization of the trip.

Gastronomy in China

Chinese cuisine is a true marvel that in no way resembles what we are used to eating in the West. In addition, due to the size of the territory, there is a tremendous variety of dishes with influences from neighbouring countries. It is quite an adventure to eat in China, especially if you are adventurous and shy away from typical Western restaurants. Menus are rarely in English, and you should be careful with the spiciness, as many dishes are not designed for Western tastes. The good thing about eating in traditional restaurants is that it’s much cheaper.

Some of the country’s most famous dishes are dim sums, noodles and noodle soups. It is also very common to see dishes based on chicken with sauce, mushrooms, etc. …. In the north, the use of wheat predominates over rice, and there are different types of sandwiches such as Roujiamo. And of course, we can’t forget the famous Peking-style lacquered duck and hot-pot, perfect for cold days.

What to consider before travelling to China?

• The official currency is the yuan.
• The best time to travel to China depends on your destination. In general there are more tourists from May to August. In spring and autumn the weather is pleasant and there are not many tourists. And even during the winter there are places with enchanted.
• It’s best to avoid exchanging money at the airport, as their prices are high.
• The Mandarin language is spoken in China.
• The tap water is not drinkable.
• You don’t need a visa to go to Hong Kong, but you do need a visa to go to China.
• Brace yourself for possible medical emergencies: travel insured
• Look both ways before crossing, cars don’t respect traffic lights.
• Wear the names of the hotel in writing.
• Bargain at street stalls and craft shops.
• Carry cash, some shops don’t accept cards.
• The country is generally very safe, but just in case, be careful with your belongings.

How to prepare what to see on your trip to China?

Register or download the Passporter App and discover all its possibilities.

• Get inspired by the experiences of other travellers.
• Create your own itinerary and add suggestions from the app to it.
• Add the stops you’re most interested in, as well as the restaurants and bars where you want to eat. You can use the points of interest listed in this post as a reference.
• Organise your itinerary by route days according to their location on the map. You can take inspiration from the routes presented in the post.
• Check out the travel budget that the app calculates for you based on your travel stops, restaurants, and leisure activities.
• Make any modifications you need to make and you’re all set for your trip.
• Share your experience. Upload photos of the places you’ve visited on your trip to the app. Recommend other travellers what to see in China.

If you have doubts about how to do it, you can check our post: How to create a travel itinerary in Passporter.

Frequently asked questions about a trip to China