Must-see attractions in China

  • Twin Bridges

    Jiangsu

    Zhouzhuang's most iconic bridges are this Ming-dynasty pair (双桥, Shuāngqiáo) gracing the intersection of two waterways in the heart of town.

  • Namgyal Tallinn

    Sichuan

    Join locals in the kora walk circling this stupa that is dedicated to the Shakyamuni Buddha, or climb up to the covered pavilions on the hilltop just…

  • Taiziwan Park

    Hangzhou

    This exquisite and serene park just south of the Su Causeway off West Lake offers quiet walks among lush woodland, ponds, lakes, rose gardens and lawns…

  • Temple of the God of Wealth

    Jiangsu

    Across Quanfu Bridge and 400m east of the old town, the Temple of the God of Wealth is housed in the former residence of Shen Wansan, Zhouzhuang's 14th…

  • OCT Art & Design Gallery

    Shenzhen

    The interiors of this former warehouse are adorned with the works of Chinese and international graphic designers. Exhibits change frequently. It's a glass…

  • Protestant Church

    Qingdao

    On a street of German buildings, this copper-capped beauty was designed by Curt Rothkegel and built in 1908. The interior is simple and Lutheran in its…

  • Huaguang Tower

    Sichuan

    Peer out across the rooftops of old town Langzhong and beyond the river to Jinping Hill from the top of Huáguāng Lóu, a multilayered wedding-cake tower,…

  • Friendship Bridge

    Inner Mongolia

    For some rather tame borderland frisson and a closer look at Russia – the world's largest country – walk to the Friendship Bridge. Tourists can pose for…

  • Nanzhao Museum

    Yunnan

    Architecture and artefacts describe the rise and importance of the Nanzhao kingdom, as well as offer brief introductions to the many ethnic groups that…

  • SCôP: Shanghai Centre of Photography

    Shanghai

    One of the cluster of galleries making up the new West Bund cultural hub, the Shanghai Centre of Photography is a small but effective space displaying…

  • Kaiyuan Temple

    Guangdong

    Built in AD 738, Chaozhou’s most famous temple has old bodhi trees and an embarrassment of statues, including one of a 1000-arm Guanyin. Roof tiles can be…

  • White Temple Park

    Sichuan

    Circle the White Temple (白塔, Báitǎ) with worshippers as they recite mantras and spin the massive, house-sized prayer wheel, or join the locals just…

  • Yuantong Temple

    Kunming

    This Zen Buddhist temple is the largest Buddhist complex in Kunming and a popular draw for both pilgrims and locals. It’s more than 1200 years old, but…

  • Baotu Spring

    Shandong

    This park's namesake 'spurting spring' once shot metres into the air, inspiring ancient poets and painters alike. Today, as more water has been channelled…

  • Three Pools Mirroring the Moon

    Hangzhou

    From Xiaoying Island, you can look over at Three Pools Mirroring the Moon, three small towers in the water on the southern side of the island; each has…

  • Four Great Regions

    Beijing

    Atop the northern end of Longevity Hill, this series of temples riffs on Tibetan architecture, looking unlike anything else in the Summer Palace. You'll…

  • Catholic Church

    Hangzhou

    This Catholic church has lovely stained glass windows and a compassionate effigy of Mary above the door. It's got quite the history – dating back to 1659,…

  • Chenghuang Temple

    Henan

    The 600-year-old City God temple bustles with worshippers who leave its trees festooned with red ribbons and its entrances swirling with incense smoke.

  • Chengdu Art Gallery

    Chengdu

    Rotating exhibitions of classical-style Chinese art in a traditionally styled courtyard building that's almost as artistic as the paintings within. It's a…

  • Hunan Provincial Museum

    Changsha

    Changsha's main attraction is this modern museum. There's a special focus on the Mawangdui Tombs, which were excavated nearby in the early 1970s,…

  • Gar Gompa

    Qinghai

    Nestled on the ridge of a forested mountain about 70km south of Nangchen is this picturesque monastery. Wildlife is prevalent in the area, including blue…

  • Henan Museum

    Henan

    Closed for renovations (at the time of writing, estimated to last until mid-2020), only the highlights are currently on display in a side building. Take…

  • Precious Belt Bridge

    Suzhou

    Straddling the Grand Canal southeast of Suzhou, and boasting 53 arches, the lovely Precious Belt Bridge was once a Tang dynasty construction, although the…

  • Shili Yintan Beach

    Guangdong

    Literally '10 miles of silver beach', this is the most beautiful and the longest stretch of coastline in the area. On the southern shore of Hailing Island…

  • Shangniba Monastery

    Sichuan

    A two-hour hike or horse ride east over the hills from Songpan, this small Tibetan Buddhist monastery sits in a picturesque valley among small minority…

  • Jinping Park

    Sichuan

    Considered an essential element of the feng shui balance of ancient Langzhong and holy to Taoists, Jinping is dotted with pavilions, temples and caves. To…

  • Menghua Old Home

    Yunnan

    This great courtyard home, now owned by the government, is Weishan's best-preserved slice of architecture and also acts as a modest museum displaying…

  • Cathedral of the Sacred Heart

    Guangzhou

    The French were granted permission to build this Roman Catholic cathedral after the second Opium War, between 1863 and 1888. Constructed entirely of…

  • Yuanjin Buddhist Temple

    Shanghai

    The Yuanjin Buddhist Temple is famed for its Qinghua Pavilion (清华阁; Qīnghuá Gé) at the rear, a towering hall visible from many parts of town. It's located…

  • Printing Press

    Lhasa

    Before leaving the monastery it’s worth having a look at the printing blocks in this new hall. Photos are ¥10. Prints made on site are for sale (¥25 to …

  • Long March Space

    Beijing

    A champion of emerging artists and the Chinese art scene generally since 2002, Long March Space is one of 798's premier galleries for contemporary Chinese…

  • AFA

    Macau

    Some of Macau’s best contemporary art can be seen at this nonprofit gallery, which has taken Macau's art worldwide and holds monthly solo exhibitions by…

  • Grand Theatre

    Beijing

    Built on the orders of Empress Cixi, this three-storey theatre stage was used for performances of Peking Opera. Cixi was a huge fan of the artform, as…

  • Pearl Pagoda

    Jiangsu

    In the north of town, quiet Pearl Pagoda dates from the Qing dynasty and contains a spacious residential complex decorated with Qing-era antiques, an…

  • Mencius Family Mansion

    Shandong

    It's fun to explore the myriad courtyards and gardens at Mencius Family Mansion, which among other things exhibits the family’s living quarters, including…

  • Pervading Light Temple

    Shandong

    One of the few Buddhist shrines in the area, this simple temple dates to the Southern and Northern dynasties (AD 420–589), its arrangement of ancient pine…

  • South Gate

    Guilin

    At the northern shore of Rong Lake is this original Song-dynasty city wall (城墙, chéng qiáng). Come by in the evening when it's illuminated, and locals…

  • Plum Blossom Hill

    Nanjing

    Near the entrance to the Míng Xiàolíng Tomb, this large copse of plum trees bursts into floral fragrance each spring, drawing crowds. It's the site of the…

  • Azure Clouds Temple

    Shandong

    The sublimely perched Azure Clouds Temple is dedicated to Bixia. The iron tiling of the temple buildings is intended to prevent damage by strong winds,…

  • Rakadrak Hermitage

    Lhasa

    This hermitage high above Lhasa has three simple caves associated with Gelugpa founder Tsongkhapa. It's best visited on a hike from Sera Monastery to the…

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