Must-see attractions in China

  • Liben Hall

    Zhejiang

    Libn Hall is an early Qing dynasty structure with some wood carvings that remain impressively vivid; keep an eye out for the bats (carvings of, that is)…

  • Luzhi Cultural Park

    Jiangsu

    This huge, faux–Ming dynasty complex is filled with tourist shops and a couple of exhibition halls. Admission is free and the landscaped gardens, ponds,…

  • Zhanshan Temple

    Qingdao

    Within Zhongshan Park is Qingdao's largest temple, Zhanshan Temple, an active Buddhist monastery. The temple has a number of dramatic sandalwood Buddhas…

  • No 1 Bathing Beach

    Qingdao

    South of the tree-lined area known as Badaguan (八大关, Bādàguān), No 1 Bathing Beach is a very popular spot, perhaps for its snack stalls and children's toy…

  • Huangshan Jewish Cemetery

    Harbin

    Located in the far eastern suburbs of Harbin, this is the largest Jewish cemetery in East Asia. There are more than 600 graves here, all well maintained…

  • Xingcheng Drum Tower

    Liaoning

    The housing for a huge drum sits slap in the middle of the Old City and has a scant number of ceramics on display but is most popular for the 360-degree…

  • Chaoyang Gate Square

    Henan

    Not far from East is Red Square, this square is known primarily for the rebuilt, traditional architecture of Chaoyang Gate (朝阳门, Cháoyáng Mén).

  • Kunqu Opera Museum

    Suzhou

    Down a narrow lane, this small museum is dedicated to kūnqǔ, the opera style of the region. The beautiful old theatre houses a stage, musical instruments,…

  • Railroad Culture Park

    Xiamen

    The charming 3km walking trail on an abandoned railway track in this park makes a welcome change from the crowds of the city. It is reached by bus 1, 15,…

  • Dali Confucian Temple

    Dali

    Dali's attractive Confucian Temple is a 2014 reconstruction on the site of the original Qing dynasty structure, but the grounds are peaceful and there are…

  • Guandi Temple

    Shandong

    Many climbers start their ascent at the bus stop by the Guandi Temple, the first of many dedicated to the Taoist protector of peace. Note the old…

  • Duobao Pagoda

    Zhejiang

    Putuoshan's oldest structure is this five-storey, 18m-high stone pagoda, with alcoves carved from the rock sheltering Buddhist statues. Built in 1335, its…

  • Sichuan Art Museum

    Chengdu

    This six-floor museum is understaffed and understuffed, and the regular rotating exhibitions are hit or miss, but the good is good enough to make it worth…

  • Chapel of St Michael

    Macau

    Set amid the baroque graves of the Cemetery of St Michael, this dainty chapel, built in 1875, has a green-and-white facade and baroque features in small…

  • Phurbu Chok Hermitage Mani Lhakhang

    Lhasa

    Pilgrims walking the Potala kora keep the huge prayer wheel spinning constantly in this charming chapel on the eastern side of the Potala. A stall across…

  • Wénmiào

    Guizhou

    Check out this charming Confucian temple in the north of town, which was originally built in 1394. It has some stunningly intricate cloud-scrolling…

  • Wenchang Pavilion

    Shandong

    This Qing-dynasty arched gateway, topped by a single-roofed shrine, is at the entrance to the village and is where teachers would take new pupils to make…

  • Lingxu Pavilion

    Kunming

    One of the topmost publicly accessible points of Xi Shan, this large pavilion inside the Dragon Gate scenic area offers breathtaking views of Dian Chi…

  • Sebda Gompa

    Qinghai

    The main assembly hall at this monastery is impressive, but most surprising is the temple featuring a huge 18m statue of Guru Rinpoche, with smaller…

  • Deyang College

    Lhasa

    The smallest of Drepung’s colleges, this one can safely be missed if you’ve had enough. The principal image in the main hall is Jampa. Upstairs are some…

  • Confucian Temple

    Sichuan

    Relocated to its current site in 1850, the present temple is a 2013 rebuild of the historic structure, combining typical features of both Confucian…

  • Laishan Beach

    Shandong

    This vast expanse of golden sand in the developing district 11km east of the old town attracts clam diggers and sunbathers alike. Get off at the Huanghai…

  • Fúyù Lóu

    Fujian

    Along the river, this five-storey square tǔlóu boasts some wonderfully carved wooden beams and pillars. Rooms are available here at the Changdi Inn.

  • Zhambhala Lhakhang

    Lhasa

    This small chapel on the western side of the Meru Nyingba Monastery has a central image of Marmedze (Dipamkara), the Past Buddha, and a small inner kora…

  • Hanwen Ancestral Temple

    Guangdong

    On the east bank of the Han, this is the oldest and best-preserved temple dedicated to the Tang dynasty philosopher Han Yu, who was banished to ‘far-flung…

  • Four Officials Temple

    Guizhou

    Small, attractive temple on Shiping Mountain, with delightful forest views near the edge of the Miaojiang Great Wall.

  • Dongba Cultural Institute

    Lijiang

    The Dongba Cultural Institute is part of a renovated complex on the hillside north of the old town. Here you can see Naxi cultural artefacts and scrolls…

  • Great Southern Mosque

    Shandong

    Ji'nan’s oldest mosque has stood in one form or another in the centre of town since 1295. Cover arms and remove hats before entering. A lively Hui (Muslim…

  • Anju City Temple

    Sichuan

    This pagoda-style temple overlooking the river is Anju's main worship site. A recently renovated building, it's still worth a visit for a gander at its…

  • Pipa Mountain Park

    Chongqing City

    For views of the city skyline, climb 345m Pipa Mountain Park, the highest point on the Chongqing peninsula. During the day, residents bring their…

  • Wu Family Courtyard

    Yunnan

    The best-known courtyard home in town was once owned by local salt magnate Wu Weiyang, who was summarily executed by communist forces in 1949. You can…

  • No 2 Bathing Beach

    Qingdao

    Once reserved only for the likes of Mao and other state leaders, this sheltered cove just east of Badaguan has calm waters good for a swim. It's a short…

  • Whampoa Military Academy

    Sichuan

    Part of the Republic of China's army academy was relocated to Anju in 1938. Many of the commanders who fought the Japanese in WWII were trained here…

  • Nanzhao Customs Island

    Yunnan

    This pleasant island has gardens, parks, a 17.5m-tall marble statue of Avalokiteshvara (Chenresig; aka Guanyin) and a hotel. Boats to the island cost ¥50…

  • Lesser Lotus Villa

    Zhejiang

    Nanxun's most famous attraction is this sprawling villa, though its best feature only shines in summer, when the lotus flowers in the courtyard pond…

  • Midway Gate to Heaven

    Shandong

    This gateway marks the point where shuttle buses arrive from Tianwai Village and where some hikers, seeing the mountain steps disappearing into the clouds…

  • Shuangmei Hall

    Zhejiang

    This hall is a lovely wood-panelled affair containing intricate and exquisite carvings above its pillars.

  • Dōngshuǐ Mén

    Chongqing City

    The renovated former city gate (directly beneath the bridge) is now part of Dongshuimen Old Street, which includes the Huguang Merchant Hall, as well as a…

  • Big Banyan Tree

    Guangxi

    This colossal banyan tree, its limbs propped up by wooden poles, is quite a sight set against the karst hills. It's also a major tourist magnet, so don't…

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