Top 10 Must‑Visit Destinations in China for First‑Time Travelers

As an English-speaking guide of 10 years, I’ve led countless first-timers through China’s wonders. If you’re looking for the best places to travel in China, here are the top 10 destinations and insider tips on how to experience each like a local.

1. Beijing – Forbidden City & Great Wall (Mutianyu)

Start your journey in Beijing, one of the best places to travel in China for history lovers.

• Forbidden City: Enter through the Meridian Gate, admire vast courtyards and crimson halls, and look for hidden dragon carvings.
• Great Wall at Mutianyu: Skip Badaling’s crowds. Restored watchtowers and steep stone steps provide an authentic adrenaline rush. Sunset turns the stones golden.

👉 Related: Beijing Tour Packages

2. Xi’an – Terracotta Army & Ancient City Wall

Xi’an is among the best places to travel in China for culture and archaeology.

• Terracotta Army: Walk through Pit 1 to see thousands of life-size warriors. Notice faint paint traces under protective lighting.
• City Wall: Rent a bike and circle the 14-km fortifications at dusk, overlooking the Muslim Quarter’s street food stalls.

👉 Related: Xi’an Tour Packages

3. Shanghai – The Bund & Pudong Skyline

Shanghai blends modernity and tradition, making it one of the best places to travel in China for cityscapes.

• The Bund: See colonial facades lit against Pudong’s futuristic skyline.
• Shanghai Tower: Ride to the observation deck for sweeping views.
• Local Food: Try xiaolongbao soup dumplings near People’s Square.

👉 Related: Shanghai Tour Packages

4. Guilin & Yangshuo – Li River Cruise

For postcard scenery, Guilin is easily one of the best places to travel in China for nature lovers.

• Li River Cruise: Board a bamboo raft at dawn, drifting past misty karst peaks.
• Yangshuo Countryside: Cycle along rice terraces and sip tea in traditional stilt houses.

👉 Related: Guilin Tour Packages

5. Chengdu – Panda Base & Sichuan Hotpot

Chengdu is one of the best places to travel in China for foodies and animal lovers.

• Panda Base: Arrive at 8 AM for the best chance to see cubs.
• Sichuan Hotpot: Experience spicy broth with peppercorns’ numbing flavor.

👉 Related: Chengdu Tour Packages

6. Zhangjiajie – National Forest Park & Glass Bridge

Zhangjiajie is world-famous and a UNESCO site, one of the best places to travel in China for adventure.

• Bailong Elevator: Ride up towering sandstone pillars that inspired Avatar.
• Glass Bridge: Walk across the world’s longest glass-bottom bridge.
• Tianmen Mountain: Climb the “Stairway to Heaven” to Heaven’s Gate cave.

👉 Related: Zhangjiajie Travel Guide | Zhangjiajie Tour Packages

7. Hangzhou – West Lake & Longjing Tea

Hangzhou is among the best places to travel in China for poetry and tea culture.

• West Lake: Cruise past willows and listen to Su Dongpo’s verses.
• Longjing Tea: Pick leaves in terraces and taste fresh Dragon Well tea.

👉 External reference: West Lake (Wikipedia)

8. Lhasa – Potala Palace & Jokhang Temple

For spiritual depth, Tibet’s capital is one of the best places to travel in China for pilgrims.

• Potala Palace: Explore White and Red Palaces with chapels and relics.
• Jokhang Temple: Join pilgrims and spin prayer wheels in Barkhor Square.

👉 External reference: UNESCO – Potala Palace, Lhasa

9. Suzhou – Classical Gardens & Canals

Suzhou is one of the best places to travel in China for art and gardens.

• Humble Administrator’s Garden: Zigzag bridges, lotus ponds, and bonsai.
• Canals: Drift in black-wood boats through waterways lined with silk shops.

10. Guizhou – Huangguoshu Waterfall

Guizhou is less visited but one of the best places to travel in China for hidden gems.

• Huangguoshu Waterfall: China’s largest waterfall at 77.8 meters high.
• Water Curtain Cave: Walk behind the falls for a unique perspective.

👉 Related: Guizhou Tour Packages

Conclusion – Best Places to Travel in China

From Beijing’s imperial palaces to Guilin’s Li River, Chengdu’s pandas, and Lhasa’s spiritual temples, these 10 highlights represent the best places to travel in China for first-time visitors. Each destination offers history, culture, and scenery that together create a once-in-a-lifetime journey.

👉 Related: Things to do in China | China Holidays Guide | Best Time to Travel to China