Chinese sights featuring the Great Wall, Forbidden City, Temple of Heaven, Shanghai, West Lake and Hongya Cave

Discover China

Sights worth planning around

Explore landmark guides with the context, booking details and practical routes needed for a confident visit.

Find the view that stays with you

From imperial landmarks to waterfront skylines, discover the places that can shape your next journey through China.

60 sight guides

Hall of Supreme Harmony and its white marble terraces

Beijing

Forbidden City

Completed in 1420, the Forbidden City was the centre of government and court life for the Ming and Qing dynasties. Follow the central axis for ceremonial architecture, turn into the side courts for galleries and lived history, then look back over the entire palace from Jingshan after leaving through the north gate.

Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests reflected in water

Beijing

Temple of Heaven

The Temple of Heaven preserves the altars, halls, kitchens, music offices and processional road used for imperial sacrifices to Heaven and prayers for harvest. Its blue roofs become more meaningful when read as parts of a working ritual system.

Beijing

Yuanmingyuan Ruins Park

Yuanmingyuan is an archaeological landscape as much as a park: lakes, islands, foundations, waterways and the stone remains of the Western Mansions reveal how a vast Qing imperial garden was designed, destroyed and studied.

Beijing

Summer Palace

The Summer Palace combines late-Qing political and residential courts with Longevity Hill, Kunming Lake and long views shaped as an imperial landscape. Different gates lead into distinctly different versions of the garden.

Beijing

Great Wall

Badaling and Mutianyu reveal different parts of Beijing's Ming Great Wall system. Badaling controls the Juyong Pass approach with a gate town and two ridgelines; Mutianyu adds dense watchtowers, branch walls and wooded mountain views.

Beijing

Nanluoguxiang

Nanluoguxiang is the commercial spine of a Yuan-period fishbone hutong plan. The main lane shows today's shops and street life; its side alleys preserve courtyard scale, historic residences and the habits of a neighbourhood that is still lived in.

Beijing

Qianmen Street

Qianmen grew where Beijing's central axis passed through Zhengyangmen into the Outer City. The restored main street, Dashilan shopfronts, Xianyukou food traditions and guild-hall lanes each preserve a different chapter of the southern commercial district.

Beijing

Tian'anmen Square

Tian'anmen Square places the Ming-Qing imperial gate, the site of the 1949 founding ceremony, the Monument to the People's Heroes and major twentieth-century state buildings on one central axis.

Beijing

798 Art District

The numbers, saw-tooth roofs, north-facing windows, chimneys and rail remnants of 798 come from a 1950s electronics complex. Museums and galleries now use those production spaces without erasing their industrial scale.

Beijing

Beijing Olympic Park

Beijing Olympic Park extends north along the central axis through the Bird's Nest, Water Cube, Olympic Tower, landscaped avenues and Forest Park. Its venues show how the 2008 Summer and 2022 Winter Games reused the same district.

Chengdu

Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding

This large bamboo park combines giant-panda breeding research, conservation, and public education. Different areas reveal cubs, subadults, and adults at distinct stages of life, while the Giant Panda Museum explains the evolution and protection work behind the animals' feeding, climbing, and solitary habits.

Chengdu

Chengdu Wuhou Shrine

Chengdu Wuhou Shrine brings Liu Bei's tomb, the Temple of Emperor Zhaolie, Zhuge Liang's hall, and galleries of Shu Han officials into one complex. Its sequence of courts makes the relationship between ruler, minister, historical institution, and later popular memory visible on the ground.

Illuminated entrance arch at Jinli after dark

Chengdu

Jinli Ancient Street

Jinli borrows an old Chengdu name associated with Shu brocade for a modern folk district beside Wuhou Shrine. Courtyards, waterside paths, Sichuan crafts, a theatre stage, lanterns, and reflections link Three Kingdoms culture with the city's evening street life.

Chengdu

Kuanzhai Alleys

Wide Alley, Narrow Alley, and Well Alley preserve the direction and courtyard scale of Qing-era Shaocheng. Late-Qing Sichuan houses, early-modern garden residences, long walls, and renewed commercial courtyards reveal three centuries of change in western Chengdu.

Chengdu

Du Fu Thatched Cottage

After the An Lushan Rebellion, poet Du Fu lived beside Chengdu's Huanhua Stream for three years and nine months and wrote more than 240 poems. Memorial halls, a literary reconstruction of the cottage, Tang-period remains, poetry displays, and gardens show how the home of a poet was rebuilt and remembered for a millennium.

Heming Teahouse and outdoor tables beside the lotus pond in People's Park

Chengdu

Chengdu People's Park

People's Park grew from Shaocheng Park, founded in 1911. The Railway Protection Movement monument stands alongside flower shows, a lake, lidded-bowl tea, and everyday recreation, making the park a compact view of Chengdu's modern public life.

Chengdu

Chunxi Road and Taikoo Li Chengdu

Chunxi Road, Chengdu IFS, Taikoo Li, and Daci Temple form a layered central district. A century-old shopping street leads to a rooftop panda and then to low, open courtyards arranged around preserved buildings and an ancient Buddhist temple.

Historic mountain gate inscribed with Qingcheng Tianxia You

Chengdu

Mount Qingcheng

Evergreen forest, stone paths, and Daoist temples climbing the mountain create Qingcheng's celebrated atmosphere of secluded quiet. The Front Mountain follows the religious landscape through Jianfu Palace, Tianshi Cave, Shangqing Palace, and Laojun Pavilion; the Back Mountain follows valleys, waterfalls, and boardwalks.

The Inner River at Dujiangyan illuminated in blue at night

Chengdu

Dujiangyan Irrigation System

Dujiangyan divides the Min River at Fish Mouth, releases floodwater and sediment at Flying Sand Weir, and controls flow into the Chengdu Plain through Bottle-Neck Channel—all without a conventional dam. Walking from Lidui Park across Anlan Bridge to Erwang Temple reveals the system from water level, above, and within the modern city.

Chongqing

Hongya Cave

Hongya Cave turns the history of a city gate, river wharves and cliffside homes into an 11-level district linking Cangbai Road with the riverfront. Its terraces explain Chongqing's vertical geography; the opposite bank reveals the full night panorama.

Jiefangbei monument at the center of a high-rise pedestrian district

Chongqing

People's Liberation Monument (Jiefangbei)

Jiefangbei is both China's Monument to Victory in the War of Resistance and Chongqing's most recognizable central landmark. The memorial and the pedestrian streets around it trace the district's change from wartime capital to modern commercial center.

Chongqing

Chaotianmen

Chaotianmen is Chongqing's historic gateway at the meeting of the Yangtze and Jialing. A vanished city gate, working wharves, river transport, contemporary towers and a continuous waterfront all occupy the same pointed peninsula.

A Line 2 monorail train entering the building at Liziba station

Chongqing

Liziba Monorail Station

Liziba combines a monorail station and residential building in one coordinated project while keeping their structures separate. The viewing platform, riverbank and nearby wartime sites place this celebrated engineering solution in Chongqing's wider urban story.

Chongqing

Yangtze River Cableway

Opened in 1987 as public transport, the 1,166-metre Yangtze River Cableway still connects Xinhua Road with Shangxinjie. Its moving cabin turns Chongqing's transport history, river traffic and two steep urban banks into one short journey.

Ciqikou gateway, hillside lanes and pedestrians

Chongqing

Ciqikou Ancient Town

Ciqikou grew from a Song-era market into a river-and-road port where Shaping kiln ceramics changed hands. Side lanes, temples, courtyards, tea houses and the Jialing waterfront explain far more of the town than its busy main shopping street alone.

Chongqing

Eling TESTBED 2

Eling TESTBED 2 grew from a former Central Bank printing plant. Factory structures and hillside circulation preserve Chongqing's printing history, while studios, exhibitions and public viewpoints give the industrial compound a new civic life.

The curved Three Gorges Museum facing People's Square

Chongqing

Chongqing China Three Gorges Museum

Four core exhibitions—Ancient Bayu, Magnificent Three Gorges, Chongqing: The Road to a City and the War of Resistance—connect local archaeology, river geography, migration and the making of modern Chongqing.

Dense colored figures carved into a cliff at Dazu

Chongqing

Dazu Rock Carvings

The World Heritage rock carvings spread across Dazu record a high point of Chinese cave art from the 9th to 13th centuries. Buddhist, Daoist and Confucian themes meet family ethics, labor and remarkably detailed sculpture.

A huge limestone natural bridge above Tianfu Posthouse in Wulong

Chongqing

Wulong Three Natural Bridges

Tianlong, Qinglong and Heilong natural bridges survive from an ancient cave system whose roof partly collapsed. A valley walk through three bridges and two sinkholes makes karst formation visible at monumental scale.

Hangzhou

West Lake

West Lake is a cultural landscape composed over centuries from water, mountains, city streets, causeways, islands, temples, pagodas and gardens. Wuyue waterworks, Su Shi's causeway, the Southern Song's poetic Ten Scenes, and later island and garden building remain visible in today's walks and boat journeys.

A gold Lingyin Temple sign beneath leafy trees

Hangzhou

Lingyin Temple and Feilai Peak

Feilai Peak's outdoor grotto carvings lead naturally into Lingyin Temple's halls and courtyards. Following them in sequence reveals the wooded landscape and Buddhist architecture as one continuous visit.

An aerial view of autumn waterways, woods, and bridges at Xixi Wetland

Hangzhou

Xixi National Wetland Park

Xixi is a web of waterways, ponds, paths, and villages, so the entrance you choose matters. Decide whether walking or boating is the priority, then navigate to Zhoujiacun, the North Gate, or Hongyuan by its full name.

A boat passing beneath Gongchen Bridge on the Grand Canal

Hangzhou

The Grand Canal in Hangzhou

Use Gongchen Bridge and the Qiaoxi Historic District as the focus for Hangzhou's section of the Grand Canal. The riverside streets are easy to walk, while museums and water buses need their own schedule checks.

Hangzhou

Prince Bay Park

Prince Bay Park south of West Lake is at its brightest in early spring, when tulips and cherry blossom fill the lawns. Link it with Viewing Fish at Flower Harbor and the southern end of Su Causeway.

Hangzhou

Qingshan Lake Water Forest

Qingshan Lake Water Forest in Lin'an combines flooded groves of bald cypress and dawn redwood with boardwalks, a lakeside greenway, and water activities. Set aside half a day or longer to enjoy it.

Hangzhou

Hangzhou Songcheng

Songcheng centers on the large-scale Romance of the Song Dynasty show, themed streets, and interactive performances. Choose a main-show time first, then build the visit and return journey around it.

Waibaidu Bridge with the Lujiazui skyline across the Huangpu River

Shanghai

The Bund

Walk Shanghai's two timelines along the west bank of the Huangpu: historic Bund buildings behind you and Lujiazui's towers across the water. Arrive before dusk to catch sunset and the evening lights in one route.

Shanghai

Nanjing Road Pedestrian Street

Walk east from People's Square to the Bund past historic department stores, food shops, pedestrian streets, and newer pop-culture retail, ending with the riverfront skyline.

Yuyuan Bazaar buildings and water around the Zigzag Bridge at night

Shanghai

Yu Garden

Yu Garden and the surrounding Yuyuan Bazaar are two different visits. Buy a ticket for the classical garden by day, then stay in the open commercial lanes for shops and evening lights.

Shanghai

Lujiazui

See Lujiazui once from street level and once from above. Walk between the towers, choose one observation deck, then look back across the river to the Bund's lower historic skyline.

Shanghai

Shanghai Museum

Choose between two Shanghai Museum venues: the East Museum presents the fuller ancient Chinese art collection, while the People's Square building focuses increasingly on world civilisations and major exhibitions.

Shanghai

Shanghai Disneyland

Shanghai Disneyland needs a full day and a short priority list. Choose the rides and shows that matter most, then use the official app for current times; the named ticket, matching ID and trip home matter more than completing everything.

Shenzhen

Shenzhen Bay Park

A long waterfront greenway links mangroves, tidal flats, lawns, shorebirds, and the city skyline. It is at its best as a flexible ride, run, or sunset walk rather than a single-point sightseeing stop.

Entrance architecture at Window of the World

Shenzhen

Window of the World Shenzhen

A large theme park compresses global landmarks, stage shows, and evening lights into one day. The Eiffel Tower is the main visual anchor, with scaled architecture creating a playful route between countries and eras.

Miniature Potala Palace at Splendid China

Shenzhen

Splendid China Folk Village

China's landmark architecture appears in miniature beside villages, festivals, and live performances representing the country's many ethnic cultures. The pleasure lies in switching between close architectural detail and full-scale staged activity.

Shenzhen

Nantou Ancient City

A surviving gate, former county institutions, ancestral halls, and narrow lanes hold the regional history of Xin'an, while homes, exhibitions, and new shops keep Nantou visibly alive inside modern Shenzhen.

Shenzhen

OCT-LOFT Creative Culture Park

Converted factories, shaded streets, galleries, design studios, bookshops, and cafés make OCT-LOFT one of Shenzhen's established creative districts. The best visit follows current exhibitions rather than a rigid checklist.

Shenzhen

Dameisha Seaside Park

A broad sandy beach, coastal walks, and direct metro access make Dameisha Shenzhen's easiest seaside escape. Swimming depends on daily sea conditions, while early morning and late afternoon show the bay at its most relaxed.

Shenzhen

Dapeng Fortress

Six centuries of coastal defence remain visible in gates, cross streets, commanders' residences, and grey-brick homes. Residents and small businesses keep the fortress functioning as a neighbourhood rather than a frozen monument.

Minghua ship and fountain at Sea World after dark

Shenzhen

Sea World Shekou

The retired Minghua passenger ship anchors a dining and entertainment plaza of terraces, lights, and water. Daylight reveals the vessel and Shekou waterfront; evening brings the district's most lively atmosphere.

Flying-car model inside a Huaqiangbei electronics market

Shenzhen

Huaqiangbei Electronics District

Components, repair parts, cameras, watches, drones, and robots fill a network of specialised markets. Huaqiangbei makes Shenzhen's hardware supply chain visible, but successful shopping depends on careful comparison, testing, and warranty questions.

Zhangjiajie

Zhangjiajie National Forest Park

The sandstone pillars associated with Pandora rise from deep ravines, with forested summits and fast-moving mist changing the view. Yuanjiajie, Tianzi Mountain and Golden Whip Stream can be combined into a one- or two-day visit.

Tianmen Cave and the 999 steps climbing the steep mountainside

Zhangjiajie

Tianmen Mountain

Tianmen Cave's 131.5-metre opening and 999 steps reveal the mountain's scale before the city cableway, winding road and summit paths connect three distinct heights. Routes A, B and C change their order.

Zhangjiajie

Zhangjiajie Grand Canyon

A glass bridge about 300 metres above the floor leads into a canyon of streams, waterfalls, lakes and a final boat ride. Route B includes the bridge and full canyon, A focuses on the natural gorge, and B1 is shorter.

The Tuo River, bridges and riverside stilt houses in Fenghuang at night

Zhangjiajie

Fenghuang Ancient Town

Fenghuang is a one-night extension from Zhangjiajie by high-speed rail. The Tuo River connects stilt houses, docks, gates, bridges and sloping lanes, while dawn, daylight and lit evenings reveal different rhythms of the same town.

Zhangjiajie

Seventy-two Wonder Tower

This contemporary night complex centres on a giant stilt-house-inspired tower. After sunset, building lights, live shows, craft demonstrations, a snack market and a bonfire square create a two- to three-hour city evening.

Zhangjiajie

Dayong Ancient City

Reopened in July 2026 around Zhangjiajie's former name Dayong and the old South Gate area, this contemporary district links Hao Liu Street, Strange Market, Craft Lane and the Lishui waterfront. The public streets are free.

Zhangjiajie

Yellow Dragon Cave

Yellow Dragon Cave moves Zhangjiajie's landscape underground, from paths and large chambers to dense stalagmites and a roughly 15-minute river boat. Dragon Palace and the Needle of the Sea show different scales of limestone deposition.

Zhangjiajie

Baofeng Lake

The core visit is a boat ride into a high gorge, where islands, vegetation and reflections change with every turn. The lake grew from a 1970s reservoir; Eagle Nest Village adds steep paths and a cliffside walkway.

Zhangjiajie

Baiyang Ancient Temple

In central Zhangjiajie, Baiyang Ancient Temple centres on Puguang Temple, founded in 1413, with surviving Guandi Temple and Wenchang Shrine. Multiple gates, courtyards and halls place Buddhist, local-belief and educational traditions in one compact complex.