The Best Places to Go in China | First Time Visitors
China is a beautiful and expansive country that offers so much to see! Given its size, it may feel a bit overwhelming to determine which areas to prioritize over others on your first visit to the country – but don’t worry, I’ve got your back! I spent a full month traveling through China guided by a local (my university professor), and below are the destinations I would recommend to everyone on their first visit to China!
Happy traveling 🙂
Cruise on the Yangtze River
One of the best natural destinations in China – first on the list is a river cruise down the Yangtze River! This is a great way to see the Tribe of Three Gorges, Ghost City, and Shibaozhai Red Pagoda. There are many river cruises running year round, and while an amazing experience itself it also serves as a great way to cover some ground while getting from one part of the country to the next!
Beijing
Beijing has to be at the top of every China travel list, as it simply has so much to offer! Some personal favorites I got to explore while in Beijing was the Summer Palace, the Bird’s Nest, and the Forbidden City – but there is so much more to explore than even just those! Check out our complete itinerary for Beijing through the post below.
The Great Wall of China
The Great Wall of China is perhaps one of the most famous structures in the world, so you of course don’t want to visit China without checking it out! It is an easy trip away from Beijing, but worth dedicating a whole day to while you’re planning out your visit. We’ve rounded up some popular tours to the Great Wall below to help you plan!
Shanghai
Another top destination in China is the one and only Shanghai! This is one of the most populated cities in the world, with tons to see and do! It is a popular business hub, and huge shopping destination. Nanjing Street has over six hundred stores on the one street alone! Our Shanghai highlights guide can walk you through everything you’ll want to see in the city on your first visit!
Dalian
Slightly less known than some of the above, I couldn’t write this post without featuring Dalian! This is a coastal city that offers beach access and nice walks through parks along the waterside – a breath of fresh air amongst some of the bigger metropolitan cities!
Xian
Last but not least, the city of Xian is a must see destination on any visit to China as it allows you to easily explore the famous Terracotta Warrior Army! Xian also has maintained its historic city walls, allowing visitors to walk along the perimeter of the historic neighborhood of Xian!
Wherever you choose to go on your visit to China, I hope you have a great time! Let me know if I missed any top highlights in the comments below!
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About the Author: Hi, I’m Jill! I am a biomedical & mechanical engineer who loves traveling during my free time. My hope is to help make it easier for others to plan their dream trips by providing firsthand experience from the places I’ve been! Read More.
