What to See in China

MY CHINA TOP TEN

1.       Longsheng Rice Terraces (Ping’an, Dazhai)

Visiting these tiny pocket cities is magical. Stepping on the hand-hewn rice terraces is like stepping back in time. Electricity is not guaranteed here. Tourist swarms do not flock here. But the warmth of the locals and the simple lifestyle they lead is truly fascinating to observe.

2.       Shanghai

A city unlike any other in the world. It is a crashing together of the old and the new, the east and the west and it is amazing. You can get whatever you want here, can see some of the most incredible architecture in the world here, and hear every language in the world here. Millions of people flock to this city, making it one of the most densely populated in the world, and the energy is intoxicating.

3.       Yangtze River Cruise on the Dragon Boat

This cruise is big time! It's a boat, and it's a dragon. What could be more awesome? And riding the largest dragon-boat in the world down the biggest river in China, and the third longest river in the world is an experience of a lifetime. Enjoy the interior that is decorated in traditional ancient style, have fun getting to know your fellow cruisers, and take in the sights from your private balcony along the way. And of course, marvel at the largest dam in the world when you pass through the Three Gorges Dam toward the end of your journey.

4.       Guilin and Yangshuo, river cruise and seeing the cities

The karst landscape of this region is memorizing, and riding along on the river cruise you feel like you're getting a snapshot of a lifestyle that only exists in fantasy novels and movies. Yangshuo is a tourist haven with lovely local crafts for sale, plenty of food and beer, and oddly enough, plenty of dance clubs at night. But the landscape is by far the best part and a bike ride in the countryside is highly recommended, even if you get caught in a monsoon-like rainstorm.

5.       Hike the Great Wall

When some tourist sites are really hyped up it's often easy to feel let down when you see them in person. This is not one of those sites. It's a wonder of the world for a reason, and as you hike atop this structure and look at it winding and snaking along ridges in the distance you can't help but ponder about the man-power it took to build it, and the emperor who decided it was worth building.

6.       Huangshan, it’s just stunning

Huangshan, or Yellow Mountain, is referred to by the Chinese as the most famous mountain in China. When you go there in person, it's easy to see why. Scenes from calligraphy paintings jump out at you, and the sights from any vantage point are simply breathtaking.

7.       Everywhere in Yunnan province (Dali, Lijiang, Tiger Leaping Gorge, Kunming)

Yunnan is the mystical province that is home to Shangri-la, and where a large segment of the population is from a minority group. It is the gateway to Vietnam, Laos, and Burma to the south and it is one of the few places in China where the skies are nearly always blue. It is full of color, full of life and full of laid back people who are genuinely warm and kind hearted.

 

8.       Xiamen and Gulong Yu

This city on the sea was once an important port town, and thus has a fun mix of both western and traditional architectural styles. It's a big city, so there is lots of shopping, a beautiful and busy walking street, and of course there are beaches and boat rides. Don't miss Gulong Yu, a peaceful island where cars and motor bikes are banned and wonderful touring abounds.

 

9.       Hong Cun, Xidi and the Bamboo forest in Anhui province

These little ancient towns are located just a little more than an hour away from the bustling city center of Tunxi, Huangshan. Leave the crowds, noises and sense of modernity behind and soak up the feeling of what life was like in years gone by.

 

 

10.   Suzhou, the Venice of China

Full of waterways, traditional gardens and various temples and pagodas (three different ones pictured below), this is a little big city with lots of charm with a dash of exciting night life if that's what you're looking for.