One thing to be aware of if planning an itinerary is that China is a vast territory and distances between attractions are great. Plan your route carefully and make sure you give yourself enough time to get everywhere you want to go - this is a once in a lifetime chance to see the treasures of a truly ancient society.
Now here are the most popular China tourist destination you must visit if you want to traveling to China :
1. Great Wall of China
It is a truly amazing display of human endeavour, running for a total of 6,350km from east to west (though this includes sections that have collapsed and are no longer visible). Amazingly this vast project was begun over 2,000 years ago as an earth rampart, added to over a period of 1,500 years to become the formidable fortification that still survives today. The most accessible place to see the wall is taking an easy day excursion from Beijing. The most popular tourist spot is at Badaling, where the wall has been restored to its full strength, and you can see what an impressive undertaking it really was.
However, during peak season you may be better advised to visit the wall at a less popular place such as Simatai (100km north-east of the capital), or Jinshanling (150km north of the city), where the tourist crowds aren't quite as thick and the wall is still in a natural condition.
2. Ming Tombs
A convenient part of a day trip to see the Great Wall from Beijing, the Ming Tombs 50km north-west of the capital are a fascinating glimpse at the power and wealth of the Chinese dynasty that ruled the country in the Middle Ages.
As significant culturally as the Great Pyramids of Egypt this complex is home to the tombs of no less than 13 of China's Ming Dynasty emperors. The 7km sacred way leading to the tombs is lined with larger than life paired statues of fabulous creatures, including camels, rhinoceroses and elephants, while the tombs themselves are spread over a site more than 40 sq km. The most recent tomb, dating from the 17th century, has been excavated to reveal a fabulous subterranean palace that contains several chambers, including thrones for the emperor and his consorts. The older tomb of Changling, dating from the early-15th century is less well preserved but is the largest mausoleum. You will have to pay between CNY30-60 to enter each tomb.
3. The Mighty Yangtze River
One of the world's greatest rivers the Yangtze winds its 6,800km way through central China. Officially the river is the world's third longest, behind the Amazon and the Nile.
Cruising the entire length of the river would naturally take several weeks, but taking a boat trip on some of its most spectacular reaches is a great experience. The most popular tours currently are the ones through the Three Gorges near to Chongqing. This series of narrow defiles has been carved by the patient process of water erosion through the centuries. Steep sided and wooded, the gorges enclose the river completely in parts.
The world's biggest hydro-electric dam project will result in this entire region being flooded however, creating the world's largest artificial lake. Consequently the Three Gorges will soon be not quite as spectacular, with much of their slopes being submerged, although it will still be possible to cruise the river to sights such as the ghost town of Fengdu.
4. Terracotta Army
Undoubtedly this attraction in Xian would have increased the Wonders of the Ancient World to eight, if only it hadn't lain undiscovered and forgotten until 1974. How someone could lose a complete army of life-size terracotta warriors, complete with accoutrements and horses is impossible to comprehend when you see the vast space the attraction covers - but the burying of the site is responsible for the excellent state of preservation of the figures today.
The army was originally built on the orders of Emperor Shih Huang-ti, unifier of China under the Ch'in Dynasty, and was commissioned when he was still a child. The site also contains the Emperor's Mausoleum, which is yet to be excavated, as well as treasuries and a throne room. The army has been excavated in three pits: The main site, Pit One, was the site of the initial discovery and contains over six thousand figures. The smaller Pit Two contains about a quarter of that number, including some wooden chariots, while diminutive Pit Three only contains about 70 statues. Vast sheds, resembling aircraft hangars, protect the excavated army and tourists from the elements. Incredibly detailed, each soldier has different facial features.
You can't get close to the figures but seeing ranks upon ranks of these silent warriors, standing as they have done for thousands of years is one of China's most thrilling experiences. 35 miles from Xian. Admission: CNY90. Note that although taking photos is allowed in Pit One, flash photos are completely banned.
5. Shanghai
Shanghai Tours
China's biggest and richest city Shanghai doesn't have the ancient charm of the nation's other great settlements. However it more than makes up for that in its vibrant entertainment and nightlife, and a range of modern cultural institutions that can rival those anywhere in the world.
Central among these is the Shanghai Museum only opened to the public in 1994, which contains thousands upon thousands of objects relating to Chinese history and culture. You should also take time to walk or take a boat trip past the Bund, the kilometre-long stretch of Western style buildings from the early 1900s. Modern Shanghai should also be thoroughly explored as a symbol of emerging modern China. The Oriental Pearl TV Tower offers great views across the city and the Huangpo River.
Some of the older attractions in Shanghai include the Jade Buddha Temple, with its two marvellous statues of Buddha carved from a single massive piece of jade. The Yuyuan Garden dates in some form or other from the 16th century, but has been much restored. It is a garden in the traditional Chinese style with pagodas and water features.
6. Tibet and Chomolangma (Mount Everest)
The Tibetan word for Everest literally means "Mother Goddess", and is a far more suitable name for the highest point on earth than the rather bland European title. Although climbing Everest remains beyond reach for most, just seeing the magnificent massif is an experience that will last a lifetime.
The views from Chinese Tibet are well acknowledged to be better than those available from neighbouring Nepal, but the trip doesn't come cheap with licences and permits needed for any expedition in the region of the mountain. You can visit the base camps for Everest expeditions at Rongbuk and Kashung Face by organised treks or four-wheel drive but even these require a certain amount of fitness. The Tibetan capital Lhasa is located north of the mountain and is just one further attraction of this marvellous region of Buddhist monasteries, rural communities and spectacular mountain scenery.
7. Forbidden City- Beijing
The Forbidden City comprises the Imperial Palace in Beijing and is the most enduring memorial to the ultimate power wielded by the dynastic emperors of China for thousands of years.
The centre of government for both the Ming Dynasty, and later the Qing Dynasty - which ended in 1911, the Imperial Palace was the seat of power in China for 550years. The vast walls encompass an area of 75 hectares containing a thousand buildings built in traditional Chinese pagoda roofed style. The scale of the undertaking even today would be vast, but is unimaginable in the 1400s when construction commenced. Exploring the many different buildings takes at least half a day, with most of the complex being open to visitors.
The dominant building is the Hall of Supreme Harmony, facing the vast square immediately behind the Meridian Gate, the palace's main entrance. Inside this, and the other state halls behind, you can see the vast wealth of the Emperor displayed in the lavish furnishings. The Palace Gardens is a delightfully secluded oasis behind the main buildings.
*Large-scale renovation work on the Forbidden City is now taking place and is not expected to be complete until 2020. The site will remain open to visitors but some inconvenience may be caused.
8. Mount Tai Shan and China's Sacred Mountains
Mt Huashan
China has many sacred mountains but Tai Shan in Shandong Province is the most venerated of them all.
Like Everest to the Tibetans, to the Chinese Tai Shan is a deity in its own right. Regarded as the son of the Emperor of Heaven, the mountain has been a place of pilgrimage for well over 2000 years. 7000 steps climb their way up the peak, and they are always busy with pilgrims ascending to the temples of the Jade Emperor and his daughter the Princess of Clouds, where they can pray for everything from fertility to cures from diseases. The climb is tiring but the path is lined with stalls and inns where pilgrims can take a break.
Mount Huashan near to Xian is an alternative accessible holy mountain to visit. But this is a far more precipitous affair - a head for heights is required to navigate the chainlink ladders and knife-edge ridges. The views from the top though are considered among China's most stunning. Huangshan meanwhile is less strenuous. Located in the Anhui region, this mountain actually consists of over 70 distinct peaks. The easiest way up to the summits is via any of the three cablecars, but stepped paths also lead up the 1800m Lotus Flower Peak, the highest point in the park.
Admission costs are often payable for China's maintained holy sites, or sites of natural beauty.
9. The Silk Road
Xian
Once the most important overland trade route in Southeast Asia the Silk Road got its name from the bolts of silk carried by merchants from China all the way across the continent to the markets of Europe.
The road first began to be used in 200BC under the Han Dynasty and traffic only began to wane in the 15th century, as the development of more sophisticated shipping rendered land transport impractical. Nowadays a tour along the Silk Road's ancient route takes you to some parts of China you wouldn't otherwise see, as well as passing some ancient residues from the route's hey-day. Way up in the Northwest of the nation, in the autonomous region of Xinjiang Uygur you will experience the desert landscape the Silk Road carved its way through. The city of Turpan was a key waypoint on the road. China's hottest city, the settlement has plenty to see.
The Bezizlik Thousand Buddha Caves near here are the most important Buddhist sites this close to China's border and the remains of a garrison once sacked by Genghis Khan can still be seen in the city.
10. Macau
A tiny island just off China's Southeast coast near to Hong Kong, Macau was a Portuguese colony until 1999. Today the island is back under the administration of China but, like Hong Kong, Macau has a unique air that blends European with Chinese influences.
This is at its most evident in the structures that remain on the island. While there are three Buddhist temples of note, dating back over six centuries, there are also cathedrals and churches of Western denominations. It makes Macau a fascinating place to visit. Highlights include the Hun Iam Temple, which allegedly includes a statue of Marco Polo, and the Monte Fort, which was once the island's key defence, but is now a ruin. The fort also contains the remains of St Paul's church, a Christian place of worship destroyed in a fire in the 19th century.
11. Hangzhou and the Great Canal
Grand Canal
Built at the beginning of the 7th century, the Beijing Hangzhou Canal remains the biggest manmade waterway in the world. It stretches for 1800km connecting the capital with the southern city south-west of Shanghai.
The outlying town of Wuzhen lies on the canal. It has been redeveloped and is something of a tourist haunt, but the immaculate traditional Chinese buildings that front onto the canal are beautiful, unsurprisingly drawing comparisons with Italy's Venice. Hangzhou itself contains a great many attractions which shouldn't be neglected. The National Tea and Silk Museums illustrate two of the country's most important exports through history while the peaceful charms of West Lake and the famous Lingyin Temple never fail to capture the imagination.
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