Top things to do in China include the Forbidden City, Great Wall hikes, Xi’an’s Terracotta Army, Sichuan food, and karst cruises.
China packs more variety into one trip than most countries manage in a lifetime. This page walks you through can’t-miss sights, short routes that link them, and smart ways to avoid lines and crowds. The picks below mix city icons, natural showstoppers, and food moments that fit any budget.
| Experience | Where | Why It’s Worth It |
|---|---|---|
| Walk The Great Wall | Beijing & Hebei | Wild ridge walks, watchtowers, far views. |
| Enter The Forbidden City | Beijing | China’s imperial heart with grand halls. |
| See The Terracotta Army | Xi’an | Thousands of life-size warriors in vaults. |
| Meet Giant Pandas | Chengdu | Morning feeding time brings lively scenes. |
| Cruise The Li River | Guilin–Yangshuo | Limestone peaks and mirror-calm bends. |
| Float Above Zhangjiajie | Hunan | Glass bridge and pillar peaks all around. |
| Climb Yellow Mountain | Anhui | Granite spires and sea-of-cloud mornings. |
| Stroll West Lake | Hangzhou | Causeways, gardens, and tea hills nearby. |
| Walk The Bund | Shanghai | Colonial facades facing a sci-fi skyline. |
| Tour Mogao Caves | Dunhuang | Painted grottoes from Silk Road days. |
Best Things To Do Across China: A First-Timer’s Path
Most travelers fly into Beijing or Shanghai. A classic arc runs Beijing → Xi’an → Chengdu → Guilin/Yangshuo → Zhangjiajie → Hangzhou → Shanghai. High-speed rail links most legs in a few hours, and you can trim or expand stops as time allows.
Walk The Great Wall
Pick a section that matches your style. Mutianyu suits families and first timers, with cable cars to save time. Jinshanling and Gubeikou bring longer, quieter ridge lines. On any stretch, avoid mid-day heat; start early, carry water, and keep a light windbreaker for the ridge.
To see why the Wall matters, read UNESCO’s profile of the site, which explains protection and scope; it’s a solid primer before you go. UNESCO Great Wall profile.
Enter The Forbidden City
The palace complex sits north of Tiananmen Square and runs on a timed-entry system. Tickets require advance booking through official channels, and Monday is a rest day outside national holidays. Plan a half day, moving south to north through the Outer Court and into the Inner Court’s living spaces.
For booking rules and closures, check the museum’s notice in English. Palace Museum ticket info.
See The Terracotta Army
Xi’an’s star sits in three main pits within the Mausoleum of the First Qin Emperor area. Pit 1 shows the full sweep of rank after rank; Pits 2 and 3 reveal command units and horses. Crowds cluster at the central rails, so walk to the far corners for clear views and photos.
Reaching the site takes about an hour from central Xi’an by taxi or bus. Aim for the first hour after opening, then return to the city for the Muslim Quarter’s street snacks and the old city walls at sunset.
Meet Giant Pandas In Chengdu
The research base sits just outside town, which makes an early taxi easy. Arrive right at opening to catch breakfast time when the animals are active. Paths loop past nurseries, outdoor enclosures, and red panda groves. Keep voices low and skip flash; you’ll see better behavior and better photos.
Cruise The Li River To Yangshuo
The classic run glides from Guilin down to Yangshuo past karst peaks mirrored in still water. Boats vary, from big day cruisers with lunch to small bamboo-style rafts on shorter segments like Yangdi to Nine-Horse Fresco Hill. In Yangshuo, rent a bike and drift through back-lanes of the Yulong Valley.
Cross The Zhangjiajie Glass Bridge
The span hangs high above a canyon between forested cliffs. Time slots control flow, and shoe covers protect the panels. Pair the bridge with a hike among sandstone pillars in the national park, and ride the Bailong Elevator to gain a head start on the upper trails.
Climb Yellow Mountain (Huangshan)
Granite peaks, wind-shaped pines, and cloud seas draw painters and hikers alike. Two cableways reach the upper paths; after that, stone steps link viewpoints. Stay one night on the summit ridge if you can. Sunset, a predawn start, and sunrise over the cloud deck make the extra effort pay off.
Stroll West Lake In Hangzhou
Willow-lined banks, arched bridges, and tea terraces set a calm mood. Walk the Su Causeway at dawn, visit a lakeside pagoda, then sip Longjing in nearby Meijiawu village. Biking works well here; ride half the shoreline and retreat to a garden café during midday heat.
Walk The Bund At Night
On one side: early-20th-century facades. Across the river: needle-thin towers and the sci-fi curves of Pudong. Arrive near sunset, watch lights bloom, then take the river ferry to feel the size of the skyline. If rain moves in, duck into Shanghai Museum for bronzes, ceramics, and jades.
Tour The Mogao Caves
The caves sit near Dunhuang at the desert’s edge. Entry is tightly managed to protect murals and sculptures, so book ahead and start at the visitor center film halls. Guided cave visits rotate, which keeps footfall low and conditions stable. Bring a light layer; interiors stay cool.
When To Go And How To Link Stops
Spring (March–May) and autumn (September–November) give mild air and clear views in most regions. Summer brings heat and bigger crowds near schools’ holiday windows. Winter skies can be crisp in the north, with fewer people at major sites and better hotel rates in cities.
For a tight week, pick three anchors: Beijing for Wall and palace, Xi’an for the warriors, and Shanghai for city life. With ten to fourteen days, add Chengdu and Guilin/Yangshuo. With three weeks, fold in Zhangjiajie, Huangshan, West Lake, and the Dunhuang loop.
| Region | Best Months | Crowd Tip |
|---|---|---|
| Beijing & Great Wall | Apr–May, Sep–Oct | Enter right at opening; avoid Golden Week. |
| Xi’an & Terracotta Army | Mar–May, Sep–Nov | Head to Pit 1 corners first, then circle back. |
| Chengdu & Panda Base | Mar–May, Oct–Nov | Arrive before feeding; leave by late morning. |
| Guilin–Yangshuo | Apr–Jun, Sep–Nov | Pick early boats; rent bikes after lunch. |
| Zhangjiajie | Apr–May, Sep–Oct | Book bridge slot; pair with a pillar-trail loop. |
| Huangshan | Apr–May, Oct–Nov | Sleep on the ridge for sunrise above clouds. |
| Hangzhou & West Lake | Mar–May, Oct–Nov | Walk dawn causeways; tea villages by noon. |
| Shanghai | Mar–May, Oct–Nov | Bund at sunset; museum during showers. |
| Dunhuang & Mogao | Apr–Jun, Sep–Oct | Reserve early; desert air is dry and cool. |
Quick How-Tos For Each Pick
Great Wall
Best Spots
Mutianyu for smooth paths and cable cars; Jinshanling for ridge drama; Badaling for classic views with heavier crowds.
Forbidden City
Best Route
Enter through Meridian Gate, cross the three main halls, then linger in the living quarters and the Imperial Garden.
Terracotta Army
Best Plan
Start at Pit 3 to grasp command ranks, then Pit 2 for cavalry and archers, and save the sweep of Pit 1 for last.
Pandas In Chengdu
Best Plan
Arrive for opening, loop nurseries first, then larger outdoor pens. Save the small museum for the hotter part of the morning.
Li River
Best Plan
Take a morning cruise to Yangshuo, check into a guesthouse, then cycle through Yulong Valley at golden hour.
Zhangjiajie Glass Bridge
Best Plan
Book a midday slot to split your day: morning pillars in the park, bridge at noon, elevator and rim walk after.
Huangshan
Best Plan
Up by cableway, loop West Sea Grand Canyon, sleep on the ridge, and greet sunrise from an east-facing lookout.
West Lake
Best Plan
Walk the Su Causeway at dawn, visit a lakeside temple, then sip Longjing in Meijiawu before heading to the rail station.
The Bund
Best Plan
Arrive before sunset, circle the promenade, ferry across to Pudong for skyline photos, and finish with xiaolongbao nearby.
Mogao Caves
Best Plan
Book timed tickets, watch the intro films, then join the guided cave loop. The roster changes, so each visit feels new.
Planning Tips That Save Time And Money
- Rail First: Use high-speed trains for most legs; stations sit near city centers and cut airport transfers.
- Early Starts: Entry right at opening trims wait times and brings cooler air on ridge or lake circuits.
- Light Days: Slot heavy walking days (Wall, Huangshan, Zhangjiajie) between lighter city days.
- Cashless Ready: Mobile wallets rule in cities; keep a small stash of notes for rural taxis and snacks.
- Season Swaps: If heat waves hit, trade midday outdoors for museum time, then head back out near dusk.
- Pack List: Sun hat, refillable bottle, compact rain shell, power bank, and trail shoes with grip.
Sample Itineraries
7 Days: Cities, Wall, And Warriors
Beijing 3 nights for palace and Wall, Xi’an 2 nights for the warriors, Shanghai 2 nights for lights and food. One flight between Xi’an and Shanghai works; the rest by rail.
12 Days: Pandas And Karst Valleys
Beijing 3 nights, Xi’an 2, Chengdu 2 for the panda base and hotpot, Guilin/Yangshuo 3 for river and bikes, Shanghai 2 to close the loop.
18–21 Days: Peaks, Lakes, And Desert Art
Beijing → Xi’an → Chengdu → Zhangjiajie → Guilin/Yangshuo → Hangzhou → Huangshan → Shanghai, with a side hop to Dunhuang if you have the extra days.
Food Moments To Plan Around
Beijing roast duck with crisp skin; Shaanxi biangbiang noodles near the Drum Tower; Chengdu hotpot with numbing pepper; Guilin rice noodles for breakfast; Hangzhou’s Longjing shrimp by the lake; Shanghai’s soup dumplings that burst with broth. Book one table meal per city and fill the rest with street snacks and market grazes.
Responsible Sightseeing
Stick to marked paths on mountain trails, carry out all trash, and respect quiet zones in caves and temples. At wildlife centers, keep distance, move slowly, and skip feeding or tapping glass. At heritage sites, signage rules apply—no climbing on old brickwork or touching murals.
What To Pack For Smooth Days
Layered clothing for trains and ridges, compact umbrella, refillable bottle, and a slim cross-body bag for tickets and passport.
Final Trip Builder
Pick three to five anchors that match your style. Link them by rail, leaving flex days between heavy hiking and museum strolls. Aim for dawn starts on outdoor days and save nightfall for city lights or lakeside walks. With that cadence, you’ll leave with clear memories and the sense that you used your time well.