Experience China’s unique culture and diverse landscapes. From the Great Wall and Forbidden City, to the Zhangjiajie and Guilin mountains, unparalleled adventure combined with history, culture and nature is never far away. Here are 7 best things to do for top China tours.
Hike the Great Wall of China
As a World Heritage Site, the Great Wall of China was built more than 2,000 years ago during the Spring and Autumn and Warring States Periods, and most of the remaining ruins were built during the Ming Dynasty. The total length is over 21,000 kilometers, including the famous Badaling, Mutianyu, Jinshanling and Simatai.
Mutianyu is the most popular among international tourists, with fewer crowds and more scenic views, and you can go up and down the mountain on a zip line. Jinshanling is a half-restored, half-wild Great Wall, suitable for photographers and hikers.
Top tips: Spring and Autumn are the four best times for Great Wall of China tours, avoiding the summer sun and winter winds.
Explore the Forbidden City
For your China tours with family or friends, the Forbidden City is a must-see. Home to 24 emperors of the Ming and Qing dynasties, the Forbidden City is the world’s largest surviving wooden palace complex, covering 720,000 square meters and containing more than 980 buildings. You can visit the ancient Emperor’s Council Hall, the Emperor’s Bedchamber, and the Imperial Garden where the concubines lived. You can also discover many art treasures and hear many stories.
Top tips: Entering through the Noon Gate and exiting through the Shenwu Gate, you can visit Jingshan Park for a panoramic view of the Forbidden City. The Forbidden City is closed on Mondays.
Marvel at the Terracotta Army
Another top things to do in China, the burial pits of the mausoleum of Qin Shi Huang were discovered in 1974 when local farmers were drilling a well. It is known as the “Eighth Wonder of the World” and one of the most important archaeological sites in the world today.
There are three pits in total. The first pit is the largest exhibition hall, with 6,000+ terracotta figurines neatly arranged. The second pit is mainly for kneeling terracotta warriors and generals. You can have a closer look through the glass showcases. And the Bronze Chariot Horse Museum is the treasure of the Terracotta Warriors Museum – its bronze casting process is still hard to replicate.
Cruise the Li River
The Li River is named one of the “Top 10 Water Wonders of the World” by National Geographic and hailed by CNN as one of the 15 most beautiful rivers on earth. Take a luxury cruise from Yangdi to Xingping, for about 4 hours, to enjoy both sides of the Li River are surreal karst peaks, including Huangbu Reflection (background of 20 yuan RMB) and Nine Horses Painted Mountain. After disembarking, we recommend renting bicycles to ride along the banks of the Youlong River, passing through idyllic gardens, ancient villages and bridges.
Meet Giant Pandas
Have a close contact with pandas is also a top things to do when you travel in China. 70% of the world’s wild pandas are living in Sichuan, and the Chengdu Panda Base is the world’s largest panda research facility. If you want to be a panda nanny, you can go to Dujiangyan Panda Base and learn to take care of pandas.
