Best Views You’ve Never Seen: China’s Top 8 Tourist Cities
Nowadays, with the rapid development of economy and culture, China has more and more communication with all the other countries in the world. At the same time, the world becomes unprecedentedly curious about this brand new China. Vast and varied territories, long history, multi-ethnic culture and world renowned food, attract plenty of foreign tourists from all over the world to plan their trips to China. However, if it' s the first time you come to China, do you really know which cities you should visit to enjoy the most beautiful scenery and experience the unique Chinese culture? Below, I’ll list the top eight tourist cities with strong Chinese characteristics in Chinese people’s eyes to show you the best views that you should not miss in China.
1. Beijing（北京）
Beijing is the capital city of China, and also the political, economic and cultural center of China. There’re so many places in China worth visiting, but if you only have a little time, you absolutely cannot miss visiting Beijing. As a modern metropolis with a long and glorious history, Beijing is an ideal choice for the people who want to learn more about this country's past and present, experience the traditional culture and discover its modern side.
Top Attractions: The Great Wall, Forbidden City, Tiananmen Square, Temple of Heaven, Summer Palace, Ming Tomb, Beihai Park, Beijing Capital Museum.
Best Time to Travel: May, June, July, August, September, October.
2. Hangzhou（杭州）
As the old Chinese saying goes: "Above there is heaven, below there are Suzhou and Hangzhou." Hangzhou is well-known in China for its heavenly natural beauty and attracting millions of tourists each year. In the past, Hangzhou was the capital city of Southern Song Dynasty, so this charming city is also one of the cradles of Chinese civilization.
Top Attractions: West Lake, Lin Yin Temple, Solitary Hill, Six Harmonies Pagoda, China's National Silk Museum, National Tea Museum.
Best Time to Travel: April, May, June, September, October.
3. Shanghai (上海)
Shanghai is the biggest city of China, which is located in the central-eastern of China's mainland. As one of the world's leading economic and business cities, Shanghai is the most dynamic, prosperous and modernized city in China. Different cultures and views from the East and the West here collide and create a glorious combination which consequently forms Shanghai's unique multiple cultures society.
Top Attractions: The Shanghai Bund, Huangpu River Oriental, Pearl TV Tower, Shanghai Jade Buddha Temple, Yuyuan Garden, Shanghai Museum, Xin Tian Di.
Best Time to Travel: April, May, June, September, October.
4. Lijiang（丽江）
Lijiang is one of the most beautiful ancient towns in China, which is situated in the Yunnan Province. This place is not only well-known for its stunning and unconventional scenery, but also full of fascinating culture and long history. Lijiang is an UNESCO World Heritage Site, and also the home of one of the 55 minority nationalities in China ----the Naxi minority.
Top Attractions: Ancient Town Lijiang, Tiger Leaping Gorge, Yulong Snow Mountain.
Best Time to Travel: April, May, June, July, August, September, October, November.
5. Lhasa（拉萨）
Lhasa is the capital city of the Tibet Autonomous Region of China. It’s also a sacred place of Tibetan Buddhism. ‘Lhasa’ means ‘The land of gods’ in Tibetan. The exceedingly high altitude creates its unique natural scenery, while the Tibetan Buddhism creates its the one of a kind cultural and human landscape. A history of thousands of years left Lhasa plenty of attractions you’ll not want to miss.
Top Attractions: Potala Palace, Nobulingka, Drepung Monastery, Sera Monastery, Ganden Monastery, Jokhang Temple.
Best Time to Travel: May, June, July, August, September, October.
6. Xi’an（西安）
Xi’an, also called Chang’an in the ancient time, is one of the oldest cities in China. It is also known as one of the famous ancient capitals of the world’s four major civilizations with Athens, Cairo and Rome. Because of its long history, Xi’an owns a great number of precious relics and historical sites ,and it is also the starting point of the ancient Silk Road.
Top Attractions: Terra-cotta Army, Banpo Museum, Huaqing Hotspring, City Wall, Big Goose Pagoda, Shaanxi Provincial Museum, Xian Great Mosque, Forest of Stone Steles Museum.
Best Time to Travel: May, June, July, August, September, October.
7. Hong Kong（香港)
Hong Kong, officially called Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of China, is situated at the southeastern tip of China. It is one of the most important economic and financial centers in the world. Hong Kong is not only a bustling modern city, but also offers its own sounds and sights, blends the best of the East and the West. Hong Kong is also known as a shopping paradise of China, it has plenty of huge shopping malls and numerous options.
Top Attractions: Victoria Harbor, The Ocean Park, Hong Kong Disneyland, Tsing Ma Bridge, Lantau Island, Causeway Bay, The Peak Tower
Best Time to Travel: March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October.
8. Suzhou（苏州）
Suzhou is a city with a long history on the lower reaches of the Yangtze River and on the shores of Lake Taihu in the Jiangsu Province. Like Hangzhou, Suzhou also deserves the fame of a human paradise on earth due to its heavenly beauty. The city is renowned for its meticulously designed gardens and beautiful ancient water towns, which also have become great tourist attractions. Moreover, with the rapid development of economy, ancient culture and modern civilization perfectly combine here to make Suzhou a more unique and charming city.
Top Attractions: Humble Administrator’s Garden, Tiger Hill (Huqiu), Lingering Garden, The Suring Wave Pavilion, Lion Grove Garden, The Master of Nets Garden, Hanshan Temple, Maple.
Best Time to Travel: April, May, June, September, October.