China is a huge country that is rich in art, culture, cuisine, and history. I’ve only been to five cities in China, but I felt that I have seen a great deal of this interesting nation. Of course, there’s more to cover, but these five has already left me feeling satisfied. It’s like having five main dishes that wouldn’t mind not tasting the other courses. For now, that is. Time can only tell when I’d be able to savor the other dishes, I mean, the beauty of other Chinese cities.
Below are the five cities in China that I have visited.
Beijing
China’s present capital is Beijing. It is China’s powerful political center with a colorful history. Not only that, it is home to many UNESCO World Heritage Sites. It is easy to navigate around Beijing because it is divided into rings. At the very center of these rings is the Forbidden Palace. We were quite fortunate to have found a hotel in the innermost ring. Zao Yuan Ju Hotel, located at Zhang Wang hutong, is a few blocks away from the Drum and Bell Tower. These are a few places you can visit while in Beijing:
1.) Forbidden City. Right at the heart of Beijing is the Forbidden City, which houses a rich repository of Chinese history and art at the Palace Museum. The whole compound is extremely breathtaking. The expanse gives a glimpse of the luxuries life of their royalty in the olden days.
2.) Summer Palace. It’s nice to explore the vast expanse of the Summer Palace. The artificial lake has a relaxing effect on the eyes. You can even write a boat and enjoy the lake. Exercise your legs when you stroll through the longest corridor.
3.) Great Wall of China. Despite the crumbling steps at certain parts of the wall, the sight of the Great Wall of China is still amazing. It’s a milestone in human engineering that has withstood the test of time.
4.) Temple of Heaven. This religious complex has been around for many centuries and various dynasties. The design and architecture of the temple are impeccable and still attracts many visitors to this day.
5.) Drum Tower and Bell Tower. The Drum Tower and the Bell Tower are not only interesting landmarks because of their structure but because drums and bells played an important role in ancient China when it comes to telling time.
6.) Olympic Green. one of the modern attractions of Beijing is the Olympic Village, which was the major venue during the 2008 Summer Olympics when China hosted this global sports event.
7.) Dazhalan. Located in the south of Tiananmen Square, Dazhalan or Dashilan is a whole stretch of various Chinese shops and eateries.
8.) Silk Street. If you are up for some shopping, Silk Street is where you can by great bargains.
Xi’an
Xi’an is a historical Chinese city and was a cultural and political center of ancient dynasties. It is very popular because it is the site of the Terracotta army and mausoleum of Qin Shi Huang, the first Chinese emperor.
9.) Terracotta warriors. This earthen army was built to be Emperor Qin Shi Huang’s army to the afterlife. It was only uncovered by accident, and since then, its discovery has attracted people from various parts of the globe.
10.) Terracotta art factory. Since visitors are not allowed to go near or touch the terracotta warriors, the best way to know more about it and take home one of yours is through a visit at a terracotta art factory.
11.) Old City Wall. The city wall has been well-preserved and a magnificent place to visit. You can even bike or stroll on top of the wall. It gives a glimpse of the city’s past and a view of its present progress.
12.) Giant Wild Goose Pagoda. The tower has been standing for over a thousand years already and has withstood many calamities, like an earthquake.
Shanghai
If you are looking for a modern metropolis, then Shanghai is a place you can explore. Despite its towering skyscrapers, Shanghai still has a piece of historical charm. It’s a nice contrast between the old and the new that makes Shanghai a beautiful city to visit.
13.) French Concession. The French Concession in Shanghai is a heritage area in the city that shows the European influence on the place. Although it was a settlement for the French, in the beginning, it also became a home for various nationalities.
14.) Oriental Pearl Tower. This radio and TV tower in the Pudong area is an eye-catching landmark in the Shanghai skyline. It has a giant ball near its base and has observation decks above for visitors.
15.) Sightseeing tunnel. Cross the Pudong area to the Bund, underneath the Huangpu River, through an attractive light show in the sightseeing tunnel. It was a short and fun experience, but it’s the best way to get from one side of the river to the other side.
16.) The Bund. If the Pudong area is filled with modern tall skyscrapers with neon lights, the Bund that is facing it is a stretch of colonial buildings with height limitations. At night, it is bathed in a yellow glow.
17.) Nanjing Road. The night comes alive in Nanjing Road, the main shopping district of Shanghai. The area has been around for over a hundred years already. It is near the Bund.
18.) Yu Yuan Garden. Yu Garden or Yuyuan Garden is like a beautiful blend of a park, a historical area and a shopping district. We also tasted one of the delicious xiaolongbaos in a restaurant here.
Guangzhou
Also referred to as Canton, Guangzhou is another ancient Chinese capital. It is a busy port city in the southern part of China. Apart from its rich history, Guangzhou is also popular for its flavorful, delectable food. Cantonese food is a famous regional cuisine in China.
19.) Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hall. The hall has an octagon shape that is used for various events. It was built in honor of revolutionary Chinese leader Sun Yat-sen.
20.) Baiyun Mountain. The White Cloud Mountain is a good place to be away from the city but not totally far from it. There are many scenic sights on the mountain and locals come here for picnics or just to relax.
21.) Yuntai Garden. Right at the foot of Baiyun Mountain is the Yuntai Garden, home to the various flower and plant species. It’s like a wonderland, with a small lake in the middle and the mountains in the background.
22.) Guangzhou Zoo. The zoo may not be as large as those in big cities, but what is refreshing to roam around the zoo is because it is not too crowded, a good place to observe the panda, which is one of my favorites.
23.) Shishi Stone Cathedral. This gothic structure was built in the 19th century and has a beautiful architecture and design. Its name is the Cathedral of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, but it is often referred as the Stone House.
Shenzhen
Shenzhen is just an hour by train from Hong Kong at the south and also an hour by train from Guangzhou at the north. It is fast becoming a technology hub in China. Interestingly, Shenzhen has so many parks and amusement parks.
24.) Window of the World. It’s like seeing the major landmarks in the world in one place. Some of them are not too minute, such as the Eiffel Tower. But it’s an interesting park to explore if you are a travel junkie yourself.
25.) Splendid China Folk Village. China has many beautiful sights that there is a separate theme park just for it. If you want to see the best of China in one day, this is the place to go.
China has many more areas and beautiful destinations to offer. It has one of the richest history and culture in the world. It would be great to know more about the ancient and modern China by visiting its various cities.