The Top 10 China Travel Destinations in 2021
Where in China should you go next year? Here we recommend 10 of the most popular tourist destinations to help you seek ideas and spark planning for your 2021 tour.
The top 10 destinations are 1) Yunnan, 2) Guilin, 3) Chengdu, 4) Tibet, 5) Zhangjiajie, 6) Huangshan, 7) Xiamen, 8) Beijing, 9) Xi'an, 10) Shanghai, with Suzhou and Hangzhou.
We have also linked our top related tours for your convenience.
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1. Yunnan — a Colorful Wonderland
Located in Southwest China, Yunnan is the most diverse and colorful area in China, with features ranging from snowcapped mountains to tropical rain forests, from highland lakes to canyons, and from ancient towns to fascinating minority villages.
Yunnan's diverse cultures, rich history, spectacular landscapes, and pleasant climate make it a good year-round vacation destination.
Top Things to Do in Yunnan
- Enjoy a lazy time in the Old Town of Lijiang, which is characterized by old Naxi architecture.
- Bike with the refreshing breezes of Erhai Lake
- Visit a non-public dormitory of Songzanlin Monastery and walk in a Tibetan family's house in Shangri-La
- Meet the matriarchal Mosuo in Lugu Lake
- Capture the unmatched beauty of the Yuanyang Terraced Fields, an area that has been acknowledged by UNESCO as a World Cultural and Natural Heritage Site.
- Hike across Tiger Leaping Gorge, which is one of the deepest gorges on the planet.
Recommended Tours
- 8-Day Kunming, Dali, Lijiang, and Shangri-La Tour
- 9-Day Yunnan Family Tour
- 3-Day Lugu Lake Tour
- 6-Day Xishuangbanna and Pu'er Tour
- More Yunnan tours
All our tours can be customized. Contact us to create a trip according to your group size, time, budget, interests, and other requirements.
2. Guilin — The Place to Go for Classic Chinese Countryside
"East to west, Guilin is best." Guilin's idyllic scenery draws millions of tourists from near and far every year. Its marvelous limestone scenery is renowned as "the most beautiful on earth". The fresh air and countryside scenery make it an ideal place to escape industrial pollution.
The Li River is the top highlight of Guilin, and the Longji Terraced Fields attract many photographers in spring and fall.
Top Things to Do in Guilin
- Take a cruise to see the picturesque Li River.
- Photograph the Longji Terraced Fields and experience minority culture in Longsheng.
- Have an adventurous ATV driving experience along paths and between rice fields in Yangshuo.
- Try a 2-hour via ferrata (cable-protected cliff climb) in Yulong River Ecological Park.
- Go kayaking to enjoy the cool water and appreciate the karst scenery along the Li River.
- Experience what it's like to be a local villager working in the fields.
Recommended Tours
- 4-Day Guilin Scenic and Ethnic Discovery
- 5-Day Dynamic Guilin and Yangshuo Tour — Best for Summer Vacations
- 6-Day Guilin, Yangshuo, and Longsheng Tour
3. Chengdu — the City of Cute Giant Pandas
Giant pandas are so cute, and many travelers want to see, or even hug, these lovely animals. Although there are giant pandas in zoos in various places around China, the best place to see and hug pandas is in Chengdu. Visitors can also take part in volunteer programs to take care of giant pandas.
Top Things to Do in Chengdu
- Watch giant pandas and join a panda keeper program
- Shake up your taste buds with the real Sichuan food
- Visit the Leshan Giant Buddha
- Discover the mysterious Sanxingdui Civilization in Sanxingdui Museum
- Walk into a colorful fairyland in Daocheng and Yading
Recommended Tours
- 3-Day Chengdu Giant Panda, Giant Buddha, and Ancient Town Tour
- 1-Day Pandas and Sanxingdui Museum Tour
- 5-Day Chengdu, Daocheng, and Yading Tour
- 8-Day Chengdu to Shangri-La Adventure Tour
All our tours can be customized. The itinerary can be adjusted according to your group size, time, budget, interests, and other requirements. Just contact us.
4. Tibet — Nothing but Pure Beauty
Tibet is a sacred place for Buddhists as well as a dream destination for many tourists. It is overflowing with rich Tibetan culture, characteristic Tibetan architectural structures, vast grasslands, herds of cattle and sheep, blue skies, clear water, and fresh air. It's a place for slowing down and soaking up the natural charm that's all around you.
Top Things to Do in Tibet
- Explore the Potala Palace, which is an iconic landmark in Tibet.
- Make a circuit of Barkhor Street to get an insight into the Tibetan culture and beliefs.
- Gaze at the beauty of Yamdrok Lake and Namtso — Tibet's pristine landscapes.
- Explore Ani Tsankhung Nunnery, a quiet but active convent where females study Buddhism.
Recommended Tours
- 13-Days Beijing–Xi'an–Lhasa-Shanghai Private Tour
- 8-Days Lhasa to Everest Base Camp Tour
- 7-Days Tibet Tours by Train from Xining
- 5-Days Lhasa Classics and Lake Yamdrok Tour
All our tours can be customized. Contact us to create a trip according to your group size, time, budget, interests, and other requirements.
5. Zhangjiajie — Pandora on Earth!
Zhangjiajie is famous for its precarious peaks, limpid streams, dense forests, large karst caves, and biodiversity. It is one of the must-see scenic areas in China.
It was thrust into foreign travelers' eyes via the movie Avatar. The Hallelujah Mountains were inspired (in part) by peaks like Heavenly Pillar in Zhangjiajie National Forest Park.
Top Things to Do in Zhangjiajie
- Hike among the amazing pillars and peaks of Zhangjiajie National Forest Park
- Escape the crowds entirely and enjoy the scenery on an off-the-beaten track route.
- Bike around the beautiful and non-touristy side of Tianmen Mountain.
- Experience via ferrata (cable-safe cliff challenges) at Hongyanling (Red Rock Ridge).
- Try bungee jumping on the Zhangjiajie Glass Bridge
- See How to Plan a Zhangjiajie Tour for top guidance and tips.
Recommended Tours
6. Huangshan — the Magical Yellow Mountains
Legendary natural scenery is the highlight of Huangshan. It has "the most beautiful mountains in China". The Yellow Mountains, with their seas of clouds, oddly-shaped rocks and pines, and hot springs at the mountain foot, attract many many visitors.
Besides the enchanting mountains, you should also see the beautiful surrounding countryside, with its celebrated spring vistas, fall hues, and ancient villages. Canola flowers in spring can be the icing on a cake.
Top Things to Do in Huangshan
- Ascend the Yellow Mountains and enjoy sunrise, sunset, and seas of clouds.
- Visit the "artists' muse" — the beautiful village of Hongcun.
- Escape to a rural utopia in Bishan village and see how artists have turned this small area into a rural paradise.
- See How to Plan a Huangshan Trip for insider tips and guidance.
Recommended Tours
- 3-Day Ancient Villages and Yellow Mountains Tour
- 3-Day Escape to Huangshan from Shanghai or Hangzhou
- 4-Day Trekking in the Yellow Mountains
7. Xiamen — Where Mulan Was Filmed
"The city is on the sea, and the sea is in the city" is a phrase referring to Xiamen, which is known as the "Garden on the Sea". Located on the southeast coast of China, Xiamen has beautiful seaside scenery and a pleasant climate. Apart from the beautiful scenery, there is the Hakka culture to discover. In Disney's movie Mulan, Mulan's house is set in the Fujian Tulou, which is representative of the Hakka culture.
Top Things to Do in Xiamen
- Explore Gulang Island to appreciate its natural beauty, colonial-style architecture, and interesting museums.
- Visit the Fujian Tulou, inscribed by UNESCO as a cluster of World Heritage Sites, to experience the Hakka culture.
- Tour South Putuo Temple, which is the most famous ancient temple in Xiamen.
Recommended Tours
- 3-Day Xiamen, Gulangyu, and Tulou Tour
- 3-Day Essence of Xiamen and In-Depth Tulou Tour
- 3-Day Quanzhou Tour with Anxi Oolong Tea Experience
- 9 Days Xiamen, Yongding Hakka Tulou, and Xiapu Mudflat Photo Tour
8. Beijing — Visit the Great Wall
Beijing, capital of China, is the most popular tourist destination in China every year. In 2021 Beijing should continue to be the best seller, where you can get the maximum experience of Chinese culture and history for one destination. The Forbidden City and the Great Wall draw millions of visitors every year.
Top Things to Do in Beijing
- Visit the Forbidden City to see the spectacular ancient architectural complex.
- Hike on the Great Wall to be a "real man" (according to Chairman Mao).
- Take a bike ride in the hutongs (narrow alleys) to experience Beijing's traditional culture.
Recommended Tours
9. Xi'an — See the Terracotta Army
One of the most popular China destinations among foreign travelers, Xi'an particularly attracts tourists on their first trip to China.
The Terracotta Army in Xi'an is considered one of the greatest archaeological sites in the world. More than 6,000 life-size terracotta warriors and horses have been unearthed, all with different expressions and poses. Many remain interred.
Top Things to Do in Xi'an
- Visit the amazing Terracotta Army and make your own warriors at a cave dwelling.
- Bike on the Ancient City Wall.
- Hang out and snack in the Muslim Streets.
Recommended Tours
10. Shanghai, Suzhou and Hangzhou — 1 Hour by Bullet Train
High-speed rail gives you some new comfortable and convenient China tour options. Suzhou and Hangzhou are now only an hour's travel by bullet train from Shanghai! Download China Train Booking to book train tickets.
Enjoy ancient culture, gardens, and water towns from modern Shanghai, a top gateway city. The traditional gardens are quiet and inspirational places for escaping from busy city life.
Top Things to Do in These Cities
- Explore an enchanting old water town.
- Appreciate traditional, captivatingly-landscaped Chinese gardens
- Visit the world's biggest Starbucks and see how AR (augmented reality) is used in the store.
- Explore the Bund in-depth and its historical buildings.
Recommended Tours
- 2-Day Shanghai's Old and New Collision
- 2-Day A Journey to the Future
- 4-Day Shanghai, Hangzhou, Water Town Culture Tour
- 5-Day Yangtze River Delta Bullet Train Tour
Look for Some Unusual Destinations?
If you have been to the destinations above or you prefer to the off-the-beaten places, you could take the following destinations into consideration.
Rainbow Mountains in Zhangye- The Silk Road (Dunhuang, Zhangye, Urumqi, Kashgar): see specail landscape — rainbow mountains; splendid Dunhuang Mogao Caves; Uyghur culture; desert activities...
- Ningxia (Zhongwei): wonderful desert experiences; one of China's best wine producing areas; desert camping, luxury desert hotel experience...
- Inner Mongolia: vast grassland scenery; splendid golden euphrates poplar forests; Nadam Festival...
Qinghai Lake- Qinghai: fantastic lake views — Qinghai Lake and Chaka Salt Lake; experience Buddhist culture on the Ancient Silk Road...
- Gansu: discover Tibetan culture outside Tibet; stunning plateau scenery...
- Sanya: sunshine, happy beach time, various water sports...
Recommended Tours
- 11-Day Along the Great Silk Road
- 8-Day Miraculous Qinghai and Legendary Silk Road Tour
- 3-Day Zhongwei Desert Tour with Winery Experience
- 6-Day Gannan Pure Land Tour
- 7-Day When Silk Road Culture Meets Fabulous Fall Colors
All our tours can be customized. Contact us to create a trip according to your group size, time, budget, interests, and other requirements.
Start Planning Your China Trip
Read our ideas and suggestions on How to Plan Your China Trip.
Recommended Classic China Tour Itineraries
Below are recommended China tours itineraries for you, including the most popular places from the list above. All of our tours can be tailor-made. Tell us your requirements and interests, and we will help you create your own China tour.
- 8-Day Golden Triangle Tour — Beijing, Xi'an, Shanghai
- 12-Day China Highlights Panda Tour — Beijing, Xi'an, Chengdu, Guilin, Yangshuo, Shanghai
- Find some inspiration on our China tours 2021
- See more our China tours.
For a different combination of China cities, or to tour more of China your way, contact us with your favorite China highlights and we'll tailor-make your dream tour.
