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 2023/2024 tour.
The top 10 destinations are 1) Beijing, 2) Xi'an, 3) Chengdu, 4) Guilin, 5) Zhangjiajie, 6) Tibet, 7) Shanghai, with Suzhou and Hangzhou 8) Huangshan, 9) Dunhuang, 10) Yunnan, .
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China has reopened for travel. You can enter China now without quarantine. If you qualify for visa-free transit policy, you can travel to China without applying a new visa.
Regarding tourist visa or 10-year tourist visa, we predict it may be available around May, before Summer Holiday 2023.
To any visa-related questions, you can get an answer fast by joining our Going to China Facebook Group with 13k active memebers. It is where people talk about China entry policy everyday with real experience. Topics include tourist visa, transit visa-free policy, M visa and more. Some who have entered China smoothly woud share their experience as well.
To tailor make an affordable private tour in China, simply contact us.
1. Beijing — Visit the Great Wall
Beijing, capital of China, is the most popular tourist destination in China every year. 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
- 4-Day Beijing Private Tour - Essence of Beijing
- 2-Day Jiankou Wild Great Wall Camping Tour
- 11-Day Beijing–Xi'an–Guilin–Shanghai Tour - Classic Wonders
- More Beijing tours
2. 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
- 1-Day Xi'an Highlights Tour including the Terracotta Warrior
- 3-Day Essence of Xi'an Tour
- 8-Day Beijing–Xi'an–Shanghai Private Tour - China Golden Triangle
- More Xi'an tours
What Our Customers Said
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Marvellous Mervyn and eXcellent Xi’an
Beyond the history, which is my personal bread and butter, was the actual bread and butter of the local restaurants and of course Xi’an’s famous snack street/Muslim Quarter! Delicious dumplings, locally sourced pomegranates and persimmons and unique persimmon cakes hot of the pan and noodles and more noodles - it is worth a visit for the food alone and I certainly hope I get to return soon! As always, China Highlights has done a stellar job and I wish whoever is considering this a memorable adventure and safe travels! moreJan 2023, Apis N
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Xian 3 day tour
A real cultural&historical impressive 3 day trip to Xi'an, despite the shortening of the actual trip by some days to Covid!However, even with all the challenges, which laid ahead before and during the trip, the flexibility of everyone involved (especially my guide Jenny & my agent Zac) was the key to a memorable journey.This wasn't my first good experience with China Highlights and won't be definitely my last one as you can really take your mind off from the daily grind during those days and just enjoy the scenic spots! moreOct 2022, Karl Kirchheimer
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Hua Shan Hike
Mervyn took me from Xi'anbei Station to the top of Hua Shan east peak, where I stayed overnight to watch the sunrise.It's a magnificent place, best appreciated on days like this without too much crowd, and Mervyn was a fantastic guide.It's not easy being a foreigner travelling around China in these days of covid, but Mervyn made all of that seem easy. And she was a helpful and encouraging presence on the way up, pointing out places of interest and pulling out cans of red bull for when the going got tough!Highly recommended! moreSep 2022, Paul R
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Xian 2022 Trip
Went on a family vacation to Xian and thanks to #chinahighlights my kids and I had a truly enjoyable time. #Christy arranged our tour and #Helen was our tour guide. #Helen did a great job of leading us around the Muslim Quarter, the Terra-cotta Warriors, walking up the Big Wild Goose Pagoda, bell and drum towers, riding on the Xian city wall, visiting the Shaanxi History Museum and watching the Legend of the Silk Road show. She was especially knowledgeable of the areas history. The kids and I enjoyed the paper cutting and making terra-cotta warriors out of clay activities as well as watching the Shadow Puppet Show. Despite the COVID restrictions and excessive bureaucracy that now exists for foreigners traveling in China, #Helen did a great job meeting the unique needs of my family and I highly recommend her services. moreJul 2022, Bryan Stanfield
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Xi'an Bliss
We highly enjoyed our trip to Xi'an organised by China Highlights and with fantastic support from our guide Helen. Helen stitched together thousands of years of Chinese history throughout our visits to the terracotta warriors, the Xi'an museum and the ancient city walls. Helen gave us many superb food recommendations, in particular Xi'an's thick spinach noodles and the famous Muslim street. The trip was made very straightforward and we were supported at every step of the journey which gave us great peace of mind, even with COVID restrictions. The tour around the city walls by bike was a particular highlight. Helen also recommended the Nearwall bar which is a fantastic place for coffee and craft beer enthusiasts. China Highlights have been very flexible and responsive. We look forward to visiting again with family and friends in future. moreJul 2022, Michael H
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2.5 days in Xian
Helen helped with a quickly arranged Covid test at a local centre to smooth future travel. Next day was the Terracotta Warriors, Big Wild Goose Pagoda and Mosque. Amazing history and not too crowded with plenty of time to explore with excellent local restaurant for dumpling lunch . Helen went through loads of background info at each site adding to the experience and assisted with bartering at the markets. The final day required a late switch of museum and to the little wild goose pagoda which Helen organized efficiently and also played museum guide, I’m not sure what she doesn’t know about Chinese history. Helen was also helpful with our individual onward travel plan changes and our obsession with coffee. moreDec 2021, David P
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The best Xi’an experience I could only recommend
Susan (绒绒), my guide for 2 days, explained everything very pleasant in very good English. She has a huge historical know-how and could introduce me into all cultural and historical events connected to the visited places. To complete this journey, always accompanied with a delicious local food. Many thanks to Susan (绒绒), her driver and Chinahighlights for this fantastic experience moreOct 2021, luismK2514FG
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Our tour guides were Ann (Zhangjiajie), Ivy (Beijing), Lily (Xi'an) and Cecile (Chengdu). Each one of them was fantastic - attentive to our needs, organized, and made sure all of the details were taken care of. Each one of them adapted to our family's needs as things came up and also adapted to changing conditions -(weather, illness, unexpected closures, delays, etc) so we maximized our time and got the most out of every day. Every guide was knowledgeable and personable. moreJul 2021, christinajeanne
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3. Chengdu — the City of Cute Giant Pandas
Giant pandas are so cute, and many travelers want to see hese lovely animals. Although there are giant pandas in zoos in various places around China, the best place to see pandas is in Chengdu. You 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
- 1-Day Dujiangyan Panda Volunteer Program Tour
- 3-Day Chengdu Giant Panda, Giant Buddha, and Ancient Town Tour
- 13-Day Beijing, Xi'an, Chengdu, Shanghai Educational Family Vacation
- 13-Day China Essence and Panda Tour
- More Chengdu and Panda tours
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. 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
- 11-Day Family Happiness - Beijing–Xi'an–Guilin/Yangshuo-Shanghai
- More Guilin tours
Start planning your tailor-made tour now. Your 1:1 travel consultant will reply within 1 working day.
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
- 4-Day Essence of Zhangjiajie Tour
- 5-Day Zhangjiajie Hiking and Biking Tour for Any Level
- 9 Days Minority Discovery in Zhangjiajie and Guizhou
- 14-Day China Natural Wonders Discovery - Beijing – Xi'an – Zhangjiajie - Guilin/Yangshuo – Shanghai
- More Zhangjiajie tours
6. Tibet — Nothing but Pure Beauty
Tibet is a sacred place for Buddhists as well as a dream destination for many travellers. 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.
- Camp with a nomadic family on their pasture and work together with them.
- Gaze at the beauty of Yamdrok Lake and Namtso — Tibet's pristine landscapes.
- Travel to Everest Base camp and stand in front of the "Apex" of the Roof of the World
- Pilgrimage to Mt. Kailash — "Center of the World".
Recommended Tours
- 5-Days Lhasa Classics and Lake Yamdrok Tour
- 7-Day Tibet Tour including Trekking and Camping - an adventure into the undeveloped land of nomads and yaks
- 7-Days Tibet Tours by Train from Xining - Experience the Roof-of-the-World Railway
- 8-Days Lhasa to Everest Base Camp Tour
- 13-Days Beijing–Xi'an–Lhasa-Shanghai Private Tour - Beautiful China and Holy Tibet
- More Tibet tours
All our tours can be customized. Contact us to create a trip according to your group size, time, budget, interests, and other requirements.
7. 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
- 4-Day Shanghai, Hangzhou, Water Town Culture Tour
- 13-Day Beijing, Xi'an, Chengdu, Shanghai Educational Family Vacation
- 13-Day Riches of China - Beijing – Xi'an – Guilin/Yangshuo – Hangzhou - Suzhou – Shanghai
- More Shanghai tours
8. 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 beautiful village of Hongcun - the "artists' muse".
- 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
- 4-Day Trekking in the Yellow Mountains
- 12-Day Shanghai, Huangshan, Hangzhou, Guilin and Hong Kong Tour - Selected Picturesque China
- 15 Days China Ancient Cities and Famous Mountains Tour - Beijing, Xian, Chengdu, Hangzhou, Huangshan and Shanghai
- More Huangshan tours
9. Dunhuang — Mogao Caves
Dunhuang Mogao Caves“In the West there is the Louvre; in the East there are the Mogao Caves.”
The Mogao Caves are famous for their exquisite murals and Buddhist statues. The Mogao Caves were included in UNESCO’s world cultural heritage list in 1987. Standing out in the desert, the Mogao Caves are like a glittering pearl that adorns the Silk Road.
Besides the Mogao Caves, in Dunhuang you will also be impressed by the wonders in the Yardang National Geological Park (Ghost City) and the Singing Sand (Mingsha) Mountains. Read more about how to visit the Mogao Caves in Dunhuang.
Top Things to Do in Dunhuang
- Admire the exquisite sculptural skills and elegant Buddhist styles of more than 2,000 colored statues in Mogao Caves that were carved 1,500 years ago.
- Ride a camal in the Singing Sand Mountains to make your desert dream come true.
- Enjoy the marvelous sunset view at the Yardang National Geopark and listern the park’s zephyrs screaming awfully through the rocks at the night.
Recommended Tours
- 5-Day Dunhuang In-Depth Private Tour - Silk Road Cultural Journey
- 8-Day Miraculous Qinghai and Silk Road Tour
- 11-Day Tour Along the Great Silk Road — Xi'an, Zhangye, Dunhuang, Turpan, Urumqi, and Kashgar
- 13-Day Beijing–Xi'an–Dunhuang–Urumqi–Shanghai Tour - Silk Road Highlights and China's Gateway Cities
- More tours for the Silk Road and Dunhuang
10. 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
- 3-Day Lugu Lake Tour
- 6-Day Xishuangbanna and Pu'er Tour
- 8-Day Kunming, Dali, Lijiang, and Shangri-La Tour - Meet the Amazing Beauty of Yunnan
- 9-Day Yunnan Family Tour - Kunming, Dali, Lijiang and Shangri-La
- 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.
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 (Xiahe, 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: 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
- 3-Day Zhongwei Desert Tour with Winery Experience
- 6-Day Gannan Pure Land Tour - Xiahe, Langmusi and Zhagana
- 7-Day When Silk Road Culture Meets Fabulous Fall Colors- Dunhuang, Zhangye, and Ejina Qi
- 8-Day Miraculous Qinghai and Legendary Silk Road Tour - Qinghai Lake, Zhangye, and Dunhuang
- 11-Day Along the Great Silk Road - Xi'an, Zhangye, Dunhuang, Turpan, Urumqi, and Kashgar
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 2023/2024
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.
