5 Best cities to Visit in China

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5 Best cities to Visit in China

The people’s republic of China is a big country size wise, almost the size of Europe. 

The country was known as the land of inventions, it was leading in advanced innovations such as science and technology, astronomy and mathematics than most countries. 

The Chinese people invented paper, magnetic compass, printing, porcelain tea cups, silk and gunpowder.  

They celebrate the Chinese New Year for fifteen days. Each year is represented by one of the twelve animals in the Chinese zodiac; the rat, ox, tiger, rabbit, dragon, snake, horse, sheep, monkey, rooster, dog and pig. 2020 was the year of the Rat.

The country has diverse landscapes from the striking limestone of the Karst hills in Guilin to the Gobi Desert. 

The culture, traditional heritage, cuisine and ancient architecture are some of the top attractions of this country. 

Here are the best cities to visit in China.

1. Shanghai

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Shanghai city is also called the oriental Paris for its modernity and blended culture of the east and the west. The city has a population of 24.3 million people.

It  is the country’s biggest and richest city. The city is famous for its historical landmarks together with the modern skyline, making it a preferred tourist destination. 

This city was among the first ports to be opened in China. It experienced a colonial past during WWI and WWII. It sheltered the Russian and Jewish refugees during the warfare.

This rough past has its imprints in the city and  lovers of history enjoy a walk along the Bund a famous waterfront promenade that has colonial era buildings, the Shanghai French concession and the former Jewish settlements rediscovering history.

Shanghai is also the country’s global financial hub. The city is famous for being a shoppers’ paradise especially along the Nanjing Road. 

This street draws global shoppers that look for the best bargain.

Pudong district has glistening modern skyline that rises above the Huangpu River. 

Other towering buildings are Shanghai Tower, Oriental Pearl TV tower. The Yu Garden has traditional pavilions, towers and ponds.

Neighboring water towns to Shanghai like Zhujiajiao draw attention for its similarity to Venice with the pretty canals and well maintained bridges.

2. Xi’an

Xi’an is one of China’s most popular tourist destinations. It is located in the North central China.

Xi’an city has been referred to as the birth place of Chinese civilization. The city is the capital of Shaanxi province.

Its history and culture play a significant part in China’s ancient past and the future ahead. 

Xi’an is also famous for its Terracotta Warriors and horses museum, the ancient city wall, wild goose pagoda and the bell tower.

This city is often among the best places to visit while in China. It always comes second.

It served as a capital city to 13 imperial dynasties and many of those ancient structures have been preserved.

Xi’an has its share of natural beauty too; a hike up mount Hua, one of China’s sacred mountains, and a trip to Huaqing hot springs. 

One can also learn Chinese calligraphy at the Tang Bo Art Museum. There is a blend of both ancient and modern art, culture and information on the genesis of the art.

This city also offers a memorable dining experience the Chinese way. 

The restaurant in the city practices the Chinese culture and dining tradition, serving their well-prepared Chinese cuisine in beautifully decorated plates.

 The customers wear traditional chines gowns and eat in private dining room.

3. Hangzhou

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Hangzhou is the capital of China’s Zhejiang province. It  is the southern end point of the ancient Grand Canal waterway, which starts in Beijing. 

Its West Lake has islands that can be reached by boats, temples, pavilions, gardens and arched bridges.

During summer, the lake gets covered in Lotus flowers creating a pretty display charming both locals and visitors.

This region has been celebrated by poets and artists since the 9th century for its beauty.

There is a 5-storey Leifeng Pagoda on the south bank of the West Lake, it is a modern restoration of a structure built in 975 A.D.

Hangzhou is the most preferred holiday destination by many Chinese people for its authenticity.

This prosperous Chinese city is rich with numerous ancient architectural and heritage sites that are well maintained, attracting many tourists to these sites. 

It is also the home to China’s eight regional cuisines with its distinct light flavor, a pleasant presentation and the delicate cooking methods.

The city has a hidden gem in the forest, the Lingyin Temple. It is the largest temple in a forest with a history over a century old. 

This temple is one of the largest and famous Buddhist temples in China. It has a collection of Buddhist treasure and artifacts significant to the development of the religion. 

The city has one of the longest canals in the world. It stretches for over 2,000 kilometers. 

4. Beijing

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– wikimedia

Beijing is the capital city of The peoples Republic of china. The history of this city dates back to more than 30 centuries.

The city is known for its modern architecture and ancient architecture alike. 

The forbidden city complex, and the imperial palace that was constructed during the Ming and Qing dynasties are some of these buildings.

This city has some of the country’s top tourist attractions that sees throngs of tourists visit each year.

The Great Wall of China at the badaling pass, Coal Hill Park, heavenly temple, the Mao Zedong’s mausoleum and the National Museum of China offer unique sightseeing of nature and culture they are well-preserved too.

The city has some  of the best experiences in shopping, dining and entertainment.

The city is on UNESCO’s list of heritage sites, it has a total of seven world heritage sites. 

5. Harbin

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Harbin city is the capital of Heilongjiang a province in northern China. 

The city started to grow in the late 19th century when engineers from Russia took part in the construction of the eastern leg of the Trans-Siberian Railroad. 

The city has Russian architecture like the green domed Saint Sophia Cathedral, it was an Eastern Orthodox Church and was turned into a local history museum. 

It is known as the ice city of China because of its cold winters. The sun island in the city is renowned for its ice and snow sculptures that are made all year round.

Harbin hosts an  annual international ice and snow festival, the biggest winter festival in the world, making it a unique winter wonderland.

There are a great range of restaurants and cafés that serve the best Chinese cuisine, and shops for souvenirs.