What to do in China: activities for your trip

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If you travel to China you may already be projecting yourself from all the places you’ll meet like the Great Wall, Hong Kong, Shanghai, the Forbidden City, but did you know that China is more than that? You can do activities on your trip to China such as discovering the park that inspired the world of Avatar to the “Venice of the East”.

In this article we tell you everything you need to do in China to make the most of your trip being a traveler and not just another tourist.

Let’s get started!

WHAT ACTIVITIES TO DO ON YOUR TRIP TO CHINA?

1. WALK ON THE WONDER OF THE WORLD, THE CHINESE WALL

This is one of the main activities to do on your trip to China. Built between the 5th century BC and the 16th century, it is a fortification built to protect the Chinese empire from attacks by nomads from Mongolia and Manchuria. It has a height of 6 to 7 meters and an extension of 21 thousand kilometers, and extends from the border with Korea to the Gobi desert. Just walking around it, taking pictures there or appreciating the landscape from the wall, will be an unforgettable event.

WHERE IS IT LOCATED?

Being so big, the wall is located on many sides – so to speak. This architectural wonder crosses 17 regions, including Hunan, Ningxia, Beijing, Shandong, and Sichuan.

But what you should care about is where you can enter as a tourist. The one we recommend is the 5-kilometer stretch on the Simatai and Jinshanling road, which lies 140 kilometers away from Beijing.

2. TAKE A GREAT WALK THROUGH THE FORBIDDEN CITY

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Forbidden city in Beijing. Source: Unsplash.com.

Located in Beijing, this series of imperial palaces with more than 500 years of being the residence of several emperors, has a traditional architecture and its captivating works of art will make this experience an unforgettable one. You can climb Jingshan Hill to see the Forbidden City from afar.

3. GET TO KNOW EASTERN VENICE, THE GARDENS OF SUZHOU

Its historical part is full of small canals and gondolas with gondoliers in the best Chinese style. Its classical gardens (8 are World Heritage Sites) are colourfully decoration with flowers, trees, lakes, bridges and pavilions. If you are in Shanghai, this destination is a must.

4. GETTING LOST IN THE JIUZHAIGOU PARK

Its name means, valley of the 9 fortified villas, and it is a natural reserve with wonderful staggered waterfalls, lakes of different shades of blue and green, a large forest on the mountain that changes color with the passing of the seasons, in short, a sample of the natural beauty of China and the world.

5. BOWING TO THE GREAT LESHAN BUDDHA

As if he were the guardian of the confluence of the Dadu and Minjiang rivers, the immense stone Buddha watches over this scenario. It’s the tallest in the world, it was built to tame the waters of the rivers, make them more navigable and avoid any further misfortune to the people around it. If you are in Chengdu, you can make it easier to reach this tourist spot.

6. COUNT HOW MANY TERRACOTTA WARRIORS THERE ARE IN XI’AN

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Terracotta figure, Xi’An. Fountain: Continentestour.com.

There are more than eight thousand life-size figures of soldiers and horses, each with a unique feature, created to guard the Mausoleum of the First Qin Emperor and buried in 210 BC. They were found in the 1970s during construction work on a water supply. The figures are protected by a hangar, this attraction is called the Museum of the Warrior Army.

7. TIME TRAVEL IN THE MEDIEVAL VILLAGE OF PINGYAO

You will feel in another time when you are in this village, which is located in Shanxi province, between Xi’An and Beijing. Here you can also include a visit to the temples of Zhenguo and Shuanglin, as well as a gastronomic tour.

8. FEELING IN NEW YORK, OR TOKYO, WHEN VISITING HONG KONG

Filled with skyscrapers, its architectural structure, its light and sound shows are reminiscent of New York or Tokyo. It has its own Hollywood Walk of Fame, called “Avenue of the Stars”, a “Nathan Road” shopping street, beaches like “South Bay” or “Stanley Beach”.

9. CROSSING THE WUZHEN BRIDGES

This city, characterized by its bridges, is seven thousand years old but still captivates visitors. Visit its six neighborhoods, each focused on one activity, such as traditional shops, customs about water, housing, drinks, among others. If you are in Shanghai, you will find it easier to get there.

10. ATTEND AN OPERA IN BEIJING

This may be an activity that could close your visit to China. Their theatrical expressions are on par with the most renowned in Europe, their display in acting, music, poetry, martial arts and acrobatics make this staging an unforgettable experience.

WHAT ACTIVITIES TO DO ON YOUR TRIP TO CHINA FOR 3, 5 AND 10 DAYS?

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Wai Tan, Shanghai Source: Unsplash.com.

According to the 10 places we have indicated, we will make a tentative itinerary according to the distances:

ACTIVITIES IN CHINA 3 DAYS

  • 1st day: Beijing, Wall of China
  • 2nd day: Forbidden City
  • 3rd day: Xi’an (Terracotta Warriors)

ACTIVITIES IN CHINA 5 DAYS

  • 1st day: Beijing, Wall of China
  • 2nd day: Forbidden City
  • 3rd day: Pingyao
  • 4th day: Xi’an (Terracotta Warriors)
  • 5th day: Jiuzhaigau

ACTIVITIES IN CHINA 10 DAYS

  • 1st: Beijing, Wall of China
  • 2nd day: Forbidden City
  • 3rd day: Xi’an (Terracotta Warriors)
  • 4th day: Suzhou, Shanghai, Wuzhen
  • 5th day: Hong Kong, Macau
  • 6th day: Leshan
  • 7th day: Jiuzhaigau
  • 8th and 9th day: Tibet
  • 10th day: Pingyao

TIPS FOR YOUR ACTIVITIES ON YOUR TRIP TO CHINA

  • If you go to the Wall of China: Don’t choose the entrance that is located in Beijing because it always has a high traffic.
  • Zhangjiajie Park: It is one of the most visited tourist attractions by tourists, this for the unusual beauty of its landscapes, which inspired the world of Avatar. So if you are going to buy tickets, ideally you should do so many weeks in advance.
  • If you go to Yangshuo: A small town located 80 km from Guilian, rent a bike and discover the beautiful landscapes distinguished by its mountains. Let your route include the Pico de Luna (limestone hill with a cave).
  • When you want to buy your train ticket: You may only recognize the numbers, so be guided by them. The first top central number is usually the “train number”, the middle numbers on the left side are “date and time”, while the left numbers are “wagon, seat and bed height (high, medium or low)”.

About what to bring in the suitcase, the best time to travel, accommodations, documentation and requirements, Internet connection, currency exchange, travel insurance, is it safe to travel to China, where and what to eat, data SIM card for China, how to rent a car in China, things prohibited in China, best VPN for China, among others.

About the author

Herman Rosero

Soy diseñador, me gusta la empatía y entender las necesidades de los demás. En Travelistos te ayudaré a (diseñar) organizar tu viaje, dándote a conocer lugares, actividades, opiniones; que te pueden ser útiles antes, durante y después del viaje.

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