China Holidays: The Surprising Destination You'll Wonder Why You Didn't Visit Sooner

Where Dynasties and Bucket Lists Meet

No list of the best places to visit in China would be complete without Beijing.

China's capital is where centuries of history come alive. Wander through the magnificent Forbidden City, admire the grandeur of the Summer Palace, and, of course, tick off one of the world's greatest landmarks with a visit to the Great Wall of China.

Yet Beijing isn't all emperors and palaces. You'll also find lively markets, traditional hutongs, and some of the most delicious Peking duck you'll ever taste.

The City That Never Stops Looking Forward

If Beijing tells the story of China's past, Shanghai gives you a glimpse of its future.

With its glittering skyline, rooftop bars, luxury shopping, and beautiful waterfront promenade known as The Bund, Shanghai feels electric. But behind the futuristic façade lies a city full of hidden charm. Stroll through the peaceful Yu Garden, sip tea in timeless teahouses, or lose yourself in the French Concession's leafy streets.

Shanghai is sizzling, stylish, and impossible not to fall in love with.

Home of the Terracotta Warriors

History buffs, this one's for you.

Once the eastern gateway to the Silk Road, Xi'an is one of China's oldest cities and home to one of archaeology's greatest discoveries - the Terracotta Army.

Thousands of life-sized warriors frozen in time, guarding China's first emperor over two thousand years later. It's a sight every history lover should see. 

But Xi'an's magic doesn't stop there. Ancient city walls, bustling Muslim Quarter markets, and mouthwatering street food make this one of the most fascinating places to visit in China.

It's one thing seeing the Great Wall of China in photographs. It's another standing on it.

Stretching over mountains and valleys as far as the eye can see, this UNESCO World Heritage Site is one of those rare places that somehow exceeds expectations.

The easiest way to experience the Great Wall is from Beijing, with the restored Mutianyu section around 90 minutes from the city centre. Quieter than Badaling, it's ideal for first-time visitors and families alike. Whether you choose to walk the ancient stones, ride the cable car, or even descend by toboggan, it's a bucket-list moment you'll never forget.

Warning: you may become slightly obsessed.

Home to China's most famous residents, Chengdu is one of the country's most rewarding stops. A visit to the renowned Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding offers the chance to see these adorable animals up close as they munch bamboo, climb trees, and tumble over one another in spectacularly clumsy fashion.

Located around 30 minutes from downtown Chengdu, the sanctuary is easily combined with the city's famous tea houses and fiery Sichuan cuisine. Early mornings are the best time to visit, when the pandas are at their most playful.

In China, getting from A to B is part of the adventure.

China boasts the world's largest high-speed rail network, connecting major cities including Beijing, Shanghai, Xi'an, Chengdu, Guilin, and Hong Kong with remarkable ease. Sleek, comfortable, and capable of speeds of over 200mph, these bullet trains have transformed travel across the country. Journey times are surprisingly quick too. You can travel from Beijing to Shanghai in under five hours, or from Xi'an to Chengdu in around four hours, making multi-centre holidays in China easy to plan. Simply sit back, watch the ever-changing scenery race past your window, and discover why China's high-speed trains are one of the great modern engineering marvels.

The Landscape That Inspired a Thousand Paintings

If you've ever seen an image of dramatic limestone peaks rising from misty waters, chances are you've already admired Guilin.

Cruising along the Li River is one of the most beautiful experiences in China. Farmers tend rice paddies, water buffalo wander the banks, and every bend seems to reveal another postcard-worthy scene. It's nature at its most magical.

China's Real-Life Avatar Mountains

Some places simply don't seem real. And this is one of them.

Zhangjiajie National Forest Park is famous for its towering sandstone pillars, which are said to have inspired the floating mountains in Avatar. Walk across the world's highest glass bridge, ride cable cars above the clouds, and discover landscapes that feel more like another planet than somewhere on Earth.

The Fairytale Hidden Above a Waterfall

Perched dramatically above a cascading waterfall in Hunan Province, this ancient town feels straight out of a fantasy film. Wooden stilt houses cling to the cliffs, lantern-lit streets wind between traditional shops, and the sound of rushing water provides the soundtrack to daily life.

Wander the cobbled lanes, sample local Tujia cuisine, and watch the town transforms after dark, when glowing lanterns reflect in the mist rising from the falls.