Earlier this year, I began a series on “10 Places I Want To Visit In: [insert country],” with France being my first country to start. I thought I’d continue this series with another destination I’d like to explore more of, that being one of the superpowers of the world, China. With a record 1.4 billion people, it’s a massive country and a force to be reckon with, as its economy and political influence has really taken off in the 21st century.

Now, I do not want this post to invite political criticism. I am well-aware that the West does not see China favorably (especially the US, my home country), given its rapid rise to global power, its controversial government, and its COVID-19 outbreak in recent years. I am not here to discuss politics, as my focus here is on travel and on the sights the country has to offer. As said, it’s a vast nation that covers many regions, many biomes, and many cultures to keep the average traveler occupied for a lifetime.

While it’s true that travel to China is a lot more difficult than it was before as an American (even if I am of Chinese descent), I believe that it will not last long, that restrictions will loosen as the world gradually opens up following the pandemic stigma. China is but another country on this Earth, with people just like us experiencing the same emotions and trying to get on with each day. It’s my ancestor’s country with so much natural, architectural, and cultural beauty that’s beyond the politics, and I hope to return to see more of it.

Without further ado, here are the places I want to visit:

10 Places I Want To Visit In: CHINA

1. Jiuzhaigou 九寨溝 (aka Jiuzhai Valley National Park)

Private 3-Day Jiuzhaigou And Huanglong National Parks Tour Combo Package 2023 - China

Source: Viator

2. Zhangjiajie 張家界 National Forest Park

Zhangjiajie National Forest Park and Tianmen Mountain | ChinaFetching

Source: China Fetching

3. Guizhou 貴州

Huangguoshu waterfalls Stock Photos, Royalty Free Huangguoshu waterfalls Images | Depositphotos

Source: Wallspic

4. Harbin 哈爾濱

Harbin - Tourist Guide | Planet of Hotels

Source: Planet of Hotels

5. Tibet 西藏

How Qinghai-Tibet Plateau rose to its soaring height to become 'roof of the world' : The Tribune India

Source: Tribune India

6. Qingdao 青島

Qingdao: China's European city – Business Traveller

Source: Business Traveller

7. Luoyang 洛陽

Luoyang Tourism on Twitter: "Laojun Mountain(laojunshan). The begaining of Taoism of China. Welcome to luoyang. https://t.co/loHIrtN6ZV https://t.co/MZ1EmdvVzg" / Twitter

Source: Twitter

8. Ürümqi 烏魯木齊

Explore Urumqi

Source: English 1

9. Guangzhou 廣州

Guangzhou Travel Guide | Guangzhou Tourism - KAYAK

Source: Kayak

10. Fuzhou 福州

How to Spend 2 Days in Fuzhou - A Complete Itinerary for Fuzhou - Trip.com

Source: Trip.com

Where would YOU like to visit in China? Let me know!

— Rebecca

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Published by Rebecca

Blogger, world traveler, poet, foodie, part-time penguin. Welcome!

62 thoughts on “10 Places I Want To Visit In: CHINA”

  3. China is so vast, I wonder how you chose these ten places? Some I guess are obviously down to the immense natural beauty on offer. Others, such as Guangzhou, one of a zillion monster cities. I don’t blame you for not wanting to get into the country’s politics. But perhaps you could have written just a few words about what each place has to offer or why you want to visit. That would definitely have made this a more engaging article. I can certainly recommend Harbin for its amazing International Ice Festival (should you time your visit for February), as well as its fascinating Siberian tiger camp, Russian architecture and a few notable city temples. Qingdao is fairly unique too for its German heritage, handsome beaches (if you manage to get out of the centre of town) and the whole kooky beer museum/street/culture thing. Your list definitely includes a few things I’d still love to see, such as Zhangjiajie (ludicrously picturesque), Guangzhou (I have a student living there) and of course the incredible Tibet. Thanks for making me think about China travel again, even if I’m unsure I’ll ever make it back.

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    1. Thank you, Leighton: I’ll look into providing a bit of context as to why I want to visit the places in upcoming posts. For China’s, I’ll say that it’s a combo of natural wonder (Jiuzhaigou, Zhangjiajie, Guizhou), European influence (Harbin and Qingdao for Russian and German influences, respectively), and city breaks (Guangzhou and Fuzhou). All of which you nailed on the head! It’d also be the bucket list dream to trek to Tibet and Ürümqi one day, to experience a different side of the country (or territory, however you see it). Again, I appreciate your constructive feedback!

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  4. I’ve heard that Shanghai is like Paris as they both have major attractions near the river that runs through the city, so I’d like to go there someday. The image of Harbin looks interesting, too, like something out of the movie, Frozen! I hope you get to visit all of these places in China!

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    1. It’s no surprise, then, that Shanghai is nicknamed “Paris of the East!” The Harbin Ice Festival is renown and very popular, so it’d be the dream to check it out some day (and live out the Frozen fantasy)! ❄️

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  9. I’d love to see Zhangjiajie National Forest Park one day but all the places in your list look amazing. Guangzhou would be on my list too to discover my family roots from around there and eat off the foods that I’m familiar with. I wonder how much time you would need to cover all these?!

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    1. Zhangjiajie and Jiazhaigou are at the top of my list when I return to China (whenever that may be…). Honestly, it’d take years, if not a lifetime to see everything in the country!

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  17. I’ll admit, China has never really been on my radar for travel, but this is an amazing collection of places that make me want to reconsider. Thanks for sharing the variety and beauty China has to offer!

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  18. This is awesome! My boyfriend lived in China for 10 months on a training program (before we met) and talks about it all the time. He visited several temples, Summer Palace, the Great Wall and some other spots. He added the country to my bucket list, and now you’re expanding it even further. 😍

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  21. have you been to the Li River/Guilin? If not you MUST amend your list! Number 2 is one place I would LOVE to go. I’d write it down it starts with ‘Z’ but I am feeling so lazy today I can’t be bothered scrolling to get the spelling right lol!

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  23. I’m amazed by the skill in carving those ice sculptures in Harbin. Would be incredible to see in real life. Zhangjiajie National Forest Park looks other-worldly. Pandas have been one of my favourite animals for years, so if I ever visited China I’d want to spend some time in Chengdu 🐼

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  25. I have only been to one destination on this list. Nr.1 – Jiuzhaigou. Absolutely stunning! Despite being pushed a few times, I could still enjoy the heavenly landscape. I would love to visit China again, but I can’t stand the swab test 🙂

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  26. I visited China some years ago when I lived in Japan. On my list that I would recommend: Xi’An – as a former potter I was interested in seeing the amazing Terra Cotta soldiers, Chengdu – panda reserve and nearby Mount Emei, sacred mountain (we took the gondola and hiked down for 2 days, and of course a few stops in Tibet. Shanghai had a bit of French influence as well.

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    1. I visited Xi’an during my first visit to China, and I agree the Terra Cotta warriors were spectacular! And I only had a couple of days in Shanghai, but having a taste of it makes me want to return to see more…I’ll have to head to Chengdu and Tibet next!

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  28. Oh, China seems like such a wonderful country, and while I already had on my list some of the places you mention (especiallyTibet!!), now I know where I else I would like to go: all of the places you mention look amazing! 🙂

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