Travelling through China means moving rapidly between distinct worlds. One moment you’re watching the first light of dawn hit the Great Wall in total silence; the next, you’re walking alongside crimson-robed monks and pilgrims in Tibet or watching pandas roll through bamboo forests in Chengdu.
China is a country of extreme contrasts—and if you’re planning your first trip, these 10 extraordinary places belong at the very top of your list.
Beijing: Hutongs, Dumplings & Imperial Scales
Staying in the heart of Beijing gives you close access to the city’s living history. Our base in the Shichahai district—the Shichahai Sandalwood Boutique Hotel—occupies a restored 17th-century courtyard mansion built in traditional Ming and Qing dynasty architecture.
Set within a web of historic hutongs (narrow, grey-brick alleyways), the neighbourhood comes alive around shaded lakes, teahouses and residential courtyards steps from the main thoroughfares.
While vegetarian dining in Beijing requires a bit more navigation than in Southeast Asian hubs like Chiang Mai, the city’s culinary scene offers regional options—particularly in traditional Buddhist eateries and specialised dumpling houses.
At Mr Shi’s Dumplings, a local staple tucked into the alleyways, the menu features a wide selection of hand-folded vegetarian dumplings. Served steamed or pan-fried, the thin dough breaks open to reveal a savoury filling of vegetables, tofu, chives and glass noodles, served with dark vinegar and chillie sauce.
A short walk from the Shichahai area leads directly into the city’s political and historic core. Crossing Tiananmen Square toward the Forbidden City’s northern gate, residents fly handmade kites, practice tai chi, and walk across the concrete plaza beneath monumental state architecture.
The Forbidden City: Within the Palace Walls
Passing through the soaring gates into the Forbidden City in the late afternoon reveals the sprawling architectural core of the Ming and Qing dynasties.
Completed in 1420, this vast imperial palace complex unfolds across a grand axis of paved courtyards, marble terraces and timber-framed halls.
Brilliantly tiled yellow roofs, high vermilion walls and intricate eaves adorned with mythical creatures form the classic architectural signature of Chinese imperial palaces.
Throughout the complex, detailed iconography reinforces imperial authority—the dragon signifies the emperor’s divine power, while the phoenix represents the empress.
At the entrance to the Inner Court, a pair of cast-bronze lions guard the Gate of Heavenly Purity. The male lion rests his paw upon a carved stone globe, symbolising global dominion, while the female plays with a cub, signifying the continuation of the imperial line.
As daytime crowds filter out toward the exits, the late afternoon sun dips low over the stone plazas, casting long shadows across the silent bronze guardians and gilded eaves.
Yonghe Temple: Incense and Tibetan Devotion
Beyond the imperial state monuments, Yonghe Temple—commonly known as the Lama Temple—offers a look into Beijing’s living spiritual tradition. Originally built as a residence for a Qing Dynasty prince, it was converted into a major Tibetan Buddhist monastery in 1744. The complex unfolds across five grand halls connected by tree-lined courtyards.
The air is thick with the earthy scent of burning incense, where swirls of blue smoke rise against marigold-yellow tiled roofs and intricate roof eaves.
Within the inner sanctuaries, Han Chinese and Tibetan architectural styles blend strikingly. Carved timber ceilings, vibrant silk thangkas and detailed dragon motifs line the corridors, while bronze guardian lions stand sentinel outside the Hall of the Heavenly Kings.
At the heart of the complex, the towering Pavilion of Ten Thousand Fortunes houses an 18-metre Maitreya Buddha carved from a single piece of white sandalwood.
Worshippers lay offerings beneath the towering statue as monks chant in deep, rhythmic tones.
Jinshanling: Dawn Over the Ming Ramparts
Standing along the ridgelines of Jinshanling at dawn offers a solitary, unvarnished view of the Great Wall.
Unlike restored sections closer to the capital, Jinshanling preserves much of its original Ming Dynasty structure—a sprawling network of weathered brickwork, watchtowers and steep stone staircases constructed in the 16th century to secure the northern frontier.
In the freezing morning air, the first light of sunrise illuminates the watchtowers, highlighting the wall as it snakes along the jagged mountain spine before disappearing into the haze.
Experiencing the wall in near-total silence requires timing and planning. To catch the sunrise without the usual crowds, we arranged a stay at a quiet village directly below the Jinshanling section through a local operator, Great Wall Tours.
Reaching the watchtowers requires only a short, steep climb from the base, rewarding the effort with sweeping views across the mountain ranges—an experience heightened by the solitude of a cold winter morning.
Datong: The Sandalwood Caves of Yungang
Heading west into Shanxi province leads to the Yungang Grottoes, a magnificent testament to Buddhist rock-cut architecture carved into the sandstone bluffs of the Wuzhou Mountains.
Dating back to the 5th century during the Northern Wei Dynasty (386–534 CE), the complex comprises 45 major caves housing over 51,000 individual statues. The stone carving reflects the vibrant cross-cultural exchanges of the ancient Silk Road, blending traditional Chinese motifs with artistic influences from ancient India, Gandhara, Persia and the Hellenistic Mediterranean.
The craftsmanship is staggering. Artisans carved entire multi-tiered temple chambers directly out of the cliffside, refining everything from delicate facial features to sweeping robes. In several interior chambers, original mineral pigments—deep lapis blues, malachites and warm ochres—remain strikingly preserved against the pale sandstone.
Standing before the colossal 13-metre outdoor seated Buddha in Cave 20 reveals the full power of Northern Wei imperial patronage, where faith and political authority were permanently set in stone.
Xuankong Temple: The Gravity-Defying Cliff Architecture
Located roughly 65 kilometres south of Datong, the Hanging Temple (Xuankong Si) clings precariously to the plunging rock face of Mount Heng. Built over 1,500 years ago during the Northern Wei Dynasty, the wooden monastery appears to float dozens of metres above the gorge floor.
It relies on an ingenious engineering feat: heavy oak beams anchored deep into horizontal rock chisellings act as cantilevers, while slender vertical timber pillars provide additional support against the cliff.
Navigating the complex involves stepping through a maze of forty narrow rooms, open-air gangways and steep timber staircases attached directly to the stone wall.
Beyond its structural audacity, Xuankong Si holds a unique place in Chinese religious history as the only surviving temple dedicated jointly to Buddhism, Taoism and Confucianism.
Inside the Hall of Three Religions, statues of Sakyamuni, Laozi and Confucius sit together—a physical manifestation of philosophical harmony suspended high above the valley below.
Xi’an: Night Lanterns and the Silent Army
Serving as the imperial capital across thirteen dynasties, Xi’an is a city where ancient military engineering defines both the urban grid and the surrounding zone.
Yet, Xi’an’s most legendary heritage lies just outside the urban core, buried beneath the earth in the tomb complex of Qin Shi Huang, China’s first emperor.
Local farmers discovered the Terracotta Warriors in 1974; they represent an astonishing 2,000-year-old subterranean garrison designed to guard the emperor in the afterlife.
Pit 1 offers the most staggering view: a massive covered vault holding thousands of life-sized infantrymen, archers and four-horse chariots lined up in strict battle formation.
No two faces are identical—each soldier has distinct facial features, topknots and rank-specific armour.
In Pits 2 and 3, ongoing archaeological excavation and restoration reveal the meticulous process of reassembling fragmented clay figures from the earth timber vaults, preserving a formidable ancient force set permanently in terracotta.
At night, the city’s fully preserved Ming Dynasty perimeter wall and central Bell and Drum Towers glow with gold and red lanterns.
Xi’an’s Muslim Quarter: Street-Food Culture along the Old Silk Road
Threading through the narrow alleyways of the Beiyuanmen district, Xi’an’s Muslim Quarter is a vibrant sensory crossroads shaped by centuries of Hui Muslim culture.
Beneath hanging shop signs and glowing red lanterns, the air is thick with wafting cumin, toasted sesame and sizzling garlic. While meat stalls dominate much of the market, navigating the side streets reveals a selection of vegetarian street food.
Wok-tossed potato cubes dusted with crushed chillie, spring onions and fragrant Sichuan pepper sit alongside stalls whipping up hand-pulled biang biang noodles topped with hot oil, tahini and garlic. Vendors press fresh purple-red pomegranate juice and iced sour plum tea on every corner to cut through the spice.
For dessert, local bakers fried up piping-hot persimmon doughnuts (shizi bing)—chewy, golden cakes made from sweet persimmon pulp, pan-fried until crisp on the outside and sticky within.
Chengdu and Wolong: Among the Giant Pandas of Sichuan
Sichuan Province is the heartland of the giant panda—an ancient species that relies on the region’s cool, mist-shrouded bamboo forests. With wild populations surviving in isolated pockets across the Qionglai and Minshan ranges, conservation bases play a critical role in breeding, research and habitat protection.
Observing these iconic bears is a highlight of any trip to Sichuan. Standing near the enclosures, the relative quiet is filled with the steady, rhythmic crunch of fresh bamboo as pandas expertly peel back tough outer husks to reach the tender shoots within.
Their daily routines are a joy to watch—from solitary adults patiently foraging to cubs tumbling through play areas. Showcasing their surprisingly cheeky personalities, they readily break into awkward wrestling matches and energetic, two-handed tug-of-war over the best bamboo shoots.
Choosing Your Base: Chengdu vs. Wolong
Visiting both the Chengdu Research Base and the secluded Wolong Shenshuping Base offers an intimate look at the pandas in two different settings:
- Chengdu Research Base: Closer to the city, Chengdu is busier, but it offers a higher concentration of pandas, including nursery facilities where you can observe juveniles and newborn cubs.
- Wolong Panda Sanctuary: Set against dramatic, forested mountain slopes, Wolong provides vast enclosures designed to replicate the panda’s high-altitude habitat. Visiting here is a peaceful, unhurried experience with far fewer crowds, where you can watch the bears in a tranquil environment that closely mirrors the wild.
Pro Tip for Morning Arrival: Both giant and red pandas are most active during the cool early hours. Arriving at the Chengdu base gates by 7:00 AM—a half-hour before opening—is essential to beat the tour buses, especially since the narrow wooden walkways around the Red Panda enclosure bottleneck quickly. Arriving early lets you catch morning feeding routines before 10:00 AM; as the day warms up, both species retreat into long afternoon naps.
Behind the Scenes: Conservation in Action
Beyond standard viewing areas, panda centres like Dujiangyan, Ya’an and Wolong have historically offered short-term volunteer programs. These unique experiences give participants a firsthand look behind sanctuary gates—working alongside keepers to haul fresh bamboo, clean enclosures and prepare supplementary grain cakes.
Working directly with sanctuary staff provides incredible insight into individual panda personalities and the complex work behind species preservation.
two cuddle-monster pandas!
Traveller Tip & Biosecurity Note: Volunteer availability, hands-on activities and visitor access protocols shift regularly based on research priorities, health regulations and animal welfare standards. If you are interested in a behind-the-scenes or volunteer program, always check official sanctuary channels or accredited tour operators for the most up-to-date entry requirements before booking.
Sichuan’s Red Pandas: Early Morning in the Tree Canopy
Beyond the giant pandas, the forested enclosures of the Chengdu base house another remarkable native mammal: the red panda.
Despite sharing a name and a passion for bamboo, these fox-sized, tree-dwelling mammals belong to an entirely separate evolutionary family. While their famous giant cousins crunch through tough bamboo stalks on the forest floor, red pandas use their sharp claws to climb high into the canopy, delicately foraging for tender young leaves and shoots.
Recognisable by their plush auburn coats and ringed tails, these acrobatic pandas spend their days bounding through the upper branches—often scrambling along the wooden walkways and railings, steps away from visitors.
Savouring the Sichuan Spice: A Vegetarian Feast
Bordered by Chongqing, Yunnan, Shaanxi, Gansu, Qinghai, Guizhou and Tibet, Sichuan sits at a major cultural and geographical crossroads in southwest China. This intersection shapes its world-renowned culinary tradition, famous for the distinct málà sensation—a fiery mix of dried red chillies and mouth-numbing Sichuan peppercorns.
While local cuisine is traditionally meat-heavy, vegetarians can enjoy its complex flavours with ease. Street food stalls and local eateries serve bowls of Dan Dan noodles coated in toasted sesame paste, garlic and chillie oil, alongside hand-pulled spinach noodles swimming in fragrant broths.
A highlight of dining in Chengdu is visiting Zaozishu (Vegetarian Lifestyle), a culinary gem specialising in authentic, plant-based iterations of classic Sichuan dishes. Here, sizzling clay pots and spiced stir-fries capture the region’s signature heat and depth without compromising on traditional techniques.
day’s adventures.
Meeting Sichuan’s Golden Snub-Nosed Monkeys
High in the temperate montane forests of southwestern China, another iconic endemic mammal lives alongside the panda: the golden snub-nosed monkey. Endemic to fragmented high-altitude ranges along the eastern edge of the Tibetan Plateau, these endangered primates are built for harsh mountain conditions.
Their fur is thick and radiant golden-orange, with bright ice-blue facial skin and snubbed nostrils that help ward off frostbite. They navigate snow-blanketed canopies for up to four months each winter.
Experiencing them ethically requires venturing beyond standard tourist circuits. About a four-hour drive from Chengdu in Pingwu County, local mountain villages have fostered respectful coexistence with wild troops that descend from the higher ridges.
Guided by Jason, a local guide with village connections, you’ll stay in a humble, authentic village guesthouse—offering clean, simple rooms paired with fresh, home-cooked vegetable stir-fries.
Because these animals roam freely across vast protected reserves, sightings require patience and respect for their wild nature.
icy branches.
Mystical Wonders of Lhasa: Heart of the Tibetan Plateau
Set deep in the Himalayas at over 3,600 metres, Tibet’s landscape remains defined by its sheer scale and isolation. Lhasa itself presents a striking contrast: a high-altitude city bound by modern highways and rail infrastructure, yet fundamentally shaped by Buddhist tradition. Across the capital, centuries-old pilgrimage paths remain an active part of daily city life.
Tibetan necklace.
Barkhor Street forms a circuit encircling the 7th-century Jokhang Temple. Pilgrims walk the path spinning handheld prayer wheels beside monks in deep crimson robes. Inside the temple’s dim, butter-lamp-lit halls stands the Jowo Shakyamuni statue, heavily encrusted with gold, turquoise, rubies and coral.
Above the city skyline, the iconic red-and-white terraces of the Potala Palace—the historic winter residence of the Dalai Lamas—rise dramatically against the mountain backdrop. Inside, flickering yak-butter lamps illuminate centuries-old murals and sacred chortens.
Further north, the 15th-century Sera Monastery offers a window into the intellectual rigour of Tibetan Buddhism. In the shady gravel courtyard, monks gather daily for energetic debates—clapping their hands and stamping their feet to punctuate philosophical arguments—demonstrating a living tradition of debate and scholarship that has endured for generations.
Yangshuo: Karst Peaks, Rural Charm & Historic Streets
Situated south of Guilin in Guangxi province, Yangshuo offers one of Asia’s most iconic natural landscapes. Here, dramatic limestone karst mountains rise steeply from river valleys, framing a serene countryside where traditional agricultural life continues.
We explored the backroads by bicycle, passing farmers in rice paddies, water buffalo resting in shallow streams and flocks of ducks guided across green fields.
Drifting on a hand-paddled bamboo raft along the quiet waters of the Yulong River provides an intimate, slow-paced view of the karst peaks.
As afternoon turns to dusk, the focus shifts to the Li River banks. At sunset, local fishermen in traditional conical hats navigate narrow bamboo craft, their gas lanterns casting warm glows across the darkened water while tame cormorants rest on the bamboo gunwales.
When evening falls, the energy shifts to West Street (Xijie), a bustling 1,400-year-old thoroughfare in the town centre. With its historic layout, stone-paved lanes and traditional tiled roofs, it remains a vibrant crossroads for travellers.
The street is packed with small teahouses, artisanal stalls and local eateries serving everything from piping-hot steamed vegetable buns and pan-fried dumplings to craft beers and plant-based burgers.
Golden Splendour of the Longji Rice Terraces
High in the mountains of Longsheng County, roughly 140 kilometres north of Yangshuo, lie the Longji Rice Terraces—also known as the “Dragon’s Backbone”. Carved into steep ridges over centuries by the local Zhuang and Yao ethnic communities, these agricultural marvels ripple down mountain slopes in sweeping, sculpted waves that transform in colour with the seasons.
From Li’an Lodge, high above the valley, the mountain views are breathtaking. The Celadon Room stands out with its expansive private balcony, offering front-row seats as early morning mist gives way to golden sunlight across the tiered paddies.
Beyond Ping’an, a 40-minute drive leads to Dazhai Village in the Jinkeng Scenic Area. Here, a cable car ride bypasses a steep, hour-long trek and takes you to Golden Buddha Peak. From this high lookout, the vast scale of the terraces becomes clear—a sprawling, uninterrupted amphitheatre of rice fields stretching across the surrounding mountains.
Chasing Waterfalls: The Grandeur of Detian
Spanning the border between China and Vietnam along the Guichun River, Detian Waterfalls (known as Bản Giốc on the Vietnamese side) is Asia’s largest transnational waterfall. Flowing over a dramatic three-tiered limestone cliff, the volume and thunder of the falls, combined with the cool, heavy mist on your face, create a hypnotic atmosphere.
Visiting during the summer rainy season offers a spectacular display, particularly at golden hour. As the setting sun dips low, soft amber light breaks through the rising mist, illuminating cascading silver waterfalls and glowing spray against the emerald karst forest.
Given its remote borderland position, reaching Detian requires dedication—a three-hour drive from Nanning or roughly eight hours overland from Guilin and Yangshuo—making it a rewarding pilgrimage for those eager to explore off-the-beaten-path frontiers.
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