Introduction by Areas

A

Anhui

Anhui not only has charming natural scenery but also possesses splendid culture. The most distinctive one is Hui Culture, which is shown by historic buildings and heritages, and gorgeous folklore.[find more]

Cities of Historical and Cultural Significance:

Hefei       Huangshan City

Villages of Historical and Cultural Significance:

Chengkan Village       Hongcun Village      Jixi       Lucun Village       Nanping       Shexian       Tunxi Old Town       Xidi Village     

Arts & Crafts:

Huizhou Ink Stick        She Ink Slab      Xuan Paper

Natural Scenery:

Mount Huang

Famous Historical People:

Hui Merchants

Local Food:

Hui Cuisine       Roast Chicken in Fuli Town

B

Beijing (Peking)

As the capital city, it is the nation’s political centre as well as the culture centre. Because of its history, there are plenty of culture heritages. Most of the buildings and temples built in Ming Dynasty, which well present the traditional Han culture. There are also some traditional arts existing, such as the Peking Opera and crosstalk (Chinese name: xiang’sheng).[find more ]

Attractions of Historical and Cultural Significance:

Religious Art:   The Temple of Earth        The Temple of Heaven        The Temple of the God of Agriculture

Palatial Structures:   Beihai Park(the Winter Palace)       The Forbidden City             The Summer Palace

Folk Architecture:   The Hutongs in Beijing

Mausoleums:   The Ming Mausoleums

Local Food:

Beijing Traditional Snacks       Beijing Roast Duck       Beijing Mutton Hotpot 

C

Chongqing

wulong-karst-geology-parkIts many nicknames, from the “Fog Capital” to the “Hilly City”, demonstrate how, in spite of constant modernization, the city’s character is very much rooted in its natural surroundings. it boasts two magnificent UNESCO World Heritage Sites: the Dazu Rock Carvings and the Wulong Karst National Geology Park.[find more]

Cities of Historical and Cultural Significance:

Fengdu Ghost City

Natural Scenery:

Wulong Karst National Geology Park

F

Fujian

Fujian Province, located in the Southeast of China, is one of the richest provinces in China, even though nearly 90% of the land is mountainous. The flourishing tea trade contributes a lot to the wealth of the residents of Fujian. The history of Fujian is full of such immigrations and emigrations. Fujian people are regarded as some of the bravest people in China, as they are never afraid to venture outside of their homeland and fight for a new life wherever they end up.[find more]

Cities of Historical and Cultural Significance:

Fuzhou       Quanzhou       Zhangzhou

Xiamen:   Gulangyu Island       Zengcuo An

Villages of Historical and Cultural Significance:

Gaobei       Hongkeng       Taxia       Tianluokeng       Xiabanliao       Yunshuiyao

Natural Scenery:

Mount Wuyi

Local Food:

Fujian-style Soup       Buddha jumps over the wall (Fotiaoqiang)

Famous People:

Hakka People:       Hakka History       Hakka Cuisine       Hakka Performance

Hoklo People

G

Gansu

GansuWith the Yellow River winding its way to the south and the Qinghai-Tibetan, Mongolian, and Loess plateaus dominating the north, the geography of Gansu province is one of the most complex in China. Meanwhile, you can find fascinating Buddhist arts like grottoes and temples there.[find more]

Attractions of Historical and Cultural Significance:

Museum:   Gansu Provincial Museum

Religious Art:   Bingling Temple Grottoes       Labrang Monastery       Maijishan Grottoes       Mati Temple (The Horse’s Hoof Temple)       Mogao Caves       The Giant Buddha Temple       White Pagoda Mountain Park       Wuwei Confucian Temple       Wuwei Dayun Temple      Yulin Grottoes       Yuquan Taoist Temple

Historic Ruins:   Hecang Ruins       Jiayu Pass       Suoyang Relics       Yang Pass       Yumen Pass

Folk Architecture:   Hu Family Mansion

Cities and Towns of Historical and Cultural Significance:

Dunhuang       Lanzhou       Tianshui       Wuwei       Yongtai Ancient Town        Zhangye

Natural Scenery:

Crescent Lake       Dunhuang Yardang Landform       Kumtag Desert       Qilian Mountains       The Lop Desert       Zhangye Danxia Landform

Local Food:

Gansu Cuisine       Gansu Local Snacks

Guangdong

In China, the province of Guangdong has long been synonymous with commerce and prosperity. Since its time as a major trading hub along the Maritime Silk Road, it has flourished into one of the most populous and wealthiest regions in the world. Like the floods of people who flock to New York to pursue the American Dream, millions of people immigrate to Guangdong every year to try and make their fortune.[find more]

Cities and Towns of Historical and Cultural Significance:

Chikan       Guangzhou       Shantou

Natural Scenery:

Mount Danxia

Local Food:

Cantonese Cuisine       Cantonese Dim Sum

Famous People:

Teochew peopleGongfu Tea

Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region

Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region is rich in cultural heritage sites and stunning natural scenery. It is home to over 14 million people of the Zhuang ethnic minority, and also to significant numbers of people from the Dong and Miao ethnic minorities and smaller populations of Yao, Hui, Yi, and Shui people.[find more]

Attractions of Historical and Cultural Significance:

Museum:   Guangxi Museum

Folk Architecture:   Weizhou Island

Cities and Towns of Historical and Cultural Significance:

Beihai       Daxu Ancient Town       Guilin:  Jingjiang Princes City     Nanning:  Qingxiu Mountain       People’s Park        Sanjiang       Yangshuo:  West Street

Villages of Historical and Cultural Significance:

Huangluo Red Yao Village

Zhuang Villages:   Guzhuang Village       Ping’an Village

Natural Scenery:

Beihai Silver Beach       Big Banyan Tree Park       Elephant Trunk Hill       Jinkeng Red Yao Terraced Fields       Longji Rice Terraces       Moon Hill       Reed Flute Cave       The Li River

Local Food:

Guangxi Cuisine       Guangxi Local Snacks

Guizhou

Dong kids01Guizhou is one of the most culturally and environmentally diverse provinces in China. It is a mountainous province and is home to several species of animal, and also home to 48 of the Chinese ethnic minority groups, including Miao, Yao, Dong, Bouyei, Tujia, and Gelao people.[find more]

Cities of Historical and Cultural Significance:

Guiyang (Jiaxiu Tower)       Kaili       Zhenyuan Ancient Town

Villages of Historical and Cultural Significance:

Dong Villages:   Chengyang       Sanbao      Xiaohuang       Yintan       Zhaoxing

Miao Villages:   Basha       Langde Upper Village       Xijiang

Natural Scenery:

Dragon Palace Cave       Huangguoshu Waterfall       Maling River Gorge

The Forest of Ten Thousand Peaks       Zhijin Cave National Geopark

Local Food:

Guizhou Cuisine       Guizhou Local Snacks       Dong Oil Tea       Maotai Liquor

H

Hainan

Hainan is China’s southernmost province and is comprised predominantly of Hainan Island, and over 200 smaller, outlying islands. The majority of the island is blanketed in verdant greenery, from towering palm trees and exotic flowers to lush bamboo groves and dense rainforests.[find more]

Hebei

HebeiWith the Taihang Mountains in the south and the Yan Mountains in the north, Hebei is like a natural fortress nestled deep within the North China Plain. From east to west, the Great Wall winds its way through its northern reaches and terminates at the seacoast of Shanhaiguan in the northeast.[find more]

Attractions of Historical and Cultural Significance:

Religious Art:   Eight Outlying Temples

Palatial Structures:   Chengde Mountain Resort

Cities of Historical and Cultural Significance:

Chengde

Natural Scenery: 

Bashang Grasslands       Mulan Paddock

Heilongjiang

MOHE VILLAGEAs China’s northernmost province, the region is renowned for its crisp snowy scenery and the International Ice and Snow Sculpture Festival. The name Heilongjiang literally translates to mean “Black Dragon River”, the Chinese name for the scenic Amur River which marks the border between China and Russia.[find more]

Attractions of Historical and Cultural Significance:

Folk Architecture and Customs:   Harbin Ice Festival       Mohe

Cities of Historical and Cultural Significance:

Harbin

Natural Scenery: 

Jingpo Lake      Five Conjoined Pools Geopark

Henan

Henan is widely regarded as the cradle of Chinese civilisation. Archaeologists discovered the Oracle Bones and Oracle Bone Script, the earliest known Chinese writing system in history. Over time, three of Henan’s cities (Luoyang, Anyang, and Kaifeng) would come to be ranked among the Seven Great Ancient Capitals of China.[find more]

Attractions of Historical and Cultural Significance:

Religious Art:   Longmen Grottoes       Shaolin Temple

Cities of Historical and Cultural Significance:

Zhengzhou

Natural Scenery: 

Mount Song

Hong Kong

As one of the most densely populated places in the world, Hong Kong evidently holds a particular fascination for people from across the globe. Perhaps it’s the fact that, with over 1,000 skyscrapers and more buildings over 150 metres (500 ft.) than any other city, more people live and work above the 14th floor than anywhere else on Earth, making it the world’s most vertical city.[find more]

Attractions of Historical and Cultural Significance:

Victoria Peak

Hubei

three-gorgesLying at the very heart of central China, Hubei province forms a large part of the middle basin of the Yangtze River. The high profile Three Gorges Dam is located in the west of the province, positioned in Xiling Gorge of the magnificent Three Gorges. You also can find UNESCO World Heritage Sites there both in culture and nature parts.[find more]

Attractions of Historical and Cultural Significance:

The Three Gorges Dam

Cities of Historical and Cultural Significance:

Wuhan

Natural Scenery: 

Shennongjia Nature Reserve       Wudang Mountains

Hunan

With the ethereal Wulingyuan Scenic Area, picturesque Fenghuang Ancient Town, and sacred Mount Heng, Hunan boasts more must-see tourist attractions than many provinces combined! The poet Qu Yuan was supposedly born somewhere in Hunan and drowned himself in the province’s Miluo River, which became the basis for the legend of the Dragon Boat Festival.[find more]

Cities of Historical and Cultural Significance:

Changsha

Villages of Historical and Cultural Significance:

Fenghuang Ancient Town

Natural Scenery: 

Mount Heng       Zhangjiajie Grand Canyon       Zhangjiajie National Forest Park

Local Food:

Hunan Cuisine       Hunan Local Snacks

I

Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region

Inner Mongolia hosts substantial constituencies of the Mongol, Daur, Oroqen, Ewenki, and Manchu ethnic groups and has two official languages; Chinese and Mongolian. The landscape varies greatly, from lush grasslands, dense forests, and misty mountains in the east to scorching hot deserts in the west.[find more]

Attractions of Historical and Cultural Significance:

Religious Art:   Dazhao Temple       Xilituzhao Temple

Historic Ruins:   Khara-Khoto

Mausoleums:   Mausoleum of Genghis Khan       Zhaojun Tomb

Cities and Districts of Historical and Cultural Significance:

Baotou       Ejin Banner       Hohhot       Ordos

Natural Scenery: 

Badain Jaran Desert       Gobi Desert       Hulunbuir Grasslands       Juyan Lake       Yin Mountains

Local Food:

Inner Mongolian Cuisine       Inner Mongolian Local Snacks

J

Jiangsu

Bound by the Yellow Sea to the east and with the Yangtze River cutting through its southern expanses, it’s unsurprising that Jiangsu province has become synonymous with water. It hosts several famous Chinese traditional villages and delicate gardens. The capital city Nanjing is one of the Four Great Ancient Capitals of China. [find more]

Attractions of Historical and Cultural Significance:

The Presidential Palace

Cities of Historical and Cultural Significance:

Nanjing

Local Food:

Jiangsu Cuisine       Jiangsu Local Snacks

Jiangxi

JingdezhenBounded by the Huaiyu Mountains in the northeast, the Wuyi Mountains in the east, the Jiulian and Dayu ranges to the south, and innumerable mountain ranges to the west and north, Jiangxi has long been celebrated as a haven of great natural beauty. It has long been renowned for the blue-and-white porcelain that has been produced in the region for over 1,800 years. You could almost say that this province puts the china in China. [find more]

Attractions of Historical and Cultural Significance:

White Deer Grotto Academy

Cities of Historical and Cultural Significance:

Jingdezhen       Nanchang

Natural Scenery:

Lake Poyang       Mount Lu

Jilin

Mount. ChangbaiFrom the Koreans of the Goguryeo Kingdom (37 BC–668 AD) and the Khitans of the Liao Dynasty (907–1125) to the Jurchens of the Jin Dynasty (1115–1234), Jilin’s history is a patchwork of cultures and ethnicities. [find more]

L

Liaoning

WUNV MOUNTAINAlthough nowadays its population is dominated by the Han Chinese, this region frequently found itself under non-Han rule throughout the course of history. Whether it was the Khitans of the Liao Dynasty (907–1125), the Jurchens of the Jin Dynasty (1115–1234), or the Mongolians of the Mongol Empire, Liaoning was passed around between different ethnic groups faster than a hot potato! It even formed part of several Korean kingdoms, such as Gojoseon, Goguryeo, and Balhae. [find more]

Attractions of Historical and Cultural Significance:

Historic Ruins:   Wunü Mountain City

Palatial Structures:   Mukden Palace

Mausoleums:   Fuling Tomb

Cities of Historical and Cultural Significance:

Shenyang

M

Macau

macauMacau is classified as a Special Administrative Region in China because it was once a foreign colony.  Heralded as the “Vegas of China”, gambling has been legal in the region since the 1850s and is the only place in China where gambling is legalised. Meanwhile, Many of the region’s most celebrated historical buildings were collectively designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2005 under the banner the “Historic Centre of Macau”. [find more]

Local Food:

Macanese cuisine

N

Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region

NINGXIANingxia’s official name is Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, since over one-third of its population is made up of the Hui ethnic minority. While most of Ningxia is made up of unforgiving desert, the vast plain of the Yellow River in the north has long been a fertile centre for agriculture. [find more]

Attractions of Historical and Cultural Significance:

Religious Art:   Xumi Mountain Grottoes

Mausoleums:   The Western Xia Tombs

Cities of Historical and Cultural Significance:

Yinchuan

Natural Scenery:

Helan Mountains

Q

Qinghai

Qinghai’s main claim to fame is its wonderful scenery and diverse landscapes, meanwhile it is the home to 37 of China’s recognised ethnic minorities, with large constituencies of Tibetan, Hui, Tu, Mongol, and Salar people. With 5 out of its 8 prefectures being designated as Tibetan autonomous regions, the province itself is noticeably dominated by Tibetan culture. [find more]

Attractions of Historical and Cultural Significance:

Dongguan Mosque       Kumbum Monastery

Cities of Historical and Cultural Significance:

Xining

Natural Scenery: 

Qilian Mountains       Qinghai Lake

Local Food:

Qinghai Cuisine       Qinghai Local Snacks

S

Shaanxi

Shaanxi Province is often referred to as one of the birthplaces or cradles of Chinese civilization due to its incredible significance to China’s history and development.Over a period of 1,100 years, from the Zhou Dynasty to the Tang Dynasty, 13 feudal dynasties set their capital in this province. [find more]

Attractions of Historical and Cultural Significance:

Palatial Structures:   Huaqing Hot Springs

Mausoleums:   Qianling Mausoleum       The Terracotta Army       Zhaoling Mausoleum

Cities of Historical and Cultural Significance:

Xi’an:     Da Ci’en Temple         Muslim Quarter        The 8 Immortals Temple

The Gao Family Mansion       The Giant Wild Goose Pagoda       The Great Mosque of Xi’an       The Small Wild Goose Pagoda Scenic Area

Natural Scenery: 

Mount Hua      The Loess Plateau

Famous Historical People:

Qin Shi Huang       Wu Zetian       Xuanzang 

Local Food:

Shaanxi Cuisine       Shaanxi Local Snacks

Shandong

Shandong PeninsulaShandong province is best known as the birthplace of two of the greatest philosophers in Chinese history: Confucius and Mencius. The province itself played a pivotal role in the establishment of Chinese civilisation along the Yellow River. The province itself can be roughly divided into two distinct segments: the inland zone and the Shandong Peninsula. [find more]

Attractions of Historical and Cultural Significance:

The Temple of Confucius

Cities of Historical and Cultural Significance:

Jinan

Natural Scenery:

Mount Tai

Local Food:

Shandong Cuisine       Shandong Local Snacks

Shanghai

Located right on the coast between the mouth of the Yangtze River and the bay of Hangzhou, Shanghai consists of 18 districts and several islands just offshore in the East China Sea. It is an international modern city. [find more]

Attractions of Historical and Cultural Significance:

Shikumen       The Bund       The City God Temple District

Local Food:

Shanghai Local Snacks

Shanxi

shanxiShanxi Province is called “the museum of Chinese ancient architecture”. It has more than 70% old buildings constructed during or before Song Dynasty (960-1279) . There also have Yungang Grottoes, Mount Wutai that is one of the four Buddhist pilgrimage destinations. [find more]

Attractions of Historical and Cultural Significance:

Religious Art:   The Hanging Temple       Shuanglin Temple       Yingxian Wooden Tower      Yungang Grottoes       Zhenguo Temple

Cities and Towns of Historical and Cultural Significance:

Datong       Pingyao       Qikou       Taiyuan

Villages of Historical and Cultural Significance:

Lijiashan       Xiwan

Natural Scenery:

Hukou Waterfall       Mount Heng       The Loess Plateau

Famous Historical People:

Jin Merchants

Local Food:

Shanxi Local Snacks       Traditional Shanxi Dough Cuisine

Sichuan

With its unusual geography, Sichuan is one of the most bio-diverse provinces in China and boasts a range of spectacular nature reserves, from dense highland forests to lush grasslands. Many of these reserves are home to some of the most fascinating and endangered animals on the planet, such as the Sichuan takin, the snow leopard, the clouded leopard, the red panda, and the giant panda. [find more]

Attractions of Historical and Cultural Significance:

Sichuan Giant Panda Sanctuaries       The Huiyuan Monastery       Tagong Monastery

Cities of Historical and Cultural Significance:

Chengdu

Natural Scenery:

Jiuzhaigou       Mount Emei       Tsoka Lake       Yihun Lhatso

Local Food:

Sichuan Cuisine       Sichuan Local Snacks

T

Tianjin

Tianjin01Often eclipsed by its neighbour Beijing, Tianjin is a much-underrated city and municipality in northern China with a fascinating history and colonial twist. After China’s brutal defeat during the Second Opium War, the Qing Dynasty was forced to sign a treaty that granted Britain and France the right to extraterritoriality in Tianjin, as well as opening the port up to free trade. [find more]

Attractions of Historical and Cultural Significance:

Huangya Pass       Tianjin Ancient Culture Street

Tibet Autonomous Region

bhikkhu03Often described as “the Roof of the World” and “the Land of Snows”, the Tibet Autonomous Region is located on the Tibetan Plateau, which is the largest and highest plateau on earth. Approximately 90% of the population in Tibet is comprised of ethnically Tibetan people, who are celebrated for their rich cultural heritage, most notably their dedication to the indigenous religions of Tibetan Buddhism and Bön. [find more]

Attractions of Historical and Cultural Significance:

The Jokhang Temple       The Palcho Monastery       The Potala Palace       The Ruins of the Guge Kingdom

Cities of Historical and Cultural Significance:

Lhasa

Natural Scenery: 

Mount Everest       Yamdrok Lake

X

Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region

colourful moutains 300Xinjiang is geographically divided by the east-west chain of the Tian Shan Mountains, with the Dzungarian Basin in the north and the Tarim Basin in the south. It is home to a number of ethnic minorities, including the Uyghur, Kazakh, Tajik, Hui, Kyrgyz, and Mongol people, most of which are religiously Muslim. [find more]

Attractions of Historical and Cultural Significance:

Religious Art:   Bezeklik Thousand Buddha Caves       Emin Minaret

Historic Ruins:   Gaochang Ruins       Jiaohe Ruins

Folk Architecture:   Grape Valley       Turpan Karez Water System

Mausoleums:   Astana Cemetery

Cities of Historical and Cultural Significance:

Hami       Kashgar       Turpan       Ürümqi

Villages of Historical and Cultural Significance:

Baihaba       Hemu

Natural Scenery:

Gurbantünggüt Desert       Kanas Lake        Kumtag Desert (Shanshan)       Kunlun Mountains       Taklamakan Desert       Tarim Basin       TianShan Mountains       The Kalamaili Nature Reserve       The Lop Desert

Local Food:

Xinjiang Cuisine       Xinjiang Local Snacks

Y

Yunnan

With the literal meaning of  “south of the clouds” so, if you’re looking for a heaven on earth, Yunnan may be as close as it comes. It is the place where you fancy hiking up the misty mountains, relaxing in a backpacker’s paradise, studying China’s ethnic minorities, or marvelling at the majesty of ancient Chinese towns. [find more]

Attractions of Historical and Cultural Significance:

Museums:   Dali Prefecture Museum       Dongba Culture Museum

Religious Art:   Golden Temple       Manfeilong Pagodas       Three Pagodas

Folk Architecture:   Cuihu Park       Mu Family Mansion       Xishuangbanna Dai Autonomous Prefecture

Cities and Towns of Historical and Cultural Significance:

Chuxiong       Dali (Dali Ancient Town)       Kunming       Lijiang Old Town       Shaxi       Shuhe Old Town       Xizhou

Villages of Historical and Cultural Significance:

Baisha

Natural Scenery:

Black Dragon Pool (Lijiang)       Cangshan Mountains       Dianchi Lake       Erhai Lake       Jade Dragon Snow Mountain       Shangri-La County       The Stone Forest       Three Parallel Rivers      Tiger Leaping Gorge

Local Food:

Yunnan Cuisine       Yunnan Local Snacks

Z

Zhejiang

As a coastal province, it is riddled with numerous rivers large and small. South of Hangzhou Bay, the terrain becomes distinctly more mountainous and its rocky coast is littered with more than 18,000 islands. The capital city Hangzhou is renowned as one of the most charming cities on earth. [find more]

Cities and Towns of Historical and Cultural Significance:

Hangzhou       Xitang Water Town    

Local Food:

Zhejiang Cuisine       Zhejiang Local Snacks