China is the kind of destination where one trip can feel like several. Ancient temples sit alongside futuristic skylines, high-speed trains connect cities thousands of years old, and some of the country’s most memorable landscapes are far removed from its biggest urban centres.
For a first visit, it can be overwhelming to figure out what to do. My suggestion is to start with one of your “must-dos” and then work from there. All of the things on this list are great choices to make, but everyone is going to have their own preferences. If you are like me and travel with teens, I would let them also give input on what they would choose to do in China.
1. Walk Along the Great Wall of China
There are famous landmarks, and then there is the Great Wall of China. Stretching across northern China, the wall is one of those places whose sheer scale is difficult to appreciate until you’re standing on it.
Many travellers visit the sections closest to Beijing, making the Great Wall relatively easy to incorporate into a first trip to China. If you have more time, consider venturing beyond the busiest sections for a quieter experience. I can tell you that my first Great Wall experience felt like ants on a trail, as the wall was completely packed with people (and most were domestic tourists!)
Allow at least half a day rather than treating the Great Wall as a quick photo stop. Comfortable shoes are essential, as some sections are much steeper than photographs suggest.
2. Take a Yangtze River Cruise
China’s cities are exhilarating, but they can also be intense. A China river cruise offers an entirely different way to experience the country, replacing busy streets and train stations with mountain scenery and days spent watching life unfold along the water.
The Yangtze is China’s longest river, and cruising it allows travellers to combine scenery and cultural experiences without continually packing up and moving between hotels.
Century Cruises operates several ships on the Yangtze. The ships have been designed around spacious accommodation and views of the river from the comfort of your own balcony! The appeal isn’t simply having a comfortable place to sleep. Days can incorporate expert-guided shore excursions and cultural lectures, while onboard experiences include traditional tea ceremonies and evening entertainment. There are also expansive sun decks for those times when the best activity is simply sitting outside and watching the landscape pass by.
Food also provides another introduction to China along the way. Century Cruises combines international choices with regional flavours and local specialties, making the journey as much about experiencing the destination as travelling through it.
3. Come Face-to-Face With the Terracotta Warriors
Discovered by farmers near Xi’an in the 1970s, the Terracotta Army is one of China’s most extraordinary archaeological sites and at the top of my own China bucket list.
Thousands of life-sized soldiers, horses, and chariots were created to accompany China’s first emperor, Qin Shi Huang, into the afterlife. What makes the site so intriguing is that the figures aren’t simply rows of identical statues. Each warrior has individual features. These are a popular souvenir from China to pick up as a memento of your trip.
Xi’an itself is also worth more than a flying visit. Depending on the amount of time you have in China, include a bit of time to explore the city and its historic neighbourhoods.
4. Eat Your Way Through Chengdu
Food deserves to be an experience in its own right in China, and Chengdu is an excellent place to make it the focus of your day.
The capital of Sichuan province is synonymous with bold flavours and dishes that make liberal use of chilli and Sichuan pepper. Hot pot is perhaps its most famous culinary experience, but don’t stop there.
Visit markets, seek out small restaurants and try local specialties you may never have encountered at a Chinese restaurant back home. I always suggest a food tour in a place list this. It gives my family a quick introduction into the food culture of the city and usually helps us order food for the rest of our trip!
5. See China’s Giant Pandas
Chengdu is also home to giant pandas. The region is closely associated with panda conservation, making it one of the best places to learn more about the animals and the work being done to protect them.
Plan an early start. Pandas tend to be more active in the morning, and arriving early can also help you get ahead of some of the day’s crowds.
6. Explore the Landscapes of Zhangjiajie
If China’s enormous cities dominate your mental image of the country, Zhangjiajie will quickly change it. Often called the Avatar Mountains (thanks to the movie), these extraordinary sandstone pillars are like nowhere else on earth. Weather conditions can dramatically change the views in Zhangjiajie, so allow for extra time if you really want some clear photos.
7. Ride China’s High-Speed Trains
Sometimes getting from one bucket-list experience to another becomes an experience itself.
China has an enormous high-speed rail network connecting many of its major cities and tourist destinations. For visitors, travelling by train can also provide a glimpse of the country’s changing landscapes and the staggering scale of its infrastructure.
8. Wander Through an Ancient Water Town
Shanghai’s skyscrapers show one side of China. The historic water towns found around the Yangtze River Delta reveal something completely different.
Traditional houses, narrow lanes, stone bridges and canals create an atmosphere far removed from the nearby metropolis. Depending on which town you choose, you can spend your time wandering alongside the waterways, visiting historic buildings and stopping for tea or something to eat.
9. Discover Beijing’s Imperial Past
Beijing could fill an entire China bucket list on its own, but the Forbidden City is the place to start.
Once the imperial palace of China’s emperors, the enormous complex sits at the heart of Beijing and offers a fascinating introduction to centuries of Chinese history. Give yourself plenty of time to explore rather than rushing through the main route. Traffic in the area can also be a nightmare so do not try to squeeze too much into your day!
10. See Shanghai After Dark
Shanghai’s skyline is impressive at any time of day, but seeing the city illuminated after dark is particularly memorable. Head towards the Bund for the classic view across the Huangpu River towards the skyscrapers of Pudong. Some restaurants often stunning views at night. Check with your hotel about making a dining reservation with a view!
Lindsay Nieminen hails from Vancouver, Canada and shares her love of travel on this website. She is passionate about showing others that they should not put off traveling the world just because they have children or are single parents. She aims to encourage them to seek out adventure, whether it is at home or abroad by providing information on how just about everywhere can be a destination to explore as a family.