No doubt, you've already heard of China's most famous highlights.

There's the Great Wall, Beijing's hutongs and the Forbidden City, Shanghai's ultra-modern skyline, nearby Hong Kong's Peak Tram, and Macau's glitzy casinos. But what about the rest of this vast country? If the travel bug has you asking, "Where next in China?", we've got you covered. Here are 10 cities beyond Beijing that deserve a visit. 

 

Xi'an

Xian China Terracotta WarriorsPixabay

Come for the Terra-Cotta Warriors but stay for the flavours of the Muslim Quarter

See, do, admire: around 8,000 life-size pottery soldiers, horses, chariots and weapons have been unearthed from the pits, filling three exhibition halls. They are poised in platoons, as if preparing for battle. Other historic sites include Banpo Village Remains, from the Neolithic era; the Xi’an City Wall, the largest and best-preserved ancient city wall in the country; the Bell Tower; the Drum Tower; and the Big Wild Goose Pagoda, built in 652 to store the first Buddhist scriptures that came from India.

Travellers who have lived the experience:
Kiersten from TheBlondeAbroad.com
Sarah from SarahSomewhere.com 
Swah from LoveSwah.com

 

Chengdu

Chengdu Panda ChinaPixabay

Come for the pandas, but stay for the signature hot, spicy Sichuan cuisine

See, do, admire: Pandas, pandas everywhere. From key chains to the plush variety, to the living, breathing critters that inhabit the Chengdu Panda Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding. In town, stroll the serene Renmin Park, visit Wenshu Monastery, and take in a traditional Sichuan Opera. Between attractions, fill up on some seriously savoury Sichuan cuisine; a style of cooking widely considered one of the most delicious in China. Chengdu is also a premier destination for indulging in some tea house culture. 

Travellers who have lived the experience:
Steve and Lexi from TheyGetAround.com
Becki from BordersOfAdventure.com


Huangshan:

Yellow Mountains

Huangshan china granite mountainsFlickr.com/Carlos Adampol Galindo (CCbySA2.0)

Come for the incredible views, but stay for the pulse-thumping hike

Do, see, admire: A visit here is all about getting high in nature. Multiple granite peaks rise a staggering 1,800 metres and are often shrouded in mist. The landscape of the Yellow Mountains is picture-perfect; Mount Huangshan is said to be "the loveliest mountain of China," which explains its prevalence in art and literature. After earning your views while hiking, soak your strained muscles in the nearby hot springs, known as "the Springs of Youth."

Travellers who have lived the experience:
Phebe from the TheTravellingSquid.com
Alice from GoFindAlice.com
Jack and Jenn from WhoNeedsMaps.com
 

Zhangjiajie National Forest

Zhangjiajie national forest chinaefired - Fotolia

Come for the mysticism, but stay for the biodiversity. 

See, do, admire: Nature-lovers and Avatar fans will love the fantastical landscape of Zhangjiajie National Forest. Catch a glimpse of the 1,080-metre Southern Sky Column, which is now known as “Avatar Hallelujah Mountain". Pop culture references aside, this park boasts more than 500 species of trees, silver streams, and verdant fauna. 

Travellers who have lived the experience:
Johnny from OneStep4Ward.com  
Tiffany from WorldMeetsGirl.com
Liina from LiinaTravels.wordpress.com

 

Lhasa

Tibet

Lhasa china monestaryPixabay

Come for Tibet's holy Potala Palace, but stay for the spiritual feels

See, do, admire: Lhasa is the 1,300-year-old seat of Tibetan Buddhism. It stimulates the senses: smell incense wafting through the air, hear prayer wheels spin and prayer flags flutter, and admire the colourful garb of pilgrams walking the circuit. Wander the white-splashed Tibetan Old Town, shop trinkets at Barkhor Street Market and visit Potala, Jokhang and Norbulingka Palaces.

Travellers who have lived the experience
Becca from ThePersephonePerspective.com
Agess from eTramping.com
Naomi from ProbeAroundTheGlobe.com


Suzhou

*UNESCO Alert*

Suzhou ChinaFlickr/Russ Bowling (CCby2.0)

Come for the UNESCO-listed classical gardens, but stay for the canal-side vibes.

Do, see, admire: Life in Suzhou flourishes around its waterways. The city is perched on the Yangtze River while canals thread the city. Explore it on foot, crossing humpbacked bridges and visiting charming pagodas stacked like sky-high cakes. Find your Zen in Suzhou's many classical gardens and then get an in-depth look at the silk and textile industry. 

Travellers who have lived the experience
Evan and Raevian from EatAndTravelWithUs.com
Rosemarie and Joseph from TravelAndBeyond.org


Guilin

Guilin ChinaFlickr.com/Carlos Adampol Galindo (CCbySA2.0)

Come for the dramatic karst landscape but stay for the Longsheng Rice Terraces. 

Do, see, admire: The magic of Guilin is best revealed from the vantage point of a bamboo raft floating the Lijiang River. Travel through a landscape that is punctured by dramatic karst formations that sit on an otherwise flat plain. On land, visit the Sun and Moon Pagodas, a pair of handsome pagodas that sit upon Shānu Lake. Explore Reed Flute Cave and then escape to the picturesque Longsheng Rice Terraces.  

Travellers who have lived the experience:
Jack and Jenn from WhoNeedsMaps.com 
Marianne from MumOnTheMove.com
Alesha and Jarryd from Nomadasaurus.com

 

Pingyao

*UNESCO Alert*

PingyaoFlickr.com/timquijano (CCby2.0, colour edit)

Come to step back in time, but stay for the hubbub of its ancient streets

Do, see, admire: When we hear 'best-preserved walled town' we know we're in for a treat. What can we say? We're suckers for pedestrian-friendly places and Pingyao's one-mile by one-mile old town is (mostly) car-free. Its narrow alleys, red lanterns and hidden courtyards are everything you could want from a visit to China. Don't miss shopping on Ming Qing Street, exploring the museum circuit and sampling Pingyao Beef, a savoury local specialty. 

Travellers who have lived the experience:
Mariane from TheChroniclesOfMariane.com
Craig and John from FlashpackAtForty.com
Beatrice from BeatriceTravels.com

Hangzhou

*UNESCO Alert

HangzhouFlickr.com/Carlos Adampol Galindo (CCbySA2.0)

Come for the natural beauty, but stay for the laid-back ease

Do, see admire: Hangzhou, put simply, is an easy place to be. Tranquility seems to radiate right from the shimmering UNESCO-designated West Lake. The lake's shores contain many cultural points of interest while boat cruises offer a unique perspective from the water. Temples, gardens, parks and nearby tea plantations foster a sense of laid-back ease not afforded by the hustle that permeates many of China's other cities. 

Travellers who have lived the experience:
Evie and Emmie from MumpackTravel.com
Justine and Nick from TalkTravelToMe.com
 

Lijiang

*UNESCO Alert

Lijiangefired - fotolia

Come for Lijiang Old Town, but stay for a time capsule experience

Do, see, admire: The Old Town of Lijiang is a UNESCO World Heritage Site that will have you strolling 800-year-old bridges, through narrow alleyways and along canals. Peddle your way through nearby villages and admire the blue water and stone terraces of Blue Moon Valley, located at the foot of the Jade Dragon Snow Mountain. 

Travellers who have lived the experience
Steve from YoureNotFromAroundHere.com    
Alesha and Jarryd from Nomadasaurus.com  
Ivan from DiscoveringIvanium

 

           

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