4 Memorable Experiences in China

Known to be the fourth-most widely visited country in the world, there is never a better time than now to explore modern China. This vast ancient civilisation has so much to offer. I would certainly recommend planning before embarking on your trip. Hereby are four suggestions most tourists would not want to miss:

Great Wall

This snakelike structure is world-famous and a trip to China  would not be complete without stepping on at. A visit to the Great Wall Museum, in Badaling, is one of the way to get a sense of the fortification’s incredible age, while the section found in Mùtiányù is probably the most accessible – with cable cars and toboggans available.

Most parts of the wall have been restored to give a better idea of how it looked in its prime, but if you want to see the original as it has weathered over the ages, head to Jīnshānlǐng. It is a remote but ruggedly beautiful region, where one will witness fewer tourists and more ruins.

Pandas

One of the world’s most iconic and animals– the panda is beloved by Chinese nationals and international visitors alike.

There are plans to create a Giant Panda National Park, which will give the existing populations unrivalled land to roam in. However, till then, the best place to see them is still the Giant Panda Breeding Research Base in Chengdu. It is recommended that you visit in the morning, when the pandas in residence will be most active. If you visit in autumn or winter, you might be lucky enough to see a new-born or two in their nursery.

Yangtze River

A cruise along China’s longest waterway with it being one of the world’s most scenic journeys, this is a very popular holiday option for the Chinese.

The Three Gorges form the heart of the route – a mythic series of valleys which have inspired Chinese poets and artists for generations. Amidst the breath-taking scenery you will find riverside temples, fortresses and carvings – not to mention the rather more recently-constructed dam, which holds a body of water almost as long as England. There is even a newly-opened underwater museum, where you can see sculptures submerged by the river’s rise specially purified water.

Shanghai

Beijing is the capital and with its rich heritage, it is certainly worth a visit. Shanghai is China’s biggest city and represent the country’s future.

This advanced port presents an incredible range of modern architecture, including a profusion of some of the most impressive skyscrapers in the region. But there’s plenty going on at ground level, too. Yùyuán Garden – with its pavilions, fish-pools, trees and flowers – bustles with visitors from near and far.

Elsewhere, enjoy unwinding in one of China’s traditional tea houses or visit a bazaar to sample some local produce. Those looking for culture are also well-served – the M50 complex is a sprawling collection of gallery spaces in  industrial buildings, while the city’s Natural History Museum is a new attraction being located in a sculpture park.

Categories: Asia Region