The Best Places to Visit in China on a First Trip

A first trip to China can span imperial landmarks, historic sites and very different landscapes. A useful starting shortlist is Beijing, Xi’an and Shanghai; add one destination based on your interests rather than trying to cover everything.

Start with three contrasting cities

Beijing: imperial landmarks and the Great Wall

Beijing is a strong choice for a history-focused visit. The Forbidden City and Great Wall are among the city’s major heritage landmarks; the Temple of Heaven is another notable historic complex. 3744 Treat the Wall as a separate outing from the central-city sights when planning your days.

Xi’an: the Terracotta Army

The Mausoleum of the First Qin Emperor, near Xi’an, includes the famous Terracotta Army. UNESCO describes the figures as part of a large archaeological complex built for China’s first unifier. 29 Choose Xi’an if ancient history and archaeology are a priority.

Shanghai: historic waterfront and modern skyline

The Bund offers a waterfront walk beside historic buildings, with the Huangpu River and Shanghai’s newer skyline across the water. 50 It gives a first-time visitor a different perspective from Beijing and Xi’an: a major city seen through its riverside architecture and changing skyline.

Add one stop to match your interests

Guilin and the Li River: karst scenery

Choose the Guilin area for limestone-peak landscapes. UNESCO’s South China Karst listing includes Guilin Karst among its component areas. 15 Be precise when describing specific attractions: a UNESCO listing for the broader karst property does not mean every local cruise or viewpoint is itself a World Heritage site.

Chengdu: a panda-focused visit

Chengdu’s Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding is a conservation and research facility that also welcomes visitors. 1 It is distinct from the Sichuan Giant Panda Sanctuaries, which UNESCO lists separately as a World Heritage property. 4

Zhangjiajie and Wulingyuan: sandstone pillars

For a nature-focused trip, consider Zhangjiajie and the wider Wulingyuan area. UNESCO describes Wulingyuan as a landscape of more than 3,000 narrow sandstone pillars and peaks, alongside ravines, streams and waterfalls. 12

A simple way to choose

For a broad first look at China, build around Beijing, Xi’an and Shanghai, then pick one additional stop: Guilin for karst scenery, Chengdu for pandas, or Zhangjiajie for sandstone landscapes. The right shortlist depends on what you most want to see; there is no objective ranking that suits every traveler.