China is the third largest country in the world by area and has the largest population. It has a very rich history dating back over 4000 years, and there is no shortage of interest in it. It is one of the oldest surviving countries in the world, only next to Greece. Moving around the country is possible by plane, train, or bus, but be prepared for the sheer size of the country. There are plenty of places to go in China, and plenty of those are historical. We’ve selected 10 of the best heritage sites, recognized by UNESCO, that you should visit on your next tour there. You can read more on the top 10 UNESCO sites in China below.
1. The Great Wall - Jinshanling (from USD 140.0)
Probably the most iconic landmark in China, the Great Wall is a stone wall that runs across the northern part of the country. Jinshanling is one of the most famous sections of the wall and is located 140 km (86 miles) northwest of Beijing. Take a hike to the 10th watchtower of the east section, which has the most picturesque view of the surrounding area. From this viewpoint, you can see a very long stretch of the wall traverse the hills. A trip to the wall will take a whole day, so you are encouraged to start early to make the most of this tour.
Small-Group Mutianyu Great Wall Tour With lunch And Ticket
Duration: 8.0 to 10.0 hour
2. Leshan Giant Buddha (from USD 49.05)
The Leshan Buddha is the largest stone statue of Buddha in the world and is located just outside the city of Leshan in Sichuan Province. It stands at 71 m (233 ft) and is carved out of the mountain as a way to calm the turbulent river. You can climb up beside the statue, and a tour guide will explain the history of the structure. There are restaurants and shops in the area if you want to get yourself some souvenirs. Most tourists come from Chengdu city, a two-hour drive away, and it usually takes a day to tour the area.
Leshan Giant Buddha Private Day Tour - Chengdu, China - Klook
Duration: 8hrsDuration
3. Huangshan (Yellow Mountain) (from USD 323.0)
Huangshan is one of the most popular tourist destinations in China, and for good reason. Located 30 minutes’ away from Tunxi city, Huangshan is a group of granite peaks formed millions of years ago. The highest peaks, and also the most notable ones, are the Lotus, Bright, and Celestial peaks. The views from the top are breathtaking, and this alone makes the trip worth it. You can even spend the night here if you want, so that you can view one of the most beautiful sunrises you could possibly have seen in your entire life.
All-Inclusive Private Tour: Huangshan Mountain Exploration With Round-Trip Cable Car
Duration: 9 hours
4. Potala Palace, Lhasa, Tibet (from USD 277.0)
One of Tibet’s most famous landmarks, the Potala Palace was once the residence of the Dalai Lama. It is located on top of Red Hill, in the heart of Lhasa, the biggest city in the Tibet region. Made over three centuries ago, the palace has over a 1000 rooms, 10000 shrines, and even more statues. It has seen plenty of Tibet’s history and is now a museum. It usually takes half a day to go around the palace, and you can visit the park behind the complex if you want to wind down and relax after the trip here.
Half- Day Potala Palace Tour from Lhasa
Duration: 4 hours
5. Mausoleum of Qin Shihuang, Xi'an (from USD 147.38)
The mausoleum of Qin Shihuang, who became the first Qin Dynasty ruler at the age of 13, is a UNESCO heritage site located east of the city of Xi'an. The complex is massive in scale, and it took almost four decades and over 700,000 labourers to build it. The most notable artefacts here are the thousands of terracotta soldiers and horses in the hall, seen as one of the biggest archaeological finds of the last century. There are also other archaeological sites in Xi'an you should visit, but this mausoleum is the largest and the most famous one.
Xi'an Terracotta Warriors Banpo Museum Option Private Tour
Duration: 6.0 to 8.0 hour
6. Temple of Heaven, Beijing (from USD 10.0)
The Temple of Heaven is a group of buildings located in the heart of Beijing, just southeast of the Forbidden Palace grounds. It is one of the largest and most popular religious places in the world, visited by millions of tourists annually. There are three primary structures: the Hall of Prayer, the Imperial Vault of Heaven, and the Circular Mound Altar. It was once the place where the emperor would hold an annual prayer for good harvest. The whole complex is surrounded by a park, which you can go around after a tour of the main temple itself.
Skip-the-Line Temple of Heaven Ticket
Duration: 1 day
7. Summer Palace (from USD 8.0)
The Summer Palace is one of the most elaborate structures in all of China, meticulously designed to exist in harmony with its surroundings. It was designed to serve as a leisure place for the emperor, and a water reservoir. The palace grounds also include other pavilions and structures, the large Kunming Lake and Wanshou Mountain. You can also take a boat ride across the lake and view the structures and appreciate them for all their splendour. The Summer Palace is accessible by the metro train from Beijing, so going there is very easy.
Beijing Summer Palace Admission Ticket with Garden Option
8. Forbidden City (from USD 14.0)
The Forbidden City, located in the heart of the city of Beijing, was once the home of the Chinese emperors for almost 500 years. Declared a UNESCO world heritage site in 1987, the palace houses a large collection of paintings, ceramics, calligraphy, and other artefacts. The colour yellow is abundant throughout the palace, from the floor bricks up to the roof tiles, as this was the colour of the royal family. For an extra fee, you can also take a tour into the Hall of Clocks and Treasure Gallery, where even more history is stored.
Forbidden City Ticket
Duration: 1 day
9. Mount Tai (from USD 377.0)
Mount Tai is one of five sacred mountains in China, and it is associated with sunrise and birth. It is located in Tai'an district, which is accessible by trains from Beijing and Shanghai. At the foot of the mountain, you can ride a cable car all the way to the peak, or you can climb up the 7000 plus stairs instead. At the top is a temple, and also a viewing platform where you can see the beautiful sunrise or the moon. There are plenty of other temples, shrines, and pavilions around the mountain. You’ll need a whole day to tour the mountain, so it helps to be in good hiking form.
Private Tour: 2-Night Shandong by Bullet Train from Shanghai Including Temple of Confucius
10. Ancient villages of Hongcun and Xidi (from USD 217.0)
Travel back in time to these two villages, located in the northern part Huangshan city. Xidi village dates back to the Song dynasty, almost 1000 years ago, and the 124 houses here are the main highlight here. Hongcun village is located just north of Xidi, and dates back to the Ming dynasty, over 500 years ago. Much of the architecture and design in Hongcun was seen as some of the finest during its time and it is still visible today. The two villages together give a lot of insight into life in China centuries ago and is historically significant, hence the UNESCO Heritage Site status. Touring these villages takes a whole day, and the tour usually starts in the city centre.
One Day Private Hongcun and Xidi Village Sightseeing Tour
Duration: 6 to 8 hours
China, over 4000 years and still going strong
China has been around since the earliest years of human civilization, and there are plenty of heritage sites that give proof of this from the mausoleums to the Great Wall and all the way to the Forbidden City. China’s historical value alone has made plenty of its places a major draw for tourists - you should also pay a visit here soon.
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