A photograph of China

Country guide

Up to 1 hour in China — page 8

China covers 9.6 million km², third largest of any country, and holds more than 1.4 billion people — about 17 per cent of everyone alive. It is divided into 33...

Photograph · Severin.stalder · CC BY-SA 3.0

39,939 Places
6Cities

Reviewed by Elena Voss · Roavina Travel Editor

China covers 9.6 million km², third largest of any country, and holds more than 1.4 billion people — about 17 per cent of everyone alive. It is divided into 33 province-level divisions, two of them special administrative regions.

Beijing is the capital; Shanghai is the most populous city by urban area. Between them the land runs from the Central Plain and the Yangtze and Yellow rivers out to desert, plateau, subtropical and temperate forest, and the Himalayas in the southwest. The first decision a visitor makes here is therefore not which sight to see but which climate to travel in.

Checked 2026-08-25

Cities

Every city catalogued in this country so far, ranked by how much there is to see.

Practical information

Language spoken
Standard Chinese; regional languages are widely used
National practical orientation; regional and minority languages may also be used
Dialling code
+86 mainland · +852 Hong Kong · +853 Macao
International calling code; local area and mobile prefixes still apply
Currency
Renminbi (CNY); HKD and MOP in the SARs
Use the official local currency; card acceptance varies by place
Emergency number
110 police · 120 medical on the mainland
Use only for an emergency; tourist assistance may use a separate number
Plug type
Type A, C and I · 220 V
Check that chargers support the recorded voltage before using an adapter
Tap water
Not recorded
No single verified statement covers mainland China and both SARs

Top things to see

Ranked by importance — sitelinks, pageviews and heritage status, not editor preference.

  1. Guangyuntan Park
    176 1 hour

    Guangyuntan Park

    广运潭公园

    Guangyun Lake Park, locally known as 广运潭公园, is a lakeside public green space in Xi'an. It offers a change of rhythm from the city's historic monuments, busy commercial streets, and dense urban setting.

    • Notable
    • Nature site
    • Xi'an
  2. Guanlan Printmaking Village Guanlan Printmaking Village
    177 45 min

    Guanlan Printmaking Village

    观澜版画村

    Guanlan Printmaking Village is a cultural heritage site in Shenzhen's Longhua District, known for its historical architecture and contemporary printmaking tradition. The village preserves traditional Hakka-style buildings while functioning as an active base for printmaking artists.

    • Notable
    • Historic site
    • Shenzhen
  3. He Xiangning Art Museum He Xiangning Art Museum
    178 1 hour

    He Xiangning Art Museum

    何香凝美术馆

    He Xiangning Art Museum is a public art museum in Shenzhen devoted to the work and legacy of He Xiangning, an artist and prominent figure in modern Chinese history.

    • Notable
    • Art and culture venue
    • Shenzhen
  4. Jv-Diao Beach
    179 1 hour

    Jv-Diao Beach

    桔钓沙

    Judiaosha Beach, or 桔钓沙, is a sandy coastal destination on Shenzhen’s Dapeng Peninsula in the city’s eastern area. The beach belongs to the South China Sea shoreline and offers a change of pace from Shenzhen’s dense urban districts.

    • Notable
    • Nature site
    • Shenzhen
  5. Kai Tak Sports Park Kai Tak Sports Park
    180 1 hour

    Kai Tak Sports Park

    啟德體育園 Kai Tak Sports Park

    Kai Tak Sports Park is a major sports and entertainment complex located on the former Kai Tak Airport site in Kowloon, Hong Kong. It represents one of the city's most significant infrastructure developments, transforming reclaimed land into a multi-purpose venue.

    • Notable
    • Nature site
    • Hong Kong
  6. Lamma Island South SSSI
    181 1 hour

    Lamma Island South SSSI

    南丫島南部具特殊科學價值地點 Lamma Island South SSSI

    Lamma Island South SSSI is a Site of Special Scientific Interest on the southern part of Lamma Island. Its value comes from coastal habitats, rocky shores, vegetation and geological features that remain less developed than much of urban Hong Kong.

    • Notable
    • Nature site
    • Hong Kong
  7. Lianhu Park Lianhu Park
    182 1 hour

    Lianhu Park

    莲湖公园

    Lianhu Park, known locally as 莲湖公园, is a public park situated in Xian, Shaanxi Province, China.

    • Notable
    • Nature site
    • Xi'an
  8. Lilau Square Lilau Square
    183 1 hour

    Lilau Square

    亞婆井前地 Largo do Lilau

    Lilau Square is a small public square in Macau's historic western district, situated near the intersection of Rua de Lilau and Rua do Lilau.

    • Notable
    • Nature site
    • Macau
  9. Longhua Martyrs Cementary Longhua Martyrs Cementary
    184 1 hour

    Longhua Martyrs Cementary

    龙华烈士陵园

    Longhua Martyrs Cemetery is a major memorial site in Shanghai, located in the Xuhui District.

    • Notable
    • Nature site
    • Shanghai
  10. LongQingXia
    185 45 min

    LongQingXia

    龙庆峡

    Longqing Gorge, known locally as 龙庆峡, is a scenic canyon area located north of Beijing's urban core. The gorge features a reservoir formed by dam construction, creating an elongated water body between steep mountainous terrain.

    • Notable
    • Historic site
    • Beijing
  11. Lujiazui Circular Pedestrian Bridge
    186 20 min

    Lujiazui Circular Pedestrian Bridge

    陆家嘴环形天桥

    Lujiazui Circular Pedestrian Bridge is the elevated pedestrian structure officially identified in Chinese as 陆家嘴环形天桥. Shanghai's 2026 planning report also calls this circular bridge the Pearl Ring, or Mingzhu Ring.

    • Notable
    • Viewpoint
    • Shanghai
  12. Marco Polo Bridge Marco Polo Bridge
    187 20 min

    Marco Polo Bridge

    卢沟桥

    Marco Polo Bridge, also called Lugou Bridge, is a historic stone crossing over the Yongding River in Beijing’s Fengtai District.

    • Notable
    • Viewpoint
    • Beijing
  13. Mong Kok Flower Market Mong Kok Flower Market
    188 45 min

    Mong Kok Flower Market

    旺角花墟 Mong Kok Flower Market

    Mong Kok Flower Market is a concentrated trading zone for flowers, plants, and gardening supplies in the Mong Kok district of Kowloon, Hong Kong. The local name 旺角花墟 reflects its identity as a historic flower market area.

    • Notable
    • Market
    • Hong Kong
  14. Mount Li Mount Li
    189 20 min

    Mount Li

    骊山

    Mount Li, known locally as 骊山, is a prominent mountain located near Xi'an in Shaanxi Province, China. It rises on the northern edge of the Qinling mountain range and overlooks the Wei River valley.

    • Notable
    • Viewpoint
    • Xi'an
  15. Museum of Art Pudong Museum of Art Pudong
    190 1 hour

    Museum of Art Pudong

    浦东美术馆

    The Museum of Art Pudong, known locally as 浦东美术馆, is a contemporary art museum located in Shanghai's Pudong district. Situated along the Huangpu River, the institution occupies a prominent position within the Lujiazui financial area.

    • Notable
    • Art and culture venue
    • Shanghai
  16. Pak Tai Temple Pak Tai Temple
    191 30 min

    Pak Tai Temple

    北帝宮

    Pak Tai Temple, also known locally as 北帝宮, is a Taoist temple in Hong Kong dedicated to Pak Tai, the Northern Emperor. Worshippers honour him as a protective deity associated with the power to subdue evil spirits and safeguard communities.

    • Notable
    • Place of worship
    • Hong Kong
  17. Peng Chau Market Peng Chau Market
    192 45 min

    Peng Chau Market

    坪洲街市 Peng Chau Market

    Peng Chau Market is a local marketplace on Peng Chau, one of Hong Kong’s outlying islands. It serves everyday community shopping rather than functioning as a staged visitor attraction.

    • Notable
    • Market
    • Hong Kong
  18. Qianhai Snow World Qianhai Snow World
    193 45 min

    Qianhai Snow World

    前海冰雪世界

    Qianhai Snow World is an indoor snow and ice entertainment complex in Shenzhen’s Qianhai area. It offers a winter-themed leisure experience in a subtropical coastal city where natural snow is not part of everyday life.

    • Notable
    • Market
    • Shenzhen
  19. Qianhai Stone Park Qianhai Stone Park
    194 1 hour

    Qianhai Stone Park

    前海石公园

    Qianhai Stone Park is a landscaped public park in Shenzhen’s Qianhai area. Its defining feature is a prominent stone monument, set within a green urban space shaped by the district’s rapid modern development.

    • Notable
    • Nature site
    • Shenzhen
  20. Qin Ershi Mausoleum Ruins Park Qin Ershi Mausoleum Ruins Park
    195 1 hour

    Qin Ershi Mausoleum Ruins Park

    秦二世陵遗址公园

    Qin Ershi Mausoleum Heritage Park preserves the burial site of Qin Er Shi, the second emperor of the Qin dynasty. The site offers a focused encounter with the later chapter of the dynasty that unified China.

    • Notable
    • Nature site
    • Xi'an
  21. Qinling Four Treasures Science Park
    196 1 hour

    Qinling Four Treasures Science Park

    秦岭四宝科学公园

    Qinling Four Treasures Science Park is a wildlife and conservation-focused attraction in the Xi'an area. Its name refers to four characteristic Qinling species: the giant panda, golden snub-nosed monkey, takin, and crested ibis.

    • Notable
    • Nature site
    • Xi'an
  22. Qujiang Lake Site Park Qujiang Lake Site Park
    197 1 hour

    Qujiang Lake Site Park

    曲江池遗址公园

    Qujiang Pool Heritage Park is a reconstructed heritage landscape in Xian, China, occupying the site of the historic Qujiang Pool that flourished during the Tang Dynasty.

    • Notable
    • Nature site
    • Xi'an
  23. Red brick art museum
    198 1 hour

    Red brick art museum

    红砖美术馆

    The Red Brick Art Museum is a contemporary art institution in Beijing, China. Its local name is 红砖美术馆. The museum occupies a distinctive architectural complex that integrates exhibition spaces with landscaped gardens and water features.

    • Notable
    • Art and culture venue
    • Beijing
  24. Revolution Park Revolution Park
    199 1 hour

    Revolution Park

    革命公园

    Revolution Park, known locally as 革命公园, is a public urban park in Xi'an. The park provides a green setting within a city whose major attractions often focus on walls, towers, museums and imperial history.

    • Notable
    • Nature site
    • Xi'an
  25. Rose Coast
    200 1 hour

    Rose Coast

    玫瑰海岸

    Rose Coast, also known locally as 玫瑰海岸, is a coastal scenic destination in Shenzhen. The experience centers on shoreline scenery and landscaped outdoor spaces, offering a change from the city’s towers and commercial streets.

    • Notable
    • Nature site
    • Shenzhen

Source: OpenStreetMap contributors, Wikidata ·

Common questions

How long should a first trip to China be?

Twelve to eighteen days can link Beijing, Xi'an, and Shanghai by high-speed rail, with Shenzhen as a southern extension. Hong Kong and Macao need separate border planning and should not be treated as ordinary domestic stops on the same timetable.

What entry documents are needed for China?

Entry rules differ between mainland China, Hong Kong, and Macao, even within one journey. Check the official immigration authority for every border segment and match the permission to the passport, purpose, and exact itinerary.

What is the best way to travel around China?

High-speed rail and domestic flights cover mainland distances, while metros handle most urban journeys. Hong Kong uses Octopus and separate border controls, and Macao has its own formalities, so prepare payment and identity requirements for each jurisdiction.

When is a practical time to visit China?

April to May and September to October are only broad mainland planning windows. Beijing, Shanghai, the south, Hong Kong, and Macao have different heat, rain, and holiday pressures; the least flexible regional leg should set the dates.

What money and payment basics apply in China?

Mainland China uses renminbi (CNY), while Hong Kong and Macao use HKD and MOP. Payment systems and card acceptance differ across those jurisdictions, so prepare the appropriate local method before crossing each border.

What practical safety details should I save for China?

On the mainland, save 110 for police and 120 for medical help; Hong Kong and Macao use separate emergency systems. Mainland electricity is recorded as 220 V with Type A, C, and I sockets, while tap-water guidance is not recorded.