Five ‘Must-See’ China Attractions for your China Holiday

1. Great Wall of China

The Great Wall of China is one of the most impressive man-made wonders of the world and is understandably a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Stretching over 4100 miles (6700km) from East to West, the Wall took over 1800 years to complete and is now well over 2000 years old. Understandably some of the sections are no longer safe for hiking however the parts that are leave a lasting impression that is rarely surpassed.

2. The Imperial Palaces in Beijing

Beijing is a stunning combination of ancient delights and modern wonders and the Imperial Palaces are a strong reminder of China’s vibrant past. Also known as the Forbidden City, the area is possibly the best-preserved Imperial Palace Complex in the world with visible additions from the 34 emperors that lived and ruled from there. The complex is located in the centre of the vibrant city with Tiananmen Square just outside. The Forbidden City is an absolute must-see if you want a true look at Imperial China of the past.

3. Wolong Nature Reserve

The Wolong Nature Reserve covers a vast area at the base of the Qionglai Mountains and houses the Sichuan Giant Panda Sanctuary. The higher areas of the sanctuary have been home to the Panda Breeding Centre for over 20 years and visitors can track for wild panda footprints in the hope of spotting these elusive creatures. For the less adventurous there are pandas within the breeding centre that are easily seen. The reserve also has stunning scenery and over 4000 species of plants for nature lovers to admire. A trip to China just wouldn’t be complete without a sighting of the endangered Giant Pandas.

4. Shanghai

This is the largest industrial city in China. However it began life as a traditional fishing village many centuries ago. The city combines modern life with traditional values and is a thriving multicultural metropolis that offers fine dining, museums, stunning architecture and one of the best shopping hot spots in the world. Other sights worth seeing include the Shanghai Acrobatics Troupe and the beautiful Yu Yang Garden complete with spectacular giant carp ponds.

5. The Great Silk Road

The Great Silk Road was once a thriving trade route that connected the East with the West. The road begins in China and visits seven historical countries before reaching Georgia in the West and today provides a fantastic trekking opportunity for enthusiasts. Along the route, trekkers can see a variety of unique cities, towns and villages, historical monuments and ancient customs at work, even if they stick to the Chinese section of the road. This attraction provides a great opportunity to see rural China at its best and the treks can last from a few hours to a few weeks, depending on how enthusiastic you are.

The Great Silk Road

Once an important caravan trade route, the Great Silk Road is now a fantastic trekking opportunity for those taking tours of china. The road first operated in the 2^nd Century BC and ran from the silk producing areas of China through to the main regions of the Roman Empire. Obviously at that time the main commodity being traded was the luxurious silk of China – hence the name of the road.

Over the centuries, the Great Silk Road developed into a complex system of caravan routes that started in China and ran across Asia and Europe. This one road is responsible for the growth and development of some of the most influential cities of history plus the art of paper manufacturing and silk worm breeding in Central Asia.

Trekking the Great Silk Road

The road runs for thousands of miles, so trekking the entire length of the original Great Silk Road takes plenty of determination and some very stout boots. Most people who want to experience the sights of the ancient road tend to stick to the Chinese section and there are various ways to do this.

You can start from Beijing or Shanghai and travel the first section of the road westward until you reach Urumqi, a beautiful city on the edge of China. From here you can then fly back to your starting point with the entire trip taking around two weeks. On the way you’ll be treated to some of China’s richest landscapes and the towns and cities you visit are perfect for showing the true culture of the Orient.

The top attractions of the trek include the cities of Turpan – where you’ll find unique oases and ancient Buddha Caves – Dunhuang, Jiayuguan and Xian. Many smaller towns are also included in the itineraries of organised treks to truly big the experience alive.

Another option is to just explore the sections of the Great Silk Road around Beijing or Shanghai. You can spend as many days as you like and there are still plenty of examples of ancient architecture, stunning landscapes and oriental treasures to be seen.

For those that are keen on trekking and fancy a change from the Great Wall of China then the Great Silk Road is the perfect alternative. There are plenty of tour operators in the main cities that offer guided treks along the route, or if you prefer you can trek unattended and put together your own itinerary.

Although not as widely known as the other attractions of China, this trekking route is very popular and people who walk the road often see a side of China that they never thought existed. This beautiful route takes you back in time and shows you the best that China has to offer while also letting you see the cities that very few others get to see.

China is the largest country in East Asia with Beijing as its capital city.  In this video clip learn the basics of China.

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Overview of Shanghai

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