Embark on a journey through China’s beauty with our curated list of the Top 10 most visited places in China, highlighting the Most popular tourist attractions in China, Top tourist destinations in China, and the most beautiful places in China. Explore the charm of the Top 10 tourist attractions in China, immersing yourself in the rich tapestry of China’s top tourist destinations.
Most visited places in China are the Forbidden City, the Great Wall of China, the Summer Palace, the Bund, the Leshan Giant Buddha, the Zhangjiajie National Forest Park, the Potala Palace, the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding, the Terracotta Army, and the Li River. Chinese tourism plays a vital role in the country’s economy.
China ranked first in the world for employment (70,086,000 jobs in 2022) and second in the world for travel and tourism’s contribution to GDP ($814.1 billion in 2022). Contribution of China’s travel and tourism industry to GDP 2014-2023. China will overtake all other tourism destinations around the globe by 2030 due to economic growth and rising incomes in neighboring Asian nations.
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Most Visited Places in China
In this article, we have provided the list of top 10 most visited places in China, along with their location and time period in which it was built.
About Most Popular Tourist Attractions in China
China is a diverse country with plenty of options available to visit, and these places differ from each other in culture, history, food, and languages; each has its values and fun. China’s most popular tourist attractions give an incredible experience through one of the most attractive locations on earth, whether you’re looking for adventure, cultural discovery, or just stunning scenery. In 2022, the total contribution of the travel and tourism industry accounted for around 3.3 percent of China’s total GDP. This equaled to nearly four trillion yuan or approximately 580 billion U.S. dollarsConsidering the diversity of China, choosing ten places was a challenge. Here’s a list of our ten highly recommended tourist places in China.
Top 10 Most Visited Places in China
The top 10 most visited places in China are described as follows:
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Tourist places
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Location
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Age
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Forbidden City
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Beijing, China
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Completed in 1420
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Great Wall of China
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Northern China
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Over 2,000 years
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Summer Palace
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Beijing, China
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Completed in 1764
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The Bund
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Shanghai, China
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Developed in the 19th century
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Leshan Giant Buddha
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Sichuan Province, China
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Carved in the 7th century
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Zhangjiajie National Forest Park
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Hunan Province, China
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Established in 1982
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Potala Palace
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Lhasa, Tibet Autonomous Region, China
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Construction began in 1645
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Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding
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Chengdu, Sichuan Province, China
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Established in 1987
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Terracotta Army
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Xi’an, China
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Built-in, 210–209 BCE
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Li River
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Southern China
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over million years ago
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The Most Visited Place In China- The Forbidden City
The Forbidden City
The Forbidden City was the largest and finest ancient Chinese imperial palace in the centre of Beijing, China, and now houses the Palace Museum. #ForbiddenCity
- The complex took 14 years to construct and used over a million labourers. With 980 buildings and 8,886 rooms, this complex is an outstanding example of traditional Chinese royal architecture and played a role in developing East Asian and international culture and architecture.
- It served as the home of 24 emperors and their households from 14 of the Ming Dynasty to the end of 10 of the Qing Dynasty in the years 1420 to 1912, as well as the ceremonial and political centre of the Chinese government for almost 500 years.
- This World Heritage Site, recognised by UNESCO, is the biggest intact wooden palace building on Earth and has been used as an open museum of Chinese history for more than a century.
- With over 14 million tourists a year, it is China’s most popular tourist destination and one of its most beautiful spots.
The Second Most Visited Place In China- The Great Wall Of China
The Great Wall Of China
The Great Wall of China is like a long-going dragon. Its length is over 4,000 miles, running east to west. #GreatWallOfChina #GreatWall
- This defensive structure helped in stopping the attack of northern invaders for ages. It is one of the biggest construction projects in human history due to its huge size.
- Many people may think the Great Wall of China was constructed as a single unit, but in reality, it was constructed by many rulers from the 7th century B.C. to the 17th century A.D.
- The Great Wall of China was accepted on the World Heritage Site List by UNESCO in 1987 to recognise its architectural achievement and historical value.
- Over 10 million people visit this famous tourist destination annually, and the most suitable months to go are early May and October.
The Third Most Visited Place In China- The Summer Palace
The Summer Palace
The Summer Palace, also known as Qingyi Garden, is a vast collection of lakes, gardens, and palaces situated in a northwest Beijing area.
- The Summer Palace was built by Emperor Qianlong to celebrate his mother’s 60th birthday. After being destroyed by British and French forces in 1860, it was rebuilt for Empress Dowager Ci’xi in 1886 so she could stay there in her old age.
- Its construction was finished in 1764 as an imperial garden under the Qing period (1644–1901) and opened to the public in 1914.
- The area of the Summer Palace is 2.9 sq km, out of which ¾ is water. Its key features include Longevity Hill (60 metres), Kunming Lake (2.2 sq km), the Long Corridor, and the 17-Arch Bridge.
- The Summer Palace was selected as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1998, and it attracts more than 8 million tourists per year.
The Fourth Most Visited Place In China- The Bund
The Bund
Situated in the heart of Shanghai, the Bund is a protected historical district and waterfront area centred on a part of Zhongshan Road. #ShanghaiBund
- The Bund extends one mile (1.6 km) along the bank of the Huangpu River. The Bund usually starts in the south at Yan’an Road and finishes in the north at Waibaidu Bridge.
- From the 1860s to the 1930s, it was the rich and powerful centre of the foreign establishment in Shanghai, operating as a legally protected treaty port.
- The area usually refers to the buildings and docks on this section of the road, as well as some surrounding areas with a major European influence on architecture like Gothic, Baroque, Neoclassical, Romanesque, Art Deco, and Renaissance.
- The Shanghai Bund, which has dozens of historical buildings that today serve as offices of many MNCs, banks, government offices, hotels, etc., welcomes over 6 million visitors each year.
The Fifth Most Visited Place In China- The Leshan Giant Buddha
The Leshan Giant Buddha
The famous Leshan Giant Buddha is situated in Leshan, China’s Sichuan Province, at the meeting point of the Dadu, Qingyi, and Minjing rivers.
- It is the largest carved stone, Maitreya (the Buddha of the Future), with an overall height of 71 meters. It was first built in the 7th century but was destroyed twice between the 13th and 17th centuries. Its present structure is from the early Qing Dynasty (1644–1911).
- It was recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1996, along with the nearby Mount Emei Scenic Area (MESA).
- This area is connected to several more beautiful locations besides the Leshan Giant Buddha, including Wuyou Temple, Lingyun Temple, Mahao Cliff Grave, and others.
- Each year, over 5 million people, many of them from abroad, come here to enjoy their beautiful and impressive natural scenery and rich religious heritage.
The Sixth Most Visited Place In China- The Zhangjiajie National Forest Park
The Zhangjiajie National Forest Park
Zhangjiajie National Forest Park is located in the north-western Hunan Province, China, approximately 30 km from Zhangjiajie City, covering an area of 4810 ha. #Zhangjiajie
- Zhangjiajie National Forest Park is famous for its unique natural beauty and large amount of rare and endangered flora and fauna. The famous scenic zone of this park is Yellowstone Village.
- In 1982, the State Council of China created the country’s first national forest park. It was recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1992 by combining the two nearby nature reserves, Suoxiyu Nature Reserve and Tianzi Mountain Nature Reserve.
- More recently, the park received recognition as a World Geological Park by UNESCO in 2004 and as a National Geological Park by the Ministry of Land and Natural Resources in 2000.
- With its combined charm of uniqueness, beauty, wildness, peace, and mysteriousness, the park attracts over 4 million tourists from both China and abroad.
The Seventh Most Visited Place In China- The Potala Palace
The Potala Palace
Tibet’s Dalai Lamas have lived in the Potala Palace in Lhasa, the country’s capital, since 1642. #PotalaPalace
- Built in the 7th century by the 33rd king of Tibet, Songtsen Gambo, for his marriage to the Princess of the Chinese Tang Dynasty.
- Later converted into a residence for the Dalai Lama with the end of dynastic rule and the rise of the system of rule by Lamas. In 1645, it was rebuilt by the fifth Dalai Lama.
- The palace has two thousand rooms, many temples and sacred places, and the private rooms of the Dalai Lama, which are now open to tourists. It consists of a massive maroon-painted castle in the middle, surrounded by the additional buildings of a white-painted palace.
- The Potala Palace was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1994, and it welcomes over 2 million tourists annually.
The Eighth Most Visited Place In China- The Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding
The Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding
The Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding (or just Chengdu Panda Base) is situated in Chengdu, Sichuan, China. #PandaParadise
- It is a public, nonprofit breeding and research centre for giant pandas, red pandas, and other rare animals. It was founded in 1987 by the Chengdu Municipal People’s Government.
- At first, from the six giant pandas that were saved from the wild, now 83 pandas are living in this facility.
- The area of this research base covers 924,500 ha with seven nature reserves, which preserve 30% of the world’s highly endangered pandas.
- After becoming a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2002, this institution became more famous and started to welcome approximately 2 million global tourists each year.
The Ninth Most Visited Place In China- The Terracotta Army
The Terracotta Army
The Terracotta Army is a collection of terracotta figures that represent the armies of China’s first ruler, Qin Shi Huang. To safeguard the emperor in the afterlife, this type of funeral art was buried with him in 210–209 BCE. #TerracottaArmy
- Local farmers in Lintong County, west of Xi’an, Shaanxi, China, discovered the figurines in 1974. They date to approximately the late 200s BCE.
- The tallest figures are the generals, whose height varies according to their rank. There are horses, chariots, and warriors among the figures.
- According to estimates from 2007, there are over 8,000 men, 130 chariots with 520 horses, and 150 cavalry horses inside the three pits that house the Terracotta Army.
- In 1987, the Terracotta Army received the UNESCO World Heritage designation, which draws millions of tourists annually.
The Tenth Most Visited Place In China- The Li River
The Li River
The Li River rises in the Mao’er Mountains in Xing’an County and runs through Yangshuo, Pingle, and Guilin after flowing generally southward. #LiRiver
- The Li joins the Lipu and Gongcheng in Pingle to form the Gui, which then flows into the Xijiang, the Pearl River’s western tributary.
- The 439-kilometre (273-mile) course of the Li and Gui Rivers is flanked by green hills, which enhance the natural beauty.
- In the past, the Li and Gui Rivers were vital waterways that connected the Yangtze Valley with the Pearl Delta. This was made possible by the ancient Lingqu canal that connects the upper course of the Li River with the Xiang River, which flows north into the Yangtze.
- The Li River was initially included on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1996. In 2014, it was designated as a World Heritage Site, which attracted millions of people from around the world.
Top 10 Most Beautiful Places in China
- Great Wall of China: A symbol of China’s historical significance and architectural brilliance.
- Zhangjiajie National Forest Park: Famous for its towering sandstone pillars.
- Li River, Guilin: Renowned for its stunning karst landscape.
- Jiuzhaigou Valley: A fairy-tale world of colorful lakes and waterfalls.
- Mount Huangshan: Inspirational scenery of granite peaks and pine trees.
- Yangshuo: Breathtaking karst mountains and serene rivers.
- Tibetan Plateau: Spiritual and natural beauty with monasteries and mountains.
- Yunnan’s Lijiang and Dali: Ancient towns with rich culture and natural beauty. #LiJiang
- Sichuan’s Jiuzhaigou: Crystal blue lakes and multi-level waterfalls.
- Hainan Island: Tropical paradise with pristine beaches.
Top 10 Most Visited Cities in China
- Beijing: The capital city, home to the Forbidden City and Tiananmen Square.
- Shanghai: China’s biggest city, known for its skyline and The Bund.
- Xi’an: Famous for the Terracotta Army and ancient city walls.
- Guangzhou: A bustling metropolis with Cantonese culture and cuisine.
- Chengdu: Known for its Giant Panda Breeding Research Base.
- Hangzhou: Renowned for the scenic West Lake.
- Shenzhen: A modern city known for innovation and technology.
- Suzhou: Famous for its classical gardens and canals.
- Qingdao: A coastal city known for its beaches and Tsingtao Beer.
- Nanjing: Rich in history with Ming Dynasty palaces and tombs.
Top 10 Tourist Attractions in China
- The Forbidden City: The imperial palace for twenty-four emperors.
- The Terracotta Army in Xi’an: Thousands of life-sized soldiers guarding Emperor Qin’s tomb.
- The Bund in Shanghai: Iconic waterfront area with colonial-era buildings.
- The Summer Palace: An exquisite garden retreat for emperors.
- The Temple of Heaven: A sacred site for ancient rituals.
- The Yellow Mountains: Stunning scenery inspiring poets and painters. #YellowMountains
- The Potala Palace in Tibet: A marvel of Tibetan Buddhism.
- The Silk Road: A historic trade route with cultural exchanges.
- The Yangtze River: The third-longest river in the world, with the Three Gorges Dam.
- The Leshan Giant Buddha: The largest stone Buddha statue in the world.
Best Places to Visit in China
- Great Wall of China: An iconic symbol of China’s strength.
- Shanghai’s Urban Skyline: Modern architecture and vibrant nightlife.
- Guilin’s Li River: Ethereal landscapes and peaceful cruises.
- Yunnan’s Ancient Towns: Cultural heritage in Dali and Lijiang. #LiJiang
- Sichuan’s Chengdu: Cuisine and pandas.
- Tibet’s Spiritual Sites: Monasteries and Mount Everest Base Camp.
- Hainan’s Beaches: China’s tropical getaway.
- Silk Road Cities: Historical sites in Dunhuang and Kashgar.
- Hong Kong: A fusion of cultures and world-class shopping.
- Macau: A blend of Portuguese and Chinese heritage.
China Tourist Spots Top 10
- The Great Wall: A must-visit landmark with panoramic views.
- Forbidden City: A vast palace complex full of history.
- Victoria Peak in Hong Kong: Stunning city views.
- The Bund in Shanghai: Historical architecture along the river.
- Terracotta Army: An archaeological wonder.
- West Lake in Hangzhou: Inspirational beauty.
- Tiger Leaping Gorge: Breathtaking natural scenery.
- Mount Tai: One of China’s sacred mountains.
- Gulangyu Island: A peaceful retreat in Xiamen.
- Zhangye Danxia Landform: Colorful rock formations in Gansu.
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Conclusion – Top Tourist Destinations in China
China is a mini-continent in itself, so this country has a variety of geographical locations where we can enjoy the different types of natural and manmade scenarios, from the mighty Great Wall to the peaceful Li River. China is considered one of the most popular travel destinations in the world, with a huge list of travel destinations. These destinations are suitable for all kinds of people, from travellers to backpackers. A trip to China can guarantee some memorable experiences that will last a lifetime.
Top 10 Most Visited Places in China – FAQs
What are the top 3 most visited places in China?
The top 3 most visited places in China are the Great Wall of China, the Forbidden City in Beijing, and the Terracotta Army in Xi’an.
Is the Great Wall of China the most visited tourist attraction?
Yes, the Great Wall of China is one of the most visited tourist attractions in China, known for its historical significance and vastness.
What makes the Forbidden City a must-visit in China?
The Forbidden City is a must-visit for its impressive architecture, rich history as the imperial palace of the Ming and Qing dynasties, and its vast collection of artworks and artifacts.
Can tourists visit the Terracotta Army?
Yes, tourists can visit the Terracotta Army, which is located in Xi’an. It is one of China’s most significant archaeological finds, featuring thousands of life-sized soldiers, horses, and chariots.
What is a unique natural attraction to visit in China?
The Li River in Guilin is a unique natural attraction, famous for its stunning karst landscape, making it a popular destination for river cruises.
Where can tourists see giant pandas in China?
Tourists can see giant pandas at the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding in Chengdu, which is dedicated to the conservation and research of giant pandas.
What is China’s No. 1 tourist attraction?
The Forbidden City is the No. 1 tourist destination in China.
What is very famous place in China?
The Great Wall of China is a very famous place in China.
What is the prettiest place in China?
The Zhangjiajie National Forest Park is the prettiest place in China.
Where is the most visited place in China?
The most visited place in China is Beijing.
What is the most famous part of China?
Beijing and Shanghai are the most famous parts of China.
Which major tourist attraction is located in China?
The major tourist attractions located in China are the Forbidden City, the Great Wall of China, the Summer Palace, the Bund, the Leshan Giant Buddha, the Zhangjiajie National Forest Park, the Potala Palace, the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding, the Terracotta Army, and the Li River.
What is China’s capital city?
The capital city of China is Beijing.
What is the number-one city in China?
Shanghai is the number one city in China.
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