Things to Do in China

Choose from 356 Fun Things to Do in China

Madame Tussauds Hong Kong

Only in Madame Tussauds Wax Museum Hong Kong can you spot Lady Gaga and Michael Jackson or get your picture taken with local and international celebrity Jackie Chan. Located inside the Peak Tower, the Hong Kong installment of the world’s most popular wax museum houses more than 100 eerily lifelike wax figures of both local and international stars.

The museum is divided into six areas: Hong Kong Glamour, SCREAM, World Premier, Historical and National Heroes, The Champions and Music Icons. Unlike the other five areas, you won’t find many familiar faces inside SCREAM, Hong Kong’s first permanent haunted house. Instead, you’ll wander through the halls of an asylum filled with both wax figures and live actors, making it difficult to distinguish what’s real from what isn’t.

Watching the locals and Mainland tourists come up with quirky poses next to their favorite wax celebrities can be just as entertaining for foreign tourists as the wax sculptures themselves.

Hong Kong, China

From $ 22

Leifeng Pagoda

Leifeng Pagoda is a five-story tower located on Sunset Hill in Hangzhou, providing panoramic views over West Lake. The original pagoda was built in 975AD during the Five Dynasties and Ten States Period on orders of King Qian Chu to celebrate the birth of his son. However, after a tumultuous history, the structure collapsed in 1924. The pagoda was eventually rebuilt and opened to the public in 2002.

The original Leifeng Pagoda was a five-story octagonal structure too. However, unlike the modern version that stands today, it was built almost entirely from brick and wood. The new pagoda is instead made from 1400 tonnes of steel with 200 tonnes of copper parts. At the entrance there are two escalators to carry visitors to the base of the pagoda, and there are a number of viewing platforms to climb up to in order to marvel at the views. The new pagoda also features such modern amenities such as air-conditioning and speakers, although the ruins of the original building, along with a number of historical artifacts, can still be seen at the site.

Practical Info

To reach Leifeng Pagoda, take the tourist bus Y2 and alight at Jingsi Station.

15 Nanshan Road, Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province 310007, China

8am-8pm daily

CNY40

From $ 54

Lupu Bridge

When Shanghai’s Lupu Bridge was completed in 2003, it was the world’s longest spanning steel arch bridge. The bridge with a total length of 12,795 feet (3,900 meters) and a main span of 1,805 feet (550 meters) takes its name from the two districts that it connects, Luwan and Pudong, and it extends across the Huangpu River.

The Basics

Lupu Bridge, built to serve the rapidly developing areas on the southern side of the Huangpu River, is the river’s seventh bridge. Known for its use of cable-stayed, arch, and suspension technology, it was in the 2010 Shanghai World Expo and won the 2008 IABSE Outstanding Structure Award. The bridge accommodates six traffic lanes and allows ships up to 70,000 tons to pass underneath. Some Huangpu River cruises offer views of the bridge.

Things to Know Before You Go

The observation deck at the top of the bridge is no longer open.
Pedestrians are not allowed on the bridge.
The Luwan district was merged into the Huangpu district in 2011.
Book a cruise for a close-up look at the Huangpu River.

How to Get There

From Pudong, Lupu Bridge can be accessed from the on-ramps to North-South Elevated Road, northbound on Jiyang Road or westbound on Yaohua Road. From Huangpu, the bridge can be accessed from Luban Road interchange. Various buses also lead to the bridge, with the closest access points at Luban Road stop or Lupu Bridge stop. You can also take the metro, Line 13, to Shibo Dadao Station.

When to Get There

The bridge can be crossed as a motorist at any time, although traffic conditions vary depending on time of day. The best views of the bridge are at night, when it’s lit up.

Views of the Bridge

Although the bridge can no longer be accessed by pedestrians, it is still an impressive bridge to see. If driving across isn’t an option, visitors can get good views of the bridge from the site of the 2010 World Expo or on a Huangpu River cruise.

Lu Ban Lu, Huang Pu Qu, Shanghai, China

From $ 142

Liyuan Theater

Liyuan Theater is situated in the Qianmen Jianguo Hotel in Beijing’s Xuanwu District, south of Tiananmen Square. The area is famous for being the birthplace of Peking Opera, and the Liyuan Theater has been hosting this traditional performing art since 1990.

Popular among tourists as well as Chinese opera lovers, the performances at the Liyuan Theater offer a classic introduction to Peking Opera, with elements of Beijing culture, kung fu, and even humor featuring prominently. Performers wear theatrical makeup, dramatic masks, and stunning costumes to convey their stories, and spectators should expect thunderously loud music and heart-felt performances from the stage.

The Liyuan Theater hosts a four-part Peking Opera every evening except Chinese New Year.

Practical Info

To reach the theater by public transport, take Subway Line 7 and alight at Hufangqiao Station. The nightly four-part show begins at 7:30pm.

No.175 Yongan Road, Beijing, Xuanwu District, China

Daily performance: 7:30-8:40pm

Varies

From $ 27

Lingering Garden (Liu Yuan)

One of the four most famous classical gardens of Suzhou, the Lingering Garden (Liu Yuan) has World Heritage status and also showcases two UNESCO Intangible World Heritage Arts: Pingtan and Guqin music. The garden makes fantastic use of space, with a harmonious layout of temples, statues, rockeries, halls, bridges, and ponds.

Covering almost six acres, the garden is divided into four areas: the east, west, central, and north sections, all of which are connected via a half-mile (700-meter) corridor featuring calligraphy carved into its stone walls. The central area features many buildings surrounding a pond and grotto, while the east garden includes a miniature mountain modeled after Tiantai Mountain, as well as the Celestial Hall of Five Peaks, the largest hall in the garden. The west section is mostly natural, with a large rockery built during the Ming Dynasty, while the north garden, once used to grow vegetables, now showcases a range of potted plants.

Popular among families, the Lingering Garden is often visited on day trips from Shanghai that also include other famous classical gardens in Suzhou. It's common to combine a trip here with visits to the famous water towns of Zhouzhuang and Tongli, but other options include visits to Shantang Old Street and Tiger Hill. For a unique day out, book a Suzhou culture and art tour, which includes a Suzhou opera performance at the Master of Nets Garden.

Insider Tip: There are many classical gardens in Suzhou. Aside from the Lingering Garden, you shouldn't miss the Humble Administrator's Garden or Lion Grove Garden.

Practical Info

Suzhou is located about 62 miles (100 km) west of Shanghai and is connected by high-speed train. Some tours include the high-speed train, while others use road transport. Suzhou can also be reached by bus; take Tourist Bus No. 1 and alight at the Liuyan stop.

338 Liuyuan Road, Suzhou, Eastern China 215004, China

Daily 7:30am–5pm

CNY 45–55

From $ 55

Leshan Giant Buddha

Standing 233 feet (71 meters) tall, the Leshan Giant Buddha, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, holds the record as the largest Buddha sculpture in the world. A Buddhist monk—hoping to earn divine protection for the local fishermen—carved the massive statue into a cliff, starting in 713. Ninety years later, the carving was finished.

The Basics

A day tour to the Buddha statue from Chengdu starts with a scenic 2-hour drive, often followed by a guided tour of the statue. The tour also stops at several of the Buddhist temples that surround the statue, including the Grand Buddha Temple located behind the giant Buddha's head and Wuyou Temple, where you'll find some of the best views of the statue.

You can also take a boat ride on the Mingjiang River to see the Buddha from a different perspective. Tours to the statue are frequently combined with a visit to the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding, and if you have an extra day in your itinerary, it's possible to combine your visit to the statue with a tour of Mount Emei, one of China’s four sacred Buddhist mountains and another UNESCO-listed site.

Things to Know Before You Go

The Leshan Giant Buddha is a must-see for first-time visitors.
Day trips to the statue from Chengdu typically last eight to 10 hours, depending on the option chosen.
Be prepared to climb up and down steps that could be challenging for those with limited mobility.
Wear comfortable shoes suitable for walking on uneven surfaces.

How to Get There

Located 85 miles (137 kilometers) south of Chengdu, the Leshan Buddha is best visited on a day trip from the Sichuan capital. To get there independently, take the long-distance bus from Xinnanmen Bus Station in Chengdu to Leshan Xiaoba Station and then take Bus 13 to the site.

When to Get There

Due to Leshan’s rainy climate, it’s best to visit during the spring or fall when temperatures are warm and relatively dry. The area receives about 80 percent of its annual rainfall during the summer.

Notable Details of the Stone Buddha

To help protect the giant Buddha statue from Leshan’s frequent rainfall, its builders constructed a hidden drainage system—a series of gutters and channels that displace rainwater to help protect the integrity of the statue. Among the other interesting features are 1,012 buns of coiled hair embedded into the carved head of the Buddha.

Mt Emei, Shizhong, Southwest China, China

Varies

From $ 15

M50 Creative Park

M50 Creative Park is an artistic area of Shanghai. Situated just south of Shanghai Suzhou Creek, M50 is one of the earliest, largest, and most influential creative industry and modern art clusters in the city.

An open park, art-lovers and creative types have lots to explore here. It's a thriving hub of galleries and art studios, with exhibitions from both local and international artists. There are a wide range of art forms, from the popular black and white portraits of Shanghai’s urban development, to audio visual and abstract art.

Despite being one of the best-known creative hubs in Shanghai, strolling into M50 Creative Park gives the distinct sense of stumbling across a hidden gem. If you’re looking for a piece of art to take home, this is the ideal place to find something original at a reasonable price.

Insider’s Tip

Notable galleries and studios to visit include the Island6 Arts Center, the LWH Gallery, and the Eastlink Gallery.

Practical Info

To reach M50 Creative Park, take Line 1 of the metro and alight at Shanghai Railway Station, or take Line 3 or 4 to Zhongtan Road.

50 Moganshan Road, Shanghai 200000, China

From $ 50

Lippo Center

The Lippo Center is a twin-tower skyscraper situated on Hong Kong Island that was designed by the American architect, Paul Rudolph. The unique building has become an iconic Hong Kong landmark and has been nicknamed The Koala Tree on account of the protruding windows bearing a similarity to koalas climbing a tree!

The two towers that make up the Lippo Center are similar in design but differ in height; Lippo Center 1 is 172 meters tall, while Lippo Center 2 reaches a height of 186 meters. Both towers are set on a four-story podium, which is home to a large atrium and a retail center.

The Lippo Center is situated on a busy road right in the heart of the city, with fantastic views of nearby Hong Kong Park. Walkways connect the base of the towers to the buildings that surround the complex, as well as a nearby MTR station.

Practical Info

The Lippo Center is located just outside the Admiralty MTR station on Queensway Road. You can also get a completely unobstructed view of the towers from Hong Kong Park.

Hong Kong, China

From $ 12

Little Li River (Yulong River)

The Yulong River, also known as the Little Li River, is the largest tributary of the Li River, and it runs 26 miles (43 kilometers) across Yangshuo county. The river flows past limestone karsts, bamboo forests, rice paddies, ancient villages, and stone bridges. Floating down the river, or hiking or biking next to it, provides up-close views.

The Basics

Cruising down the Yulong River in a bamboo raft with poles offers an experience that’s serene when compared to the motorized rafts and boats used on the Li River, but you also bump over weirs, or small dams. Historical points of interest include the villages of Xiatang and Jiuxian villages, and Yulong, Fuli, and Xiangui stone bridges.

While cruising on a bamboo raft is one of the most popular ways to enjoy the Yulong River, many enjoy hiking or biking along the river. Try all three over a course of a half-day or longer guided tour and enjoy the river and countryside without worrying about navigating. For multi-day tours, additional activities such as rock climbing or a cooking school can be added.

Things to Know Before You Go

Hiking, biking, or rafting the Yulong River is a must-do for outdoor enthusiasts, nature lovers and photographers.
Check individual tours for age restrictions on riding on a bamboo raft.
Grab a bite to eat or a cold drink at one of the floating restaurants along the river.

How to Get There

The Yulong River connects to Li River just south of Yangshuo and is easily visited from Yangshuo. Most of the Yulong River is within the newly created Yulong River Park, which restricts motorized traffic. Those entering other than on foot or bike will have to exit their transport and purchase tickets for a shuttle bus that runs within the park.

When to Get There

The Yulong River can be visited year-round, but it’s most popular April through October due to the sunny, warmer weather. Some people may find the heat uncomfortable for hiking or biking at the height of summer (June through August). Rafting runs year-round.

Popular Rafting, Biking, and Hiking Routes

The three most popular rafting routes along the Yulong River are from Jinlong Bridge to Jiuxian Village (about 2.5 hours), Chaoyang Wharf to Gongnong Bridge (about two hours), and from Chaoyang Wharf to Shui edi Dock (about one hour). Most bike tours along Li River take between two and four hours. The most popular section for hiking is between Yulong Bridge and Gongnong Bridge, and takes about two hours.

Yangshuo, Guilin, China

From $ 25

Macau Tower

Reaching a neck-pinching height of 1,109 feet (338 meters), Macau Tower dominates Macau’s skyline and offers sweeping views of the peninsula for over one million visitors per year. Visitors without a fear of heights can rapidly ascend the high-speed, glass-fronted elevator to the tower observation decks on the 58th and 61st floors.

The Basics

Inspired by the Sky Tower in Auckland, Macau Tower ranks among Macau’s most popular attractions, with plenty of ways to experience it depending on the thrill level you’re looking for. Options range from a basic admission ticket to the outdoor observation deck for 360-degree views of Macau and the Pearl River Delta to more adrenaline-fueled activities like one of the world’s highest commercial bungy jumps or a more controlled Skyjump or outdoor Skywalk. If you fancy more of a challenge, you can even scale the side of the building to its highest point with the help of safety cables, ladders, and guides.

Things to Know Before You Go

Macau Tower is a must-see for thrill seekers and first-time visitors.
Don’t forget your camera for a photo op from the top.
Book your Macau Tower admission ticket or experience in advance, especially during high season, to avoid long lines.

How to Get There

The best way to reach Macau Tower is by taxi or public bus. Routes 9A, 18, 23, 26, and 32 stop at the base of the tower.

When to Get There

Macau Tower is open daily, with extended hours on weekends and public holidays. Since the view is the biggest draw, plan to visit on a clear day. Expect frequent rainfall during spring and summer (April to August).

Shopping, Dining, and Entertainment at Macau Tower

Even non–thrill seekers will find something to do within Macau Tower. The building is home to a movie theater, casino, shopping center, and several restaurants serving both Chinese and international fare.

Largo da Torre de Macau, Macau, China

Open Mon - Fri, 10am - 9pm; Sat - Sun, 9am - 9pm

MOP 145 for adults, MOP 75 for seniors and children

From $ 18

Li River

Along the banks of the Li River as it winds south from Guilin, dramatic karst peaks, dense vegetation, and the winding river itself create magical vistas that loom large in the Chinese imagination, having inspired art and verse for centuries. From Guilin to Yangshuo, there’s never a dull stretch along China’s most beautiful river.

The Basics

For many visitors, a Li River cruise between Yangshuo and Guilin ranks as a highlight of any trip to the area. While it’s possible to transfer between the two towns along the river, it’s also a popular option for a day trip from Guilin; you might combine a Li River cruise with a bamboo raft excursion on the Yulong River and a tour of picturesque Yangshuo, with its old-style houses along West Street. Come nightfall, the Li River serves as a stage for Zhang Yimou’s dreamy Impression Sanjie Liu show in Yangshuo.

Things to Know Before You Go

The Li River is a must-see for first-time visitors and outdoor enthusiasts.
Don’t forget to bring sunscreen, sunglasses, and a hat.
A typical Li River boat trip lasts four hours, while a full-day tour to Yangshuo from Guilin lasts upwards of eight hours.

How to Get There

While the Li River is much longer than the 52-mile (83-kilometer) length connecting Guilin and Yangshuo, these two towns represent the most popular access points. Cruises depart from Mopanshan Dock in Guilin and Xingping Dock in Yangshuo.

When to Get There

One of the best times to see the Li River is during autumn (September to November), when the weather is cool and dry. Cruises during the summer rainy season might be slightly shorter due to faster flowing water.

Sights Along the Li River

The stretch of river between Guilin and Yangshuo is packed with notable attractions, including several natural landmarks. Rice terraces where water buffalo roam are punctuated by named karst formations like Elephant Trunk Hill, Nine Horses Painted Hill, and Yellow Cloth Shoal. Beneath the karsts lie fascinating cave systems, including Reed Flute Cave and Crown Cave.

China

From $ 42

Laoshan Scenic Area

Laoshan Scenic Area, one of China’s first national parks, has been a place of pilgrimage for centuries. The hills and slopes surrounding the 3,280-foot (1,000-meter) peak of Mount Lao were once hope to eight temples, nine palaces and six dozen convents.

While many of the park’s architectural treasures have been lost to time, it’s still possible to visit the Taoist Taiqing Palace, the park’s oldest, built in 140 BC. Natural wonders add to the appeal, including the majestic Chaoyin waterfall and numerous striking sea views.

The mineral waters originating within the scenic area are famous throughout China as well; they’re a main ingredient in China’s famous Tsingtao beer.

Practical Info

You can see most of the important sites within the park on a day trip from Qingdao, but try to avoid visiting during a Chinese national holiday.

Qingdao, Shandong, China

April 1-Oct 31: 7am-6:30pm

90 Yuan

From $ 95

Lingyin Temple

Lingyin Temple is one of the oldest and most famous Buddhist temples in China and a top attraction in Hangzhou. Situated at the foot of Lingyin Mountain and surrounded by forest, Lingyin Temple is known for its tranquil setting, spiritual atmosphere, and numerous pagodas, grottoes, and Buddhist relics.

The Basics

Lingyin Temple, aka the “Temple of the Soul’s Retreat,” was founded in AD 326 and has been rebuilt many times since then. First, pass through Feilai Feng, or Flying Peak, which has hundreds of Buddhist statues carved into the hillside, along the river, and inside caves and grottoes. Be sure to visit the main halls of the temple, including the Hall of the Heavenly Kings, the Grand Hall, and the Hall of the Buddha of Medicine.

Lingyin Temple can be visited independently, but many visitors appreciate the extra insight offered by a guided tour. Most day tours of Hangzhou, including those from Shanghai, include Lingyin Temple and other top attractions, such as West Lake and Leifeng Pagoda. Customize which attractions you visit with a private day tour.

Things to Know Before You Go

You must enter Flying Peak before you can access Lingyin Temple. Admission fees are required for both.
Wear comfortable shoes as there is a lot of ground to cover for both Linyin Temple and the Flying Peak area.
Flash photography is not allowed inside the temple.
There is a vegetarian restaurant inside the temple and a number of restaurants nearby.

How to Get There

Linyin Temple is located at No. 1 Fayun Lane, Lingyin Road in the Xihu District of Hangzhou. From Hangzhou Airport, take the shuttle bus (departs every 30–40 minutes) to Hangzhou Railway Station. From there, take bus nos. Y2 or K7, and get off at the Lingyin stop. Taxis are the most direct way of getting to the temple.

When to Get There

Lingyin Temple is extremely popular, especially during weekends and public holidays, and can see thousands of visitors a day when busy. Visit early in the morning to beat the crowds and the heat.

Lingyin Temple Highlights

Find the Maitreya (Future) Buddha, manifested as the Laughing Buddha, and the Skanda Bodhisattva, the temple’s oldest statue at more than 800 years old, in the Hall of the Heavenly Kings. The ornate ceiling has paintings of dragons and phoenixes. Gaze at the giant gold-plated statue of Shakyamuni on a lotus flower in the Grand Hall. It's one of the largest wood-carved Buddhist statues in the world at more than 80 feet (24.4 meters) tall.

China

Varies

From $ 54

Lingyun Temple

Located on Lingyun Mountain, Lingyun Temple is also referred to as the Great Buddha Temple because of its spot at the head of the Leshan Giant Buddha, the largest stone Buddha in the world.On both sides of the entrance gate to the temple are four memorial monuments, with the principal building composed of the Tianwang, or Heavenly King Hall, the Precious Hall of the Great Hero and the Scripture Collection Hall, all of which neatly form a multi-tiered courtyard house.

It’s said that in the year 713, the confluence waterway of the Dadu, Min and Qingyi rivers was a rushing torrent and a danger to both shipping vessels and the livelihood of the local people. A monk of the Lingyun Temple believed that the waters might be calmed if a giant likeness of Buddha was chiseled out of the cliffs, facing the turbulent waterway, so the Leshan Giant Buddha was created and has supposedly been protecting those who navigate the river ever since.

Practical Info

A great option for a day trip, Lingyun Temple is located about a two-hour drive outside of Chengdu. Take a taxi from Leshan City to the Giant Buddha or take a ferry ship from Leshan Harbor to the Giant Buddha.

Lingyun Mountain, Leshan, China

Daily 9am-4:50pm

90 RMB

From $ 84

Longmen Grottoes

Artists from the Northern Wei dynasty began carving in the Longmen Grottoes in the year 494 and continued to do so for some 200 years. Today, the UNESCO-listed caves contain more than 100,000 Buddhist statues and images—one of the best and last remaining collections of Buddhist rock carvings in China.

The 2,300 grottoes and niches extend along the banks of the Yi River, but only a stretch of less than a mile (1 kilometer) is open to visitors. Many of the statues have been decapitated by vandals over the centuries, but many of the heads have been returned, giving visitors a more complete image of what the caves might have looked like in their heyday.

Among the most impressive caves are the Ancestor Worshipping Temple (Fengxian Si), the largest of the accessible grottoes at Longment; Ten Thousand Buddha Cave (Wan Fo Dong) with its 15,000 Buddha carvings; and the Three Binyang Caves.

Practical Info

If you want to avoid the tour bus crowds, get to the caves first thing in the morning before the buses arrive or at night, when they’re beautifully illuminated.

China

March 1- to Oct 31 7am-7:50pm; Nov 1-Feb 28 7:30am-6:50pm

CNY 120

From $ 320

Lugou Bridge

Some 485 granite and marble lions—each slightly different—stand guard along Beijing’s Lugou Bridge, built in 1192 and the oldest in the Chinese capital. Italian explorer Marco Polo supposedly wrote about the bridge, with its 11 arches spanning the Yongding River southwest of central Beijing, earning it the nickname Marco Polo Bridge.

The Basics

The nationally famous Lugou Bridge has featured in countless movie scenes filmed in Beijing, yet it remains a bit off-the-beaten path for foreign tourists. Guided tours to the bridge might also include points of interest, such as the Peking Man Site, where the first complete Peking Man skull was discovered in 1929, or the Stone Flower Cave with its colorfully illuminated rock formations.

Things to Know Before You Go

The Lugou Bridge is a must-visit for history buffs and photographers.
Beijing tours that include the bridge typically last about eight hours.
Don’t forget to bring sun protection if you plan to spend some time on the bridge, as you’ll find little shade.

How to Get There

While outside Beijing’s city center, the bridge is still easily accessible by public transportation. Take one of several public buses to Lugou Xinqiao Station or ride the Beijing Subway (Line 14) to Dawayao Station and catch Bus 339 to Lugou Xinqiao Station.

When to Get There

This scenic spot is open for visitors throughout the year, with reduced hours during the winter months (November to March). While there’s no bad time to visit, you’ll capture the best photos of the curving arches and stone lions right around sunset.

The Marco Polo Bridge Incident

On July 7, 1937, the stone bridge witnessed one of the most important moments in modern Chinese history when fighting broke out between Japanese troops and the Chinese army, setting off the eight-year Sino-Japanese War. This war would continue until Japan finally surrendered in 1945 at the end of World War II.

Beijing, China

Free

From $ 55

Luodai

Visitors flock to Luodai, an ancient town located in the Sichuan area of China, about 12.8 miles (20 kilometers) from Chengdu City. Situated at the base of Er’eshan Mountain as part of the Longquanshan Mountains, Luodai is considered the largest and best-preserved Hakka ancient town in the western part of the country. Ninety percent of Luodai’s inhabitants are Hakka, and the Hakka language is still spoken here.

Built more than 1,000 years ago, Luodai has a long history and, now, a vibrant tourist culture. The architecture and layout of the ancient town preserves the typical styles from Ming and Qing dynasties, with old streets, Hakka folk houses and narrow alleys. There are also several parks, a museum and four guildhalls, which add great historical and artistic value. Created in the typical architectural style of the Ming and Qing dynasties, the guildhalls feature exquisite carvings of Chinese motifs like dragons, flowers, phoenix and other birds. Be sure to check out the picturesque Yudai Lake and Jinlong Great Wall and Temple.

Practical Info

Luodai Ancient Town is located about an hour’s bus ride from downtown Chengdu and makes a pleasant day trip. You can take bus #81 or #58 from Chengdu city to Wuguiqiao Long Distance Bus Station. Public buses from Wugui go directly to Luodai every five minutes, while traveling via private vehicle takes about 30 minutes from Chengdu to Luodai. Entrance is free.

Luodai, China

From $ 15

Longji Rice Terraces

For the farmers who reside in Southern China’s Longji region, rice terraces are simply a way of life. Yet for the thousands of annual visitors who make the 2-hour journey from the city of Guilin, the Longji Rice Terraces—nicknamed the Dragon’s Backbone—are an iconic symbol of Chinese agriculture and one of the most photographed sites in the country.

The Basics

Here in Longji, in Longsheng county, layer upon layer of cultivated terraces stretch skyward on steep slopes—at some points they slope at over 50° angles. Despite the dramatic grades of the mountainside, however, traditional Chinese rice farmers have managed to sculpt the hillside into orderly terraces that annually yield massive harvests of rice.

When visiting the Longji Rice Terraces, you can walk among rural and traditional villages that still house ethnic minority people such as the Yao and Zhuang people. Most travelers visit as part of a guided day trip from Guilin; these self-guided, small-group, or private tours often include a visit to a Zhuang or Yao village, where women still grow very long hair in a traditional style.

Things to Know Before You Go

The Longji Rice Terraces are a must-see for photographers and those looking for a rural escape.
Day trips to the rice terraces from Guilin last upwards of eight hours, and often include hotel pickup and drop-off from your Guilin hotel.
Wear comfortable shoes suitable for walking over uneven surfaces.

How to Get There

Due to their considerable distance from Guilin (59 miles/95 kilometers), the easiest and most convenient way to visit the terraces in and around Longsheng is to book a guided tour.

When to Get There

Though there really isn’t a bad season to visit the Dragon’s Backbone. The early summer months of May and June are popular for photographers, as this is when the terraces are irrigated and cast a mirrored effect that crawls up the walls of the valleys.

Which Terraces to Visit

The Longji region is home to several picturesque rice paddies, the most famous of which are the terraced fields of Ping’an Village. Less touristed and perhaps more visually impressive are the fields at Jinkeng near Dazhai Village.

Longsheng, Guilin, China

CNY 50

From $ 58

Longqingxia Ravine

Also known as the Dragon’s Rejoice Ravine, the Longqingxia Ravine can be found on the Gucheng River, just under 100 kilometers northwest of Beijing. This area of natural beauty is a huge draw for visitors on day trips out of the city, with many renting boats to get up close to the ravine and marvel at its lush vegetation.

An iconic natural landmark of the Longqingxia Ravine is the Jiguanshan, or Rooster Crown Mountain – so called because it resembles a rooster lying down. This is a solitary peak surrounded by water on three sides.

Practical Info

While it’s possible to reach the Longqingxia Ravine by public bus from Beijing, the easiest way to get there is by hiring a car or going as part of an organized day trip.

Beijing, China

Daily 24/7

From $ 76

Lion Grove Garden

Built by a Buddhist monk in 1342, the Lion Grove Garden is one of the oldest classical gardens in Suzhou and one of nine gardens in the area recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Its uniqueness lies in its unusual design of grotto mazes, ponds, and pavilions, with a large and elaborate grotto of taihu rocks at its center. Anyone interested in oriental design and architecture, as well as nature and history, will appreciate a visit here.

The garden's massive grotto is made up of a maze of paths winding through 21 caves across three levels, with a pond dividing the grotto into east and west sections. The rocks, dating back to the Yuan Dynasty, are piled up in such a way that they are meant to resemble lions in various positions. Elsewhere in the garden, there are buildings, trees, ponds, and other elements to explore.

Lion Grove Garden can be visited as part of a day trip from Shanghai to Suzhou. Enjoy a stroll in the grotto maze here, followed by lunch and shopping nearby, or perhaps even a boat ride along the canal. The high-speed express train from Shanghai makes the journey easy, and is included on some organized tours.

Practical Info

Lion Grove Garden is situated close to Pingjiang Road in Suzhou. It is open daily from 7:30am to 5:30pm. Admission is 40 CNY in spring and summer, and 30 CNY in autumn and winter. Children under 3'11"(1.2 m) tall can enter the Lion Grove Garden for free when accompanied by an adult. For children under 4'11" tall (1.5 m), entrance is half price. This is a popular site with uneven grounds, so be sure to take your time and watch your step while exploring.

Did You Know? Aside from the Lion Grove Garden, the Lingering Garden, Humble Administrator’s Garden, and the Master of Nets Garden are the most famous of Suzhou's UNESCO-listed classical gardens.

23 Yuanlin Road, Suzhou, Eastern China, China

7:30am–5:30pm daily

Varies

From $ 89