Few countries pack as much history into a single trip as China — thousands of years of it, still alive in monuments, old towns and everyday rituals. Here are the cultural highlights worth seeking out.
The great monuments
The Great Wall
Walk a section of the world’s most famous fortification. Mutianyu (near Beijing) is the best for first-timers — restored, scenic, and less crowded than Badaling.
The Great Wall at Mutianyu — restored, scenic and ideal for first-timers.
The Forbidden City
The vast imperial palace at the heart of Beijing — 600 years of dynasties in one sprawling complex. Book tickets online; they sell out.
The Forbidden City — 600 years of dynasties in one vast palace complex.
Terracotta Warriors
An army of life-sized clay soldiers guarding the tomb of China’s first emperor near Xi’an — one of the great archaeological finds of all time.
The Terracotta Army near Xi’an — thousands of life-sized clay soldiers.
Ancient towns & temples
- Pingyao — a perfectly preserved walled Ming-era town.
- Lijiang — cobbled lanes and canals beneath snow peaks in Yunnan.
- Water towns — Zhujiajiao, Wuzhen and Suzhou’s gardens near Shanghai and Hangzhou.
- Temples — from Beijing’s Temple of Heaven to Xiamen’s seaside Nanputuo.
Ancient towns like Pingyao and Lijiang — old China, still lived-in.
Living traditions
Culture here isn’t just to look at — it’s to take part in:
- Tea culture — tea houses, ceremonies, and the hills where it’s grown.
- Opera & performance — Peking opera, acrobatics and Sichuan face-changing.
- Festivals — Chinese New Year, Mid-Autumn and Dragon Boat, if your timing lines up.
Tea culture — a gongfu service is one of the most rewarding things to join in.
Chinese opera — Peking opera, acrobatics and Sichuan face-changing.
Book hands-on experiences and shows in English on Viator or Klook. See our guide to cultural experiences for ideas.
Tips
- Dress respectfully at temples — covered shoulders and knees.
- Carry your passport; it’s needed to enter many major sights.
- Pre-book big-name attractions (Forbidden City, Terracotta Warriors) online.
