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The Top 8 Reasons to Visit China — What Makes China Special

The Top 8 Reasons to Visit China — What Makes China Special

Written by Candice SongUpdated Apr. 14, 2023

If you are looking for a destination that is exotic, packed full of new sights and experiences, stimulating, and over all different, China is best in the world.

China isn't a place where you just go to enjoy a vacation — it is a destination where you can discover a country that's vastly different from your own.

Here are the eight reasons why China should be at the top of your must-visit list.

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We are pleased to inform you that China has officially announced the resumption of all kinds of visas, including tourist visas (L Visa), from March 15th, 2023. If you possess a 10-year China Visa obtained before COVID-19, and it remains valid, you can enter China without applying for a new one.

China Highlights takes pride in being the most highly-rated China travel agency on TA with over 10,000 reviews and winning the TripAdvisor Certificate of Excellence year-on-year. Despite the pandemic, we have maintained healthy business operations in China and served more than 4,000 China expats with customized travel services from 2020 to 2022.

We would be honored to tailor-make your flexible private China tour. Please do not hesitate to contact us at any time to discuss your travel plans.

1. The World's Richest Breadth of Culture

Chinese cultureA elderly man is doing tai chi in a park.

China is one of the Four Ancient Civilizations, with a history of over 3,000 years. It boasts the world's richest breadth of culture.

China's language supersedes others in originality and complexity. Kung fu and tai chi similarly surpass karate, taekwondo, and Thai boxing.

Also consider China's food and tea cultures, Chinese medicine, poetry, calligraphy, opera, costume, festivals, and porcelain, before even considering the hundreds of ethnic minorities.

Recommended tour11-Day Classic Wonders (Beijing – Xi'an – Guilin/Yangshuo – Shanghai)

2. Most Impressive Ancient Heritage

the Great WallA Beijing opera actor on the Great Wall: China's culture and architectural feats are top reasons to visit.

China's awesome and monumental ancient treasures exceed all other countries for size and number — from ancient palaces to the Great Wall, city walls, buried armies, canals, pagodas, temples, and giant Buddhas. See:

Recommended tour: 6-day tour of Beijing and Xi'an (Time Travel in Two Ancient Chinese Capitals)

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3. Most Varied and Spectacular Natural Wonders

As far as natural beauty goes, China goes bigger and more-varied and spectacular than any country in the world, if you count everything.

Yulong River The Li River karst scenery in Guilin is treasured as "the best landscape under heaven".

For example, the legendary Yellow Mountains, with their seas of cloud and charismatic rocks and pines, the rainbow lakes of Jiuzhaigou, Pandora's floating pinnacles in Zhangjiajie, Guilin's charming karst, hikers most-loved gorge — Tiger Leaping Gorge, and the world's highest and most majestic plateau in Tibet. See:

Our China Nature Tours can be customized to include the natural wonders that capture your imagination.

Click here to plan your tailor-made tour now. Your 1:1 travel consultant will reply within 1 working day.

4. The World's Greatest Variety of Cuisine

Chinese foodChinese dim sum

Chinese food is famous worldwide. However, it's doubtful you'll discover the delights of Chinese food, and sample its surprising variety of ingredients, until you try it in China.

Each region has its own unique dishes. Some specialties you should try are Beijing roast duck, Shanghainese soup dumplings, spicy hotpot in Chengdu, rice noodles in Guilin, and dim sum in Hong Kong.

Recommended tour13-Day A Broad Taste of China (Beijing – Xi'an – Chengdu – Guilin – Hong Kong)

5. Adorable Giant Pandas

the giant pandasA giant panda cub playing on a tree

The adorable giant panda lives nowhere else in the world outside captivity. It is the world's most treasured endangered species. "China's national treasure" woos with its round features and uniquely cuddly appearance.

Our Panda Tours allow you to get up close and personal with the lovely pandas. Be a panda keeper. You can even go with our panda specialists to try to meet wild pandas in their natural habitat.

Recommended tour: 13-Day China Essence and Panda Tour (Beijing – Xi'an – Chengdu –Yangtze Cruise – Shanghai)

6. Fascinating Ethnic Cultures and Customs

Ethnic culture in ChinaVisiting ethnic groups in Guizhou, you can discover their culture your way (wine from a horn is offered in welcome).

There are 55 ethnic minorities in China and over 500 people groups, practicing a multitude of different cultural customs.

Four major places to experience colorful minority culture are Yunnan, Guilin, Guizhou, and Tibet:

7. Greater Travel Convenience and Traditions Retained

The high-speed railHigh-speed rail is a popular way to travel in China.

China has been entering its digital era with its highly-developed four modern innovations: shared transport, high-speed rail, mobile communication/payment, and Internet shopping.

Travel in China is easier than ever before. With a smartphone in China, you can board a high-speed train from Beijing to Shanghai running at 250-350 km/h, buy a coffee with your digital wallet, and ride a shared bike to explore the city.

However, China is thankfully not so "developed" in other areas — it's still a country full of intriguing traditions, a love for fresh ingredients, ready hospitality, and a strongly-held cultural identity.

Recommended tour: 5-Day Shanghai, Hangzhou and Suzhou Bullet Train Tour

8. Easily Accessible: Direct International Flights, Free-Visa Policies

Even though China may be thousands of miles away, it is easily accessible. Many direct international flights connect major cities around the world with Beijing, Shanghai, Hong Kong, Guangzhou...

The 72/144-hour visa-free transit policies in major cities allow you to enjoy a short tour without a visa.

Read more about China Travel Restrictions

Discover Authentic China with Local Experts

0Learn to make local food and experience unique local ethnic minority culture in Guilin.

Can't wait to explore this incredible country? Contact a local expert here for a more authentic experience to enrich your once-in-a-lifetime China tour.

Our specialists have explored all the country's facets and can help plan your holiday as an individual tailor-made trip to match your preferences.

Here are some sample itineraries for your inspiration:

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