If you're going to China, where should you visit?
If it's your first trip to China, you should be aware of one thing: China is so vast and so diverse, that you cannot grasp all its charm in a short time.
We can divide China into seven regions: North, Northeast, East, Center, South, Northwest and Southwest.
Beijing, the capital, and the port of Tianjin are in this region. An extensive area of grasslands sprawls in Inner Mongolia. And Shanxi is a province with rich culture. Needless to say, Beijing is the must-visit city and usually the first destination for foreign visitors. Besides visiting the Great Wall, the Forbidden City, the Temple of Heaven, and the Yonghegong Lama Temple, I suggest you walk along the hutongs and drink in a teahouse, enjoying the common life of old Beijing. Tianjin is a charming city mixing traditional culture and exoticness. Do not miss watching a cross talk show! Beautiful natural scenery stretches across Inner Mongolia from east to west; you can see verdant grasslands in summer, and golden Populus euphratica forest in autumn.
▲Hulun Buir Grassland in Inner Mongolia.
▲Populus euphratica forest in Ejina, Inner Mongolia.
Despite pervading coal dust, Shanxi has a plethora of interesting sights. Most travelers start with the walled city of Pingyao, but I recommend Datong. Around the city there are the Yungang Caves, one of China's best examples of Buddhist cave art, and Hanging Monastery, a stunning wooden temple built along the contours of a cliff face.
▲The Heavenly Lake of Changbai Mountain.
▲Shuangfeng claims to be the Snow County.
▲The Shenyang Imperial Palace.
Hagia Sophia Church, along with other outstanding Russian and Jewish buildings, fill the historic Daoli district, where Central Avenue and Gogol Street are the two main cultural areas with fantastic exotic atmosphere. Summer is a good time to walk on the riverfront, or to enjoy Sun Island, as the climate in Harbin is cool. But winter is always the top choice with the world-class ice sculpture festival turning the city into a multicolored wonderland.
▲The Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum in Nanjing.
▲Wuzhen is an ancient water town.
▲Fishery life in Xiapu, Fujian.
Suzhou's gardens are a combination of rocks, water, trees and pavilions that reflect the Chinese appreciation for balance and harmony. Adding to the charm are surviving canals and humpbacked bridges lacing the city and legendary stories dating back 2500 years.
▲An exemple of Suzhou's gardens.
▲Pingjiang road is a historical water alley.
▲The Tiger Hill is a legendary place.
As the birthplace of Chinese civilization, the region is anchored by the two mother rivers – the Yangtze and the Yellow. Anyang was the first ancient capital in Chinese history. Shaolin Temple is renowned for its expertise in Chinese kung-fu. The White Horse Temple was the first Buddhist temple established after Buddhism spread to China, and the Longmen Caves are one of the country's most astonishing collections of Buddhist carvings. This region also has beautiful scenery, such as the Three Gorges, the Shennongjia Nature Reserve, the Taoist Wudang Mountain, Zhangjiajie Forest Park and Fenghuang Ancient Town.
▲Anyang was the first ancient capital in Chinese history.
▲The Shennongjia Nature Reserve.
Karst peaks cover more than 80% of the province, among which Zhangjiajie is the most astonishing example. Here, isolated mountains range and jag, forming a phantasmagorical view that inspired James Cameron to create the land of Avatar.
▲This column became prototype for Avatar's Hallelujah Mountain.
▲Yangshuo is the base of foreign travelers.
▲The Zhuang people make up one third of the population of Guangxi province.
▲Dim sum is a style of Cantonese cuisine.
As China's largest tropical island, Hainan boasts all the balmy weather, coconut palms and gold sand beaches you could ask for. And Sanya claims to be the premier beach community. Aside from the Hawaii-like views, the bay enchants travelers with the unique flavor of the Li and Miao ethnic groups.
▲Terracotta Warriors in Xi'an.
▲Pottery figurines in the Han Yangling Mausoleum.
▲The Nanguan Mosque in Yinchuan.
▲The Danxia Landform of Zhangye.
▲Glaciers at the Tumur Peak in Xinjiang.
It's more than the biggest inland lake in China. Its name means "the blue sea", and it is. Covering more than 4,500 square kilometers, the lake combines beautiful scenery, outdoor adventures, rare species, Tibetan folkways and Buddhist environment. Go there and you will comprehend the concept of harmony.
▲Rape flowers come into bloom.
▲Marnyi Stones are used by Tibetans for blessings.
▲The Potala Palace in Lhasa, Tibet.
▲The Tashilhunpo Monastery in Xigaze, Tibet.
▲Namtso Lake is a sacred lake in the Tibetan culture.
▲Qomolangma, the highest peak of the world.
▲Sanxingdui was capital of the ancient Shu culture.
▲The carved Buddha at Leshan Mountain.
▲Face-changing in Sichuan opera.
▲A giant panda base in Sichuan.
▲Dai people's Water-Splashing Festival in Xishuangbanna, Yunnan.
▲Shangri-la is an earthly paradise.
▲Nightlife is very active in Lijiang Old Town.
▲Puzhehei is a laid-back village.
▲The Tiger Leaping Gorge is a good place for hiking.
As the continuation of the ancient Kingdom of Dali worshipping Buddhism, the city is a relaxing location sandwiched between mountains and Erhai Lake. Loafing here for a couple of weeks is an essential part of the Yunnan experience. But in the surrounding area there are also fascinating possibilities for exploring – valleys and jungles, Buddhist pagodas and traditional Bai dwellings, craft arts and folk customs.
▲The Weishan old town in Dali.
▲Temple and pagoda on the Jizu Mountain.
▲The traditional Bai dwellings.