Explore in China

Lac de l'Ouest

West Lake

In Hangzhou, West Lake (Xihu) has been a UNESCO World Heritage site since 2011. Causeways, pagodas and islands compose the celebrated Ten Scenes codified under the Song dynasty.

Temple du Ciel

Temple of Heaven

UNESCO-listed imperial site south of Beijing, the Temple of Heaven brings together the Circular Altar, the Imperial Vault of Heaven, and the Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests.

The Terracotta Army of Emperor Qin

Located 35 km from Xi'an, the mausoleum of Qin Shi Huang houses thousands of terracotta soldiers buried since 246 BC and inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage site since 1987.

Shaanxi History Museum

In Xi'an, the Shaanxi History Museum traces Chinese civilization from the Zhou to the Tang through 37,000 relics unearthed in the province.

Ruins of Saint Paul's Church

A remnant of a 17th-century Jesuit church, the façade of the Saint Paul's ruins is the symbol of Macau and a UNESCO World Heritage site since 2005.

Puning Temple

Built in 1755 by Qianlong and inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage site, Puning Temple in Chengde combines Sino-Tibetan architecture with a 23-meter-tall statue of Guanyin.

NORBULINGKA RESIDENCE

Summer palace of the Dalai Lamas 7 km from Lhassa: 374 rooms, 19 hectares of gardens and the Shoton festival each summer. UNESCO World Heritage since 2001.

Grottes de Mogao

Mogao Caves

Located 25 km from Dunhuang, the Mogao Caves comprise 492 Buddhist sanctuaries carved into the cliffs from the 4th to 14th centuries, UNESCO-listed since 1987.

Mont Maiji Shan

Mount Maiji Shan

Located 45 km from Tianshui, Mount Maiji Shan shelters 194 Buddhist caves carved over 1,500 years, inscribed on UNESCO's World Heritage list.

The Great Wall at Juyongguan

The section of the Great Wall closest to Beijing, Juyongguan combines Ming ramparts, a Yuan marble platform and hiking through a fortified valley.

Village d'Hongcun

Hongcun Historic Village

UNESCO village in southern Anhui, Hongcun features 150 Ming-Qing residences, an arc-shaped lake, and an urban plan designed like an ox, 40 km from Huangshan.

Garden of Virtue and Harmony

At the heart of Beijing's Summer Palace, this garden houses the private theatre of Empress Cixi, one of the three great opera pavilions of the Qing dynasty.

Gaobei

Gaobei Tulou Cluster

Four UNESCO-listed Hakka earthen fortresses in Gaobei village (Fujian): circular, pentagonal and rectangular structures, including the Chengqilou, the 'King of Tulous'.

Furong Cave

A major karst cavity in southern Chine, near Wulong, UNESCO-listed since 2007: Cambrian formations, stone cascades and the Qikeng vertical shaft.

Fujian Tulou

Circular earthen fortresses of Hakka clans, 46 Fujian Tulou are listed as UNESCO World Heritage sites. Guide to visiting Hongkeng, Chuxi and Yongding villages.

Dujiangyan Irrigation System

Designed by Li Bing in 256 BCE, the Dujiangyan irrigation system has regulated the Minjiang River for over 2,200 years. A UNESCO site to visit from Chengdu.

Dazu Grottoes and Rock Carvings

Listed as UNESCO World Heritage since 1999, the Dazu grottoes house more than 50,000 Buddhist sculptures carved into rock between the 7th and 13th centuries, 100 km from Chongqing.

Zhangjiajie

Zhangjiajie

Soaring sandstone peaks, floating mist and Avatar scenery: Zhangjiajie, in Hunan, is home to one of Chine's most singular landscapes. Complete guide.