The Most Famous Cities in China has listed 10 of the most well-known cities in China. Some of them are important commercial, transportation or cultural and political centre of the country, while some of them are renowned for their magnificent landscape.
Beijing, the capital of the People’s Republic of China, China’s second-largest city, municipality directly under the central government, national center city, one of the four major first-tier cities in China, and one of China’s “four big ancient capital”, the first batch of historical and cultural cities in China, China’s political, cultural, science and education and international exchange center, and Beijing is also China’s economic and financial decision-making center and management center.
Beijing is located in the northern end of the North China Plain, southeast of Beijing connect to Tianjin, the rest is surrounded by Hebei province. Beijing has more than 3000 years history and 778 years’ history of the being the capitals. During Zhenyuan period of the first year, emperor Wangyan officially found the capital in Beijing, called Zhongdu, situated in southwest of Beijing today. From then in the Yuan dynasty, Ming dynasty, and Qing dynasty capital are established in Beijing. Beijing is one of the “four big ancient capital” in China, owning six world heritages, is the city with the largest number of cultural heritage and it is a city which founded more than three thousand years, more than eight hundred and sixty years of being capitals. Beijing has many historical monuments and the humanities landscape. And it has a certain international influence, is also one of the biggest cities in the world.
As the capital’s first large-scale directional development financial function areas, through more than ten years of development, financial street in Beijing has become Chinese financial regulatory decision-making center, financial information center, where is Chinese most influential financial centers of financial industry
The highlight of Beijing is the Great Wall which is regarded as a symbol of China. The Great Wall of China is a series of fortifications running in general east to west through the entire northern part of China, which is made of stone, brick, tamped earth, wood, and other materials, built originally in part to protect the northern borders of the Chinese Empire or its prototypical states against intrusions by various nomadic groups or military incursions by various warlike peoples or forces. Two sections of the Great Wall can be reached from Beijing. One is Badaling Great Wall and the other one is Mutianyu Great Wall.
► Recommended Best Beijing Package Tours: Classic Beijing Tours
The Great Wall of China in Beijing
Victoria Harbor, Hong kong
Shanghai, Hu for short, is a renowned international metropolis drawing more and more attention from all over the world. Situated on the estuary of Yangtze River , it faces the Donghai Sea in its east; across the sea is Kyushu Island in Japan, its south is Hangzhou Bay and connect to the Jiangsu province and Zhejiang province in the west, making the biggest the Yangtze river delta economic area in East China. Also it is a popular destination for visitors to sense the pulsating development of the country.
The Bund, Shanghai
Chongqing is set to become the most economically important city in West China and is the biggest inland city of the country with plans for even more massive growth. Due to its focus on heavy industrial operations, Chongqing is perennially ranked on the most polluted cities in the world including the World Bank's list of most polluted cities.
Chongqing is also the launching point for scenic boat trips down the Yangtze River through the Three Gorges Dam. The Buddhist Dazu Rock Carvings are located three hours west of Chongqing City in the outlying Chongqing Municipality and is listed as an UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Chongqing City View
Xi'an is the most famous ancient capital city in China. Steeped in history and still giving up secrets, is your gateway to ancient Chinese civilization. In its 3,100 recorded years of evolution, it has been home to 13 dynasties. As one of the most important cradles of Chinese civilization, it marked the start of the famous "Silk Road" that linked China with central Asia and the Roman Empire.
Xi'an, or Changan as it was called in ancient times, is known as the city of "Everlasting Peace." Today Xi'an is a vibrant, modern city, but surrounded by history, even underfoot! So there can be no underground railways due to the obligation to preserve the wealth of ancient treasure still awaiting discovery. Touring in Xi'an, you can breathe the historical air from all the must-see spots.
♦ Qin Terracotta Army, one of the eight wonders in modern world, is a door for peole to get back to the Tang Dynasty.
♦ Xian City Wall is the relics preserved since Tang Dynasty. in ancient time, each city of China built city wall to protect the city away from invasion.
♦ The start of Silk Road, a symbol to trace back the prosperity and the achievement in trade.
► Recommended Best Xi'an Package Tours: Xi'an Tours
Qin Terracotta Army, Xi'an
Guangzhou City View
Hangzhou is located in the north of China southeast coast, belongs to the south Yangtze River Delta and the Qiantang River Basin, with complex and varied topography. Hangzhou belongs to west western Zhejiang hilly region and the trunk mountain is Tianmu Mountain, low in the east and cover densely river network. Hangzhou situated in the subtropical monsoon region, four seasons are distinctive, the summer climate is hot and humid, therefore it was called a small stove, and on the other hand, winter is cold and dry. The spring and autumn period with pleasant climate, is the golden season for visiting Hangzhou.
It is a city that renowned for its historic relics and natural beauty. It is often known as one of the most beautiful cities in China. All the while, owning to its superb geographical condition, it is the commercial Centre of Yangtze River Delta, one of China's major textile industry centers, and the largest producer of gunnysacks in China.
♦ West Lake is a previous natural gift of Hangzhou as an apple of the eye. Ancient Chinese people praised the West Lake as a place of intoxicating beauty for its serenity water surface and the long narrow river levee that full of sense of “willow down and flowers reign”.
♦ Lingyin Temple is a famous Chinese Buddhist temple, also known as Yunlin temple, located in the northwest of the West Lake, is generally thought that it also belong to the West Lake Scenic Area.
♦ From Hangzhou, travelers can begin Wuzhen Watertown trip.
► Recommended Best Hangzhou Package Tours: Hangzhou Tours
West Lake, Hangzhou
Situated in South China, Guilin is like a glittering pearl on a green carpet, the scenery here enjoys the praise of "top landscape in the world". It is renowned for its Karst landscape, exquisite mountains, wired caves and especially the limpid Li River that runs from downtown to Yangshuo County, all of which mixed together and formed a giant elegant Chinese painting. At the same time, you would not wanna miss the unique beauty of graceful rice fields in Longsheng County.
If you plan to savor the most beautiful natural scenery in China, you should pay a visit to Guilin. With the unique Karst geography, Guilin just looks like young lady that quietly sitting on the northern China.
♦ Li River, world’s famous river from Guilin to Yangshuo, includes the most charming sites of Guilin.
♦ Yangshuo West Street will be a good choice to spend your nightlife in Guilin.
♦ Longji Rice Terraces is a magnificent scene to show the intaligence of human. The field is planted along the mountain ridge
► Recommended Best Guilin Package Tours: Guilin Tours
Li River, Guilin
160km away from Guangzhou and 35km from Hong Kong, Shenzhen borders Dapeng Bay in the eastern, the Pearl River mouth in the west and New Territory of Hong Kong in the south, is an importation transportation hub of mainland China and Hong Kong. Besides, it is one of China major ports for foreign trade and international exchanges, and China earliest special economic zone and newly-rising tourist city.
Covering a total area of 2,050 square kilometers, with a coastline stretches 470km along the facing the South China Sea, Shenzhen is also a beautiful newly-rising tourist city reputed for its marine resource.
Shenzhen City View
Located in the lower Yangtze River drainage basin and Yangtze River Delta economic zone, Nanjing has always been one of China most important cities. It served as the capital of China during several historical periods and is listed as one of the Four Great Ancient Capitals of China. But now, with the rapid development, it becomes the important political, cultural, educational and commercial centre of eastern China, as well as the transportation hub of the country. Owning to its superb geographical condition, it is also one of the key cities of Yangtze River Delta, the gate city of eastern China.
With a history of over 2,500 years, Nanjing is also a city that rich in historical relics. Its majestic Confucius Temple, solemn and dignified Ming Xiaoling Mausoleum, grand Nanjing Yangtze River Bridge and graceful Qinhuai River are well-known attractions.
Nanjing City View
These ar the top most famous cities in China, related to commercial, cultural or tourism. If you are a first-time visitors to China, it is recommeded to visit Beijing, Shanghai and Xi'an, which are the most highlights of China tour.