Things to do in China
Okay, so how do you distill all the things to do in China to a single list when there is so much on offer? It’s virtually impossible, so as part of our travel guide, we created a thoughtfully curated list of things to do in China so that whether you love deep dives into detail or simply want the bare minimum, we have you covered.
Because China is so well known for remarkable highlights like the Forbidden City and Great Wall, you may be surprised to know there is, in fact, a world of wonder further afield from the country’s capital. If you’ve never visited China, you’ll find a rich trove of treasures awaits to surprise and delight. Encompassing all areas of life
If you’re still in the research phase of your travel, this is the perfect place to gather all the details needed to create beautiful travel memories. We’ve included an initial list of places to visit in China (get your pen and paper ready), tips on China’s amazing food (you will love it!), and things to do at night in some of China’s most popular destinations (make the most of every travel minute). And if you have more questions, relax! We’re here to help. Reach out to our team of travel consultants who can guide you every step of your China travels, including the plans you make before departure.
Forbidden City
Forbidden City
Great Wall
Great Wall
Terracotta Army
Terracotta Army
Xi’an City Wall
Xi’an City Wall
Li River and Yangshuo
Li River and Yangshuo
Shaolin Temple
Shaolin Temple
Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding
Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding
Zhangjiajie
Zhangjiajie
The Bund in Shanghai
The Bund in Shanghai
Classical Gardens in Suzhou
Classical Gardens in Suzhou
Three Gorges and the Yangtze River
Three Gorges and the Yangtze River
Silk Road
Silk Road
Potala Palace in Lhasa
Potala Palace in Lhasa
We can also organise private China tour guides who speak other foreign languages
Ask us about tour guides who speak en Français, auf Deutsch, in Nihon, and many other European and Asian languages.
There is an incredible diversity of food to eat in China, so it’s wise to do your research before entering what can be a truly mesmerizing culinary world that is seemingly unlimited. From noodles to dumplings to amazing vegetarian and meat dishes, you will find the same multi-layered symbolism in China’s food that is discoverable in all other aspects of its culture. Arrive hungry for your China travels, with chopsticks in hand ready to explore China’s kitchens with us. You will love making travel food memories with this list of must-eat Chinese dishes.
Noodles
Noodles are to the Chinese what pasta is to Italians - a mainstay of Chinese cuisine that comes in many and varied forms. Every region has its own specialty, allowing you to savor specialty dishes wherever you visit. In Beijing, try Zhajiangmian (old Beijing noodles with fried bean sauce), which is a popular homestyle dish. By contrast, you can enjoy clear broth beef noodle soup in Lanzhou and the red-braised beef noodle soup in Taiwan. In Sichuan province, try Dandan noodles, while in Xian, located in China’s north, it’s impossible to go past the famous local biang biang noodle - so named for their resemblance to a belt. In the south of China, try Guilin’s rice noodles and the ‘crossing the bridge noodles’ of Yunnan, which is a rice noodle soup. And Wuhan is home to a breakfast with a difference - hot dry noodles - so start your day here fired up and ready to go.
Dumplings
Almost as ubiquitous as noodles, dumplings hold a special place in the heart of just about every Chinese person. On your culinary adventures, expect to find regional specialties, with each vying for your favor. If you’re anything like the ChinaTours.com team, you may find yourself defending your version of the ‘very best’ dumpling, and let’s face it, there is stiff competition for the prize. Choose from jiaozi (served either boiled or steamed); baozi or xiaolongbao, which are delicious steamed buns filled with mince and a juicy broth; shengjianbao, otherwise known as pan-fried mince-filled dumplings; or the Chinese version of a meat pie - xianbing - which are pan-fried oversized dumplings. And of course there’s no passing up a wonton soup while in China either. Essentially a soup broth served with floating dumplings, we dare you to eat just one while on tour!
Other famous signature Chinese dishes
Fancy expanding your palate with other famous Chinese signature dishes? Do your food research right here before departing on a Chinese culinary adventure.
Peking Duck
Peking Duck
Xi’an Roujiamo
Xi’an Roujiamo
Xi’an Liangpi
Xi’an Liangpi
Shanghai Xiaolongbao
Shanghai Xiaolongbao
Mapo Tofu
Mapo Tofu
Kung Pao Chicken
Kung Pao Chicken
Hotpot
Hotpot
Hangzhou Dongpo Rou
Hangzhou Dongpo Rou
Guangzhou Gu Lao Rou
Guangzhou Gu Lao Rou
Yunnan Guoqiao Mixian
Yunnan Guoqiao Mixian
Guilin Mifen
Guilin Mifen
Yangzhou Fried Rice
Yangzhou Fried Rice
Har Gow
Har Gow
Shumai
Shumai
Nai Wong Bao
Nai Wong Bao
Egg Tart
Egg Tart
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Things to do at night
Although we can’t possibly create an exhaustive list of things to do in China at night, we’ve captured the essentials here, focusing mainly on Beijing, Xi’an, Guilin, Chengdu, and Shanghai. Among the most popular activities you’ll find to fill your evenings in China are night markets (everywhere throughout China) and modern, larger than life shopping centres. Even if shopping is not your thing, a wander through a typical night market provides an experience of real China that will surely find its way into your collection of beautiful travel memories.
Night markets
In Xian, although the Terracotta Warriors rate as the city’s number one attraction, the night markets probably come in a close second. With a focus on food, Xian’s night markets are the place to visit if discovering authentic cuisine rates high on your travel priorities. Add the Muslim Quarter and Dongxin Street night market to your itinerary, arrive hungry, rub shoulders with locals, and sample some of the tastiest - and most unusual foods - at this intersection of culinary culture.
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The night market on Chunxi Street is considered a shopping mecca in Chengdu, acclaim that arises from its location as the intersection between two commercial centres, one of which originated around 100 years ago. Literally just about anything can be found at this nexus of shopping in China (which is really saying something). You’ll discover a showcase of artisanal crafts, souvenirs, fashion accessories, local snacks, and even traditional Chinese massage. Expect to while away an entire evening here. Other famous night markets in Chengdu are Yulin night market (which only opens on weekends) and the night market on Jianshe Road.
A stopover in Guilin on the way to Yangshuo provides the perfect opportunity to spend time wandering through the Xicheng night market and Zhengyang pedestrian street, which together are the very best places in Guilin for shopping and eating. In Beijing, make time to walk around the Wangfujing commercial area, and wander alongside Huangpu River near the Bund in Shanghai to sample night markets in these cities.
Of course, if the markets don’t hold appeal for you, you could brave one or a number of the many over-sized department stores in China. Opening hours for most shopping centers and department stores in big cities are 10am to 10pm, during which time you can join with local people to enjoy shopping in the evening after a busy day.
Shows and concerts
In the interests of sharing China’s rich culture, there are shows in every city, many of which have traveled and performed internationally. You will find everything from Chinese opera, traditional folk performances, indoor and outdoor dance shows, kung fu, acrobatics, and more. Among the very best available, check what’s on offer at the National Centre for the Performing Arts of China in Beijing and the Shanghai Grand Theatre.
Bars and dining precincts
As China has opened up to the West, local demand for bars and dining precincts has grown too, such that cities in China never really ‘sleep’. Indeed, there are specific streets or areas for the bars, clubs and restaurants.
In Beijing
In Beijing
In Shanghai
In Shanghai
In Chengdu
In Chengdu
In Xi’an
In Xi’an
In Guilin
In Guilin
Even though international travel plans are on hold, it doesn’t mean dreams have to be. When borders open once again, it will be the perfect time to unleash your inner traveler and bring your China travel dreams to life. Researching in advance of your travel is one of the very best ways to make the most of your time, not only before departure but while you’re on tour as well. With decades of experience helping travelers from the USA, Canada, the United Kingdom, Australia, and Europe plan and enjoy unique experiences in China and Indochina, we’d love to do the same for you. We welcome online inquiries via direct contact, with responses delivered within 24 hours. Let us know how we can serve you.
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Travel Memories
Testimonials
- ctsim wrote a review 12 January 2024SingaporeExcellent private tour in Lijiang, Dali and KunmingI booked a private tour for my party of 9 friends to tour Lijiang, Dali and Kunming. Martha was excellent in her services to co-ordinate on our tours and provided us with excellent tour guides, all bilingual in English and Mandarin. Our mini coaches were clean, comfortable with very good drivers driving us safely to all places of interests. It was an enjoyable and memorable tour and all of us enjoyed it very much. I highly recommend Martha of China Tours to arrange your tour in China!
- Siri_Yong wrote a review 25 December 2023Bangkok, ThailandXian private tourWe went to Xian, Long Men and Yuntaishan on November 2023 with China Tours. The places visited was fantastic. Matha from China Tours arranged everything for us just perfect for our group of 8 people. In particularly, food were over expectation - lunches and dinners were a lot! Period. Last but not least, the guide, as we requested from Matha to have a Thai speaking guide through our trip, Mr. Ling is excellent, informative and helpful. Thank you to Matha, for her arrangement. I will surely use your company service again in my next trip to China.
- S SAXENA wrote a review 30 November 2023LondonChina Tours for Thailand, Cambodia and VietnamWe did Thailand, Cambodia and Vietnam tour organised by China Tours. We are very happy with China tour company. All our hotels accommodation was excellent. all our Guilds in all three countries were very good and speak very good English. Our transport arrangements during tour and airport pickup and drop off was in time for our flights. I did the tour of South Korea and China with China Tours, This November 2023 tour was based on my good experience with China tours in the past
- Nicababy Lin wrote a review 12 November 2023Jacksonville, Florida5 days 4 nights tour at Beijing and Xi’an with ChinatoursI did a 5 days 4 nights solo private tour trip with “Chinatours.com” to Beijing and Xi’an. I am really satisfied with the itinerary and flexibility of how “Chinatours” allows me to add and customize my trip. A little hiccup, when I arrived at Xi’An high speed rail station from Beijing, my tour guide, Helen when to a different station to wait for me as they have two different rail station. Despite this, I felt her sincerity to welcome me in Xi’an whilst she kept apologizing. Upon arriving at the hotel, guess what? The hotel gave me a free upgrade to a Suite. A whole Suite by myself!Awesome!Wish I had more time to stay in the hotel room though but my itinerary was packed. I arrived pretty late that night. Regardless, the room was decorated to give this ancient China historical ambience. It’s huge and clean. Hotel name is Grand Mecure on Renminbi Square. Breakfast included. Breakfast was alright, I had better breakfast choices in Beijing. Next morning, Helen (tour guide) arrived early to the hotel to pick me up and start my trip. I managed to squeezed through the crowds and got an impressive view of the Terra-cotta army! Wow!!! It’s a must to come to Xi An and look at this army yourself. Helen (tour guide) treated me to a popular terracotta shaped chocolate ice cream. She said to make up for the hiccup last night. I bought a history book that is all in English. If you love reading history I recommend to buy the book. We had some thick wide noodles for lunch. It’s called “Biang Biang Mian”. In the evening, I went to walk the ancient City Wall. Saw the bell tower and drum tower too. Then I had dinner at the mall nearby the hotel. Final day at Xi’An, started with a beautiful weather, visited Big Wild Goose Pagoda and Xi’an Museum. I went to watched a 30 mins Tang Dynasty musical instrument show. I recommend only people who are really interested to know more about Chinese music to attend. Then I went to Great Mosque and walked along Muslim street. Try a giant BBQ squid, it was alright. Had the crispy chinese croissant with minced pork and wanton soup for lunch. Delicious! Overall, Helen really took care of my needs and I love her knowledge on the history of China and Xi’An. I almost forgot, both tour guides from Beijing and Xi’An are bilingual. They are fluent in English. I had a really great time in China and I am definitely visiting China again in the near future! Cheers! I wrote a separate review for my experience in Beijing.
- Cheristiawan H wrote a review 8 November 2023
Great Trip Datong and PingyaoExcellent service provided to our Datong and Pingyao trip...will recommend to our friends for china trip... Great service also from Martha from China Tours
- Sonya A wrote a review 21 September 2023Towcester, United KingdomChina Tours 13 day tourMy daughter and I just returned from a fantastic 13 day trip to China with China Tours. The organisation and itinerary were excellent and our guides were really helpful and knowledgable. We had an absolutely brilliant time and a lot of that is down to the China Tours staff. When my daughter left her favourite jacket behind in Chengdu, Martha immediately arranged to have it sent on to the guide in Shanghai for us. I thoroughly recommend China Tours to anyone considering a holiday in China.