By Corey Pyke. Corey is our China program Coordinator, and she lived in China for 6 years.
China is a huge country with so many things to do and see, sometimes it’s hard to choose where to go. To help you make that decision, here are some places that you need to see whilst there.
The Bund
The Bund is the area of Shanghai with the iconic skyline of all of the skyscrapers across the river. It is a pretty impressive sight, and one that is made even better by seeing it at night. There are plenty of cafes and restaurants that have the view, so you can make a day of it. There is also a walkway that follows the river, giving you the view from all angles. If you enjoy shopping, Nanjing Road is nearby. As much as the modern skyscrapers are the main attraction, the European style buildings at the end of Nanjing Road are just as interesting.
Zhangjiaji
Known to most as the “Avatar Mountains”, Zhangjiajie is a city in Hunan province, famous for its amazing rock formations in the national park. There are plenty of walking trails around the park that will each take you to the different views it has to offer. Or, if you don’t feel like walking, then take the lift to the top. The lift gets very busy, so get there early!. There is also Tianmen Mountain, with its ridiculous 999 steps to the top. Tianmen offers a 7.5km cable car, or a bus trip on the 99 bend road. For those of you dreading the thought of 999 steps, don’t worry, there is a series of escalators that will take you to the top!
Pandas
For the animal lovers out there, the pandas in Chengdu are a must see! There are a few places in Chengdu that you can see the pandas, but the Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding is the biggest, with around 120 giant pandas and about 76 red pandas. As with anything in China, there will be huge crowds, so getting there early is a must. If you want an experience where you can get close to the pandas, Dujiangyan is a good option. Although smaller than the research base, they have been known to offer feeding programs for an extra fee. Unfortunately holding the pandas has not been allowed since covid, but this will definitely get you a better view than from a walkway.
Great Wall
The iconic Great Wall of China is an absolute must if you are in China. Most people go and see the parts of the wall close to Beijing, but if you are up for a bit of travel, you can visit the end of the wall that extends into the sea in Qinghuangdao. If you are wanting to stay close to Beijing, the best places to go are Badaling or Mutianyu. Badaling is the most accessible part, so it will be busy, but it is also restored and easy to walk. Mutianyu offers a cable car to the top for those who don’t fancy walking up some steep steps, and a toboggan back down to the bottom (or the cable car again!). There are many other sections that you can see, but make sure you do some research, as you may end up walking up uneven steps for 3+ hours! The views are incredible and it is a big part of Chinese history, so it really is a must see.
Harbin Ice Festival
Possibly the best thing to do in China in winter is to visit the Harbin Ice and Snow Festival. As temperatures in Harbin can get as low as -25 celsius, each year ice blocks are taken from the Songhua river and used to create massive ice sculptures like castles. Each sculpture lights up at night, creating an amazing atmosphere. When you have finished viewing the sculptures, you can also go on an ice slide, or warm yourself up with a nice hot drink from the cafes. As well as the Ice and Snow world, there is also Sun Island. Located on the river, this is where you can see some incredible snow sculptures. Neither place is too far from Harbin itself, making them great afternoon or evening trips if you aren’t a fan of getting up too early..
Water Towns
There are many ancient water towns to see in China. With popular ones being only a short distance from either Suzhou (Tongli) or Shanghai (Zhujiajiao), they are very accessible. In water towns, the canals and waterways flow through the small villages, offering a sight similar to Venice. Restaurants offer great views along the water, or boat trips can take you around the town. Walk through the old streets to try some traditional snacks, or visit some local run shops to get some small souvenirs. Many people visit these towns in the morning, so going there later in the afternoon is a good idea – although be careful of the evening rush! If you want something that feels a bit more like authentic China, then the water towns are perfect.
Are you interested in working in China and looking for more information? Check out our China program page.
