{"id":4685,"date":"2025-08-13T10:37:34","date_gmt":"2025-08-13T08:37:34","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/news.travel.orange.com\/?p=4685"},"modified":"2025-10-03T15:07:14","modified_gmt":"2025-10-03T13:07:14","slug":"best-things-to-do-in-china","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/news.travel.orange.com\/en\/best-things-to-do-in-china","title":{"rendered":"Best things to do in China\u00a0"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>China is not just a country, it\u2019s a world in itself. From imperial landmarks to natural wonders, bustling cities to quiet temples, there\u2019s no shortage of unforgettable experiences. Here\u2019s a guide to the <strong>best things to do in China<\/strong>  and how to enjoy them while staying connected along the way.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Walk along the Great Wall of China<\/strong>&nbsp;<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>One of the <strong>most iconic things to do in China<\/strong> is walk a section of the Great Wall. Spanning over 21,000 kilometers, it\u2019s both a historical marvel and a hiker\u2019s dream.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Best sections for visitors<\/strong>:&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Mutianyu<\/strong>: Less crowded, with restored paths and cable cars&nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Jinshanling<\/strong>: Perfect for hiking and photography&nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Badaling<\/strong>: Most accessible from Beijing&nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Tip<\/strong>: Visit early in the day and bring comfortable shoes.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1200\" height=\"675\" src=\"https:\/\/news.travel.orange.com\/medias\/2025\/08\/pexels-jplenio-1423580-1200x675.jpg\" alt=\"pexels jplenio 1423580\" class=\"wp-image-4690\" srcset=\"https:\/\/news.travel.orange.com\/medias\/2025\/08\/pexels-jplenio-1423580-1200x675.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/news.travel.orange.com\/medias\/2025\/08\/pexels-jplenio-1423580-400x225.jpg 400w, https:\/\/news.travel.orange.com\/medias\/2025\/08\/pexels-jplenio-1423580-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/news.travel.orange.com\/medias\/2025\/08\/pexels-jplenio-1423580.jpg 1280w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Discover the Forbidden City in Beijing<\/strong>&nbsp;<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Step into imperial China by visiting the <strong>Forbidden City<\/strong>, the largest ancient palace complex in the world. With nearly 1,000 buildings, it tells the story of 500 years of Chinese emperors.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Don&#8217;t miss<\/strong>:&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>The <strong>Meridian Gate<\/strong> and Hall of Supreme Harmony&nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>The <strong>Imperial Garden<\/strong>&nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>The nearby <strong>Tiananmen Square<\/strong>, full of symbolic meaning&nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Beijing is full of other historical gems like the <strong>Temple of Heaven<\/strong> and <strong>Summer Palace<\/strong>.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Marvel at the Terracotta Army in Xi\u2019an<\/strong>&nbsp;<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Unearthed in 1974, the <strong>Terracotta Warriors<\/strong> are one of the world\u2019s greatest archaeological discoveries. Over 8,000 life-size soldiers were buried with China\u2019s first emperor, <strong>Qin Shi Huang<\/strong>, over 2,000 years ago.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>What to expect<\/strong>:&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Vast excavation pits filled with warriors, horses, and chariots&nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>A museum with artifacts and interactive exhibits&nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>The impressive scale of an underground empire&nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Xi\u2019an also has a beautiful <strong>Ancient City Wall<\/strong> and a lively <strong>Muslim Quarter<\/strong>.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"640\" height=\"426\" src=\"https:\/\/news.travel.orange.com\/medias\/2025\/08\/pexels-202387659-28844763.jpg\" alt=\"pexels 202387659 28844763\" class=\"wp-image-4691\" srcset=\"https:\/\/news.travel.orange.com\/medias\/2025\/08\/pexels-202387659-28844763.jpg 640w, https:\/\/news.travel.orange.com\/medias\/2025\/08\/pexels-202387659-28844763-400x266.jpg 400w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Take a Li River cruise in Guilin<\/strong>&nbsp;<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Sailing between <strong>Guilin and Yangshuo<\/strong> is like moving through a Chinese painting. The <strong>Li River<\/strong> is surrounded by surreal limestone peaks, caves, and rice paddies.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Highlights along the river<\/strong>:&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>The <strong>Nine Horses Fresco Hill<\/strong>&nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Reed Flute Cave<\/strong>&nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Xingping Village<\/strong>, featured on the 20 yuan bill&nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Yangshuo also offers great cycling and rock-climbing options.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"640\" height=\"427\" src=\"https:\/\/news.travel.orange.com\/medias\/2025\/08\/china-7232560_640.jpg\" alt=\"china 7232560 640\" class=\"wp-image-4693\" srcset=\"https:\/\/news.travel.orange.com\/medias\/2025\/08\/china-7232560_640.jpg 640w, https:\/\/news.travel.orange.com\/medias\/2025\/08\/china-7232560_640-400x267.jpg 400w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Meet giant pandas in Chengdu<\/strong>&nbsp;<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>One of the most beloved things to do in China is meet its national treasure ; the <strong>giant panda<\/strong>.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Where to go<\/strong>:&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding<\/strong>&nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Dujiangyan Panda Center<\/strong> (you can volunteer!)&nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Enjoy local <strong>Sichuan cuisine<\/strong> ; spicy, bold, and delicious&nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Chengdu is also known for its laid-back lifestyle and vibrant tea house culture.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"640\" height=\"427\" src=\"https:\/\/news.travel.orange.com\/medias\/2025\/08\/pexels-snow-chang-2148891262-31084603.jpg\" alt=\"pexels snow chang 2148891262 31084603\" class=\"wp-image-4695\" srcset=\"https:\/\/news.travel.orange.com\/medias\/2025\/08\/pexels-snow-chang-2148891262-31084603.jpg 640w, https:\/\/news.travel.orange.com\/medias\/2025\/08\/pexels-snow-chang-2148891262-31084603-400x267.jpg 400w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong><strong>Ride a bamboo raft in Yangshuo or Wuyishan<\/strong><\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>For a more peaceful experience, hop on a <strong>bamboo raft<\/strong> and drift down calm rivers surrounded by mountains and greenery.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Top spots for rafting<\/strong>:&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>The <strong>Yulong River<\/strong> (Yangshuo)&nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Nine-Bend Stream<\/strong> (Wuyishan UNESCO site)&nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>It\u2019s a great way to slow down and appreciate <strong>China\u2019s rural beauty<\/strong>.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"640\" height=\"427\" src=\"https:\/\/news.travel.orange.com\/medias\/2025\/08\/pexels-cheng-shi-song-427082720-20998162.jpg\" alt=\"pexels cheng shi song 427082720 20998162\" class=\"wp-image-4697\" srcset=\"https:\/\/news.travel.orange.com\/medias\/2025\/08\/pexels-cheng-shi-song-427082720-20998162.jpg 640w, https:\/\/news.travel.orange.com\/medias\/2025\/08\/pexels-cheng-shi-song-427082720-20998162-400x267.jpg 400w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Visit classical gardens and canals in Suzhou<\/strong>&nbsp;<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Known as the <strong>&#8220;Venice of the East&#8221;<\/strong>, <strong>Suzhou<\/strong> offers beautifully preserved gardens and tranquil canals.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Things to explore<\/strong>:&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>The <strong>Humble Administrator\u2019s Garden<\/strong> and <strong>Lingering Garden<\/strong>&nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>A boat ride on the <strong>Grand Canal<\/strong>&nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Traditional silk embroidery shops&nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Suzhou\u2019s classical elegance offers a refreshing escape from the big cities.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"640\" height=\"953\" src=\"https:\/\/news.travel.orange.com\/medias\/2025\/08\/pexels-vindli-15861324.jpg\" alt=\"pexels vindli 15861324\" class=\"wp-image-4699\" style=\"width:328px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/news.travel.orange.com\/medias\/2025\/08\/pexels-vindli-15861324.jpg 640w, https:\/\/news.travel.orange.com\/medias\/2025\/08\/pexels-vindli-15861324-269x400.jpg 269w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Enjoy street food and night markets<\/strong>&nbsp;<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Chinese cuisine is incredibly diverse  and the <strong>best place to taste it is in the streets<\/strong>.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Street food not to miss<\/strong>:&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Jianbing<\/strong> (savory Chinese cr\u00eape)&nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Baozi<\/strong> (steamed buns)&nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Hotpot<\/strong> in Chengdu&nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Dim sum<\/strong> in Guangzhou&nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Night markets<\/strong> in Xi\u2019an, Shanghai, and Taipei&nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Food is one of the most authentic ways to connect with local life.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Travel by high-speed train across the country<\/strong>&nbsp;<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>One of the <strong>most efficient things to do in China<\/strong> is ride its vast network of <strong>high-speed trains (CRH)<\/strong>. It&#8217;s clean, fast, and a great way to admire the landscape.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Popular routes<\/strong>:&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Beijing \u21c4 Shanghai (4.5 hours)&nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Chengdu \u21c4 Xi\u2019an&nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Guangzhou \u21c4 Guilin&nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>You can book tickets online in advance ; just don\u2019t forget your passport at boarding.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"640\" height=\"412\" src=\"https:\/\/news.travel.orange.com\/medias\/2025\/08\/pexels-dongjie-chen-3088975-7209369.jpg\" alt=\"pexels dongjie chen 3088975 7209369\" class=\"wp-image-4701\" srcset=\"https:\/\/news.travel.orange.com\/medias\/2025\/08\/pexels-dongjie-chen-3088975-7209369.jpg 640w, https:\/\/news.travel.orange.com\/medias\/2025\/08\/pexels-dongjie-chen-3088975-7209369-400x258.jpg 400w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Stay connected anywhere in China with Orange Travel eSIM<\/strong>&nbsp;<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Exploring China is easier when you stay online. With <strong>Orange Travel <\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/travel.orange.com\/en\/buy-a-sim\/offers\/china?utm_source=blog&amp;utm_medium=website_nav&amp;utm_campaign=blog-content\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>eSI<\/strong><\/a><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/travel.orange.com\/en\/buy-a-sim\/offers\/china\">M<\/a><\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/travel.orange.com\/en\/buy-a-sim\/offers\/china?utm_source=blog&amp;utm_medium=website_nav&amp;utm_campaign=blog-content\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong> China<\/strong><\/a>, you can:\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Get instant internet access<\/strong> upon arrival&nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Use <strong>data + calls + SMS<\/strong> with no roaming surprises&nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Skip the need to swap SIM cards&nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Navigate, translate, and share your trip in real time&nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Check out our helpful guides:&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/news.travel.orange.com\/en\/what-is-dual-esim-benefits-and-how-it-works\">What is dual eSIM? Benefits and how it works<\/a>&nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/news.travel.orange.com\/en\/how-long-does-it-take-to-activate-an-esim\">How long does it take to activate an eSIM?<\/a>&nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/news.travel.orange.com\/en\/finding-the-cheapest-esim-phone-top-picks\">Finding the cheapest eSIM Phone: top picks<\/a>&nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"","protected":false},"author":23,"featured_media":4703,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_seopress_robots_primary_cat":"none","_seopress_titles_title":"Best things to do in China - Orange Travel","_seopress_titles_desc":"From hiking the Great Wall to sipping tea in Chengdu, discover the best things to do in China and how to stay connected with Orange Travel eSIM.","_seopress_robots_index":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[246],"tags":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-4685","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-product","8":"generate-columns","9":"tablet-grid-50","10":"mobile-grid-100","11":"grid-parent","12":"grid-33"},"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/news.travel.orange.com\/ot-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4685","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/news.travel.orange.com\/ot-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/news.travel.orange.com\/ot-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/news.travel.orange.com\/ot-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/23"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/news.travel.orange.com\/ot-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=4685"}],"version-history":[{"count":16,"href":"https:\/\/news.travel.orange.com\/ot-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4685\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":5664,"href":"https:\/\/news.travel.orange.com\/ot-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4685\/revisions\/5664"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/news.travel.orange.com\/ot-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/4703"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/news.travel.orange.com\/ot-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=4685"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/news.travel.orange.com\/ot-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=4685"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/news.travel.orange.com\/ot-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=4685"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}