What to do and see in China, China: The Best Historic Walking Areas

July 23, 2021 Etsuko Causey

China, officially the People's Republic of China (PRC), is a unitary sovereign state in East Asia and the world's most populous country, with a population of around 1.404 billion. Covering approximately 9,600,000 square kilometers (3,700,000 sq mi), it is the third- or fourth-largest country by total area, depending on the source consulted. China also has the most neighbor countries in the world. Governed by the Communist Party of China, it exercises jurisdiction over 22 provinces, five autonomous regions, four direct-controlled municipalities (Beijing, Tianjin, Shanghai, and Chongqing), and the special administrative regions of Hong Kong and Macau.
Restaurants in China

1. The Bund (Wai Tan)

Zhongshan East 1st Road, Shanghai China
Excellent
63%
Good
30%
Satisfactory
6%
Poor
1%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 19,488 reviews

The Bund (Wai Tan)

This is a designated section of Shanghai’s port along the Huang Pu River lined with beautiful neo-classical buildings and a waterfront promenade that is packed with tourists, locals and street sellers.

Reviewed By gollyg2017 - Shanghai, China

This is where the vast spread of this huge city really connects-the true centre of Shanghai.A great view of both sides of the river- the 19th and early 20th century ornamental British and European buildings on one side, and the futuristic boldly designed skyscrapers on the other. No scammers or pickpockets to worry about here,as it's heavily guarded.Nice for a brisk walk during the day, but amazing to stroll and gaze in wonder at night with all the lighting! Keep walking and you'll find the ferry.Its a 10 minute ride to the other side, and only about 2 or 3 rmb per person!Do your research, and find a fancy restaurant or bar looking across the river to relax and finish off the evening. You can't go wrong!

2. Mount Emei (Emeishan)

Emeishan 614201 China
Excellent
54%
Good
30%
Satisfactory
11%
Poor
3%
Terrible
2%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 838 reviews

Mount Emei (Emeishan)

A scenic mountain area houses important Buddhist temples.

Reviewed By MattwalesNorthWales - Chengdu, China

A must see place if you are in this part of the world. One of the important Buddhist Mountains in China. If, unlike me you love walking uphill you can climb this on foot but it will take about 4 days. I settled for a full day trip. Wrap up warm in winter as the top will be a lot colder than the bottom. You can buy a combined ticket for 160¥ which will take you from Emeishan railway station up the mountain. The journey is not for those, weak of stomach as the road snakes up the mountain, contains a lot of chicanes, and the drivers don't hang around. There is a pee stop half way and the bus may stop to add snow chains to the wheels in winter. Once at the top bus station you have to walk for about 2km through the monkey reserve to get the cable car which will whizz you right to the summit. At the summit you may be rewarded with a spectacular view as well as a variety of temples, shops and restaurants to explore. You can stay in a hotel at the top so that you can see the sunrise, but its not cheap. Please note the last cable car is at 5.30 and the last bus home is at 6pm. Great day trip

3. Barkhor Street

Chengguan District, Lhasa 851500 China
Excellent
58%
Good
32%
Satisfactory
9%
Poor
1%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 625 reviews

Barkhor Street

Located in the heart of old Lhasa, this circular route is the oldest street in the city dating back to the foundation of the Jokhang

Reviewed By BhasinRohit - New Delhi, India

Barkhor Street has numerous shops that are a traveller's delight to shop everything ranging from warm clothes, traditional tibetan leather boots, prayer beads, prayer wheels, tibetan spices and even enjoy some good tibetan food. Pro Tip - Definitely Bargain

4. Slender West Lake

No.28 Dahongqiao Road, Weiyang District, Yangzhou 225007 China 0514-7342901 http://www.shouxihu.com/
Excellent
48%
Good
41%
Satisfactory
10%
Poor
1%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 841 reviews

Slender West Lake

Reviewed By 997DanielC - Middlesbrough, United Kingdom

A perfect place to visit in the summer, the only problem is that everyone else will be visiting it then too; as soon as you arrive you can either walk along the river or get a boat cruise across the beautiful water which reflects the hanging trees and clear sunny skies above. Along the sides of the river are hundreds of different kinds of plants of all different sizes and colours and paths leading in different directions, giving something new to discover each time you visit. At the centre of the lake rests the most famous landmark in the city of Yangzhou, the Five pavilion bridge, it's bright colours look beautiful in the sunlight and is usually filled with other people coming to visit. As you explore the different parts of the lake you can see birds like swans or peacocks and groups of people taking the perfect photo. You see the traditional Chinese architecture, old buildings lost behind plant life and different paths to explore.

5. East Lake of Shaoxing

Yundong Road, Yuecheng District, Shaoxing 312000 China
Excellent
41%
Good
45%
Satisfactory
14%
Poor
1%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 118 reviews

East Lake of Shaoxing

Reviewed By KoosMulla

It offers beautiful scenery, but the lake itself is so small that taking boat ride is almost not worth it. Nothing really to see except if you go up the mountain... with the pathway not that well maintained .

6. Dragon's Backbone Rice Terraces

80 kilometers from Guilin, Longsheng County 541701 China
Excellent
70%
Good
24%
Satisfactory
5%
Poor
1%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 954 reviews

Dragon's Backbone Rice Terraces

Reviewed By Daniele-Donati - Florence, Italy

Although I live far away from Guangxi province as soon as I have the opportunity I will go back to Longji rice terraces again. It's truly beautiful and I would like to be there in October when their color turns into yellow. I have read other tripadvisor users' feedback. I have nothing more to say. They have already stressed how beautiful this place is and what kind of path it is necessary to follow...basically the one that leads from one sightseeing platform to the other. I feel the need instead to give you some useful information in order to make the most of your visit especially if you are Guilin based. Longji terraces are rather far from the city of Guilin and there is no direct bus to Longji. Aware of this I decided to wake up at around seven so to catch one of the earliest buses to Longsheng county. The buses leave from Guilin Qintan Bus station 桂林琴谭客运站. The trip to Longsheng takes more than one hour. Then you have to catch a bus heading for Ping An. The ticket inspector who will be on the bus, will help you catch the bus heading for Ping An with no need of wasting time at Longsheng bus station. After getting on the second bus another sixty minutes is needed but at least you will be dropped off at the entrance of the scenic area. Waking up early is necessary also because once your visit is over you have to return to Guilin. Unfortunately from Ping An to Longsheng there are only three buses...at 1PM, at 3 PM and 5PM. I took the one leaving at 3PM as my concern was to be unable to catch the connecting bus from Longsheng to Guilin. If you want to enjoy 4/5 full hours in Longji it is really suggested leaving Guilin early in the morning. Qintan Bus station is not in the city center. It's in the suburbs of Guilin. It is understood Guilin is not Shanghai but from the city center to the bus station it will take another half an hour at least. The whole round trip from the city center of Guilin to Longji and back takes around 5/6 hours. If I were you, I would spend a night in the nearby village of Huangluo (around 5 kilometers from Longji) so to have plenty of time to visit the rice terraces without feeling any time pressure. This village is an attraction in itself because of the local women who let their hair grow just Rapunzel used to do.

7. Mount Yuelu

West Subrubs of Yuelu District, Yuelu District, Changsha 410000 China 0731-88647958 http://en.yls.hnyls.com/
Excellent
44%
Good
42%
Satisfactory
13%
Poor
1%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 497 reviews

Mount Yuelu

Reviewed By 415dianah - Guangzhou, China

Taking it at a leisurely pace, walking up to Yuelu Temple was worth the effort. Lots of meandering pathways and tombs through the mountainside. Worth the effort if you enjoy the combination of nature and sites. The monastery is working so some places are off limits. A little rundown, it still provides a great insight into the history and heritage of the region. It was reasonably crowded for a day when it was a chilly 6 degrees. I can imagine in warmer weather, there would be even more people.

8. Yulong (Jade Dragon) Mountain

Yulong Naxi Autonomous County, Yulong County 674100 China +86 888 512 0929 http://www.lijiangtour.com
Excellent
58%
Good
31%
Satisfactory
7%
Poor
2%
Terrible
2%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 690 reviews

Yulong (Jade Dragon) Mountain

Also known as Jade Dragon Snow Mountain, the snowcapped Yulong Mountain is a sanctuary for rare animals and plants.

Reviewed By CatherineO502 - Brisbane, Australia

We didn’t want to take a cable car up the mountain so went out from Lijiang in a taxi to the mountain - the entrance fee to the mountain park is 100Y per person. At the tourist centre the buses for Blue Moon Lake/White Water River are downstairs (the buses to the glacier cable car are on the level you enter at). The ticket for the bus to Blue Lake was 20Y - Blue Lake is the second stop on the bus. While it is a bit odd that Blue Lake is man-made the location does give spectacular views of the mountain. Getting a bus back to the tourist centre was very orderly. We had organised for our taxi driver to come back to pick us up which worked out well.

9. Historic Centre of Macau

Macau Peninsula, Macau China https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/1110
Excellent
44%
Good
42%
Satisfactory
12%
Poor
2%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 2,777 reviews

Historic Centre of Macau

Reviewed By Connector820047 - New York City, United States

Amazing how the Portuguese and Chinese cultures blended so well. The Portuguese did an amazing job in keeping their identity and respecting the Chinese culture at the same time. Great authentic Portuguese architecture and restaurants, on the other side of the world. Forget the casinos and enjoy a nice walk in the historical center of Macau.

10. Former French Concession

Puxi Central, Huangpu District, Shanghai 200000 China
Excellent
50%
Good
36%
Satisfactory
12%
Poor
2%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 3,964 reviews

Former French Concession

A residential area of Shanghai once designated for the French, the French Concession is popular with tourists and expats, and appreciated for its cafes, tree-lined avenues, and tudor houses.

Reviewed By Hugary1 - Sydney, Australia

Part of our walking tour with Penny which also took in The Old Town, Yu Gardens Markets, Confucius Temple, a house were Albert Einstein stated in the 1920's and the oldest and largest house which is to be renovated. Penny was a fantastic guide who picked us at the hotel and organised transport to a couple of the attractions. Her English was outstanding and her knowledge was vast and extensive. We really enjoyed her commentary and general conversation. At the end of the tour she helped us get a Metro card and put enough funds to keep us going for 3 days of city travel. That gave us great freedom to explore the city and points further out and for that we are very grateful. She went above and beyond. The walk showed us areas that will be demolished soon. Houses left and bricked up. People on the day we walked were being served with their date to leave. Then onto the last of the areas still fully populated with its quaint shops and wonderful market place. These are sites that are disappearing and we felt that we were seeing a passing of a way of life in this city. The Temple was a place of calm and quite in a busy city and penny gave us the history behind it in a clearly articulated way. I suggest you get to see this before it all disappears.

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