Unique and Little-Known Destinations in China

You may have climbed the Great Wall, wandered through the unique architecture of the Forbidden City in Beijing or along the Bund in Shanghai... However, you will discover much more from these special destinations.

Turpan

As soon as you set foot in Turpan, a hot desert oasis, you will feel like you have stepped into Central Asia. Home to the Uighur people as well as several other minority groups, Turpan has beautiful ancient architecture, especially the Emin minaret. Wandering through the bustling market to buy spices, raisins, nuts, handmade knives and fabrics is an unforgettable experience for many visitors.

Dalian

Every year, this beautiful coastal city hosts the China International Beer Festival in the summer at Xinghai Square. It's a less crowded international event than its counterpart in Qingdao, but no less fun. While most of the brews are domestic, international brewers like Russia's Baltika and Germany's Paulaner have their own booths, complete with entertainment ranging from acrobatics, drinking contests and live bands. Most of the stalls feature delicious grilled Dalian seafood, from oysters and squid to whole fish. It would be a shame to come to China and miss the Dalian beer festival.

Harbin

Close to the Russian border, this northeastern Chinese city hosts an annual ice and snow sculpture festival, with the massive ice sculptures lasting well into spring. With temperatures dropping below -20 degrees Celsius, you'll want to explore the stunning ice sculptures and try out the impressive ice skating rink.

Luoyang

This industrial town in Henan province is close to two great attractions: the Shaolin Temple, with daily performances where visitors can learn about kung fu, and the Longmen Grottoes, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Despite the crowds, the Shaolin performances are still a delight. The Longmen Grottoes feature thousands of Buddhist sculptures, ranging from several stories high to palm-sized, carved into the cliffs between 473 and 775 AD.

Shangri-la

Head up the mountain at around 3,048m and you’ll find a bastion of Tibetan culture and the views are incredible. The old town centre serves as a base for exploring the surrounding mountains, lakes and temples. And you’ll be able to sample a myriad of dishes from yak meat, yak cheese, yak hotpot to beef jerky.

Gulang Yu

If you have time in China, you should visit the Huaijiu Gulang Yu Museum to see household items and other relics from the foreign settlements of the early 1900s. Located on a hilltop, visitors can see the red-domed Gulang Yu Organ Museum from all over the island, displaying hundreds of organs from around the world. Don't miss the pumpkin mini cakes and green tea at Baby Cat's Cafe, they are truly charming.

Chu Trang

Although not as famous as nearby Suzhou for its scenic beauty, the “water town” of Zhouzhuang is no less charming. Visitors are impressed by its narrow cobblestone streets lined with souvenir shops where you can buy beautiful embroidery, canvas shoes and ink paintings as gifts, and many restaurants are housed in unique old houses. Some of the houses date back to the 1300s and are well preserved. The town is crisscrossed by beautiful canals, crossed by 14 arched bridges. Hop on a small boat and drift along the canals to watch the world go by and observe the locals going about their daily lives.

Cuandixia

A few hours drive from central Beijing, this village is a collection of restored houses from the Ming and Qing dynasties. Nestled in the mountains, the village offers a glimpse into traditional rural life.

(According to 24h)

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