Things to Do
Explore the best activities, attractions, and experiences across China's most amazing cities.
Beijing
Dining & FoodLost Plate Breakfast Food Tour Beijing
If you are new to Beijing, breakfast can feel confusing fast. The Lost Plate Breakfast Food Tour is a simple way to try a bunch of local staples without stressing about ordering. It is very carb heavy, but the food is great, and you will not be hungry for dinner. My favorite part was seeing how easy it is to mix and match food from different places in the hutongs, which is something I would not have figured out on my own.
Top AttractionsGreat Wall of China, Simatai Section
Explore the breathtaking Simatai Great Wall, renowned for its authentic preservation and stunning views, located within reach of Beijing.
Cultural ExperiencesNational Museum of China
The National Museum of China, located on Tiananmen Square, offers a comprehensive overview of Chinese art and history with free admission.
Cultural ExperiencesHutong walk in Beijing
Explore the heart of Beijing through its historic alleys and beautiful lakes on a Hutong walk in Shichahai. Discover local culture, enjoy scenic views, and soak in the vibrant atmosphere.
Top AttractionsJingshan Park
Jingshan Park, located in the heart of Beijing, offers a breathtaking panoramic view of the Forbidden City from its hilltop.
Cultural ExperiencesTemple of Heaven, Beijing
Large temple park with open space and a few standout buildings
Top AttractionsThe Red Theatre Acrobatic Show
The Red Theatre acrobatic show is an easy and enjoyable way to spend an evening in Beijing. This guide explains what the show is like, how much time you need, and why it’s a nice break from daytime sightseeing.
Cultural ExperiencesThe Summer Palace
The Summer Palace is open, green, and easy to enjoy at your own pace. This guide explains what it is, what it feels like to visit, how much time you need, and why it’s a nice contrast to Beijing’s bigger sights.
Cultural ExperiencesTiananmen Square
Tiananmen Square is vast, calm, and quietly overwhelming. This guide explains what it’s like to stand there, how long to stay, how entry works, and why it left a stronger impression than I expected.
Cultural ExperiencesThe Forbidden City
The Forbidden City is huge, historic, and easier to visit than many people expect. This guide explains what it actually is, how it feels to walk through, how long you need, and how to book tickets without stress.
Chengdu
Nature & ParksDujiangyan Panda Valley
Experience the tranquility and charm of Dujiangyan Panda Valley, where you can observe giant pandas in a peaceful natural setting just a short drive from Chengdu.
Dining & FoodLost Plate Tuktuk Food Tour Chengdu
Explore the authentic flavors of Sichuan cuisine in Chengdu with a guided tuk-tuk tour, showcasing the city's hidden culinary gems.
Leshan Giant Buddha Day Trip
A 71-meter Buddha carved into a river cliff, an hour from Chengdu by high-speed rail. Long day, real payoff — if you choose boat vs climb wisely.
Cultural ExperiencesChengdu Museum
Chengdu Museum is a public municipal museum located in the heart of Chengdu, showcasing an impressive collection of ancient artifacts and cultural exhibits.
Cultural ExperiencesWenshu Monastery
Wenshu Monastery is one of Chengdu’s best-preserved Buddhist temples, and it’s well worth a visit. It’s calm, beautiful, and a nice break from the busy city, with quiet courtyards, gardens, and small shrines you can wander through at your own pace.
Wuhou Shrine
China’s most famous Three Kingdoms temple, home of the red wall photo every Chengdu guide uses. Calm, green, and conveniently next to Jinli.
Jinli Ancient Street
Chengdu’s famous lantern-lit snack street. Rebuilt, touristy, and still genuinely fun if you come hungry and after dark.
Kuanzhai Alley (Wide & Narrow Alleys)
Three restored Qing-era lanes of teahouses, courtyards and snack shops. The polished version of old Chengdu, and a fine place to surrender an afternoon.
Cultural ExperiencesPeople's Park Teahouses
Experience a slice of local life at People's Park's famous teahouses, nestled in the heart of Chengdu's vibrant urban park.
Shufeng Yayun Sichuan Opera House
Face-changing, fire-spitting, hand shadows and tea: the classic Sichuan opera variety show, performed nightly in a century-old teahouse theater.
Nature & ParksChengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding
The classic Chengdu panda visit. Reserve ahead, arrive at opening, and you get pandas actually doing things instead of sleeping lumps.
Lanzhou
Zhengning Road Night Market
Lanzhou’s classic eating street: lamb skewers, grilled everything, and the milk-egg dessert that made the market nationally famous. Evenings only.
Gansu Provincial Museum
Free, world-class, and home to the Bronze Galloping Horse — the 2,000-year-old icon of Chinese tourism. The one indoor must in Lanzhou.
Top AttractionsBaita Mountain Park (White Pagoda Hill)
Climb (or cable-car) up White Pagoda Hill for the classic view over the Yellow River, Zhongshan Bridge, and Lanzhou. Allow 1 to 2 hours.
Top AttractionsZhongshan Bridge
Lanzhou’s 1909 iron bridge over the Yellow River. Free, zero planning, best around sunset, and an easy springboard to White Pagoda Hill.
Top AttractionsWalk the Yellow River Scenic Belt
A low-effort riverside walk linking Lanzhou’s waterwheels, the Yellow River Mother statue, and Zhongshan Bridge. The best simple evening in the city.
Xi'an
Dining & FoodMuslim Quarter, Xi’an
A street-food and market area near the city centre
Cultural ExperiencesXi’an Ancient City Wall, Xi’an
Walking above the old city
Cultural ExperiencesTerracotta Army, Xi’an
Booking, pit order, and what to expect. An honest guide to seeing the Terracotta Army without the stress.
Cultural ExperiencesBell Tower and Drum Tower
Xi'an's twin downtown landmarks, best enjoyed from the square between them. A quick, easy city-centre stop.
Xiamen
Nature & ParksXiamen Botanical Garden (Wanshi Botanical Garden)
Explore the serene landscapes of Xiamen Botanical Garden, featuring a stunning variety of plant species and beautiful natural settings in the heart of Xiamen Island.
Cultural ExperiencesShapowei Art Zone
Discover the vibrant Shapowei Art Zone, a former fishing village now bustling with modern murals, indie cafes, and lively nightlife, blending old port charm with contemporary creativity.
Zhongshan Road Walking Street
Xiamen’s arcaded main street: pastel colonial facades, neon after dark, and the city’s best concentration of snack food. Go in the evening, go hungry.
Nature & ParksBaicheng Beach
Baicheng Beach is the nearest and most popular beach to Xiamen's city center, offering a mile-long stretch of clean sand and a serene seaside atmosphere.
Top AttractionsXiamen Bicycle Skyway
Experience the world's longest bicycle bridge and China's first suspended bicycle path, offering a unique and scenic cycling adventure in Xiamen.
Top AttractionsHuandao Road (Island Ring Road)
A breathtaking 30km coastal road in Xiamen, perfect for cycling, soaking in the sea breeze, and enjoying sunrise views.
Xiamen University
Regularly called China’s most beautiful campus: red-roofed halls between a mountain and the sea, a graffiti tunnel, and a reservation system you must beat first.
Cultural ExperiencesNanputuo Temple
Nanputuo Temple is a renowned Buddhist temple in Xiamen, known for its beautiful Minnan architecture and tranquil setting beneath the Five Old Gentlemen Peaks.
Top AttractionsGulangyu Island
Gulangyu Island, a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage Site, is renowned for its serene beauty and captivating history, attracting millions of visitors annually.
Cultural ExperiencesHulishan Fortress
A compact Qing-era coastal fortress with a massive Krupp cannon and open sea views. An easy, calm historical stop in Xiamen.