Where to Visit in China for European Tourists

According to the 15-day visa-free policy of China, citizens of 11 European countries can visit China without visa. China is a vast country, where to visit in China does need time to learn and consider. As a country with vast territory, rich culture and diverse landscapes, China is an ideal destination for European visitors. You can explore another civilization and experience different scenery in China. No matter you want to visit the typical tourist attractions in China, or you want to explore some places that minority of tourists has found, China will always satisfy your expectation. Still consider where to visit in China from Europe? This article can give you some inspiration and references.

 

Beijing(2-3 days)

Beijing boasts most typical and classical historical and cultural attractions in China. The Forbidden City and the Great Wall in Beijing are both one of the greatest historical architectural works in the world. Many heads of state in the world have visited the Great Wall in Beijing and admired the splendid scenery of it. Temple of Heaven, Summer Palace, Tian’anmen Square all show the long history and profound culture of China. At the Palace Museum, you will know more about the history and culture of China. At the Great Wall, you will learn about the wisdom of the ancient labors in China.
 

Kindly reminder, you’d better make an appointment in advance with some attractions in Beijing like the Forbidden City and Temple of Heaven because of the restriction of the numbers of the visitors every day.


The Great Wall in Beijing

Recommended Tour:
6 Days Beijing Panorama Tour
6 Days Beijing Shanghai Tour

 

Xi’an(2-3 days)

You can know about a thousand year’s history of China by visiting Beijing. And you can know about 3 thousand years’ history of China through visiting Xi’an. Xi’an is one of the most famous cities in China and the world. Travel to Xi’an, you should not miss the Terracotta Army at the Emperor Qinshihuang’s Mausoleum Site Museum and the Shaanxi History Museum, where you can learn about the history and culture of Shaanxi, the ancient civilization of China and the science and art of the ancient China. In Xi’an, you can also visit the Bell and Drum Tower, Ancient City Wall and Big and Small Wild Goose Pagoda.


Xi'an City Wall

Recommended Tour:
4 Days Xian Highlight Tour
8 Days Beijing-Xian-Shanghai Group Tour

 

Shanghai(1-2 days)

Shanghai is a open, innovative, comprehensive and international city in the east of China. Shanghai is a charming city with the traditional and modern buildings and wonderful view on the both sides of the rivers. Walking in the streets of Shanghai, you will feel lively, convenient, metropolitan, friendly and artistic.
 

Taking photos with the Oriental Pear Tower, observing the traditional buildings, tasting local foods and drinking a cup of coffee, you will experience the unique charm of Shanghai and better know about this city. And you should not miss the night view of Shanghai when the gorgeous buildings and lights are reflected on the river. 



Recommended Tour:
7 Days Tour from Shanghai to Huangshan
10 Days Scenic Tour to Zhangjiajie & Mt. Huangshan

 

Guilin(2-3 days)

Guilin will usually be on the list of the foreign tourists to China. In Guilin, you can feel the idyllic countryside life, enjoy the picturesque scenery of karst landform and experience the slow-paced life. In spring and autumn, you can enjoy the splendid view of the rice terraces at Longji Rice Terrace. In summer and autumn, you can take the cruise on the Li River, take the bamboo raft on the Yulong River and cycle on the Ten-mile Gallery. You can take photo with the Elephant Trunk Hill and Sun and Moon Pagoda.



Recommended Tour:
5 Days Panoramic Guilin Tour with Yangshuo & Longji
11 Days China Wonders Experience Tour

 

Zhangjiajie(2-3 days)

Zhangjiajie is one of our top-recommended cities to visit in China with one of the most splendid scenery of mountains in China. At Tianmen Mountain, you can walk on the glass walkway and enjoy the sea of clouds and landscapes of mountains and valleys. At Zhangjiajie, you will see the mountains towering into clouds, take the 325-meter outdoor elevator and and take the long cableway.
 

If you happen to have a camera, you should take your camera to Zhangjiajie to capture the wonderful scenery in Zhangjiajie. Through the altitude of the mountains in Zhangjiajie are high, there are cableway and elevator, which refers to that you do not need to walk or hike for a long time.



Recommended Tour:
4 Days Zhangjiajie Wonders Tour in Small Group
11 Days Beijing-Xian-Zhangjiajie-Shanghai Group Tour

 

Chongqing(2-3 days)

Why travel to Chongqing from Europe? Chongqing has the most famous and amazing three-dimensional transportation network in China. Traveling to Chongqing, you will fully experience the three-dimensional transportation in Chongqing including super complex overpass, light rail crossing the building, super high elevator and wave-shaped road. Other than the transportation, Chongqing has charming night view on the Hongya Cave. At day, you can enjoy the view of Chongqing city and Yangtze River. What’s more, Chongqing is the starting point of the Yangtze River Cruise.
 

Taking photos with the walls full of graffiti, overlooking the city and Yangtze River, taking the Yangtze River Ropeway are popular things to do  in Chongqing. In Chongqing, you can feel the lifestyle of the locals by tasting the tea at tea house and tasting hot pot.


Hongya Cave in Chongqing

Recommended Tour:
13 Days from Li River to the Yangtze Tour
11 Days Best Yangtze River Cruise Tour

 

Hangzhou(2-3 days)

Hangzhou is also a famous stop in China for foreign visitors. Hangzhou has its own name card, the West Lake. At the West Lake, you can take the boat, visit the Leifeng Tower and enjoy the wonderful views of the various versions of the Ten Views of the West Lake. The West Lake is differently beautiful in different seasons with its impressive scenery.
 

Besides the West Lake, Lingyin Temple is also very famous in Hangzhou. You can also visit the Tea Plantation at Meijiawu in Hangzhou by experiencing picking tea leaves and tasting the West Lake Longjing Tea.


West Lake in Hangzhou

Recommended Tour:
16 Days China Highlight Tour
9 Days Best Scenery Trip Around Shanghai

 

Suzhou(2-3 days)

Close to Hangzhou and Shanghai, Suzhou is also on the top-recommended cities list to the European tourists. Suzhou not only boasts 2 famous classical gardens in the world, but also is a characteristic water town itself. Humble Administrator’s Garden and Lingering Garden are included in the Four Most Famous Gardens in China. There are other classical gardens in Suzhou that worth visiting.
 

The water towns in Suzhou are also famed. You can learn about the water towns in Suzhou and choose a favorite one to visit. With the traditional buildings, rivers, ancient bridges, you should not miss the water towns in Suzhou.



Recommended Tour:
8 Days Nanjing, Wuxi, Suzhou and Shanghai
14 Days Group Tour to Enjoy China Beauty