China in 12 Days: What You Must See

China boasts of twenty four cultural and five natural relics inscribed on the World Heritage List. Apart from this record, there are still fifty eight relics on the tentative UNESCO World Heritage list. These relics will be officially added to China’s cultural treasures. This record has contributed to China’s tourism boom contributing to its economic growth. Almost every city in China has one or more attractions to visit. If you don’t plan your itinerary ahead, you might just wander through some cities without seeing the most fascinating attractions making your trip to China incomplete.

Beijing is usually the first city to visit. Because of its significance in China’s historical development, it has a number of sightseeing spots that shouldn’t be missed during your short visit here. They include The Great Wall, the Forbidden City, Temple of Heaven, Tiananmen Square, The Summer Palace, The Ming Tombs and the traditional Hutong. All of these attractions can be visited in three days.

Xian would definitely be your next stop after Beijing. Spending two days in Xian allows you to discover China’s past since it is believed to be the birthplace of ancient civilizations. The two major attractions in Xian are the Terracotta Army Warriors and the Big Wild Goose Pagoda. These Xian attractions played significant roles during the Chinese revolution. From Xian, you can fly to Guilin and Yangshuo. You can enjoy 2 days cruising the Li River and exploring the Reed Flute caves and the Elephant Trunk hills. The few days you spend in Guilin renew your spirits with its breathtaking beauty.

After absorbing a rejuvenating experience in Guilin, you can explore Yunnan for five to six days. Known for being the most peaceful and laid back city in Yunnan, Kunming attracts many foreign tourists. With a wonderful landscape, more sightseeing and a favorable climate, it is no wonder why tourists flock to this part of China to spend more days there. Yunnan province’s major highlights include the Shilin Stone Forest, Tiger Leaping Gorge, Jade Dragon Snow Mountain, and Erhai Lake.

And finally, the last two days can be spent shopping and wandering around Shanghai’s cosmopolitan streets. Shanghai is one of the oldest cities in China which has developed into a fast-busting metropolis. Yuyuan Garden, The Jade Buddha temple, Shanghai Bund and the French Concession are major places of interest in Shanghai. There are also shopping malls and markets where you can find a variety of bags and shoes at reasonable prices.