The best cities to visit in China and how you can visit them

Although we may be biased, we love to shout about how China is one of the world’s most diverse and incredible countries. When you ask people what comes to mind when you mention China, a mirage of temples, the Great Wall of China and some ultra-modern skylines comes to mind. Yet, China is so, so much more than that. As well as the futuristic metropolises and ancient temples, China has roaming grasslands, celestial mountain ranges, deserts, ice towns, jungles and so many cities with their own distinct personalities, cuisines, architecture and history.

Today, we’ve tasked ourselves with briefly introducing to you some of our favourite cities in China and how you can visit them.

Chongqing

Chongqing is having a bit of a moment right now; the borderline-dystopian architecture in Chongqing has earned itself the moniker of ‘cyberpunk city’ online. Home to 18 million people, the city is stacked vertically with layers upon layers of urban landscapes, sky trains appearing and disappearing through apartment blocks. Networks of escalators and stairways hum alongside the constant flow of people in this dynamic city.

In Chongqing, to get lost is to find your way. Whichever way you turn, we’re sure you’re probably about to have the best hot pot of your life. If you visit China’s cyberpunk megacity, the very least you’ll come back with is some insane photos for your Instagram.

I mean, seriously, look at that!

Chengdu

Why is Chengdu on this list? For a start, Chengdu is world famous for being home to everyone’s favourite, the Giant Panda. Without a doubt, the Giant Pandas are Chengdu’s biggest attraction; The Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding is a government-funded, non-profit breeding and research institute for giant pandas, red pandas, and other rare animals. In other words, you’re going to die of cuteness overload, and we defy you not to fall in love with these amazing creatures after a day here.

But it’s not all about our bamboo-eating friends, Chengdu, with it being in Sechuan, also offers probably the spiciest food in China. Lovers of mala hotpot or spicy food in general should treat a trip here like a pilgrimage or the ultimate test of their spice tolerance! 

Another thing we really enjoy about Chengdu is that it offers a more laidback vibe than many of its counterparts. You’ll find this especially in the city’s leafy parks (Chinese inner-city parks are the best, aren’t they?) where locals will be practising tai chi, playing Mahjong and drinking tea.

And on top of that, the Leshan Giant Buddha is only 1.5 hours from Chengdu by bus and is a popular Chengdu day trip alongside Mount Emei, which is one of China's Four Sacred Buddhist Peaks.

Guangzhou

Guangzhou was once known as Canton, the capital of Guangdong Province and was the origin place of the Cantonese language. Because of this, one of the best things about Guangzhou is its strong Cantonese identity and cultural heritage.

As is the case in China, a strong part of a community’s cultural identity is linked to food. Yue cuisine originates from the Guangdong province and in Guangzhou you will find some of the most delicious Cantonese-style cooking. Expect beautifully fresh vegetables and meet with a sweet sauce.

Another part of Guangzhou’s cultural heritage is also of course Cantonese Opera. Cantonese opera is an extravagant and eccentric melange of singing, acting, acrobatic fighting, traditional music and vibrant costumes but with captivating storytelling at its heart. Even if a night at the opera isn’t something you’d usually consider, a night of Cantonese opera is something you should try while in Guangzhou.

Guangzhou is indeed also another huge city with lots to offer and is very close to the likes of Shenzhen, Hong Kong and Macau, making it a great place to stop when city hopping.

Hangzhou

In Zhejiang’s Hangzhou, there’s a sense of serenity which seems to hang in the air. The city’s world-famous UNESCO World Heritage Site, West Lake, seems to dictate the pace of the city with its stillness and permanence and you will often see a layer of mist poised above the lake, inspiring reflection and reverence from locals, perhaps explaining why Hangzhou has attracted numerous scholars, officials, and poets over the years. 

Hangzhou is most famous for its West Lake and the ancient Lingyin Temple, but it is also a great place to experience Longjing tea culture, one of China’s finest green teas, with beautiful tea fields found around the city.

Indeed, Hangzhou, which is dear to our heart at LoPair for being where we are headquartered, seems to us as a city in harmony with nature, particularly that of the rivers and water which runs through the city. This makes it a great place to experience Chinese water culture with the Grand Canal and nearby Venice-like canals which have helped shape the region’s history.

Shanghai

Shanghai is definitely one of the places that comes to mind when discussing China, but that’s for good reason.

Shanghai is the definition of a modern metropolis; it has a population of a staggering of 25 million approximately and some of the world’s tallest buildings. It has long been one of the world’s biggest cities for international trade and as such possesses a unique blend of western influences within this Chinese city. In fact, on a walk along the promenade you might notice that facing the Bund and its jaw-dropping skyscrapers, the architecture takes on a more colonial style which is owed to its maritime links to Liverpool.

We recommend a visit to Shanghai because of its bustling nightlife, incredible shopping and the fact that there is always something happening there.

Plus, there are some great day trips to the likes of Zhujiajiao Ancient Town and oh, let’s not forget, Disneyland!

Beijing

Dear reader, my favourite city in the whole world is Beijing. I first spent time in Beijing on the LoPair programme and this city made me fall in love with China.

China’s capital city echoes tales of bygone dynasties and ancient cultures all while showing off its prosperity and modernity. For me, it had everything you want in a city. It’s rich in history and culture but it’s also very fun with lots and lots to do AND it’s cheap too!

The Forbidden City, the Temple of Heaven, the Great Wall of China, Tiananmen Square, the Summer Palace, Beihai Park, Shichahai, the list goes on. Most great cities have one or two sites which really take your breath away and leave a lasting impression, but it felt like Beijing was constantly doing this to me. And when I was not climbing the Great Wall of China or enjoying incredible street food at Wangfujing Street, I was spending time in the city’s beautiful parks or at its amazing restaurants, just constantly soaking it all up.

Xi’An

As the starting point of the ancient Silk Road and one of China’s first imperial capitals, Xi’An feels like a portal to the past. It is of course most famous for the Terracotta Army, which is a collection of over 8,000 life-sized terracotta sculptures of soldiers, horses, and chariots buried with the first Emperor of China, Qin Shi Huang, in 210–209 BCE. Xi’An’s extraordinary history can also be found in the Xi’An City Wall, the tomb of Emperor Jing Di and the Giant Wild Goose Pagoda.

As well as its ridiculously good museums, you can also check out the Muslim Quarter, which is one of the city’s most vibrant cultural areas which mixes ancient Chinese design with Hui Muslim architecture and styles.

Another very good reason to visit Xi’An is for its incredible food. Due to its historical links on the silk road, the food here blends influence from Central Asia, the Middle East and other parts of China. The food here is carby, spicy, salty and just downright delicious.

When you decide to become a LoPair, then you may have the opportunity to not only visit these places but call them home! Imagine getting to live near the West Lake in Hangzhou or the Forbidden City in China or eat Sechuan food whenever you want? Sometimes our LoPairs will go on trips with their host families or be allowed to take some time to travel at the end of their programme, but this is dependent on your agreement with your host family.

Our programme really is one of the best ways to see what China has to offer and all without having to pay a fortune!