What is China Famous For? Top 18 Popular Places & Things

The first thing that may occur to your mind about China is that it is the most populous country in the world. Besides being a densely populated country, it also has well-preserved historical places, exotic natural beauty, and unique flora and fauna that you can discover on a trip to this country. However, before that, you must know the famous places in China and the things that give it a distinguished identity before embarking on your journey.

Here is all you need to know about what China is famous for.

Those who are planning a vacation in China, must know the official currency of the country is  Chinese Yuan. So it is advisable that you get your currency exchanged at the airport or in a foreign exchange office. As of November 2022, CNY 1 equals INR 11.34.

Following are some places that you must visit on your trip to China to discover the rich natural, architectural and cultural beauty of the country:

1. Great Wall of China

It is one of the historically important architectural wonders of the country. It is a chain of fortifications built to restrict raids of nomadic groups of the Eurasian Steppe, especially from Mongolia. Some of the fortifications of the 6,000 kilometre-long wall were erected around the 7th century B.C. Construction continued till nearly 210 B.C. 

Within this long wall, Badaling Pass is the most visited section. You can reach the spot via public transportation. Some other popular sections of this wall are near Mutianyu and Gubeikou.

2. Forbidden City

he Forbidden City is one of the most famous places in China, attracting tourists from across the nation and the globe. It is a particular area in Beijing city where you can find royal palaces. 

A 10-meter-long wall surrounds this Forbidden City, separating it from the outside city areas. Additionally, it has a wide moat and many watch towers for security reasons. Earlier, only the royal family members and their servants had access to this imperial building complex.

3. The Terracotta Army

The site of the Terracotta Army is one of the tourist destinations what China is famous for. It is a collection of over 8,000 terracotta sculptures indicating the large army of Qin Shi Huang, the first king of the Chinese Empire. All these sculptures were buried with the emperor for his after-death protection. Besides the statues of soldiers, the emperor's burial place includes nearly 100 chariots and 520 horses.

Some farmers in the Xi'an region discovered this funerary art in the 1970s while they were digging wells. 

4. Temple of Heaven

Temple of Heaven is a religious building complex in China, located in Central Beijing. Qing and Ming dynasty emperors used to visit this temple every year during ceremonies to pray for good harvest.

Apart from the cultural importance of the Temple of Heaven, tourists consider it a must-visit place to witness its architectural beauty. The temple includes 4 dragon pillars, 12 inner and outer pillars, and various round altars.

5. Summer Palace

The Summer Palace in Beijing is also one of the imperial places China is famous for. Expanding over an area of 2.9 square kilometres, this royal garden ensemble includes lakes, palaces, courtyards, and pathways. Some of the most amazing things about this garden complex are its large man-made lake having an area of 2.2 square kilometres and the artificial Longevity Hill. This hill is built with the soil excavated while digging land for the lake. Presently, the imperial halls of this Summer Palace are used for hosting cultural events.

6. Tiananmen Square

Tiananmen Square is one of the most famous places in Beijing, China. It is a city square containing several important public places, including the Great Hall of People, the National Museum of the country, Mao Zedong’s Mausoleum, etc. People throughout the world visit this place due to its cultural importance and association with many significant events, including the protest and massacre in 1989. 

7. Shanghai Tower

Shanghai Tower is also one of the most famous things in China. It is a 128-storeyed megatall skyscraper in Shanghai, China. With a height of 632-meter, the Shanghai Tower comes third on the list of the world’s tallest buildings. 

Currently, it houses the world’s third-fastest elevator with a speed of 20.5 meters/second. It can accommodate nearly 16,000 individuals daily. 

8. Shanghai Disneyland Park

It is a theme park in China owned by Shanghai Disney Resort. Built over an area of around 3.9 square kilometres, it flaunts seven themed sections, including Toy Story Land, Gardens of Imagination, Mickey Avenue, Treasure Cove, Fantasyland, Adventure Isle and Tomorrowland. If you are on your international trip to China with your children, you must visit this place. The joyrides, shows, gift shops, boat rides, etc. will give your kids a time of merriment not to be forgotten throughout their lifetime.

9. Yu Garden

It is an exquisite garden situated near the City God Temple. Here you can find ancient flora, hidden pavilions and rambling pathways. Pan Yunduan, the king of the Ming Dynasty, made this garden for his aged father’s comfort. It took 18 years to construct this garden with utmost perfection. Exquisite halls, chambers, gardens, ponds, rockeries, towers and pavilions make this a must-visit place in China.

10. Leshan Giant Buddha

Leshan Giant Buddha is a 71-meter-long statue made by carving out a cliff. This is the longest and largest statue of Lord Buddha. The position of this statue itself is a thing to wonder about. It sits at the confluence of the Dadu and Min rivers, facing Mount Emei. The surrounding vegetation and rocky background also add beauty to this magnificent architecture.

11. Jiuzhaigou Valley National Park

Jiuzhaigou Valley National Park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the most famous places in China. If you want to explore the enchanting beauty of nature along with the diverse flora and fauna of the country, this is the place you must head for. It is an extended section of the Min Mountains that offers cascading waterfalls, verdurous valleys, snow-draped peaks and colourful lakes. 

12. National Stadium

The National Stadium of China is also one of the famous things in China due to its beautiful architecture and design. Built with steel beams and Chinese ceramics, the structure of this stadium looks like a bird’s nest. It can accommodate up to 8,000 audiences. Besides the architecture, it has been integrated with some unique advanced features like the temperature-controlling facility in the playing ground.

13. Tiger Leaping Gorge

Tiger Leaping Gorge is a picturesque canyon in China. It is situated on the Jinsha River and just 60 Kilometre away from Lijang City. Due to the extreme rough course of the river, the gorge is not navigable by rafting. Still, it is one of the most famous places in China mainly because of the unparalleled beauty it gets from the gushing water and steep rocky cliff. 

14. Martial Arts

Wushu, or martial arts, is one of the things China is known for throughout the world. China is the place of origin of martial arts. There is a legend that the Yellow Emperor invented it nearly 4,000 years ago. However, with time, martial arts have undergone several changes, and now there are more than 100 different deviations. Among these, Kung Fu is the most well-known style of martial art.

15. Chinese Foods

Chinese foods are no less in terms of popularity worldwide. Nevertheless, the art and style of cooking may vary from one region in China to another. Some of these variations are Fujian, Shandong, Hunan, Anhui, and Jiangsu cuisines. 

In this regard, if you want hot and spicy Chinese food, you can go with Szechuan dishes like Kung Pao Chicken, Chilli Pork, Dandan Noodles, etc. Apart from this, Wonton Noodles and sweet-sour Pork are some of the most popular Guangzhou cuisines you can have to give your mouth a flavourful delight.

16. Silk

Besides foods and martial arts, silk also comes on the list of the things China is known for. Once, silk apparels were one of the most demanded commodities that China used to supply to western countries. The western countries were also desperate in their attempts to discover the mystery of fine silk in China. There was also a time when only the royal descendants could wear silk apparel.

In this regard, if you want to explore the rich collection of embroidered silk dresses in China, you can visit the National Silk Museum, located in Hangzhou.

17. Pandas

The panda, the national emblem of China, is a popular and adorable animal. However, owing to deforestation, it now comes on the list of endangered animals. If you want to stalk these animals, you can head for the panda breeding and conservation centre in Chengdu. 

18. Go

It is a famous and ancient board game in China. This indoor game is almost 1,000 years old, but it is still relevant and popular in the country. Like chess, you need to stay mindful of every step the opponent takes to win. Therefore, you must fully engage in this game and use your mental faculties every time. 

After knowing about the famous places in China and the things that this country is famous for, it will be much easier for you to plan your vacation trip to this country. After this, you can pack your bags, take along clothing and documents and head for your trip to China.