Hi, my name is Manuel! I am from Spain and I am a Student Advisor at LTL and I’m based at our Taipei school.
Hi, my name is Mojca! I am from Slovenia in Europe and I work as a student advisor at our Shanghai school.Chinese Cities to Visit: 7 of the Best Beyond Beijing and Shanghai
Our List of 7 Must-Visit Cities off the Shanghai-Beijing Beaten Path
China has many cities full of history, culture, and great food.
Besides Beijing and Shanghai, there are other cities worth exploring.
Especially Guangzhou (广州), Xi’an (西安), Chengdu (成都), Chongqing (重庆), Wuhan (武汉), Nanjing (南京), and Haikou (海口).
And in this post, we’re going to tell you everything you need to know about each of them.
Are you ready?
Chinese Cities to Visit || China’s 34 Divisions
Chinese Cities to Visit || Guangzhou 广州
Chinese Cities to Visit || Xi’an 西安
Chinese Cities to Visit || Chengdu 成都
Chinese Cities to Visit || Chongqing 重庆
Chinese Cities to Visit || Wuhan 武汉
Chinese Cities to Visit || Nanjing 南京
Chinese Cities to Visit || Haikou 海口
Chinese Cities to Visit || FAQs
Chinese Cities to Visit || China’s 34 Divisions
First of all, let’s talk briefly about China’s administrative divisions.
Basically, China is made up of:
- 23 Provinces
- 5 Autonomous Regions
- 4 Municipalities
- 2 Special Administrative Regions
This division is significant not only for administrative purposes but also for understanding the economic and political landscape of the country.
👉 Want to know more about China’s Provinces? Click here!
Now, it’s time for an interesting fact:
China is also known for its “city tier system”, which classifies cities based on various factors such as income level, population size, consumer sophistication, and business opportunity.
It includes four main tiers, with Tier-1 cities being the international giants Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhou.
Now that we know more about China’s divisions, let’s talk about some cities worth visiting!
12 City Names in Chinese 😂 The Funniest Literal Translations
City Names in Chinese 😅 Funny Chinese Translations Ready for some hilarious city names in Chinese direct translations? Chinese to English translations sometimes make little to no sense! Although Chinese is an incredibly logical language to learn we can’t help…
Chinese Cities to Visit || Guangzhou 广州
Guangzhou was founded in 214 BC on the eastern bank of the Pearl River. It was an important port during the maritime Silk Road and has been a melting pot of cultures.
Nowadays, Guangzhou is the capital of Guangdong Province and one of China’s most dynamic cities.
Guangzhou is the birthplace of Cantonese cuisine, worldwide known for its famous Dim Sum (点心).
Visitors can explore attractions like the Canton Tower (广州塔), Chimelong Safari Park (长隆野生动物世界), and Shamian Island (沙面岛).
Some Historical sites include the Temple of the Six Banyan Trees (六榕寺) and the Mausoleum of the Nanyue King (西汉南越王博物馆).
Chinese Cities to Visit || Xi’an 西安
Xi’an, known as Chang’an in ancient times, was the starting point of the Silk Road and served as the capital for several significant Chinese dynasties. It’s now the capital of Shaanxi Province.
The city is famous for its street food, with the Muslim Quarter (回民街) being a hub for savoury snacks like Yangrou Paomo (bread soaked in mutton stew) and Biangbiang noodles.
Xi’an is home to the Terracotta Army or “兵马俑” (a UNESCO World Heritage Site), the ancient city walls (where you can take amazing photos wearing Hanfu), and the Big Wild Goose Pagoda (大雁塔), which are must-visit landmarks.
Chinese Cities to Visit || Chengdu 成都
Chengdu has a history stretching back over 4,000 years and was the capital of the Shu Kingdom.
It is renowned for its spicy Sichuan cuisine, including dishes like Mapo Tofu and Hotpot.
Chengdu’s climate is characterized by a short winter and a long summer, with plenty of rainfall and fog, giving it the nickname “Heavenly State” due to its fertility.
If you are planning to go to Chengdu, you can’t miss the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding (where you will see a lot of cute pandas), or the gardens of the Dujiangyan Irrigation System (都江堰), a UNESCO World Heritage Site that dates back over 2,000 years.
BONUS || Ready to turn up the heat? Check out our ultimate guide on Spicy Sichuan Hotpot 🔥🌶️
Chinese Cities to Visit || Chongqing 重庆
Chongqing’s history dates back to the ancient State of Ba and it played a significant role during World War II as China’s provisional capital.
Nowadays, it is a sprawling metropolis that offers a unique blend of natural beauty and urban charm.
Cruise along the Yangtze River, explore the ancient rock carvings of the Dazu Grottoes (大足石刻) or try its famous hotpot, which is known for its numbing spiciness (be careful!) and variety of ingredients.
Chinese Cities to Visit || Wuhan 武汉
Wuhan is a city with a rich revolutionary history and is a combination of three towns: Wuchang, Hankou, and Hanyang.
It’s the capital of Hubei Province.
Wuhan’s breakfast culture is notable, with Hot Dry Noodles (热干面) being a local favourite 🤤
The Yellow Crane Tower (黄鹤楼) (a symbol of the city’s resilience and enduring spirit) and the Wuhan Yangtze River Bridge are the most popular sites, so don’t miss them!
Chinese Cities to Visit || Nanjing 南京
Nanjing, once the capital of several Chinese dynasties, has a profound historical heritage.
It’s now the capital of Jiangsu Province.
Salted duck and Tangbao (soup dumplings) are among the city’s culinary highlights.
Psst… Before coming to China, make sure to check out our list of 17 Types of Dumplings You Have to Try!
Popular activities in Nanjing include exploring Ming Dynasty’s Nanjing City Wall, strolling along the Purple Mountain (紫金山), and paying homage to the victims of the Nanjing Massacre at the Memorial Hall.
100+ Words and Phrases About Places in Chinese // Beginner Level
100+ vocabularies about places in Chinese meant as a starting point for beginners, to be able to share more details about what they did during the weekend.
Chinese Cities to Visit || Haikou 海口
Haikou, the capital of Hainan province (an island of 34,000 square kilometers), has been an important port for centuries.
Seafood is a staple, with fresh tropical fruits and Hainanese chicken rice being local specialities.
The city is known for its coastal scenery, volcanic sites, and historical streets.
If you are planning to go to the beach, make sure to visit Haikou, as it enjoys a tropical monsoon climate with mild temperatures year-round.
Each city in China has its own special stories, flavours, and sights, giving you a taste of the country’s diverse culture.
Whether you love history, food, or just exploring, these cities will make your travels more enriching.
So pack your bags and let’s go!
Want more from this author? Check out @saratao_chinese on Instagram!
Chinese Cities to Visit || FAQs
What are China’s 34 Divisions?
China is made up of 23 Provinces, 5 Autonomous Regions, 4 Municipalities and 2 Special Administrative Regions.
What’s China’s city tier system?
China’s city tier system classifies cities based on various factors such as income level, population size, consumer sophistication, and business opportunity.
What are other famous cities in China?
Other cities you can visit in China are Guangzhou (广州), Xi’an (西安), Chengdu (成都), Chongqing (重庆), Wuhan (武汉), Nanjing (南京), and Haikou (海口).
What are some activities to do in Xi’an?
Xi’an is home to the Terracotta Army or “兵马俑” (a UNESCO World Heritage Site), the ancient city walls, and the Big Wild Goose Pagoda (大雁塔), which are must-visit landmarks.
What is Haikou known for?
Haikou is known for its coastal scenery, volcanic sites, and historical streets.
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