The Top 8 Reasons to Visit China — What Makes China Special

If you are looking for a destination that is exotic, packed full of new sights and experiences, stimulating, and over all different, China is best in the world.

China isn't a place where you just go to enjoy a vacation — it is a destination where you can discover a country that's vastly different from your own.

Here are the eight reasons why China should be at the top of your must-visit list.

1. The World's Richest Breadth of Culture

China is one of the Four Ancient Civilizations, with a history of over 3,000 years. It boasts the world's richest breadth of culture.

China's language supersedes others in originality and complexity. Kung fu and tai chi similarly surpass karate, taekwondo, and Thai boxing.

Also consider China's food and tea cultures, Chinese medicine, poetry, calligraphy, opera, costume, festivals, and porcelain, before even considering the hundreds of ethnic minorities.

2. Most Impressive Ancient Heritage

China's awesome and monumental ancient treasures exceed all other countries for size and number — from ancient palaces to the Great Wall, city walls, buried armies, canals, pagodas, temples, and giant Buddhas. See:

• The Seven Ancient Wonders of China
• China's World Heritage

Recommended itinerary: Time Travel in Two Ancient Chinese Capitals — Discover China's historical and cultural treasures on a 6-day tour of Beijing and Xi'an.

3. Most Varied and Spectacular Natural Wonders

As far as natural beauty goes, China goes bigger and more-varied and spectacular than any country in the world, if you count everything.

For example, the legendary Yellow Mountains, with their seas of cloud and charismatic rocks and pines, the rainbow lakes of Jiuzhaigou, Pandora's floating pinnacles in Zhangjiajie, Guilin's charming karst, hikers most-loved gorge — Tiger Leaping Gorge, and the world's highest and most majestic plateau in Tibet. See:

• The Seven Natural Wonders of China
• The Most Beautiful Places in China

Our China Nature Tours can be customized to include the natural wonders that capture your imagination.

4. The World's Greatest Variety of Cuisine

Chinese food is famous worldwide. However, it's doubtful you'll discover the delights of Chinese food, and sample its surprising variety of ingredients, until you try it in China.

Each region has its own unique dishes. Some specialties you should try are Beijing roast duck, Shanghainese soup dumplings, spicy hotpot in Chengdu, rice noodles in Guilin, and dim sum in Hong Kong.

A Broad Taste of China — Our 12-day foodie recommendation offers you the chance to taste a sweeping variety of Chinese cuisines in top tourist cities.

5. Adorable Giant Pandas

The adorable giant panda lives nowhere else in the world outside captivity. It is the world's most treasured endangered species. "China's national treasure" woos with its round features and uniquely cuddly appearance.

Our Panda Tours allow you to get up close and personal with the lovely pandas. Be a panda keeper. Take photos with a panda. You can even go with our panda specialists to meet wild pandas in their natural habitat.

6. Fascinating Ethnic Cultures and Customs

There are 55 ethnic minorities in China and over 500 people groups, practicing a multitude of different cultural customs.

Four major places to experience colorful minority culture are Yunnan, Guilin, Guizhou, and Tibet:

• Go to Lugu Lake in Yunnan to explore "the world's last matrilineal society" — the Mosuo people.
• See the Zhuang people's traditional wooden stilted houses and record-breaking long-haired Yao women, and try local bamboo-tube rice in Guilin's Longji Rice Terraces.
• Visit a Miao village, hear their mountain songs, and see their silver crowns and a traditional way of making paper from trees in Guizhou.
• Walk through Lhasa's pilgrim streets and mountain monasteries to meet the devout people of Tibet.

7. Greater Travel Convenience and Traditions Retained

China has been entering its digital era with its highly-developed four modern innovations: shared transport, high-speed rail, mobile communication/payment, and Internet shopping.

Travel in China is easier than ever before. With a smartphone in China, you can board a high-speed train from Beijing to Shanghai running at 250-350 km/h, buy a coffee with your digital wallet, and ride a shared bike to explore the city.

However, China is thankfully not so "developed" in other areas — it's still a country full of intriguing traditions, a love for fresh ingredients, ready hospitality, and a strongly-held cultural identity.

8. Easily Accessible: Direct International Flights, Free-Visa Policies

Even though China may be thousands of miles away, it is easily accessible. Many direct international flights connect major cities around the world with Beijing, Shanghai, Hong Kong, Guangzhou...

The 72/144-hour visa-free transit policies in major cities allow you to enjoy a short tour without a visa.

Discover Authentic China with Local Experts

Can't wait to explore this incredible country? Contact a local expert here for a more authentic experience to enrich your once-in-a-lifetime China tour.

Our specialists have explored all the country's facets and can help plan your holiday as an individual tailor-made trip to match your preferences.

Here are some sample itineraries for your inspiration:

• Classic Wonders (11-day) — the highlights in Beijing, Xi'an, Guilin, and Shanghai
• The Golden Triangle (8-day) — just the big three: similar to the above, without Guilin
• Find inspiration on our China tours.
• Or visit our tour page for more interesting tour itineraries.

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