Explore China’s Top 10 Popular Tourist Attractions

As 2024 winds down, tourist numbers at popular tourist attractions in China and scenic spots are released successively.

Today, we’ll review the top ten most-visited scenic spots, admiring their distinctive charm and appeal. There are many popular tourist attractions in China to explore.

Champion: West Lake in Hangzhou – 35 million people

“If you want to compare West Lake to Xi Shi, light makeup or heavy makeup is always suitable.” Hangzhou’s West Lake, with its stunning seasonal scenery and rich history, consistently ranks atop tourist spots. Spring’s weeping willows, summer’s lotus, autumn’s moon, and winter’s Broken Bridge legend enchant visitors. Historical sites like Yuewang Temple and Leifeng Pagoda enhance West Lake’s cultural allure, drawing global tourists. Undoubtedly, it is among the most popular tourist attractions in China.

Runner-up: Beijing Palace Museum – 28 million people

Beijing Palace Museum, a former royal court, stores millennia of history and art. Its grand architecture and exquisite relics embody historical greatness. Tourists meander through the red walls and yellow tiles, feeling as if they’re traveling through time and space, conversing with history, and admiring the ancient royal family’s elegance and grandeur. This site is clearly one of the key tourist attractions in China.

Third place: Shanghai Disneyland – 25 million people

This is the kingdom of fantasy and joy. Shanghai Disneyland draw crowds, including parent-child families and young adults, with its distinct Disney charm, thrilling attractions, and vibrant shows.

The castle,TRON Lightcycle Power Run, Disney friends, and fireworks show all create a magical world,full of surprises and emotions for visitors to enjoy. It certainly ranks high among the popular tourist attractions in China.

Fourth place: Chongqing Hongya Cave – 22 million people

Chongqing Hongya Cave is famous for its unique traditional Bayu architectural style – “stilted building”. Night’s descent brightens Hongya Cave, while Jialing River’s waves sparkle, complementing like a dreamy painting.

Food streets, specialty shops, and folk culture displays offer tourists a taste of Chongqing’s authentic snacks and the city’s vibrant charm. Among popular tourist attractions in China, Hongya Cave offers a unique experience.

Fifth place: Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding – 20 million people

The cute giant pandas are undoubtedly the biggest highlight of the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding. Here, tourists can watch the life of giant pandas up close. They are either lazily eating bamboo or playing mischievously, full of cuteness, which makes people laugh.

The base’s good ecology and rich science education promote awareness,and concern for panda protection and breeding. This makes it one of the top tourist attractions in China.

No. 6: Sanya Yalong Bay Tropical Paradise Forest Park – 18 million people

Sanya Yalong Bay Tropical Paradise Forest Park has unique tropical seaside scenery and rich ecological resources. The dense tropical rainforest and spectacular mountain and sea landscape allow tourists to enjoy the gifts of nature here.

Walk the rainforest plank road, breathe fresh air, and admire tropical plants. Climb the observation deck to overlook Yalong Bay’s blue sea and sky, and relax. For many, it stands out as one of popular tourist attractions in China.

No. 7: Guilin Lijiang Scenic Area – 16 million people

“Guilin’s landscape is the best in the world, and the Lijiang landscape is the best in Guilin.” Lijiang River’s landscape is unique, with clear green water winding and flowing, and various shaped strange peaks on both sides.

Tourists descend the river on bamboo rafts or cruise ships, gazing at attractions like Nine Horses Painting Mountain and Yellow Cloth Reflection, as if stepping into a landscape painting, enraptured by nature’s marvels. It is definitely among the best tourist attractions in China.

Eighth place: Zhangjiajie Wulingyuan Scenic Spot – 15 million people

Zhangjiajie Wulingyuan is famous for its unique quartz sandstone peak forest landform. Three thousand unique peaks and eight hundred lovely waters host Yuanjiajie’s majestic Hallelujah Mountain, its cloud-piercing height impressive, while the Golden Whip Stream’s water gurgles clear.

Here, visitors encounter not only breathtaking natural vistas but also thrilling attractions like the glass plank road and the Hundred Dragons Ladder, which offer a thrilling experience amidst stunning scenery. Its unique features make it one of the popular tourist attractions in China.

No. 9: Xi’an Terracotta Warriors and Horses Museum – 13 million people

Xi’an Terracotta Warriors and Horses is known as the “Eighth Wonder of the World”. The Terracotta Warriors and Horses Pit houses thousands of intricately crafted pottery figurines that vividly recreate the powerful Qin Dynasty army, arrayed in neat rows.

Visitors can explore Qin Dynasty culture, military, and funeral customs, experiencing ancient civilization’s charm and the Chinese nation’s extensive history. It’s one of China’s most popular tourist attractions.

No. 10: Qingdao Seaside Scenic Area – 12 million people

Qingdao Seaside Scenic Area has golden beaches, blue seas and European-style buildings, full of romance and leisure.

Visitors can enjoy sunny beaches, sea views from boardwalks, exotic customs in Euro-style Badaguan, and Qingdao’s coastal charm. This makes Qingdao one of the top tourist attractions in China.

In 2024, a large number of tourists were attracted by the unique natural scenery, rich historical culture, and exciting entertainment projects of these scenic spots, making them the leaders in the tourism industry.

These scenic spots not only provide a good place for people to relax and vacation but also serve as an important window to showcase the culture and charm of different places. these are all popular tourist attractions in China.