China Route: Great Wall, Beijing and Lhasa, 11 Stops
Explore China's most iconic landmarks across multiple locations, spanning over 13,400 km. This route covers Beijing's historic sites including the Forbidden City, Tiananmen Square, and Summer Palace, along with the legendary Great Wall of China stretching across Northern China.
- Mode
- Places
- Start
- 小康营乡, 中国
- End
- Ming Tombs
- Stops
- 11
- Video author
- travmap
- Updated
Stops on this route
- 小康营乡, 中国 — China spans five time zones and is home to over 1.4 billion people, making it the world's most populous nation with millennia of continuous civilization.
- Great Wall of China — Massive defensive fortification stretching over 13,000 kilometers across northern China, built over centuries to protect against invasions from nomadic groups.
- Zhangjiajie National Forest Park — UNESCO world heritage site in Hunan Province famous for towering sandstone pillars and breathtaking natural beauty that inspired the film Avatar.
- Potala Palace, Lhasa — Iconic clifftop palace in Tibet's capital, serving as the winter residence of the Dalai Lamas and a masterpiece of Tibetan architecture rising 3,700 meters above sea level.
- Guilin and the Li River — Scenic region in southern China famous for distinctive limestone karst mountains and the serene Li River, traditionally navigated by bamboo rafts and celebrated in classical…
- Beijing
- Forbidden City — UNESCO world heritage palace complex with 9,999 rooms that served as home to Chinese emperors for nearly 500 years during Ming and Qing dynasties.
- Tiananmen Square — Historic public square at the heart of Beijing surrounded by significant monuments including the Monument to the People's Heroes and national museums.
- Summer Palace
- Temple of Heaven — Imperial complex used by emperors for annual ceremonies of prayer to heaven, featuring the acoustically unique Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests.
- Ming Tombs — Burial site of 13 Ming Dynasty emperors showcasing elaborate imperial funerary practices and grandeur of the Ming Dynasty.
Useful for your trip
- Tip
- The Forbidden City has 9,999 rooms. The number nine is considered auspicious in Chinese culture.
- Tip
- Summer Palace covers 1.1 square miles and features lakes, gardens, palaces, a long corridor, marble boat, and Kunming Lake with Longevity Hill.
- Tip
- The circular Mound altar at Temple of Heaven has unique acoustic design that amplifies sounds, making it a fascinating place for visitors.
- Food
- Peking duck is the famous Beijing specialty with thin crispy skin, traditionally served with pancakes, hoisin sauce, and scallion.
- Transport
- Badaling is the most popular and well-preserved section of the Great Wall, closest to Beijing with easy access for tourists.
- Tip
- Mutianyu section of the Great Wall offers cable car rides up and toboggan rides down with picturesque watchtowers and lush surroundings.
- Tip
- Jinshanling section of the Great Wall retains original features and offers a more rugged, authentic hiking experience with fewer crowds.
- Tip
- Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding houses over 100 giant pandas and red pandas available for viewing.
- Food
- Chengdu is a UNESCO City of Gastronomy famous for Sichuan hot pot, mapo tofu, kung pao chicken, and dandan noodles with bold flavors and Sichuan peppercorns.
- Tip
- Zhangjiajie's Bailong Elevator is the world's tallest outdoor elevator, ascending a massive cliff with breathtaking views of the surrounding landscape.
- Tip
- Zhangjiajie Grand Canyon features a glass-bottomed bridge for an exhilarating experience with views of the canyon floor far below.
- Tip
- Stone Forest near Kunming is a UNESCO world heritage site featuring towering limestone formations resembling a forest of stone trees.
Video on this route
Wonders of China | The Most Amazing Places in China | Travel Video 4K