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May and September through October are deemed the best times to visit China. Spring is adorable with its ubiquitous blossoming flowers and autumn unfolds fantastic Longsheng Rice Terraces. However, you'd better think twice before visiting the country in the first week of May or October, during busy Labor Day and National Day Weeks. This is the case during the Mid-Autumn Festival as well. Summer in the Heavenly Empire is hot and humid, but it's also the perfect time for exploring Tibet or climbing Kongur Tagh. Winter is another low season in China, as it brings biting cold and snow to virtually every part of the country. However, it's a great time in the city of Harbin with its International Ice and Snow Sculpture Festival. Also, remember the Chinese New Year travel madness. Try your best to travel around it!

77 things to do in China

Tiger Leaping Gorge Hiking

October–May Activity

Explore one of the deepest gorges in the world!

Shilin Stone Forest

November–April (all year round) Nature

Wandering in the labyrinth of huge stone pillars, you'll reveal plenty of amusing natural sculptures, as well as caves, ponds, lakes, and waterfalls

Great Wall Marathon

May 18, 2024 Event

Would anyone dare to argue this route is not the world's number one in its uniqueness?

Flower Blooming at Poyang Lake

late October–early November Nature

Once you've visited this place in the blooming time, you'll realize this world could be pink enough even without wearing pink glasses

Pink Dolphin Watching

all year round Nature

Pink dolphins are so popular that they have become a mascot of Hong Kong

Plum Blossom Festival

mid-March–mid-April Event

When the long, dry, and gloomy winter days are finally over, don't miss a chance to see Beijing decorated with fantastic pink blossom splendour

Peking Duck

all year round Food

Discover this Chinese north-eastern special dish, famous for its thin, crispy skin

Reed Flute Cave

all year round Nature

Traveling underground has never been so exciting!

Fried Scorpions

all year round Food

Deep-fried scorpion skewers are a real delicacy in China

Rice Harvest

September–November Nature

As it goes in a famous Chinese saying 'If you want to have a happy life, eat rice every day'

Da Shuhua Molten Iron Fireworks

February 5, 2023 Event

Witness this breathtaking alternative to a traditional firework show

Canola Fields in Luoping

February–March Nature

It's a sin to miss such a giant golden carpet laid out in front of you!

Monihei Carnival

May 1–May 3 Event

A story of how to get dirty and be okey with that

Skiing and Snowboarding

December–March Activity

China's ski resorts are unfairly underestimated by the outside world

Qingdao International Beer Festival

July 19–August 11, 2024 Event

Discover a festival held in honour of the nectar of the gods!

Great Wall of China

March–May | September–November Activity

As Chairman Mao said: 'Until you reach the Great Wall, you're no hero!'

Yulin Dog Meat Festival

June 21–June 30 Event

While some locals claim it's part of their culture, millions protest against the cruel festival worldwide and some people even adopt rescued dogs

Miao Sisters' Meal Festival

May 4–6, 2023 Event

Feel the warmth of hearts during this Asian Valentine's day

Dai Water Splashing Festival

April 13–April 15 Event

Enjoy one of the most unusual ways to celebrate Buddha's birthday

Qingming Festival (Taqing Festival)

April 4–April 5 Event

Immerse yourself into a strange combination of sadness and happiness

Century Eggs

all year round Food

Welcome the century eggs—an extremely weird Asian delicacy

Shaolin Flying Monks Temple

all year round Event

Did you know that impossible became truely possible? Master the art of flying with Shaolin monks

Houtouwan

all year round Activity

No one even noticed how this once prosperous fishermen's village turned into an eerie green abandoned place

Yelang Valley

all year round Activity

Gaze into the forever open eyes of these giant rocky creatures!

Lantern Festival

February 24, 2024 Event

Dragons, butterflies, flamingos, bears, and rabbits! You'll be amazed at the shapes these various lanterns can take!

Qiantang River Tidal Bore

September 20, 2024 Nature

World's biggest tidal wave may easily sweep you into the river, and viewing platforms don't always guarantee your safety

Saga Dawa Festival

May 23, 2024 Event

One of the most important Buddhist festivals gathers pilgrims at the base of a sacred mountain

Climbing Kongur Tagh

June–September Activity

The highest peak of the Pamirs and the Kunlun Range. Until the 20th century, this grand mountain was hidden among its similarly huge neighbours, and it was first conquered only in the 80s

Giant Pandas

April–November Nature

Eat, play, sleep,—that's three core elements of the meaningful life for a panda

Panjin Red Beach

September–mid-November Nature

Autumn spreads a nice red carpet over 130 square kilometre beach in Panjin

Long Hair Village

May 1–October 31 Activity

Until recently Chinese "Rapunzels" didn't show their loose hair to anyone but to their husbands and children. Nowadays the rules are milder—married women may unveil their beauty in public

Zhangye Danxia National Geological Park (Rainbow Mountains)

May–September Nature

China's geological wonder started forming tens of millions years ago

Leshan Giant Buddha

March–May | September–November Activity

World's largest Buddha was erected at the junction of three mountain rivers in order to calm down turbulent waters and save local people's lives

Halloween at Hong Kong Disneyland

September 13-October 31, 2025 Event

Have you ever seen a Haloween-styled Mickey Mouse? Have some scary fun at Disneyland in Hong Kong

Yellow River

May–October Nature

Huge strangely-coloured river is believed to be the origin of Chinese Civilisation

Mass Swimming Pool

June–August Activity

Thousands of people in China's largest swimming pool—it means the only private room you will surely have is within your rubber ring, but a cooldown and socialising is guaranteed

Huanglong Limestone Terraces

September–October Nature

Fragile beauty of limestone pools is hidden high amidst forested mountains inhabited by rare wildlife

Longsheng (Longji) Rice Terraces

mid-April–mid-November Nature

It took hundreds of years to construct a mountain of rice terraces which today reaches up to 900 m above sea level

Harbin International Ice and Snow Sculpture Festival

December 20, 2024–February 25, 2025 Event

This is like a visit to the kingdom of Snow queen. Dive into this magical world of amazing sculptures made of ice and snow

1400-Year-Old Ginkgo Tree

mid- to late November Nature

This legendary tree that has seen everything seems to be older than life itself

Glass Plank Road at Tianmen Mountain

September–November Activity

Would you dare to step on a glass road built high in the mountains?

Mid-Autumn Festival

September 17, 2024 Event

One of the most important Chinese holidays

Jiuzhaigou Valley National Park

all year round (best in late October) Nature

Immerse yourself into Jiuzhai Valley—one of earth's wonderlands

Zhangjiajie National Forest Park

April–October Nature

The mission to see the famous Avatar’s site alive turned out to be more than possible

Dongzhi Festival

December 21–December 22 Event

A family-oriented celebration of winter solstice

Chinese New Year

February 10–17, 2024 Event

The biggest holiday of the year will astonish you with colorful parades and delicious food

Tarim Desert Highway

all year round Activity

Take a ride on the longest desert road in the world

The Forbidden City

late August–early June Activity

Visit the world's largest wooden building complex

Melting Snow at the Broken Bridge

December–early March Nature

Learn a touching and beautiful love story behind its name and appreciate the misty scenery of West Lake

Temple Fairs

February 9–15, 2024 Event

Experience the traditional Spring Festival at temple fairs in Beijing

Tanghulu (Bingtanghulu)

late December–late March Food

The taste of Tanghulu and loud street cries of street vendors revive childhood memories in the minds of old Beijingers

Red Leaves Festival at Fragrant Hill

mid-October to mid-November Nature

Vivid maple colors make the mountain seem on fire

Lotus Market

mid-June–August (all year round) Activity

A summer escape for viewing lotus, eating Chinese foods, watching folk performances, and enjoying night clubs

Happy Ice and Snow Season at Bird's Nest

late December-February Event

The Ice and Snow Season at Bird's Nest brings a winter wonderland to Beijing

Birdwatching

October–April Nature

With its distinctive seasons, diverse terrains, and various plants, Beijing is home to different bird species

Summer Palace (Yíhé Yuán)

April–October Activity

The largest existing imperial garden in China will take you back to the royal luxurious yet cosy life

Ginkgo Avenues Autumn Colors

mid-October–mid-November Nature

Beijing is colored in a yellow palette by ginkgo trees in autumn

Outdoor Ice Skating

late December–early February Activity

Lakes in Beijing turn into natural outdoor ice rinks in winter

Temple of Heaven

March–June | September–November (all year round) Activity

The largest ancient sacrificial complex in China

Frozen Waterfalls in Taoyuan Xiangu

late December–February Nature

Large humanmade waterfalls attract ice climbing fans every winter

Prince Gong's Mansion

mid-October–April (all year round) Activity

Beijing's largest and best-preserved Qing Dynasty princely mansion

Playa Maya Water Park

late June–early September Activity

The largest open-air water park in Eastern China can refresh you during the hot summer season

Hot Pot

November–March (all year round) Food

This dish was born in the north where people fight the cold with a hot broth

Dumplings

all year round | major holidays Food

This dish has been popular in China since time immemorial

Double Seventh Festival (Qixi)

August 10, 2024 Event

The Chinese equivalent of Valentine's Day falls on the seventh day of the seventh lunar month

Jiuniang

December–February Food

Rice wine with high nutritional value and health benefits

Double Ninth Festival (Chongyang)

October 11, 2024 Event

The combination of the ninth day and the ninth month brings good luck, and the chrysanthemum is a symbol of that day

Laba Festival

January 7, 2025 Event

The combination of a Buddhist holiday and a modern festival

Jasmine Tea & Harvest

July–August Food

This sweet and bitter tea will energize and inspire you

Longtaitou Festival

March 1, 2025 Event

On that day people worship dragon hoping for good harvest and rains

Wintersweet in Bloom

January–March Nature

The flower with a similar name and similar appearance to plum is not real plum

Lavender Blooming

May–June Nature

The love associated flower composed a purple world in May

Sweet Osmanthus in Bloom

late September–early October Nature

These fragrant flowers symbolize the flavor of autumn and are used in various food products

Outlying Islands

October–April (hiking) | May–September (beach) Activity

Get away from the urban crowds and explore the nature and culture of the Hong Kong secret islands

Xiamen International Marathon

January 5, 2025 Event

One of the most massive runs in China

New Year's Eve in Beijing

December 31 Event

Welcome Western New Year the Eastern way in Beijing

Huashan Plank Walk

September–October | April–May Activity

One of the most dangerous and exciting hiking trails in China

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