I have been traveling throughout Asia for the past three years and without question my favorite country to go traveling in has been China. I have visited the nation 4 times in the past few years, and each time I have managed to find something new and exciting to discover. The truth is however that I could write page after page about this interesting country, but to really understand you have to see China for yourself.

What I will do for you however, is give you my top 4 places to go in the country, should you make the leap and book yourself a trip to the Asian nation.

Beijing

Some capitals really don’t live up to the billing but that is not something which I could ever say about Beijing. The history of the city dates back over 3,000 years, with so much of the rich history still alive and kicking within the city. It is here where you will be able to visit the Forbidden City and the iconic Tiananmen Square, as well as the fascinating National Museum. There is something new around each corner here and you will find many exciting places like tea shops, perfectly cared-for gardens and plenty of ancient architecture to explore and take snaps of.

Seeing the Wall

The Great Wall of China is one of the World’s Seven Wonders and a reason why millions of tourists come here each year. I have seen the wall from a number of destinations and the two best places which I would recommend to you, are in Baddaling, which may be very popular but it is highly accessible from Beijing, and Jiankou, the latter is for the adventurous amongst you as it is steep and extremely wild in this region. Wherever you go to see it, make sure you get up early and get there ahead of the crowds.

Xi’an

For many years I have been fascinated by the original Silk Road trade route, and this was why I visited Xi’an, once the start of this busy trade path. The city was also the where the head of 11 dynasties presided and it was once one of the four ancient capitals of the country. Much of this rich and interesting culture remains and staying here feels almost like stepping back in time. If you want to get to the heart of Chinese culture, I would definitely recommend Xi’an.

Yangshuo

Yangshuo is situated in the south of the country and in terms of natural beauty it doesn’t get much better. This was a regular backpacker haunt for many years owing to its cheap prices and relaxed way of life, but these days you can expect to see all kinds of travelers. The surrounding area of Yangshuo is the backdrop of the Karst Mountains, with the Li River cutting through the valleys and I would recommend that you decompress after visiting one of the busy Chinese cities, right here in the heart of nature. To best enjoy this region, rent a bike and spend your days on the flat roads, drinking in the landscape.