Most Famous Cities in China

The Most Famous Cities in China has listed 10 of the most well-known cities in China. Some of them are important commercial, transportation or cultural and political centre of the country, while some of them are renowned for their magnificent landscape.

Beijing – The Capital of China

As the capital of China, Beijing ranks as the top on the major cities in China. Reputed as the world’s historical city and one of the top seven ancient capitals in China, Beijing has been the capital of China since Liao Dynasty, 800 years till now.

The city of Beijing has preserved the imperial architecture of the Ming Dynasty well. In the city's center is the oblong Imperial Palace, which is surrounded by a 10-odd-meter-tall wall topped with a turret on each of the four corners and skirted by a moat. Outside of the Imperial Palace is the original Imperial City's vermilion walls, nine km in circumference and having many symmetrical city gates. In addition, there is also a square "inner city" 20 km in circumference, and an oblong "outer city" in the south of the "inner city." With the Forbidden City at the center, there is a central axis running through it from north to south, on either side of which are streets, shops and residential houses laid out in a symmetrical chequerboard pattern. Winding rivers, beautiful gardens, and ancient and solemn sacrificial altars and temples are scattered all over the city, adding beauty to its symmetrical pattern.

Another highlight of Beijing is the Great Wall which is regarded as a symbol of China. The Great Wall of China is a series of fortifications running in general east to west through the entire northern part of China, which is made of stone, brick, tamped earth, wood, and other materials, built originally in part to protect the northern borders of the Chinese Empire or its prototypical states against intrusions by various nomadic groups or military incursions by various warlike peoples or forces. Two sections of the Great Wall can be reached from Beijing. One is Badaling Great Wall and the other one is Mutianyu Great Wall.

Hong Kong – International Trade Center of China

The total population of the Hong Kong is 7,000,000. Hong Kong was returned to China in 1997. Now Hong Kong has become one of the world’s major manufacturing and financial centers.

Hong Kong is a popular tourist destination as well as being one of the world's major business centres. It has over 260 outlying islands but only a few are inhabited. This means that Hong Kong offers a great range of contrasts, with numerous islands that provide a tranquil alternative to its frenetic energy elsewhere. Hong Kong Island is an eclectic mix of modern skyscrapers, colonial buildings and traditional temples.

Shanghai – Largest City of China

Shanghai, a city directly under the Central Government, is China's largest city, with an urban population of 9.54 million. Advantageously located, Shanghai is located halfway down China's mainland coastline, where the Yangtze River empties into the sea. An important comprehensive industrial base and harbor,

Shanghai plays an essential role in the national economy. Major industries include metallurgy, machine-building, shipbuilding, chemicals, electronics, instruments and meters, textiles and other light industries, in addition to its highly developed commerce, banking and ocean-going shipping industry. The Pudong New Zone, separated from the old city by the Huangpu River, is now undergoing vigorous development and construction. Its look changes with each passing day.

Taipei – Capital of Taiwan, the Republic of China

Situated at the northern tip of Taiwan, Taipei is the capital city as well as the political, cultural and commercial centre of the area. Taipei has been at the center of rapid economic development in the country and has now become one of the global cities in the production of high technology and its components.

With similar cultural and custom background, abundant in natural and historical relics, it is also a new-rising tourist destination for mainland tourists. The major tourist attractions will be the National Palace Museum which has one of the largest collections of Chinese artifacts and artworks in the world, the Taipei 101, the second tallest building in China and also of the world, and the National Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hall. Besides, various options of shopping and recreations attracted people from home and abroad.

Xian - Most Famous Ancient Capital City in China

Xian is the most famous ancient capital city in China. Steeped in history and still giving up secrets, is your gateway to ancient Chinese civilization. In its 3,100 recorded years of evolution, it has been home to 13 dynasties. As one of the most important cradles of Chinese civilization, it marked the start of the famous "Silk Road" that linked China with central Asia and the Roman Empire.

Xian, or Changan as it was called in ancient times, is known as the city of "Everlasting Peace." Today Xian is a vibrant, modern city, but surrounded by history, even underfoot! So there can be no underground railways due to the obligation to preserve the wealth of ancient treasure still awaiting discovery. Touring in Xian, you can breathe the historical air from all the must-see spots.

♦ Qin Terracotta Army, one of the eight wonders in modern world, is a door for peole to get back to the Tang Dynasty.

♦ Xian City Wall is the relics preserved since Tang Dynasty. in ancient time, each city of China built city wall to protect the city away from invasion.

♦ The start of Silk Road, a symbol to trace back the prosperity and the achievement in trade.

Guangzhou – Most Important Gateway in South China

As one of the most prosperous trade and business cities in China, Guangzhou is a symbol of China’s trade and economy power. It is the largest and most important gateway in south China, with an urban population of 4.17 million. As the oldest trading port in China, Guangzhou was a foreign trade hub as early as in 200 B.C. The Huangpu Port, where ocean-going ships can anchor, has navigation lines reaching all continents in the world. Since 1957, a bi-annual Chinese export commodities fair has been held here, one in spring and the other in autumn. As an important entry/exit port for overseas tourists, Guangzhou boasts a great number of modern hotels.

Hangzhou – One of the Most Splendid and Luxurious City in the World

Hangzhou was settled as early as 4,700 years ago, thus giving birth to the aurora Liangzhu Civilization. One of the seven ancient capitals and the key scenic tourism and historical culture cities in China, Hangzhou once was applauded as "the most splendid and luxurious city in the world" by Marco Polo, the Italian traveler in the 13th century.

It is a city that renowned for its historic relics and natural beauty. It is often known as one of the most beautiful cities in China. All the while, owning to its superb geographical condition, it is the commercial Centre of Yangtze River Delta, one of China's major textile industry centers, and the largest producer of gunnysacks in China.

♦ West Lake is a previous natural gift of Hangzhou as an apple of the eye. Ancient Chinese people praised the West Lake as a place of intoxicating beauty for its serenity water surface and the long narrow river levee that full of sense of “willow down and flowers reign”.

♦ Lingyin Temple is regarded as the spirit of Hangzhou. It is famous as one of the top ten Buddhist temple in China. Make a wish in the temple and wait the dream come true.

♦ From Hangzhou, travelers can begin Wuzhen Watertown trip.

Guilin – the Scenic is the Best

Situated in South China, Guilin is like a glittering pearl on a green carpet, the scenery here enjoys the praise of "top landscape in the world". It is renowned for its Karst landscape, exquisite mountains, wired caves and especially the limpid Li River that runs from downtown to Yangshuo County, all of which mixed together and formed a giant elegant Chinese painting. At the same time, you would not wanna miss the unique beauty of graceful rice fields in Longsheng County.

If you plan to savor the most beautiful natural scenery in China, you should pay a visit to Guilin. With the unique Karst geography, Guilin just looks like young lady that quietly sitting on the northern China.

♦ Li River, world’s famous river from Guilin to Yangshuo, includes the most charming sites of Guilin.

♦ Yangshuo West Street will be a good choice to spend your nightlife in Guilin.

♦ Longji Rice Terraces is a magnificent scene to show the intaligence of human. The field is planted along the mountain ridge

Shenzhen – Business and Transportation Hub in South China

160km away from Guangzhou and 35km from Hong Kong, Shenzhen borders Dapeng Bay in the eastern, the Pearl River mouth in the west and New Territory of Hong Kong in the south, is an importation transportation hub of mainland China and Hong Kong. Besides, it is one of China major ports for foreign trade and international exchanges, and China earliest special economic zone and newly-rising tourist city.

Covering a total area of 2,050 square kilometers, with a coastline stretches 470km along the facing the South China Sea, Shenzhen is also a beautiful newly-rising tourist city reputed for its marine resource.

Nanjing – Important Political, Commercial and Cultural Centre of Eastern China

Located in the lower Yangtze River drainage basin and Yangtze River Delta economic zone, Nanjing has always been one of China most important cities. It served as the capital of China during several historical periods and is listed as one of the Four Great Ancient Capitals of China. But now, with the rapid development, it becomes the important political, cultural, educational and commercial centre of eastern China, as well as the transportation hub of the country. Owning to its superb geographical condition, it is also one of the key cities of Yangtze River Delta, the gate city of eastern China.

With a history of over 2,500 years, Nanjing is also a city that rich in historical relics. Its majestic Confucius Temple, solemn and dignified Ming Xiaoling Mausoleum, grand Nanjing Yangtze River Bridge and graceful Qinhuai River are well-known attractions.