Shanghai and Beijing are two of China’s most famous cities, and it’s not hard to see why. Each offer some incredible sights to see, but there’s so much more to China outside of these places. Xi’an, Hangzhou, and Suzhou are three cities I visited during my trip to China, and I fell a little in love with each of them. If you’re looking for something just slightly off the beaten path, start by looking at these three. Xi’anXian’s most famous site is the incredible Terra Cotta Warriors, and it’s worth it to travel here just to see them. I wrote a complete guide (which you can check out here), but this is the lowdown: There are three pits you can visit, but my favorite was the first pit for its sheer scale; it displays 2,000 warriors, each with a unique face and design, out of an estimated 6,000 original sculptures. I honestly never wanted to leave, and I had to drag my mom (who's always been fascinated by archaeology) out of the museum just to make it to dinner on time! Aside from the Warriors, there are plenty of other interesting places to visit in the city. The Big Wild Goose Pagoda is a holy Buddhist site, and an iconic symbol of Xi’an. Nearby, you can visit the Shanxi Provincial Historical Museum, a great choice for learning more about Chinese history, and generally for people like me who get really excited about old art. The museum offers 6,000 free tickets per day with ID, half in the morning and half in the afternoon, so it’s a good option for people who want to keep their budget low. Finally, I highly recommend the Great Mosque of Xi’an, the largest mosque in China. Situated in the Muslim Quarter, it’s an active spiritual site, one of the oldest mosques in China, and features a mixture of both traditional Muslim and Chinese architectural styles. After your visit, I would suggest visiting the crowded Beiyuanmen Muslim Market for lunch (and shopping. Lots of shopping.) Hangzhou Hangzhou is a city which Marco Polo allegedly described as “most beautiful and magnificent city in the world." I’m not sure if that’s true or not, but it’s definitely believable, either way. Cruising the West Lake is one of the best ways to experience Hangzhou’s beauty. The boats are quiet and peaceful, and the scenery makes you feel like you’ve stepped into the world of an old painting. If you’re a fan of tea, (which if you’ve been on this blog for more than 10 minutes you know I am) visit the Longjing Village and their stunning tea fields to tour a green tea farm. Fair warning, it can be a bit touristy, but their famous Dragon Well Tea is phenomenal; you can pick some up directly from a farm, or at a tax-free shop in nearby Meijiawu Village. There are numerous plantations to pick from depending on your interest, and it’s hard to be disappointed with any of them. Suzhou Last but not least, we come to Suzhou. One of the best things to do in this city is to visit the Lingering Garden (Liu Yuan), 400 year old UNESCO World Heritage Site situated on almost six acres. Buildings, trees, flowers and water features combine in a peaceful setting to create one of China’s most famous gardens. If gardens so pretty they make you cry and are cool enough to be listed as a world heritage site aren't your thing, I recommend visiting a silk spinning mill. At the 100 year-old Suzhou Silk Factory, you can learn how silk is made in the historic “hometown of silk”. I like to dive into the culture of any place I visit, so this was a great opportunity to check out the heart of this city, as well as a hands-on look at the culture, history, and production of silk. This stop, however, may not be for everyone: be warned that they try to sell hard. I think we were given a good half-hour in their shop when we took a tour there. I personally have no problems declining to buy things (I'm a college student, so we live off freebies and saying no to random expenses), and I felt the experience and opportunity to learn more about the culture of this city was interesting enough to recommend it, even with the forced shopping session. Shanghai and Beijing both have some incredible things to offer, but don't forget about China's other cities, too! While they may not have instant name recognition, they have so much to offer-- and often, what you find off the beaten path is what you end up loving most about your trip. Like this post? Why not share it?If you enjoyed this article, please leave me a comment telling me what you think! Or, if you found it useful, share it with your friends! You'll be helping me turn my passion for travel into a business, and more importantly, you'll be helping your friends out with any travel questions they might have, too. See more adventures!If you liked this post, you might also like:
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Hi, there! Call me Kris. I’m a world traveler, author and artist working to showcase the world's beauty and inspire you to find your confidence to see the world!
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