8 of China’s most incredible UNESCO World Heritage sites

written by Lauren Whybrow January 12, 2018
The Great Wall of China

China’s a big place, and it can be hard to know where to start your trip. Should you head to Sichuan to see the mountains and the panda bears? How about Xinjiang to follow the Silk Road?

Well… why not work your way around China’s World Heritage-listed sites? China has more heritage-listed attractions than anywhere else in the world, and they are so jaw-dropping you might forget to take a photo.

1. The Great Wall of China

The Great Wall of ChinaThe name tells you everything you need to know – the Great Wall of China really is a great wall, a massive expanse of brick and stone, with gatehouses and passes, extending for 21,000 kilometres across China (good news for us – there’s plenty of wall to visit). Construction on the wall started around a thousand years ago, with the aim of protecting China’s borders against enemies like the Huns. Even though it’s not needed for defensive purposes anymore, much of the wall is still standing. It’s only when you’re standing on the wall, looking at it extend as far as you can see in both directions, that you can get any sense of its truly mighty scale.

You’ll see the Great Wall on our China Highlights, China Experience, North China Getaway, China Real Food Adventure and Explore China small group adventures. 

2. Fujian Tulou

Circular tulou housing in ChinaThe tulou did communal housing before it was a buzzword for architectural types and politicians. Built in Fujian province for over 500 years, these multi-storey buildings have both a defensive and social purpose. Constructed in a circle, with tall mud walls presenting an easily defendable face to the world, the tulou function as mini villages, sometimes housing up to hundreds of people. The living quarters are all in the circle, with a village ‘square’ in the centre. These buildings have a look of an amphitheatre or bull-fighting ring – big, impressive, notable – and very surprising amidst the rural farmland.

Visit a tolou village on Intrepid’s South China Getaway and Beijing to Hong Kong small group adventures. 

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3. Forbidden City

The Forbidden City, ChinaImperial China did things on a big scale – you could live your entire life in the Forbidden City, and not see it all, as the palace complex has almost a thousand buildings. It was built in the 15th century, when the capital of China moved from Nanjing to Beijing. Constructed on a rectangular site in the political and ceremonial heart of Beijing (Tiananmen Square is just outside one of the gates), the Forbidden City is an overwhelming display of ornamented and mighty wooden buildings crafted and landscaped with the highest skill. It was meant to represent the power of the emperor and the empire – and by the emperor’s robes does it deliver.

Explore the Forbidden City on (almost) all of our China adventures

4. Hongcun Village

Hongcun VillageWe don’t know why Hongcun Village in Anhui Province isn’t big on Instagram – this graceful and well-preserved Anhui village is ridiculously picturesque. The village is constructed around two pools, with canals that run throughout town. The pools are lined by two-storey buildings, painted in white with dark detailing and tiles. It’s so peaceful you might feel time stop. Traditional villages are disappearing quickly in China, which makes this village all the more notable.

Wander around picturesque Hongcun on Intrepid’s 12-day North China Getaway and 23-day Beijing to Hong Kong small group adventures.  

5. The Old Town of Lijiang

The Old Town of LijiangThe Old Town of Lijiang in Yunnan might just seem like a pretty historic town built over hills and rivers on first glance – but take the time to explore and you’ll find a town in remarkable harmony with its surroundings. From above, the town looks like a bunch of grey shields facing the sky, but down on the streets you’ll find a town of colour, with architectural styles that draw from a range of influences. There are canals flowing throughout the town, a still-working aqueduct system providing water to buildings throughout the town. We hesitate to make the comparison to Venice, but if the shoe fits…

Explore Lijiang on our 13-day Yunnan & Tiger Leaping Gorge adventure.

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6. Mausoleum of the First Qin Emperor

The terracotta warriors at the Mausoleum of the First Qin EmperorIt’s not everyone who gets sent into the afterlife accompanied by a terracotta army of over 8000 warriors (plus terracotta horses and chariots). But then, the first Qin Emperor, Qin Shi Huang, was the man famous for first conquering and unifying China – so it’s pretty fitting. Although these terracotta warriors were made over 2000 years ago, the faces almost seem alive. It’s not just a historical record, but a record of craft and skill.

Visit the terracotta warriors on these Intrepid small group adventures. 

7. Longmen Grottoes

Longmen GrottoesLike a treasure chest carved into cliffs, the Longmen Grottoes protect one of the most remarkable collections of Buddhist art in the world, carved over hundreds of years in the Northern Wei and Tang dynasties. These grottoes, which extend for a kilometre along the river cliffs on both sides of the Yi River, hide thousands upon thousands of intricately carved stone statues, which used to be painted. It’s a bit of a hike to see them all, but so worth it.

See the incredible Longmen Grottoes on our 13-day Explore China adventure. 

RELATED: 6 SURREAL LANDSCAPES TO EXPLORE IN CHINA

8. China Danxia

The colourful rocks of the China DanxiaAlthough China is rich in man-made beauty, it’s even richer in natural beauty. Outside of the polluted main cities is a landscape that Hollywood dreams are made of – particularly China Danxia, a geological occurrence that results in dramatic red sandstone landforms in all sorts of strange shapes (some of them a bit rude). These formations form mountains and pillars, surrounded by suitably dramatic landscapes of plunging waterfalls, deep ravines and verdant forests. It looks like the land that time forgot, and the protected areas extends across 1200 kilometres.

Admire this incredible natural wonder on our Travel the Silk Road and The Great Silk Road small group adventures. 

Ready to explore China’s astounding array of UNESCO World Heritage sites? Jump on an Intrepid small group adventure through China now. 

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