Top Reasons to Go

Top Reasons to Go

Qingdao : Life's a beach in China's premier seaside city. Enjoy some of the country's best seafood washed down with Tsingdao beer, the local brew. Stroll around the interesting and well-preserved architecture from the days when the Germans were in charge.

Huangshan: Yellow Mountain's towering granite peaks overlooking rice paddies and green fields have been a place of pilgrimage for centuries.

Chengde: Originally a summer retreat for an emperor, this city's magnificent temples, parks, and palaces now attract weekenders hunting for culture.

Suzhou: Classical gardens and a network of crisscrossing canals that run throughout the moated city are the pride of Suzhou.

Tongli: A fine example of a town built on water, Tongli is a wonderful place to wander around quaint side streets and alleyways that open onto canals and bridges.

Anhui: It may be one of China's poorest provinces, but it is rich in sublime mountain scenery at Huangshan. The peaks are a sacred site in China, and once you have ascended its photogenic summit, you will understand why.

Hebei: Wrapped around the nation's capital, Hebei's attractions are definitely worth a side trip or two. Chengde's size belies the amount of imperial architecture on display, and in warm weather, the seaside resorts of Beidaihe and Shanghaiguan are good destinations to see the Chinese at play.

Jiangsu: Here, history is omnipresent. Attractions range from stately monuments, memorials to horrific events, ancient peaks, and elegant gardens. The provincial capital Nanjing has been important for centuries and was the country's capital for six dynastic periods. Nearby Suzhou is justly renowned for its gardens.

Shandong: Destinations in this province range from the religious to the bacchanal. Take a pilgrimage to Taishan, the most revered of all China's sacred mountains and Qufu, the birthplace of Confucius. For the more earthly pleasures of sun, beer, and Bavarian architecture don't miss the beach town of Qingdao, China's windsurfing capital.