China is a tourist destination like no other, with its diverse appeal ranging from the contemporary to the mystical. It hosts innumerable beautiful nature spots which are among the world’s most fascinating, along with the indescribable majesty of iconic man-made structures that allude to the country’s illustrious past.

Hence, China has seen its tourism industry flourish over the years, drawing in a large number of both domestic and foreign visitors each year. As the fourth most visited country in the world, China tourism has certainly prospered to what it is today. This can be in no small part credited to the wholesale improvements in infrastructure and amenities. This means that tourists now can enjoy better transport, hotels, restaurants, food and attractions, among others.

While China tourism is thriving today, this has not been the case a long time ago, as very few foreigners were allowed to visit the country. Since the late 1970s, however, things started to change dramatically as the country’s tourism industry was born. This has thereafter boosted China’s foreign exchange takings considerably.

To complement this growth, more hotels have since sprung up, more attractions publicized and opened to visitors while training for service staff began in earnest. Advancements in air traffic and other forms of transport had also made the country more accessible both externally and internally.

Sites of unrivalled natural beauty

China has never failed to capture the imagination of its many visitors when it comes to its dazzling range of natural landscapes. One of its most famous mountain ranges is the Himalayan range in Tibet. However, there are other peaks with their own charm too. One of them is the Yellow Mountain in Anhui province, with its pristine pine forests, hot springs, strangely-shaped rocks and rolling clouds of fog that lend it an unspeakable beauty.

You can witness the co-existence of man and nature by visiting the Three Gorges Dam which forms a unique backdrop to the natural beauty of the Yangtze River and the Three Gorges in Hubei province.

Manifestations of China’s rich cultural heritage

China has a very storied and textured culture and history which has seen it amass an impressive number of cultural treasures throughout its long years of existence. One such treasure is undoubtedly the Great Wall of China, which has never ceased to impress visitors with its unmatched grandeur since more than ten sections have been open to public access.

For another example of fine Chinese architecture, you need look no further than the magnificent Forbidden City in Beijing which is now simply called the Palace Museum. When touring this well-preserved group of palaces, you will definitely be bowled over by the extravagance and attention to detail present in its many towers and rooms.

An unforgettable gourmet treat

All visitors to China will be in for a gourmet treat like they have not experienced before. With the many signature dishes of different cities and provinces, there is simply no shortage of choices when it comes to food.

A visit to Beijing will not be complete without tasting its specialty dish, the Peking Duck, while you can find more spicy food choices in Sichuan. The many different cooking and preparation methods also add variety to the flavours of the different dishes. This makes any trip to China an unforgettable culinary experience.