From traditional rice plantations and mountain mud houses to futuristic glass structures, China is a country of contrasts. And considering the fact that this massive country occupies around 7% of the globe’s surface, creating a travel itinerary could prove to be overwhelming. Which is where Hugo Chetcuti’s team does the seemingly impossible and narrows it down to 7!
1. Beijing
No visit to China is complete without a visit to China’s capital. Beijing is an interesting blend of ancient and ultra-modern with ancient temples to skyscrapers. Having many flight connections, Beijing is a popular starting point. There are endless things to explore here, but the absolute musts are the following:
1) The iconic Great Wall of China: one of the wonders of the world, spanning over around 5,000 km.
2) The Temple of Heaven – a complex of stunning religious buildings built over a total area of 270 acres.
3) The Forbidden City: recognised as one of the five most important palaces in the world, consisting of over 8,000 rooms with golden roofs.
2. Shanghai
Being China’s biggest city and one of the world’s leading business cities, Shanghai boasts the world’s fastest train and oozes an atmosphere of modernity, with its vitality and distinct skyline. The city’s two main touristic highlights, however, are probably Zhujiajiao Water Town as well as Yu Garden; a gorgeous, extensive botanical garden.
3. Suzhou
A 30-minute high-speed train away from Shanghai is Suzhou, famous for its surrounding water towns, as well as its traditional Chinese gardens that harmoniously mix man-made landscapes with natural scenery.
4. Guilin
Travellers seeking natural beauty away from the hustle and bustle of many of China’s cities, they head to Guilin. With its marvellous limestone scenery, Guilin is renowned as one of the most beautiful places on earth, where visitors can take a cruise down the Li river, go bamboo rafting, cycle in the rural countryside and check out the ethnic rice terraces.
5. Hangzhou
Hangzhou is one of China’s most picturesque cities, making it an enduringly popular spot for tourists who flock there to see the scenic West Lake and Wuzhen water town – China’s Venice.
6. Xi’an
Xi’an boasts an abundance of precious relics and is home to one of the world’s greatest archaeological sites: the iconic Terracotta Army.
7. Huangshan
Steeped in picturesque natural landscapes consisting of beautiful flowing rivers and peculiarly-shaped rocks on the majestic Yellow Mountains, Huangshan is a photographer’s paradise!
Of course, one of the main things that makes any trip is trying local cuisine. At Bacco Sticks & Sum by Hugo’s, we offer the opportunity to taste China’s various and delicious cuisine through Hugo Chetcuti’s Dim Sum menu. Add Bacco to your itinerary and don’t forget to follow us on Facebook!
