Da Ka — literally "to punch a card" in Chinese — is the practice of visiting and photographing iconic spots for social media, and no country does it quite like China. From Art Deco boulevards in Shanghai to ancient red walls in Beijing and glowing skylines in Guangzhou, China's most viral Da Ka spots draw millions of visitors who have seen the images and want to stand in exactly that spot. This guide covers three of the most photographed locations in the country right now, with the best times to visit, where to position yourself for the shot, and how to get there. Book your flights to China on Traveloka and use this guide to plan which cities to hit and in what order.

WuKang Road sits in Shanghai's former French Concession and is one of the most photographed streets in China. The centrepiece is Wukang Mansion — a sweeping Art Deco building constructed in 1924 that curves dramatically at the intersection of Huaihai Middle Road and Wukang Road, creating a natural focal point that photographers and content creators have turned into one of the most recognisable backdrops in the country. The surrounding street is lined with old plane trees, French-era villas, and independent cafés and boutiques that give the area a distinctly European feel.

The street is beautiful year-round but reaches peak visual drama in late autumn, from late November through early December, when the plane trees turn golden and their fallen leaves carpet the lane. Clear blue skies against the golden canopy create the conditions that fuel the viral images circulating on Chinese social media platforms every year without fail.

The intersection of Huaihai Middle Road and Tianping Road offers the most iconic angle on Wukang Mansion, showing the full curve of the building against the tree-lined street. Walk the length of the road toward Anfu Road — equally photogenic and popular with content creators — for a wider variety of shots without doubling back.

Take Shanghai Metro Line 1 to Hengshan Road station or Line 9 to Jiashan Road station — both are within a short walk of WuKang Road. The street is easily covered on foot from either stop.

Book your Shanghai accommodation near the French Concession to make early morning visits to WuKang Road part of your daily itinerary. Compare hotels in Shanghai on Traveloka across every price point.

The Drum Tower — Gulou in Mandarin — stands at the northern end of Beijing's historic central axis, a towering structure of deep vermillion walls and grey-tiled rooflines that has marked the city's skyline since the Yuan Dynasty. Built in 1272 for the purpose of timekeeping, the tower once housed a set of large drums that were beaten to signal the hours of the day. Today, it is one of Beijing's most visually arresting Da Ka spots, with its rich red walls providing a backdrop that is distinctly, unmistakably Chinese.

The area around the Drum Tower is one of the best-preserved historic neighbourhoods in Beijing. The adjacent hutong lanes, the Bell Tower visible just to the north, and the traditional courtyard architecture of the surrounding blocks create a photography environment that extends well beyond the tower itself. Live drum performances are held inside the Drum Tower at scheduled times throughout the day, adding a cultural dimension to what would otherwise be a purely visual visit.

Shooting from directly in front of the tower looking up emphasises the scale of the vermillion walls against the sky. The lane running between the Drum Tower and the Bell Tower to the north creates a strong linear shot framing both structures. The narrow hutong streets immediately surrounding the complex offer intimate shots of the red walls in context with traditional Beijing neighbourhood life.

Entry to the Drum Tower costs approximately CNY 15 per person. Take Beijing Metro Line 8 to Gulou Dajie station, from which the tower is a short walk north. The Bell Tower entrance is included in the same ticketing area.

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At 600 metres, Canton Tower is the tallest structure in Guangzhou and one of the most photographed landmarks in southern China. During the day it anchors the Zhujiang New Town skyline with its distinctive twisted form; after dark, it transforms into something else entirely. The tower is ringed by 330,000 multi-colour LEDs that light up nightly from 19:10 to 22:00, cycling through blue, purple, gold, and seasonal colours. On Fridays and Saturdays, the light show runs longer and more elaborately — the results end up on Chinese social media feeds every weekend without fail.

The key to the best Canton Tower Da Ka shots is position. The tower itself is striking, but the real magic is in the reflection shots, the river framing, and the skyline panoramas that place the tower in context with Guangzhou's wider Zhujiang New Town.

Take Guangzhou Metro Line 3 or Line 8 to Canton Tower station. The tower is directly accessible from Exit B. For the best photography positions at Haixinsha and Haixin Bridge, allow 10 to 15 minutes of walking from the station.

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