Nǐ hǎo! Ready for an adventure through 15 must-visit cities in China? Each place is jaw-droppingly beautiful, packed with rich culture, history, and authentic Chinese heritage.

If you're planning a China tour or are just searching for the most spectacular places to visit, you’ve come to the right spot. We’ve handpicked the best locations for travel enthusiasts, and trust us—every single spot is a visual masterpiece.

📍 Location: Chengdu, Sichuan, China✈️ How to Get There: Fly directly to Chengdu Tianfu International Airport

Start your trip in Chengdu, the capital of Sichuan, famous for its stunning nature, rich culture, and fiery cuisine. Oh, and pandas of course! Chengdu is a must-visit destination that captivates every traveller with its breathtaking landscapes and deep-rooted heritage. If you're looking for a place that blends natural beauty with authentic Chinese traditions, this city will steal your heart.

You haven't truly been to Sichuan if you haven’t tried Sichuan hot pot. Spicy, aromatic, and packed with rich spices—it’s a flavour explosion you don’t want to miss.

For those seeking a destination that has it all—breathtaking nature, cultural wonders, and mouthwatering food—Chengdu is the answer!

📍 Location: Zhengzhou, Henan, China✈️ How to Get There: Fly to Zhengzhou Xinzheng International Airport or take a high-speed train from Beijing or Shanghai.

The perfect blend of ancient and modern charm, Zhengshou is perfect for history buffs and old-town lovers. The capital of Henan Province, it's a fascinating city where rich history meets modern innovation. It’s not just a political, industrial, and tech hub—it’s also packed with deep-rooted historical treasures waiting to be explored!

📍 Location: Kunming, Yunnan, China✈️ How to Get There: Fly to Kunming Changshui International Airport.

Nature lovers, get ready to swoon! If you’re into breathtaking mountain views and fresh, crisp air, Kunming is the place to be! Located in Yunnan Province, this city is famous for its stunning natural landscapes.

📍 Location: Beijing, China✈️ How to Get There: Fly directly to Beijing Capital International Airport.

When talking about China, you can't miss Beijing! The capital city, Beijing is a city filled with rich history, deep-rooted culture, and jaw-dropping architecture that attracts travelers from all around the world. If you want to experience the essence of China, this is the place to be!

Beijing’s pride is its Peking Duck – crispy skin, tender meat, and rich sauce. Trust us, if you visit Beijing without trying this legendary dish, you’re missing out!

📍 Location: Shanghai, China✈️ How to Get There: Fly directly into Shanghai Pudong International Airport and start your adventure right away!

Next up, we have the dazzling Shanghai, or as the Chinese call it "Chánghǎi." This is the largest city in China and a shining example of modern sophistication. Located at the mouth of the Yangtze River, Shanghai is the epicenter of China's economy, entertainment, and the latest trends. If you visit, get ready to be amazed!

Don’t leave without trying the xiao long bao, a type of dumpling with a rich soup filling that’s so juicy, it might burn your tongue!

📍 Location: Xi'an, Shaanxi Province, China✈️ How to Get There: Fly directly into Xi'an Xianyang International Airport and dive into your adventure!

Xi'an is one of the most historically significant cities in China. It served as the capital for over 13 dynasties (how cool is that!) and was also the central hub of the legendary Silk Road. This city beautifully blends ancient charm with modern vibes, and it's full of hidden gems waiting for you to explore.

Make sure to try the Biang Biang noodles – thick, chewy noodles served with a fragrant sauce that will have you ordering a second round!

📍 Location: Zhangye, Gansu Province, China✈️ How to Get There: Fly into Zhangye Ganzhou Airport, or hop on a high-speed train for an easy journey.

If you want to see a World Heritage site so stunning it’ll leave you speechless, you have to check out Zhangye in Gansu Province. This city is home to the Rainbow Mountains of Danxia, also known as Zhangye Danxia Landform. The natural beauty here looks like it’s been painted by the hand of a god – it’s so unique and colorful that you simply can’t miss it!

Make sure to try Lanzhou Lamian – freshly made hand-pulled noodles served in a fragrant broth with a slight spicy kick. It’s so delicious, you’ll want to slurp it all up!

📍 Location: Xining, Qinghai Province, China✈️ How to Get There: Fly into Xining Caojiabao Airport and you’re all set to explore!

History lovers, gather here! Xining in Qinghai Province is a city brimming with the rich history of China and is also the starting point of the Yellow River, which flows through the heart of China.

Be sure to try the Xining-style Beef Noodles – fragrant, tender, and soothing to the palate. So delicious, you'll want to order more!

📍 Location: Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, China✈️ How to Get There: Fly directly to Guangzhou Baiyun Airport and you’re good to go!

Welcome to Guangzhou, the bustling city that’s well-known to many Australian travellers as the stopover point for China Southern flights. But, there's so much more to this city than a place to switch planes! Guangzhou’s attractions are famous for their vibrant atmosphere, whether it’s day or night. Whether you're into shopping, eating, or sightseeing, this city has it all. Get ready for a fun and exciting time!

📍 Location: Changsha, Hunan Province✈️ How to Get There: Fly to Changsha Huanghua airport, and you’re ready to explore!

For those who want to experience a city in China with a perfect blend of nature, history, and culture, Changsha in Hunan Province is the answer. This city, located by the Xiang River, offers a fantastic atmosphere and is also the birthplace of Mao Zedong, the former leader of China.

📍 Location: Jiuzhaigou, Sichuan✈️ How to Get There: Fly from Chengdu to Jiuhuang Airport (about 1 hour), then take a bus for a 1.5-hour ride to the park.

If you're looking for a destination in China that feels like stepping into a fairy tale, Jiuzhaigou is the place to be! Known as a UNESCO World Heritage site, this "Heaven on Earth" destination is absolutely breathtaking, with its crystal-clear blue lakes, stunning waterfalls, and mountains that change colors with the seasons. Once you see it with your own eyes, you’ll fall in love instantly.

📍 Location: Xiamen (Amoy), China✈️ How to Get There: Fly to Xiamen Gaoqi International Airport or take a high-speed train from Guangzhou, Shanghai or Beijing in about 3-6 hours.

When it comes to Xiamen (also known as "Amoy" in Chinese), a beautiful port city with a perfect blend of classic European and Chinese vibes, this place should be on your travel list. Located on an island just about 1 km away from Taiwan, it’s not far at all! Xiamen is an important port city and one of China's special economic zones, which has developed significantly while still maintaining its vintage charm and ancient Chinese architecture.

📍 Location: Shenzhen, China✈️ How to Get There: Fly to Shenzen's Bao'an International Airport or take a 20-minute train from Hong Kong, or 1-hour train from Guangzhou.

When it comes to the fastest-growing and most high-tech city in China, Shenzhen is definitely on the list! Located in Guangdong Province, this special economic zone has developed at an astonishing rate and is known as China's "Silicon Valley." It’s a must-visit destination.

📍 Location: Zhangjiajie, China✈️ How to Get There: Fly to Zhangjiajie Hehua Airport (DYG).

When it comes to experiencing the immense grandeur of nature, Zhangjiajie is a must-visit! Known for its towering mountains and connections to the legend of the Three Kingdoms, Zhangjiajie National Forest Park is a UNESCO World Heritage site and served as the inspiration for the floating mountains in the movie Avatar.

📍 Location: Harbin, China✈️ How to Get There: Fly to Harbin Taiping International Airport.

Wrapping up with the ultimate cool city in every sense, Harbin, located in Heilongjiang Province, is known as the "Pearl on the Swan’s Neck" or the "Moscow of the East" for its stunning blend of Russian and Chinese architecture. This city is best visited in winter. While the temperatures here typically range from -20°C to -30°C, we promise you it's worth it!

China isn’t just about breathtaking natural landscapes—it’s also rich in ancient civilizations, captivating culture, and invaluable historical stories. It's somewhere that you truly need to see to believe.

The best part? China is now offering visa-free travel for Australians, making it easier tahn ever to explore this expansive country.