Tourism has become an essential contributor to China’s domestic economy since the beginning of reform and opening in the early eighties. The emergence of an affluent middle class and an easing of movement restrictions for locals and foreign visitors are both supporting this travel boom. The Chinese tourism market has transformed into one of the world’s most-watched inbound and outbound tourist markets. The number of domestic trips reached six billion in 2019, indicating an exponential increase compared to the number of trips made in China ten years ago.
The total revenue generated by the travel and tourism industry in China amounted to around 5.7 trillion yuan as of 2019, indicating a firm growth over the past decade. The sector was expected to contribute 3.3 percent to China’s gross domestic product (GDP) directly by 2028. Meanwhile, more than 28 million people worked in the tourism industry. The impact of tourism on China’s employment market is even larger if indirect employment is considered.
Things to do in China
China boasts a large number of attractions, such as historical sites and relics, economic hot spots, and a culturally diverse number of minorities. Therefore, the country has become one of the most popular travel destinations for many countries, such as Thailand, Japan, South Korea, Maldives, Russia, and the United Kingdom. In 2019, the 145 million inbound tourists created a total revenue of nearly 36 billion U.S. dollars in China. The majority of the inbound tourists arrived in Guangdong Province, a southern province adjacent to Hong Kong SAR. For outbound tourism, the spending of Chinese outbound travelers reached approximately 254 billion U.S. dollars. The most popular travel destination for young Chinese luxury travelers was Europe, with a share of 61 percent, followed by Japan and South Korea. China’s mass market’s leading international travel destinations are Canada, Singapore, Australia, Japan, and the United States.
China is a vast country with a rich history and culture. There are many things to see and do, from visiting ancient cities and temples to hiking on the Great Wall of China. Here are some ideas to get you started:
- Must-See Landmarks
- The Great Wall of China: This iconic landmark is a must-see for any visitor to China. There are many sections of the wall that you can visit, each with its own unique characteristics. The most popular sections are Badaling and Mutianyu, which are both located near Beijing.
- The Forbidden City: This massive palace complex was the home of Chinese emperors for centuries. It is located in the center of Beijing and is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
- Terracotta Army: This incredible army of life-size terracotta warriors was created to guard the tomb of China’s first emperor, Qin Shi Huang. It is located near the city of Xi’an.
- Historical and Cultural Sites
- Tiananmen Square: This large public square is located in the center of Beijing. It is the site of many important events in Chinese history, including the Tiananmen Square protests of 1989.
- The Summer Palace: This vast palace complex was built by Chinese emperors as a summer retreat. It is located in the northwest suburbs of Beijing and is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
- The Temple of Heaven: This temple complex was used by Chinese emperors to pray for good harvests. It is located in the southern part of Beijing and is now a popular tourist destination.
- The Bund: This waterfront area in Shanghai is a popular spot for tourists and locals alike. It is lined with colonial-era buildings and offers stunning views of the Huangpu River.
- Yu Garden: This beautiful garden is located in the center of Shanghai. It is a great place to relax and escape the hustle and bustle of the city.
- Natural Wonders
- The Yangtze River: The Yangtze River is the longest river in China and the third longest in the world. It is a popular destination for cruises and boat trips.
- Li River: This scenic river is located in Guangxi Province. It is known for its beautiful karst formations and is a popular destination for bamboo rafting tours.
- Huangshan Mountains: These mountains are located in Anhui Province. They are known for their dramatic scenery and are a popular destination for hiking and sightseeing.
- Jiuzhaigou Valley: This valley is located in Sichuan Province. It is known for its colorful lakes, waterfalls, and snow-capped mountains.
- Zhangjiajie National Park: This park is located in Hunan Province. It is known for its towering sandstone pillars, which were featured in the movie Avatar.
- Other Activities
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- Take a Kung Fu class: Kung Fu is a traditional Chinese martial art. There are many schools in China that offer Kung Fu classes to visitors.
- See a Chinese opera: Chinese opera is a traditional form of theater that combines singing, acting, dance, and acrobatics.
- Go on a panda tour: Pandas are a popular tourist attraction in China. There are several panda sanctuaries where you can see these endangered animals up close.
- Learn how to make dumplings: Dumplings are a popular food in China. There are many cooking classes where you can learn how to make them yourself.
Here are some must-have apps to use in China:
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Essential Apps
- VPN Proxy Master (optional) – While not essential, a VPN can be useful for tourists in China to access websites and apps that are blocked in the country, such as Google, Facebook, and YouTube. Keep in mind that VPN regulations can change, so be sure to do your research before downloading one.
- Translation Apps – These translation apps can be helpful if you don’t speak Chinese:
- Pleco – This is a dictionary app that allows you to look up Chinese characters and words. It’s great for deciphering signs and menus.
- Baidu Translate – This is a translation app that can translate between Chinese and English (and other languages). It’s useful for basic communication and understanding spoken Chinese.
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Getting Around
- DiDi – This is the Chinese equivalent of Uber. You can use it to hail taxis or private cars. It’s a convenient way to get around, especially if you don’t speak Chinese.
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Payments
- WeChat – This is an all-in-one messaging app that is essential for life in China. You can use it for messaging, voice or video calls, paying bills, hailing taxis, ordering food, and much more. WeChat Pay is the built-in payment system for WeChat, so you can use it to pay for almost anything in China.
- Alipay – This is another popular mobile payment app in China. It’s similar to WeChat Pay and can be used for paying for goods and services, as well as for transferring money to friends.