China boasts of twenty four cultural and five natural relics inscribed on the World Heritage List. Apart from this record, there are still fifty eight relics on the tentative list of the UNESCO World Heritage list to be officially added to China's cultural treasures. This record has in turn led to the rapid boost of China's tourism contributing to its economic growth.



Almost every city in China has one or more sightseeing to visit and if you don't plan your itinerary ahead, you might just wander through some cities without seeing the most important attractions making your trip to China incomplete.

Beijing is usually the first city to visit. Because of its significance in the historical development of China, it has a number of sightseeing which is not to be missed during your short visit here. They include The Great Wall, the Forbidden City, Temple of Heaven, Tiananmen Square, The Summer Palace, The Ming Tombs and the traditional Hutong. All of these attractions can be visited in three days.

Xian would definitely be your next stop after Beijing. Spending two days in Xian allows you to discover the past of China since it is believed by many to be the birthplace of ancient civilization. The two major attractions to see in Xian are the Terracotta Army Warriors and the Big Wild Goose Pagoda. These Xian attractions played significant roles during the Chinese revolution.

From Xian, you can fly to Guilin and Yangshuo where you can spend 2 days cruising the Li River and exploring the Reed Flute caves and the Elephant Trunk hills. The few days you spend in Guilin renews your spirit with its breathtaking beauty.

After the rejuvenating experience from the land of Guilin, you can spend the next five to six days in the beautiful province of Yunnan. Kunming, the spring city of Yunnan is known to be the most peaceful and laid back environment very much inclined to foreign tourists. With a wonderful landscape, more sightseeings and a favorable climate, it is no wonder why tourists flock to this part of China to spend more days there. The major highlights of Yunnan province include the Shilin Stone Forest, Tiger Leaping Gorge, Jade Dragon Snow Mountain, and Erhai Lake.

And finally, the last two days can be spent shopping and wandering around the cosmopolitan streets of Shanghai. Shanghai is one of the oldest cities in China which has developed into a fast bustling metropolis. Yuyuan garden, The Jade Buddha temple, Shanghai Bund and the French Concession are major places of interest in Shanghai. There are also a number of shopping malls and markets to buy assorted bags and shoes at reasonable prices.

Five cities and twenty attractions in twelve days could just be the best way to enjoy your China travel adventure.

For more information about  Vacations, visit Passport to China.