Top 10 Brilliant Cultural Attractions in China with Travel Photos

Till the end of 2019, China has altogether 55 World Heritage Sites, ranking on the top in the world. And the brilliant Chinese Culture is also the reason why global tourists so fascinated about China tour. Are you also culture lovers? Do you want a close visit of the top World Heritage Sites in China? Here, we have listed top 10 Brilliant China World Heritage Sites for you, which are the most popular sites selected by our dear customers. Check these pick of best and the wonderful photos shared by our customers to get more ideas about your China trip!

The list is in order based on the year they were added to World Heritage Sites:

1. Beijing Great Wall (Become A Member of UNESCO World Heritage Sites Since 1987)

Donna and David Porter from US visited Beijing Great Wall in 2018, tour customized by China Discovery

Great Wall, or known as Changcheng, is sometimes an alternative name of China! It was added to World Heritage List in 1987. This world’s largest human-made object needs no introduction. Its name alone makes you want to get packing. “One who fails to reach the Great Wall is not a hero”, what about you?

Hot Great Wall tours:

>> 3 Days Beijing Essential Short Stay Tour (Visa Free)

>> 4 Days Beijing Essence Tour with Simatai Great Wall Night Sightseeing

2. Beijing Forbidden City (Become A Member of UNESCO World Heritage Sites Since 1987)

Marina visited Beijing Forbidden City in September 2015, tour customized by Jack of China Discovery

The Forbidden City, or called the Palace Museum, is the largest imperial palace in the world - large enough to takes you at least 2 hours to explore all of the palaces and courtyards, and rooms. Besides its large size and great number of palaces, the history and story of Forbidden City are also fascinating. It was also in 1987 that the Forbidden City, together with other Imperial Palaces of the Ming and Qing Dynasties in Beijing and Shenyang, was added to the list of World Heritage Sites.

>> 2 Days Beijing Best Highlights Tour (Hotel Pickup)

>> 4 Days Classic Beijing Tour Package (Leisure Paced)

3. Xian Terra-cotta Warriors (Become A Member of UNESCO World Heritage Sites Since 1987)

Donna’s group from USA visited Xian Terra-cotta Warriors in May 2018, tour customized by Johnson

Terracotta Warriors was listed as world cultural heritage in the year of 1987. This existing “army” in Xian is another strong proof of the great power of emperors in ancient years. This astonishing site also enjoys the reputation of one of the greatest archaeological discoveries of modern times. A trip to explore these vivid soldiers gives you a unique angle of learning ancient Chinese history.

Best Xian tour to Terra-cotta Warriors:

>> 3 Days Classic Xian Tour (Best Highlights Plus Enjoyable Pace)

4. Dunhuang Mogao Grottoes (Become A Member of UNESCO World Heritage Sites Since 1987)

Irene from Malaysia visited Mogao Caves in December 2019, tour customized by Leo of China Discovery

Mogao caves were also inscribed on the World Heritage List in 1987. It is one of the greatest repositories of Buddhist art in the world from which you can trace the development of Chinese art over 1,600 years from one dynasty to the next because each dynasty built own caves to record its own features.

Recommended Dunhuang Tours including the Mogao Caves

>> 4 Days Classic Dunhuang Tour

>> 4 Days Jiayuguan and Dunhuang Tour(Silk Road Short Break)

5. The Potala Palace (Become A Member of UNESCO World Heritage Sites Since 1994)

Rizo’s group from Peruana visited The Potala Palace in June 2015, tour customized by Wonder

The Potala Palace was listed as one of the World’s Culture Heritages by UNESCO in 1994. It is a symbol of Tibet. And this sacred site in Lhasa is always your first site of your Tibet tour. Its white-and-red appearance and precious murals, scriptures and local exquisitely tangka give you a glimpse of Tibetan culture.

Hot China Tour includes the visit of the Potala Palace:

>> 5 Days Lhasa & Namtso Tour

6. Leshan Giant Buddha (Become A Member of UNESCO World Heritage Sites Since 1996)

Lynn’s group visited Leshan Giant Buddha in 2017, tour customized by Vivien.

Leshan Giant Buddha is about 2 hours’ driving from panda’s home - Chengdu. It was listed as a member of World Heritage Site in 1996, together with Mount Emei Scenic Area. This giant Buddha sitting at the cliff is the largest Buddha in the world.

Popular Leshan Giant Buddha tour:

>> 4 Days Classic Leshan & Mount Emei Tour (Airport Pick Up)

7. Lijiang Ancient Town (Become A Member of UNESCO World Heritage Sites Since 1997)

Sylvie from France visited Lijiang Ancient Town in 2018, tour customized by Echo of China Discovery

Lijiang Ancient Town was listed as UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1997. This old town with a history of over 800 years is one of the four best-preserved ancient cities in China. It offers an unbeatable lively and romantic atmosphere with ethnic features.

Hot Lijiang Ancient Town tour

>> 3 Days Romantic Lijiang Tour with Visits to Naxi Kingdom

8. Beijing Temple of Heaven (Become A Member of UNESCO World Heritage Sites Since 1998)

Liz’s group visited Beijing Temple of Heaven in 2017, tour customized by Wendy

In 1998, the Imperial Sacrificial Altar in Beijing - Temple of Heaven was added to the World Heritage List. In ancient times, the emperors of the Ming and Qing dynasties as interlocutors between humankind and the celestial realm offered sacrifice to heaven and prayed for bumper harvests here.

Popular Beijing Temple of Heaven tours:

>> 4 Days Classic Dunhuang Tour

>> 4 Days Jiayuguan and Dunhuang Tour(Silk Road Short Break)

9. Fujian Tulou - (Become A Member of UNESCO World Heritage Sites Since 2008)

Our customers David's group from USA visited Tianluokeng Tulou Cluster of Nanjing Tulou (one of the two major parts of Fujian Tulou), Fujian in November 2020, tour customized by Wendy of China Discovery.

Fujian Tulou refers not only one building but a group of buildings. In 2008, there are 46 Fujian Tulou sites inscribed as World Heritage Sites. These famous Hakka Residential Earthen Houses keep legendary Hakka culture, and therefore also known as "a Living World Heritage".

Recommended Yongding Tulou tour:

>> 2 Days Yongding Tulou In-depth Tour

10. Henan Shaolin Temple (Become A Member of UNESCO World Heritage Sites Since 2010)

Roger’s group from Britain visited Shaolin Temple in October 2018, tour customized by Lily

Kung Fu Fans must have already known Shaolin before. Shaolin Martial Arts are usually essential parts in Chinese and even global films. Included on UNESCO's World Cultural & Natural Heritage List in 2010, Shaolin Temple is the cradle of the Chinese Zen Buddhism and the Shaolin Martial Arts such as Shaolin Cudgel.

Hot Kung Fu tour:

>> 3 Days In-depth Shaolin Kung Fu Tour

Explore Brilliant China World Heritage Sites with China Discovery

Want to explore brilliant China World Heritage Sites and Chinese culture? Travel with China Discovery and let our experienced travel consultants customize a tour for you! All the tour can be tailor-made according to your interests, budget, needs and time! And during the whole journey, you can focus on the splendid history and stories of China!

If you are interested, please feel free to contact us! Tell us your needs and we will take care of the rest, including the destinations, transportations, hotels, restaurants, tour guide, etc.

Our Customers in Xian Terra-cotta Warriors