In terms of tourist attractions, China has undergone significant change in recent years.
Numerous outdoor attractions, ranging from cruises along the world’s longest canal to a post-earthquake fairyland, have opened or undergone significant renovations, providing travelers with more compelling reasons than ever to visit China.
International visitors can finally check out some of these popular new offerings that have been winning the hearts of domestic travelers during the pandemic now that the nation has announced that it is reopening its borders to foreign travelers and resumed issuing tourist visas.
A few of our favorites are listed here.
The Grand Canal, the world’s longest human-made river
China’s Grand Canal is the world’s longest river, measuring 1,782 kilometers (1,107 miles), or nine times the length of the Suez Canal.
The Grand Canal, also known as the Jing-Hang Canal, was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2014. It connects several waterways, including the Yangtze River and the Yellow River, from Beijing in the north to Hangzhou in the south.
It was built in sections more than 2,500 years ago and remained unified over the centuries.
Some areas became polluted or dried up over the past century. However, the entire Grand Canal was cleaned up and reconnected in 2022 as a result of a government initiative.
Among the top spots to encounter it is Cangzhou, a more than two hour drive from Beijing. The modern port city has overhauled the traveler contributions along its part of the trench, which presently includes 15 journey ships, 12 vacationer wharfs and six new extensions.
Jiangsu Garden Expo Park
On the eastern coast of China, Jiangsu province is known for its exquisitely designed Chinese gardens, some of which date back more than 2,000 years.
The custom is still followed today, but with a new twist. The Jiangsu Garden Expo Park was constructed in 2021 in an abandoned quarry in Nanjing, the province’s capital.
The 3.45-square-kilometer area is home to stunning gardens in the traditional Jiangsu style as well as other attractions like a theater, a water-based botanical garden, and a pedestrian shopping street.
The Canglang Pavilion, a UNESCO World Heritage Site in nearby Suzhou, served as inspiration for the creation of Suzhou Garden, which is one of the highlights.
Mortise and tenon joints (where two pieces of wood are locked together without nails) are used to join all of the structures in the Suzhou Garden. As a matter of fact, it’s said not a solitary nail has been utilized in the nursery.
Universal Beijing Resort
The 169-hectare Universal Beijing Resort, the fifth and largest Universal Studios theme park in the world, will open in September 2021.
There are seven themed lands, many of which are outdoors, with dozens of shows and rides: The Harry Potter Wizarding World; Metrobase from Transformers; Hollywood; WaterWorld; Land for Minion; Isla Nubla from Jurassic World; and King Fu Panda’s Amazing Land.
In addition, there is the NUO Resort Hotel, a resort hotel with a Qing Dynasty theme, and the Universal Studios Grand Hotel, which was the first hotel in the world to have a theme.
Glamping and stargazing at Ningxia’s Desert Star Hotel
The semi-arid Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region is one of the best places to enjoy China’s dramatic desert landscapes and engage in serious stargazing. It is neighboring the Inner Mongolia region in the north of China. The region receives only about 300 days of clear skies each year and receives little precipitation.
In recent years, the region has taken advantage of this strength and has seen an increase in tourism.
The yearly China (Ningxia) Brilliant Sky The travel industry Gathering originally started off in 2021, joining stargazing with a progression of occasions, including a desert electronic live concert and an outrageous vehicle race.
Staying at the Desert Star Hotel in Zhongwei City is one of the best ways to see Ningxia.
The hotel has 176 rooms in the middle of the desert and is in the Shapotou District, a scenic tourist area. If you’re looking for a taste of glamping, you can choose from tent-style huts and rooms with balconies that overlook the desert.
There are dining options inside and outside the complex, as well as a swimming pool, a theater with an astronomy theme, and sand activities that are safe for kids.
The only official WeChat account the hotel has is its own, but guests can also make reservations through other hotel platforms or local travel agencies. The cost of a room starts around RMB2300, or about $320 per night.
Jiuzhaigou, a UNESCO World Heritage site
In 2017, Jiuzhaigou County in China’s southwestern Sichuan Province was devastated by a powerful and fatal earthquake.
The area, including the well-known Jiuzhaigou National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, has been the subject of intense restoration efforts in recent years by the government and the tourism industry.
In September 2021, the scenic area reopened completely and now features 12 upgraded attractions. These incorporate the Shenxian Chi (Pixie Lakes), which element terraced white and light blue travertine pools, and the Dalu Antiquated Town, which is more than 1,000 years of age.
The brand-new Jiawuhai Giant Panda Conservation and Research Park is also present. The center houses four giant pandas, and the area around it is home to approximately thirty wild pandas.
Where can we stay? The first Ritz-Carlton Reserve in China, which will open later this year, will appeal to luxury travelers.
The 87-villa Rissai Valley, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve, will be just 15 minutes from the Jiuzhaigou National Park. It will have a 2,500 square foot spa, dining and event spaces, and outdoor seating with a view of the mountains.
