Off-the-radar destinations every visitor to China should consider

Maggie Hiufu Wong. (2023, March 28). Off-the-radar destinations every visitor to China should consider. CNN. https://edition.cnn.com/travel/article/china-lesser-known-destinations/index.html

With China finally reopening to the world, it’s time to dust off that travel wish list and start planning.

Being one of the world’s most visited tourist destinations pre-pandemic, the country has long lured international travelers to popular attractions like Beijing’s Forbidden City, Xi’an’s Terracotta Warriors or Chengdu’s giant panda research base.

And those are still amazing destinations worth visiting.

But for travelers looking to experience some of the country’s less-visited regions, we’ve put together a list of culturally-rich and beautiful places to consider as you start planning your next trip to China.

Jingdezhen

Large chimneys, used for firing porcelain, dot the skyline of Jingdezhen city.

Dubbed the porcelain capital of the world, Jingdezhen has been firing quality pieces of “white gold” for more than 1,700 years.

Today, travelers can visit the historic kilns that have produced beautiful pieces of china for centuries, some of which ended up in the hands of the imperial family.

Traders and artists continue to flock to Jingdezhen for inspiration and to shop for ceramics in the city’s shops and markets. Many workshops are open to the public, while some offer demonstrations showing how porcelain is made.

For a crash course in the city’s porcelain history, visit the newly built and photogenic Jingdezhen Imperial Kiln Museum of China. Treasure hunters will want to visit the city’s Ghost Market, which is featured in the video at the top of this page.

Meanwhile, a new crop of young artists and entrepreneurs has been injecting fresh energy into the ancient city in recent years. One of the hottest creative hubs is Tao Xi Chuan, also called Ceramic Art Avenue.

Located in an old, defunct ceramic factory, it’s home to a few museums, a boutique hotel, a theater, weekend markets and many studios and shops.

Changsha

Welcome to Changsha, China's happiest city.

For 16 years in a row, the annual China Happy Cities Forum has named Changsha, the capital city of Hunan province, as the country’s happiest city.

And it’s easy to understand why – it has one of the most vibrant nightlife and street food scenes in China.

After sampling some black stinky tofu and fish head topped with duo jiao (chopped chile peppers) on Pozijie, a pedestrian-only street, travelers can head to Huangxing South Road to be dazzled by the countless billboards and neon signs.

Other attractions include the historic Gulushan Temple and the futuristic Zaha Hadid-designed Changsha Meixihu International Cultural and Arts Centre.

In addition to winning praise for its happy residents, the landlocked destination has also been dubbed China’s hottest influencer city, luring flocks of young domestic travelers over the last few years.

One of the reasons for its popularity may be its wildly famous homegrown brand, Sexy Tea. The beverage has such a dedicated following across the country that people waited in line for eight hours to enjoy a cup of this famous brew at a recent pop-up store in the city of Shenzhen.

Guangxi

The breathtaking landscapes of Guilin are among the many reasons to visit Guangxi province.

The southern autonomous region of Guangxi offers a limitless supply of jaw-droppingly beautiful landscapes and unique cultural celebrations.

One of the best times to visit the region is during the Song Festival, a multi-day event that begins on the third day of the third month on the Lunar calendar (in 2023, it falls on April 22).

An important festival for several ethnic groups, including the Zhuang people, revelers sing folk shan-ge (mountain songs), eat glutinous rice and perform bamboo dances. Wuming district is where you’ll find one of the largest Song Festival celebrations.

While you are in Guangxi, you should also visit Sanjiang County, home to some of the most beautiful wooden bridges in the world.

Called fengyu qiao (wind and rain bridges), they were built without nails and often feature intricate multi-story pavilions and verandas.

Chengyang Bridge is one of the most famous Fengyu bridges in Sanjiang.