2017 Year in Review: Our Top 7 China Travel Destinations

Another year, another memory card full of pictures, a head full of memories, and a vague list as to where you want to head next already on the go. One of the reasons Beijing is such a great city to live in is because of the travel – domestic and international – that it opens up. This list should help guide you to some new destinations in 2018 or at least give you inspiration as to where to send the family next time they swing by.
 

Pingyao
We said: "When a friend described Pingyao to me as the 'Dali of the north,' I didn’t quite know what to expect. Sure, Dali is a beautiful ancient city, but one that failed to capture my imagination, which I put down to visiting 10 years too late or not being stoned out of my mind. However, while the comparison to Yunnan’s backpacker escape du jour wasn’t completely incorrect, driving the short distance from the train station through the neon glitz of Pingyao’s western district to the old walled city – considered the best-preserved in the whole of China – didn’t prepare me for how remarkable it would actually be."

Sichuan
We said: "Nothing illustrates the size and contradictions of China more vividly than trying to fit all the points of interest into a tiny 10-day itinerary. Cursed with eternally delayed flights but blessed with amusing train rides stretching through a series of dusks and dawns, roaming around Sichuan and Chongqing puts you in the line of fire for endless curiosity and unbridled hospitality."

Shenzhen
We said: "A city with a population of almost 12 million, Shenzhen is one of the five largest and wealthiest municipalities in China. This city, which borders Hong Kong, had a tiny population of just 30,000 people approximately 30 years ago, but now stands at over 10 million. Because of its rapid rise, in large part because the once small harbor town was used as an exemplar by Deng Xiaoping of what China could accomplish post-opening up in 1979, it may not be a surprise that there isn't that much to see, apart from reveling at its insane modernity and baffling skyscrapers."

Suzhou
We said: "As the old saying goes, “above there is heaven; below, there is Suzhou and Hangzhou” (上有天堂 下有苏杭 shàng yǒu tiāntáng xià yǒu sū háng), referring to the legendary beauty of the region around these two cities. Long renowned as a city of classical gardens and meandering canals, Suzhou may not have escaped the inevitable march of progress but it still makes for a diverting and relaxing short break away from Beijing."

Taipei
We said: "A melting pot of Chinese, Japanese, and Western influences, Taipei is a fascinating city with plenty to see and do, although the main attraction for longtime Beijing residents may be the city’s slower pace of life. At just over three hours away via direct flight (via Hainan, Air China, or EVA), Taiwan’s capital makes the perfect destination for a weekend getaway."

Tianjin
We said: "If you want to escape Beijing for a change of scene, Tianjin is only a day trip away and has a completely different feel to the capital. Where East has met West in the past, Tianjin’s history as a former foreign concessions port has resulted in a mix of European architecture, delicious food, and a relaxed vibe. It is definitely worth a visit if you have a free weekend, with trains running every 5-10 minutes between the two cities, making it extremely easy to hop onboard and explore Beijing’s next-door neighbor."

Xi'an
We said: "As a former capital of China for nearly 1,000 years until the Tang Dynasty and the eastern terminus of the Silk Road, you can barely move around Xi'an without tripping over something fascinating and ancient. The compact city center, still ringed by the old city walls, is home to plenty of sights, including the Drum and Bell Towers, the bustling Muslim Quarter, and several diverting museums, and the Terracotta Warriors for which the city is best known are just 20km east."

Looking to read more on our top 2017 food, nighlife, and news? Click here.

Images: Wikimedia Commons, Will Griffith, Tautvile Daugelaite, Margaux Schreurs