china

China is a populous nation in East Asia whose vast landscape encompasses grassland, desert, mountains, lakes, rivers and more than 14,000km of coastline. Capital Beijing mixes modern architecture with historic sites such as the Forbidden City palace complex and Tiananmen Square. Shanghai is a skyscraper-studded global financial center. The iconic Great Wall of China runs east-west across the country's north.

Best places	Explanation
BEIJING	* Beijing, China’s massive capital, has history stretching back 3 millennia. * Yet it’s known as much for its modern architecture as its ancient sites such as the grand Forbidden City complex, the imperial palace during the Ming and Qing dynasties. * Nearby, the massive Tiananmen Square pedestrian plaza is the site of Mao Zedong’s mausoleum and the National Museum of China, displaying a vast collection of cultural relics.
SHANGHAI	* Shanghai, on China’s central coast, is the country's biggest city and a global financial hub. * Its heart is the Bund, a famed waterfront promenade lined with colonial-era buildings. * Across the Huangpu River rises the Pudong district’s futuristic skyline, including 632m Shanghai Tower and the Oriental Pearl TV Tower, with distinctive pink spheres. Sprawling Yu Garden has traditional pavilions, towers and ponds.
HONG KONG	* Hong Kong is an autonomous territory, and former British colony, in southeastern China. * Its vibrant, densely populated urban centre is a major port and global financial hub with a skyscraper-studded skyline. Central (the business district) features architectural landmarks like I.M. Pei’s Bank of China Tower. * Hong Kong is also a major shopping destination, famed for bespoke tailors and Temple Street Night Market.
SUZHOU	* Suzhou, a city west of Shanghai, is known for its canals, bridges and classical gardens. * The Humble Administrator’s Garden, dating to 1513, contains zigzag bridges over connected pools and islands. * The Lingering Garden features ornate viewing pavilions and the Crown of Clouds Peak, a striking limestone rockery. * Tiger Hill is home to the 7-story, leaning Cloud Rock Pagoda at its summit.