Bucket List China: 15 Experiences Every American Must Have

Cultural Insights • 8 min read

15 Experiences That Belong on Your Life List

China has more bucket list experiences per square mile than almost anywhere else on earth. Here are the 15 our travelers consistently rate as life-changing.

1. Walk the Great Wall at Sunrise

The wall stretches across mountain ridges to the horizon. At sunrise, it's one of travel's most powerful moments. Amazing China from $1,599pp

2. Stand Before the Terracotta Warriors

8,000 unique clay soldiers, each with individual facial features, buried for 2,200 years. Legends of China from $2,099pp

3. Cruise the Yangtze Through the Three Gorges

Four nights on China's mightiest river. Imperial China & the Timeless Yangtze from $3,599pp

4. Meet Giant Pandas in Chengdu

Pure joy. Go early morning. Heart of China from $2,499pp

5. West Lake Sunset, Hangzhou

A thousand years of Chinese poetry were inspired by this view.

6. Li River Cruise

The landscape on China's 20 RMB note.

7. The Forbidden City

980 buildings. 500 years of imperial power.

8. Zhangjiajie's Avatar Mountains

Even more incredible in real life.

9. Peking Duck in Beijing

A ceremony as much as a meal.

10. Tibet and the Potala Palace

The roof of the world. Tibet & Sacred Heartland from $5,299pp

11. Shanghai Acrobatics

World-class performers defying gravity.

12. Mogao Caves, Silk Road

492 temples with Buddhist art spanning a thousand years. Silk Road from $4,099pp

13. Harbin Ice Festival

Massive illuminated ice sculptures in minus 30 degrees. China In Crystal from $4,599pp

14. Xi'an's Ancient City Walls

14 kilometers of walkable history.

15. Mongolian Ger Camp

Sleeping under steppe skies. Empire & Horizon from $5,399pp

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