Top 5 must-see places in China

China is enormous. Even assuming that travel is limited to the eastern half of the country, the latter is larger than the whole of Europe. Getting an authentic China experience can prove difficult because of its size, and the propensity to be stuck in tourist traps and mobbed by crowds. For the ultimate 'Real China Experience’, here are the five must-see destinations:

Shanghai

Shanghai is a vibrant, glorious city, and the epitome of the luxury experience. There is no end to the pampering you can treat yourself to, but Shanghai also has an astonishing historical legacy enabling you to move from the very high-end experience to the early 20th century and older seamlessly. Stay on the Puxi side, either at the Langham in Xintiandi or the Peninsula next to the Bund. Visit the Bund for the view, architecture, and nightlife, shop in Xintiandi and stroll the Shikumen-style lane house neighbourhoods of the Luwan district nearby, and enjoy the French Concession’s Changle Road boutiques and European cafes. For truly authentic and unbelievable Chinese food, go to Ding Te Le on Huaihai Road for the spicy pork noodles, and Ling Long Fang on Jianguo Road for traditional Shanghai Xiaolongbao dumplings. For an ambrosiac dining experience, head to Jean-Georges’ Mercato on the Bund for dinner (and partying at Unico downstairs afterwards). Mr. & Mrs. Bund also caters to foodies not on a budget, and has an incredible vibe and after-dinner ambiance. Finally, definitely try Yuxin on Zhaoshangju Square for incredible high-end Szechuan cuisine! There is no end to the sights that Shanghai offers. Must see are the Jing 'An Temple, the 88th Floor Observatory in the Jin Mao Tower, the old Tianzifang Lane-House enclave, the Longhua Temple, and definitely consider a city tour in the side-car motorcycle service. The museums in Shanghai are rich with content and exhibitions, particularly the Museum of Contemporary Art in People’s Square Park, the Rockbund Museum, and the China Pavilion.

Suzhou

Suzhou is a short 30-minute bullet train ride from Shanghai, but transports you back to 500BC. It is a spectacular city built around canals and waterways, and featuring several ancient and majestic parks and endless exciting little side streets to lose yourself in. It isn’t known as the Venice of China for nothing! Stay the night, and take advantage of strolling the old town and lit canals in the evening. Stay at the Shangri-La, centrally located, luxurious, and has a helpful English-speaking staff. A great place to experience authentic Suzhou cuisine is at Wu Men Zhi Jia , nestled in an ancient walled home with mind blowingly great food! For the epicures, try Bistronomy on Shiquan Road. Suzhou is famous for its ancient gardens, and none are more spectacular than the Humble Administrator’s Garden. The Master of Nets garden is smaller, but is incredibly charming. Enjoy a coffee or traditional tea service in one its private walled gardens dating back nearly 1,000 years. The pedestrian-only Pingjiang Road is famous for its little boutiques, galleries, and tea houses, offering a vast number of side streets to explore (especially Dashitou Alley!). It is dotted with beautiful and delicate arched bridges along its canals, and is spectacularly beautiful at night.

Yangshuo

Yangshuo is a charming little town along the Li River in Guangxi Province. The area is famous for its amazingly beautiful Karst peaks and mountains, and serene Li River. It exemplifies the harmony between what was once a small Chinese village and China’s bountiful countryside, offering the best of China’s amazing landscapes and the serenity and quiet rarely found in its cities. Stay at the River View Inn, which is very modestly priced and faces the river and the magnificent mountains surrounding it. It is clean, comfortable, and the extremely helpful staff all speak English and can organize anything for you. For a 5-star luxury stay, consider the recently opened Yangshuo Resort just outside of town along the river. The highlight of a trip here is taking a 'Bamboo’ down river, and enjoying your inner Tom Sawyer. The trip is incredibly serene, and the mountains alongside the river are simply breathtaking! Be prepared for the breakwaters, which is all part of the fun experience. Rent a bicycle (with a guide) for a cycling trip through the countryside, and climb Moon Mountain; the views from the top are worthy of a National Geographic spread! And definitely go see the “Sanjie Liu Impression”, an absolutely stunning evening performance utilizing the Li River and Karst Mountains as its backdrop. Think “Les Miserables” in the most amazing open-air setting anywhere, with literally a cast of hundreds!

Lijiang

Lijiang’s Old Town is famous for good reason: it is the essence of China’s ancient history. Lijiang’s Old Town offers a maze of winding cobblestone streets alongside delicate tree-lined canals fed from the Li River. Its 800 year old wooden structures showcase intense charm, and an incredible history. Lijiang is noted for its artists & handcrafters, and there is no shortage of great works to choose from in its galleries. Lijiang is at the edge of Tibetan Plateau in Yunnan, providing some spectacular views of the mountain ranges such as the Jade Dragon Snow Mountain. Stay at the Pullman Resort and Spa, or the Banyan Tree. Both are very high-end and define the luxury experience. Lijiang offers many dining opportunities, but for a truly luxurious experience enjoy your private chef preparing an amazing lakeside feast at the Pullman, or dine under a Naxi-style lakeside pagodas at the Banyan Tree. The Old Town is extraordinary on its own, and worth taking your time over. The Mu Palace and the Jade Dragon Snow Mountain are definite highlights of your trip, as are biking from town to town locally and visiting Naxi villages nearby. For the adventurous, take the cable car to see Yak Meadow. It is stunning!

Lhasa, Tibet

Lhasa is surely on every luxury travelers list of must-see places. A visit to the Potala Palace would be sufficient on its own, but Lhasa is blessed with a vast number of incredible places to see. Top of any list would be the Potala Palace, Sera Monastery, Jokhang Temple, the Ganden Monastery, and of course Yamdrok Lake (see author’s dedicated blog on Tibet here). Stay at The St. Regis, an amazing experience, wrapped in luxury. The Tibetan Experience is bookended by two themes: the religious life and its geography. Tibet and its people are deeply spiritual, and it is obvious in the numerous and absolutely astonishing monasteries and religious sanctuaries, with the Potala Palace as the crown jewel. See them all if you can, each is unique and stunning on its own. Day or overnight trips into the mountains will give you a Himalayan experience far exceeding what you can get in Nepal. Yamdrok Lake is one such experience, leaving you in no doubt that you are truly on top of the world.