China's Top 10 Historical Cities to Visit

One of the most superior things about China is its fascinating history, and there is no better way to understand a destination than learning about its history. Throughout China’s long history of over 5,000 years, the historical cities on this land have witnessed the rise and fall of numerous dynasties. From the beacons of culture to architecture brilliance existing during that time, a city’s past shapes its present, and likely its future, too. Each city tells its own story of a time gone by - and there’s a hell of a lot to learn. Marking the transition from ancient dynasties to modern society, China’s historical cities provide a visible connection between the glorious bygone and the outstanding present. For those who love discovering a new destination through its past, we’ve compiled a list of the top 10 historical cities in China to inspire some unforgettable vacations.

• Beijing - The Millennium Imperial Capital
• Xi’an - Home to the Terracotta Warriors & Horse
• Luoyang - The Capital for 13 Dynasties
• Nanjing - the Southern Capital from 265 AD
• Kaifeng - World's Biggest City in the Song Dynasty
• Hangzhou - A Picturesque Imperial Retreat
• Anyang - Cradle of the Original Chinese Characters
• Suzhou - Venice of the East
• Datong - The Live Museum of Ancient Chinese Sculpture
• Chengdu - Birthplace of Ancient Shu Civilization

History: Nearly 3,000 years.
Location: Northern China.
Cultural & Historical Sites: the Forbidden City, Temple of Heaven, National Museum of China, Badaling Great Wall, Mutianyu Great Wall, Summer Palace, Ming Tombs.

The nation’s capital offers an incomparable insight into China’s history in all its glory and complexity, with an enviable collection of world-famous opulent palaces, sublime temples, imperial gardens, tombs, and walls attracting countless visitors from across the globe. With a history dating back to three thousand years, Beijing is one of the four great ancient capitals of China, together with Xi’an, Luoyang, and Nanjing. As the political center, economic forefront, and cultural heart for many ancient dynasties, it’s difficult to compete with the city’s profound eminence in Chinese history or its absolute concentration of noteworthy sights.

There’s no better way to soak in Beijing’s rich and charming history than with a stroll through the Forbidden City, admiring the art and the wisdom cherished through the aged palatial architecture and listening to the stories of 24 Emperors during Ming and Qing Dynasties. In addition to the Forbidden City, there are other five inspiring UNESCO World Heritage sites scattered throughout the city well worth exploring: the Great Wall, Temple of Heaven, Summer Palace, Ming Tombs, Zhoukoudian. History enthusiasts won’t want to miss the National Museum of China, which presents a comprehensive and thorough view of the country’s past through a permanent collection of 1,050,000 items. To infuse your stay with even more history, there are lots of accommodation and dining options boasting strong connections to the past, including the well-preserved old residences that now serve as hotels in the hutong areas neighboring Shichahai Lake, as well as Quanjude restaurant where George H.W. Bush once dined.

Recommended tour: 4 days Beijing walking tour

History: Over 3,500 years.
Location: Shaanxi Province, Central China.
Cultural & Historical Sites: Terracotta Warriors & Horses, Ancient City Wall, Giant Wild Goose Pagoda, Mausoleum of Emperor Qin Shi Huang, The Shaanxi History Museum.

As the country’s oldest ancient capital, Xi’an has witnessed some fascinating episodes in history, changing hands through 13 dynasties from the Western Zhou Dynasty to the Tang Dynasty which was the most thriving era for Xi’an. Being one of the Four Great Ancient Capital Cities together with Rome, Athens, and Cairo, Xi’an is the starting point of the Silk Road. This has given rise to one of the greatest archaeological discoveries of the century and the eighth wonder of the world - Terracotta Warriors and Horses.

History buffs should delve right into the large-scale Shaanxi History Museum, which is an art mansion thoroughly displaying Shaanxi history & culture as well as Chinese ancient civilization. Follow this with visits to the distinctive Great Mosque - a gorgeous combination of traditional Chinese architecture and Islamic one, and with a stroll in the Muslim Quater, home to a collection of typical buildings in Ming and Qing dynasties and diverse delicious local snacks. Other historically significant sights to explore include Giant Wild Goose Pagoda, Hanyangling Museum, Huaqing Palace, elegant San Fernando Cathedral, a handful of insightful museums, as well as the Ancient City Wall which is a marvelous proof of the engineering and architectural skills of the ancient Chinese.

Recommended tour: 3 days Popular Xi'an sightseeing tour

History: Nearly 3,300 years.
Location: Henan Province, Central China.
Cultural & Historical Sites: White Horse Temple, Longmen Grottoes, Laojun Mountain, Guanlin Temple, Luoyang Museum, Lijing Gate.

Luoyang is often unjustly overlooked by travelers keen to hop between the higher-profile destinations of Beijing and Shanghai lying just to its north and east. But as a cradle of Chinese civilization and one of the true dynastic citadels, Luoyang is an unparalleled destination for learning about China's fascinating past. The city was another prosperous ancient capital of 13 dynasties, the same as Xi’an, until the Northern Song dynasty moved its capital east to Kaifeng in the 10th century.

Signs of its deep-seated history and varied cultural influences are obvious at every turn in Luoyang, and there is no better place to soak it all in than Longmen Grottoes - a Buddhist Art Treasure was listed as UNESCO World Heritage. Another historical landmark dates back to 68 AD of the Eastern Han Dynasty when Buddhism was brought to China, giving rise to the impressive White Horse Temple - China’s first Buddhist temple. Once you’ve toured the top sites, there are several informative museums where you can deepen your knowledge of Luoyang’s storied past: Luoyang Museum, Luoyang Ancient Tombs Museum, Erlitou Site Museum, Tianzi Jialiu Museum, all host evocative collections helping to bring the ancient Luoyang to life.

Recommended tour: 5 days Xi'an Luoyang ancient Chinese capital tour

History: Nearly 2,500 years.
Location: Jiangsu Province, Eastern China.
Cultural & Historical Sites: Ming Xiaoling Mausoleum, Confucius Temple, Dabaoen Temple, Dr. Sun Yat-sen’s Mausoleum, Memorial Hall to the Victims in the Nanjing Massacre, Presidential Palace.

To gain the ultimate insight into China’s republican-era, it doesn't get any better than Nanjing, the capital of the Republic of China from 1927 to 1949. Today it serves as the provincial capital of Jiangsu province, but its deep and brilliant history is flecked with prosperity and calamity, as an ancient capital for many of the most significant political and cultural events of 7 separate kingdoms, one dynasty, and one revolutionary government.

This vigorous city is brimming with history and has done exceedingly well both in retaining its original treasures and to ensure that most historical architecture constructions in the downtown area conform with the unique axisymmetric layout. The result is that you can’t help but feel the strong pull of the city’s rich and long past on every corner enclosed by the 48-km-long city wall which was constructed during the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644). Be sure not to miss the Purple Mountain, where you’ll find the landmark sights: Dr. Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum, Ming Xiaoling Mausoleum, Linggu Temple and have the chance to appreciate a panoramic view of the city and stunning plum blossoms.

Recommended tour: 12 days East China tour to Shanghai - Hangzhou - Suzhou - Nanjing

History: Nearly 2,700 years.
Location: Henan Province, Central China.
Cultural & Historical Sites: Dragon Pavilion, Iron Pagoda, Daxiangguo Temple, Kaifeng Palace, Memorial Temple of Lord Bao.

Having served as the capital for 8 reigns and being renowned as the biggest metropolis in the global during the Northern Song Dynasty, Kaifeng is the place of origin of the exceptional work “Along the River During Qingming Festival” - the most famous Chinese painting and is reputed as "China's Mona Lisa”. With its rich tapestry of history and culture, Kaifeng is a remarkably well-preserved city with the only well-documented Jewish community in China, brimming with a series of inherited intangible cultural heritage, such as the Yu Opera, Bian Embroidery, woodblock painting, etc.

Current Kaifeng merely kept a few ancient relics due to the severe damage it suffered, but the city still offers up a wonderful display of age-old fascination. It's home to the Northern Song Dynasty’s biggest Buddhist temple and national religious center - Daxiangguo Temple, the originally preserved ancient government office - Kaifeng Palace, and the 13-story Iron Pagoda with a brick structure. Be sure to pay a visit to the most historic site Dragon Pavilion, the royal palace for six dynasties, which is an early example of elegant imperial architecture. Yet silent temples, elegant palaces, and solemn pagodas aren’t the only things the city has to offer!

History: Nearly 2,200 years.
Location: Zhejiang, Southeast China.
Cultural & Historical Sites: West Lake, Leifeng Pagoda, Lingyin Temple, Wuzhen Water Town, Beijing-Hangzhou Grand Canal, Six Harmonies Pagoda.

Visit the landscaped and famously friendly city of Hangzhou which is known for its rich history as an imperial retreat for Beijing’s emperors, and you’ll feel as though you’ve been transported back in time. Having served as the capital of the Southern Song Dynasty (1127–1279) and the Wuyue Kingdom (907–978), the city grew to prominence as one of the main trade centers connecting China’s north and south with the completion of the Beijing-Hangzhou Grand Canal.

Reputed as “the finest and noblest in the world” by the explorer Marco Polo, the flourishing Hangzhou retains its imperial past scattered around the neighborhoods of West Lake, a UNESCO World Heritage Site listed in 2011. A stroll following the ancient causeways makes it perfect to learn about the city’s past through exploring the ancient lofty pagodas and blissfully tranquil temples. Intriguing as it is, Hangzhou’s ancient charms are by no means limited to West Lake and its surroundings, delve further into the China National Silk Museum - the largest silk museum in the world and the China National Tea Museum to explore the history of Chinese silk and tea.

Recommended tour: 6 days Shanghai Suzhou Hangzhou tour with water town visit

History: Nearly 3,300 years.
Location: Henan Province, Central China.
Cultural & Historical Sites: Yin Ruins, Red Flag Canal, Youli City, Lingquan Temple Grottoes, Shang Dynasty Royal Cemetery.

Anyang, a city of many historic firsts for China and the country’s earliest known capital, is a must-visit destination for those fascinated by the remains and relics of China’s earliest historical period. With a history spanning over 3,300 years, Anyang has once served as a prosperous capital for seven dynasties from Shang Dynasty - the first recorded dynasty in Chinese history - when it was called Yin to Northern Qi Dynasty when it was called Ye.

As an authentic testament to its ancient roots, many historical remains of the Shang Dynasty have been revealed there, including the Yin Ruins where the Oracle Bone Inscriptions and the world’s biggest bronze caldron - Houmuwu Ding were found. The oracle bones were mostly used for divination, and the script used is believed to be the earliest form of Chinese characters. It’s home to the nation’s first Chinese character museum which presents the well-preserved ancient civilization and culture of China, two World Cultural Heritages - Yin Ruins and Yongji Canal, a grotto complex with pagoda forest, as well as the Youli City where the Book of Changes was born.

History: Nearly 2,500 years
Location: Jiangsu Province, Eastern China
Cultural & Historical Sites: Humble Administrator’s Garden, Lingering Garden, Tiger Hill, Suzhou Museum, Tongli Water Town, Zhouzhuang Water Town, Panmen Gate, Hanshan Temple.

Established in 514 BC, Suzhou is one of the oldest cities in China’s Yangtze River Delta region, leading the nation’s silk-producing. The city has a history that goes back to over 2,500 years and you can learn all about it at the Suzhou Museum, one of the top museums in China dedicated to the area's past. Also dubbed as the Venice of the East, the whole city feels like a film set with countless stretching canals. Adding to the charm are some quaint water towns, surviving canal scenes, temples, and pagodas. The Tongli and Zhouzhuang water towns which suggest the Suzhou of old, are simply fascinating.

Suzhou has a lot to offer; not just museums, canals, water towns, etc. The Garden City excels when it comes to art and architecture with world-famous landmarks like the Humble Administrator’s Garden, Lingering Garden, and Panmen Gate each a delight to witness. There are more than 60 classical gardens in the city to keep you occupied. If you love to appreciate a symphonic combination of meticulously designed architecture, featured shaped stones, and idyllic, then make Suzhou the next stop of your China tour.

Recommended tour: 5 days Shanghai to Suzhou tour with Tongli Water Town exploration

History: Nearly 2,300 years
Location: Shanxi Province, North China.
Cultural & Historical Sites: Yungang Grottoes, Hanging Temple, Yingxian Wooden Pagoda, Huayuan Monastery, Nine Dragon Screen.

History lovers are in for a treat on a visit to Datong which was initially established in the name of Pingcheng in 200 BC, during the Han Dynasty (206 BC–220 AD). Given its position close to the Yanmenguan Pass of the Great Wall, it thrived as a commerce hub linking northern China and Inner Mongolia. Regrettably, the city fell into decline in the last period of the dynasty and was mostly abandoned until it turned into the capital of the Northern Wei Dynasty (386-534 AD) about the year 398. It was from this stage that the imposing Yungang Grottoes were constructed under the superintendence and support of the imperial court.

Within the city’s city wall, the three main places of interest are the Nine Dragon Screen, Huayan Temple, and Shanhua Temple. Beyond the wall where Datong truly comes into its own, visitors can find some of the most spectacular sights, such as the awe-inspiring Yungang Grottoes, a collection of over 51,000 statues of Buddha offering an excellent insight into the industrious nature of the ancient Chinese people, the photogenic Hanging Temple which is embedded deep into the cliff-face of Mount Hengshan, as well as the China’s largest and oldest wooden pagoda in Yingxian county. The city is also a gateway to the sacred Wutai Mountain.

Recommended tours: 3 days Datong Pingyao classical tour

History: Nearly 3,000 years
Location: Sichuan Province, Southwest China.
Cultural & Historical Sites: Dujiangyan Irrigation System, Mount Qingcheng, Wuhou Temple, Dufu Thatched Cottage, Jinsha Relics Museum, Sanxingdui Museum, Wenshu Monastery.

Chengdu, a treasure trove of Chinese history, has kept its name unchanged since its foundation during the Qin Dynasty (221-206 BC). As once the capital of the Shu Kingdom in the Three Kingdoms period, it is the cradle of the unique civilization of ancient Shu people and Ba-Shu culture, and it is also the place where the world's first paper money was issued. With its numerous traditional tea houses and peaceful tea culture, this Unesco's first-ever City of Gastronomy is the ideal place to find the true essence of China at a laid-back pace.

First-time visitors will want to head straight to see China’s most adorable faces - the giant pandas, after all, Chengdu acts as the perfect gateway to access this greatest and most well-known national treasure. Alongside the living fossil - cute pandas, Chengdu also boasts loads of interesting historical monuments, such as the Wuhou Temple and Dufu Thatched Cottage. Emblems harking back to the city’s prosperous past are particularly evident at its old streets, such as Jinli Street and Kuanzhai Alleys. The ancient Dujiangyan Irrigation System, the Jinsha Relics Museum, the Sanxingdui Museum, even walking tours based on Chinese paintings and calligraphy...There’s a reason history lovers are so infatuated with the city of Chengdu.

Recommended tour: 1 day Chengdu City tour