Teaching English in China for four years was an unforgettable experience. During my hour-long walk to my school, I was constantly reminded that China is a country that blends time-honored traditions and ancient wonders with brightly lit skyscrapers and futuristic-designed shopping malls. As I left for work at 7:00am, I would spot a neighbor in his 80s gracefully welding a sword at the park as part of his morning exercise routine. Typically, you wouldn’t see an elderly man do that in America, except possibly Chuck Norris.
One of my greatest anticipations during school breaks was the opportunity to travel around the country, which was made incredibly easy by their bullet trains and exceptionally affordable domestic flights. Every city that I visited had its own unique story to tell. Here were my six favorite cities in China in ascending order.
6. Nanjing
Nanjing doesn’t make everybody’s list, but it is such an underrated city. Nanjing served as the capital during the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) and again during the brief existence of the Republic of China (1927-1949). I stayed at a Holiday Inn Express, which happened to be within walking distance of the Xiaoling Tomb, which is where the founder of the Ming Dynasty is buried. The tomb itself wasn’t anything special, but the 15th-century building that surrounds it was worth viewing, especially the animal statues that were built around that same time. Nanjing has a fancy shopping district if you’re in need of a Louis Vuitton bag. Don’t miss out on the food either. Their steamed pork buns are as delicious as any, and if you’ve got an adventurous spirit, there’s a bowl of duck blood soup that eagerly awaits your consumption.
The 6 Best Cities in China to Visit 