The 6 Best Cities in China to Visit (3 of 4)

3. Beijing

Two of my four years in China were spent in Beijing, and when I wasn’t living there, I would often spend weeks there as it was an easy 2 ½ hour bullet train ride from Anyang, the other city where I lived. It is impossible to run out of things to do in China’s capital. No visit would be complete without visiting the Great Wall (I joined a camping tour along with some friends and met many interesting people from around the world). Also check out the Forbidden City and Tiananmen Square. It would be ridiculous to go to Beijing and not try Peking duck, and for some cultural immersion, stroll along the hutongs (traditional alleyways).

2. Hangzhou

Living and teaching English in Hangzhou was something I had given a lot of thought to, and while I had been offered a job there, I ultimately decided Beijing was a better fit. However, I loved my visit to Hangzhou so much that it made #2 on my list of favorite cities in China. It’s no surprise that it was named a UNESCO World Heritage Site. During a misty morning walk to West Lake, I savored the sights of the traditional pagodas in the background, as well as folks practicing tai chi by the shore. For true cultural immersion, I strongly recommend making a trip to the Longjing Tea fields, where China’s famous dragon tea is grown. You can even sample the tea for free! Finally, no visit would be complete without stopping by the ancient town, whose well-preserved architecture offers a glimpse into the city’s Southern Song Dynasty (1138–1276).