Things to do in China’s top 3 cities - Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhou

With towering skyscrapers and the marks of an imperial past, there's much to discover in the metropolises of Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhou. Whether it be a slice of the ultra-futuristic neon sea of city lights or the slower, hidden corners that time seems to have all but stopped, there is something for every traveller.

As a first-time visitor to China, it can get overwhelming to know where to start. To get the most out of the country's three largest cities, here are the top things to do to maximise your time in Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhou.

Beijing

One of the oldest cities in the world, Beijing is a must-visit city that offers a fantastic glimpse into a civilisation with a rich tapestry of history and culture. From exploring the winding, narrow streets of the hutong (胡同) area to the stunning remnants of the country's past, and even to the high streets decked with the latest in fashion and technology, there are many ways to discover a slice of Beijing in this ever-evolving city.

To get to the capital city of China, a non-stop flight from Singapore to Beijing takes about 6 hours and 15 minutes.

1. Get up close and personal with The Great Wall of China

A marvel of human ingenuity and grit, the Great Wall of China snakes through several provinces and municipalities across China. The most popular sections are, very fortunately, incredibly accessible to visitors in Beijing.

The wall sections near central Beijing each have their distinctive features, and while there's no "right" section, there'll be a "best" section to see, depending on your personal preferences.

The most well-treked of them among foreigners is Mutianyu (慕田峪) because of its proximity to the Beijing Capital International Airport-that, and it's a fully restored section. The extensively restored Badaling (八达岭) section is also popular with tourists in general. If you're looking for a hike or even an overnight camp on the wall, check out the Simatai (司马台) section.

If you're a first-time visitor, Mutianyu or Badaling would be best as they offer stunning views of the surrounding natural landscape that is stunning in every season. In either section, you'll get up close and personal with the iconic watchtowers. You can also join a guided tour session or opt to hire a private guide for a unique glimpse into the history of the wall.

Different wall sections have different opening hours depending on the tourist season. Decide on which section works best for your travel plans and work it out from there. In general, allocate about half a day for your Great Wall of China adventure.

2. Bask in the majesty of The Forbidden City

As one of the world's largest cultural museums, the Forbidden City consistently ranks as one of the best places to visit in Beijing that you need to tick off your bucket lists.

These days, the Forbidden City functions as a tourist hotspot that attracts millions of tourists worldwide. Still, it's a UNESCO World Heritage Site as it stands as a testament to the imperial power of the Ming and Qing dynasties and the development of Chinese culture.

Most tour groups and guides will take you through the popular six halls on the central axis of the palace complex. These halls will include the Hall of Supreme Harmony, Tai He Dian (太和殿) where emperors of the Ming and Qing dynasties would hold their enthronement and wedding ceremonies, and the Palace of Heavenly Purity, Qianqing Gong (乾清宫) where Ming dynasty emperors would call their main residence and Qing dynasty emperors would hide their wills that named their designated heirs.

While the six halls are the most visited of the lot, we recommend taking a chance on the less visited halls to the central line of the complex. One such is the architectural oddity that is the Palace of Prolonging Happiness, Yanxi Gong (延禧宫), an unfinished Western-style palace that was left incompleted due to insufficient funds.

We recommend having a strategy of what you'd like to see. The Forbidden City is, at its heart, a sprawling complex of buildings and gardens that you will find it hard to finish visiting in one day. Get a guide to help you navigate the space and to let you dive a little deeper into the history of the place. Make sure you're paying attention to the signs as some parts of the complex are off-limits to visitors.

Address: The Palace Museum, 4 Jingshan Qianjie, Beijing 100000
Opening Hours: Closed on Mondays, Tuesdays to Sundays - 8:30am to 4:30pm.
Ticket Price: CNY 40 (S$7.50)

3. Redefine artistry at the 798 Art District

Located on a former site of state-owned factories is the 798 Art District. A crucible of contemporary art, architecture, and culture tucked into an area of historical interest, the "798" as it is affectionately called, was established to revitalise and reuse an urban space.

You'll find various galleries, studios, or artist-focused areas within the re-made complex of decommissioned factory spaces. Check out the latest exhibits at the 798 Photo Gallery or time your visit right to coincide with a live performance at the 798 Space. There are plenty of food options here too, so make sure you're allocating enough time to see it all. Collaborations with international and local contemporary artists are common which makes every visit to the 798 is always unique and different from the next.

There's a definite sense of "cool" in these walls, and those looking to fill up their Beijing free-and-easy itinerary will get the biggest kick out of being here. Or maybe the potential cool pictures for your Instagram feed will be enough for you to head out to the Dashanzi district for the 798. Whatever gets you to the 798, you'll find plenty more reasons to stay and dive into the urban wonders here.

Address: 2 Jiuxianqiao Rd, Chaoyang, Beijing, China, 100102

Shanghai

Here at the 'Paris of the East', Shanghai is the place you go to indulge in some of the most stunning city views you will ever experience. You can be right in the beating heart of the city in the morning, then out in a rustic ancient town for afternoon tea.

For those looking for a bite of old-world charms, the Singapore to Shanghai flight time is just 5 hours and 15 minutes which is perfect to pop over for a quick 3-day weekend trip to see all the top sights.

4. Soak in Shanghai's art deco relics of The Bund

One of the quintessential things to do when in Shanghai is take a stroll and admire the colonial and art deco architecture of the Bund. It's essentially a 1.3-kilometre promenade that follows along the Huangpu River.

It's a great place for a sunset stroll to watch the light displays come alive on the buildings on the other side of the river in Pudong. If you're here during the daytime, why not pop into the Peace Museum at the Fairmont Peace Hotel for a dip into Shanghai's rapidly vanishing past?

Or perhaps, amble down from the northern end of the Bund where the Art Deco Broadway Mansions are, then make your way down to the other end. Round out your visit with afternoon tea and enjoy a performance by a live band playing hits from the yesteryears.

Address: Zhongshan East 1st Road, Huangpu, Shanghai, China
Opening Hours: There aren't any opening hours for the Bund per se, but the lights will come on around 7:00pm to 11:00pm from May to October and 6:00pm to 9:00pm from November to April.

5. Be charmed by Zhujiajiao Water Town

Head just an hour out from the city centre and you'll find yourself in Shanghai's Venice. Zhujiajiao is an idyllic snapshot of an ancient water town with tranquil canals and bridges that connect both sides of the waterway.

There are other water towns within reach of the Shanghai city centre that many will argue trump Zhujiajiao. But if you're planning on packing in the sights and sounds of Shanghai attractions, then Zhujiajiao is perfect as a day trip if you want to take your time to stroll around. Walking around in Zhujiajiao feels a little like stepping back in time-there's a sense that you're living out an elegant scene of a traditional Chinese painting.

One of the most popular things to do here is to visit the many bridges in Zhujiajiao that were mainly built in the Ming and Qing dynasties. Make sure you don't leave before you've had a chance to sample a bite of the North Street, a well-preserved ancient street that is only a kilometre long, but the narrow lanes and looming, elegant building facades are a fascinating experience to see in person.

To get here, Shanghai West Bus Station has a dedicated Shanghai-Zhujiajiao bus line to get you from the city to the water town. You can also take the metro here instead of a taxi, which will get you to your destination at just about the same time.

There may be an admission fee depending on what you'd like to see and do at Zhujiajiao Water Town, so plan out what you'd like to experience when you're here and budget for that.

Address: Zhujiajiao, Qingpu District, Shanghai, China, 201713

6. Capture the magic of Shanghai Disneyland

It's an understatement to say that Shanghai Disneyland is one of the most recommended things to do in Shanghai.

Shanghai Disneyland is unique among the Disney theme parks with how it marries Chinese characteristics and distinctively Disney features. Things that are unfamiliar to the average Chinese visitor have been replaced. Eagle-eyed Disneybounders will note that the Shanghai Disneyland has its own park-specific rides and "lands", which would keep any seasoned or first-timer, Disney theme park enthusiast entertained.

One such attraction only found at Shanghai Disneyland is the Garden of Twelve Friends which features the twelve zodiacs of the Chinese calendar represented by Disney characters. There is also no Haunted Mansion here and the pirate-themed Treasure Cove leans more into the Pirates of the Caribbean movies than anything Western Disneyland goers would be familiar with.

Signages are bilingual in English and Chinese, though the attraction announcements and cast dialogues will be done solely in Mandarin. Most seasoned Shanghai Disneyland fans recommend coming on a weekday, though you'd still need to be prepared to wait in line just as you would at the original park in Anaheim.

Entry Fee: CNY 499 (about S$93) for adult day tickets, while children and senior citizens will cost CNY 375 (about S$70). For more information about tickets and passes for Shanghai Disneyland, visit their website here.
Address: Shanghai Disneyland, Chuansha New Town, Pudong, Shanghai, China
Opening Hours: 8:30am to 10:00pm

Guangzhou

Situated on Pearl River is China's most important port, Guangzhou, historically known to the Western world as Canton and famous for its Cantonese cuisine.

These days, this City of Flowers still maintains its place as one of China's hubs for trade and transport and is a vibrant metropolis of the ancient and the new. Hop on a flight for an estimated 4 hours to fly from Singapore to Guangzhou.

7. Find your slice of peace at Baiyun Mountain

Baiyun Mountain, which translates into "White Cloud Mountain" (白云山), is a mountain ridge with more than 30 peaks. The main peak is Moxing Summit, and if you come after a rain you'll see where the mountain gets its name when the white clouds wisp and trails between the mountain ridges.

Depending on what you'd like to get out of your Baiyun Mountain trip, you could spend up to half a day exploring all the scenic parks and exhibits here. Take the many paths to discover the various facets of the mountain and the many stunning views it offers of Guangzhou city. As you walk, you'll more than likely find yourself at the Sculpture Park which is home to sculptures that are related to Guangzhou's history and culture, or even at Mingchun Valley with its cultural scenic spot with an ancient temple and memorial archway.

There are a few options for how to get around. Between the cableway to the top and a minibus to whizz you about the route to the parks and attractions, figure out what you'd like to see and you can sort out your transport from there. A lot of walking is involved here, so wear comfortable shoes and keep some mosquito repellent on you.

Entry Fee: Taking the cable car will cost CNY 25 (Approximately S$5) and will include the entrance fee, but you'll need to pay an additional CNY 5 (Approximately S$1) to access Moxing Summit. You can pay right at the entrance to the summit, right before you begin the 500m ascent.
Address: Baiyun Mountain Scenic Spot, Guangyuan Middle Road, Baiyun District, Guangzhou
Opening Hours: Monday to Sunday - 6:00am to 5:00pm

8. Immerse yourself at the Guangzhou Opera House

The Guangzhou Opera House is an aesthetic wonder that sits on the river bank and feels like a natural extension of the towering buildings of commerce and trade. It's free to stroll around the exterior of the building which is fascinating no matter the hour of day you visit.

This might not be the most obvious choice of things to do in Guangzhou, but it's one we can recommend if you enjoy stunning architecture and unique sights.

Drop in to check out the interior of the building and how it ebbs and flows in a way that won't look out of place on the set of a Star Trek movie. Or maybe catch a theatre performance or visit an art exhibit that is going on. For more information about guided tours, events, and the latest exhibitions being held at the Guangzhou Opera House, learn more here on their website.

Address: 1 Zhujiang W Rd, Tianhe Qu, Guangzhou Shi, Guangdong Sheng, China, 510620
Opening Hours: Weekend visiting slots are at 10:00am, 11:00am and between 1:-00pm and 4:00pm. Tours are conducted in Mandarin, though English interpreters are available on request.

9. Hit lofty heights at Canton Tower

A landmark of Guangzhou, the Canton Tower is easily one of the most recognisable sights in the city. On-site facilities include food and beverage outlets, observation decks, and plenty of thrill rides for the adrenaline junkies.

It is one of the best places to visit in Guangzhou for panoramic city views. Stick around for the stunning sunset views and make sure you have your cameras ready for when the lights on the tower facade come on.

Come during the daytime and you can get your heart racing at any of the attractions like the Sky Drop or the Bubble Tram, right on the top floor of Canton Tower with fantastic views. These attractions have their own operating hours and we would recommend booking your tickets ahead of time if you're interested in hitting them up.

If you're in town at the right time of year, you can even visit Canton Tower which functions as one of the venues for the annual Guangzhou International Light Festival. Overall, it's a great spot to spend a morning or an afternoon during your Guangzhou trip.

Entry Fee: Varies. Find out more on the Canton Tower website.
Address: No. 222, Yuejiangxi Road, Haizhu District, Guangzhou, China.
Opening Hours: 9:30 am to 10:30 pm, while ticketing and entry hours are 9:30 am to 10:00pm. This is subject to change on public holidays and special events.

In a country where modern urbanity and a frenetic pace of life can seem out of place with an almost conscious collective need to preserve its heritage, China is a country with an eye firmly fixed on its future but with a hand clasped on its past.

Between the megacities of Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhou, you'll be spoilt for choice about what to do, what to see, what to eat, and where to shop. Whether it's your first visit, or even your second or third, there's plenty to keep you coming back for more.

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