CHINA

The following are the heritage sites, grouped into recommended gateway cities. This may help in planning on the logistics (travel and accommodation) of your journey.

DUNHUANG (DNH)

Dunhuang, an ancient Silk Road oasis in Gansu Province, is where the Gobi Desert’s golden sands meet unparalleled Buddhist history. It remains a vital pilgrimage for those seeking the Mogao Caves, a UNESCO-listed treasure trove of thousand-year-old murals and sculptures. Just outside the city, the “singing” dunes of Mingsha Shan embrace the miraculous, crescent-shaped Crescent Lake. Visitors can ride camels across the desert at sunset or explore the bustling Shazhou Night Market. From tasting legendary yellow noodles with donkey meat to witnessing the “Flying Apsaras” come to life in modern theater, Dunhuang captures the enduring romance of the Silk Road.

HUANGSHAN (TXN)

Huangshan City, formerly known as Tunxi, is the vibrant soul of Anhui Province and the essential base for exploring the legendary Yellow Mountain. The city is a masterpiece of Huizhou culture, where the thousand-year-old Tunxi Old Street showcases exquisite Ming and Qing dynasty architecture with its signature white walls and grey tiles. Beyond its role as a transit hub, Huangshan captivates foodies with its “stinky” mandarin fish and “hairy” tofu, while art lovers flock to the Hu Kaiwen Ink Factory. Seamlessly blending ancient mercantile heritage with misty mountain grandeur, it remains China’s ultimate gateway to ethereal landscapes.

Ancient Villages in Southern Anhui – Xidi and Hongcun

SHANGHAI (PVG/SHA)

Shanghai, China’s pulsating “Pearl of the Orient,” is a breathtaking fusion of futuristic ambition and colonial heritage. The iconic Bund promenade showcases grand neoclassical architecture, directly facing the sci-fi skyline of Lujiazui, home to the soaring Shanghai Tower. Visitors can experience the adrenaline of the Formula 1 Chinese Grand Prix, the cultural depth of the Shanghai International Film Festival, or the classical charm of Yu Garden. From high-speed Maglev trains to the hidden boutiques of the French Concession, Shanghai offers an unparalleled urban adventure where traditional tea houses meet the world’s most advanced metropolitan living.

SHIYAN (WDS)

Shiyan is a unique hybrid of “Motor City” and “Taoist Gateway.” Known as the birthplace of China’s heavy truck industry, it has evolved into a green, mountain-hugged city. Visitors often spend a day at the Wudang Museum to understand the mountain’s history before ascending. The city’s culinary scene is a highlight, featuring Hubei “hot-dry noodles” and medicinal Taoist vegetarian cuisine. With the recent high-speed rail expansion, Shiyan is now a seamless stop between the ancient capital of Xi’an and the megacity of Wuhan.

Ancient Building Complex in the Wudang Mountains

TAIYUAN (TYN)

Taiyuan, the 2,500-year-old capital of Shanxi Province, serves as a grand portal to Northern China’s imperial past. It thrives as a sophisticated industrial and cultural hub, highlighted by the Metro Line 1 connecting the historic center to the high-speed rail network. Visitors are drawn to the Jinci Temple, a masterpiece of ancient Chinese sacrificial gardening, and the iconic Twin Pagoda Temple, which offers a panoramic view of the evolving skyline. Renowned for its culinary obsession with aged vinegar and hand-cut noodles, Taiyuan provides an authentic, high-tech, yet deeply traditional starting point for any Shanxi adventure.