Attractions

I almost skipped Zhujiajiao. After five days of Shanghai’s glass towers, the Bund’s neon, and line 2 sardine-can commutes, the last thing I wanted was another “ancient town” sold to…

I’ll be honest: the first time I went to Beijing 798, I almost turned back at the entrance. A gray factory gate, a smell of machine oil, and a wall…

Written by Karl · Updated July 2026 I’ll be honest: before my first trip I rolled my eyes at the idea of a Disney park in China. I’d done California…

Most visitors to Beijing tick the Great Wall and the Forbidden City off their list and head home thinking they’ve seen imperial China. I made that mistake on my first…

The first time I visited Beijing Beihai Park, it was a gray Wednesday in early November. I had already done the Forbidden City the day before and was suffering from…

The first time I stepped off the shuttle bus at the Zhangjiajie National Forest Park east gate, I honestly thought the postcards were lying. Then the morning fog lifted for…

The first time I stood at the bottom of the cable car station in Zhangjiajie city, I had no idea that Tianmen Mountain Zhangjiajie would become the single most jaw-dropping…

The first time I stood on the Great Wall, I made the classic rookie mistake: I followed the crowds to Badaling without asking whether it was the right section for…

The first time I climbed the long switchback ramp toward the Potala Palace Lhasa, I was out of breath after only forty steps — and that was before I’d reached…

The first time I landed in China, I figured I’d tick off the Great Wall and call it a trip. Three years and dozens of provinces later, I’ve learned the…