China offers attractions on an epic scale (the Great Wall, the Forbidden City, and the Terracotta Warriors), distinct regional cultures and cuisines, and historical remnants as millions of people continue to live in traditional housing even as mega cities rise on the horizon.
Visitors with limited time typically follow a standard circuit that starts in Beijing, includes a stop in Xi’an for the Terracotta Warriors, then continues east to Shanghai, possibly with a Yangtze River cruise - the equivalent of a U.S. trip centered around New York, Washington D.C., Las Vegas, and Los Angeles. China travelers with additional time tend to escape the mega cities for the country's natural wonders, fresh air, and minority villages and head for Yangshou, Kunming, Tibet, the Silk Route, and Inner Mongolia. All worthy destinations the equivalent of exploring the Grand Canyon, Yosemite, and Yellowstone.
Continuing the China / U.S. travel comparison it becomes apparent that something is missing from both of these itineraries - the secondary cities. In a country with well over one billion people where are the China stops at the San Francisco's, Seattle's, Denver's, Chicago's, and Miami's? What about the smaller, no less worthy, Portland's, San Diego's, New Orlean's, and Austin's?
This isn't to suggest that Chinese cities have an American equivalent, that Wuhan is the Chicago of China (such comparisons fail to do justice to either countries' cities); rather that while San Francisco, Chicago, and Miami are “known” many of China's cities remain “undiscovered”, waiting for the intrepid traveler to pass through and find something new. China’s rapidly expanding infrastructure of high speed rail lines and metro systems makes it easier than ever to explore these new destinations.
Visitors with limited time typically follow a standard circuit that starts in Beijing, includes a stop in Xi’an for the Terracotta Warriors, then continues east to Shanghai, possibly with a Yangtze River cruise - the equivalent of a U.S. trip centered around New York, Washington D.C., Las Vegas, and Los Angeles. China travelers with additional time tend to escape the mega cities for the country's natural wonders, fresh air, and minority villages and head for Yangshou, Kunming, Tibet, the Silk Route, and Inner Mongolia. All worthy destinations the equivalent of exploring the Grand Canyon, Yosemite, and Yellowstone.
Continuing the China / U.S. travel comparison it becomes apparent that something is missing from both of these itineraries - the secondary cities. In a country with well over one billion people where are the China stops at the San Francisco's, Seattle's, Denver's, Chicago's, and Miami's? What about the smaller, no less worthy, Portland's, San Diego's, New Orlean's, and Austin's?
This isn't to suggest that Chinese cities have an American equivalent, that Wuhan is the Chicago of China (such comparisons fail to do justice to either countries' cities); rather that while San Francisco, Chicago, and Miami are “known” many of China's cities remain “undiscovered”, waiting for the intrepid traveler to pass through and find something new. China’s rapidly expanding infrastructure of high speed rail lines and metro systems makes it easier than ever to explore these new destinations.
Here’s a starting list of China’s “undiscovered” cities to consider when selecting a travel route:
TIANJIN - A city wealthier than Shanghai and Beijing (on a per capita basis), Tianjin also feels more mature, orderly, and sophisticated. The area from Wu Da Dao to Italian Town makes for a great introduction to urban life. On a summer night the Hai River comes alive with swimmers, dancers, and even opera performances with a crowd of over one hundred listeners.
TIANJIN - A city wealthier than Shanghai and Beijing (on a per capita basis), Tianjin also feels more mature, orderly, and sophisticated. The area from Wu Da Dao to Italian Town makes for a great introduction to urban life. On a summer night the Hai River comes alive with swimmers, dancers, and even opera performances with a crowd of over one hundred listeners.
Hai River - Opera "Concert"
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Wu Da Dao - Re-Purposed Minyuan Stadium
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Tianjin Financial District
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HANGZHOU - Marco Polo proclaimed Hangzhou as the “finest and most noblest city in the world” - he may not have actually visited the city, but Hangzhou is only an hour from Shanghai and makes any easy extension for any China trip. The West Lake promenade is the focus area and the well organized city structure shows that the Qing were addressing urban traffic a millennium earlier.
West Lake Promenade
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Imperial Song Street
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HARBIN - One of China's great Northeast cities, Harbin receives attention for its winter snow festival, however, it's an equally enjoyable summer visit when locals take advantage of the nice weather to dance to Russian folk music, exercise with the crack of a whip, and swim in the Songhau River. It's not all exercise though - after a few "laps" it's back on shore to start drinking bottles of Harbin Beer.
Songhau River Swimming
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Summer Beer Gardens
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Russian, Chinese, Beer....it must be Harbin
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SHENYANG - Home of the Manchus, China’s last imperial dynasty, Shenyang retains many historical sites, however, the main attraction is the the burst of nightly activity in Beiling Park where thousands of Chinese descend each night to dance, exercise, march, and jump rope - it's organized mayhem on a China scale. Here's a video of Beiling Park.
Mukden Palace - Machu's Royal Residence
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Largest Mao Statue in China
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QINGDAO - A beach city that's home to China's other national beer, Tsingtao. Kegs are stacked outside "restaurants" - after purchasing seafood from a nearby market than have it cooked while you drink with the welcoming neighbors. If you prefer your beer to go you can always have the “bartender” fill a clear plastic bag with a liter and be on your way.
Crowded Beaches
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Less Crowded Beaches
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and German Architecture
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WUHAN - There’s a standard pedestrian shopping street and a few temples, yet it’s the quiet cafe lined Tanhualin Street that stands out as something different. It’s a cool, hipster area that other cities are sure to emulate as China’s middle class starts to rise and young people look for a relaxed environment.
Jianghan Road - Standard Pedestrian Street
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Tanhualin Street - One of Many Cafes
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This list only provides a surface level view of these cities and is far from complete - Huizhou, Ningbo, Yantai, Xinyang, and Dalian lead a growing list of future cities to visit. There are also other cities such as Guangzhou, Chongqing, Chengdu, and Xiamen which see a fair share of travelers yet still have “undiscovered” neighborhoods, cafes, and restaurants. Not to mention how rapidly these cities change and create new places to find.
Fortunately the U.S. and China recently announced a ten year visa agreement making it much easier for multiple trips. Hopefully China commits to their side of the agreement and these cities can be explored on multiple trips to show that China is home to several "undiscovered" great cities.
Fortunately the U.S. and China recently announced a ten year visa agreement making it much easier for multiple trips. Hopefully China commits to their side of the agreement and these cities can be explored on multiple trips to show that China is home to several "undiscovered" great cities.