206 Cool and Unusual Things to Do in China - Atlas Obscura

Unusual Attractions in China

Hanging Temple of Hengshan

A 5th-century temple improbably built into the side of a cliff.

Panjin Shi, China

Red Beach

A part of the world's largest marsh seems to be growing bright red Martian grass.

Zhangjiajie, China

Avatar Hallelujah Mountain

This vertical pinnacle in China was the inspiration for the floating mountains in the movie “Avatar.”

Haohan Qiao — "Brave Men's Bridge"

At nearly 1,000 feet long, this astonishing glass suspension bridge is one of the longest in the world.

Shengshan Island, China

Houtouwan

This abandoned fishing settlement may well be the greenest village in the world.

The Forbidden City

The most famous location in China was home to whole dynasties worth of imperial rulers.

Huanglong Travertine Pools

Intensely colorful calcite pools in Southern China.

Zhangjiajie, China

Tianmen Shan

999 stairs lead visitors through a massive hole in a mountain known as the Gateway to Heaven.

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Cool Places to Eat & Drink in China

China Watermelon Museum

This Chinese museum proves that it's a watermelon world, we're all just living in it.

Fangweng

Cliff-hanging restaurant.

Du Fu KFC

A KFC honors an eighth-century Chinese poet with holograms and verse.

Changsha, China

General Tso's Tomb

The man who is mainly remembered for a chicken dish he had nothing to do with is buried under a large concrete dome.

See all 8 places to eat in China See all 8 places to eat in China

Atlas Obscura Trips

Springtime in Eastern China: Exploring the Birthplace of Tea

From bustling night markets to fine-dining institutions, this journey down China’s east coast reveals the story of countless delicious dishes and culinary traditions.

Community Forums / East Asia / China

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Stories About China

Podcast: Booming Dunes

Join us for a daily celebration of the world’s most wondrous, unexpected, even strange places.

by The Podcast Team

The Front Gate of Beijing's City Wall, as rendered in ice cream.

Every Landmark in China Now Makes Gorgeous Themed Ice Cream

Temples, towers, and famous figures, all as frozen treats.

Mogao Cave 158. Middle Tang (781–848) Reclining Buddha, Parinirvāṇa scene. West wall. Lo Archive photograph, 1943–44. Princeton University (Lo 158-10).

The Adventurous Quest to Capture Remote Buddhist Caves in the 1940s

Innovative photographers James and Lucy Lo created a time capsule of a sacred space at a vulnerable time.

Clever wordplay makes this festive dessert especially appropriate for the new year.

The Easy, Edible Art of Lunar New Year Dumplings

Celebrate family and good fortune with these simple goldfish.

February 18, 2021

The stickiness of nian gao is part of its power.

How a Monster-Repelling Cake Became a Lunar New Year Staple

Nian gao is a sticky cake for sticky situations.

February 12, 2021

A Tang dynasty wall painting depicts horsemen playing a polo-style game. A similar sport may have been played at Yanghai.

Leather Balls and 3,000-Year-Old Pants Hint at an Ancient Asian Sport

They were found in the Yanghai Tombs in modern-day Northern China.

by Isaac Schultz

November 17, 2020

Chen Guorui's artworks—no matter the shape or size—are formed from base units of rice grains formed into triangles.

This Artist Sculpts Animals and Flowers From Grains of Rice

Guorui Chen brought a hometown tradition back from extinction.

October 9, 2020

The Shilin scenic zone in Yunnan Province is a popular destination for tourists.

What Candy Can Teach Us About the Origin of Mysterious Stone Forests

A stunning geological phenomenon, sweetly explained.

September 21, 2020

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