194 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.”

The Forbidden City

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

Shengshan Island, China

Houtouwan

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

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.

Dragon Escalator

The world's longest outdoor escalator takes visitors to the top of China's largest dam and is also shaped like a dragon.

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Unique Food & Drink in China

Dragon's Beard Candy

The ancient confection consists of wispy sugar-strands that look like dragon whiskers.

Hmong Stuffed Chicken Wings

Next-level egg rolls are wrapped in an entire chicken wing.

Fujisan Bread

Worlds collide in this braided bread that tastes like brioche and is meant to look like Mount Fuji.

Stinging Nettles

Boil away this plant's poisonous hairs, and you're left with a tasty, spinach-like leaf.

See all 34 things to eat in China See all 34 things 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.

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Stories About China

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

Lacewing or lichen? In this illustration, they're lookalikes.

When Prehistoric Lacewings Disguised Themselves as Middle-Jurassic Lichens

Researchers recently found evidence of some very, very old camouflage.

by Jessica Leigh Hester

September 10, 2020

This style of "vase within a vase" was crafted for just two years in the early 1740s (left). The Qianlong emperor ruled from 1735 to 1796 (right).

A $9 Million Chinese Vase Turned Up in a Central European Cupboard

It may have been crafted for the Qianlong emperor more than 275 years ago.

by Karen Chernick

Berthold Laufer's cylinders: one row for vocals, the other for instruments.

Do These Tubes Hold the Oldest Known Stereo Recordings?

In 1901, a traveling researcher recorded some Chinese opera, and accidentally made music history.

by Matthew Taub

To paraphrase the late, great Bob Ross: From high above, it's happy little clouds as far as the eye can see.

Find a Moment of Calm in These Cumulonimbus Clouds

A time-lapse shows that, before they unleash storms, the clouds look pretty soothing. (At least from space.)

by Jessica Leigh Hester

Aerial view of the artificial forest at Luyang Lake Wetlands Park in Yangzhou.

China's Water Forests Bring an Artificial Order to Nature

And offer tranquility among "living fossils."

Detail of a painted silk scroll depicting Emperor Shenzong of the Song Dynasty, wearing a <em>futou</em>.

Was a Classic Chinese Hat an Early Form of Social Distancing?

Zhanjiao futou, or hats with "wings," became a common accessory during the Song Dynasty.

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