178 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.

Josh

Panjin Shi, China

Red Beach

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

EricGrundhauser

Added by EricGrundhauser

Zhangjiajie, China

Avatar Hallelujah Mountain

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

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Added by lewblank

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.

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Added by serflac

Shengshan Island, China

Houtouwan

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

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Added by planan

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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Lexiaguo

Vibrant soil and a canvas of crops create China's "Red Land."

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Added by serflac

See All 178 Things to Do in China See All 178 Places

Unique
Food & Drink
in China

Dragon's Beard Candy

Gastro Obscura

Dragon's Beard Candy

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

Gastro Obscura

Sam OBrien

Added by Sam OBrien

Hmong Stuffed Chicken Wings

Gastro Obscura

Hmong Stuffed Chicken Wings

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

Gastro Obscura

rachelrummel

Added by rachelrummel

Fujisan Bread

Gastro Obscura

Fujisan Bread

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

Gastro Obscura

Leigh ChavezBush

Added by Leigh ChavezBush

Jiānbǐng

Gastro Obscura

Jiānbǐng

Every morning, Chinese vendors sling savory, crispy crepes to lines of patient fans.

Gastro Obscura

rachelrummel

Added by rachelrummel

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

Atlas Obscura Trips

China: The Great Cuisines of the Middle Kingdom

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.

Explore China

Launch Map

China Leaderboard

Places Added

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Places Visited

Recent China Activity

jonathangroyan wants to go to East Taihang Glasswalk

jonathangroyan wants to go to Shanghai's 1933 Slaughterhouse

jonathangroyan wants to go to Tianmen Shan

adam fourkiotis has been to The Forbidden City

noalee has been to Shanghai French Concession

Stories
About China

Say again?

It's All Greek to You and Me, So What Is It to the Greeks?

A close look at a strangely global idiom about how little we understand each other.

by Dan Nosowitz

August 08, 2019

Performances with copper kettles are becoming increasingly popular attractions in Chengdu.

In Chengdu, Kung Fu Tea Is Torn Between Tradition and Performance

A martial arts-influenced style of pouring tea is catching on in China.

by Jordan Porter

Red <em>Noctiluca scintillans</em> leave neon trails along beaches near Taiwan’s Matsu Islands.

China’s Bioluminescent Blue Tears Are Beautiful and Associated With Toxic Blooms

And scientists are making new discoveries about them using satellite imagery.

by Jonathan Carey

Spherical cricket container, date unknown, artist unknown.

In Ancient China, Pet Crickets Spent the Winter in Opulent Gourds

More than functional, these fleshy fruits developed into a striking art form.

Cordyceps for sale at a high-end Chinese medicine store.

The Race to Cultivate China's Beloved 'Zombie Mushroom'

Used in traditional medicine, caterpillar fungus is pricey, potent, and increasingly scarce.

by Isobel Whitcomb

A section of the Great Wall, in Yanqing County, contains mortar made with blood.

Ancient Chinese Buildings Are Held Together With Rice, Sugar, and Blood

Edible additives in mortar served both practical and philosophical purposes.

This 18th-century ivory ball contains eight smaller spheres.

The Mind-Boggling Artistry of China’s Ivory Puzzle Balls

This traditional art from Guangzhou can never be produced legally again.

A diagnostic doll reclines on a miniature couch.

Chinese Women Once Had to Point Out Their Medical Troubles on Ivory Dolls

For centuries, miniature ivory women helped real women seek medical help.

by Sabrina Imbler

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