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The Atlas Obscura Guide To China

211 Cool, Hidden, and Unusual Things to Do in China

Updated January 24, 2023

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Unusual Attractions in China

Datong, 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.”

Shengshan Island, China

Houtouwan

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

Beijing, China

The Forbidden City

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

Zhangjiajie, China

Tianmen Shan

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

Aba, China

Huanglong Travertine Pools

Intensely colorful calcite pools in Southern China.

Zhangye Shi, China

Zhangye National Geopark

These layered sandstone mountains in China look like they are made of pressed crayons.

See All 211 Things To Do in China

Cool Places to Eat & Drink in China

Beijing, China

China Watermelon Museum

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

Yichang, China

Fangweng

A cliff-hanging restaurant.

Chengdu, China

Du Fu KFC

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

Shanghai, China

Peace Hotel Jazz Bar

This bar is home to what's likely the oldest living jazz band in the world.

See all 8 Places to Eat in China

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Plan Your Trip

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Guided Tours of 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

Architectural Oddities 21

Natural Wonders 20

Museums And Collections 16

Geological Oddities 16

History & Culture 13

Sacred Spaces 13

Unique Restaurants & Bars 6

Places To Stay 6

China Leaderboard

Places Added

Places Edited

Places Visited

Recent China Activity

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rbmmendivil

wants to go to Golden Summit Temple
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rbmmendivil

wants to go to Chinese Pyramids of Xian
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emao73

has been to The Forbidden City
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doc will

wants to go to Star Islands of Qian'an
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plushee12

has been to Destination Club

Stories About China

5 Colorful Stories About the Pageantry of the Lunar New Year

Go behind the scenes of celebration, from molten metal to sticky cakes.

January 24, 2023

Descending Into the Lush Underworld of China’s Newly Discovered Sinkhole

The country’s karst terrain is fertile ground for massive caves, and a new-found hype for adventure.

by Ye Charlotte Ming

The Secret Maoist Chinese Operation to Conquer Malaria

A young medical researcher's idea led to a powerful weapon against the disease—and a Nobel Prize.

The Medieval Influencer Who Convinced the World to Drink Tea—Not Eat It

Caffeinated soups and chewing the leaves were once the norm.

by Miranda Brown

The World Has Two New Flying Dinosaurs

Or at least it used to. What can these recently identified dino-birds teach us about extinction?

February 18, 2022

The Wondrous Wordplay of Lunar New Year Food

Layers of meaning surround the names of nearly every dish.

by Miranda Brown

January 31, 2022

The Magic Behind the Lunar New Year Is Lots of Hard Work

Colorful scenes from behind-the-scenes.

January 28, 2022

Women Plundered and Swashbuckled With the Best (and Worst) of Them

The new book "Pirate Women" uncovers the stories of the women who sailed their way into history, cutlass in hand.

January 4, 2022

Lists Featuring China

Red Seabeach

Padar Island and its crystal-clear turquoise water.

Black Sand Beach

10 Unique Beaches From Around the World

From bright red grass to stranded shipwrecks, these beaches are anything but ordinary.

Including Driftwood Beach, Red Beach , and Padar Island

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