Your China & Yunnan Travel Experts

Famous Landmarks in China: 13 Icons by City

A landmark may be an ancient monument, a river landscape, an archaeological site or a modern city structure. The 13 original entries span Beijing, Shanghai, Xi'an, Guilin, Tibet and Guangzhou. Use this page to compare meaning and route fit, then narrow the trip to two or three geographic clusters. Continue planning with the China heritage wonders.
Map of major landmarks across China

Great Wall — Northern China Landmark

The Great Wall represents successive systems of frontier defense rather than one continuous wall from a single dynasty. A managed Beijing section is the clearest first visit, while remote sections demand more logistics. At Great Wall — Northern China Landmark, visibility, seasonal conditions and peak-period demand may affect the experience. Match the chosen section to fitness, season and safe legal access. Use authorized routes at Great Wall — Northern China Landmark and confirm any reservation or identity-document requirements close to travel. the Great Wall

Great Wall of China Tours
Great Wall watchtowers in the mountains near Beijing


Yangtze River — River Corridor

The Yangtze links major cities, gorges, wetlands and working transport corridors across a vast basin. Choose one experience—urban waterfront, cruise segment or cultural stop—instead of treating the entire river as one attraction. Allow flexibility because local transport, maintenance and weather can alter access to Yangtze River — River Corridor. Confirm vessel, port and seasonal navigation details with the operator. Do not rely on an old price or timetable for Yangtze River — River Corridor; verify the operating arrangement before departure. Yangtze River

Yangtze River Tours
Yangtze River passing through the Three Gorges
Yangtze River


Forbidden City — Beijing

The Forbidden City is the former Ming and Qing imperial palace and the home of the Palace Museum. Prioritize a focused palace route and historical interpretation over trying to see every courtyard. The most comfortable visit to Forbidden City — Beijing depends on season, walking conditions and crowd management. Reserve through the current official system and prepare for security and extensive walking. Respect barriers and local rules at Forbidden City — Beijing, especially where conservation or working infrastructure limits access. Forbidden City

Beijing Tours
Courtyard and halls inside the Forbidden City


Tian'anmen Square — Beijing

Tian'anmen Square is a major civic space bordered by national institutions and historic gates. Combine it with central Beijing only when current access and security arrangements fit the day. Weather, crowd levels and site controls can change the pace at Tian'anmen Square — Beijing. Carry the identification required for reservations or checks and follow all controlled-area rules. Check current official notices for Tian'anmen Square — Beijing; hours, tickets and open areas should not be treated as permanent. Tiananmen Square

 

Beijing Tours
Tian’anmen Square and historic gate in Beijing


Oriental Pearl Tower — Shanghai

Oriental Pearl TV Tower

The Oriental Pearl Tower is an early icon of Pudong's skyline beside the Huangpu River. It is most useful as part of a Lujiazui and Bund skyline comparison. At Oriental Pearl Tower — Shanghai, visibility, seasonal conditions and peak-period demand may affect the experience. Choose exterior viewing or a current observation product based on visibility and queues. Use authorized routes at Oriental Pearl Tower — Shanghai and confirm any reservation or identity-document requirements close to travel. Continue planning with the natural wonders in China.

Shanghai tours
Oriental Pearl Tower in Shanghai’s Pudong skyline


The Bund — Shanghai

The Bund

 
The Bund is a historic riverfront lined with prominent commercial buildings facing Pudong. Walk it for urban history and skyline contrast, preferably at a comfortable time of day. Allow flexibility because local transport, maintenance and weather can alter access to The Bund — Shanghai. Use pedestrian crossings and riverfront paths, and prepare for crowd controls during holidays. Do not rely on an old price or timetable for The Bund — Shanghai; verify the operating arrangement before departure.
Historic buildings along the Bund in Shanghai

Xi'an City Wall — Xi'an

Xi'an City Wall

 
Xi'an City Wall defines the historic center with gates, ramparts and a broad wall-top route. It adds urban-scale defense history to an archaeology-focused Xi'an stay. The most comfortable visit to Xi'an City Wall — Xi'an depends on season, walking conditions and crowd management. Check open gates, bicycle rules and heat or rain before committing to a full circuit. Respect barriers and local rules at Xi'an City Wall — Xi'an, especially where conservation or working infrastructure limits access.
 
Fortified gate on Xi’an City Wall


Terracotta Army — Xi'an

Qin Terracotta Army

Xian tours
Terracotta warriors displayed near Xi’an


Elephant Trunk Hill — Guilin

Elephant Trunk Hill

Guilin tours
Elephant Trunk Hill beside the river in Guilin


Li River — Guilin and Yangshuo

The Li River passes through tower-karst scenery between Guilin and Yangshuo. Choose a licensed cruise, shorter boat experience or riverside route according to time and water conditions. Allow flexibility because local transport, maintenance and weather can alter access to Li River — Guilin and Yangshuo. Verify departure point, vessel type and weather; photographs do not guarantee identical visibility. Do not rely on an old price or timetable for Li River — Guilin and Yangshuo; verify the operating arrangement before departure. Li River
Karst peaks along the Li River near Guilin


Potala Palace — Lhasa

Potala Palace

The Potala Palace is a sacred and historic complex central to Lhasa's skyline. Plan it only after acclimatization and within current authorized Tibet travel arrangements. The most comfortable visit to Potala Palace — Lhasa depends on season, walking conditions and crowd management. Respect timed circulation, stairs, room closures and photography restrictions. Respect barriers and local rules at Potala Palace — Lhasa, especially where conservation or working infrastructure limits access.

Tibet tours

Potala Palace above Lhasa
The Potala Palace, Tibet


Mount Everest — Tibet

The north side of Mount Everest lies in a remote, high-altitude landscape reached through Tibet. It is an expedition-like overland journey, not an easy add-on to central China. Weather, crowd levels and site controls can change the pace at Mount Everest — Tibet. Use authorized arrangements, acclimatize gradually and accept that weather may obscure the mountain. Check current official notices for Mount Everest — Tibet; hours, tickets and open areas should not be treated as permanent. Continue planning with the China destination guides. Mt. Everest

Mount Everest viewed from the Tibetan side


Canton Tower — Guangzhou

Guangzhou TV & Sightseeing Tower is located near Chigang Pagoda in Haizhu District Guangzhou China, 125 meters away from the southern bank of the Pearl River, facing the Haixin sand island and the Pearl River new town on the other side of the river. Guangzhou tower is a tower mainly to sightseeing, with radio and television emission, cultural entertainment and urban function of window of large urban infrastructure.

Guangzhou TV & Sightseeing Tower, a total height of 600 meters, replace the CN tower in Canada as the world's tallest free-standing tower, is second only to Japan's Tokyo sky tree as the world's second high tower free-standing tower, also become a new landmark of Guangzhou. Guangzhou tower has several of the world's most: the longest sky ladder, the highest revolving restaurant, the highest 4D Theater, the highest goods shop, the highest lateral ferris wheel, the highest air post office.

► Recommended Best Guangzhou Package Tours at: Guangzhou tours
Canton Tower illuminated beside the Pearl River
Guangzhou TV & Sightseeing Tower, Guangzhou

Those are the most famous landmarks in China. Each of them offers you different impressions of different cities in China. And when you mention them in each place, everyone can recognize them.
 

Best Tours Recommended to you
Canton Tower beside the Pearl River in Guangzhou

21 Days China Panorama Tour

Beijing, Xian, Lhasa, Chongqing, Yangtze Cruise, Yichang, Shanghai, Suzhou, Hangzhou, Guilin, Hong Kong

View Details >

Open WhatsApp chat with YunSky Travel