China - What a Spectacular Country

I had been waiting for this country forever, but I deliberately postponed it to the set of last countries in the hobby of "visiting every country". China was meant to be among the last, a place where I could take it slow. Spending an extended period here turned out to be the right decision -  there is an astonishing amount to see. From ancient walls and futuristic cityscapes to landscapes that seem almost unreal, this country offers layers upon layers of crazy interesting things. Every expectation I had was exceeded, so many new discoveries.

Fourteen Days, six Cities. Landmarks, modern architecture, and moments that surprised me. It all formed a mosaic of this vast country.

And for sure, another country where I will be going for a revisit someday.

Arrival in Beijing, Summer Palace & Hutongs

After an early morning landing in Beijing, I wanted to make the most of the day and headed straight to the Summer Palace. I first needed to stop in the middle of the city and continue with another metro.

Originally intended as a retreat for the emperors, the complex still feels like a world of its own. Kunming Lake stretches through the center, reflecting the ornately decorated pavilions along the shore. 

Unfortunately there was some kind of chinese celebration and I was joined by 70'000 strangers who had the exact same idea.

Afterwards, directly to the Hutongs. These traditional residential neighborhoods consist of narrow alleyways and low-rise buildings that still carry traces of old Beijing.

The real challenge of visiting this isn’t getting there - it’s trying to take a photo without ten people walking into your frame.

 

Day 2 – The Great Wall at Badaling

The day began with a bus ride to Badaling, one of the most visited sections of the Great Wall. It took a while to get there, as traffic didn’t exactly follow my schedule.

Luckily there were only a few people visitng that day... But at least now I know the true meaning of "the beaten path".

Despite the crowds, it was awe-inspiring to stand atop this centuries-old structure. 

The Wall stretches endlessly over the hills – it’s hard to imagine the amount of labor that went into its construction, and that it has endured through all the turmoil of history.

Day 3 – Temple of Heaven & Forbidden City

In the morning I visited the Temple of Heaven, located in a sprawling park. This ancient temple has survived centuries of history and nowadays against the stampede of daily tourists.

Then to the Forbidden City with the Palace Museum. This is something incredible! The world biggest historical place. This 600-year-old imperial palace featuring 980 majestic halls.

The Forbidden City overshadowed everything else – a massive complex that was once only accessible to the imperial family and their servants. 

It's sheer size and number of buildings were overwhelming. Even after hours of walking, I felt like I had only scratched the surface.

Day 4 – Flight to Xi’an, Stroll & Drum Tower

A short flight took me to Xi’an, a city with deep historical roots. It once marked the starting point of the Silk Road. 

I wandered through the city center and visited the Drum Tower, which was historically used to mark the time. 

Even today, the massive wooden structure stands in the middle of the city, surrounded by the bustle of modern life.

Day 5 – Xi’an City Wall & Downtown

Xi’an is one of the few cities in China with a fully preserved city wall. The massive stone structure stretches for many kilometers and clearly separates the old and new parts of the city. 

The origin of the Great Wall of China is here, the Xi'an City Wall. It is 1000 years old. Rented a bike on the wall and drove the whole thing. Its about 14 kilometers and no shade.

The downtown area: narrow market streets on one side, modern shopping malls on the other. The Muslim Quarter was especially interesting, with street food vendors and distinctly different architecture.

Day 6 – Travel Day to Zhangjiajie

After a relaxed morning, I set off for Zhangjiajie. The region isn’t easy to reach, it's touristic but its not a hub or a city with full of sky scrapers and therefore not that many flights from all the cities. 

Zhangjiajie is known for its unique rock formations, which have served as backdrops in international films. Even upon arrival, the landscape hinted that the next few days would be quite different from the cities I had seen so far.

Day 7 – Zhangjiajie National Park: Yuanjiajie, Tianzishan, Bailong Elevator

A 45 minutes bus ride to the entrance of the National Park It was still early so not too many people. No queue yet.

There are many options to roam this park. I went first for the cable car, then hike through the day and back down with the elevator. 

Zhangjiajie National Park is one of the most surreal places I’ve ever seen. The steep sandstone pillars are packed so closely together that they resemble a forest of stone towers. 

The hiking area is huge. Buses connect the different sectors and there is a huge option of different routes. It's a complex network in the mountain.

I visited Yuanjiajie and Tianzishan, two of the park’s most famous sections. 

The sheer amount of poeple was crazy and it was difficult to get along. Also at that time of the day it was difficult to get shuttle busses because the queues were everywhere.

A particular highlight was the Bailong Elevator – attached to a cliffside, it takes visitors to the top in under two minutes. Convenient, though slightly nerve-wracking.

Day 8 – Tianmen Mountain & Cave

With 7.5 kilometer the Tianmen cable car is the longest in the world and offers sweeping views of the region’s dramatic landscape. 

I expected it to be a flat ride, never did I think about it to be this steep. It was even more scenic than the Zhangjiajie mountain area. Definately something of the most spectacluar Ive seen.

At the top, I encountered the famous glass skywalks that cling to the edge of the cliffs. The transparent floors were a challenge for some visitors – I noticed a few sticking to the outer edge. 

Too bad it was a foggy day. On sunny days, which do not occur often, its possible to realize the steep height below the plattform.

It goes down 150 meters and the only sepparation is a 10cm concrete floor. I wonder the amount of required workers for building this structures.

The Tianmen Cave is a massive natural arch with a long staircase leading up to it. The steps are steep, but the view is worth it.

The outside area of the cave and the view on the city far away is spectacular.

Day 9 – Train Ride to Chongqing & Riverside Walk

Went from Zhangjiaje to Chongqing by early morning sleeper train. It was a 6 hour ride.

After several days in smaller cities, arriving in Chongqing was a culture shock. It’s one of China’s largest metropolises, known for its dense construction, hills, and confusing infrastructure. Even on the train ride in, endless high-rises stretched in every direction. 

After arriving, I headed to Nan Bin Road, a riverside promenade along the Yangtze. Despite the modern setting, parts of the area still reflect old Chongqing – traditional buildings, small teahouses, and street vendors selling local food. 

Later, I visited Longmenhao Old Street, a neighborhood that has so far resisted the city’s rapid transformation.

Amid the skyscrapers, older residential buildings and narrow alleys preserve the city's former character.

Day 10 – City Views, Monorails & Hongyadong

A ride with the metro through the other end of the city. Started the sightseeing from that side, from the Hong'ensi Forest Park. It necessary to walk walk and walk until reaching the beautiful temple.

Chongqing is famous for its unusual urban planning. A good example is the Liziba Monorail Station – a train stop that goes right through a residential building. Space constraints here seem more like an invitation for creativity than a problem. 

People’s Square, surrounded by government buildings and the Chongqing Grand Theatre. 

I crossed the Dongshuimen and Qiansimen bridges – striking structures that link different parts of the city. 

The highlight was visiting Hongyadong, a multi-level complex built along a cliffside, reminiscent of traditional Diaojiaolou houses. By day it’s modest, but at night, its neon lights transform the area into a glowing spectacle.

Day 11 – Modern Chongqing: Raffles City & More

After seeing the city’s older quarters the day before, today was about modern Chongqing. Raffles City, a high-rise complex with bold architecture, sits at the confluence of the Yangtze and Jialing Rivers and looks almost futuristic. 

Further down this area its a wild architecture. I strolled through Jiefangbei pedestrian street, the city’s commercial heart full of stores and malls.

While Beijing’s modern areas exude structured elegance, Chongqing chaotic – in a good way. 

The Gaosheng Chuangfu Layered Buildings, a unique housing structure stacked vertically like a 3D maze. Staircases connect buildings in ways that make sense only in such a hilly city.

Day 12 – Flight to Tianjin

After so many packed days, I took it easy in the morning. Chongqing can be overwhelming, and a break in a café with skyline views was a welcome change. The last walk in the city before flying to Tianjin in the evening.

Day 13 – Tianjin Culture Street & Haihe River

One of China’s largest coastal cities with a history of European influence due to its trading past. Upon arrival, the contrast was clear: the streets were wider, the buildings lower, and the atmosphere more relaxed than in Chongqing.

Tianjin’s Culture Street is one of its most famous historic areas, lined with shops selling traditional crafts, calligraphy, and tea. While clearly tourist-oriented, you can still feel the city’s long history.

Rented a bike and I visited the Haihe River, which flows through Tianjin and is lined with promenades. Unlike the Yangtze, with its heavy cargo traffic, the Haihe felt more like a local recreation area. 

People were out walking, sitting on benches, and enjoying coffee with a river view – a calm ending to an intense trip.

Day 14 – Tech Markets & Return to Beijing

It's the final day in China. Went to one of the city’s major tech malls, famous for their massive selection of electronics. Laptops, smartphones, cameras – everything was available, often at better prices than in regular stores.

The DIY and repair area was especially fascinating: a mix of chaos and expertise, with vendors shouting prices, customers haggling, and circuit boards scattered everywhere.

In the afternoon it was time to travel back home.

I took the high-speed train back to Beijing – a trip on 347 kmh was completed in just 30 minutes. The sheer speed once again highlighted how advanced China’s rail system is. Back in Beijing, my final step was the transfer to PEK airport for a late-night flight home.