Top 12 Must-Visit Attractions In China For Travellers From Pakistan

 

Ancient dynasties, ultra-modern skylines, panda forests, and fairy-tale mountains; China has it all. With dozens of UNESCO World Heritage Sites and some of the world’s most iconic landmarks, it is one of Asia’s most exciting destinations for travelers from Pakistan.

This guide highlights 12 must-visit attractions across China, with practical tips and a clear explanation of how Malik Express Travel & Tours can help you plan a smooth, visa-ready trip from Pakistan.

1. Great Wall Of China, Beijing

You simply cannot visit China without seeing the Great Wall. Stretching for thousands of kilometres across northern China, it is one of the New Seven Wonders of the World and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Why visit

• Walk on centuries-old stone ramparts and watchtowers.
• Enjoy panoramic views of mountains and valleys.
• Family-friendly sections like Mutianyu offer cable cars and even a toboggan ride down.

Best sections for first-timers

• Mutianyu: Less crowded, beautiful scenery, good facilities.
• Badaling: Most famous and easily accessible, but often crowded.

Travel tip

From central Beijing, allow a full day for the Great Wall. Wear comfortable walking shoes, carry water, and avoid China’s “Golden Week” holidays (first week of October and around Chinese New Year) when crowds are very heavy.

2. Forbidden City & Tiananmen Square, Beijing

In the heart of Beijing, the Forbidden City (Palace Museum) was home to 24 emperors of the Ming and Qing dynasties. It is the largest and best-preserved ancient wooden palace complex in the world and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Highlights

• Vast courtyards, ornate halls, and golden-roofed pavilions.
• Imperial treasures and artifacts inside the palace museum.
• Easy to combine with a visit to adjacent Tiananmen Square.

Travel tip

Tickets often need to be booked online in advance, and daily visitor numbers are capped. Malik Express’ partners in China can pre-arrange timed entries so you avoid long queues.

3. Summer Palace, Beijing

A short drive from downtown Beijing, the Summer Palace is a peaceful lakeside complex of temples, gardens, and pavilions that served as an imperial retreat. It is considered one of China’s finest classical gardens and is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Why visit

• Boat rides on Kunming Lake.
• Long shaded walkways decorated with traditional paintings.
• A relaxed contrast to the busy city.

4. Terracotta Army, Xi’an

Discovered in 1974, the Terracotta Army is an underground army of thousands of life-size warrior statues built over 2,000 years ago to guard the tomb of China’s first emperor, Qin Shi Huang. It is one of the world’s greatest archaeological finds and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

What to see

• Three main pits displaying soldiers, horses, and chariots.
• Museum exhibitions explaining how each figure was crafted.

Travel tip

Combine the Terracotta Army with Xi’an’s Ancient City Wall, you can rent a bicycle and ride along the top for city views.

5. Guilin & Li River Cruise, Guangxi

Guilin and nearby Yangshuo are famous for surreal limestone karst peaks rising beside a calm river, a landscape often printed on Chinese currency and paintings.

Why visit

• Li River cruise from Guilin to Yangshuo, passing green hills and rural villages.
• Cycling or bamboo-rafting around Yangshuo.
• Visit Longji Rice Terraces for spectacular stepped fields.

Best time

October to April generally offers clearer air and more pleasant temperatures, though Guilin can be visited year-round.

6. Zhangjiajie National Forest Park, Hunan

Zhangjiajie’s stone pillars inspired the “floating mountains” in the film Avatar. The park is part of the Wulingyuan Scenic Area, recognized by UNESCO for its unique quartz-sandstone formations.

Highlights

• Glass skywalks and Cliffside paths.
• Avatar Hallelujah Mountain viewpoints.
• Tianmen Mountain cableway and natural rock arch.

Travel tip

Expect lots of walking and stairs. This area is best for travelers who are reasonably fit and enjoy hiking.

7. Huangshan (Yellow Mountain), Anhui

Huangshan is known for its “Four Wonders”: oddly shaped pine trees, seas of cloud, dramatic granite peaks, and hot springs. It is one of China’s most famous scenic mountains and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Spend a night on the mountain if possible so you can see both sunset and sunrise above the clouds.

8. Jiuzhaigou Valley, Sichuan

Jiuzhaigou is a high-altitude valley filled with turquoise lakes, multi-tiered waterfalls, and colourful mineral-rich pools often described as a “fairyland.” It is protected as a UNESCO World Natural Heritage Site.

Why visit

• Boardwalks and eco-buses make it easy to explore.
• Photogenic in all seasons: green in summer, colourful foliage in autumn, and snow-dusted in winter.

9. West Lake, Hangzhou

West Lake combines beautiful natural scenery with pagodas, bridges, and gardens, and is regarded as a model of classical Chinese landscape design. It became China’s first UNESCO Cultural Landscape Heritage Site.

Top experiences

• Evening boat cruise with city lights reflected on the water.
• Visit Leifeng Pagoda and Su Causeway.
• Taste Hangzhou’s famous Longjing (Dragon Well) tea.

10. The Bund & Modern Skyline, Shanghai

Shanghai offers a striking contrast between colonial-era architecture and futuristic skyscrapers.

• Stroll along the riverside promenade lined with early-20th-century European-style buildings.
• Look across the Huangpu River to Pudong’s modern skyline: Shanghai Tower, Jin Mao Tower, and Oriental Pearl TV Tower.

Travel tip

Visit once in the daytime and again at night when the skyline is fully illuminated.

11. Hong Kong & Victoria Harbour

Hong Kong is known for its iconic harbour views, shopping, and dining. It is also one of the easiest entries into Greater China for international travelers.

Must-do experiences

• Ride the Peak Tram to Victoria Peak for a classic harbour panorama.
• Evening “Symphony of Lights” show along Victoria Harbour.
• Explore street markets in Mong Kok and Temple Street.

12. Potala Palace, Lhasa (Tibet)

Potala Palace in Lhasa was the historic residence of the Dalai Lama and is one of Tibet’s most recognized landmarks. Constructed on a hill above the city, it combines religious, political, and cultural significance and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Important

Travel to Tibet is strictly regulated. Foreign tourists must travel on a pre-arranged guided tour with the necessary permits, which can be arranged through licensed partners.

Practical Travel Tips For Visiting China From Pakistan

1. Best Time To Visit

• Spring (March-May): Mild weather, blooming flowers; great for Beijing, Shanghai, and Guilin.
• Autumn (September-November): Comfortable temperatures and clear skies; ideal for the Great Wall, Zhangjiajie, and city sightseeing.
• Summer: School holidays but can be hot, humid, and crowded.
• Winter: Cold in the north but cheaper; snow on the Great Wall and Harbin Ice Festival if you want a winter experience.

2. Visa And Entry For Pakistani Travelers

• Pakistani passport holders generally need a visa before traveling to mainland China.
• You will usually require: passport with remaining validity, photos, completed visa form, flight bookings, hotel bookings or an invitation letter, and bank statements according to the latest Chinese embassy or consulate requirements.

Malik Express stays updated on current visa rules and can guide you on documentation, appointment bookings, and application submission.

3. Flights From Pakistan To China

From Islamabad, Lahore, and Karachi you can typically reach major Chinese hubs such as Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Chengdu, or Urumqi with a combination of direct and one-stop flights via Gulf or regional carriers. Routes change frequently, so it is best to compare current schedules and fares at the time of booking.

4. Money, Connectivity, And Language

• Currency: Chinese Yuan (RMB). ATMs are widely available in cities; carry some cash for small shops or rural areas.
• Payments: Locals mostly use mobile payments (WeChat Pay, Alipay). International cards work in many hotels and malls.
• Language: English is limited outside major cities. Having a bilingual guide or translation app is very helpful.
• SIM & internet: Local SIM cards and e-SIMs provide good coverage; some apps and websites are restricted, so plan accordingly.

5. Food And Halal Options

• Halal restaurants are increasingly available in big cities such as Beijing, Shanghai, Xi’an, and Guangzhou, often marked as “清真” (Qingzhen).
• Always check ingredients and, if possible, travel with a guide who understands your dietary needs.

Malik Express can prioritize hotels near halal eateries and add halal-friendly restaurants into your daily itinerary.

6. How Many Days Do You Need?

For a first trip from Pakistan, consider:

• 7 days: Beijing + Xi’an or Beijing + Shanghai.
• 10 days: Beijing, Xi’an, Shanghai, plus a side trip (Guilin or Zhangjiajie).
• 12 to 14 days: A more relaxed route adding Hangzhou, Hong Kong, or a nature focus such as Jiuzhaigou.

Sample Itineraries Malik Express Can Arrange

Classic China Highlights (7-8 Days)

• Beijing: Great Wall, Forbidden City, Summer Palace.
• Xi’an: Terracotta Army, Muslim Quarter, City Wall.

Ideal for first-time visitors who want culture and history.

Scenic China With Guilin (9-10 Days)

• Beijing: Great Wall and city sites.
• Guilin & Yangshuo: Li River cruise, countryside cycling, rice terraces.
• Shanghai: The Bund, old town, modern skyline.

Nature And Mountains (10-12 Days)

• Zhangjiajie: Avatar mountains, glass bridge.
• Huangshan or Jiuzhaigou: Mountain or lake scenery.
• Shanghai or Chengdu: City stay and flight hub.

How Malik Express Travel & Tours Helps You Plan Your China Trip

As a Pakistan-based travel agency with more than three decades of experience, Malik Express Travel & Tours can simplify every step of your China journey:

Personalized Consultation

• Understand your budget, travel dates, and interests (history, shopping, nature, family trip, honeymoon, or business travel).
• Recommend the best season and route for you.

Visa Guidance For China

• Provide up-to-date information on Chinese visa requirements for Pakistani citizens.
• Help you compile documentation, fill in forms correctly, and organize flight and hotel confirmations that support your application.
• Coordinate with local partners when invitation letters or additional documents are needed.

Flight Planning And Ticketing

• Compare multiple airlines and routes from Islamabad, Lahore, Karachi, and other cities.
• Find cost-effective options with convenient connections and baggage allowances suited to your needs.

Hotel And Tour Arrangements

• Book well-located hotels near metro stations, business districts, halal restaurants, or shopping areas as per your preference.
• Arrange private or group sightseeing with English-speaking guides for key attractions like the Great Wall, Forbidden City, Terracotta Army, Guilin Li River cruise, and Zhangjiajie.

Custom Itineraries For Families And Groups

• Child-friendly pacing, wheelchair-accessible options at attractions such as Mutianyu Great Wall, and activities for all ages.
• Special arrangements for corporate groups, incentives, or student tours.

Travel Insurance And Support

• Offer travel insurance options covering medical emergencies, lost baggage, and trip disruptions.
• Provide local emergency contact details and ongoing assistance before and during your trip.

 

Final Thoughts

China offers an extraordinary mix of imperial history, natural wonders, and truly modern cities. With careful planning, halal-friendly arrangements, and reliable visa support, it becomes a very rewarding destination for travelers from Pakistan.

When you are ready to plan your China holiday, Malik Express Travel & Tours can turn these must-visit attractions into a well-designed, stress-free itinerary tailored exactly to your needs.