1. Xi'an (Shaanxi)
Xi'an, formerly known as Chang'an, is the capital of China's Shaanxi Province and has a long history and rich cultural heritage. It is located in the middle of the Guanzhong Plain and was the political, economic, cultural, and transportation center of ancient China. Xi'an is one of the four ancient capitals of China, and has the reputation of "the ancient capital of the thirteen dynasties", including the glorious periods of the Zhou, Qin, Han and Tang dynasties. Famous historical sites in Xi'an include the Terracotta Warriors, the Big Wild Goose Pagoda, the Little Wild Goose Pagoda, the ancient city wall, the bell tower and the drum tower. The Terracotta Warriors and Horses are one of the first batch of world cultural heritage sites in China, known as the "Eighth Wonder of the World", attracting many tourists to visit. The Big Wild Goose Pagoda is a fine example of ancient Chinese Buddhist architecture and has a long history and rich cultural heritage.
2. Luoyang (Henan)
Luoyang, formerly known as Luoyang and Luoyi, is located in the western part of Henan Province, China, and is one of the famous historical and cultural cities in China. Luoyang has a long history, and as the ancient capital of the Nine Dynasties, Luoyang has a pivotal position in Chinese history. Luoyang has many historical and cultural heritages, such as Longmen Grottoes, Guan Lin, White Horse Temple, Heavenly Ming Hall Ruins, etc. Among them, the Longmen Grottoes are one of the four major grottoes in China and are the treasures of Chinese stone carving art. White Horse Temple is one of the oldest temples in China and is known as the "cradle of Chinese Buddhism". Luoyang is located in the Central Plains, with superior geographical environment and developed agriculture. Luoyang peony is a traditional Chinese flower, and the Luoyang Peony Cultural Festival has become a famous tourism and cultural event in China.
3. Nanjing (Jiangsu)
Nanjing, abbreviated as "Ning", formerly known as Jinling and Jiankang, is the capital of Jiangsu Province in China, located in eastern China, in the lower reaches of the Yangtze River. Nanjing has a long history, and as the ancient capital of the Six Dynasties, Nanjing has a pivotal position in history. Nanjing has many historical and cultural heritages, such as the ruins of the Ming Imperial Palace, the Confucius Temple, the Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum, the Nanjing Museum, etc. Among them, Confucius Temple is an ancient Chinese cultural hub and was once one of the centers of ancient Chinese culture and education. The Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum is the mausoleum of Mr. Sun Yat-sen, the forerunner of the great democratic revolution in modern China, and is an important symbol of China's revolutionary history. Nanjing is known as "the beautiful land in the south of the Yangtze River, the imperial state of Jinling", with beautiful natural landscapes and unique garden architecture. Xuanwu Lake, Mochou Lake, Purple Mountain, Confucius Temple Qinhuai River Scenic Belt and other scenic spots attract many tourists.
4. Beijing (one of the four municipalities directly under the central government of China)
Beijing, abbreviated as "Beijing", is one of the capitals, municipalities and central cities of China. It is located in the northern part of China, Beijing has a long history, as the capital of many dynasties in history, it has many famous historical sites and cultural monuments, such as the Forbidden City, Tiananmen Square, Summer Palace, Temple of Heaven, Great Wall, etc. Beijing is the center of China's politics, culture, science and technology, education and international exchanges, and has a world-class modern urban style. In recent years, Beijing has continued to expand its international exchanges, hosting major international events such as the 2008 Summer Olympics and the 2022 Winter Olympics. Beijing's cultural life is rich and diverse, with the highest level of education in China and numerous cultural facilities, such as the National Library of China and the National Museum of China. Beijing has a strong cultural and artistic atmosphere, with China's top performing arts groups, such as the National Centre for the Performing Arts and the Beijing People's Art Theater.
5. Kaifeng (Henan)
Kaifeng, formerly known as Bianliang and Bianzhou, is located in the eastern part of Henan Province, China, and is one of the famous historical and cultural cities in China. Kaifeng has a long history, and as the ancient capital of the Eight Dynasties, it has a pivotal position in Chinese history. Kaifeng has a rich cultural heritage, such as Longting Park, Daxiangguo Temple, Kaifeng Mansion and so on. Longting Park is a famous garden scenic spot in China, and was once an ancient ancient imperial garden. Daxiangguo Temple is a famous Buddhist temple in China, known as the "Central Plains Buddhist Zen Holy Land". Kaifeng Mansion is a representative building of the ancient Chinese yamen, reflecting the culture of the ancient Chinese government.
6. Hangzhou (Zhejiang)
Hangzhou, referred to as "Hangzhou", formerly known as Lin'an and Qiantang, is located in the northeast of Zhejiang Province, China, and is the capital of Zhejiang Province. Hangzhou is a famous historical and cultural city in China, with a long history and rich cultural heritage. Hangzhou is famous for the beauty of the West Lake, known as "Paradise" and one of the top ten scenic spots in China. Other famous attractions include the Beijing-Hangzhou Grand Canal, Qianjiang New Town, Lingyin Temple, Songcheng and more. These attractions attract a large number of tourists, making Hangzhou a famous tourist destination in China. Hangzhou is one of the central cities of the Yangtze River Delta urban agglomeration, with a developed economy, especially emerging industries such as e-commerce and high-tech industries. Alibaba and other well-known enterprises have settled here, which has promoted the rapid development of Hangzhou's economy.
7. Chengdu (Sichuan)
Chengdu, abbreviated as "Rong", also known as "the land of abundance", is located in the central part of China's Sichuan Province and is the capital of Sichuan Province. Chengdu is a famous historical and cultural city in China with a long history, especially as the capital of Shu during the Three Kingdoms period, which has a pivotal position in Chinese history. Chengdu has a rich cultural heritage, such as Wuhou Temple, Jinli Ancient Street, Du Fu Thatched Cottage, Jinsha Ruins, etc. Wuhou Temple is a famous historical and cultural scenic spot in China, commemorating Zhuge Liang, the prime minister of Shu. Jinli Ancient Street is one of the oldest streets in Chengdu, focusing on the traditional culture and folk customs of Chengdu. Chengdu is located in the Sichuan Basin, with superior natural environment and pleasant climate. Chengdu cuisine is known for its spicy and fragrant characteristics, and Sichuan cuisine is one of the four major cuisines in China. Chengdu has a laid-back pace of life and is known as "a city you don't want to leave when you come".
8. Zhengzhou (Henan)
Zhengzhou, abbreviated as "Zheng", known as the capital of Shang in ancient times, is the capital of Henan Province, China, located in the north-central part of Henan. Zhengzhou is a famous historical and cultural city in China, with a long history, especially as the ancient capital of the Shang Dynasty, and has a pivotal position in Chinese history. Zhengzhou has many historical and cultural heritages, such as Songshan Shaolin Temple, the hometown of the Yellow Emperor, and the ruins of shopping malls. Songshan Shaolin Temple is the birthplace of Zen Buddhism in China, and Shaolin martial arts are well-known in China. The hometown of the Yellow Emperor is the birthplace of the Yellow Emperor, the ancestor of the Chinese nation, and is an important place for China to seek its roots and ask its ancestors.
9. Datong (Shanxi)
Datong, formerly known as Pingcheng, is located in the northern part of Shanxi Province, China, and is one of the famous historical and cultural cities in China. Datong has a long history, especially as the capital of the Northern Wei Dynasty, and has a pivotal place in Chinese history. Datong has a rich cultural heritage, such as Yungang Grottoes, Hanging Temple, Huayan Temple, etc. Yungang Grottoes is one of the four major grottoes in China and is a treasure of Chinese stone carving art. The Hanging Temple is one of the most famous Hanging Temples in China, known for its unique architectural style and precipitous location. Datong is located on the Loess Plateau, with a unique geographical environment, and the local Datong coal has a long history of mining, which has had an important impact on the development of modern industry in China.
10. Anyang (Henan)
Anyang, formerly known as Yin and Yecheng, is located in the northern part of Henan Province, China, and is one of the famous historical and cultural cities in China. Anyang has a long history, especially as the ancient capital of the Shang Dynasty, and has a pivotal place in Chinese history. Anyang has a rich cultural heritage, such as the Yinxu Ruins, the Museum of Chinese Characters, the Hongqi Canal, etc. The Yinxu site is one of China's most important archaeological discoveries, reflecting the prosperity of China's Shang Dynasty society. The Museum of Chinese Characters is the first museum in China to focus on the theme of Chinese characters, showcasing the evolution and development of Chinese characters. The Hongqi Canal is a great project created by the Chinese people under difficult circumstances, which reflects the diligence and wisdom of the Chinese people.
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- Note: The content is a personal point of view, for reference only, welcome to leave a message to supplement (if there are any mistakes, please criticize and correct, thank you)!