Home to over 650 cities, China is a land of staggering size and diversity. It’s no wonder that tourism can become focused on only a few famous places. While The Forbidden City in Beijing and The Bund in Shanghai are certainly amazing, visiting lesser known places will lead families to discover something far better — real China.
Real China is hidden in ancient water towns. Secretly tucked inside UNESCO heritage sites. Buried deep within cities filled with family friendly hands-on activities. If you’re traveling with kids and looking for family friendly destinations to add to your China itinerary, here are seven underrated Chinese cities you need to consider for your next vacation. Whether you’re filling a two-week itinerary or adding on to a trip with classics like Beijing and Shanghai, these underrated gems are sure to wow you.
Most families flock to Beijing, Shanghai, or Xi’an — and for good reason. But China’s lesser-known cities often deliver richer cultural experiences, fewer crowds, and more meaningful memories. Here are seven underrated Chinese cities that deserve a spot on your family’s travel itinerary.
Yangzhou, Jiangsu
China’s garden city — a living poem your family can walk through
Yangzhou is your best bet if you’re hoping to expose your kids to classical Chinese culture without tourist crowds. This sophisticated city along the northern reaches of the Yangtze River has been a hub for arts, literature, and cuisine for over 2,400 years. It’s had a lot less hype than neighbours Suzhou or Hangzhou, so international tourists have mostly stayed away.
Yangzhou’s main attraction is the Slender West Lake Scenic Area, a beautiful 4.3-kilometre-long lake lined with weeping willows, traditional pavilions, and curved bridges. Yangzhou is well-known for their scenic lake — and it’s magical for young children too! The scenic area features the iconic Five Pavilion Bridge, which your kids will have fun walking across. From there, families can spend hours walking through the lakeside parks. Yangzhou is home to two UNESCO-listed classical gardens: He Garden and Ge Garden. Their layouts were intentionally maze-like, making exploration fun for inquisitive kids.
For parents with picky eaters, Yangzhou fried rice is your go-to: purportedly invented during the Sui Dynasty, it’s a kid-safe Chinese food starter. Yangzhou itself is small and walkable, and it warmly welcomes families with children of all ages.
Family tip: Rent a paddle boat on Slender West Lake. It’s affordable, relaxing, and one of those simple travel moments children remember for years.
Dunhuang, Gansu
Ancient Silk Road oasis — deserts, caves, and stories from another world
Few places in the world hold as much mystique for kids as Dunhuang does. Located on the border of China’s Gobi Desert in northwest China, Dunhuang was once a critical outpost on the Silk Road. Now families who venture out to Dunhuang are richly rewarded with awe-inspiring experiences.
The UNESCO World Heritage Site known as the Mogao Caves are filled with more than 490 sculpted and painted grottos created over the course of 1,000 years. These repositories of Buddhist art are some of the best-preserved in the world and feature colossal statues and incredible ceiling murals that date back to the 4th century. Guided tours of the caves are fascinating and a great fit for older kids and teens with interests in history and archaeology.
In town, Crescent Moon Spring, nestled among massive singing sand dunes at Mingsha Mountain, is nothing short of magical for families. Kids will happily spend hours sandboarding down the massive dunes, riding camels at sunset, and learning how to make the mystical humming sound they create when the wind passes over them. It’s hard to think of many places in China that can compete with this unique natural wonder paired with historical treasures.
Family tip: Visit the Mogao Caves in the early morning before tour groups arrive. Book your cave access tickets well in advance — they sell out during peak travel season.
Qufu, Shandong
The birthplace of Confucius — where 2,500 years of philosophy feel alive
If sightseeing is a priority for your family travel, you might consider making Qufu a cultural destination as well. This small city in Shandong Province is where Confucius was born. The ancient philosopher developed the system of beliefs and ideals that has influenced East Asian civilisation for more than two thousand years. Yet, remarkably few foreigners visit Qufu.
Situated in the heart of Qufu are the Three Kongs: the Temple of Confucius, the Cemetery of Confucius (Kong Lin) and the Kong Family Mansion UNESCO World Heritage site. Kong Lin is one of the largest and oldest family cemeteries in existence, an ethereal, forested grove that will transport you back in time.
Qufu is also a great family-friendly destination because of its size. The downtown area is small, there are plenty of budget accommodations and residents are used to tourists flocking to the ancient burial sites. It’s easily one of the friendliest places you’ll visit on your family vacation through eastern China. When you introduce your kids to Confucius, you’ll plant ideas in their head about Chinese philosophy, morals, and family dynamics that they’ll be discussing with you years down the road.
Family tip: Time your visit for International Confucius Cultural Festival (late September to October) for traditional performances, ceremonies, and cultural activities designed for all ages.
Lijiang, Yunnan
A fairytale old town backed by snow-capped mountains
Do yourself and your family a favour and visit Lijiang. Despite being frequented by tourists, it is vastly underrated. Situated in northwestern Yunnan province at an elevation of over 2,400 metres, Lijiang’s Old Town of Lijiang was listed by UNESCO for its network of cobblestone streets, wooden buildings, canal-style bridges, and water wheels that transport you into a fairy tale.
The capital city of Lijiang was home to the Naxi people, one of China’s 56 official ethnic minorities. Their musical traditions and pictographic system of writing are fascinating to adults and kids. Don’t miss checking out the Naxi Ancient Music performances located in the old town. It’s magical!
Outside of Lijiang city itself, the surrounding areas are some of China’s most breathtaking. Day trips to Jade Dragon Snow Mountain, Tiger Leaping Gorge (accessible areas only), and the ancient town of Shuhe allow families to explore a dynamic range of natural and historical attractions close to one another. High elevation also means there is crisp, clean air here— a nice break from the lower elevation areas of China that are often hot and humid.
Family tip: Stay in a courtyard guesthouse (known locally as a “Naxi inn”) in the old town for a genuinely immersive experience. Altitude acclimatisation may take a day — plan a relaxed first day upon arrival.
Zhangjiajie, Hunan
The world’s most dramatic natural landscape — an adventure built for families
Made famous around the world as the inspiration behind the floating mountains of Avatar, Zhangjiajie National Forest Park is one of China’s most stunning natural attractions – but still receives a fraction of the visitors than similar attractions in other countries. For families with kids who love hiking and being outdoors, Zhangjiajie will change your life.
China’s Zhangjiajie UNESCO Global Geopark National Forest Park is made up of thousands of sandstone pillars stretching hundreds of metres into the sky out of forest valleys. Cable cars, glass-bottomed skywalks and the world’s longest glass bridge all offer varying experiences depending on ages and bravery levels. The Bailong Elevator, highest outdoor elevator in the world, zips you up 326 metres up the side of a mountain face. And it’s a serious bucket list item for teens and parents alike.
Hunan province, where Zhangjiajie is located, is also home to the ancient town of Fenghuang. It’s another amazing family-friendly spot only a few bus/car hours away, so Zhangjiajie makes for a great hub for a family-friendly adventure across Hunan.
Family tip: Purchase a multi-day park pass — you’ll need at least two full days to cover the main scenic areas comfortably. Wear comfortable walking shoes and bring light layers; the elevated terrain can be cool even in summer.
Chengde, Hebei
Imperial summer palaces without the Beijing crowds
Located just 250 kilometres (155 miles) northeast of Beijing, Chengde served as the summer home to China’s Qing Dynasty emperors for more than 150 years. Despite boasting one of China’s largest imperial city complexes—a UNESCO World Heritage Site often snubbed in favour of Beijing by international travellers—it rewards visitors with quiet temples, friendly locals and incredible pandas.
Called the Mountain Resort and its Outlying Temples, Chengde’s imperial gardens were built over centuries and include eight Tibetan-style temples that symbolically represented the ethnic groups and territories within the Qing empire. A literal walk through Chinese history, the Mountain Resort’s largest attraction is also its most peaceful—the Puning Temple is still home to an active Buddhist monastery and boasts the world’s tallest wooden Buddha statue standing at 22 metres (72 feet). Be warned: it’ll blow your kids’ minds.
If you can spend the night, Chengde really shines. Explore the mountain surrounds in autumn when the maples change or wander the city’s nearly empty streets. Budget-friendly Chengde is also an oasis of calm compared to Beijing, so it makes sense to visit both when travelling in northern China.
Family tip: Rent bicycles to explore the grounds of the Mountain Resort — at over 560 hectares, it’s far too large to walk comfortably in one day. E-bikes are available for families with younger children.
Kaifeng, Henan
China’s forgotten imperial capital — a city frozen beautifully in time
Kaifeng is possibly the most underrated city on this list. Kaifeng was once the biggest and richest city in the world during China’s Northern Song Dynasty (960–1127 AD). It is now an easy-going, inexpensive city that oozes atmosphere and provides families with a unique glimpse into medieval Chinese history — without the crowds or costs of some of its more famous counterparts.
Attractions like Qingming Riverside Landscape Garden recreate scenes from the Song Dynasty in theme park settings. This garden recreates the famous Northern Song painting Along the River During the Qingming Festival as a walk-through experience, featuring craftsmen, artists, performers and hourly light shows that entertain children of all ages. Song Dynasty daily life is spring to life right before your eyes! Ancient relics like the Iron Pagoda and the Po Tower let you explore Kaifeng’s millennia-old history.
Kaifeng is also home to one of China’s best night markets at Gulou Square. Like all great night markets, it’s a feast for all of the senses, featuring street food, local specialties, folk art performances, and row upon row of lanterns. It’s also completely family-friendly and incredibly affordable. Make sure to try local favorites like soup dumplings (灌汤包, guàntāng bāo) if you’ve got adventurous young foodies in tow!
Kaifeng was once home to a significant Jewish population, you can check out their old synagogue as well.
Family tip: Kaifeng is best combined with a visit to Luoyang (Longmen Grottoes) and Zhengzhou for a full ancient capitals route through Henan Province — one of the richest cultural corridors in all of China.
Practical Tips for Family Travel in China
Traveling in China with kids can be done pretty easily with some forward planning. Here are some quick tips:
- Visa: Unless you are a passport holder from a few select countries, you will need to apply for a visa ahead of time at your local Chinese embassy or consulate. China has opened up visa-free access for visitors from many countries in the past few years so be sure to check requirements before you purchase tickets.
- Bullet train: China has the best high-speed rail system in the world. Traveling between cities with kids is actually easy and relaxing thanks to the bullet train. You can reserve your seats ahead of time on the official 12306 app or via a booking agent.
- Internet: Download a VPN app prior to arrival if you will need Google, WhatsApp, or other Western services. Be sure you have WeChat and Alipay downloaded. You will use these to pay for nearly everything.
- Best time to go: Spring (April–May) and fall (September–October) are the best times to visit most of China. Summer in the eastern half of the country is insanely hot and humid. Winter (especially north of Shanghai) can be painfully cold.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which underrated cities in China are good for families with young kids?
Yangzhou, Lijiang, and Kaifeng stand out. Each city is extremely safe and walkable with tons of culture and things to see and do that kids will love. Gardens, boat rides, night markets, living history theme parks.
Is China a family-friendly country to travel in? Is it safe for kids?
China is generally as safe as traveling anywhere with children. Violent crimes are few and far between. The people are warm and welcoming and children who may look foreign are mostly treated with kindness and respect. Of course, always take normal precautions that you would when abroad.
How do you get to these less touristy Chinese cities?
China’s extensive high-speed rail system will take you to most of these destinations from Beijing, Shanghai, or another major city. Zhangjiajie and Dunhuang also have airports with domestic flights to other major cities in China. Domestic flights within China are inexpensive and convenient for long distances.
Which underrated city in China is best for outdoor adventures with kids
Zhangjiajie hands down. China’s natural landscape coupled with the glass walkways, cable cars, and hiking opportunities is unparalleled for an unforgettable family adventure.
China is a big country. Much bigger than what any one itinerary can show. The 7 cities listed above (Yangzhou, Dunhuang, Qufu, Lijiang, Zhangjiajie, Chengde, Kaifeng) are just seven places off the beaten path you won’t see when you’re flipping through China’s postcard highlights. If you venture a bit off the beaten path as a family, you can find travel in China with unparalleled depth, beauty and culture like nowhere else in the world.
7 Underrated Cities in China Worth Visiting With Your Family