Since the reform and opening up, China’s economy has achieved rapid development and its international influence has continued to grow. An increasing number of foreigners have developed a strong interest in China.

They speak highly of China’s profound history and time-honored culture, stunning natural landscapes, delicious cuisines, and modern metropolitan scenery. Many come to China for tourism, work, study and settlement. This article selects the top 10 favorite Chinese cities among foreigners, letting us appreciate their unique charm.

As the capital of China, Beijing serves as the nation’s political, economic, cultural and transportation hub, as well as a world-renowned historical and cultural city. With a city history of over 3,000 years and a history of more than 800 years as an imperial capital, Beijing boasts numerous invaluable historical and cultural heritage sites.

Top must-visit attractions for foreign tourists include the Forbidden City, Tiananmen Square, the Summer Palace, the Temple of Heaven and the Great Wall. The Forbidden City, the imperial palace of the Ming and Qing dynasties, is a treasure of ancient Chinese architectural art. It houses over 9,999 palaces and a vast collection of rare treasures.

Tiananmen Square, where emperors held grand ceremonies in the Ming and Qing dynasties, has become a symbol of modern China. The Summer Palace, a royal garden of the Qing Dynasty, is hailed as a "Museum of Royal Gardens". The Temple of Heaven was the venue where emperors of the Ming and Qing dynasties worshipped heaven and prayed for good harvests, and it is also the largest ancient altar complex in the world. As an ancient Chinese military defense project, the Great Wall is praised as a miracle in the history of world architecture.

Shanghai is China’s economic center, an international metropolis and a global fashion capital. It is home to skyscrapers such as the Oriental Pearl Tower, Jin Mao Tower and Shanghai World Financial Center, as well as historic landmarks and blocks including the Bund, Nanjing Road and Yu Garden.

Foreign visitors to Shanghai can enjoy a cityscape that blends Chinese and Western styles, and integrates tradition with modernity. As China’s center of economy, finance, trade and shipping, Shanghai attracts a large number of foreign-funded enterprises and international talents.

It is also a hub of culture, art and sports, housing cultural institutions like the Shanghai Museum, Shanghai Grand Theatre and Shanghai Symphony Orchestra. Large-scale annual events such as the Shanghai International Film Festival, Shanghai International Arts Festival and Shanghai International Marathon are held here every year.

Hong Kong is an international hub for finance, trade and shipping, one of the most prosperous cities in Asia, and a melting pot of Eastern and Western cultures. Foreign tourists can admire the charming scenery of Victoria Harbour and taste authentic Hong Kong-style dim sum and Cantonese cuisine.

Famous as a shopping paradise, Hong Kong features bustling commercial districts including Causeway Bay, Tsim Sha Tsui and Central, gathering world-famous luxury brands. It is also known as a film capital, hosting major events such as the Hong Kong Film Awards and Hong Kong International Film Festival, and has nurtured international superstars including Jackie Chan, Chow Yun-fat and Stephen Chow.

Xi’an is a famous historical and cultural city in China and one of the four great ancient capitals of the world. Must-see scenic spots for foreign tourists include the Terracotta Army, Giant Wild Goose Pagoda, Huaqing Palace and the Ancient City Wall.

The Terracotta Army, a burial pit of Emperor Qin Shi Huang’s Mausoleum, is reputed as the "Eighth Wonder of the World", showcasing the military strength and artistic achievements of the Qin Dynasty. The Giant Wild Goose Pagoda was a sacred Buddhist site in the Tang Dynasty, where Master Xuanzang translated Buddhist scriptures.

Huaqing Palace was a royal hot spring resort in the Tang Dynasty and the place where Yang Guifei took baths. The Ancient City Wall is a military defense project built in the Ming Dynasty, and it is the largest and best-preserved ancient city wall in China.

A time-honored historical and cultural city, Chengdu is known as the "Land of Abundance" and the hometown of giant pandas. Top tourist attractions for foreigners include Wuhou Shrine, Du Fu Thatched Cottage, Jinli Ancient Street and Kuanzhai Alleys.

Wuhou Shrine is dedicated to Zhuge Liang and a representative of Three Kingdoms culture. Du Fu Thatched Cottage, the former residence of the great poet Du Fu, embodies the poetry culture of the Tang Dynasty. Jinli Ancient Street and Kuanzhai Alleys are historic and cultural blocks where visitors can taste authentic Chengdu snacks and hot pot.

As the economic, technological and educational center of western China, Chengdu is home to prestigious universities such as Sichuan University and University of Electronic Science and Technology of China. It hosts grand annual events including the Chengdu International Auto Show and Chengdu International Food Festival.

Famed as "Paradise on Earth", Hangzhou is a renowned historical and cultural city and home to the West Lake. Foreign tourists mainly visit the West Lake, Lingyin Temple, Songcheng Scenic Area and China National Silk Museum.

Known as the most beautiful lake in China, the West Lake features landscapes of mountains, waters, gardens and profound culture, and is hailed as the "Oriental Venice". Lingyin Temple is a sacred Buddhist site and the place where the legendary Monk Jigong once lived and practiced Buddhism.

Songcheng is a theme park themed on the culture of the Song Dynasty, displaying the architecture, costumes, cuisine and entertainment of that era. As China’s only professional silk museum, the China National Silk Museum showcases the history, craftsmanship and culture of Chinese silk.

Hangzhou is an economic, technological and educational hub in eastern China, with Zhejiang University as one of its top universities. It holds annual events such as the Hangzhou International Animation Festival and Hangzhou International Theatre Festival.

Lijiang is a famous historical and cultural city inhabited mainly by the Naxi people, and is also called the "Oriental Venice". Popular attractions for foreign tourists include Lijiang Ancient Town, Jade Dragon Snow Mountain, Lugu Lake and Tiger Leaping Gorge.

As a World Cultural Heritage site with a history of over 800 years, Lijiang Ancient Town is one of the best-preserved ancient cities in China. Jade Dragon Snow Mountain, a sacred mountain of the Naxi people, is an ideal destination for mountaineering and skiing.

Lugu Lake, hailed as the "Pearl on the Plateau", is regarded as the Mother Lake by the Mosuo people. Tiger Leaping Gorge, a dangerous section of the Jinsha River, is perfect for hiking and adventure.

Lijiang is a tourism, cultural and ecological center in western China, and hosts annual events such as the Lijiang International Folk Music Festival and Lijiang International Photography Festival.

Guilin is celebrated for its breathtaking landscape with the reputation of "Guilin’s mountains and rivers rank first under heaven", and it is a representative of karst landforms. Must-visit spots include Elephant Trunk Hill, Li River, Yangshuo and Longji Rice Terraces.

Elephant Trunk Hill, the city symbol of Guilin, is a classic example of karst landscape. The Li River, known as a "Hundred-Mile Landscape Gallery", is one of the most beautiful rivers in China. Yangshuo is hailed as the backyard of Guilin, with the reputation that "Yangshuo’s landscape surpasses that of Guilin".

Longji Rice Terraces, embodying the farming culture of the Zhuang ethnic group, is a World Agricultural Cultural Heritage site. As a tourism, cultural and ecological center in southern China, Guilin holds annual events including the Guilin International Landscape Culture Tourism Festival and Guilin International Photography Festival.

As a special economic zone of China, Xiamen is known as a "Garden on the Sea" and home to Gulangyu Island. Top tourist sites for foreigners are Gulangyu Island, South Putuo Temple, Island Ring Road and Jimei School Village.

Gulangyu Island, a World Cultural Heritage site, is reputed as an "Exhibition of World Architecture". South Putuo Temple is a famous Buddhist sacred place in southern Fujian, where Master Hongyi once practiced Buddhism. The Island Ring Road is a coastal scenic belt offering stunning mountain and sea views.

Founded by overseas Chinese leader Tan Kah Kee, Jimei School Village is a representative of overseas Chinese culture. As an economic, technological and educational hub in southeast China, Xiamen is home to Xiamen University and hosts annual events such as the Xiamen International Marathon and Xiamen International Stone Fair.

Urumqi is a border city in western China, a strategic hub on the ancient Silk Road and located at the foot of the Tianshan Mountains. Popular attractions for foreign tourists include Heavenly Lake of Tianshan, Nanshan Pasture, Red Hill and the International Grand Bazaar.

Heavenly Lake of Tianshan, an alpine lake, is known as the "Pearl of the Tianshan Mountains". Nanshan Pasture, a pasture of the Kazakh people, fully presents grassland culture. Red Hill is the city landmark of Urumqi, while the International Grand Bazaar is a commercial center showcasing rich ethnic customs.

As an economic, cultural and transportation center in western China, Urumqi is home to Xinjiang University and hosts annual events such as the Urumqi International Folk Dance Festival and Urumqi International Ice and Snow Festival.

In conclusion, these ten cities each have their own characteristics and unique charm, representing China’s urban styles, profound history and culture, magnificent natural scenery and diverse ethnic customs. Foreign tourists traveling in China may choose several of these cities to experience the true charm of China and leave unforgettable memories.