China holiday destinations
A country the size of China – the 4th largest in the entire world – is bound to have a diverse and surreal amount of scenic destinations for a holiday. Gravity-defying rocks, glistening lakes surrounding snow-clad mountains, historical heritages – the country’s cities are endowed with fantastical landscapes and timeless architecture. They’ll push the limits of your imagination.
If the bustling cities of Beijing and Shanghai are the only places you’ve heard of from the Land of The Red Dragon, and the Great Wall of China is the only landmark in the country you’ve marvelled in awe at, here’s a list of 7 holiday destinations in China you can visit with just a direct flight from Malaysia.
Minimum hassle, and maximum wonder – that’s the equation for a dream vacation.
Table of Contents
1. Chongqing
Airlines with direct flights from KLIA: AirAsia, Xiamen Air
Image credit: 余先森Jackson via Xiaohongshu
The Mountain City, Little Hong Kong, 8D Magic City, City of Fog – the blooming city of Chongqing has many names, and for many reasons. Positioned alongside the upper Yangtze River in Southwest China, this vibrant metropolis possesses both a bewitching cityscape and antique architecture, all built along a mountainous terrain.
Image credit: Yangtze River Cruises via website
This megacity is where modern structures juxtaposed with well-kept traditional Chinese buildings. There are UNESCO Heritage Sites such as the gorgeous Dazu Rock Carvings and the Wulong Karst National Geology Park.
Or explore the Chiqikou Ancient Town that takes one back to the past with old teahouses and specialty stores in buildings built in the Ming or Qing dynasty architecture styles, or take a cruise down the Yangtze River and meander through the magnificent Three Gorges which was once the ancient battlefield for Three Kingdoms.
Fans of Hayao Miyazaki’s animated Japanese film Spirited Away can have their dreams of seeing the vivid wonderland in person fulfilled at Hongya Cave, a large scale stilt house complex that served as a military fortress in the past and stuns with a mesmerising array of lights when night comes.
2. Xiamen
Airlines with direct flights from KLIA: Xiamen Air, Malaysia Airlines
Image credit: @visit_xiamen via Instagram
There are plenty of things to love about the ‘Garden by the Sea’ Xiamen, and many of them involve sea breezes, lush greenery, and bright sunshine. Surrounded by clear waters and scattered with sandy beaches, the charming sea garden city oozes a romantic and artistic allure that’ll have you sighing in awe at every turn.
Gulangyu Island – a highlight of Xiamen – is a serene island with its breathtaking coastal views and the blend of Chinese and colonial-style architecture. The UNESCO World Heritage site is as poetic of a place as it gets, being dubbed the ‘Island of Music’ as home to a world-renowned piano manufacturing industry and many musicians, and filled with lovely gardens and museums.
Image credit: German Vogel via Flickr
Take a stroll at one of the most beautiful university campuses in China, Xiamen University, experience the Buddhist culture of southern Fujian at Southern Putuo Temple, or catch the blazing sunset at Baicheng Beach. It is truly a city that’s easy to love.
3. Chengdu
Airlines with direct flights from KLIA: AirAsia, China Air, Sichuan Airlines, Batik Air
Image credit: Cathay Pacific via website
Chengdu, the capital of Sichuan province, is also the home of Giant Pandas – what more reason would you need to visit this China city? And if watching the white-and-black bamboo-eating bears lazing about, the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding – one of the largest panda bases in the world – will have you squealing in delight at the amount of panda infants, cubs, and adult pandas idling about.
Image credit: WUDO via website
Once you’ve gotten an eyeful of these adorable furry creatures, immerse yourself in the city’s rich history at Jinli Ancient Street and Kuanzhai Alley which are lined with ornate ancient buildings and shops selling creative knick-knacks and local snacks. When you start to feel peckish from the walking, be sure to fill your tummies with some fiery Sichuan hotpot, else your trip in Chengdu wouldn’t be complete.
At night, the city of Chengdu never really gets dark. Wander leisurely around the city centre and Chunxi Road, take in the dazzling views of the glistening skyscrapers, and roam about the gorgeous Anshun Bridge dazzling with all its might.
4. Kunming
Airlines with direct flights from KLIA: AirAsia, Batik Air, China Eastern
Image credit: Golftripz via website
Picture this: dainty flowers showering the lands and flourishing trees with all colours of the rainbow, all year long. That’s Kunming for you.
It’s no surprise that the capital of Yunnan Province is dubbed the City of Eternal Spring, with the profuse number of captivating natural sceneries and pleasant climate throughout the year. Postcard-perfect views abound this city, especially at Green Lake Park – also known as the Jade of Kunming – that’s brimming with verdant trees, full-bloomed tulips, magnificent lotus, and a shining glass lake that reflects it all.
Image credit: Asia Odyssey Travel via website
Hike up the Western Hill for your fill of nature, historical temples and grottoes, and panoramic views of Kunming City.
You wouldn’t want to miss hanging by Dianchi Lake, the sparkling jewel of Kunming and a vast freshwater lake that has a plethora of activities for visitors to enjoy. We recommend you rent a bicycle and cruise along the paths for a leisurely ride – pure therapy.
5. Xi’an
Airlines with direct flights from KLIA: AirAsia
Image credit: @vivaxianofficial via Instagram
Historical buffs will adore Xi’an. The ancient capital of 13 dynasties is brimming with cultural wonders that boast a history so rich, you’ll feel like a character in the pages of China’s history books.
An essential destination while on a holiday in the China city is the Terracotta Warriors. It’s an underground military museum revered as the ‘Eight Wonder of The World’, which houses a collection of 9,000 life-sized warriors and horses made out of baked clay, as well as vivid stories and histories that spans over 2,200 years.
Image credit: National Geographic via website
The Giant Wild Goose Pagoda isn’t a fun and quirky theme park ride, but rather, an imposing 7-storey pagoda that has been a significant symbol of Xi’an. Be amazed at the many relics still preserved in the pagoda, including sculptures, paintings, and scriptures, which offer valuable insights into the spread of Buddhism along the Silk Road.
When dusk falls, stroll along the cobblestone and ancient streets of Xi’an’s historic Old Town, and you may come across the majestic Bell and Drum Tower, both alive with lights and looking like nothing short of magical.
6. Hangzhou
Airlines with direct flights from KLIA: AirAsia, China Eastern, Shanghai Airlines
Image credit: @dyarllon.photos via Instagram
There’s a Chinese saying that goes, “Above there is heaven, below there are Hangzhou and Suzhou”. And lucky for us Malaysians, we get to experience heaven on earth in person with just a flight to Hangzhou.
This city – once hailed by Marco Polo as the most magnificent and noble in the world – is blessed with enchanting tranquil lake-scapes against the backdrop of hills and mountains, as well as bridges, pagodas, temples, and pavilions – definitely a place where poets and artists would thrive at.
Witnessing the beauty of West Lake in Hangzhou is a given. The shimmering scenic wonder of China is simply spellbinding, no matter the season. The Lingyin Temple is another famous attraction, where you can admire exquisite Buddhist artworks amidst the lush greenery and serene atmosphere.
Image credit: @prior via Instagram cities in China
Besides gorgeous scenery, Hangzhou is known for its Longjing Tea, so tea enthusiasts can delve in the tea culture here, including visiting the picturesque Longjing Tea Plantation and tea villages to experience the tea-making process and savour some warm Chinese brew.
7. Zhangjiajie
Airlines with direct flights from KLIA: Batik Air
Image credit: National Parks via website
An adventure in Zhangjiajie is akin to a trip to an otherworldly planet. And this is almost true, given that the Zhangjiajie National Forest Park was the inspiration for the floating mist-wreathed pillars of rock where the blue-skinned creatures frolicked about in the blockbuster movie Avatar.
Much of its “floating peaks” are sandstone formations partly engulfed by mythical shrouds of morning mists which makes them appear to be floating above a sea of clouds. The forest park is also home to diverse flora and fauna, streams, stone formations and even the endangered Chinese water deer. As pictures attest, it is a mesmerising place.
Image credit: @joethommas via Instagram
Not far from the park is the Heaven’s Gate of Tianmen Mountain, renowned for its spectacular natural scenery and flower gardens. To witness a view that is truly surreal, hop on the world’s longest mountain cable car ride that’ll make you feel like you’re at the boundary of heaven.
Breathtaking China destinations for your next holiday
China is truly a country like no other, and a country of that magnitude will fascinate us with its otherworldly destinations for a holiday that all look like they have been lifted off a canvas.
And if you’re keen to explore parts of the country without the hassle of having to hop on various flights, these holiday destinations in China that can be accessed with a direct flight from Malaysia are definitely great places to start.
Read more for guides on travel destinations in Asia:
Cover image adapted from: National Parks via website, Golftripz via website. @dyarllon.photos via Instagram, 余先森Jackson via Xiaohongshu