The origins of the rating system for tourist attractions are based on criteria first set out in 1999 by the China National Tourism Administration (predecessor to the current Ministry of Culture and Tourism) and revised in 2004.[2] The criteria include quality and management factors like ease of transportation links, site safety, cleanliness, etc., and also takes into account the uniqueness and recognition of the sightseeing offers.[2] Tourist attractions were graded according to the criteria on a scale initially from A to AAAA with AAAAA or 5As added on later as the highest rating. A group of 66 tourist attractions was certified as the first set of AAAAA rated tourist attractions in 2007.[2] The first batch included many of the most iconic historical sites in China including the Forbidden City and Summer Palace. Additional batches of additional sites have been added including 20 new 5A sites in February 2017.[3] On rare occasions, a few locations have been downgraded from the highest rating category for deficiencies in visitor experience.[4]
| Province | Prefecture | Name | Date of inclusion | Description | Image |
|---|
| Beijing | Beijing | Forbidden City
| 2007 | A .72km2 compound of 980 buildings,[5] initially constructed by the Yongle Emperor from 1406 to 1420,[6] used as the main palace of the Ming and early Qing dynasties, converted into a public museum in 1925.[7] Its southern Gate of Heavenly Peace (Tian'anmen) displays a famous portrait of Mao Zedong and has been the scene of numerous important events in modern Chinese history, including the 1October 1949 celebration of the founding of the PRC and the Tian'anmen Square protests of 1989. | |
| Beijing | Beijing | TempleofHeaven | 2007 | A 2.73km2 compound of 92 buildings,[8] initially constructed by the Yongle Emperor in 1420, used for the traditional worship of Heaven during the Ming and Qing dynasties, converted into a public park in 1918.[9] | |
| Beijing | Beijing | Summer Palace | 2007 | A 2.97km2 compound surrounding Longevity Hill and Kunming Lake,[10] initially constructed by the Qianlong Emperor from 1750 to 1764 to represent other famous sites of China and Chinese mythology in miniature, used as the unofficial main palace for the rest of the Qing, infamously[11] razed by European troops in 1860 during the Second Opium War, rebuilt by the empress dowager Cixi and a center of late Qing government, damaged and looted by foreigners again in 1900 during the Boxer Rebellion, converted into a public park in 1924, and extensively restored since 1953. | |
| Beijing | Beijing | Badaling and Mutianyu GreatWall | 2007 | A 3,741m section of the Great Wall[12] initially constructed in 1505 to protect the Juyong Pass,[13] restored after 1952,[14] and opened to tourists in 1958. It has received scores of foreign leaders, most notably US president Richard Nixon during his 1972 visit. | |
| Beijing | Beijing | 13MingTombs[15] | 2011 | A 34.35km2 necropolis[16] constructed between 1409 and 1644 at the foot of Tianshou Mountain, used as the resting place for 13 of the 16 emperors of the Ming. | |
| Beijing | Beijing | Prince Gong Mansion
| 2012 | A 6ha (15acre) compound with an expansive garden, initially constructed in 1777[17] by the Qianlong Emperor's notoriously corrupt[18] official Heshen, used as a residence for members of the imperial family including the diplomat Yixin during the rest of the Qing, repurposed as the women's campus of Fu-Jen Catholic University under the Republic and as residences for leaders of the Ministry of Public Security under the People's Republic, restored after 1982,[19] and opened as a museum in 1996.[20] It is one of the few surviving Qing palaces, out of the 74 still used by imperial princes at the fall of the empire.[21] | |
| Beijing | Beijing | Olympic Green | 2012 | An 11.59km2[22] Olympic Park constructed for the 2008 summer games, now featuring the Bird's Nest stadium, the National Indoor Stadium, the Water Cube aquatics center, the Olympic Forest Park, and national science & technology and the ethnic museums. | |
| Beijing | Beijing | Old Summer Palace | 2019 | An 8km (05miles) northwest of the walls of the former Imperial City section of Beijing. Constructed throughout the 18th and early 19th centuries, the Old Summer Palace was the main imperial residence of Qianlong Emperor of the Qing dynasty and his successors, and where they handled state affairs; the Forbidden City was used for formal ceremonies. Widely perceived as the pinnacle work of Chinese imperial garden and palace design, the Old Summer Palace was known for its extensive collection of gardens, its building architecture and numerous art and historical treasures. It was reputed as the "Garden of Gardens" in its heyday. | |
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| Province | Prefecture | Name | Date of inclusion | Description | Image |
|---|
| Hebei | Qinhuangdao | Shanhai Pass
("Shanhaiguan Scenic Area") | 2007 | A cluster of fortifications which once guarded the 10km Shanhai Pass between Horn Mountain in the Yan chain and the Bohai Gulf,[27] protecting "China Proper" from Manchuria, initially constructed in 583[28] [29] during the early Sui dynasty and taking most of its present form from Xu Da's work in 1381 during the early Ming, when it became the eastern end of the Great Wall. Its strategic importance made it the site of numerous major events, most famously the 1644 battle that directly led to the establishment of the Qing.[30] | |
| Hebei | Baoding | Baiyang Lake
("Lake Baiyandian") | 2007 | The largest lake in northern China, although growing urban and agricultural water use after 1950 reduced its size from more than 1000km2 to almost nothing in the 1980s.[31] [32] It is presently composed of 143 smaller lakes around 366km2 and is used for nature tourism,[33] but its size is now maintained by unsustainable use of highly polluted groundwater.[34] | |
| Hebei | Chengde | Chengde Mountain Resort
("Imperial Summer Resort and the Surrounding Temples") | 2007 | A 6.1km2 compound initially constructed from 1703 to 1792 during the Qing,[35] with an imperial summer resort surrounded by areas of mountains, plains, and lakeshore mimicking China's overall topography,[36] serving as a culmination of traditional Chinese gardening and an influence on landscape gardening worldwide. The palace was a particular favorite of the Kangxi and Qianlong emperors, and its intermixed ethnic architectural styles consciously affirmed their government's commitment to a multicultural state, and it. | |
| Hebei | Baoding | Yesanpo National Park | 2011 | A 334.8km2[37] park at the intersection of the Taihang and Yan chains, comprising three main scenic areas—the Baili Gorge, the Longmentian Pass, and Fodongta Peak with Yugu Cave. | |
| Hebei | Shijiazhuang | Xibaipo | 2011 | A village including a museum and other memorials reconstructing its role as the headquarters of the Chinese Communist Party and People's Liberation Army in late 1948 and early 1949, an important period of the Chinese Civil War.[38] (The original sites are underwater as a result of local hydroelectric projects.)[39] | |
| Hebei | Tangshan | Eastern Qing Tombs | 2015 | A 78km2[40] necropolis of 508 buildings constructed between 1661 and 1908[41] in a hollow of Changrui Mountain,[42] used as the resting place of 5 emperors of the Qing, as well as the dowager empress Cixi.[43] | |
| Hebei | Handan | Nüwa Imperial Palace
("Wahuang Palace") | 2015 | A 1.7km2[44] compound beside Phoenix Mountain (Fenghuangshan) honoring the goddess Nüwa, who temples were first built under the Han. The surviving palaces and temples were initially constructed under the Wanli Emperor of the Ming,[45] were restored in the 1990s, and include one of China's most impressive rock carvings: 130,000 characters of Buddhist scripture engraved into the mountains from the Northern Qi onward.[46] | |
| Hebei | Handan | | 2017 | A 1.5km2[47] town in the center of Yongnian Marsh, first settled during the Spring and Autumn period[48] and serving as the capital of Dou Jiande's and Liu Heita's short-lived principalities of "Xia" and "Handong"[49] during the late Sui, with city walls initially constructed under the Tang and modern construction mimicking the town's appearance under the Ming.[50] It has museums to locals Yang Luchan and Wu Yuxiang, the founders of the two largest schools of tai chi.[51] | |
| Hebei | Baoding | Mount Baishi
("Whitestone Mountain
Scenic Area")[52] | 2017 | A forest park surrounding 2096m Mount Baishi, the northern end of the Taihang Mountains and site of the 1937 Battle of the Great Wall during the 2nd Sino-Japanese War. | |
| Hebei | Baoding | Western Qing tombs | 2019 | | |
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| Province | Prefecture | Name | Date of inclusion | Description | Image |
|---|
| Shanxi | Datong | | 2007 | An 8.5km2[53] area of 252 caves in the Wuzhou Mountains with 51,000 niches filled with Buddhist statues and 18,000m2 of carved wall space,[54] initially constructed under the Northern Wei in the 5th & 6th century,[55] expanded by the Liao in the 11th,[56] and restored since 1952.[57] There is also a ruined Ming fortress and beacon tower over the caves.[58] | |
| Shanxi | Xinzhou | Mount Wutai | 2007 | A 423.12km2[59] area surrounding the five peaks of Mount Wutai (3,061m), considered holy since at least the Han (1stcenturyAD), the site of imperial pilgrimage since the Northern Wei (5th century), and the seat of the Buddhist bodhisattva Manjushri (Wenshu) since the 7th century,[60] and now hosting 53 monasteries in architecture spanning over a thousand years, including a timber hall from the Tang. | |
| Shanxi | Jincheng | House of the Huangcheng Chancellor | 2011 | A 10ha[61] (25acre) walled estate with 9 gates, 19 gardens, and 640 rooms, initially constructed in 1633 for Chen Changyan and expanded in 1703 for Chen Tingjing, tutor to the Kangxi Emperor and chief editor of the Kangxi Dictionary.[62] | |
| Shanxi | Jinzhong | Mount Mian[63] | 2013 | A 75km2 area[64] surrounding the peak of MtMian (2,440m), considered holy since at least the Spring and Autumn period (8th–5thcenturiesBC), most famed as the scene of Jie Zhitui's supposed immolation by Duke Chong'er of Jin BC and thus the home of China's Cold Food and Tomb-Sweeping Festivals,[65] the site of imperial pilgrimage since the Tang (7th century), when Li Shimin won an important victory nearby and constructed a temple for the Princess Changzhao to retire to as a Buddhist nun. | |
| Shanxi | Jinzhong | Pingyao
("Pingyao Ancient City")[66] | 2015 | A 2.25km2[67] walled town of about 4000 buildings[68] in central Shanxi, first protected by earthen ramparts BC, thoroughly reconstructed and fortified under the early Ming, serving as the financial center of the region from the 16th century and of the entire Qing Empire during the late 19th century. The town exemplifies Ming & Qing urban planning, with over a hundred streets and lanes lined with 17th–19th century shops criss-crossing the town. Organized restorations have been undertaken periodically since the 15th century, the most recent phase beginning in 1979. The World Heritage Site also includes the nearby Shuanglin and Zhenguo Temples. | |
| Shanxi | Xinzhou | Yanmen Pass Scenic Area[69] | 2017 | A cluster of fortifications which once guarded the 1km Yanmen Pass beside MtGouzhu, protecting "China Proper" from the nomads of the Eurasian steppe, initially constructed around 306BC during the Warring States period[70] and taking most of its present form from Lu Ting's work in 1374 during the early Ming,[71] when it formed part of the "inner" line of the Great Wall. Its strategic importance made it the site of numerous major events, most famously the 980 battle which formed an important element in the Chinese legends, plays, &c. about Yang Ye and the other Generals of the Yang Family.[72] | |
| Shanxi | Linfen | Locust tree of Hongdong Scenic Area | 2018 | | |
| Shanxi | Changzhi | Huguan Taihang Grand Canyon and Baquan Gorge | 2019 | | |
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| Province | Prefecture | Name | Date of inclusion | Description | Image |
|---|
| Ordos | Xiangshawan | 2011 | Desert resort | |
| Inner Mongolia | Ordos | | 2011 | A 225km2[73] area surrounding a compound of 4 buildings constructed between 1954 and 1956[74] [75] to house relics used in the veneration of Genghis Khan, Tolui, and their wives since the Yuan, repurposed as a salt depot in 1968,[76] restored in the early 1980s, and now the world center of Genghis Khan's cult, despite having only replicas[77] after its desecration during the Cultural Revolution. The site also includes an expansive prairie, an equestrian sports center, a hot air balloon area, and a village showcasing traditional Mongolian culture.[78] | |
| Inner Mongolia | Hulunbuir | Manzhouli China-Russia
Border Tourist Area | 2016[79] | The area includes the Matryoshka Resort, a cultural resort with a matryoshka theme, and National Gate Resort, a huge border gate with an observation deck at the top for visitors to overlook the border area between China and Russia. Other attractions at the scenic area include the No 41 Border Monument, Locomotive Square and the historical site of the 6th National Congress of the Chinese Communist Party held in 1928. | |
| Inner Mongolia | Hinggan League | Mount Arxan and Chaihe River
scenic area[80] | 2017 | An amalgam of the Arxan National Forest Park and Geopark, the Zhalantun Scenic Area, and Rose Peak. | |
| Inner Mongolia | Chifeng | Ashatu Stone Formation | 2018 | | |
| Inner Mongolia | Alxa League | Populus euphratica Tourist Area | 2019 | | |
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| Province | Prefecture | Name | Date of inclusion | Description | Image |
|---|
| Sichuan | Chengdu | Mount Qingcheng and the Dujiangyan Irrigation System | 2007 | Construction of the Dujiangyan irrigation system began in the 3rd century B.C. This system still controls the waters of the Minjiang River and distributes it to the fertile farmland of the Chengdu plains. Mount Qingcheng was the birthplace of Taoism, which is celebrated in a series of ancient temples.[82] | |
| Sichuan | Leshan | Mount Emei | 2007 | The first Buddhist temple in China was built here in Sichuan Province in the 1st century A.D. in the beautiful surroundings of the summit Mount Emei. The addition of other temples turned the site into one of Buddhism's holiest sites. Over the centuries, the cultural treasures grew in number. Mount Emei is also notable for its exceptionally diverse vegetation, ranging from subtropical to subalpine pine forests. Some of the trees there are more than 1,000 years old.[83] | |
| Sichuan | Ngawa | Jiuzhaigou | 2007 | Stretching over 72,000 ha in the northern part of Sichuan Province, the jagged Jiuzhaigou valley reaches a height of more than 4,800 m, thus comprising a series of diverse forest ecosystems. Its superb landscapes are particularly interesting for their series of narrow conic karst land forms and spectacular waterfalls. Some 140 bird species also inhabit the valley, as well as a number of endangered plant and animal species, including the giant panda and the Sichuan takin.[84] | |
| Sichuan | Leshan | Leshan Giant Buddha | 2011 | The most remarkable is the Giant Buddha of Leshan, carved out of a hillside in the 8th century and looking down on the confluence of three rivers. At 71 m high, it is the largest Buddha in the world. | |
| Sichuan | Ngawa | Huanglong | 2012 | Situated in the north-west of Sichaun Province, the Huanglong valley is made up of snow-capped peaks and the easternmost of all the Chinese glaciers. In addition to its mountain landscape, diverse forest ecosystems can be found, as well as spectacular limestone formations, waterfalls and hot springs. The area also has a population of endangered animals, including the giant panda and the Sichuan golden snub-nosed monkey.[85] | |
| Sichuan | Guang'an | Former Residence of Deng Xiaoping | 2013 | The Former Residence of Deng Xiaoping was built in the late Qing dynasty (19th century). It is located in Paifang Village of Xiexing Town, Guang'an District, Guang'an City. It has a building area of about 833.4 m2 (8,971 sq ft), embodies buildings such as the old houses, the statue of Deng Xiaoping, the Dezheng Place, the Cultural relics Exhibition Hall, the Hanlin Yard . | |
| Sichuan | Nanchong | The Ancient City of Langzhong | 2013 | Since 1985, the PRC government has awarded Langzhong with various accolades on three separate occasions. In 1986 the State Council named it a famous and historical town. In 1991, it was finally upgraded to county-level city status. | |
| Sichuan | Mianyang | Beichuan Qiang City Tourist Area | 2013 | Located in Beichuan Qiang Autonomous County, the tourist area is composed of ruins of the old Beichuan county seat, new Beichuan county seat, and Beichuan Earthquake Museum, etc. | |
| Sichuan | Ngawa | Wenchuan Special Tourist Area | 2013 | Wenchuan County is a county in Ngawa Tibetan and Qiang Autonomous Prefecture, Sichuan. The county was the site of the epicentre and one of the areas most severely hit by the 2008 Sichuan earthquake, also known as the Wenchuan earthquake. | |
| Sichuan | Guangyuan | Jianmen Pass Scenic Area | 2015 | Jianmen Pass is a mountain pass located southwest of the city of Guangyuan in Sichuan province. It has also been called "Jianmenguan Pass". The mountain pass was a part of the Shu Roads. The construction of the gate was related to the Three Kingdoms era strategist, Shu Han chancellor Zhuge Liang. | |
| Sichuan | Nanchong | Former Residence of Zhu De | 2016 | Zhu De's Former Residence was built in the late Qing dynasty (1644–1911). It is located in Linlang Village, Ma'an Town, Yilong County. It has a building area of about 2560 square meters, embodies buildings such as the old houses, the Zhu De Memorial Hall, the statue of Zhu De, the Cultural relics Exhibition Hall, and Lancao Garden. | |
| Sichuan | Garzê | Hailuogou Glacier Forest Park | 2017 | Hailuogou is a glacier national park located southeast of Ganzi Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture of Sichuan Province. It is by the east face of Mount Gongga(Miya Konka) at the east boundary of Eastern Tibetan Plateau. Inside this park there are hanging glaciers, hundreds of ice caves, giant icefalls and quiet forest. Among them the Great Icefall is 1000 meters’ long and 1100 meters’ wide. The glaciers locate by the elevation of around 2800 meters above sea level. The difference of plantations is massive between the base at Moxi and Camp 4 at the highest location of the park.[86] | |
| Sichuan | Ya'an | Bifengxia | 2019 | | |
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| Province | Prefecture | Name | Date of inclusion | Description | Image |
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| Tibet | Lhasa | Potala Palace | 2013 | The 5th Dalai Lama started construction of the Patala Palace in 1645, and it served as the residence of the Dalai Lama until the 14th Dalai Lama fled to India during the 1959 Tibetan uprising. The palace consists of thirteen stories of buildings —containing over 1,000 rooms, 10,000 shrines and about 200,000 statues— that soar 117m (384feet) on top of Marpo Ri, the "Red Hill", rising more than 300m (1,000feet) in total above the valley floor. | |
| Tibet | Lhasa | Jokhang Temple | 2013 | Located in Barkhor Square in Lhasa, the oldest part of the temple was built in 652 by Songtsen Gampo. Tibetans, in general, consider this temple as the most sacred and important temple in Tibet. The temple is currently maintained by the Gelug school, but they accept worshipers from all sects of Buddhism. | |
| Tibet | Nyingchi | Tsozong Gongba Monastery | 2017 | A small Tibetan Buddhism monastery founded in the 1400s in the Nyingma tradition, it is located on Tashi Island in the middle of Pagsum Lake in the Nyenchen Tanglha Mountains | |
| Tibet | Shigatse | Tashi Lhunpo Monastery | 2017 | Founded in 1447, it is a historic and culturally important monastery that is the traditional seat of the Panchen Lama. The monastery is located on a hill in the center of the city. The full name of the monastery in Tibetan means "all fortune and happiness gathered here." | |
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