Despite its relatively small size (at least for an eastern Chinese city), little Yiwu (Yìwū, 义乌) cuts a large profile in the world of international trade, thanks to the year-round Yiwu Fairs where it seems every small commodity bearing a "Made in China" label is on display at one point or another. With a local population of around 750,000 bouyed by an estimated 1 million migrants from around China, Yiwu is in many ways emblematic of China's Reform and Opening period, pursuing Deng Xiaoping's alleged statment that "to get rich is glorious" by way of hard-driving entrepreneurial manufacturing and trade. Though it is technically under the jurisdiction of nearby Jinhua, Yiwu's fairs have made it perhaps the better-known name, and though it is primarily a destination known to business travelers, Yiwu does have something to offer the tourist who isn't loo... more >>

When it comes to traditional Chinese water towns, visitors to the Yangtze River Delta have a host of beautiful examples of to choose from—canal towns like Tongli and Zhouzhuang, for example, or the city known as the "Venice of the East," Suzhou. Yet if you only had the time to visit one, many in-the-know China travelers would recommend the small but bright gem of Wuzhen (Wūzhèn, 乌镇). Situated between Shanghai, Suzhou and Hangzhou in the heart of the network of waterways that have nurtured this part of China for millenia. Wuzhen itself possesses over 2,000 years of history, a fact made material in attractions like Tongji Bridge and Renji Bridge (together known as the "Bridge within a Bridge," thanks to a trick of visual perspective), the quaint Fanglu Pavilion and the ancestral Residence of Mao Dun, one of 20th century China's most cherished no... more >>

Just 70 km (43.5 mi) south of Hangzhou, atop a spiderweb of canals, sits the little city of Shaoxing (Shàoxīng, 绍兴). The home of Shaoxing wine, one of China's eight famous wines (think grain wines, not grape wines), this little burg is also known for its thousands of years worth of history, watertown beauty, and the number of artists and historical figures who have called it their home. City officials have sought to balance historical preservation and modern urban development in recent years, especially since the kickoff of the World Bank-sponsored Zhejiang Urban Renewal Project. For tourists, however, the lure lies entirely in Shaoxing's old-China feel.  While many of Shaoxing's sites are "doable" within a day, the city's charm warrants a good two or three days to get the best of Shaoxing's traditional black-tiled, whitewashed homes, ancient bridges... more >>

A great getaway from Shanghai and other coastal urban jungles, Putuo Shan (Mount Putuo), one of China's four sacred Buddhist mountains, is a truly beautiful island. There you'll  find not an abundance of temples and shrines, all dedicated to Guanyin Pusa, goddess of mercy and bodhisattva of compassion. You'll also find breathtaking ocean views and a relative rarity in China—clean beaches, excellent for swimming. The largest and most striking representation of Guanyin is the 33-meter-tall (108 ft.) golden Nanhai Guanyin, who looks out over the sea from the vantage point of Guanyintiao (Guanyin Leap) at the southern tip of the island. Visible from much of the island, this is the final destination for multitudes of pilgrims—and tourists—each year. The island offers many other attractions, from the carved stone murals surrounding the Nanhai Guanyin... more >>

Since its days as a treaty port forcibly opened to trade with the West following the First Opium War, Ningbo (Níngbō, 宁波) has been overshadowed by its neighbors across Hangzhou Bay—Shanghai to the north, and Hangzhou to the east. Even today, it's often seen more as a point of departure for trips to the holy Buddhist island of Putuo Shan (Mount Putuo) than a destination in its own right. However, like so many so-called second-tier destinations in China, Ningbo boasts a historical legacy that makes most of the world's big-name tourist draws look like shallow newcomers. As one of China's longest inhabited regions—its roots go back around 7,000 years—Ningbo possesses a rich cultural heritage that makes it well worth a visit. Add in the natural beauty of the surrounding countryside of mountainous Zhejiang Province and the nearby Zhoushan Islands, not t... more >>