16 Fun and Free Tourist Attractions in China

 Zhenbao Island, Heilongjiang

Zhenbao Island is located on the Ussuri River in Heilongjiang Provice, Shuangyashan City, Raohe County. It is only 2km long and about .74 square km. Because it is shaped like an ancient coin, it is named Zhenbao or "Treasure Island." Because this island lies on the border, the number of tourists the island hosts every year is quite small, thus, entering the island is still currently free and the ferry up the Ussuri River is only RMB20 per person! Currently the island still plays host to cement fortifications, army barracks, and other marks of it's dense history, giving you a glimpse of what it was like back in the 1970s. 

How to get there: From Beijing, passengers can board a direct flight on Hainan or Air China to Mudanjiang Airport. From their passengers transit to Hulin by train or car before boarding a bus (daily routes) to Raohe and finally deboard in Wulindong. An alternative route is to rent a car from Shuangyashan to Raohe. From Raohe. rent a car to Wulindong, travelling 30km through a forest before reaching the riverbank to Zhendao Island.

Muyu Town, Shennongjia

Though the main attraction in Shennongjia's is the supposed "savages," it is rare that travelers even get a passing glimpse. This, however, hasn't stopped Shennongjia's scenic area entrance prices to steadily increase and though it may be worth a visit, there is a town to the south which is free of charge! Muyu Town is the tourist service center of southern Shennongjia and serves as the natural gateway in the south of Shennongjia's scenic area. Unlike Shennongjia's scenic area, there aren't an excessive number of tourists here, and more importantly, it is completely free! Muyu (or literally "Wooden Fish") town is located between two mountains, east of Xiang Stream and west of the Shenongjia mountains. It is 1200m above sea level with a babbling stream that runs through the town and out to the mountains, leaving visitors with a sense of tranquility.

How to get there: Only 300km from Yichang, it usually takes about 4 hours to travel to Muyu Town by car. However if you are coming from Shiyan, travel to Muyu Town will take you past the famous "Red Plain Gallery" (红坪画廊).

Wide-Narrow Alley, Chengdu 

Wind-Narrow Alley in Chengdu is reminiscent of what Chengdu looked like back in the Qing dynasty. Together with Daci Temple and Wenshu Courtyard, they are the three biggest historical and cultural protection areas in Chengdu. The old-style narrow alleys, wide lanes, and orderly streets surround courtyard houses that are reminiscent of traditional China and are the only northern-style houses that can be seen in all of southern China.

The old, relaxed lifestyle of Chengdu can be seen throughout Wide-Narrow Alley, and it is regarded as a historical and cultural landmark. Therefore you can experience the unique "Chengdu Lifestyle" for yourself in this bustling street's courtyard houses, hotels, and this restored "court-yard style selling street." 

How to get there: Wide-Narrow alley is within the bustling business district of Changshun Street and you can reach the alley by taking one of the many city buses (for example, lines #57, #400, #5, and #3).

Daxu Ancient Town, Guilin

Daxu Ancient Town was founded in 200AD, and since then has developed a strong trade culture despite the fact that the town itself is not very big and tourists aren't very plentiful. The residential homes depend on the resources of the mountain they were built on, with naturally bricked and roofed two-story houses lining both sides of the street. Wickerwork workshops, straw sandle workshops, traditional herbal medicine shops， traditional barber shops, and traditional handicraft workshops are still present and still operate using the same traditional methods from the ancient past.

How to get here: Direct flights from Beijing to Guilin are a short 2 hours, however trains take nearly 23 hours to reach this city. From Guilin city it is only 18km and there is a long-distance bus available that only takes about 40 minutes.

Li Lake, Wuxi

Li Lake in Wuxi is surrounded by mountains, similar to West Lake in Hangzhou, with a dozen or so new attractions that are free to visit. If you follow the mountain road by the river, visitors will see deer on the mountain's summit during the day and can enjoy beautiful fireworks every night. There is also a man-made beach located on Yufu Island (or Fisherman's Island) where there is a wooden pier which also doubles as a performance stage. At night time when the bright moon is in the empty sky, the light makes it seems like the trees are dancing and has a crystal clear reflection off of the clear lake. One of the main draws of Li Lake is the trademark 100m fountain and its streams can reach heights of 120m. The fountain is turned on for 30 minutes three times a day and is a spectacular sight to behold.

How to get there: Direct flights from Beijing airport depart multiple times a day and take about 2 hours and the fastest train to Wuxi takes about 9.5 hours. From the airport, travel to the train station and take bus 98 or 53 to the Li Lake area.

Jinji Lake

Jinji Lake (literally Golden Rooster Lake) is divided into 8 different landscapes: the main lakefront (胡兵达到), town square (城市广场), water alley neighborhood (水巷邻里), lakeview (望胡角), golden rooster pier (金姬墩), water culture porch (文化水廊), exquisite bay (玲珑湾), and heartbeat island (波心岛). At night time the Jinji Lake is brilliantly lit with lights and other colors, with a fountain water show featuring music and dancing fountains, lasers, fire and other lighting shows in the city square. The water show is featured every Chinese holiday. The forest in front of the lake also attracts many visitors from nearby provinces for wedding photos and for both lake-side shopping as well as shopping in their commercial district. Visitors can also expect to experience singing, alcohol drinking, tea tastings, productions, as well as other small congregations of people that often frequent the lake.

How to get there: Daily flights and trains from Beijing to Suzhou (flight approx: 3 hrs, not including layover; train approx: 9.5 hrs)

Tangerine Island Head, Changsha

The Tangerine Island head is located on an island at the heart of the Xinjiang river (Changsha city,Yuelu province). It stands within an orange grove with views of the lush, blue-green Yuelu Mountains and smells of the printing ink from the Yuelu Academy coming from the west. From the east, you can see the scenery surrounding Xiangjiang River and the bustling metropolis. During Mid Autumn Festival, the forests of orange trees are dense with foliage and fruit and give off a fresh fragrance. Within the forest you can find small statues of Mao Zedong and Cai as well as small pavilions dispersed along the river bank.

How to get there: Daily flight from Beijing to Changsha (approx 3 hrs). From the Changsha railway station you can take bus 12 or 312 and disembark at Tai Ping Street Stop (Tai Ping Jie Kou).

Xishuangbanna Dai Autonomous Prefecture

Located in Jinhong city, the tropical fruit, bamboo style buildings, and ethnic culture  definitely make Xinshuangbanna Dai Autonomous Prefecture well worth visiting. Not to mention Peacock Lake Park with it's large-leaved plantain forests as well as the Pavillion Hall, both of which are located in Jinghong city and are free of charge to visit.

Kaili Langde Miao Ethnic Minority Village

Kaili Langde Miao Ethnic Minority Village still holds on to it's traditional roots with about 70 families living in traditional Miao village lifestyle. Every autumn, the golden rice crops cover the mountains and fields. With drying strings of red chilies and golden corn hanging from the rooftops of the Miao Village family houses. Close by is a Miao Village characterized by the black earth they live on as well as the Southern Park which is also free of charge. 

Hangzhou West Lake

As you take a ride around the beautiful scenery at Hangzhou West Lake, you can view the Wushan Public Square, Drum Tower, Hefang Street, as well as other places that are characteristically from Hangzhou. Furthermore, both the bicycle rental as well as the sites are all completely free! The best time to visit is during the off season when there is no public holiday in China.

Moon River Street in Jiaxing City

Not far from the Jiaxing City center, Moon River Street is full of white walled buildings and it still hosts the ancient style and flavor of Jiaxing. Red lanterns adorn the skies as you travel up and down the street which is lined with fragrant restaurants on both sides. Along the way there are some handicraft stores where you can buy local wares and antiques. 

Xi'an

Xi'an is full of free tourist attractions that are definitely worth seeing, such as: The Wild Goose Pagoda, The Shi Wang Temple, The Xian City God Temple, Ancient Street, Snack Street, as well as the Xingqing Palace, all of which are free of charge to visit and well worth touring around for any visitor to China. 

Azalea Mountain, Shenzhen

Located near Huaqiao City you don't need to spend money to see the Azalea Mountains. From the top of the mountain you can view Shenzhen province. Additionally you can also see Universal park, Wutong Mountains, People's Park, Beacon Hill, Lotus Hill, and mango groves, all of which are free tourist attractions.

Jiming Mountain, Hebei

In Hualai, Hebei there is a once busy postal town called Jimingyi that has over 500 years of history and still has traditional stores and houses within the city. In recent years, the city has practically become a movie production staple as every film producer, cast, and crew has come here when filming movies with an ancient Chinese setting. However, when entering the city there you are not required to purchase an entrance ticket or pay the fee associated with protected ancient towns. 

Yellow River Wetlands, Zhengzhou

The free reservoirs in this area are plentiful, including the Changzhuang Reservoir, the Gangli Reservoir, the Yellow River Fish Embankment, the Old Guangzhai Reservoir, the Bi River Reservoir, Emperor Lake, Wuzhao Reservoir, and Wuxing Reservoir, etc. When travelling this area, you might as well hire a travel agent to select a special route to help you navigate this area, as well as taste the fresh fish available.