Heritage sites range from the well-known cultural sites, like the epic Great Wall of China which undulates like a sinuous dragon from mountain top to mountain top, the Mausoleum of the First Qin Emperor in Xi'an with its uncanny army of terracotta warriors, the conical pagoda of the Temple of Heaven, the elegant, classical gardens of Suzhou, and the ethereal Potala Palace in Tibet, to the many unspoiled natural wonders of China, like cloud-shrouded Mount Huangshan, the pristine waters of the Jiuzhaigou Valley, the misty peaks of Lushan National Park, the giant pandas in their Sichuan Sanctuaries, and many, many more.
American members of the US Tour Operators Association (USTOA) represented at the event have developed thriving businesses bringing adventurous Americans on tours to China. Many tour options are available, ranging in length from 2-day private casino tours to Macau to 30-day deluxe tours all around China.
Robert D. Zavala, owner of Freedom Vacation, told Xinhua, "We just got back from taking a group to the Great Wall and it was like stepping onto the moon. It was one of those unique experiences that are life-altering for many people."
Tourists flock to China's ancient cities and sites rich in cultural history, like Xi'an and Beijing, or modern shopping and business destinations, like Shanghai and Hong Kong, and natural scenic sights like the Yangtze River, Guilin, or Zhangjiajie, and to see engineering marvels like the Three Gorges Dam.