All China

The Atlas Obscura Guide To China

229 Cool, Hidden, and Unusual Things to Do in China

Updated July 17, 2026
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Cities

Top Cities
All Cities
  1. Alxa
  2. Beijing
  3. Changsha
  4. Chengdu
  5. Chongqing
  6. Datong
  7. Guangzhou
  8. Guilin
  9. Guiyang
  10. Hangzhou
  11. Harbin
  12. Jinhua
  13. Jiuquan
  14. Kashi Diqu
  15. Kunming
  16. Nanjing
  17. Qujing
  18. Shanghai
  19. Shenzhen Shi
  20. Suzhou
  21. Su Zhou Shi
  22. Tangshan
  23. Tianjin
  24. Tianshui
  25. Weinan
  26. Wuhan
  27. Xian Shi
  28. Xilin Gol
  29. Yanan Shi
  30. Zhangjiajie
  31. Zhangye Shi
  32. Zhengzhou

Unusual Attractions in China

Places

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See All 229 Things To Do in China

Cool Places to Eat & Drink in China

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Unforgettable Experiences Nearby

Explore China

Architecture 37
Museums 24
Statues 23
Natural Wonders 22
Nature 22
Ecosystems 21
Architectural Oddities 21
Buddhism 20

China Leaderboard

Recent China Activity

Stories About China

An artist’s rendering of Baminornis showing the position of the fossil bones discovered, including the fused tailbone.

A Surprising New Tail From Jurassic China

The discovery of a fossil species suggests that the story of birds started about 20 million years earlier than we thought.
by Andrew Coletti, Atlas Obscura
As they build their underground burrows, pangolins dig deep and turn over soil, which encourages plant growth and creates shelter for dozens of other species.

Say Hello to Nature’s Fire Brigade

When it comes to restoring land and preventing wildfires, animals like pangolins, beavers, and elephants have a lot to offer. Can helping them help us?
by Partner Story, Atlas Obscura
Left to right: green, black, Chinese, white, and Ethiopian cardamoms.

A Guide to the Cardamoms of the World

The Cardamom Expanded Universe is bigger than you think.
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The Video Game 'Black Myth: Wukong' Has Ancient Roots

A trickster monkey hero, a complex pantheon, and more than a millennium of storytelling are behind the hit.
by Michael Naparstek, Atlas Obscura
The mummies of Tarim Basin are up to 3,600 years old.

This Mummy Cheese Is Full of Ancient Secrets

The world's oldest known cheese holds the key to kefir's mysterious origins.
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Chinese bagels range from sweet to savory.

These Stuffed, Fluffy Bagels Are Taking China by Storm

Chinese bakers are putting their own spin on a North American classic...minus the poppy seeds.
by Andrew Coletti, Atlas Obscura
Chen with children in a radish field.

'Joyce Chen’s China': How a Film Used Food to Bridge a Cold-War Divide

The 1972 documentary cast a warm light on a vilified country.
by Sam Lin-Sommer, Atlas Obscura
Though traditional tāngyuán are plain dumplings, you can also make artful variations.

5 Recipes to Make for Lunar New Year

Welcome the Year of the Dragon with fortune-telling soups, lucky goldfish dumplings, and more.
by Sam O'Brien, Atlas Obscura

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Aerial image of Vietnam, displaying the picturesque rice terraces, characterized by their layered, verdant fields.
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