What to do in East China

Activities, attractions and tours

A nighttime cityscape with a complex network of highways and illuminated skyscrapers.
Terraced fields with yellow flowers, a traditional building, and forested hills.
A traditional Chinese pavilion by a body of water at night.
A person pushing a wooden cart along a stone path beside a calm water body, with a traditional building and hanging lanterns in the background.
A city skyline with illuminated buildings and a prominent tower.

East China Attractions

Let Expedia help you experience the best that East China has to offer! If you’re looking for fun itinerary ideas, we can provide you with a list of the top sightseeing attractions, as well as helping you to find unmissable activities. Whether you’re travelling with your family, planning a romantic trip with your loved one, or visiting on business, we’ll make it easy to plan an unforgettable holiday that checks all the boxes.

Activities and Tours

East China is crammed with must-see places to visit and things to do. We can help you decide where to stay, and make it a breeze to explore the surrounding areas with our guides on where to go, what to see and when to see it. No matter how long your stay, it’s easy to find places of interest in East China to make sure that you enjoy your experience to the fullest and don’t miss a thing. Leave the local knowledge to us and leave the hassle behind.

If you’re planning a visit, why not check out our handy guides to places of interest in the area? You can browse lists of things to do, learn about the most popular attractions, and get help with planning the details of your trip. Expedia makes it easy for you to check out all the top sights.

East China Attractions

Expedia has something for everyone, so whether you’re planning to get active on a summer holiday, put a spring in your step with a romantic rendezvous, or pamper yourself with a leisurely winter trip, you’ll find plenty of attractions to keep you entertained. In addition to scheduling local tours, booking reservations and scoring advance event tickets, Expedia makes it easy to book your flight, hotel and rental car in advance, all on one consolidated travel itinerary, making for hassle-free travel and freeing you up to explore the sights of East China.

Looking for things to do can be time consuming, but we can take the hassle out of planning your holiday. Whether you’re looking to get active in the great outdoors, sample the cuisine or catch up with the vibrant local culture, our guides to East China attractions ensure that you’ll have a successful trip, whatever the season.

Things to do

Private Four Day Cultural Tour of Guangzhou and Foshan

Private Four Day Cultural Tour of Guangzhou and Foshan

CA $7
per adult
Private Four Day Cultural Tour of Guangzhou and Foshan
8 Day Silk Road Trip of Dunhuang Jiayuguan with Accommodation

8 Day Silk Road Trip of Dunhuang Jiayuguan with Accommodation

CA $3,739
per adult
8 Day Silk Road Trip of Dunhuang Jiayuguan with Accommodation
Pearl River Night Cruise

Pearl River Night Cruise in Guangzhou with Private Transfer

CA $125
per adult
Pearl River Night Cruise in Guangzhou with Private Transfer
Guangzhou: Pearl River Cruise Experience Services

Guangzhou: Pearl River Cruise Experience Services

CA $32
per adult
Guangzhou: Pearl River Cruise Experience Services
Guangzhou Customized Private Tour Guide with Car Service

Guangzhou Customized Private Tour Guide with Car Service

CA $358
per traveller
Guangzhou Customized Private Tour Guide with Car Service
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Top places to visit

1. The Bund

In the early 19th century, The Bund was merely a narrow, muddy towpath on the banks of Huangpu River. Within a hundred years, European and American investors had created a lavish boulevard that rivaled the great avenues of the West. After decades of post-revolution neglect, this grand street is back in business. Many of its 52 architectural treasures have been lovingly restored and the once traffic-clogged, multilane street has been remodeled into a pedestrian-friendly promenade.
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A large, historic building with a clock tower and a dome, surrounded by modern skyscrapers and a busy square with pedestrians.

2. Nanjing Road Shopping District

The Nanjing Road Shopping District, one of the city’s busiest shopping areas, has a history stretching back more than 100 years. The district is now a mix of towering department stores and colonial-era buildings along a pedestrian mall. Find luxury brands, international fast-food chains, and shops selling silk and jade.
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A busy urban street with tall buildings, billboards, and traffic lights.

3. West Lake

West Lake is a vast freshwater lake close to downtown Hangzhou. The lake is divided into five sections by three causeways. It also has various gardens, pagodas and temples. This is where Hangzhou locals come to find peace and visitors to the city come to capture the perfect souvenir photograph.
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A traditional Chinese pavilion by a calm lake at night.

4. People's Square

People's Square, or Renmin Square, is Shanghai’s massive central square. This popular public gathering place is home to the Shanghai Museum, the Shanghai Urban Planning Exhibition Hall and the Grand Theater, among other attractions. Admire the towering modern buildings that surround the square and watch local residents chatting and flying ornate kites over the grassy lawn areas.
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A cityscape with modern skyscrapers, a large park with trees, and a distinctive building with a unique roof design.

5. Jing'an Temple

Jing’an Temple has a fitting name. It translates to “Temple of Peace and Tranquility” and this complex on one of the city’s main shopping streets does indeed offer an oasis of calm. Built in the third century, the Buddhist temple has a checkered past. It was relocated during the Song Dynasty (960-1279), converted into a plastics factory during the Cultural Revolution and destroyed by fire in 1972. Today’s reconstructed temple, surrounded by modern skyscrapers and shopping malls, is a perfect place to escape the busy streets of downtown Shanghai. It also offers a fascinating window into the spiritual lives of Shanghai’s people.
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A traditional Chinese temple with golden roofs and intricate designs, surrounded by modern skyscrapers.

6. Yu Garden

Yu Yuan Garden was lovingly created in the 1500s by a government officer as a retreat for his parents. Yu Yuan means “peace and comfort,” and despite the popularity of the attraction, the gardens remain a serene sanctuary. Set aside an hour or two to explore the gardens, pavilions, courtyards, chambers and halls. The ponds, bridges and streams also provide perfect spots for reflection, while the protective dragon wall that encircles the garden keeps Shanghai’s bustling Old Town at bay.
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A traditional Chinese pavilion over a pond with tourists, surrounded by modern skyscrapers.

7. Former French Concession

The French Concession was one of Shanghai’s major European enclaves from the mid 19th century to just before World War II. Today, the district is again a sought-after address for expats living in Shanghai, as well as being a popular tourist destination and the hub of the city’s upmarket shopping scene.
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A tree-lined urban street with outdoor cafes and restaurants.

8. Xintiandi Style Shopping Centre

Located in the heart of Shanghai, historic Xintiandi (which translates to “New Heaven and Earth”) is a car-free, inner-city paradise for those seeking open-air dining, chic bars and boutique shopping. Most importantly, however, this redevelopment preserves a style of architecture unique to Shanghai, and gives a window into the community which once inhabited the area’s narrow lanes.
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An outdoor cafe with brick arches, red umbrellas, and trees.

9. May Fourth Square

Unwind with a visit to May Fourth Square, a large public plaza that also encompasses a coastal park. This popular gathering place is named after the May Fourth Movement, an intellectual development that started shortly after World War I.
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A red spiral sculpture in an urban setting with modern buildings in the background.

Recommended things to do in East China

Number of things to do
228
Cheapest thing to do on Expedia
Guangzhou: A Journey Through 2000 Years of Guangzhou City: CA $7
Top 5 things to do
Half-day tours
With kids

What to do in East China

Stay near popular East China attractions

A castle-like structure with spires and a bridge in the background.
Photo by Susanna Wilder Puzzuoli
Open Photo by Susanna Wilder Puzzuoli

Shanghai Disneyland©

8.8/10 (629 reviews)
Have a fun-filled day at Shanghai Disneyland© and find out why this is a popular theme park in Shanghai. Wander the picturesque gardens and riverfront in this vibrant area.
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