Urban skyline from a rooftop - Shanghai (. . . oh, are we considering Hong Kong here).
Walking along streets - Lijiang, Xiamen (Gulangyu Island)
Topography - Guilin/Yangshuo
Majority say - Hangzhou
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If we exclude Hong Kong, Hangzhou is probably #1 for combining urban scenery with nature.
If it's just great urban views you're looking for, then Shanghai would be your best choice.
I don't think Guilin is a good example, the scenery around it is indeed beautiful, but the city itself has nothing.
Chongqing can seem nice when you view it from afar, but extremely ugly when you walk its streets. Still, it is one of China's most fascinating cities I think.
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I once traveled to Guilin and Yangshuo with my friends in October, 2011. We set off alongside the tranquil Li River for a good introduction to Guangxi's dreamlike scenery, with its otherworldly karst topography as a backdrop. Many streets are embroidered with osmanthus trees, filling the air with a sweet fragrance. Take the bamboo raft ride or cycle through the dreamy valleys.
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In my opinion, Beijing is definitely the most beatifull city in China. I've been backpacking there for 10 days and it was incredible! Yuo cah check this link for more info on Beijing: http://backpackingtravelpages.com/backpacking-in-beijing
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Why has no one even mentioned Qingdao? Not sure about the new area but the old town is great, it's not a typical chinese city but I don't think it matters.
I also found that if you get up early in Lijiang the tourist crowds aren't too bad, and on the side streets are nearly empty on most days.
Personally when I was in Xi'an I found it rather dusty and the area outside of the old city wall had very little character. That said, there are many historical sites there and once inside the city wall and wandering around the muslim quarter it can be pleasant.
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What's the most beautiful city in China?
#1 Posted: 27/2/2013 - 03:40
caseyprich
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Urban skyline from a rooftop - Shanghai (. . . oh, are we considering Hong Kong here).
Walking along streets - Lijiang, Xiamen (Gulangyu Island)
Topography - Guilin/Yangshuo
Majority say - Hangzhou
#2 Posted: 27/2/2013 - 06:50
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History - Beijing and X'ian.
Topography - Yangshuo (as casey has said)
Obscene displays of weath - Shanghai
Food - Chengdu.
Overall my vote goes to X'ian, a great, great city.
#3 Posted: 27/2/2013 - 08:28
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If we exclude Hong Kong, Hangzhou is probably #1 for combining urban scenery with nature.
If it's just great urban views you're looking for, then Shanghai would be your best choice.
I don't think Guilin is a good example, the scenery around it is indeed beautiful, but the city itself has nothing.
Chongqing can seem nice when you view it from afar, but extremely ugly when you walk its streets. Still, it is one of China's most fascinating cities I think.
#4 Posted: 27/2/2013 - 21:42
fanhongjuan
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I once traveled to Guilin and Yangshuo with my friends in October, 2011. We set off alongside the tranquil Li River for a good introduction to Guangxi's dreamlike scenery, with its otherworldly karst topography as a backdrop. Many streets are embroidered with osmanthus trees, filling the air with a sweet fragrance. Take the bamboo raft ride or cycle through the dreamy valleys.
#5 Posted: 28/2/2013 - 00:21
StefanAsimov
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In my opinion, Beijing is definitely the most beatifull city in China. I've been backpacking there for 10 days and it was incredible! Yuo cah check this link for more info on Beijing: http://backpackingtravelpages.com/backpacking-in-beijing
#6 Posted: 4/3/2013 - 08:22
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Why has no one even mentioned Qingdao? Not sure about the new area but the old town is great, it's not a typical chinese city but I don't think it matters.
#7 Posted: 12/3/2013 - 00:52
TravelBandit
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Lijiang is incredibly scenic, even though you can hardly move through the crowds of Chinese tourists. You just can't NOT like it.
Of the big cities we visited in a 30-day trip last year (see my China 2012 travelogue), my wife and I thought Xi'an was the nicest.
#8 Posted: 27/5/2013 - 01:41
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caseyprich
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I also found that if you get up early in Lijiang the tourist crowds aren't too bad, and on the side streets are nearly empty on most days.
Personally when I was in Xi'an I found it rather dusty and the area outside of the old city wall had very little character. That said, there are many historical sites there and once inside the city wall and wandering around the muslim quarter it can be pleasant.
#9 Posted: 27/5/2013 - 08:20
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千里之行,始于足下