Top 7 Must-go and Iconic City Walks in China

A city is like a human, with its own character and soul. Knowing a city is like meeting a new friend. You will talk about the past, the future, and always find something special. City Walk, a new form of urban tourism, originated in London, England. This travel concept of travel as local has been widely recognized in the West. In short, re-understand the layout and space of the city around the city's buildings and streets. From admiring the beautiful scenery to paying attention to the local culture and lifestyle, it will give you a chance to travel in depth. 

This form of travel is generally a reliable local guide who accurately grasps the essence of the city and leads a small group of less than 10 people to experience a micro-travel rich in human history, activities, novelties, social interactions, and themes.  

1. Xi’an — Re-know the Muslims

• Walking Route: Sajin Bridge—Ancient Mosque—Food in Muslim Quarter—Miaohou Street—Guangming Alley—Dapiyuan
• Distance: 4km
• Walking time: 1.5 hour (Excluding visit time)
• History: ★★★★
• Food: ★★★★★ 

Many tourists who come to Xi’an know that Muslim Street is a famous snack street. There are many archaized stores along this street which are all run by the Hui ethnic people. The things most people don’t is that Muslim street is a small part of Muslim Quarter where Muslims live for generations. The simple life is filled with legendary stories; the walls burned by fire are the exquisiteness and attention of the old time; the cooking smoke rising from the kitchen is homely warm.

There are not only historical sites and the wonderful life of the locals on this walking route, but also the most primitive, authentic and comprehensive food in Xi’an. 

• Trippest Xi'an tour: Private Half-Day Tour: City Wall, Big Wild Goose Pagoda and Muslim Street

2. Shanghai — Slow-paced magic city

• Walking Route: Wukang Road——Huashan Road——Changle Road——Fumin Road——Julu Road——Huaihai Middle Road
• Distance: 5km
• Walking time: 2 hours (Excluding visit time)
• Culture: ★★★★★
• Architecture: ★★★★

Shanghai’s road culture is very famous. This route contains many classic Shanghai buildings and century-old houses. Some people say that Shanghai is where there are plane trees. It is a classic route that is indispensable to experience the customs of old Shanghai. On this road, we can not only see the old and new changes in Shanghai, but also experience another way of life of Shanghai people up close.

This was once the French Concession, but now there are many fashionable shops that attract many literary and artistic youths. Wukang Road is located in Xuhui District, which is also a road known as "a celebrity road condensing a century of history". In addition to the famous Wukang Building, Ba Jin's Former Residence and Soong Ching Ling's Former Residence are all on this road.  

• Trippest Shanghai city walk tour: 3-Hour Shanghai Former French Concession Walking Tour

3. Chongqing - Fascinating 3D megacity

• Walking Route: Liziba light rail station——Eling park——Yangtze River Cableway——Baixiangju Community——Chaotianmen——Hongya Cave
• Distance: 6km
• Walking time: 3 hours (Excluding visit time)
• Culture: ★★★★★
• Architecture: ★★★★

Chongqing is the largest city in the southwest region of China and the birthplace of spicy hot pot. Due to the mountainous landscape of the area, this mountain city has buildings on the top of the mountain, intricate viaducts and endless steps on the hillside alleys. City Walking tour in Chongqing is a very physical activity.

This is a more classic Chongqing Citywalk route, which contains the atmosphere of the old Chongqing city, and the cultural atmosphere of the magic capital Chongqing, and you can also eat Chongqing’s traditional and authentic snacks.  

• Trippest Chongqing city walk tour: 5-hour Chongqing Walking Tour: Fascinating 3D Megacity

4. Chengdu - Best street to eat

• Walking Route: Hongxing Bridge—Daci Temple—Taikoo Li—Chongdeli Alley—Shuijingfang Liquor Museum—Hejiang Pavilion—Jiuyanqiao Bar Street
• Distance: 7km
• Walking time: 4 hours (Excluding visit time)
• Culture: ★★★★ 
• Food: ★★★★★

Spend an afternoon strolling east of the Chengdu city, looking for the memories of old Chengdu in the fashionable district lined with tall buildings, and traveling between the past and the present in this city. Hongxing Bridge area has many family-owned restaurants which has been open for many years with authentic food and snacks. Take a quiet step from the historic site - Daci Temple into the hustle of Taikoo Li. Visit old community to get close to the local’s life and understand the local liquor culture. Cross the love zebra crossing, walk along the river to the famous bar street, and feel the romantic beauty of the city when night falls.

• Trippest Chengdu city walk tour: 2.5-Hour Chengdu Food Tour by Tuktuk

5. Beijing - Explore real hutongs

• Walking Route: Dongshengping Hotel—Liulichang—Tieshuxiejie—Shangxi Alley—Baishun Hutong—Yuewei Caotang
• Distance: 3km
• Walking time: 1 hour (Excluding visit time)
• Culture: ★★★★★
• History: ★★★★★

Beijing’s Hutongs are not just the city’s context and traffic diversions. It is also a place where ordinary people live in Beijing, and an important stage for the development and evolution of Beijing’s history and culture. It contains a rich cultural atmosphere, like a museum of folk customs, imprinting people's various social life. Visiting the Hutong becomes a must-do for domestic and foreign tourists.

2-3 hours’ walking tour can not only see the newly renovated creative streets of the old alleys, but also the well-preserved and historic places. For example, the site of the famous World Bookstore and "the first women's bath in Beijing". It must be mentioned that Shaanxi Alley, the core area of the "Big Hutongs", is home to the old sites of brothels and theater troupes. The exterior of the building also reveals details. More secrets of old China need you to discover for yourself. 

• Trippest Beijing city walk tour: 3-Hour Hutong Discovery Walking Tour with Local Beijingers

6. Guangzhou - Old cantonese culture

• Walking Route: Renwei Temple—Longjin Bridge—Wen Tower—Xiguan Folk Museum—Enning Road—Nahe Hall—Shangxiajiu Street
• Distance: 3km
• Walking time: 1.5 hour (Excluding visit time)
• Culture: ★★★★
• History: ★★★★

Guangzhou is the largest and most prosperous trading center in South China and also the China's southern gateway to the world. The rapidly developing Guangzhou still retains the richest flavor of Old Xiguan (Liwan District now), which can best represent Guangzhou. Walking along the banks of Litchi Bay, there are many former residences of celebrities and museums of local traditional culture, especially Xiguan Folk Museum and Cantonese Opera Art Museum. A short stay to watch a Cantonese opera is also a special experience.

Wander along the most beautiful arcade street in China and feel the architectural art and wisdom of the older generation. Finally, this city walk will end in the busiest commercial street. 

• Trippest Guangzhou tour: Guangzhou Historic City Private Day Tour With Cantonese Dishes

7. Wuzhou - Representative of Lingnan food

• Walking Route: Shuangqian Guiling Jelly—Dadongshang Road—Zhongshan Road—Danan Road—Wufang Road—Danan Road—Xinxi Hotel
• Distance: 2.5km
• Walking time: 2 hours (Excluding visit time)
• Culture: ★★★★
• Food: ★★★★★

Wuzhou is located in the east of Guangxi and one of the birthplaces of Lingnan culture. Speaking of Guangxi, people always think of Guilin but ignore Wuzhou, a treasure city with a rich history and culture and famous for its delicious food. This walking tour is totally a food tour, so first of all, determine a bowl of Shuangqian Guiling Paste from more than 50 varieties to taste. There are many locally popular snacks and shops, Laobo snails, Feipo beef offal, herbal tea, boat porridge and sesame paste desserts, etc. The arcades in Wuzhou are also worth seeing. If you have seen the arcades in Guangzhou, then you must come to see Wuzhou and discover the differences between the two. 

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