I’ve travelled all over China and there are so many amazing attractions it’s impossible to see them all in one trip. But there’s a handful that are not worth your time.
From overhyped tourist traps to underwhelming experiences, this list is the antithesis to what I recommend you do in China.
Definitely remove the following things from your bucket list!
1. Nanjing Road, Shanghai

Shanghai’s busy pedestrian street doesn’t offer much. Image supplied by Mike Cairnduff.
You’ve just flown in to China and you walk along Shanghai’s prized pedestrian street – Nanjing Road.
You quickly realize that it’s lacking any soul or purpose and you wonder if the rest of China is just as bland (trust me, it’s not!).
Please do not start your trip at Nanjing Road.
This car-free street is a commercialized shopping area with big stores and zero feels. It’s crowded and full of tourists, and practically everyone walking down the street is not from Shanghai.
As a tall white guy, I can’t tell you how many times I’ve been approached by hawkers on Nanjing Road selling fake Rolex watches, or worse, wanting to take me away to a dodgy shop in a side street.
Beware, this place is scam central.
The only good thing about Nanjing Road is it’s an easy reference point to know where you are in the downtown area.
Better things to see in the area: Walk along the Bund in Shanghai, the city’s famous riverside promenade. Just note that Nanjing Road ends at the Bund, so it’s hard to avoid one without the other.
2. Casinos, Macau

Kitsch casinos in Macau. Image supplied by Mike Cairnduff.
Macau gives me the ick.
It’s the city where mainland Chinese people go to gamble legally. (Note that gambling is banned in mainland China but it flourishes underground.)
The casinos in Macau are super tacky, and it’s not like Vegas where you can at least go and see a show. I found the whole place pretty lifeless.
If you’re not gambling obsessed, Macau doesn’t have much for you.
The exception is the 17th century Ruins of St Paul’s, but even then, the site is smaller than I expected and heaving with so many people I was just dying to get away.
I’m sure there are some decent places in Macau to tap into the city’s Portuguese heritage, but I couldn’t find them.
Better things to see in the area: Hong Kong is about an hour away by fast ferry. I recommend staying in Hong Kong and not venturing across the harbor to Macau.
3. Tiananmen Square, Beijing

The vast emptiness of Tiananmen Square. Image supplied by Mike Cairnduff.
I’m not going to lie. Beijing is one of the best cities to visit in China.
Each time I go there, I find there are more things to uncover and explore. Even Forbes ranks Beijing as one of the top 50 places in the world.
But I’ve got to say that Tiananmen Square leaves me feeling underwhelmed.
It’s massive, sure, but that’s about it. The vast expanse of concrete doesn’t offer much in terms of visual appeal or excitement.
If you visit China in summer, even a few minutes at Tiananmen Square feels like torture as there is absolutely no shade, let alone somewhere to sit down and have a drink.
Security is tight too, given the history of the square and the fact that it’s in the political heart of the country.
I’d recommend just passing through quickly to say you’ve been there.
Better things to see in the area: The UNESCO-rated Forbidden City, which is right by Tiananmen Square, is by far the best thing to see in central Beijing.
4. Canton Tower, Guangzhou

Visit Canton Tower on a smoggy day and you won’t see much at all. Image supplied by Mike Cairnduff.
Guangzhou is famous for its huge population, humid weather and delicious Cantonese food like barbecued pork and sweet egg buns.
But in terms of top tourist spots, the city doesn’t have much to offer.
The most well-known icon is Canton Tower, a glass-and-concrete megastructure that you can pay to go up.
Although the views give you a feel for how big Guangzhou actually is, in my opinion it’s just not that ‘wow’ in a country that’s known for its wow.
And sadly, like at most tourist attractions in China these days, the shopping and food at Canton Tower is incredibly pricey by local standards.
If you’re into tall towers, I recommend Shanghai where you’ll find some of the world’s tallest skyscrapers.
I’d hazard a guess that more and more foreign tourists will be visiting Guangzhou over the coming years though. China Southern – one of China’s biggest airlines – is based there and it’s becoming easier to visit the country without a visa.
Better things to see in the area: Take a fast train to Shenzhen which has a better vibe and plenty of things to do, from hiking mountains to trips to the Shenzhen beach. I prefer Shenzhen over Guangzhou any day of the week.
5. Lijiang Old Town, Lijiang

This is the recreated inn I stayed at. Image supplied by Mike Cairnduff.
Look, I don’t mind Lijiang.
It’s a quaint city in a country otherwise full of megalopolises (see Guangzhou in number 4 above). And if you can put up with the throngs of domestic tourists, then it may be your cup of tea.
I just don’t like what they’ve done to Lijiang.
You’re meant to believe that the buildings are ancient and the indigenous Naxi people live in them.
But in reality, it’s an overrun tourist trap full of recreated buildings and shops, and the Naxi live in modern apartment buildings further out.
When I was there, I too participated in the cliché tourist activities like dressing up as an ancient warrior and having professional photos taken for a laugh.
Go there with an open mind and, if you can find any peace among the excited screams of tourists, close your eyes and imagine what it would have been like wandering down the cobble-stone streets centuries ago.
Better things to see in the area: The nearby city of Dali is also packed full of local tourists, but I found there’s way more to do there and it’s less claustrophobic.
6. Ming Tombs, Beijing

The Ming Tombs look especially depressing in winter. Image supplied by Mike Cairnduff.
A lot of tourist coaches stop at the Ming Tombs, located 42 km (26 mi) north of Beijing.
I believe the sole reason for this is because it’s on the way to the Great Wall of China, giving tourists a chance to stretch their legs.
The ancient buildings are nice to look at, but there’s nothing to do at the complex apart from take a few photos and wait for everyone to board the bus again.
Better things to see in the area: Just keep driving until you get to the Great Wall!
7. Gulangyu Island, Xiamen

One of the pianos at the Piano Museum at Gulangyu. Image supplied by Mike Cairnduff.
This UNESCO Site, just off the shores of Xiamen City, sounds like a dream in the guide books.
I mean, who wouldn’t want to visit a car-free paradise that’s colloquially called Piano Island?
The things is, Gulangyu Island isn’t that great for a UNESCO Site.
There are some interesting buildings from when the island was a treaty port over a hundred years ago, but you can’t swim in the beaches and the island is covered in security cameras, like a real-life Nineteen Eighty-Four.
If you’re in Xiamen and you’ve got some time to spare, sure, go take a look. I just wouldn’t make a beeline for it.
You can read more in my Xiamen itinerary.
Better things to see in the area: Spend a couple of days exploring the ancient Fujian Tulou buildings, a few hours’ drive from Xiamen. These unique rammed-earth structures are full of culture and history and are also on the UNESCO list.
8. Disneyland, Shanghai

At least Shanghai Disney is easy to get to via the subway. Image by BoyCatalyst on Shutterstock.
I’ll be honest – Shanghai Disneyland is the one thing on this list of overrated Chinese tourist attractions that I have not been to.
But I’ve got friends who have been, and they have all said the same thing: “It’s nothing special”.
If I go to Disneyland, I want it to be special!
I’ve been told there are long waits for rides, and the only way to do more in less time is to pay to jump the queue. Yep – that’s the Chinese version of socialism, my friends!
Shanghai Disneyland is so expensive (by local standards) that of my friends who visited had to bring along a packed lunch.
No, thanks.
Better things to see in the area: I suggest visiting one of the nearby water towns for a glimpse into ancient China – just avoid them during weekends and Chinese National holidays.
9. Wangfujing Snack Street, Beijing

Sorry to disappoint, the locals do not eat fried scorpions. Image by RPBaiao on Shutterstock.
This is a touristy night market for foreigners and out-of-town Chinese.
It specializes in disgusting Chinese food on skewers like scorpions, spiders, and all kinds of bugs.
The locals do not eat these things at all. It’s purely a tourist play, with high prices to match.
You can find authentic, mouthwatering Chinese food all over the country, so don’t worry if you don’t make it to Wangfujing Snack Street when you’re in Beijing.
Better things to see in the area: Beijing is better known for its famous back alleys, called the Hutongs. Even though they’re equally as touristy as Wangfujing, you’ll still find some real culture there.
10. River Cruise, Yangtze River

Yangtze River cruise boats often leave from Chongqing. Image by QinJin on Shutterstock.
This was the thing to do in China many years ago.
But now, most of the historic sites and traditional villages you’d hope to see are submerged by the Three Gorges Dam project.
If you’re visiting China as part of a package deal, and the cruise is included in your itinerary, you’ll probably be on a fairly decent boat.
You’ll learn about the region and see what’s left of the Three Gorges. But the scenery along the way will be obscured by smog and industrial development, and the food onboard won’t be great.
This is nothing like cruising Italy’s Amalfi Coast.
Better things to see in the area: While it’s not even remotely close, if you like going on cruises then you can’t beat the Li River in Guilin, famous for its craggy peaks. It’s supremely better than anything on the Yangtze.
You need this for China
If you want access to the Western internet when using Wi-Fi in China, then you’ll need a virtual private network (VPN) on your phone.
A VPN app means you can access all your favorite sites like Gmail, WhatsApp, YouTube, Facebook, all the news sites, and hundreds more.
Check out my review of the best China VPNs here or go to the one I recommend most, based on my time living in China:
Just remember to download the VPN app before you arrive, otherwise you won’t have access.
I hope my list of overrated Chinese tourist attractions helps with your China travel planning. Let me know in the comments below if you have any questions!
Want to head somewhere a bit more off the beaten track? Then check out my article on the things you can do in Yinchuan – a super-interesting city you’ve probably never heard of.
Main image credit: Image supplied by Mike Cairnduff.
FAQ about overrated Chinese tourist attractions
Is it worth visiting the Great Wall of China?
Absolutely – you’d be crazy not to see it. Just note that the Wall is insanely long, and the best parts for tourists are further from Beijing than the Badaling section which is the most overrun part.
Is it worth visiting the Terracotta Warriors in Xi’an?
In my opinion, the Terracotta Warriors are a must-see if you’re in Western China. However, I know many foreign tourists who find this attraction overrated.
Is it worth going to Chengdu to see the pandas?
Yes. The Panda Research Center in Chengdu offers the biggest, best and most natural enclosures for pandas compared to other Chinese zoos which are notoriously bad. Chengdu is also known for spicy food and its laidback culture, so it’s definitely worth a visit.