China is the big spender of world tourism, and China tourism is a big money spinner. That is perhaps why China has chosen to put six of its tourist attractions on its six biggest banknotes.
Interestingly China didn't choose its six most-visited sights for its banknotes, but six very varied sights scattered throughout the Chinese mainland. Below the six banknote sights are ranked according to popularity with international tourists.
| Attraction | International Tourist Arrivals | World Rank |
|---|---|---|
| The Forbidden City, Beijing | 12,830,000 | 15 |
| Tsim Sha Tsui, HK | 10,088,493 | 18 |
| Victoria Peak, HK | 10,088,493 | 19 |
| The Great Wall of China, Beijing | 9,000,000 | 26 |
| HK Disneyland | 5,200,000 | 45 |
| Ocean Park, HK | 5,100,000 | 47 |
2010 stats from the World Tourism Organization
The Great Hall of the People, Tian'anmen Square, Beijing (100 Yuan Note)
The Great Hall of the PeopleThe Great Hall of the People is both first and last of the banknote sights for popularity with international tourists. Most people see it on a tour of China's most popular tourist city — Beijing, when they visit Tian'anmen Square, but few ever go in. It hosted a banquet for 5,000 in 1972 when Richard Nixon (one of our customers) visited China.
Not strictly a tourist attraction, typically it is used for PRC government assemblies. But with Tian'anmen Square in front, the Forbidden City to the north, and the Chairman Mao Memorial Hall to the south, it is in the company of some of the most visited sights in the world.
Recommended tours:
- 8-Day Essence of China Tour — our best-seller
- 4-Day Essence of Beijing Tour — the most popular of our Beijing tours.
The Li River, Guilin (20 Yuan Note)
With no banknote sights in Shanghai or Xi'an, the next most popular is the number one attraction of China's fourth tourist city, Guilin. The Li River is known as China's most beautiful river, with fantastic karst hills reflecting in its crystal waters. Enjoy it by tourist cruiser, or bamboo raft with China Highlights.
Recommended tours:
- 11-Day China Dream Tour — Beijing, Xi'an, Shanghai
+ Guilin and Yangshuo Scenery - 3-Day Essence of Guilin Tour — the classic among our Guilin tours
"Three Ponds Reflecting the Moon", West Lake, Hangzhou (1 Yuan Note)
With Hong Kong (unsurprisingly) neglected on RMB bills, despite it having four of China's six most-visited sights by international travelers, the third banknote sight is in Hangzhou, arguably China's sixth tourist city. West Lake is Hangzhou's star scenic attraction, a serene creation representing traditional Chinese architecture and landscaping on a grand scale.
Recommended tours:
- 2-Day Essence of Hangzhou tour — Hangzhou's star sights in tried and enjoyed style
- 5-Day Essence of Shanghai, Hangzhou, and Wuzhen — modern marvel, imperial retreat, and ancient water town
Kui Gate, The Yangtze Three Gorges, Central China (10 Yuan Note)
The Three Gorges are the most renowned stretch of China's greatest river, the Yangtze. Thanks to the world's largest dam you can cruise on placid waters from Chongqing to Yichang to discover the sheer natural spectacles and fascinating history of the Yangtze Gorges.
Recommended tours:
- 11-Day China Relaxation Tour — Beijing, Xi'an, Shanghai
+ Chongqing and Yangtze Cruise - More Yangtze Cruises
The Potala Palace, Lhasa, Tibet (50 Yuan Note)
If it weren't for limits on visitor numbers and the restrictions on access to Tibet, the Potala Palace would have far more international visitors. The majestic seat of feudal power for the Tibetan people stands at the heart of breathtaking Tibet. Visit it to trace Tibet's history back to the first Tibetan king, 1,300 years ago.
Recommended tours:
- 8-Days Lhasa to Everest Base Camp Tour
- 7-Days Tibet Tours by Train from Xining
- 5-Days Lhasa Classics and Lake Yamdrok Tour
- 4-Days Lhasa Highlights Comfort Tour
Mount Tai, Shandong Province (5 Yuan Note)
The first of China's "Five Great Mountains" is surprisingly little heard of outside China. Situated between Jinan (50 km north), Shandong's capital, and Tai'an (15 km south), it is a World Cultural and Natural Heritage Site and now a World Geopark. Enjoy spectacular sunrises and Shandong vistas from its 1,545 meter (5,068 foot) summit, as countless emperors and pilgrims have over the centuries.
And if there is not a tour to fit your requirements above, simply contact us to create your own tailor-made China tour, with unlimited free consultancy from our travel experts.