Sightseeing
beginner观光旅游
Learn essential vocabulary for visiting attractions, buying tickets, taking photos, and experiencing Chinese tourist culture.
38 words12 phrases2 dialogues~25 min study time
Vocabulary
38 words — click any row for an example sentence
Attractions
| Chinese | Pinyin | English | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| 景点 | jǐngdiǎn | scenic spot / attraction | noun |
| 博物馆 | bówùguǎn | museum | noun |
| 寺庙 | sìmiào | temple | noun |
| 公园 | gōngyuán | park | noun |
| 古镇 | gǔzhèn | ancient town | noun |
| 长城 | Chángchéng | the Great Wall | noun |
| 故宫 | Gùgōng | the Forbidden City / Palace Museum | noun |
| 风景 | fēngjǐng | scenery / landscape | noun |
| 古迹 | gǔjì | historical site / ruins | noun |
| 景区 | jǐngqū | scenic area | noun |
Activities
| Chinese | Pinyin | English | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| 拍照 | pāizhào | to take a photo | verb |
| 参观 | cānguān | to visit / to tour | verb |
| 门票 | ménpiào | admission ticket | noun |
| 导游 | dǎoyóu | tour guide | noun |
| 排队 | páiduì | to line up / to queue | verb |
| 预约 | yùyuē | to book / to make a reservation | verb |
| 游客 | yóukè | tourist / visitor | noun |
| 旅游团 | lǚyóutuán | tour group | noun |
| 自由行 | zìyóuxíng | independent travel / free travel | noun |
| 旅游 | lǚyóu | to travel / tourism | verb |
| 照片 | zhàopiàn | photo / picture | noun |
| 免费 | miǎnfèi | free of charge | adjective |
| 开放时间 | kāifàng shíjiān | opening hours | noun |
| 打卡 | dǎkǎ | to check in (at a landmark) / to visit a must-see spot | verb |
| 推荐 | tuījiàn | to recommend | verb |
Describing
| Chinese | Pinyin | English | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| 壮观 | zhuàngguān | spectacular / magnificent | adjective |
| 美丽 | měilì | beautiful | adjective |
| 历史悠久 | lìshǐ yōujiǔ | with a long history | phrase |
| 人山人海 | rénshānrénhǎi | a sea of people / extremely crowded | phrase |
| 值得 | zhíde | worth it / worthwhile | verb |
| 有名 | yǒumíng | famous | adjective |
| 热闹 | rènao | lively / bustling | adjective |
| 古老 | gǔlǎo | ancient / old | adjective |
| 网红 | wǎnghóng | internet famous / viral | adjective |
Shopping
| Chinese | Pinyin | English | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| 纪念品 | jìniànpǐn | souvenir | noun |
| 明信片 | míngxìnpiàn | postcard | noun |
| 特产 | tèchǎn | local specialty product | noun |
| 地图 | dìtú | map | noun |
Key Phrases
Essential expressions
你能帮我拍张照吗？
Nǐ néng bāng wǒ pāi zhāng zhào ma?
Can you take a photo for me?
Asking a stranger to take your picture at a scenic spot.
这里可以拍照吗？
Zhèlǐ kěyǐ pāizhào ma?
Can I take photos here?
Checking whether photography is allowed at a museum or attraction.
门票多少钱？
Ménpiào duōshao qián?
How much is the admission ticket?
Asking about ticket prices at an attraction entrance.
有学生票吗？
Yǒu xuéshēng piào ma?
Is there a student ticket?
Many Chinese attractions offer discounted tickets for students.
这个景点值得去吗？
Zhège jǐngdiǎn zhíde qù ma?
Is this attraction worth visiting?
Asking locals or other travelers for their recommendation.
请问洗手间在哪里？
Qǐngwèn xǐshǒujiān zài nǎlǐ?
Excuse me, where is the restroom?
An essential question when visiting any tourist attraction.
我们合个影吧。
Wǒmen hé gè yǐng ba.
Let us take a group photo.
Suggesting a group photo with friends or travel companions.
这里人太多了。
Zhèlǐ rén tài duō le.
There are too many people here.
Commenting on crowds at a popular attraction.
我们去那边看看吧。
Wǒmen qù nàbiān kànkan ba.
Let us go over there and have a look.
Suggesting exploring a different part of the attraction.
你去过长城吗？
Nǐ qù guo Chángchéng ma?
Have you been to the Great Wall?
A common question when discussing travel experiences in China.
这里的特产是什么？
Zhèlǐ de tèchǎn shì shénme?
What are the local specialties here?
Asking about local products to buy as gifts or souvenirs.
下一站我们去哪里？
Xià yí zhàn wǒmen qù nǎlǐ?
Where shall we go next?
Planning the next destination during a day of sightseeing.
Dialogues
Practice conversations
Buying Tickets at a Scenic Spot
A tourist arrives at a popular scenic area and buys admission tickets at the entrance.
Speaker A
你好，我想买两张门票。
Speaker B
成人票八十块一张。请问有学生证吗？
Speaker A
没有，我们都是成人票。请问里面有导游讲解吗？
Speaker B
有的。您可以扫码租一个语音讲解器，二十块钱。
Speaker A
好的，那我租一个。景区几点关门？
Speaker B
下午五点停止入场，六点清场。建议您早点进去，里面很大。
Speaker A
好的，谢谢！
Cultural note: In China, many popular attractions now require advance online booking through apps like the official WeChat mini-program or booking platforms like Ctrip. Walk-up tickets may not always be available, especially during holidays. Scanning QR codes (扫码, sǎo mǎ) for tickets, audio guides, and payments is the norm.
Asking for Recommendations at a Hotel
A traveler asks the hotel front desk for advice on which nearby attractions to visit.
Speaker A
你好，我第一次来这个城市，你能推荐几个景点吗？
Speaker B
当然可以。您对历史感兴趣还是自然风景？
Speaker A
我两个都喜欢。我在这里待三天。
Speaker B
那我建议您第一天去古镇逛逛，第二天去爬山看风景，第三天参观博物馆。
Speaker A
听起来不错。门票需要提前买吗？
Speaker B
博物馆的票最好提前在网上预约，其他的到了再买就行。
Speaker A
好的，太感谢了！
Speaker B
不客气。祝您玩得开心！
Cultural note: Hotel staff in China are generally very helpful with travel recommendations. It is common to ask the front desk for advice on what to see, eat, and do in the area. Many hotels also have brochures and can help arrange day trips or book tickets for popular attractions.
Cultural Notes
Context that textbooks miss
Test Yourself
8 questions covering vocabulary, phrases, and dialogue comprehension.
Take the Sightseeing Quiz (8 questions)→HSK Level Overlap
19 of 38 words appear in HSK levels
Further Reading
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