6 Landmarks on Chinese Banknotes: Great Hall of the People, Potala Palace, Li River

Written by Veronica | Updated May 31,2024

Chinese banknotes serve as more than just a medium of exchange, but a reflection of the nation’s culture, history and identity. Chinese banknotes beautifully encapsulate these elements through the depiction of iconic tourist attractions that have significant cultural and historical importance. In this article, we will embark on a journey to explore the 6 landmarks on Chinese banknotes. You may take pictures at these sights by holding corresponding notes in hand.  These photos could be the best memorial of your China tours.

Great Hall of the People on CNY 100 Note: A Symbol of Unity and Power

On the reverse side of the CNY 100 note is the picture of the Great Hall of the People, which is one of the magnificent buildings around Tian’anmen Square in Beijing. This grand architecture is of great political importance in China. It is the place where national conferences and major political events are held and where heads of the state meet with foreign leaders. The construction area of the Great Hall of the People is approximately 171,800 square meters, which is even larger than that of the Forbidden City.

 

 

 

Highlight:

• The structure mainly consists of 3 sections. The one stands tallin the center is a 10,000-seat auditorium, with a banqueting hall which can hold 5,000 people and the office building of the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress on each side.
• The grand hall also houses 34 reception halls named after every province, autonomous region and municipality in China. Each of them presents distinctive regional characteristics. But only a few are openfor public visits.

Best Time to Visit: All year round

Recommended Visiting Length: 1-2 hours

Location: On the west of Tian’anmen Square, Beijing City

Travel Tips:

1. The Great Hall of the People is closed to visitors when national conferences or large political events take place. It is necessary to check related information in advance;
2. Touristsneed to make a reservation to visit this tourist attraction on Chinese banknotes through the WeChat mini-program at least one day ahead.

 

Recommended Tour: 3 Days Beijing Package Tour

Potala Palace on CNY 50 Note: A Sacred Palace on the Roof of the World

Standing against the Red Hill in Lhasa, Potala Palace on the CNY 50 note is a solemn palace with the highest elevation in the world. With pure white and crimson as the dominant hues, this lofty landmark on Chinese banknotes is considered the symbol of the city and even the whole Tibetan region, best showcasing Tibetan architectural features. Visitors can also take on an in-depth exploration into the mysterious Tibetan Buddhism while touring around splendid chambers inside.

 

Highlights:

• The Potala Palace is composed of two sections.The Red Palace in the middle is very eye-catching and it used to serve as the holding place for important religious activities. Around it is the complex of White Palace built for Dalai Lamas to live and handle daily affairs.
• Walk inside the palace, and visitors can not only admireornate halls, but also marvel at a great variety of religious artifacts, including Buddha statues, frescos, Thangkas, scriptures, as well as 8 glittering stupas that are intricately decorated with sparkling gems and jewels.

Altitude: 3,700 meters above the sea level

Best Time to Visit: May – October

Recommended Visiting Length: 3-4 hours

Location: No. 35, Beijing Middle Road, Chengguan District, Lhasa City, Tibet Autonomous Region

Travel Tips: Tibet is a region steeped in rich religious ambience. Tourists should show respect to local customs and rules, and dress properly to visit religious sites. Also note that taking photos is not allowed in Potala Palace.

 

Recommended Tour: 8 Days Lhasa to Everest Base Tour

Li River on CNY 20 Note: An Immersive Trip to Ethereal Karst Landscapes

The breathtaking view of Li River takes center stage on the CNY 20 note. Flowing gently through Guilin and Yangshuo for nearly 100 kilometers, Li River, as one of the top places to visit on Chinese banknotes, is like a crystal-clear jade belt winding through verdant karst hills to the horizon. The picturesque scenery has inspired poets, artists, and travelers for generations, making it a symbol of China’s natural beauty.

 

Visitors can enjoy the picturesque scenery by cruising, bamboo rafting or hiking.  Taking a cruise from Guilin to Yangshuo is the most popular way with so many iconic sights await your exploration, such as Elephant Trunk Hill – which takes a striking resemblance to a giant elephant, Mural Hills – a screen-like cliff with images of nine horses on it, and Yellow Cloth Shoal – the very view on the CNY 20 note.

 

Recommended Tour: 3 Days Guilin & Yangshuo Tour

 

Kui Gate along Three Gorges of the Yangtze River on CNY 10 Note: Witness the Most Majestic River View

The CNY 10 note introduces you to the Kui Gate, also called Qutang Pass. It is known as the western gateway of the Three Gorges along the Yangtze River, guarded by sharp cliffs on both sides. The surging Yangtze River suddenly narrows down at Kui Gate, and turns much more turbulent, offering the most awe-inspiring river view along the course of Three Gorges.

 

Visitors are highly recommended to embark on a Yangtze River cruise in Chongqing or Yichang, which usually lasts for 4-5 days, to take in the majestic landscapes of the Three Gorges and search for the scenery on RMB banknotes, and also witness the Three Gorges Dam, which is the world’s largest water conservancy project.

 

Recommended Tour: 13 Days China Private Tour from Beijing with Yangtze Cruise

 

Mount Tai on CNY 5 Note: Ascending the Throne of Heaven

On the CNY 5 note is a picture of the imposing Mount Tai, which ranks the first of the “Five Great Mountains of China”. This natural landmark on Chinese banknotes was listed as a World Cultural and Natural Heritage site and named a global geopark by UNESCO. Only after you climb to the Jade Emperor Peak can you embrace the most magnificent views and also witness the four natural wonders of Mount Tai, namely sunrise view, sunset glow, sea of clouds, and distance view of the Yellow River.

 

Mount Tai is also of great cultural significance in China. As home to Fuxi – the ancestor of mankind in Chinese mythology, Mount Tai had accepted 72 emperors to hold worshipping and sacrificial ceremonies. Besides, its majesty also attracted a great many cultural figures in ancient times to meditate and seek for inspirations. Countless tablets and inscriptions could be the best testimony of its strong cultural ambiance.

 

Best Time to Visit: May – November

Recommended Visiting Length: 1-2 days

Location: No. 45, Hongmen Road, Taishan District, Tai’an City, Shandong Province

 

Recommended Tour: 7 Days Shandong Tour of Qingdao Qufu Jinan

 

West Lake on CNY 1 Note: A Poetic Oasis in Hangzhou

The serene West Lake on the CNY 1 note captures the essence of poetic beauty and serenity. Located in Hangzhou, this famous tourist attraction on Chinese banknotes has enchanted artists and poets for centuries. The lake’s mirror-like waters, adorned with graceful lotuses, reflect beautiful causeways, verdant trees, as well as elegant pagodas, bridges and pavilions on the surface. You will feel like being in the midst of a peaceful landscape painting.

 

There are many ways to enjoy yourself at the West Lake. You may simply stroll along the causeway in the breeze, or seek for a special visiting experience by cycling or taking a boat ride.

 

Best Time to Visit: March – May, September – November

Recommended Visiting Length: 3-5 hours

Location: No. 1, Longjing Road, Xihu District, Hangzhou City, Zhejiang Province

 

Recommended Tour: 2 Days Hangzhou Essence Tour

 

Best China tour packages to Tourist Attractions on Chinese banknotes

• 9 Days Shanghai – Suzhou – Hangzhou – Huangshan Tour
• 10 Days Great China Tour of Beijing – Xi’an – Guilin – Shanghai
• 13 Days Beijing – Xi’an – Chengdu – Yangtze River – Shanghai Tour