China and European countries are all rich in tourism resources and enjoy a huge potential for tourism cooperation. Chinese Premier Li Keqiang on Wednesday attended the opening ceremony of the China-Croatia Year of Cultural Tourism in Zagreb, the capital city of Croatia, during his official visit to the country in a bid to boost people-to-people exchange between the two sides.

Boasting over a thousand islands and 6,000 kilometers coastline, Croatia is an emerging tourist destination that has a lot to offer to its visitors. Let's explore some of the best places in Croatia.

Dubrovnik 

As writer George Bernard Shaw once said, “If you want to see heaven on earth, come to Dubrovnik.” The medieval walled city of Dubrovnik, nicknamed the “Pearl of the Adriatic,” is one of Croatia's best-known tourist destinations and also a prominent place to visit in the Mediterranean.

Tourism is the No.1 industry in Dubrovnik. There's so much to see, including the Old Town, ancient walls, cobblestone streets, orange-roofed buildings, stunning beaches and more.

Dubrovnik is a must visit for any Game of Thrones fan as many of the filming spots in this TV show are located in this city. Many of its city walls, gates and towers were used as the backdrops.

Tips:

Best visiting time: April to September

Best viewing spot: The best spot to have a bird's eye view of the whole Old Town is from the mountaintop northeast of the town. You can reach the top either on foot or by cable car. 

Pula

Pula is a nice little town situated at the southern tip of the Istria peninsula in the Adriatic Sea. It is a popular destination that has been attracting tourists from around the world.

One place you can't miss here is the Pula Arena, which is the only Roman amphitheater in the world with a complete circle wall. It was constructed in 27 BC to 68 AD and is able to hold 20,000 spectators. It is still used today as an outdoor cinema and to host diverse events.

Istria is one of Croatia's most developed wine-producing regions. When you visit Pula, do try a glass of white wine made from the Malvasia grapes. 

Tips:

Best visiting time: May to October

Some of the restaurants and hotels might be closed off-season.

Split

As Croatia's second-largest city located off the Dalmatian Coast, Split offers an extraordinary seaside view and abundant historical relics.

The city's main attraction is the Diocletian's Palace, which is a beautiful Gothic and Renaissance architecture built in the 4th century AD by the Roman Empire Diocletian. It has been listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

If you long for a getaway from busy city life, come to Split and take a promenade along the Riva Harbor and enjoy the vibrant night-life there! 

Zadar

Zadar is the oldest continuously inhabited Croatian city sitting along the Adriatic Sea. The city boasts a history of three thousand years and it's definitely worthy of a visit.

The Old Town lies in the center of the city where you can visit the ancient Roman Forum built between the 1st century BC and the 3rd century AD. You're highly recommended to walk to the Sea Organ afterward and enjoy a natural symphony. The organ is played by the power of the waves and is a popular hangout spot for tourists and locals.

Another must-visit spot at the seaside is “Greeting to the Sun." It is an installation that absorbs the sun's energy during the day and creates a magical series of whirling patterns and colors as night falls. Wouldn't it be fantastic to walk along the seaside in Zadar when the sun dips into the sea?

Zagreb

The capital and the largest city of Croatian, Zagreb is a vibrant metropolis boasting both historic and modern attractions.

Zagreb is divided into an Upper and a Lower Town, with Upper Town being the historic center where tourists can visit St. Mark's Church, the medieval Stone Gate, and Lotrscak Tower.

Why not plan a museum-themed journey here as there are so many museums in this city. Don't miss the Archaeological Museum, the Croatian Museum of Naive Art, and finally get some spiritual consolation at the Museum of Broken Relationships.

Tips:

Transportation: Trams in Zagreb can take you to most of the places in this city as they are serving as a vital component of the mass transit.

(Cover: An aerial view of a bay in Split, Croatia. /VCG Photo)