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China has many striking landscapes and historic sites beyond the places a first-time visitor may know. Several locations below are well-established attractions rather than undiscovered “hidden” places. Check official opening notices, transport and ticket information before making travel plans.
Natural Landscapes
Hailuogou of Sichuan Province 四川海螺沟 —— Kingdom of Primeval Forests and Glaciers
via Pixabay
Hailuogou is known for glaciers and forests on the eastern side of Mount Gongga. Winter scenery can be striking, but the best season depends on weather, visibility and site access; December is not universally the best month.
Spectacular ice waterfalls, silvery-white forests, the sun shining on the mountains to give it a golden look…all add to its charm. Despite the beautiful snow scenery, guests could also enjoy outdoor hot springs in the alpine snow valley, which is a combination of “ice and fire”. When the night falls, guests could also participate in the Kangba Tibetan dance festivals.
The Jade Lake of Qing Hai Province 青海翡翠湖 —— Mirror of the Sky
Jade lake (翡翠湖) is the local name for the numerous colorful brine ponds along the Da Qaidam lake (大柴旦湖), which is a few kilometers away from the Da Qaidam town. The ponds vary in size, and as the mineral elements of various ponds are different, the colors of each pond would appear differently as well; forming beautiful colors such as green, blue, yellow and brown.
Under the blue sky with white clouds, the ponds are just like pieces of jade scattered on the ground. The unique shaped ponds have different shades of color that would change throughout the year.
Wuliang Mountain Cherry Valley 无量山樱花谷 —— Flower Feast in the Winter
This valley is located in De’an Village (德安村), Wuliang Town (无量镇) of Yunnan (云南) Province. Every year in late November or early December, the flowers would bloom for around 25 days, cherry trees all over the mountain turn this place into a magnificent fairyland.
The Cherry valley area is a tea-growing landscape, which is divided into three sections. Check current admission arrangements before travel. The valley has with observation decks, as well as catering and accommodation facilities. Of the three cherry valleys in Yunnan, it is known for cherry trees among tea plantations. Tourists could also have a taste of the local tea, as the valley is located inside a tea garden.
Hubei Enshi State 湖北恩施州 —— Tujia and Miao Autonomous Prefecture
Located in the southwest of Hubei (湖北), this is the only minority autonomous prefecture in the province, where you can find 29 ethnic groups, including Tujia (土家族), Miao (苗族), Dong (侗族), and Hui (回族). Enshi is mainly a mountainous area with numerous karst caves. Famous scenic spots include Enshi Grand Canyon (恩施大峡谷), Tusi City (土司城), and Tenglong Cave (腾龙洞). Do not treat undeveloped Elude Gorge (躲避峡) as an authorized attraction. Official notices have prohibited entry to undeveloped areas, and the gorge has suffered a fatal flash-flood incident. Visit managed sites and follow current local restrictions.
Zhangye Danxia National Geological Park 张掖丹霞地质公园 —— The Rainbow Mountains
via Pixabay
Located in Zhangye City (张掖市), Gansu (甘肃) Province, this is one of the best developed Danxia landform areas in China, which has high scientific and tourist values. Danxia (丹霞) means “red glow from the sun” in Chinese, and Danxia landform indicates “red layer landform characterized by steep slopes”.
Zhangye Danxia Park mainly consists of two areas, which is about 536 square kilometers in total. The colorful mountains with various forms have attracted many film crews and photographers.
Red Beach 红海滩 —— The Most Romantic Recreational Coastline
Located in Panjin City (盘锦市), Liaoning (辽宁) Province; as its name suggests, Red Beach is famous for its color of vivid red. The color is caused by the red plant Suaeda salsa (碱蓬草), where large patches of grass together form a red sea.
Autumn is a popular season when the color is most vivid and fresh. This scenic area features various scenes such as the Corridor of Love Declaration (爱情宣言廊) and Lovers’ Island (情人岛). This is a comprehensive green ecological tourism area that combines sightseeing with recreation and vacation.
Cultural Landscapes
Leshan Giant Buddha 乐山大佛 —— Largest Sitting Buddha Statue in the World
via Pixabay
Located in Leshan City of Sichuan province, the 71-meter Leshan Giant Buddha is the largest stone Buddha statue in the world, a famous saying is “the mountain is the Buddha, and the Buddha is the mountain”. The statue was constructed in the Tang Dynasty (唐朝), from year 713 to 803, which lasted about 90 years.
The original purpose of construction was to suppress floods in the Minjiang River (岷江), which was initiated by a monk named Haitong (海通). As many stones were thrown into the river, the complicated watercourse gradually flattened, which slowed down water movements. It is said that in the heart of the Buddha there is a hidden cave of treasures, however, when a cave was discovered in 1962, the only valuable item found was a stone tablet carved in the Song Dynasty (宋朝).
Maiji Mountain Grottoes 麦积山石窟 —— Oriental Sculpture Art Exhibition
via Pixabay
Maiji Mountain is located in Tianshui City (天水市) of Gansu (甘肃) Province. It is 142 meters high and received its name because the mountain looks like a wheat (麦) stack. Construction began in the Later Qin (后秦) era (384–417) and continued all the way to the Qing Dynasty (清朝, 1636–1912); which reflected the development and evolution of Chinese clay sculpture art, and enriched the cultural history of ancient China.
There are 221 caves, 10632 clay sculptures and stone carvings, and over 1,300 square meters of murals; making it a dazzling “treasure of art”. With around 180 scenic spots, it is one of the most important attractions on the golden tourism route of the ancient silk road.
Hongcun Ancient Village 宏村 —— The Countryside as Beautiful as a Painting
via Pixabay
Hongcun is located in Huangshan City (黄山市) of Anhui (安徽) Province. Originated in 1131 of the Southern Song Dynasty (南宋), it developed rapidly in the Ming (明朝) and Qing (清朝) Dynasties, and the town currently has over 140 well-preserved architecture of these two eras.
This picturesque village is known for its crescent-shaped Moon Pond, beautiful watery scenes, traditional bridges, narrow lanes, old-fashioned clan halls, as well as its charmingly crafted architecture. The village is listed as a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage Site.
Xijiang Qianhu Miao Village 西江千户苗寨 —— Open-air Museum
via Pixabay
Located in Leishan County (雷山县) of Guizhou (贵州) Province, this village consists of over 10 natural Miao (苗族) villages built along the mountains, making it the largest Miao settlement village in China, and a well-known destination for learning about Miao architecture and traditions. Known as the “open-air museum”, this village exhibits the past and development of the Miao people.
Here, you can experience the clothing, architecture, decoration, language, food and a variety of traditional cultures of the Miao people, also see the village transform into a sea of lights at night.
Shitang Town of Wenling City 温岭石塘 —— The Dreamland of a Fairy Tale
Located in Wenling City (温岭市) of Zhejiang (浙江) Province, Shitang is known as the “Oriental Cape of Good Hope”. The town is 28.2 square kilometers and the coastline is 58.6 km. The specialty of this town is “stones”, where you would find stone houses, stone streets, stone lanes, and stone steps.
Of the many fishing villages, the one named “小箬村 (Small Indocalamus Village)” is the most dreamy one, where the houses are painted with colors of macarons. The pace of life at Shitang is very slow, where you could enjoy the scenery, take a leisurely stroll, watch the sailboats come and go, and have a taste of the freshest seafood. The night view of Shitang is also magical, where the lights flicker in dark, adding a touch of art to this quiet harbor.
Flower and Bird Island 花鸟岛 —— The Chinese “Santorini”
Located in the Shengsi County (嵊泗县) of Zhejiang (浙江) Province, this island received its name because it is shaped like a bird spreading its wings; and that the mountains are full of flowers, such as azaleas, lilies, and daffodils.
The island has scenic spots such as Tiger Cave (老虎洞) and Mist Cave (云雾洞), and a prominent historic lighthouse. This is also one of the few places in China where you could see the “fluorescent sea”, with bioluminescent organisms in the water during summer nights, forming a mysterious blue glow.
Because the island is very small, there are often restrictions on the number of tourists, do remember to check the availability before planning your trip.
These twelve destinations offer varied landscapes and cultural settings. Some are popular and can be busy. Availability, weather and transport should be checked locally; a photograph does not establish that an area is open or safe to enter.
Crowds may be heavier around Lunar New Year, the May Day holiday and the National Day holiday. Lunar New Year’s date changes annually, and official holiday schedules vary by year; check the dates for your actual trip rather than relying on fixed date ranges here.
