08 May 2026 last updated at 11:13
0 CommentsHave no idea about the most beautiful places in China? If you are considering paying a visit to China and are curious about the top amazing tourist attractions in this mysterious land, you will get an answer here.
1. Jiuzhaigou
If a “Fairytale World” exists on Earth, you can find it in Jiuzhaigou. Located in the mountains of Sichuan, it is world renowned for more than 100 colorful alpine lakes and is a UNESCO World Heritage site. We can’t recommend late October enough – the contrast of the cobalt waters and flame red autumn leaves is spectacular. Don’t forget to see the tiered waterfalls — they exude romance and serenity that words barely can describe.
Jiuzhaigou
2. Yangshuo
A little out of the bustle, blur and flash of Guilin city streets, Yangshuo is a sanctuary where karst peaks soar above translucent rivers. Don’t just take in the views — rent a bike and get out on the jade-green rice paddies. For the ultimate ease, drift down the Li River at sunrise on a bamboo raft — it’s like sailing through a traditional Chinese ink painting.
Ready to drift down the Li River? Explore our Guilin & Yangshuo Vacation Deals and experience the karst landscape like a local.
Li River
3. Huangshan(Yellow Mountains)
Located in Anhui Province, Huangshan is considered the most beautiful mountain range in China. It is known for its “Four Wonders”: strangely shaped pines, breathtaking rock formations, a sea of clouds, and relaxing hot springs. It’s a spot that has been the muse of Chinese poets and painters since the beginning of Chinese culture.
Advice from the pros: If the famous sunrise is on your wish list, a night’s stay in a mountaintop hotel is a must, for the higher cost.
Yellow Mountains
Don't miss the sunrise over the sea of clouds. Browse our Classical Huangshan Hiking Tours and book your mountain-top stay today.
4. Zhangjiajie
Have you ever thought about the origins for the mountains referred to as the "Floating Mountains" in Avatar? The soaring quartz-sandstone pillars of Zhangjiajie served as inspiration in real life. While the Grand Canyon Glass Bridge may get your heart pounding, it’s at secret photo stops along the Yuanjiajie Trail that the magic truly happens. Expert Tip: To avoid the hordes of tourist, visit in the shoulder seasons (May or Sept) .
Zhangjiajie
5. Tibet
Tibet is a spectacular high-altitude wild land, but also a deeply spiritual one. From the turquoise blue waters of Yamdrok Lake to the golden rice paper roofs of Potala Palace, it is a destination that "rocks your world". But keep in mind, foreign tourists are not allowed to travel here on their own.
Permission Note: You will require a Tibet Travel Permit, which we advise you to apply for at least 20 days before.
The Potala Palace
Permits can be tricky—we make it easy. Apply for your Tibet Travel Permit here and join our exclusive Tibetan plateau journeys.
6. Shangri-La
Nestled deep in the mountains of Northwest Yunnan, Shangri-La (previously known as Zhongdian) is the mythical entrance to the Tibetan world. The word itself, taken from James Hilton’s 1933 book Lost Horizon, conjures up images of a hidden paradise where heaven meets earth. At 3,160 meters above sea level, the air is crisp and the sky is a vivid blue. The town is dominated by the imposing Songzanlin Monastery, which occasionally is styled as the "Little Potala Palace". As you tour its golden-roofed corridors to the chanting of monks and the scent of juniper smoke, you’ll be moved to a sense of tranquility that just isn’t easy to find in the world of today.
Outside the temples’ spirituality is Pudacuo National Park, the first of its kind in China. Here, unblemished, mirror-like lakes, framed by day-long snow-caped mountains, and vast highland spring meadows, paint a scene that evolves dramatically with seasons — from a bathing of azaleas in spring to a draping of gold and red in autumn.
Expert Tip: To feel the real atmosphere, stay a night in Dukezong Old Town. Despite being mostly rebuilt after a fire years ago, the colossal prayer wheel at the top of the hill it still stands as a symbol of resilience. Join the locals in the square for the traditional evening circle dance – it’s the best way to catch the pulse of this high-altitude sanctuary.
Ready to find your own "Lost Horizon"? Browse our Yunnan & Shangri-La Adventure Tours and let us guide you to the heart of Yunnan.
7. Yuanyang Rice Terrace
The Yuanyang Rice Terraces are a 1330 year-old handiwork of the Hani people. Conducted on the steep slopes of the Ailao Mountains in Yunnan, these paddies cascade down the mountains, harboring great human solid and natural environmental relationship, now listed as UNESCO world Heritage site. These terraces are hand tended rather than by conventional farming methods. Because during the winter “filling season,” water-filled terraces become thousands of mirrors, reflecting the changing hues of the sky from morning to evening.
When to Go: Visit during the dry season (December to March) to see the renowned water/mirror effect. At this time of the year, the “sea of clouds” often flows into the valleys and it appears as if the terraces are suspended in midair.
8. Echoing Sand Mountain and Crescent Lake
Not far from this Silk Road city of Dunhuang are the Echoing Sand Dunes (Mingshashan). These enormous dunes have made news because of the eerie noise generated by the wind whistling over these hills. At the bottom of these dunes is Crescent Lake (Yueyaquan), a crescent-shaped spring that has survived for more than 2,000 years in the midst of desert which is constantly migrating. There is a magnificent interplay of the delicate elegance and power of the desert in its.
Traveller’s Tip: Follow in the footsteps of the ancient merchants and head for the desert on a camel caravan. For the more adventurous, there’s also sand sliding (sandboarding) down the pristine slopes with a spectacular view of the oasis.
9. Qiandao Lake
Qiandao Lake, or Thousand Island Lake, is a large, crystal-clear reservoir located in Zhejiang Province. While the surface is speckled with 1,078 verdant islands (which are really the tops of submerged mountains), the true secret is deep underground. Beneath the surface lie the remains of two ancient cities, Shi Cheng (Lion City) and He Cheng, older than 1,300 years. They were inundated in 1959 to form the reservoir and are preserved as an “Underwater Atlantis.”
What to Do: Although you need to be a professional to dive to the ancient city, visitors can take in the tranquility of the lake on a private boat tour. It’s the ultimate weekend getaway from the crowds of Shanghai or Hangzhou for a weekend of fresh air and kayaking.
Expert Tip: To get a real feel for the native way of life, spend an evening in Dukezong Old Town. Much of it was reconstructed after a fire years ago, but that massive prayer wheel nestled at the hilltop is still a beacon of hope. Join the locals in the square to their traditional evening circle dance—it’s the most genuine way to catch the pulse of this high-altitude haven.
10. Qinghai Lake
Qinghai Lake, on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, is China's largest saltwater lake at an elevation of 3,200 meters. The lake is a brilliant cyan and infinite grassland surround Tibetan nomads raise yaks. In summertime golden rape flowers grow along the shore, making the landscape a mix of yellow, blue and green from the flavor of the nearby horizon. It’s a land of raw, rugged beauty, and it seems as though it’s a world apart from the modern age.
Birdwatcher’s Paradise: Bird Island in the northwest corner of the lake is where you get thousands of migrating birds including bar-headed geese and gulls during May and June if you are that lucky! It’s also one of the best places to capture wildlife photographs in China.
