20 Beautiful Places to Visit in China

Spring is a beautiful season, and it brings infinite joy and hope to us. I believe many people like to have a tour in Spring. Here you can find some scenic spots to feel the most beautiful place in China.

1. Hongcun Village in An Hui Province

Hongcun Village is located in the Yixian County of Anhui Province, about 70 km from Huangshan city. It is one of the representative ancient villages in the southern part of Anhui Province. Firstly built in 1131 A.D., the village now has a history of almost 1000 years. The peaceful environment and beautiful surroundings present outsiders a piece of pleasing and tranquil picture of a typical country life in South China. The village is called the “village in traditional Chinese painting”. So far, the water system, streets, folk houses and even interior arrangements of the village are completely preserved as the primitive conditions of the ancient village.

Everyday hundreds of visitors are attracted to the village by its beautiful views and more than 140 well-preserved ancient houses, among which several magnificent clan halls and the celebrities' former residences are most attracting.  It was inscribed into the list of the World Cultural Heritage Site by UNESCO in 2000.

Hongcun is also the location for the famous Chinese film "Wo Hu Cang Long (Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon)", 2000, directed by Ang Lee and starring Chow Yun Fat. In the 73rd Academy Awards, the film has won Best Foreign Film, Best Original Score, Best Cinematography, and Best Art/Set Direction.1.

Recommended Tour: 4 Days Huangshan World Heritage Tour

2. The Most Beautiful Lake in China-Jiuzhaigou

The color of the lake is from the reflections of the lakeside scenery, and Algae and calcification rock at the bottom of the lake. Autumn is the best time to visit jiuzhaigou. In Autumn, the gorgeous color of the lake is comparable to the painter's palette.

Admission including on-site transportation RMB 310 between April 1-November 15; RMB 160 between November 16-March 31.

Direct flights are available between Jiuzhaigou’s Jiuhuang Airport and major Chinese cities including Beijing, Shanghai, Xi’an and Chengdu.

The nearest traffic hub to Jiuzhaigou is Chengdu, the provincial capital of Sichuan, which is one hour by air or 11 hours by bus south of the lake.

Recommended Tour: 3 Days Jiuzhaigou Private Tours

3. Real Floating Mountain-Hunan Zhangjiajie

Actually, the inspiration of Pandora planet's floating mountains in the Academy Award-Winning works "Avatar" is from Wulingyuan Limestone column. There are more than 3000 limestone columns in Zhangjiajie's Wulingyuan Stone Forest of Hunan province, and the highest is as high as 400 meters. Wulingyuan authorities have named one stone pillar "Hallelujah Mountains" per Pandora's floating mountain. Admission: RMB 248

Recommand Tour: 4 Days Zhangjiajie Private Tour

4.  Enjoy the Pristine Nature-Hunan Phoenix Ancient Town

Phoenix Ancient Town is one of the most beautiful cities in China. The house with stilts type is the ideal dwelling of Chinese literature and art lovers. Phoenix Ancient Town has rich culture of the Miao and Tujia nationality. You can freely wander around and take in the peaceful existence of the local daily lives, the beautiful stone architecture and the houses on wooden stilts that line the river is a great way to easily fill a day or two.

Admission: RMB 148.

Phoenix Ancient Town is located in the 430 kilometers west of Changsha. Every day there are regular buses running to Fenghuang from Changsha bus station in changsha.

Recommended Tour: 5 Days Zhangjiajie Hiking and Fenghuang Village Tour

5. The Campsite of Bigfoot Monster-Hubei Shennongjia

In the past 100 years, more than 400 people claimed that they saw the bigfoot monster in Shennongjia forest, but still there is no hard evidence. As a mid-latitude preserved and most complete subtropical forest ecological system, shennongjia covers an area of 3200 square kilometres and here there are more than 5000 kinds of plants and animals. Here is also the hometown of the rare and protected animals of China-Golden Monkey.

Admission: RMB 100.

 The nearest traffic hub to Shennongjia is Wuhan. Take a car from Wuhan Xinhua road long-distance bus station, get off at XingShanXian, and transfer to Shennongjia small bus,  then you can arrive in the destination.

6. The Most Magnificent Waterfall in China-Shanxi Hukou Waterfall

Hukou waterfall is the largest waterfall on the Yellow River, also is the second largest waterfall in China. It enjoys high reputation in China with its elegant image on the 50RMB. The waterfall is 20 meters high, 30 meters wide, is located in the border of Shanxi Province and Shaanxi Province. The flood season is from 5-10 month, so this period is the best visit time. At that period, the water quantity and the velocity increases sharply, sometimes the width of the waterfall is up to 50 meters, and the occasion is particularly spectacular.

Admission: RMB 90

The nearest traffic hub to Hukou Waterfall is Yuncheng Airport. It's about 82 kilometers away. Major cities connected to Yuncheng Airport by direct flights include Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhou.

7. Huangshan Legend-Anhui Huangshan

There is a popular ancient Chinese saying "There is no reason to visit any other mountain after seeing Yellow Mountain". Huangshan was named "the most beautiful mountain" in China by UNESCO world cultural heritage with its amazing scenery: grotesque rocks, unique shaped pine trees growing out of cliffs, marvelous sea of clouds and crystal-clear hot springs. It is also the life yearning of many Chinese. 

Admission: RMB 230 from March-Novermber; RMB 150 for the rest month.

Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou and Xi'an and flights all have the direct flight to Huangshan.

Recommended Tour: 3 Days Huangshan Yellow Mountain Tour

8. The Three Pagodas of Chong Sheng Temple of Yunnan

The Three Pagodas of Chong Sheng Temple in Yunnan Dali: In the middle of 9th century, the main tower was established for the first time, to alleviate the periodic floods. Tower is 69 meters high, total 16 floors, and now it is the tallest pagoda in China. Each layer of the tower is  decorated with the lifelike statue. Another two towers are 42 meters high, and they were set up later than the main tower about 100 years.
The three pagodas are just north of downtown Dali. Direct flights (30 minutes) and train (eight hours) are available between Dali and Kunming, the provincial capital of Yunnan.

Admission: RMB 121

9. The Largest Inland Saltwater Lake in China-Qinghai Lake

Qinghai lake, 3205 meters height above sea level. There are many famous scenic spots in Qinghai Lake, and Haixin Shan (Hill of the Sea Heart) is one of them. Haixin Shan is an isle shaped like a spiral shell located in the middle south of the lake, covering an area of 1 square kilometre. Niaodao, or Bird Island lies in the northwest corner of Qinghai Lake. It is a heaven of the reproduction of Asian birds, and the top among the eight bird reserves in China. Every May and June, migratory birds fly from faraway mountains and deserts to breed here. It is quite a spectacle of thousands of birds flyingon the sky with their nests thickly dotted and colorful eggs interspersed all over the island.

Tour companies in Xining organize trips to Qinghai Lake. Buses bound for Qihai Lake are available every morning (7:45 a.m.) from Xining Train Station.

10. China Bikini Island Pilgrimage-Avalokitesvara

Stand on Sanya beach and have a overlooking , you can see the world's largest Avalokitesvara. It stands at the foot of nanshan which is China's southernmost mountain. It's said that the Buddha are toward the mainland China, Taiwan, and south China sea, it mean that the Guanyin Bodhisattva not only bless China, but also bless the whole world.

Admission: RMB 150

11. One Incense Pillar-Hubei Enshi Grand Canyon

This is a lime pillar which standing among Enshi canyon mountains. According to the legend, the god gave a stick of incense to industrious enshi people; if they have suffering, they can light pillar, and the god will give them help. This stick of incense is just the lime pillar.

Admission: RMB 120.

Enshi is located about 230 km west of Yichang, and 530 km west of wuhan. Every week, there are 2 flights from Yichang, it takes 40 min; And fron Wuhan to Enshi, there are 2 flights one day, it takes 80 min.

12. Qiandao Lake

Qiandao Lake is a giant lake with literally 1000 small islands. Many of these islands are developed for tourism. Qiandao Lake, located in Chun'an County, west of Hangzhou. The lake covers five hundred and seventy square kilometers including over one thousand islands of different sizes. Here you can enjoy the speedboat, paddling, mountain climbing and traveling many animal theme island, tasting the delicious seafood and so on.

Direct buses run from Hangzhou West Bus Station to Thousand Island Lake Town. Buses depart every 30 minutes between 6 a.m.-6:50 p.m., RMB 60 per ticket. Then take a taxi or bus to the scenic area.

Recommended Tour: 1 Day Hangzhou and Thousand Islands Lake Tour

13. Xinjiang Karakul Lake

Xinjiang Karakul Lake located at an altitude of 3,600 meters, it is the highest lake of the Pamir plateau, near the junction of the Pamir, Tian Shan and Kunlun mountain ranges. The best travel time is May to October.

A daily bus (43 RMB) heading for Tashkurgan which passes the lake leaves from the long distance bus station in Kashgar at 9.30am Beijing Time (please note that the bus station operates on Xinjiang Time which is -2.00hrs BT; thus the departure time on the ticket is 7.30am). It arrives at the lake after about 5-6 hours. Alternatively, a taxi can be booked from most hotels in Kashgar for a set price of 500 RMB per car, per day (i.e. it can be done as a day trip).

14. Fujian Xiapu

Known for its mudflat aquaculture, Xiapu County in Fujian Province attracts a lot of tourists and photographers for its unique coastal scenery. Due to the pleasant seawater temperature and plenty of sunshine, the Xiapu mudflats are rich in kelp, laver, oyster and yellow croakers. Locals living along the beach are mainly engaged in marine culture. The bamboo poles, fish nets and stone columns that are inserted in the mudflats are used to dry kelp, laver, oyster and other marine products. As the sun rises and sets, the tide rises and falls, the bamboo poles, fishing boats and fish nets form various spectacular sceneries.
 
To both tourists and photographers, the mudflats are Shangri-La on the sea. Anyone that sees the mudflats would be amazed by the spectacular view.

Take a Fuzhou-Xiamen bullet train to Fuzhou South/North Station, take a long-distance bus to Xiapu County and take a taxi to Beiqi.

   
15. Sounding Sand Bay-Inner Mongolian

Sounding Sand Bay is called "Yingken" by local people, it means forever in Mongolian. The whole sand-drift is like a crescent moon. Setting out from Baotou at Inner Mongolian, crossing the big bridge of the Yellow River and walking towards south for half an hour, you can arrive at Sounding Sand Bay. If you pedal the sand hard, immediately you will hear sound like a plane flying over your head. If you slide down from the top of the sand-drift, you will hear the sound like car motor. It is really an outstanding works of nature.

16. Wuyuan in Jiangxi Province

Wuyuan, a symbol of Chinese many unknown but great towns or villages in rural area. Long-term folk culture, custom and history have it become a charming gem of Chinese countryside tour. Tranquil world and simple life always satisfy the comers.

The ancient county lies in the center of the "golden travel triangle," formed by Huangshan Mountain (Anhui Province), Lushan Mountain and Jingdezhen (Jiangxi Province). Having a long history of over 1,200 years, Wuyuan County is one of the most important cradles of China's centuries-old Huizhou culture. It has at least 50 old villages that have remained almost unchanged over the past few centuries. Besides antique buildings, the most popular scenery in Wuyuan is rapeseed flowers. When the flowers blossom in March, the county becomes a sea of golden flowers.

17. Buddhist Palace in Jiangsu Province

Buddhist Palace is part of Lingshan scenic spot ( in Wuxi city), not far away from the Grand Buddha statue, the gorgeous Buddhist Palace locates right on the foot of Lingshan Mountain, which has a total construction area of 70,000 square meters, eighteen meters deep. This magnificent structure has 3 layers, decorates with 5 tower-shaped topping. A stramonium-shaped chancel lays on the back part of the building.
 
As an exhibition center of China modern Buddhist Culture and Art, Buddhist Palace was open to public since 2008. To demonstrate the profoundness of the Buddhist culture and its ever-lasting charm, stone and other solid materials were the mainly building material; large stelae, long-span beam-column and high vault were widely utilized. At the same time, traditional Chinese handcrafts like stone carving and painting were successfully merged into and showed in details.

“Speciality” of Buddhist Palace, “great” of Lingshan grand Buddha and “wonder” of Nine Dragons bathing the baby buddha formed three wonders of Lingshan scenic spot jointly, bring a strong stake in architecture, art and spirit to tourists and be considered a spiritual sanctuary for purify people.

18. Chengde Mountain Resort in Hebei Province

Located 250 kilometers northeast of Beijing, Chengde Mountain Resort and its Outlying Temples remains the largest extant imperial garden and temple complex in China. It used to be the summer resort and hunting ground for the Qing emperors.

Imperial gardens and temples of various architectural styles blend harmoniously into a landscape of lakes, pastureland and forests. In addition to its aesthetic interest, the Mountain Resort is a rare historic vestige of the final development of feudal society in China. In 1994, the resort was made a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

There are shuttle trains and buses running from a number of cities including Beijing, Tianjin and Shijiazhuang to Chengde. In addition, the Beijing-Chengde and the Qinhuangdao-Chengde expressways end in downtown Chengde. From Chengde Railway Station, tourists can take public bus Nos. 5,7,11 or 15 to the Mountain Resort.

Recommended Tour: 2 Day Tours to Chengde & Jinshanling Great Wall

19. Yunhe Rice Terraces in Zhejiang Province

The Yunhe Rice Terraces are in Chongtou District of Yunhe County, Lishui Prefecture, Zhejiang Province, East China, and are only 5 kilometers (3 miles) from Lishui City. They are recognized as the most beautiful rice terraces in China. The entire area of Yunhe Terraces is 51 square kilometers (20 sqaure miles), covering mountains, hills, and valleys. The altitude of the terraces ranges from 200 to 1,400 meters (650 to 4,600 feet), which gives Yunhe Rice Terraces amazing scenery, with seas of clouds in the early morning, especially during spring and summer. Being further north, you are more likely to see terrace scenery with snow or rime in the winter.

In the Yunhe Rice Terraces, the best times for photography are early morning and at dusk. What's more, you can learn about and experience the culture and customs of the She ethnic group (畲族), a minority with a very small population in China. Transportation: It is takes about 2 hours from Wenzhou to the Yunhe Rice Terraces, and 3 hours from Hangzhou to the terraces.

20. The Best Place for Bird Watching in China-Ningxia Shahu

Every year, a variety of migratory birds will go to Ningxia which is a Wetland to inhabit, and the number is up to one million. The roosting time of the birds is mainly 4-5 and 9-10. On the broad area of 80 Square kilometers, the desert, the lake water and reeds are intertwined, and formed unique natural landscape--Sand Lake Scenic Resort (Sha Hu). Sand Lake is the best place for bird watching in China. Shahu is located in Pingluo County of the Ningxia Autonomous Region, 56 kilometers north of Yinchuan.

Admission: RMB 60 from November 1-March 31; RMB 80 from April 1-October 31.

Sand Lake is 56 kilometers north of Yinchuan, the provincial capital of Ningxia. Buses are available daily between Sand Lake and Yinchuan’s North Gate Bus Terminal.