15 Most Beautiful Places to Visit in China
Endowed with diverse impressive landforms, there are amazing numbers of beautiful places across China. High mountains and winding valleys and extensive flatlands, which could be a great magnet for tourists all over the world. Moreover, the time-honored culture has left a large collection of historical marvels. Here we pick the 15 most beautiful places in China for you, each of which is definitely worth visiting.
- The Great Wall of China, Beijing
- Yangshuo & Li River, Guilin
- Avatar Mountains, Zhangjiajie
- Mount Huangshan
- Lijiang, Yunnan
- Shangri-la, Yunnan
- Lhasa, Tibet
- Zhangye Danxia Geopark
- Kanas, Xinjiang
- The Bund, Shanghai
- West Lake, Hangzhou
- Classical Gardens, Suzhou
- Steppes of Inner Mongolia
- Victoria Peak, Hong Kong
- Mingsha Mountain, Dunhuang

The Great Wall of China, Beijing
Mutianyu Great Wall Beijing
The Great Wall is a once-in-a-lifetime travel experience for most hike/history lovers around the world, to credibly say.
The Great Wall of China used to be an important military defense stretching out over 13,000 miles in history. It includes many popular sections, like Badaling, Mutianyu, and Jinshanling. Each of the sections has its own glamour, from beautiful natural scenery to well-preserved walls and towers.
Spring (April to June) and fall (September to November) are the most beautiful periods to hike for blossoming trees and flowers and the glorious colors of mountains along the wall with pleasant weather and heat. If you're looking to avoid the crowds you can hike on the clearer landscapes and flatter route at the Mutianyu or Jiankou section. During April and September, the Badaling section is relatively less crowded and has complete sights of the best-preserved Ming bricks and watchtowers against the beautiful natural setting for history seekers.
It usually takes about 1-2.5 hours to get to most sections of the Great Wall from downtown Beijing. For common sightseeing, 1 or 2 days is enough to finish the highlights of each section, with a chance to camp overnight for a rare night view of the Great Wall.
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Yangshuo & Li River, Guilin
The Li River
Yangshuo is a picturesque countryside on the western bank of the Li River, featuring stunning karst landscapes and an idyllic rustic atmosphere. It is 65 km south of Guilin City and takes a 70-minute bus from there.
Yangshuo and the Li River are an excellent combination to visit together. You can take a cruise from Guilin to Yangshuo to fully appreciate the tranquil beauty of the Li River.
You will be surprised at the classic Guilin karst mountain, clear sapphire water, and extraordinary remains of the Nine-Horse Fresco. One of the best ways to explore Yangshuo is by bicycling or scooting around. You can immerse yourself in every beguiling picture of its countryside view and life: paddy fields, a food market, cormorant fishing, and the plowing of local farmers and buffalos.
Spring and autumn are favorably warm to enjoy the county town. Spring is best for the drizzle-veiled hills and water of the Li River scenery, while autumn offers coolness to bike to explore the countryside and golden rice terraces. It is nice spending 3-5 days in Yangshuo, which enables you to have plenty of time soaking up local rustic highlights.
Avatar Mountains, Zhangjiajie
Zhangjiajie
Nestled in Hunan Province, the Avatar Mountains are very proud of the fantastic towering pillars and mythical clouds of mist. It is definitely a heaven for adventure seekers and nature fans.
It takes about 1 hour by car to Zhangjiajie National Forest Park (home to the Avatar Mountains) from Zhangjiajie downtown. The mountains are best known as an inspiration for the majestic floating landscapes in the Hollywood movie "Avatar." It is a can't-miss chance to watch the prototype of the Hallelujah Mountain of "Pandora" in the movie.
You can get to a viewing deck just in front of Hallelujah Mountain for a spectacular sight of the "Southern Sky Column," a landmark pillar rising 3544 feet into the sky. And the other hundreds of vertical pillars are incredible to see, with lush trees decorating the peaks.
The best months for visiting the Avatar Mountains in Zhangjiajie are April and October when you can enjoy the most colorful scenery of blossoms and fallen leaves. Typically, one day is perfect for taking many Instagram-popular photos of the floating mountains. If you want to explore the Heaven's Gate of Tianmen Mountain, which is not far from Zhangjiajie National Forest Park, you may need more time.
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Mount Huangshan
Mount Huangshan
Located in the southern Anhui Province of China, Mount Huangshan is awesome with its imposing granite peaks, magnificent rock formations, seas of mist, and twistingly shaped pines, which have held great fascination for poets, painters, and photographers all the time.
You can go for a drive on the expressway from Huangshan City (about 50 km) to the scenic area in about 35 minutes. The mountains are a paradise for trekking and nature lovers.
It is remarkable to seek out the most renowned pine in Mount Huangshan: the Greeting Guest Pine, which grows like a man reaching up to greet guests. You can trek up to the mountain peak to shoot flying-over, peculiarly-shaped rocks, and the ethereal sight of seas of clouds.
The best time to visit is spring or autumn for blossoming azalea flowers and picturesque red leaves under clear skies. It's recommended to take a two-day tour of Huangshan, capturing its awe-inspiring sunrise and the sea of clouds.
Lijiang, Yunnan
Black Dragon Pool Park, Lijiang
In the northwest of Yunnan Province, Lijiang is an ancient town with astonishing natural beauty: snow-capped mountains, fascinating canyons, and highland glaciated lakes. It is a treasured destination for adventurous hikers and leisure seekers from busy metropolises.
You can get lost in the cobbled streets of some ancient towns, such as the Old Town of Lijiang and Shuhe Ancient Town. Experience the authentic ethnic minority customs and lives of the Naxi, Bai, Tibetans, and Han. Antique tempo also goes well with natural delight. It's wonderful to hold a panoramic snowy view of Jade Dragon Snow Mountain on the cable car.
If you're more after thrills, go for an exclusive hike through the bushes and across the stream to get more marvelous views. Tiger Leaping Gorge offers distinct charms with many choices of characteristic hiking trails from different heights.
From late March to May, the mildly sunny weather is ideal to wander around Lijiang's old towns and seek out the beautiful blossoming of azaleas in the city. Winter brings a wilder but imposing change to Jade Dragon Snow Mountain and three sections of Tiger Leaping Gorge.
Shangri-la, Yunnan
Songzanlin Lamasery
Shangri-La is located in the Yunnan-Tibetan Region, an unspoiled paradise of rustic landscapes and native flavor. The snow-capped mountains, alpine meadows, wild gorges, and Tibetan villages and monasteries all form a unique introduction to Shangri-La.
You can get holy snowy views of Meili Snow Mountain and Baima Snow Mountain. Head to Pudacuo National Park for a sightseeing of a great variety of wild mammal and bird species. A nice highlight is visiting local villages and Buddhist temples, like Nixi Pottery Village, Dukezong Old Town, and Songzanlin Lamasery (known as the Little Potala Palace), basking in traditional Tibetan life and religion.
One of the best times to visit Shangri-la is between April and May, when the flowers are at their peak. You can enjoy verdant grasslands and hillsides blazed with an ocean of fascinating blossoms in many colors. The autumn period is best to catch a clearer sight of Meili Snow Mountain and plateau lakes against an awe-inspiring backdrop of blue sky.
Most visitors usually spend 2-3 days exploring the main natural and cultural highlights in Shangri-La and nearby. 5-7 days is feasible if you want a deeper insight into the wider prefecture.
Lhasa, Tibet
Potala Palace
Lhasa is the capital city of holy Tibet in the bosom of the Himalayas. It is considered an important pilgrimage site for Tibetan Buddhists. The Holy City attracts numerous culture enthusiasts to leave for a rewarding spiritual journey through its sacred Tibetan culture.
Lhasa is bright, with a large collection of Buddhist architecture. You will seek out the former splendor of Tibetan kings and Dalai Lamas in the iconic landmark Potala Palace, seeing a house of religious relics and thousands of Thangka paintings. The next view of Jokhang Temple provides opportunities to experience Tibetan Buddhism amidst devout pilgrims, life-giving incense, and flickering butter lamps.
Around the temple is Barkhor Street, which is lined by shops and tea houses for walkers to get the very essence of traditional Tibetan life in Lhasa. There are also many Buddhist monasteries and temples, like Sera Monastery and Drepung Monastery, to visit.
From June to October is the best time to visit Lhasa because of the warm and sunny daytime that brings clear sapphire-like skies. A classic Lhasa trip is arranged within 4 days. The first two days allow you to visit popular cultural sites downtown, and another two days allow you to enjoy the lake view at its border.
Zhangye Danxia Geopark
Zhangyei Danxia Landform
Zhangye Danxia Geopark is located in the northwest of Gansu Province, bordering Inner Mongolia in the north. The geopark is stunning for the Danxia landscape (Danxia refers to a special landform featured in red and steep cliffs found in northwest China) and rainbow-like mountains. Usually takes about 60 minutes to get to the national park from Zhangye downtown.
You can photograph the gorgeous colors of rock formations in various curved layers at the Colorful Danxia scenic spot. Explore BingGou DanXia Landform to discover majestic stone columns wind-eroded in animals, a torch, the Musée du Louvre, and other vivid shapes. Don't miss the painting-like scenery of Snow Mountain, primitive forest, Wetland Lake, waterfall, and gorge in the Yugu scenic corridor. You also have a treasured experience of Yugu ethnic culture and lifestyle.
The summer months from July to September are the best time to capture the most vibrant rainbow colors of the park due to the great reflection of the maximum amount of sunlight. We recommend a 3-day exploration of the park, enough to indulge in its picturesque landscape and interesting cultural things.
Kanas, Xinjiang
Kanas Lake
Kanas is a painting-inferior-to-mountain lake amid the deep forests and mountains of Altay in Northern Xinjiang. Its improved access has attracted great numbers of nature followers to its fairyland landscapes more easily. You could take a flight from Urumqi to Kanas Airport in about 1.5 hours and then take an hour's drive to the scenic area.
The most fascinating highlight is its charming hues change in four seasons and surrounding conditions. You will find the lake color ranging from crystal blue, gem green, to deep grey. Different colors of the setting match the lake perfectly for a splendid picture.
You can go to Hemu and Baihaba villages near the Kanas Lake, which are inhabited by a Mongolian ethnic branch, the Tuvan tribe. It is indispensable to stay in their traditional wood house, take in Mongolian customs of Lamaism, and experience Tuwan's centuries-old lifestyle of herding.
May to September are mildly cool to visit Kanas if you prefer pleasant weather. For breathtaking viewing, you can meet the surreal golden scenery of the birch forests around the diamond-blue river and lake. Two days is ideal to check out the scenery of Kanas Lake and the adjoining primitive villages. It's good to spend more days in Kanas City for historical sights.
The Bund, Shanghai
The Bund
The Bund is an iconic waterfront area and a protected historical district on the west bank of the Huangpu River in Shanghai. It has become a must-see attraction for its flourishing modernity, blending the century-old history of both Chinese and Western influences.
You can stroll along the waterfront avenue and marvel at 26 colonial-era western-styled remains, all from the Gothic to the Baroque, the Renaissance to Neoclassicism. And trace the spectacular high rises of the Oriental Pearl Tower, the World Financial Center, and Jin Mao Tower.
It is wonderful to take a Huangpu River cruise at night to catch the unique perspective of the bund, with a mix of illuminated magnificence of century-old buildings and skyscrapers. Besides, spend the rest of the time through the Bund Sightseeing Tunnel for exciting entertainment and eating.
The Bund is easily accessible by foot because of its location in the city's heart. Early spring through early summer (it is best in the early morning or in the evening) is the best visit time to avoid extreme heat and cold and enjoy a cool riverside breeze.
West Lake, Hangzhou
West Lake
As the symbol of Hangzhou, Zhejiang, West Lake is praised as "the heaven on earth." The fabulous, tranquil lake scape and cultural landmarks around have been drawing numerous poets and artists all the time.
It is dotted with a number of causeways, bridges, pagodas, temples, and pavilions, as well as man-made islands. The sites are enchanting to visit all year, with characteristic scenery in different seasons.
You can photograph the seductive sunrise at the Su Causeway in spring, observe a beautiful pool of swaying lotus flowers in summer, admire a bright full moon over the poetic lake in autumn, or appreciate the snow scenery over the Broken Bridge at Bai Causeway in winter.
One day is adequate to go through West Lake from many angles by walking, bicycling, or a traditional boat cruise.
Classical Gardens, Suzhou
Lingering Garden, Suzhou
Elegant in the northwest of Suzhou proper, the Classical Gardens have definitely become the symbol of Suzhou city. There are in fact nine of these gardens, which make a symphonic combination of rocks, water, trees, and various types of old buildings.
The most famous of them include Humble Administrator's Garden, Lingering Garden, Master of the Nets Garden, and Lion Grove Garden. They feature a special kind of window on the wall, through which you can enjoy a unique landscape in one room, but when you watch outside from the room, it offers a strikingly different combination of pavilions, bridges, terraces, fountains, rocks, flowers, and trees.
It's just fine to appreciate the flowing waterways and exquisite sites of Suzhou's gardens any time of the year, but if you're looking for a more beautiful addition, mid-April to May is excellent to admire the plum and cherry flowers that bloom in the gardens. Each Suzhou garden is located close and can be reached by a short walk or drive, so one day it is possible to browse all their essence.
Steppes of Inner Mongolia
Inner Mongolia
Inner Mongolia boasts a vast region of rolling grasslands, known as steppes, characterized by breathtaking grassland views and a nomadic way of life.
They hold great appeal for nature lovers and hikers looking to unwind. Visitors can access parts of the steppes, like the Xilamuren Grassland and Huitengxile Grassland, by train through the capital city, Hohhot.
The summer months of July and September have the most vibrant grassland views to offer, so that's the best time to visit in a year when the grasslands are lush green. You can expect a dreamy blend of twisting rivers, diamond-like lakes, and a vast blanket of verdant grasses. These months are also busy times for Mongolian Nadam festival activities in the steppes. Traditional wrestling, horse racing, and archery are integral sports to participate in.
It's recommended to plan a five-day trip to finish all parts of Steppe beauty while staying a few days in a Mongolian yurt with a unique glimpse into centuries-old nomadic life and stories of Mongols.
Victoria Peak, Hong Kong
Victoria Peak
Victoria Peak is the highest point at 552 meters above sea level on the Hong Kong Islands. Ascending to the top of the mountain, you will be rewarded with a panoramic view of the city's cloud-topping skyline, the marvelously intertwined vistas, and the beautiful Victoria Harbor around you.
You can choose a more awesome cityscape from a higher viewpoint on the Sky Terrace or the Peak Mall. For full immersion into the sightseeing, it is fascinating to ride the Peak Tram or walk up along the park trails to the top, catching a quick overview of the mountain's beauty.
The Peak in September and October are less crowded for students back to school and offer a relatively clear sight of the city's skylines and Victoria Harbor due to more sunny days. It is optimal for a half-day tour during which you can top the peak in the middle afternoon in cool to wait for the glorious sunset and dazzling night lights of the island.
Mingsha Mountain, Dunhuang
Mingsha Mountain
In the bosom of the central Gobi Desert, Mingsha Mountain, also known as Echoing Sand Mountain and Crescent Lake, is a mesmerizing pearl on the outskirts of the oasis town of Dunhuang.
The destination is characteristic of waving sand dunes and a secluded crescent of natural lakes. The sand dunes are 100 meters high on average and are revealed in five different colors: red, yellow, blue, white, and black for different amounts of sunlight. Many nature seekers gravitate towards the amazingly resonant phenomenon that the moving sands will play a multi-level orchestral echo when the light or wild wind blows.
You can trace the footprints of ancient Silk Road travelers by an unforgettable camel or motorcycle ride, and you are just steeped in the serenity and grandeur of Crescent Lake and the surrounding Tang-style architecture amid the dunes.
From late April to mid-October, it's the best period to spend one-night camping at the backside of Mingsha Mountain for brilliant starry sky, sunset, and sunrise photographs. Or you can choose the wintertime to seek out its grand snow-white impression. It takes only a short drive of 6 km from Dunhuang downtown, so if you have free time, central Dunhuang is also well worth exploring.
Custom A Trip to See the Most Beautiful China
China sees great charm that attracts different hobbies of travelers around the world a lot. Whatever you like and expect, these best-known, beautiful places never fail to impress. If you're spoiled by your choice, this guide is for you.
For more beautiful destinations in China, please feel free to contact China Odyssey Tours. We specialize in planning various itineraries for different customers. Just tell us your requirements, or write to us at trip@odynovotours.com and you can enjoy a tailor-made tour based on your preferences that combines natural delight and historical immersion.
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