From psychedelic rainbow-coloured mountain ranges to glittering pools that’re the colour of jewels, you’ll want to start booking your air ticket now.
Jiuzhai Valley National Park, Sichuan Province
Best known for its clear-as-glass turquoise lakes, and vibrant flora and fauna surrounding the area, Jiuzhaigou is popular amongst tourists, who visit the area, especially in autumn, where the leaves start to turn a fiery yellow, orange, and red. Literally named the “Nine Village Valley”, the area, comprising three valleys, lies within the northern Sichuan Province, and is part of the Min Mountains on the edge of the Tibetan Plateau.
Huangshan, Anhui Province
With scenic views, towering peaks, and ethereal wisps of clouds and mist surrounding the area, it’s no wonder Huangshan, a UNESCO World Heritage site, is regarded as one of the most popular sites for tourists and locals in China. Its rock formations, waterfalls, pine trees, and views of the sunrise and sunset have also added to its allure.
Zhangye Danxia Landform, Gansu Province
The psychedelic mountain range, which features precipitous cliffs, ridges, and colourful strips of sand, look as if they’re dancing, especially when the colours change continuously at sunrise and sunset. The stunningly beautiful site is thanks to natural erosion, exposure to the elements of water and wind, as well as desert conditions. Sightseeing cars are available, where tour buses aren’t allowed on, and there are four viewing platforms for you to make the most out of your trip.
Saint Sophia Cathedral in Harbin, Heilongjiang Province
The ornate and imposing Orthodox church isn’t something you’d expect to see in this part of the world. But that’s where its attraction lies. With its green onion domes and gold crosses, the Neo-Byzantine cathedral in Heilongjiang, was built by Russian expats in 1907, and survived the Cultural Revolution, where many other Orthodox churches were destroyed.
Guilin, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region
Reminiscent of scenes from wuxia or Chinese martial arts novels, Guilin’s famous karst landscape makes for an unusual scene with towering limestone peaks that contrast the otherwise flat river surface. Boasting fantastical shapes, colours and flora and fauna, the place has inspired many traditional Chinese paintings and works of art.