China has dotted ancient history, futuristic buildings and cultural marvels. Although the majority of the tourists explore the same cultural landmarks such as The Great Wall, the Bund of Shanghai and the Forbidden City in Beijing, there is much more to see, outside of the well-travelled ones. In case you are going to China on tour and you have a desire to visit places that are unique, have few people, and are enriched with cultures, this guide offers some of these amazing off-beat destinations that must feature in your list of places to visit.
You can be a lover of nature, a lover of photography, a lover of culture or an adventure lover, these hidden gems will make you have a glimpse of the side of China that many travellers are not familiar with.
Zhangjiajie National Forest Park- The Avatar Mountains.
Zhangjiajie is a stunning site in the Hunan province that is characterized by sandstone pillars, glass bridges and other surreal sceneries. The region was the source of inspiration of the floating mountains in the film Avatar and you will realize the reason when you pay a visit to the region.
Travelers can explore:
Zhangjiajie famous Glass Bridge over a deep canyon.
The Tianzi Mountain perspectives of magic sunrise views.
Features: The Bailong Elevator is the topmost open-air lift in the whole world.
Although it is getting increasingly popular, it remains much less congested than the Great Wall or Huangshan, so it is ideal in case a traveler wants to enjoy the quiet nature experience.
Pingyao Ancient Town -Going Back to Imperial China.
Pingyao is a must-visit place, in case you have ever dreamt of walking through an ancient Chinese city that is perfectly preserved. This UNESCO site is more than 2,700 years old and is comprised of cobblestone streets, old city walls, courtyard houses and lantern lit alleys.
What makes Pingyao special?
Awesome night scenes with blazing red lanterns.
The beautiful traditional architecture which is not affected by modern development.
Local artisans, tea houses and cultural museums.
Pingyao also is a good alternative, being a more authentic experience in terms of not having to deal with the tourist congestion of the historical sites of Beijing.
Shangri-La - Tibet-Discovery of serenity in Yunnan.
Shangri-La, a paradise on earth, is a snow-capped mountain-adorned dream vacation in the Tibetan prayer flags, monasteries, and serene Tibetan culture in the scenic Yunnan province. It is the ideal way to get away with the hectic urban life as it is enclosed by the serene nature and hospitality.
Top things to experience:
The grandiose Songzanlin Monastery.
Potatso national park having lakes, forest, and wildlife.
Tibetan homestays and yak-butter tea.
It is a fairy tale destination of religious tourists and photography enthusiasts.
Xijiang Qianhu Miao Village- the biggest Ethnic Miao Settlement in China.
This is a colorful village within Guizhou province and it is home to Miao minority tribe that is hidden deep within the province. Colorful clothes, traditional embroidery, folk dance, and wooden houses on the hillsides are some of the attractions that make Xijiang an unintrovert cultural experience.
Don’t miss:
Miao traditional shows and festivals.
Silver jewelry and handicraft, hand woven.
Sunset point on the whole wooden village.
A visit to this place reveals an aspect of China that is not very apparent in the traditional travel brochures.
Dongchuan Red Land -China -The Most colorful Landscape.
When it is compared with the distant red fields of Peru, the Dongchuan Red Land, the area around Kunming, is an unbelievable natural phenomenon with its amazing layers of red, green, white, and brown agricultural fields. It is the photographer heaven where one can get dramatic landscape photos.
March-May and September-December are the best months to visit and the colors are at their maximum when it is not hot.
Wuyishan National Park -Tea Mountains and Bamboo Rafting.
Wuyishan in Fujian province is an underrated nature destination, known by its famous dramatic red sandstone mountains and scenic river valleys:
Bamboo rafting the Nine-Bend River.
Ancient Da Hong Pao tea plantations.
Hiking paths and cave paths that are peaceful.
It is an invigorating change to the congested mountain parks.
Daocheng Yading Swiss Cheese.
To the alpine beauty and crystal-blue lakes, Daocheng Yiding of Sichuan province is not forgettable. It has one of the most beautiful high altitude destinations in Asia due to its holy snow mountains and turquoise lakes. The trip is far, but it is worth all the time.
Expect:
Strenuous and splendid hiking routes.
Breathtaking green valley and animal sceneries.
An idyllic escape out of the modern cities.
Recommended Best China Tour Itinerary Add-On Stops.
To create the most journalistic China tour itinerary involving these off-beat wonders, it is worth considering a combination of:
Yunnan: Shangri-La + Lijiang + Tiger Leaping Gorge.
Sichuan: Pandas of Chengdu + Daocheng Yiding.
Fujian: Wuyishan + Tulou earthen buildings.
Zhangjiajie and Fenghuang Ancient Town in search of cultural appeal.
Planned properly, a trip to China can be a lot more than a sightseeing tour of the city.
Final Thoughts
China is a land of wonders that can be visited everywhere but the top tourism sites. The secrets of the world such as Zhangjiajie, Shangri-La, Daocheng and the ethnic villages that are remote and far to far between provide the opportunity to experience a true culture, strange scenery and true adventure.
These are the fantastic locations that you need to visit on your next trip to get an exciting and memorable traveling experience, as you will forget the overcrowded cities with tourists and enjoy these incredible places. These spots will be very memorable and worth the trip when added in the Best China tour itinerary.
Then, are you willing to see the hidden face of China and come up with a visit you will never forget? It is time to start writing your itinerary and start exploring the unknown secrets of this amazing country.
