The Wonders of China – Part 1

China Health Insurance takes a look at the most beautiful and scenic places to visit in China

As the third largest country in the world, China spans more than 3.7 million square miles and, not surprisingly, contains a diverse range of geography. From tropical regions in the south to a subarctic environment in the far north to alpine conditions up in the higher mountainous altitudes, the Chinese geography seems to have some of everything. Monsoon winds and rains and cold, dry conditions contribute to the landscape, helping to create some of the most awe-inspiring snow-covered mountains, valleys, plateaus, plains, hills, dunes, glaciers and other natural wonders of the world. With the number of incredible sites to see in China, it’s hard to narrow it down, but here is one short list, in no particular order, of ten of the most beautiful places to see and visit in China.

1. The Li River

With its origins in the Mao’er Mountains and flowing south through Guilin, Yangshuo and Pingle, the Li River is a scenic and popular destination that has been likened to a “fairyland” and a “sweet dream.” The 83 kilometer section between Guilin City and Yangshuo County is said to be the most beautiful portion. An image of the river and the surrounding mountains and trees has been featured on the 20 Yuan note and its beauty has inspired Chinese poems: “The river is a green silk ribbon, and the hills are jade hairpins,” one author was inspired to write.  And it’s easy to see where the inspiration came from – on the Li River, hills, caves, cliffs, picturesque boats, waterfalls, and bamboo abound. Visitors can hire cruises down the river to experience the majesty first hand, and the views are said to be great regardless of the weather. A bright sunny day reflects the tall, thin hills in the still waters of the river while cloudy and drizzly days create a misty and mysterious feel on the river. 

2. Jiuzhaigou

Located in Sichuan Province in southwest China, this region is known for its lakes and scenery, local unspoiled culture, and World Heritage Sites. The most famous and picturesque of the alpine lakes is often blue and green but appears to change color due to the surrounding landscape, algae and calcified rocks. These lakes got the nickname “multicolored sea” from the Chinese locals for their changing color schemes. The Jiuzhaigou Valley was declared a World Heritage Site in 1992 because of its array of natural beauty. The snow-capped mountain peaks, forests, clear lakes, waterfalls and wildlife are the makings of picture-perfect postcard scenes. “Jiuzhaigou” translates to “valley of the nine villages.”  These villages remain in the valley to this day and are home to over 100 traditional Tibetan and Qiang families.

3. Yellow Mountains

Another UNESCO World Heritage Site (since 1990), the Yellow Mountains in Huangshan City, central China are a do-not-miss site and are praised as one of the best mountainous sites in all of China. The Yellow Mountain is one of the most popular places to visit in China because of its four main natural attractions: oddly-shaped pine trees, interesting rock formations, hot springs, and the mists and clouds surrounding the mountain. Multiple scenic viewpoints in different locations offer a variety of views of all these features; visitors need not fear running out of awe-inducing vistas. The jagged mountains rising above the cloud line are a unique photo opportunity. The famous hot springs were discovered more than 1,000 years ago and, peculiarly, have never run dry or overflowed, though they’ve been through many droughts and floods. The healing waters of the hot springs are said to help with metabolic disorders, cardiovascular disease and digestive issues. 

4. Yunnan Stone Forest

These strange stone towers in Kunming City have an even stranger history. Two hundred million years ago, the area was a sea and completely submerged. Many big slabs of limestone were located at the bottom of the sea. Eventually, the ground and the Earth’s plates shifted, causing the area to dry up and exposing the giant rocks previously hidden underwater. Over time, the stones split from one another and eroded, forming the stone forest visitors see today. Tourists from around the country and the world enjoy searching for forms of animals, plants (many look like trees made of stone, giving the forest its name), people and more in the colossal, upright rocks. The Yunnan Stone Forest is yet another of China’s 43 UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

5. The Yangtze Three Gorges

This river valley has sprawling scenic views, making it known as one of the ten most scenic sites in China. The site is made up of three separate gorges (Qutang Gorge, Wu Gorge and Xiling Gorge) in the Yangtze River, spanning from White Emperor City in Fengjie County to Nanjin Pass in Yichang. The gorges are known for their scenery and the rushing momentum of the water in the river that goes through narrow valleys and spills out into the gorges suddenly.  The area also has a rich history as the backdrop for epic battles and history-making heroes, as well as many legends and tales that will enrich the experience of a visit to the gorges.

Check out part 2 of our guide here!