Be One With Nature: The Best Outdoor Retreats in China

Looking to escape the city? Our guide to some of China’s most popular outdoor retreats will help.

Swapping city life for the slower pace of the countryside has long been the traditional vacation of choice for many Chinese. Now, expats are also seeing the advantages of a visit to rural China to enjoy the freshest of air and soak up the best of what this amazing countryside has to offer. Given the sheer size of the country, there are an abundance of outdoor retreats offering the weary city dweller a temporary escape from urban living. Here, we suggest some of the best locations where one can enjoy this unique countryside at its finest.

Lijiang, Yunnan Province

The quiet and slow pace to life in Lijiang has hardly changed over the years. Like the rest of China, the province of Yunnan has undergone significant redevelopment, yet the city of Lijiang has been able to retain much of its original beauty and attraction. The old city, complete with small narrow lanes and alleyways, continues to entice travellers from around the country. It is home to the ethnic Naxi minority group, and their traditions and culture are evident throughout the town.

Lijiang offers travelers a lot more than just the town, however. Situated along a fertile plateau, it is surrounded by mountains, lakes, temples and rivers. Some of the more popular attractions of the area include: Tiger Leaping Gorge - one of China’s most scenic and popular trekking routes; Lugu Lake - a jade green expanse of water nestled between mountains and forests; Jade Dragon Snow Mountain - a 5,600 meter peak offering climbing opportunities and amazing views; White Water River - a crystal clear river which is icy cold all year round; and Yufeng Temple - first built in 1756 and located above a picturesque meadow and forest. Lijiang is accessible by air and train, with most visitors travel there via the provincial capital, Kunming.

Yangshuo, Guangxi Province

Famous for its natural beauty, pleasant climate and clean environment, Yangshuo is one of China’s most popular vacation destinations. It is a small town built on the banks of the Li River and while the town itself is quiet and small, the surrounding countryside continues to attract hordes of tourists from within China and around the world. The Li River contains numerous leafy-green peaks which rise up out of the water at every turn. The view is quite spectacular, and has been made famous by its inclusion on the back of a Chinese RMB 20 note.

Visitors to Yangshuo will typically travel by boat along the Li River from the nearby city of Guilin. Once there, guests can hire bikes to move around the countryside or take a leisurely cruise along a local section of the river. Spectacular light shows also take place on the river every evening after dark. West Road, located in central Yangshuo, is home to numerous small hotels, restaurants, bars, cafes and shops. It is here that many travelers spend their evenings relaxing and meeting fellow visitors from around the world.

Jiuzhaigou National Park, Sichuan Province

Meaning “Valley of the Nine Villages” in Chinese, Jiuzhaigou is located in the Min Shan mountain range in northern Sichuan province. The nine villages referred to in the title are actually ethnic Tibetan villages which lie along the park’s boundaries. The park itself is one of China’s premier national parks, and is home to numerous rare animal species, birds, and a number of lakes and waterfalls. It is a popular vacation choice with nature enthusiasts and eco-tourists.

Situated on the outer edges of the Tibetan plateau, Jiuzhaigou lies at an average elevation of 2,500 meters. It contains peaks and mountains that rise up to 4,700 meters, making it a popular travel destination throughout the whole year. Jiuzhaigou receives approximately 1.2 million visitors each year and is easily accessible by air from all major cities in China.

Karakul Lake, Xinjiang Province

Located in China’s northwestern province of Xinjiang, Karakul Lake is a popular retreat for those visiting the area. The lake itself covers an area of 4.8 square kilometers and many visitors enjoy walking along its shores and marvelling at the scenery. The area is at an elevation of 3,600 meters, while the Pamir mountain range alongside the lake contains some of China highest mountains, including Muztagh Ata which stands at 7,546 meters.

During summer, the local ethnic Kyrgyz population moves down from the mountains to live in lakeside yurts. It is possible to meet with the local population and stay overnight in one their yurts, which makes a trip to the area even more special. Karakul Lake lies some 196 km from the town of Kashgar and is only accessible by road. It is situated alongside the famed Karakoram Highway, the stretch of road that connects China with Pakistan.

Anji Bamboo Forest, Zhejiang Province

A one hour drive from the provincial capital of Hangzhou, the Anji Bamboo Forest is a little explored wonderland that is only now starting to become known as a tourist retreat. The forest was made famous through its inclusion for scenes in the hit movie “Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon” and it is slowly turning into a popular area for those looking to leave city life behind for a day or two.

The Anji Bamboo Forest is one of China’s biggest forests and covers an area roughly 800 hectares. Local guides help tourists navigate through the area and its numerous lakes and ponds. Restaurants and shops are plentiful outside the park, while the city of Anji boasts a number of small hotels and hostels. Getting to the forest can be an adventure in itself, with a bus ride to Anji followed by a taxi or tuk-tuk the only viable way to reach it.

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