China, vast and magnificent, is home to countless natural wonders and breathtaking landscapes. Every traveler holds a different image of China’s beauty, but according to National Geographic China, these ten destinations capture the essence of the country’s most enchanting scenery — from emerald lakes and snow-capped mountains to misty villages and ancient forests.
1. Jiuzhaigou Valley, Sichuan
Often hailed as “a fairyland on Earth”, Jiuzhaigou is one of China’s most iconic natural reserves. Surrounded by snow-capped peaks, this UNESCO World Heritage site is known for its crystal-clear turquoise lakes, cascading waterfalls, and lush forests. With wooden bridges, ancient Tibetan villages, and reflections of autumnal colors, Jiuzhaigou is like stepping into a dreamlike watercolor painting.
2. Daocheng Yading, Sichuan
Known as “the last pure land on the blue planet”, Daocheng Yading is one of China’s most untouched alpine ecosystems. Its sacred snow mountains, tranquil valleys, and mirror-like lakes make it a spiritual sanctuary. The scenery is so surreal that many call it “the real Shangri-La” — a paradise where nature remains pure and untouched.
3. Huangshan (Yellow Mountain), Anhui
Huangshan, or Yellow Mountain, is considered the most beautiful mountain in China, famed for its “Five Wonders” — peculiarly shaped pine trees, strange rocks, sea of clouds, hot springs, and winter snow. Poets, painters, and philosophers have long found inspiration here. As Ming dynasty explorer Xu Xiake once said, “After seeing Huangshan, no other mountains are worth seeing.”
4. Wuyuan, Jiangxi
Praised as “China’s most beautiful countryside”, Wuyuan is famous for its rolling green hills, terraced fields, and misty morning scenery. Its white-walled, grey-tiled Hui-style architecture, ancient bridges, and flowing rivers reflect the poetic charm of rural China. When spring arrives and rapeseed flowers bloom, the entire valley becomes a sea of gold under the soft sunlight.
5. Zhangjiajie Wulingyuan, Hunan
Zhangjiajie’s Wulingyuan Scenic Area is a UNESCO World Heritage site known for its towering sandstone pillars, numbering in the thousands. This breathtaking landscape inspired the floating “Hallelujah Mountains” in Avatar. Visitors can walk along glass bridges suspended over deep canyons or take in panoramic views of the “Three Thousand Peaks and Eight Hundred Streams” — a natural wonder unlike anywhere else on Earth.
6. Li River, Guangxi
The Li River between Guilin and Yangshuo is celebrated worldwide for its karst mountains and tranquil waters. Known as “the most beautiful river under heaven”, it flows like a jade ribbon through green peaks and limestone cliffs. The scenery resembles a traditional Chinese ink painting — serene, poetic, and timeless. Spring and early summer, when mist drifts over the river, are the most enchanting times to visit.
7. Ejina Populus Euphratica Forest, Inner Mongolia
In the golden autumn of Ejina, the poplar trees (Populus euphratica) transform the desert into a palette of fiery gold and amber. Against a deep blue sky, these resilient trees create one of China’s most spectacular autumn scenes. The contrast between the arid land and vibrant foliage is nothing short of magical — a true photographer’s paradise.
8. Huanglong Scenic Area, Sichuan
Huanglong is China’s best-preserved high-altitude wetland ecosystem, renowned for its colorful calcified pools, snow-capped peaks, and ancient temples. Its turquoise terraces, formed by thousands of years of mineral deposits, shimmer under sunlight like a dragon’s scales — earning it the nickname “the Fairyland on Earth.”
9. Kanas Lake, Xinjiang
“Kanas” means “beautiful and mysterious lake” in Mongolian. Surrounded by snow-capped mountains, dense forests, and grasslands, this region changes dramatically with the seasons — golden in autumn, silvery in winter. Local legends, ancient rock paintings, and the unique culture of the Tuva people add cultural depth to this mesmerizing natural wonder.
10. Shennongjia Forest Region, Hubei
Shennongjia is the only site in China recognized by UNESCO under three designations — Biosphere Reserve, World Geopark, and World Heritage Site. It boasts vast forests, waterfalls, karst caves, and rare wildlife. With geological formations dating back to the Precambrian era, Shennongjia is often described as “a place one must see at least once in a lifetime.”
References
- National Geographic China, “Top 10 Most Beautiful Places in China”
- UNESCO World Heritage Centre
- China National Tourism Administration
