1. Everest Base Camp
Photo Does
Mount Everest really need any explanation? Zhu Feng, Qiongmo Lama,
Everest –regardless of what you call it, it’s still the tallest mountain
in the world, and it looms as large as you would expect. Visiting it
from the Tibet-China side might have its challenges (i.e. the road from
Lhasa to base camp is not the smoothest ride but has improved
considerably), but it offers a sight that only a small percentage of
people in the world will ever see. If you have the time and the stamina
to get there – definitely make the trip. Base camp itself makes an
interesting setting when chatting with climbers and sherpas while
sipping sweet milk tea. Some people opt to stay at the monastery below
the camp, while others choose Tibetan-style tent lodging. Both have
their own appeal.2. Suzhou Gardens
If you’re looking for some of the most beautiful places to visit in China then skip Shanghai and go straight for Suzhou. Just as you’d expect from “Venice of China” Suzhou is a city filled with canals and gardens. Enjoying a boat ride through the canal system is a great way to pass the time on an afternoon, but Suzhou’s gardens are the main attraction of the city. Meticulously Feng Shui, the gardens are calm, relaxing and pure. They are cultivated to perfection and are peacefully beautiful, offering a uniquely Chinese experience.
3. Lake Nam
PhotoLake
Nam (Namtso in Tibetan, literally meaning “Heavenly Lake”) is the
largest lake in the Tibet Autonomous Region and the highest saltwater
lake in the world. At an elevation of 4,718 meters, it is quite the
sight to see. Vast and blue, this salt lake is surrounded by looming
mountains and nomads herding their yak. Tibetans visit the site for its
spiritual value, but tourists who make the pilgrimage to the lake will
not be disappointed. I have visited the lake twice, once when it was
entirely frozen-over and once in warmer temperatures. Whether frozen or
flowing, the lake is as blue as the Tibetan sky and absolutely stunning.
Take your camping gear if the weather is warm enough or find lodging at
local Tibetan homestays.4. The Great Wall
Photo
No list of China’s most beautiful locations would be complete without
the Great Wall. It’s easily one of the most popular places to visit in
China which is not only a significant historical and cultural icon, but
it’s also a gorgeous structure that stretches for 3,889.5 miles. Take a
day hike on any number of wall sections or ride the cable car up and
then try the alpine slide down! Regardless of how you scale the
structure, it is an intriguing area that could be explored for weeks.5. Eastern Tibet and Lake Basam (or Draksum Tso)
Eastern
Tibet is one of those places that is so spectacularly beautiful – and
yet so little-known by the world – it’s almost ridiculous. Lack of
access and poor infrastructure make it difficult to get to, but worth
the expense of both time and money. Even in a majestic place like Tibet,
it stands out in beauty and intrigue. Unlike the high desert terrain of
central Tibet, Eastern Tibet is at a slightly lower altitude and is
lush and green. The pine-forest landscape is a striking contrast to the
dry, brown mountains of central Tibet. It’s still high enough to offer
some spectacular mountains but low enough to support the forested
ecosystem. If you are looking for places to visit in Tibet then the road
to Lake Basam will take you passed a number of glacier-covered
mountains and into the thick pine forest. The lake itself is clear and
beautiful, surrounded by pristine forest and impressive mountains.
Lodging around the lake is simple but adequate. You will not find
foreign-owned, Western-standard hotels in this area. Most of the
amenities are catered to the Chinese tourist but are perfectly adequate
for the Western traveler.6. Lijiang
As featured onThe Amazing Race,
Lijiang is a cobblestone-street-filled city that has a special appeal
unlike any other place in China. Spend time wandering through the lanes
and alleys of the old town to appreciate the best of the city. Stop and
watch a Naxi group dance in the street or relax at a café and sip some
coffee. The old town has an interesting beauty of its own, but if that’s
not enough for you, in the distance looms Jade Dragon Snow Mountain.
Just a short drive from the old town, you can take a cable car all the
way to the top of the mountain to enjoy the views.7. Tiger-Leaping Gorge
Photo A
short drive from Lijiang brings you to yet another of the most
beautiful places to visit in China – Tiger Leaping Gorge. As “China’s
Grand Canyon”, the gorge is considered one of the deepest canyons in the
world. Local folklore attributes the name to a tiger that once leaped
over the gorge at its narrowest point. Tiger or not, the gorge is
spectacular, and the trail through the mountains above it is one of the
best natural dirt hiking trails in China. Getting a good view of the
gorge from above is worth the 3-day hike, not to mention the views of
Jade Dragon Snow Mountain and other surrounding peaks. For accommodation
choose one of the Guesthouses in one of the nearby villages.8. Mount Gongga
Western
Sichuan, an area that at one time was still considered part of Tibet,
has the third highest peak outside of the Himalaya/Karakoram. Mount
Gongga, sitting at just under 25,000 ft., was once misidentified as the
tallest mountain in the world. It looms far above vast valleys roamed by
Tibetan and Minyak nomads. On a clear day, Gongga’s perfect-shaped peak
can be seen from the valleys that lay below. But consider being
satisfied with a view from below – the peak is a notoriously dangerous
one to summit. The sight of Mount Gongga is not the only attraction in
the area. I can highly recommend living among the nomads for a few days.
Experiencing the local hospitality and resourceful lifestyle will leave
a lasting impression on you.9. Kangding
Kangding
is an excellent launch-point for a trip to Gongga Shan but is an
incredibly beautiful city within itself. Situated in a steep valley,
Kangding winds its way between lovely Paoma Shan and other surrounding
peaks. Kangding, sitting at 8,400 ft. is not quite as high as most of
the Tibet Autonomous Region, so hiking feels more like hiking in
Colorado. Green and pretty, Kangding is a place to stay and relax after
trekking through the rugged Tibetan terrain. With almost a European
charm, Kangding offers a tranquil environment with some great scenery to
boot. A river curves through the center of town and fine accommodations
can be found throughout the city. A cable-car can also be taken up
Mount Poama if your legs are sore from too much hiking. Kangding
definitely has a romantic flavor – no wonder it inspired a famous
Chinese love song.10. Xinjiang
I
personally think Xinjiang warrants an entire list of its own. There’s a
lot of Xinjiang I have yet to see, but this list would be regrettably
incomplete were Xinjiang not to be represented at all. I have visited
Xinjiang’s capital (Urumqi) and nearby Turpan, but Xinjiang’s true
beauty lay beyond these places. Urumqi is a fairly traditional Chinese
city, though it offers delicious cuisine and an introduction to Uigher
culture. Turpan is also an interesting visit, full of ancient ruins and
local fruit. But Xinjiang is a whole world to be explored – especially
the Gobi Desert. This an area unlike any other terrain within the
borders of China.
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