China’s Hidden Worlds
Unreal landscapes you won’t believe exist
Watch the video: China’s Hidden Mountain Worlds | Unreal Places You Won’t Believe Exist
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•select airport or train station name of scenic spot and ctrl+C to copy it, then paste it to trip.com to check flights and trains
1
Fenghuang Ancient Town (Phoenix Ancient Town) - 凤凰古城
A stunning riverside town famous for its Diaojiaolou (wooden stilt houses) hanging over the Tuojiang River. Best Season: Spring and Autumn (morning mist is magical).
Location:Fenghuang County, Xiangxi Prefecture, Hunan Province.
Get there:Take a high-speed train to Fenghuang Gucheng Station (connected to Changsha and Zhangjiajie).
2
Wangxian Valley - 望仙谷
A valley famous for hanging houses built on cliffs that look surreal at night with warm lights, resembling a fantasy world. Best Season: All year (Night view is the main highlight).
Location:Shangrao City, Jiangxi Province.
Get there:Take a high-speed train to Shangrao Station, then a 1-hour taxi or dedicated tourist bus.
3
Yandang Mountains - 雁荡山
Known for vertical cliffs and peaks that appear to change shape depending on the viewing angle. Best Season: Spring and Autumn.
Location:Yueqing City, Wenzhou, Zhejiang Province.
Get there:Take a high-speed train to Yandangshan Station.
4
Gaoyiling - 高椅岭
A breathtaking Danxia landform with smooth, knife-edge red ridges surrounded by water. Best Season: April-October (avoid rainy days for safety).
Location:Chenzhou City, Hunan Province.
Get there:Take a high-speed train to Chenzhou West Station, then a taxi or bus.
5
Mount Emei - 峨眉山
One of the Four Sacred Buddhist Mountains; famous for the Golden Summit and sea of clouds. Best Season: Spring (Azaleas) and Autumn.
Location:Emeishan City, Leshan, Sichuan Province.
Get there:Take a high-speed train to Emeishan Station (direct from Chengdu).
6
Mount Fanjing (Fanjingshan) - 梵净山
A UNESCO site featuring the iconic Red Clouds Golden Summit, a spire split by a gorge. Best Season: Spring and Summer (a cool retreat).
Location:Tongren City, Guizhou Province.
Get there:Fly to Tongren Fenghuang Airport or take a high-speed train to Tongren South Station.
7
Langshan Scenic Area - 崀山
Spectacular Danxia red cliffs and the "Chili Peak." Best Season: Spring and Autumn.
Location:Xinning County, Shaoyang, Hunan Province.
Get there:Train to Guilin (closest major hub) or Shaoyang, then take a bus to Xinning.
8
Longmen Grottoes - 龙门石窟
Thousands of Buddhist statues carved into limestone cliffs along the Yi River. Best Season: April-May or September-October.
Location:Luoyang City, Henan Province.
Get there:Take a high-speed train to Luoyang Longmen Station.
9
Hukou Waterfall - 壶口瀑布
The largest yellow waterfall in the world, known for its thundering muddy waters. Best Season: April-May (Peach Blossom Flood) or September-November.
Location:Border of Shanxi (Linfen) and Shaanxi (Yan'an) Provinces.
Get there:Train to Linfen West or Yan'an, then take a tourist bus.
10
Zhangjiajie Wulingyuan - 张家界武陵源
The "Avatar Mountains" with quartzite-sandstone pillars and the Grand Canyon Glass Bridge. Best Season: September-October.
Location:Zhangjiajie City, Hunan Province.
Get there:Fly to Zhangjiajie Hehua Airport or take a train to Zhangjiajie West.
11
Leshan Giant Buddha - 乐山大佛
The largest stone Buddha in the world, carved into a cliff face. Best Season: Spring and Autumn.
Location:Leshan City, Sichuan Province.
Get there:Take a high-speed train to Leshan Station (from Chengdu).
12
Yungang Grottoes - 云冈石窟
Ancient Chinese Buddhist temple grottoes with distinct Indian/Central Asian artistic influences. Best Season: May-October.
Location:Datong City, Shanxi Province.
Get there:Take a high-speed train to Datong South Station.
13
Shennongjia Ecotourism Area - 神农架
A primal forest reserve famous for the legend of the "Yeren" (Wildman) and Golden Monkeys. Best Season: May-October (cool summers).
Location:Shennongjia Forestry District, Hubei Province.
Get there:Fly to Shennongjia Hongping Airport or take a high-speed train to Xingshan Station.
14
Tianshan Tianchi (Heavenly Lake) - 天山天池
An alpine lake nestled among the Tianshan Mountains, reflecting snowy peaks. Best Season: June-September (beautiful scenery) or Winter (snow).
Location:Fukang City, Changji Prefecture, Xinjiang.
Get there:Fly to Urumqi, then take a 1.5-hour drive or bus.
15
Mount Mianshan - 绵山
The birthplace of the Cold Food Festival, featuring temples built into sheer cliffs. Best Season: Spring and Autumn.
Location:Jiexiu City, Shanxi Province.
Get there:Take a high-speed train to Jiexiu East Station.
16
The Stone Forest (Shilin) - 石林
A labyrinth of limestone formations resembling a petrified forest. Best Season: All year (Kunming is the "Spring City").
Location:Shilin Yi Autonomous County, Kunming, Yunnan Province.
Get there:Take a high-speed train to Shilin West Station (from Kunming South).
17
Jiangbulake - 江布拉克
Famous for its "Golden Wheat Waves" against snowy mountains and the "Mysterious Slope." Best Season: June-August (green to golden wheat).
Location:Qitai County, Changji Prefecture, Xinjiang.
Get there:Fly to Urumqi, then a 3-4 hour drive.
18
Mount Panshan - 盘山
A royal scenic spot favored by Emperor Qianlong, known for strange pines and rocks. Best Season: Spring (peach blossoms) and Autumn.
Location:Jizhou District, Tianjin City.
Get there:Take a train to Jizhou North Station.
19
Baishishan Mountain (White Stone Mountain) - 白石山
Famous for its white marble peaks and dizziness-inducing glass skywalks. Often called "Little Huangshan." Best Season: September-October (foliage) or Summer.
Location:Laiyuan County, Baoding City, Hebei Province.
Get there:Take a train to Laiyuan Station (connects from Beijing) or drive (approx. 3 hours from Beijing).
20
Huishan Ancient Town - 惠山古镇
Known for its ancestral halls, clay figurines, and classical gardens. Best Season: April-May (Spring flowers).
Location:Wuxi City, Jiangsu Province.
Get there:Take a high-speed train to Wuxi Station.
21
Lushan West Sea - 庐山西海
An archipelago of over 1,600 islands in a crystal clear lake. Best Season: Summer (water sports) and Autumn.
Location:Jiujiang City, Jiangxi Province.
Get there:Train to Jiujiang or Nanchang, then take a bus.
22
Tianzhu Mountain - 天柱山
Dramatic granite peaks and sea of clouds; less crowded than Huangshan. Best Season: Spring and Autumn.
Location:Qianshan City, Anqing, Anhui Province.
Get there:Take a high-speed train to Tianzhushan Station.
23
World Devil City (Urho Ghost City) - 世界魔鬼城
A Yardang landform formed by wind erosion; the wind creates eerie sounds here. Best Season: August-October (less heat, beautiful sunsets).
Location:Urho District, Karamay City, Xinjiang.
Get there:Fly to Karamay Airport, then take a bus.
24
Nanxun Ancient Town - 南浔古镇
A wealthy water town blending traditional Chinese and Western architecture. Best Season: Spring (willows) and Autumn.
Location:Huzhou City, Zhejiang Province.
Get there:Take a high-speed train to Huzhou Station.
25
Mount Hua (Huashan) - 华山
One of the most dangerous hikes in the world (Plank Walk) with sheer granite faces. Best Season: April-October.
Location:Huayin City, Weinan, Shaanxi Province.
Get there:Take a high-speed train to Huashan North Station (from Xi'an).
26
Basong Cuo (Basum Tso) - 巴松措
A holy emerald-green lake with a temple on a small island. Best Season: Autumn (colorful forests).
Location:Gongbo'gyamda County, Nyingchi, Tibet.
Get there:Fly to Nyingchi Mainling Airport, then bus/car.
27
Tengchong Volcanic Hot Springs - 腾冲热海
A geothermal wonderland with the "Big Boiling Pot" and volcanic landscapes. Best Season: Winter and Spring (perfect for soaking).
Location:Tengchong City, Baoshan, Yunnan Province.
Get there:Fly to Tengchong Tuofeng Airport.
28
Aizhai Suspension Bridge - 矮寨大桥
A massive suspension bridge spanning the Dehang Grand Canyon. Best Season: Spring and Autumn.
Location:Jishou City, Xiangxi, Hunan Province.
Get there:Take a train to Jishou Station.
29
Langya Mountain - 琅琊山
Historic mountain famous for the "Pavilion of the Drunken Old Man" (Zuiweng Ting). Best Season: Summer and Autumn.
Location:Chuzhou City, Anhui Province.
Get there:Take a high-speed train to Chuzhou Station (near Nanjing).
30
Qingzhou Ancient City - 青州古城
One of the ancient "Nine Provinces" (Kyushu) with well-preserved historic streets. Best Season: Spring and Autumn.
Location:Qingzhou City, Weifang, Shandong Province.
Get there:Take a high-speed train to Qingzhou City Station.
31
Mount Song (Songshan & Shaolin Temple) - 嵩山少林寺
The Central Sacred Mountain, home to the Shaolin Temple and Pagoda Forest. Best Season: Spring and Autumn.
Location:Dengfeng City, Zhengzhou, Henan Province.
Get there:Train to Zhengzhou or Luoyang, then bus to Dengfeng.
32
Zhagana - 扎尕那
A hidden stone city and Tibetan village surrounded by rock walls; "God's Eden." Best Season: June-September (green meadows).
Location:Diebu County, Gannan Prefecture, Gansu Province.
Get there:Fly to Lanzhou or Gannan Xiahe Airport, then bus/car (long drive).
33
Tashi Dor (Namtso Lake) - 纳木错扎西半岛
A peninsula jutting into the holy Namtso Lake, featuring prayer flags and caves. Best Season: June-September (lake is not frozen).
Location:Damxung County, Lhasa, Tibet.
Get there:Drive from Lhasa (approx. 4-5 hours).
34
Zhada Earth Forest (Zanda Clay Forest) - 札达土林
A vast canyon landscape of eroded sediment resembling castles and ruins. Best Season: Spring and Autumn.
Location:Zanda County, Ngari Prefecture, Tibet.
Get there:Fly to Ngari Gunsa Airport, then drive (remote).
35
Yubeng Village - 雨崩村
A secluded paradise at the foot of Meili Snow Mountain, accessible only by hiking or jeep. Best Season: October (Autumn colors) or May (Spring flowers).
Location:Deqin County, Diqing, Yunnan Province.
Get there:Fly to Shangri-La, bus to Feilai Temple, then hike or take a jeep.
36
Cuona Lake (Tsonag Lake) - 措那湖
The world's highest freshwater lake, visible from the Qinghai-Tibet Railway. Best Season: Summer (green grass).
Location:Amdo County, Nagqu, Tibet.
Get there:Viewable from the Qinghai-Tibet Train; stops at Amdo station.
37
Amne Machin (An Men) - 阿尼玛卿
A sacred snow mountain for Tibetans, offering a stunning trekking route (kora). Best Season: July-August (warmest).
Location:Maqin County, Golog Prefecture, Qinghai Province.
Get there:Drive from Xining (approx. 6-8 hours).
38
Baima Snow Mountain - 白马雪山
Famous for its primeval forests and the endangered Yunnan snub-nosed monkey. Best Season: Summer (rhododendrons) and Autumn.
Location:Deqin County, Diqing, Yunnan Province.
Get there:Drive from Shangri-La towards Deqin.
39
Yulong Snow Mountain (Jade Dragon) - 玉龙雪山
A snowy mountain massif towering over Lijiang, with the Blue Moon Valley at its base. Best Season: Winter (clearest views) and Spring.
Location:Yulong County, Lijiang, Yunnan Province.
Get there:Fly to Lijiang Sanyi Airport, then bus/taxi.
40
Yan Cave (Likely Yanzi Cave) - 燕子洞
Often associated with "Wildman" legends; massive limestone caves. Best Season: Summer (cool inside).
Location:Likely Jianshi County, Enshi, Hubei (or Shennongjia area).
Get there:Take a train to Enshi, then bus.
41
Tianchi Crater (Changbai Mountain) - 长白山天池
A dormant volcanic crater lake on the border of China and North Korea. Best Season: July-August (flowers) or Winter (snow sports).
Location:Antu County, Yanbian, Jilin Province.
Get there:Fly to Changbaishan Airport.
42
Zhaosu Ice Valley (Zhaosu Yuchu) - 昭苏玉湖
Stunning glacier landscapes and blue ice formations (likely referring to the Xiata Glacier/Trail area). Best Season: Winter (for ice features) or Summer (for the surrounding rapeseed fields).
Location:Zhaosu County, Ili Kazakh Autonomous Prefecture, Xinjiang.
Get there:Fly to Zhaosu Tianma Airport (newly opened) or Yining Airport, then drive.
43
Xuebao Mountain (Xuebaoshan) - 雪宝山
An alpine forest park known for its pristine snow scenes in winter and cool meadows in summer. Best Season: Winter (Snow) or Summer (Escape heat).
Location:Kaizhou District, Chongqing Municipality.
Get there:Take a high-speed train to Wanzhou North Station, then bus to Kaizhou/Xuebao Mountain.
44
Mount Minya Konka (Gongga Shan) - 贡嘎山
The "King of Sichuan Mountains," highly challenging for climbers and photogenic from afar. Best Season: October-November (clear skies).
Location:Kangding, Garze Prefecture, Sichuan Province.
Get there:Fly to Chengdu, then drive to Kangding/Xinduqiao.
45
Baishuitai (White Water Terraces) - 白水台
Natural limestone terraces filled with water, resembling Pamukkale in Turkey. Best Season: Spring and Autumn.
Location:Sanba Township, Shangri-La, Yunnan Province.
Get there:Take a Bus/Car from Shangri-La City (approx. 3 hours).
46
Nyingchi Pine Forest - 林芝鲁朗林海
Often called the "Swiss Alps of Tibet" with peach blossoms in spring and colorful forests in autumn. Best Season: March-April (Peach Festival) or September-October.
Location:Nyingchi Prefecture, Tibet.
Get there:Fly to Nyingchi Mainling Airport.
47
Gemu Goddess Mountain - 格姆女神山
The sacred mountain overlooking Lugu Lake, accessible by cable car. Best Season: Summer and Autumn.
Location:Lugu Lake, Ninglang County, Yunnan/Sichuan border.
Get there:Fly to Ninglang Luguhu Airport.
48
Dagu Glacier - 达古冰川
A rare modern mountain glacier with a cable car taking you to 4860m. Best Season: Autumn (colorful forest below, snow above) and Winter.
Location:Heishui County, Aba Prefecture, Sichuan Province.
Get there:Drive from Chengdu (approx. 5-6 hours).
49
Ruo'ergai Swamp (Zoige Wetland) - 若尔盖湿地
One of China's largest high-altitude wetlands, featuring the "First Bend of the Yellow River." Best Season: June-August (wildflowers).
Location:Ruo'ergai County, Aba Prefecture, Sichuan Province.
Get there:Drive from Chengdu or fly to Hongyuan Airport.
50
Hoh Xil (Kekexili) - 可可西里
A vast, unpopulated high-altitude reserve known for Tibetan Antelopes. Best Season: Summer (migratory season) - Note: Strict entry restrictions apply.
Location:Yushu Prefecture, Qinghai Province.
Get there:The Qinghai-Tibet Railway passes through; usually viewed from the train or driving on G109 highway.