updated in September 2020

When I was a kid, I loved Chinese landscape paintings. I could spend hours examining the few reproductions that my parents had at home. I told my dad that one day I would love to visit China. But where in China? my father asked. Good question! One that you have probably asked yourself too when thinking of traveling to China. And it is a fair question, because after all the “Middle Kingdom” is really huge.

Most people who visit China, start their trip in Beijing. They move forward to Shanghai, or fly to Guilin, before stopping in Hong Kong. While we also appreciated the serene landscapes of Guilin and Yangshuo, and loved hiking on the Great Wall in Beijing, we much preferred the lesser-known destinations in China.

So, together with our fellow travel bloggers, we would like to share with you these off-the-beaten-path destinations in China.

1. The Bingling Thousand Buddha Caves in Lanzhou, Gansu

By Mei and Kerstin

Of all the places we explored during our trip along the Ancient Silk Road in China, the Bingling Thousand Buddha Caves was one of the most unexpected highlights.

Located about 2 hours from Lanzhou, the Bingling Caves can only be reached by speed boat via the Liujiaxia Reservoir. And boats only circulate in summer and early autumn… the site is therefore quite remote. So needless to say, only a few travelers venture out to explore these grottoes cut into sheer cliff, and which were built between the 3rd and 18th centuries.

In total, there are more than 200 cave niches with Buddhist frescoes, carvings and stone or clay sculptures dating back to 420 AD. And each alcove is like a miniature temple filled with Buddhist imagery. At the end of the stone way along the cave niches, a 27 meter-high Buddha statue dominates the front of the caves sculpture. And next to it, a narrow wooden staircase leads to more niches high above at the top of the cliffs, which hold the most ancient stone carvings of the site..

The climb to the top of the site is quite strenuous, for the narrow stairs soon turn into ladders that creak at each step. But when you reach the summit, the well-preserved frescoes and relief sculptures will literally take your breath away! 

2. Gyantse in Western Tibet

By James at Travel Collecting

The Gyantse in western Tibet is well off the beaten path. But it also has one the most important monasteries and one of the most impressive fortresses in all of Tibet. The Palcho Monastery’s most famous feature is the Pango Chorten, the largest chorten (stupa) in Tibet.  It is dark inside the main hall. And the pungent smell of yak butter, ubiquitous throughout Tibet, hangs in the air.

The best time to visit Tibet is June-August because the weather is more hospitable then. And this is also the best chance to see the Palcho Monastery monks creating large sand mandalas on the monastery floor.  They spend several days pouring colored sand into intricate geometric patterns. Then sweep them away a few days later.  This symbolizes life and the short time we are here on earth. It also makes witnessing this event even more special.  The multi-layered monastery is beautiful and dominates one end of town.

The center of town, however, is dominated by Gyantse Dzong, the 13th century fortress that sits atop a rocky outcrop rising straight up from street level.  There is a small museum in the fortress – worth a short visit – but the views of the fortress from town are especially dramatic.

It is only possible to travel into Tibet on an organized tour.  Trains, buses and planes go into Tibet’s capital Lhasa. And from there, a minivan will take you to Gyantse (most likely via Shigatse). The drive is at least 6 hours. Gyantse is not easy to get to, but it is totally worth it when you get there.

3. The Tiger Leaping Gorge in Yunnan

By Nikki & Michelle from Cheeky Passports 

The Tiger Leaping Gorge in Yunnan has to be one of the best hiking routes in China. Not only is it a great workout for those who love the outdoors, but it is also blessed with amazing vistas and wonderful spots in which to relax along the way.

The best way of accessing the starting point of the hike is to go to the city of Lijiang in Yunnan. From here you can find public or private transport to Qiaotou, a small town where the trail starts. You can also get to Qiaotou from Shangri-La.

The trekking route can be hiked in 1-2 days by those who are very fit and do not intend stopping much along the way. Or in a more leisurely manner in 2-3 days. The third day itinerary would include going right down to the gorge and climbing back up via a series of ‘sky ladders’ (not recommended for those who suffer from vertigo!).

Most people of moderate fitness levels can hike the Tiger Leaping Gorge although the notorious part of the trail, which consists of a never-ending ‘28 bends’ is rather challenging!  There are several guesthouses along the way, which cater to trekkers, providing hot meals and a cozy room for the night. You can usually turn up without booking ahead, so that you can stop to rest at whatever part of the trail is most convenient!

4. The Labrang Monastery in Xiahe, Gansu

By Mei and Kerstin

Located on the southern part of Gansu Province, the Labrang Monastery is home to one of the six most important temples of Gelugpa, also known as the Yellow Hat Sect of Tibetan Buddhism.

Founded in 1709, the Labrang Monastery consists of six great grand halls dedicated to the study of scriptures or sutras, numerous temples and the monks’ residences, intricately interwoven. The most interesting part of Labrang Monastery is however the 3,5 km long corridor of prayer wheels that surrounds the whole building. It’s actually the longest prayer wheel path in the world. And pilgrims who come to the monastery in the early morning, first walk this sacred way clockwise and spin each prayer wheel, before going into the monastery. When all the prayer wheels are spun at the same time, the sound is totally awe-inspiring!

By the way, isn’t it amazing that to become a doctor, the monks have to study medicine for 15 years, but to become a philosopher they have to study for 25 years?

5. Yao Minority in Guangdong

By Krasen from Journey beyond Horizon

Guandgong Province is well known mainly with its high-developed area around Pearl River Delta, including the mega cities of Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Dongguan, Zhongshan and Zhuhai, as well as the two famous Special Administrative Regions Hong Kong and Macao. But if you go north of this area, to the northern cities Qingyuan and Shaoguan, you can find a very different Guangdong.

Qingyuan is the northernmost city of the high-developed urban area. From here to the north, the views change significantly. You enter into a land of mountains, small remote villages, rice terraces, deep subtropical and bamboo forests, and canyons. Further north, a new fairy landscape begins – the limestone (karst) hills of Yingxi, of the same kind as the famous Guilin. Proceed more to the north, and you will enter the land of Yao minority, in the counties of Liannan and Lianzhou.

Yao minority is considered one of the oldest inhabitants of South China, along with some minorities like Zhuang, Miao and others. Most of Yao live in Guangxi and Guizhou provinces. But their easternmost branch is settled here, in the northernmost part of Guangdong.

There are some tourist destinations, especially presenting the culture of Yao. The most notable of them is “Qian Nian Yao Zhai” (Thousand Years of Yao village). This village is situated on a hill with stunning views to the endless limestone mountains area. There you can enjoy not only the native environment of Yao, but also their culture, folklore performance and artifacts. Entrance fee: 60 CNY.

But since it is a tourist attraction, if you are looking for something natural and virgin, you can go to many other villages around Liannan, from which I would notice Youling village.

There are buses from Guangzhou to Liannan, few times every day. Then from Liannan town you can take a local bus or taxi to the nearby villages, including Qian Nian Yao Zhai. Or you can join a one-day trip by travel company from Guangzhou or Qingyuan.

6. Turpan in Xinjiang

By Mei and Kerstin

The city of Turpan is located in the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region, in the westernmost part of China. The province borders Mongolia, Russia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Pakistan, Afghanistan and India. Xinjiang is not only the largest province of China, but also one that has the largest number of ethnic minorities. Some locals look Chinese, but most of them are just “different”. Are they Indians? Mongolians? Kazhaks? Hard to say… alone in Turpan, there are 14 different ethnic groups, the most important one being the Uyghur, which represent 75% of the population in this city.

Due to the “Xinjiang conflict”, we must admit that we didn’t feel very safe in Xinjiang. But we don’t regret having visited Turpan. From the archaeological site of Jiaohe – the world’s oldest and best preserved city of raw-earth buildings-, to the 18th century’s old Emin Minaret, everything we saw in Turpan was worth the trip. Even if you are not into archaeology, you might want to visit the Bezeklik Caves. Located on the west cliffs of the valley of the reputed Flaming Mountains, which figure in the famous legend Journey to the West, the Bezeklik Buddha Caves were excavated from the 5th to the 14th centuries under the Uyghur Gaochang Kingdom.

7. Chengdu in Sichuan

By Elaine & David from Show them the Globe

The capital of southwest China’s Sichuan Province, Chengdu is one of China’s most populated cities and is renowned for the Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding, as well as its teahouse culture and awesome Sichuan food.

The highlight of a trip to Chengdu is undoubtedly the Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding. Around 2,000 giant pandas remain in the wild in the remote, mountainous regions of central China. And a trip to the Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding provides a rare opportunity to see the giant panda in its natural habitat. It’s incredible to watch the pandas munching on bamboo and rolling around their enclosures. While the new-born pandas instantly capture visitors’ hearts in the panda nursery.

A visit to an open-air tea house is a must before indulging in the local cuisine: a super spicy Chengdu hotpot is our favourite! Tea pouring is a work of art in Chengdu and is often accompanied by an ear cleaning service offered by the teahouse master.

Chengdu is also a great base from which to visit the UNESCO World Heritage designated Leshan Giant Buddha, located an 80 minute train ride from Chengdu. The Huanglongxi ancient town and Qingcheng Mountain are other great day trips.

Chengdu is a three hour flight from Beijing and Shanghai and is also easily accessible by train from the two cities. March to June and September to November are the most popular times to visit while the heavy rainfall during July and August deters many visitors. The pandas are most playful when the temperatures are lower.

8. Zhangye Danxia National Geopark, Gansu

By Mei and Kerstin

You have certainly heard of the Rainbow Mountain in Peru. But did you know that there’s also a rainbow mountain in China? Located in Zhangye, where Marco Polo started his journey to the East in 1274, this “Chinese” rainbow mountain has become a tourist attraction only about 10 years ago. And mainly thanks to the famous Chinese film director Zhang Yimou…

In fact, parts of these colorful mountains belonged to a farmer named Mr. Lei. One day a photographer passed by and asked Mr. Lei if he could take pictures of these special landforms. The farmer agreed and even guided the photographer to other more colorful spots. Once the photographer went back home, he showed his pictures to his friends. Soon, more photographers came to Zhangye, and shared pictures of this exceptional mountain area on the Internet and in national magazines.

According to our local guide in Zhangye, the film director Zhang Yimou must have seen these pictures and decided to shoot a movie in the Rainbow Mountains. Mr. Lei didn’t know nor really care who Zhang Yimou was. He let the film director shoot his movie under one condition: never walk on or destroy the Rainbow Mountains. Today this Geological Park is one of the most scenic spots in Zhangye!

9. Lhasa in Tibet

By Talek from Travels with Talek

Lhasa, the capital of Tibet is a remarkable place of ancient customs and natural beauty. It is not only physically remote and challenging to get to, it is also politically remote. Tibet is an autonomous region of China where political issues have flared up periodically.  As a result, the Chinese government implements controls on tourism. The requirements for entry into Tibet change occasionally. So people interested in visiting need to be aware of the most recent regulations. I was fortunate to travel to Lhasa with a group of Chinese tourists who happily welcomed me into their group.

There are several ways to get to Lhasa by train or car. Our group entered from the north-east and drove in a caravan across central China to Lhasa.  The trip took about three days.

Once in Lhasa, you must visit the number one attraction, Potala Palace. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site that started in 1645 and consisting of two separate palaces. The White Palace houses the religious leaders’ tombs; and the Red Palace is used for religious purposes. You have to climb 2,564 steps to get to the palace, which is now a museum over 1000 rooms full of fascinating articles.

The other top Lhasa attraction is Barkhor Street, a circular street in the center of the city. The local custom is that people walk on this street in a clockwise direction circling the Jokhang Temple, an important religious site.

Watching the people on this street is a unique experience. This is a holy site and the faithful perform religious observances in full view. The local Tibetans drag themselves on the street towards Jokhang Temple with padding attached to their knees and wood slabs protecting their hands. Exploring this street with its shops and restaurants is a fascinating experience in Lhasa.

10. The Dragon’s Backbone in Longsheng, Guanxi

By Mei and Kerstin

Located only 2 hours away from Guilin, Longsheng is mostly famous for its rice terraces. They are also called Longji Rice Terraces or the “Dragon’s Backbone”, because the summit of the mountainous rice terraces looks like a dragon’s backbone. These terraced fields date back to the Yuan Dynasty (1271-1368). And today, rice in Longsheng is still harvested by the local ethnic groups.

There are in fact more than 10 ethnic groups in Longsheng. But the Yao, the Zhuang, the Miao and the Dong are the best-known ethnic minorities in the area. The Yao women are recognizable by their very long hair that they never cut, whereas the Zhuang ladies usually wear embroidered towels as headwear.

When we were hiking through the misty rice terraces from one little village to another, we met several people from different ethnic groups. We barely heard them from afar, and suddenly they walked past us, carrying fruits or vegetables in a woven basket on their back. If you wish to get to know the ethnic minorities better, it’s best to spend a day or two on your own in small villages, such as Ping’An, or Huangluo Yao Village also called the “Long Hair Village”. There we even saw some Yao women washing their long hair along the riverbanks. One of them even told us that her hair is more than 1 meter long!

The best time to hike the Longsheng Rice Terraces is said to be Spring or Autumn. But with the actual climate change, it really depends of your luck! We visited in November, supposedly the best time weather-wise, but it was quite foggy and rainy. Despite the bad weather, it did clear up a few times. And when it did, the views of the rice terraces were simply breath-taking! And definitely worth the 5-hour-hike!

11. Mount Huashan in Xi’an

By Claire from Claire’s Footsteps

Mount Huashan, located about three hours from the ancient capital of Xi’an, is a great off the beaten path thing to do in China. It’s actually got a reputation for being the most dangerous mountain in China. Although this isn’t strictly accurate, as it only refers to one part of the mountain.

This is the ‘plank walk’, where hikers are strapped into a harness and must tentatively navigate their way along a very small plank suspended on the edge of a sheer cliff. It’s definitely adrenaline pumping. But it isn’t a necessary part of hiking around the mountain, so don’t worry if it’s not for you!

Still, some parts of hiking in Huashan aren’t for the faint hearted. Hikers will find themselves having to climb up and down ladders on a few occasions. And if you decide to climb up rather than take the cable car (although most people do take the cable car), you’ll find a few obstacles along the way.

Huashan is a great spot to enjoy the scenery, see the distinct terrain of the mountains and interestingly, visit temples. The mountain is actually one of the holiest mountains in China, with plenty of Taoist places of worship to admire and photograph.

It’s possible as a day trip from Xi’an but to make the most out of your time, you can stay in Huashan Village. Visiting this mountain is certainly a must-do on any thrill seeker’s China itinerary.

12. Shangri-La’s Napa Lake in Yunnan

By Pashmina from The Gone Goat

Imagine rolling hills and a wide stretch of asphalt as you bike your way through Shangri-La’s famous Napa Hai Nature reserve. Situated at 3,270 metres above sea level, and approximately 8km northwest of Shangri-La, this is a well-kept secret in China’s Tibetan Valley.

You’ll find yourself surrounded alongside horses, pig and cows grazing in the field and stumbling across Tibetan people who are going about their day in the mystical land called Shangri-La or the lost horizon.

China’s secret landscapes are a traveller’s dream. The lake fills up a valley surrounded on three sides by mountains usually covered in snow during winter and springtime. The best time to visit is between February and May when it is cool and the sky is deliriously blue.

Spend the day cycling and take a break to ride a horse, eat yak yoghurt and stay in a yurt. The closest town is Shangri-La, the ancient Tibetan village where you can also visit the Potatso National Park, or spend time in the Old Town. Only just a handful of streets managed to survive the January 2014 fire that reduced most of the old town to ashes. But you’ll notice a mix of cobbled lanes and renovated wooden buildings that showcase the charms of Shangri-La’s old town.

The easiest way to get to Shangri-La is to take a train from Kunming to Dali / Lijiang. And then take a bus from Lijiang to Shangri-La.

13. The Overhanging Great Wall in Jiayuguan, Gansu

By Mei and Kerstin

The construction of the Great Wall of China started in the 7th century BC, and was carried out throughout almost 2000 years. With a total of about 25.000 km, this high-scale defense system stretched from Lintao in the west to Liaodong in the east. But the Great Wall was in fact not just “one” wall, but many sections that were linked together. The most famous and visited section of the Chinese Great Wall is course the one located north of Beijing. But the section that we found as the most interesting one is located in Jiayugian in Gansu Province, an important city along the Ancient Silk Road.

Also built during the Ming Dynasty, the Great Wall in Jiayuguan looks quite different from the section in Beijing. Because the walls are so steep and look like hanging in the air, the Jiayuguan Great Wall is called the “Overhanging Great Wall”. From afar, it looks like a dried mud maze that zigzags its way up a stark desert mountain. And we must admit that he steep climb was rather tough with the blazing heat!

The Jiayuguan Pass, a towering mud fortress, which rises out of the desert like a mirage, is another site that one should not miss when visiting Jiayuguan. Under the Ming Dynasty, it was called the “First Pass Under Heaven”. And whoever wanted to enter or leave China at that time had to go through this pass to get a “visa”.

14. Wuzhen Water Town in Zhejiang

By Constance from The Adventures of Panda Bear

Wuzhen, a famous ancient water town, is an amazing off the beaten path place to visit in China. The scenic water town is part of the town of Tongxiang and is located in the Zhejiang Province, a stone’s throw away from larger cities such as Shanghai, Hangzhou, and Suzhou.

The beauty of Wuzhen has been depicted throughout history in poetry, paintings, and today’s modern age, in photos all over the internet. Aside from being beautifully scenic, the town is quite historical. Wuzhen is approximately 1,300 years old and was founded in 872 AD. It is known for its Ming and Qing dynasty buildings.

Be sure to explore the narrow alleyways of the town, check out the museums, and sample delicious street food! The two best museums in Wuzhen include the Residence of Mao Dun, a famous poet who grew up in the town, and the Indigo Tapestry workshop, a cloth factory. The museums are amazing to see and provide you with historical insight to the town.

For delectable street food, try the famous fried stinky tofu, dried tofu, Chinese crepes, and roasted chestnuts. These local snacks are sure to keep your bellies happy and full!

The best time to visit is typically in April or October when the weather is milder. However any time is a good time to check out Wuzhen. To get there from Shanghai, take the intercity bus from the Shanghai South Bus Station to Wuzhen Bus Station, then take the local bus K350 to the Wuzhen West Scenic Area.

15. The Ancient Village of Daxu, Guanxi

By Mei from Travel with Mei & Kerstin

Daxu is another typically Chinese village that we visited in Guanxi. Located only 20 kilometres south of Guilin, this little Chinese village founded during the Qing Dynasty (221-207 BC) still has lots of well-preserved ancient buildings and paved bluestone streets. For history buffs and ancient architecture lovers like us, Daxu is a true gem! And a must-visit spot if you’re in or around Guilin.

When we arrived in the village in the morning, we were the only people walking in the streets. Behind a corner, we then saw a few locals chatting. They stopped talking, looked at us, especially at Kerstin, and wondered if we were lost. When they understood that we were just travelers, they turned around and kept talking to each other. On the streets lay bits and pieces of bright red papers. And red lanterns hung along the facades of the streets. Ling, our guide, explained that there was probably a wedding…

We then head to Wanshou Bridge – or Longevity Bridge. Built during the Ming Dynasty between 14th and 17th century, it’s entirely made of stone and looked like it would fall apart if we stepped on it. But it survived for so many centuries, so why would it crumble now?

Exploring well-preserved ancient houses dating back to the Ming or Qing Dynasties was another great experience in Daxu. We wandered around the little courtyards on our own. Examined the wonderful wooden furniture inside the houses, and felt like traveling back in time. Being the only people visiting these historical buildings, we were not even sure if they were private or open to visitors. But since no one was there, we kept strolling around.

Before leaving town, we were stopped by a very friendly old local man. He invited us to visit his humble house. And showed us with enthusiasm many – if not all – of his instruments, artifacts and even his fishing gear. He’s a local who grew up in Daxu, and always had new ideas how to turn used old gadgets into new tools. When he learned that I speak some Chinese, he talked even more. Now thinking back, I wonder if he’s still alive. If you ever visit Daxu, make sure to pay him a visit!

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