Three Pagodas, Dali, Yunnan: The oldest of these three Buddhist towers dates back to the mid-ninth century. At 69 meters and 16 stories high, it was a “skyscraper” for the Tang Dynasty and is still the tallest pagoda in China.
Three Pagodas, Dali, Yunnan: The oldest of these three Buddhist towers dates back to the mid-ninth century. At 69 meters and 16 stories high, it was a “skyscraper” for the Tang Dynasty and is still the tallest pagoda in China.
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Mount Huangshan, Anhui: Renowned for its oddly shaped pines, spectacular rock formations and seas of misty clouds, Mount Huangshan is a once-in-a-lifetime trek for many Chinese.
Wuyuan, Jiangxi: Colorful blossoms and a relaxed, countrified pace attract hundreds of thousands of visitors to this small county each spring.
Yungang Grottoes, Shanxi: This 1,500-year-old landmark houses 252 caves and more than 51,000 Buddha statues of different styles and sizes — the tallest stands 17 meters, the tiniest two centimeters.
Potala Palace, Tibet: Standing 3,700 meters above sea level, the former winter home of the Dalai Lama is the highest palace on the planet. It’s now a state museum.
Echoing Sand Mountain and Crescent Lake, Dunhuang, Gansu: Echoing Sand Mountain is a series of dunes surrounding Crescent Lake. Named for its distinctive shape and aural characteristics, its echoes can be heard as the wind blows over the dunes.
Lake Karakul, Xinjiang: This stunning view of Lake Karakul is the reward after a thrilling ride over one of the world’s most dangerous roads, the Karakoram Highway.
Fortress Towers, Kaiping, Guangdong: Erected mostly in the early 20th century, these fortress towers were built as a display of wealth by well-traveled Kaipingers, who brought home many architectural styles, including Islamic, Roman and even ancient Greek.
Guanyin Statue, Hainan: At 108 meters tall, this figure is the world’s largest Guanyin statue. It’s located near the Nanshan Temple of Sanya on Hainan island.
Yangshuo, Guangxi: A bamboo boat cruise might be the best way to see Yangshuo, the riverside town most famous for its karst hills and traditional fishing-village lifestyle.
Jiuzhaigou, Sichuan: Jiuzhaigou’s a region full of stunning alpine lakes that are filled with incredible water that changes color throughout the day.
Xiapu Mudflat, Fujian: Xiapu, the largest mudflat in the country, is a favorite destination of Chinese photographers.
Fenghuang, Hunan: Colorful stilted houses and the rich Miao and Tujia ethnic culture are some of the main draws of the ancient town of Fenghuang.
Yalong Bay, Hainan: The 7.5-kilometer crescent beach is the most popular and developed stretch of Hainan’s southern coastline, China’s tropical beach getaway.
Huangguoshu Waterfall, Guizhou: The highest waterfall in Asia, majestic Huangguoshu “Yellow Fruit Tree” Waterfall plunges a dramatic 77.8 meters across a 101-meter-wide span.
Heaven Lake, Changbai Mountain, Jilin: The vodka-clear Heaven Lake is said to resemble a piece of jade surrounded by 16 peaks of the Changbai Mountain National Reserve, near the border with North Korea. With an average depth of 204 meters, it’s the deepest lake in China.
Nanxi River, Zhejiang: With its mountain backdrop and shores lined with ancient houses, the Nanxi River inevitably became the cradle of classic Chinese water-and-ink painting. It’s also where travelers can watch local fishermen team with cormorants to catch fish.
Saint Sophia Cathedral, Harbin, Heilongjiang: This 54-meter-tall neo-Byzantine structure was built by Russian expats in China’s most Russian-accented city in the early 20th century. It’s now a state-run museum after being used as a warehouse by the Communist Party.
Hailuogou Glacier National Park, Sichuan: Morning is the best time to see Sichuan’s magnificent glacier, which drives through woodlands, cliffs, peaks and gullies.
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Xi’an City Wall, Shaanxi: The other — lesser known — great wall of China, Xi’an City Wall was first constructed more than 2,000 years ago.
Zhangjiajie, Hunan: The giant quartz sand pillars of Zhangjiajie are said to have been the inspiration for James Cameron’s floating mountains on the planet Pandora in his Oscar-winning movie “Avatar.”
Qinghai Lake, Qinghai: China’s largest inland saltwater lake, Qinghai Lake is like an oil painting. The Qinghai-Tibet railway is one way to see it.
Hongcun Ancient Village, Anhui: Standing in front of majestic Mount Huangshan, the 900-year-old village of Hongcun has long drawn in-the-know Chinese visitors, who love its tranquil vibe and distinctive architecture.
Hukou Waterfall, Shanxi: It may not be the biggest waterfall in China but Hukou Waterfall is arguably the most magnificent.
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Chengde Mountain Resort/Rehe Palace, Hebei: A UNESCO World Heritage Site, this mountain resort was once a summer palace used by Qing Dynasty emperors on holiday. Lush grasslands, marvelous mountains and tranquil valleys still make it a cool place to avoid the heat.
Thousand Island Lake, Zhejiang: In the 1950s, the Chinese government evacuated and flooded 928 square kilometers of villages, plains and hills to build a reservoir. The indirect result was this surreal view. Around 1,078 islands dot the lake.
Mount Lu, Jiangxi: A UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1996, Lushan National Park, with its centerpiece of Mount Lu, is a cultural and spiritual symbol of China. Upward of 1,500 famed painters and poets from various periods of ancient and modern China have traveled here to be inspired by Lu.
