Archive for the ‘China Top 10’ Category

Top 10 Attractions in Luoyang (Maps,Tips and Photos)

Monday, December 20th, 2021
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Plan your Luoyang tour? Situated on the central plain of China, one of the cradles of the Chinese civilization, Luoyang was one of the Four Great Ancient Capitals of China. Luoyang is endowed with countless historical sites and cultural treasures.

For travelling to Shaolin Temple, read my another article How to Visit Luoyang Temple for more information.

Luoyang located about 800km southwest of Beijing (Google)

With its historic background, you can always find many glorious palaces, temples and caves in Luoyang. Here, you can visit the famous White Horse Temple, the Guanlin Temple, the Longmen Caves and the Wancheng Park. In every April, you can appreciate the beautiful and elegant peony flowers.

Luoyang Tourist Map

No. 01: Longmen Grottoes 龙门石窟

The Longmen Grottoes, which are a treasure house of ancient Buddhist cave art, are located sixteen kilometers south of Luoyang in Henan province, on the banks of the Yi River.

The grottoes and niches of Longmen contain the largest and most impressive collection of Chinese art of the late Northern Wei and Tang Dynasties.

These works, entirely devoted to the Buddhist religion, represent the high point of Chinese stone carving. On November 30, 2000, the Longmen Grottoes were approved by the 24th UN Heritage Commission to be put on the List of World Cultural Heritage.

Check out my another article How to Visit Longmen Grottoes for more information.

Entrance Fee: CNY 120 (Bai Garden and Xiangshan Temple are also included)
Opening Hours: 7:00-18:30 (spring, summer and autumn); 7:30-17:30 (winter)
Address: Longmen Avenue, Longmen Town, Luolong District, Luoyang 洛阳市洛龙区龙门镇龙门大道
How to get there: take Bus No. 81 at Luoyang Train Station, or take a taxi to the Longmen Grottoes; you can also take Bus No. 53 and No. 60 from the downtown area.

No. 02: White Horse Temple 白马寺

White Horse Templeis, according to tradition, the first Buddhist temple in China, established in 68 AD under the patronage of Emperor Ming in the Eastern Han capital Luoyang.

The White Horse Temple is located 12 kilometers away from the east of Luoyang City. The main temple buildings, a large complex, were reconstructed during the Ming and Qing dynastie.

It has numerous halls divided by several courtyards and manicured gardens, covering an area extending to about 13 hectares. Now the White Horse has become an attraction to domestic and foreign tourists.

Read my another article How to Visit White Horse Temple for more information.

White Horse Temple

Entrance Fee: CNY 50
Opening Hours: 7:30-17:30
Address:6 Luobai Road, Baimasi Town, Luolong District, Luoyang 洛阳市洛龙区白马寺镇洛白路6号
How to get there: take Bus No.56 at Luoyang Train Station to the terminal; or take Bus No.58 at Guanlin Temple to the terminal.

No. 03: Guanlin Temple 关林

Guanlin Temple, the temple and mausoleum of Guan Yu, was built to commemorate the great general Guan Yu who is the blood brother of Liubei in the Three Kingdoms Period.

Guanlin Temple is about 7 kilometers south of Luoyang City. Covering an area of 100 mu, the temple contains halls, tablets, small stone lions and cypress.

Despite its military theme, this temple is strikingly beautiful; the elegant Ming buildings are highly carved and richly decorated. It is the divine district for palmers to pilgrimage, attracting more and more person from home and abroad.

Read my anothe article How to Visit Guanlin Temple for more information.

Guanlin Temple

Entrance Fee: CNY 40
Opening Hours: 8:00-17:00
Address:2 Guanlin South Road, Luolong District, Luoyang 洛阳市洛龙区关林南路2号
How to get there: you can take many buses to get Guanlin Temple from the downtown area, including Buses No. 15, 42, 55, 58, 69, etc.

No. 04:  Tianzi Jialiu Museum 周王城天子驾六博物馆

The official name of the museum is called Museum of Luoyang Eastern Zhou Royal Horse and Chariot Pits, quite long, while it is colloquially called “Tianzi Jialiu Museum”. “Tianzi” means emperors while “Jialiu” means their chariots driven by 6 horses.

Read my another articlet How to visit Eastern Zhou Royal Horse and Chariot Pits for more infformation.

Museum of Luoyang Eastern Zhou Royal Horse and Chariot Pits

Tianzi Jialiu Museum covers an area of 1,700 square meters. It is located underground centrally in the Dongzhou Wangcheng Square 王城广场 (Eastern Zhou Emperor City Square).

The museum has three sections – One for the brief introduction of Eastern Zhou Dynasty; second for Eastern Dynasty Mausoleum the third for the pit itself. So the Tianzi Jialiu Museum is located centrally in the city of Luoyang.

It is walkable along the axis down south from Luoyang Railway Station. Many buses take you there including buses 6, 41, 50, 52, 56, and 86 and get off at Wangcheng Square (王城广场).

Entrance fees: RMB 30
Opening time: 9:00 – 17:00 Enquiry: 0379 – 6391399 – 8000
Address: 226 Zhongzhou Middle Road, Xigong District, Luoyang 洛阳市西工区中州中路226号
Luoyang Tourism Hotline: 0379 – 12301

No. 05: Wangcheng Park 王城公园

Covering an area of 67 hectares, Wangcheng Park is the largest public park in Luoyang. Wangcheng Park is located on the main road of Luoyang. Each April, during the Luoyang Peony Festival, hundreds of thousands of peonies bloom together in a majestic display of natural beauty.

Besides the Peony Garden, another two major attractions in the park are the Historic Area and the Peony Culture Area. The prime time to enjoy the peony flowers is from April 5 to 20.

Wangcheng Park (Photo Credit: 爱洛阳)

Entrance Fee: free of charge (CNY 10 in chrysanthemum exhibition, CNY 50 in Luoyang Peony Festival)
Opening Hours: 05:00-20:30
Addess:312 Zhongzhou Zhong Road, Xigong District, Luoyang 洛阳市西工区中州中路312号
How to get there: you can take many buses to get Wangcheng Park from the downtown area, including Buses No. 9, 11, 15, 40, 101, 102, etc.

No. 06: Luoyang Museum 洛阳博物馆

Luoyang Museum is a local historical museum of China which was first built in Guanlin, the south of Luoyang City, in 1958, and then moved to the north side of Zhongzhou Road in 1973.

The Museum displays 1,700 cultural relics in five exhibition rooms, which is a reflection of five different social development stages such as the Primitive Society, the Slavery Society, and the Feudal Society. Besides the basic displays, the Museum also holds exhibitions of calligraphy and paintings and so on every year.

Read my another article How to Visit Luoyang Museum for more information.

Entrance Fee: free of charge
Opening Hours: 09:00 – 17:00 (Closed on Monday)
Address: Nitai Road, Luolong District, Luoyang City 洛阳市洛龙区聂泰路
How to get there: take Bus No. 2 in the downtown area of Luoyang

No. 07: The National Peony Garden 洛阳牡丹园

Luoyang National Peony Garden is the home to more than 1,000 varieties of peony and main gene of peony in the world. It is a major sightseeing zone during the peony festival in Luoyang.

Luoyang National Peony Garden covers an area of 700 mu and is divided into North Garden and South Garden. The peony is highly reputed for its big flower, flamboyant color, full-bodied aroma and lasting florescence.

Entrance Fee: CNY 50
Opening Hours: 5:30-21:30
Address: Luoyang Peony Garden is located at the intersection of East Wangcheng Avenue east, Old 310 National Road and Guohua Road.
How to get there: take Bus No.51 from the Train Station to the National Peony Garden

The National Peony Garden
The National Peony Garden

No. 8: Cockscomb Limestone Cave 栾川鸡冠洞风景区

Cockscomb Limestone Cave, which is located at the small Shuangtang Gouge, was discovered during the reign of Qianlong Emperor in the Qing Dynasty.

The Cockscomb Limestone Cave is 1,800 meters long and the area for sight-seeing is about 23,000 square meters. It is divided into 8 sections respectively named Yuzhu Pond, Yicai Palace, Diewei Palace, Shilin Lane, Cangxiu Pavilion, Dongtian River, Yaochi Palace and Juxian Palace.

Cockscomb Limestone Cave

Entrance Fee: CNY 70 (CNY 80 during Apr.10 to May.10)
Opening Hours: the whole day
Address: Shuangtang Village, uanchuan County, Luoyang 洛阳市栾川县双塘村
How to get there: take the shuttle bus from bus station to the Cockscomb Limestone Cave; or take a bus to Luanchuan County from Luoyang city, then change the Tourist Bus to Cockscomb Limestone Cave.

No. 9: Baiyunshan National Forest Park 洛阳嵩县白云山景区

Baiyunshan National Forest Park, which covers an area of 168 kilometers, is located at the Funiu Mountain Ridge, Southern Song County, Luoyang.

The national forest park is made up by several parts, including Primitive Forest, Baiyunshan Peak, Yuhuangding Peak, Little Huangshan Mountain ad Jiulong Waterfall Scenic Area. Baiyunshan National Forest Park is regarded as “the most beautiful place” in China. It is also called the “natural museum”.

Entrance Fee: CNY 80
Opening Hours: the whole day
Address: Tonghe Village, Kacun Town, Song County, Luoyang 洛阳市嵩县车村镇铜河村
How to get there: There are shuttle buses between Luoyang and Baiyun Mountain. Take the shuttle bus at Luoyang Yiyun Bus Station to the Baiyunshan National Forest Park.

Baiyunshan National Forest Park
Baiyunshan National Forest Park

No. 10: Bai Garden 白园

Bai Garden, situated on the Pipa Peak, refers to the mausoleum of Bai Juyi who a well-known Chinese poet lived during the Tang Dynasty.

Covering an area of 44 mu, Bai Garden consists of four parts: the Green Valley District, the Tomb District, Poem Corridor District, and Administration Region. Bai Garden not only offers us beautiful landscape garden, but also serenades the unusual lifetime of Bai Juyi.

Entrance Fee: Part of the through ticket with the Longmen Grottoes
Opening Hours: 7:30-18:00
Address: Longmen Avenue, Longmen Town, Luolong District, Luoyang 洛阳市洛龙区龙门镇龙门大道
How to get there: take Buses No.53, 60, 81 and get off at the terminal Luoyang

Bai Garden
Bai Garden

Tip:  Hassle-free Luoyang Guided Tours

If you don’t want to go the do-it-yourself route and prefer the hassle-free escorted tours,  here are some options for Luoyang Guided Tours:

Luoyang Tour
Luoyang Car Rental
Luoyang One Day Private Tour
Luoyang- Shaolin One Day Private Tour
Beijing Luoyang 2 Day Round Trip Tour
Xian Luoyang Day Tour by Bullet Train

Further Readings


Top 10 Attractions in Luoyang
How to Visit Shaolin Temple
Where to Stay in Luoyang
Luoyang Museum Guide
Museum of Luoyang Eastern Zhou Royal Horse and Chariot Pits
How to visit White Horse Temple
Longmen Grottoes Travel Tips
Kung Fu Show at Shaolin Temple
Luoyang Taxi

 

Any questions,  just drop a line.

 

Top 10 Places to See Autumn Leaves in China

Wednesday, November 3rd, 2021
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Plan your China tour in autumn? Autumn leaf peeping time in China varies from north to south, and east to west given the size of China and its diversity of climate and geography. Basically from mid-October to mid-November,  most of China’s landscapes start to transform from their summer shades of green into the reds, oranges and yellows, signs of the colorful autumn.

If you are a leaf peeping fan and happen to visit China during the fall foliage period, you may choose one or two places to comfort your eyes and relax yourself with viewing the autumn leaves. We at Tour Beijing have leafed through the top 10  fall foliage destinations in China that we think are worth your exploration on your China autumn trip.

1. Ejina Qi (Banner), Inner Mongolia 内蒙古额济纳旗

Ejina Banner is in the most west end of  Alashan,  west of Inner Mongolia, adjacent to Alxa Right Banner in the east. Ejina Banner has a drought, extreme arid desert steppe climate with four distinctive seasons. It features rainless, abundant sunshine, and great temperature difference. The annual average temperature is 8.3℃. The number of annual dust storm is up to 14.

Ejina Diversifolius Poplar Forest National Nature Reserve is one of the three largest poplar forests in the world with mesmerizing autumn scenes sought after by numerous tourists and photographers.

Check out the following links for more information:
West Inner Mongolia Tours
Euphrates Poplar Forests at Ejina Banner
Sunset over Guaishulin

Autumn Leaves Ejina Qi (Banner), Inner Mongolia
Autumn Leaves Ejina Qi (Banner), Inner Mongolia

Best Visit Time: October
Transport:
Ejina Banner is linked to Hohhot by an overnight train 15 hours. If you’d like to travel to Alxa Left Banner, you may choose first to take your train to Yinchuan, the capital city of Ningxia, then drive 114km up to Bayanhot, the capital of Alashan.
Overland travel is the most popular mode of traveling around Alashan. The three banners (Left, Right and Ejina) are connected by the regional roads. Also the three banners are linked to outside cities or provinces through a few destinations.

2. Moerdaoga, Inner Mongolia 内蒙古莫尔道嘎

 Moerdaoga National Forest Park ia the first national forest park in the Greater Khingan Range (Greater Xing’an Mountain ) within Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, the biggest national forest park of its kind in China.

Moerdaoga” literally means that “set out for flight riding your horses” that was legendarily said by Genghis Khan who tried to integrate the tribes. The forest park is adjacent to the Hulunbuir Grassland on the south, the Erguna River on the north, packed with old and tall trees and numerous streams and rivers. The Moerdaoga turns into a “five-colormountain”, a perfect place to see autumn leaves.

Check out the following links for more information:
Northeast Inner Mongolia Tour
How to visit Hulunbuir Grassland
Moerdaoga Travel Guide
Top 10 Attractions in Hulunbuir

 Moerdaoga National Forest Park
Moerdaoga National Forest Park ( Photo: internet)

Best Visit Time: Late  September and early October
Transport:
It is quite convenient to travel to Hulunbeier by train with wide train network. Hailar has trains connecting Beijing, Baotou, Hohhot, Harbin, Dalian, Qiqihaer, Boketu, Moerdaoga, Manzhouli, Jiaergeda. So beside Hailaer, many of the cities and banners has railway stations, forming easy train routes within Hulunbuir. Or you may take long-distance buses to Moerdaoga. 

3. Kanas, Xinjiang 新疆喀纳斯

Kanas is located in the northern tip of Xinjiang. The Kanas Lake (Kanasi Hu) means “beautiful, rich and mysterious” in Mongolian. The lake is nestled in the deep forests and mountains of Altay. The lake is 1,374m above sea level and covers an area of 45sqkm (10 times bigger than Tianchi on Bogda Mountain) with the deepest point of 188m.

The long bean-shaped lake reflects the surrounding snowcapped mountains. The Kanas Lake in autumn is at its best with the beautiful foliage. Legend has it that huge monsters live in the lake. They often has take away horses and camels drinking into the water by the lake and later swallow them, a similar story of “Nessie Monster”.

Check out the following links for more information:
Xinjiang Tour
Urumqi Burjin Kanas Kelamayi Turpan 6-Day Tour
Best Places to See Autumn Leaves in Xinjiang

Autumn Leaaves at Kanas, Xinjiang
Autumn Leaaves at Kanas, Xinjiang

Best Visit Time: Late September and early October
Transport: Take flights or travel overland to Kanas.

4. Jiuzhaigou National Park , Sichuan 四川九寨沟

Jiuzhaigou literally means “Nine Village Valley” in Chinese. Listed as World Cultural Heritage in 1992. Jiuzhaigou is well known for its beautiful water – multi-level waterfalls and colorful lakes, and magnificent autumn scenery.

Jiuzhaigou is located in Jiuzhaigou County of the Aba Tibetan Qiang Autonomous Prefecture in Sichuan Province, 436km north of Chengdu, the capital city of Sichuan Province.

Jiuzhaigou has three valleys naturally formed in a Y shape. The Rize Valley 17km long and Zechawa Valley 18km long flow from the south and meet at a confluence where they form the Shuzheng valley 15km long in the middle, continuing to flow north to the mouth of the Shuzheng Valley. All the three valleys are accessible both by shuttle bus and boardwalks.

Check out the following links for more information:
Best time to visit Jiuzhaigou
Jiuzhaigou Tour
Sichuan Tour
Best Places to Visit Autumn Leaves in Sichuan

Autumn in Jiuzhaigou

Visiting Time: suggested 1-3 day
Entrance Fee:  RMB 220  (peak season ) and RMB 80 ( winter season)
Location:  436km north of Chengdu, the capital city of Sichuan Province
Opening Hours: 6:30 – 18:00 (April – Nov.15);  6:30 – 17:00 (Nov.16  – March);
Best Time to Visit: Mid-October to early November
How to Get There
First take flight from Chengdu to Jiuhuang Airport where you connect the local bus for Jiuzhaigou

5. Yading, Daocheng 亚丁(四川稻城)

Yading Nature Reserve is located within Riwa Township, Dacheng County,  in the south of Garze Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, Sichuan. Yading is oft-lauded as “The last piece of pure land in the water-blue planet”.  Yading  and Dacheng are often put together and known as the last Shangri-la.

The Yading  Nature Reserve mainly comprises three holy mountains known as Chenresig, Channa Dorje and Jampelyang which are all above the altitude of 6000 meters with Chenresig the highest at 6032 meters. Chenresig is often likened to the giant Buddha; Channa Dorjie as a young man and Jampelyang as a girl.  The three holy mountains are just like three sacred souls,  a pilgrimage place for Tibetans.

Check out the following links for more information:
Drive from Litang to Daocheng
Drive from Daocheng to Yading
Yading Brings You Inner Peace

a spatial structure of vegetation on the alpine mountain area in Yading

Besides the three holy mountains, the reserve is also dotted with high-plateau grasslands and green lakes, like Milk Lake, Five-color Lake, Luorong Grassland and Changgu Monastery. The 12-km koral around the 6032 m Chenresig is a huge rewarding experience. If you don’t have strong legs, you may stop overnight on camping and do it next day to continue your hike.

Yading Nature Reserve is a perfect natural eco-system formed by the featured geography and natural climate. When autumn comes, Yading and Daochange become a sea of colors, a birthplace for numerous picturesque landscape photos.

Visiting Time: suggested 1-2 Day
Entrance Fee:  RMB 150
Opening Hours: all day
Best Time to Visit: October
How to Get There
Hire a vehicle or hook up with other travelers to reach Yading Natural Reserve from Dacheng

6. Red Leaves Valley, Changbai Mountain 红叶谷(吉林长白山)

The Red Leaves Valley is located at the west foot of Changbai Mountain within the jurisdiction of Jiaohe City, Jinlin Province. Just drive out of Jilin city along the road leading to Jiaohe and then take the muddy road into Jiefang Village, and after a stone bridge, you reach the red leaf valley.

Red Leaves Valley ( Photo Credit: Chinadaily.cn)

The Red Leaf Valley ranges from Jiefang Village at Qingling Town to Yanjiang Village at Songjiang Town, a total length of more than 50 kilometers. The whole valley is teemed with numerous trees, such as maple, birch, larch and gingko trees. The blend of red and golden colors makes the valley look like massive waves rolling across a colorful sea.

7. Jinshanling Great Wall & Simatai Great Wall 金山岭-司马台长城 (河北、北京)

The Great Wall at Jinshanling Great Wall is much less touristy in comparison with the Walls at Badaling and Mutanyu. This section of Wall is situated about 140km to the northeast of Beijing, further than Baddaling and Mutianyu ( about 80km from Beijing).

Check out the following articles for more information:
Hike from Jinshanling to Simatai
Jinshanling Great Wall, the most beautiful section of Great Wall
Simatai Great Wall Travel Tips
Hike from Jinshanling to West Simatai Great Wall Day Tour
Gubeikou Great Wall to Jinshanling Great Wall Hiking

Jinshanling Great Wall (Photo Credit: news.cn)

The best time to visit Jinshanling Great Wall and Simatai Great Wall falls between October 15 and November 15 each year when the autumn leaves are at their best – yellow, orange, pink, and red. The walls havedensely vegetation – smoke trees, persimmon, hawthorn, gingko, torch trees, birch, aspen, hickories, chestnut, walnut, sawtooth oak, jujube and more to beautify the autumn.

8. Wulingyuan ( Zhangjiajie )  武陵源(张家界)

Wulingyuan Scenic Area is located about 30 km north of Zhangjiajie’s city center. Wulingyuan Scenic Area was listed with UNESCO World Heritage 1992. This world heritage site is popularly known as “Zhangjiajie Senic Area” rather than “Wulingyuan” mainly because Wulingyuan Scenic Area is under the administration of Zhangjiajie City.

Wulingyuan Scenic Area (Zhangjiajie Scenic Area) includes three main areas: Zhangjiajie National Forest ParkTianzi Mountain Nature Reserve and, Suoxi Valley Natural Resource Reserve (including Baofeng Lake and Yellow Dragon Cave). The American film – Avatar depicted “Hallelujah Mountain” by taking the real view of “South Pillar of the Heaven”, a famous attraction in Wulingyuan Scenic Area.

Check out my following links for more information:
Zhangjiajie Tour
Best Time to Visit Zhangjiajie
Top 10 Attractions in Zhangjiajie

Fall Foliage at Wulingyuan ( Zhangjiajie )

Wulingyuan Scenic Area are  famous for its unique hills, queer rockss and peaks, tranquil valleys, clear streams, abundant fauna and flora and hospitable climate.

Visiting Time: suggested 2-3 Days
Entrance Fee:  RMB 248 ( a through ticket )
Location: about 30 km north of Zhangjiajie’s city center
Opening Hours: All day
Best Time to Visit: Mid-October to Mid-November
How to Get There
Zhangjiajie is easily accessible by air, train and highway. Then connect local buses going to Wulingyuan Scenic Area.

9. Namcha Barwa in Tibet 南迦巴瓦(西藏雅鲁藏布大峡谷)

Location: Namcha Barwa ( or Mt.Namjabarwa, Namchabarwa ) is located in Nyingchi in the southeast of Tibet, at the height of 7782m. Nyingchi, which literally means “throne of the sun” in Tibetan has a relatively lower altitude bestowed with the green mountain slopes, snow-capped peaks and crystal-clear rivers. Nyingchi is dubbed as “Switzerland of Tibet”. The county boasts the Namcha Barwa Peak, and the Yarlung Zangbo Great Canyon, and the abundant nature resources.

Autumn is the best time for tourists to visit the Nancha Barwa Peak for the rainy season in the canyon has been over and the dry season has just started. The whole valley or the canyon has been turned into a colorful sea of colours.

Check out the links: 12 Days Cultural and Natural Tibetan Treasures Discovery Tour and Lhasa – Bayi – Lulang – Ranwu 4 Wheel Drive Trip for more information.

The golden summit of Namcha Barwa Mountain

Its colossal triangle body is capped with snow and mists all year around and people find it hard to see its true face. In 1992 that the Sino-Japan Mountain Climbing Team conquered Mt.Nanjiabawa. Today it has become a very popular and challenging destination for leisure travelers and professional mountain climbers from both home and abroad.

10. Fragrant Hill  北京香山

Located in the east part of western hills and 28 kilometers northwest of the Beijing City, Fragrant Hills Park is a large park of hills and forest. It is rich both in natural sceneries and cultural relics. Its highest peak is Xianglu Peak (Incense Burner Peak), 557 meters high.

The hill is dotted with maple trees, smoke trees and persimmon trees. When autumn arrives, fiery red leaves blanket the entire mountain. Every year, a huge number of tourists flock to the park. The cable cars are a great way to hike up the hill and enjoy the spetacular fall scenes at the same time.

Check out the following links for more information:
Beijing Autumn Tour
Best Places to View Autumn Leaves in Beijing
Sunrise Glow over Fragrant Hills Park in Beijing

Red Leaves at  Fragrant Hill
Red Leaves at Fragrant Hill

Visiting Time: suggested 3-4 hour
Entrance Fee: RMB 10
Location: Norrthwest of Beijing
Opening Hours: 6:30 – 19:00
Best Time to Visit: Mid-October to early November
How to Get There
Take public buses

Hassle-free China Guided Tours

If you don’t want to go the do-it-yourself route and prefer the hassle-free escorted tours,  here are some options for China guided tours:

Top China Private Tours
Top China Small Group Tours
Top China Train Tour
Top China Yangtze Cruise Tour
Top China Silk Road Tour

Further Readings


Top 10 Places to Visit in China
10 Fascinating Facts about China
How to Pack for your China Trip
Plugs and Sockets in China
China Tour Packages
Learning Useful Chinese Phrases for Travellers 
How to Recognise Chinese Currency

Top 10 Travel Experiences in China
10 Most Scenic Drives in China
Top 10 Most Beautiful Mountains in China
The Top 10 Most Beautiful Lakes in China
Top 10 Most Beautiful Grasslands in China
Top 10 Most Beautiful Rivers in China
Top 10 most beautiful waterfalls in China
Top 10 Places to See Autumn Leaves in China
Top 10 Most Beautiful Villages in China
Top 10 Old Towns in China
The 10 Most Beautiful Museums in China
Top 10 China Tourist Scams
Top 10 Souvenirs in China

Any questions, just drop a  line.

10 Most Scenic Roads in China (Tips & Photos)

Monday, September 20th, 2021
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With the rapid development of the expressways and highways, road tripping has become one of the most favorite ways of traveling across China. The car represents mobility, freedom with a feel of controlling your destinations.

China is a vast country, very drivable since now the roads are excellent. It has countless scenic drives with most of the stellar standouts in the northwest, west and southwest China.

In the past 20 years I have been road-tripping China on and off. But I’m still far from covering all the incredible sightseeing drives across China. Today I’d like to present our version of the 10 most scenic drives in China, an attempt to be helpful in planning your on China road trip. My 10 list will inevitably leave out some of the best.

First of all, I’d like to round up some travel tips for planning your road trip in China.

Trips for Planning a China Road Trip


1) Hire a Vehicle with driver
Hiring a vehicle with driver (or just take a taxi for a short road trip ) is the easiest way to hit on the open road. Self-driving in China is still very much difficult for short-time international visitors.

The driving rules and regulations are quite different from those in your home country. Penalty for traffic violation is high. Almost all the expressways and highways are covered under surveillance cameras.

2) Prepare for the food on the way
Scenic drive cannot guarantee the food quality and very often you don’t find any restaurants on route. It is a good idea to prepare in advance some high protein and vitamin snacks, nuts and fruits.

3) Book your hotels on your road trip
Download a hotel booking app on your smart phone and prebook your hotel before you get to the next destination for overnight. In the remote areas or during off tourist season, you may just book your hotel on the spot when you get there. Getting ready for sleeping bags in case you are in the middle of nowhere.

4) Toilets on route
Gas stations are often the only places for you to use toilets. But the toilet general condition is not good, dirty and without any toilet paper. You should always bring your rolls of toilet paper on your China road trip.

5) Plan your road trip
You should plan your China road trip in advance. China is huge and you may do just a section for one time. Even for this section, you need to split your road trip across several days. It is a good idea to keep a loose plan because you never know when fun and interesting opportunities will arise.

 10 of my previous most scenic drives in China

1. Awe-inspiring drive to Guoliang Village

Guoliang Village is located 82km to the northwest of Xinxiang, 90km north of Zhangzhou, easily accessible by highspeed trains from Beijing, Shijianzhang, Wuhan and Guangzhou since Xixiang is on the Beijing – Guangzhou Railway Line.

From Xinxiang, you hire a taxi for a few hours’ return road trip to Guoliang Village. In 1972, 13 strong villagers from Guoliang Village wanted to change the situation of inaccessibility to the outside world and started carving a road off the east side of the cliff.  The carved tunnel is 12 or 13 feet across, about 15 or 16 feet high and  a mile long. The road was opened in 1977.

Check out my another article Guoliang Village Travel Tips for more information.

Awe-inspiring drive to Guoliang Village

Praised as one of the 8 road wonders in the world, the tunneled road is now well known as “Long Corridor in the Cliff” or “Precipice Gallery”.  The east side of the carved road is the picturesque Grand Canyon with Red Steep Cliff. The Grand Canyon is more than 200 meters in height, 500 meters in width and 20km in length. The red rocks are scarlet and upright like knifed and axed. The scenic Grand Canyon is one of the highlights on your road trip to Guoliang Village.

2. Yaxi Expressway: Ya’an to Xichang Highway

Yaxi Expressway is lauded as the most beautiful “Sky Road” in China. Yaxi Expressway starts from Ya’an and ends at Xichang,  a section of Beijing-Kunming highway, 240km long and a ladder like road “leading to the sky”.

Check out my another article Most Beautiful Sky Road in China for more information.

Most Beautiful Sky Road in China
Most Beautiful Sky Road in China

The “leading to the sky” here has two meanings – 1) The 240km expressway is made of 270 viaducts,  an elevated roadway that stretches 240 kilometers, designed to minimize impact on the environment and driving on the numerous viaducts makes people feel like driving in the air; 2) For driving each kilometer, we ascends by 7.5 meters along the expressway. There are also 25 spiral tunnels used to reduce the effect on mountains.

3. S313 Highway: Scenic Drive from Xinduqiao to Danba

It is an incredible 150 km drive along Highway S 313 from Xinduqiao to Danba, morphing from Muya Tibeten area  to Jiarong Tibetan area.

From Xinduqiao to Taigong, you need to slow down – this region wants to be savored, not gulped. The road is lined with golden meadows, crystal-clear streams, yellow poplar trees and Tibetan stone houses against the meandering mountains under the canopy of the blue sky and white clouds.

Check out my another articleDrive from Xinduqiao to Danba for more information.

Drive from Xinduqiao to Danba
Drive from Xinduqiao to Danba

Tagong Town is well known for the same name Tagong Monastery and its surrounding Tagong Grassland that offers great views against the sacred Yala Mountain at 5820m.

For the 87km Bamei Town- Danba  road trip, there are two impressive sights – Huiyuan Monastery in Xie De Town ( formerly the ancient Tai Ning City ) of Dawu County in Ganzi Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture and the majestic Yala Snow Mountain at the elevation of 5820m.

4. S217 and S216 Highways: Eye-Popping Drive from Litang to Yading

The Highway S217 runs from Litang to Daocheng (148km), and further stretched to Yading along S216  (115km). The 148km drive from Litang to Doacheng is one of the jaw-dropping drives, going over Rabbit Mountain at the altitude of 4696 meters and passing by the vermilion Buddhist Monastery, the undulating mountains, Tibetan houses and yellow poplar trees and dry riverbeds.

The highway S216 from Daocheng to Yading is surprisingly in good condition, a wide and flat asphalt road with clean iron handrails and clear road signs. The road meanders on the wide and flat valley flanked with fields, meadows, Tibetan houses and undulating hills, all coated with autumn golden hues ( best to drive in autumn ).

Check out my two following articles for more information:
Drive from Litang to Daocheng
Drive from Daocheng to Yading.

Bowa Lake
Bowa Lake on the way from Daocheng to Yading

5. National Highway 214:  Drive from Mangkang to Shangri-la 400km

The National Highway G214 (Yunnan-Tibet Highway) is a hidden gem,  3256 km long starting from Xining, the capital of Qinghai Province to Jinghong, Yunnan Province.

The 400km drive from Mangkang to Shangri-la has stunning views. You need to split the drive across two days. On the first day you drive from Mangkang to Deqin (219km ) and second day from Deqin to Shangri-la (181 km).

Unlike the hyped G318, G214 is quite unknown to the public though it has heart-stopping views with its varied landscapses. G214 connects the headwaters of Yangtze River, Yellow River, Lancang River and Honghe River.

Check out my following two articles for more information:
Drive from Mangkang to Deqin
Drive from Deqin to Shangri-la

Drive from Deqin to Shangri-la.
Drive from Deqin to Shangri-la.

The G214 (Yunnan-Tibet Highway ) from Deqin to Shangri-la is de facto a sightseeing avenue, which cuts through the intoxicating Baimang Snow Mountain ( also known as Baima Snow Mountain). Lying in the mid-section of Hengduan Mountain, Baima Snow Mountain runs from north to south with 20 peaks over 5000 meters and its highest peak at 5430 meters.

6. Tingri to Mt.Everest Base Camp Road Trip 100km

The road trip branching off the main National Highway 318 going to the Mt. Everest Base Camp takes 3 or 4 hours for a 100km mountain road mainly due to the poor and bumpy dirt road.

The road trip is every much challenging. People have to endure endless twists and turns, and hairpin bends. But you will see heart-stopping views – dotted Tibetan settlements, nomadic herdsmen wandering across the wide arid plains, yaks, wild rabbits, wild sheep, dzopkyos (yak-cow hybrids),  and awe-inspiring mountain peaks – a paradise on earth!

Check out my another article Tingri to Mt.Everest Base Camp for more information.

Tingri to Mt.Everest Base Camp
Tingri to Mt.Everest Base Camp

Tingri to Mt.Everest Base Camp Travel Tips:
1) Better for a small group using a land cruiser instead of bus tour
2) Ready for Bottled oxygen if you are not confident about your health
3) Water and snacks
4) Sunglass, sunscreen, altitude sickness medicine
5) Good sleep the day before
6) Suggested to stay in Tingri for overnight
7) Alien Travel Permit for Mt.Everest Base Camp

7. Head-spinning drive from Xining to Qinghai Lake 151 km

Qinghai Lake has long been one of the biggest draws in Xining, the capital of Qinghai Province which lies on the northeast of Tibetan Plateau. At the altitude of 3200 meters, Qinghai Lake boasts great charms – Blue sky and water, white clouds and green grassland, and amazing rape flowers, a wonderful summer resort and mesmerizing landscape.

Check out my another article How to Visit Qinghai Lake from Xining for more information.

On the way
On the way

The 151 km road trip is a scenic drive, passing by massive valleys, alpine meadows, limpid rivers, historical sites and remote towns. There are quite a  few scenic attractions and historical sites on route. You can ask your driver to stop at the sites you are interested in.

8. Urumqi to Kanas Lake Loop Road Trip 2000 km

As you know, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region occupies an area of 1.6 million square km with a population 20.95 million, one sixth of China in size, equivalent of 160 “Beijings”, an area the size of France, Germany, Spain and the UK combined. Xinjiang has a huge number of unique natural and cultural resources and no one can digest them all.

Check out my following articles for more information:
For more information, check out:
Drive from Urumqi to Burjin
Burjin – Kanas Lake – Jiadengyu
Drive from Jiadengyu to Kelamayi
Drive from Kelamayi to Urumqi

Kanas Lake
Kanas Lake

Kanas Lake Natural Reserve is the big draw in the  Northern Xinjiang Route. Kanas Lake is classified by UNESCO as “mankind’s last piece of pure land. Not just Kanas Lake, you have more to see, to feel, to touch along the semicircle Northern Xinjiang route around the Junggar Basin touring Fuyun, Altay, Burjin, Kelamayi…

9. Lanzhou to Langmusi Road Trip 488 km

For the road trip from Lanzhou to Langmusi 488 km, you may split it into two sections for 2 days – Lanzhou to Xiahe 258 km and Xiahe to Langmusi 230km.

The whole drive distance from Lanzhou to Xiahe County, and on to Labrang Monastery is about 258 km. In between, you pass by Hezheng County and Lingxia Hui Autonomous Prefecture. The 258 km road trip will give you deep impression in terms of both different landforms and cultures unfolded on the road.

Check out my following two articles for more information:
Drive from Lanzhou to Xiahe
Drive from Xiahe to Langmusi

Drive from Xiahe to Langmusi

For the 230km road trip, you will drive along the National Highway No.213 passing by Hezuo City, Luqu County, experiencing mesmerizing views of alpine meadows, grasslands, grazing yaks and sheep, and Tibetan living houses, unfolding a “water colour” picture of the pristine life in Gannan Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture.

10. Hohhot to Ejina Qi Return Road Trip 2080 km

The West Inner Mongolia, or Alashan (Alxa) League specifically, is a mysterious place admired by all travelers. With its capital at Bayanhot(Bayanhaote), Alashan (Alxa) League is the largest league prefecture -level region in Inner Mongolia with an area of 270,000 Square km.

It comprises three counties – Alashan Zuoqi (Alxa Left Banner), Alashan Youqi (Alxa Right Banner) and Ejina Qi (Ejina Banner), which are also the largest oasises in Alashan. Numerous striking sights are dotted around these three green lands.

Check out my following articles for more information:
A Glimpse of Badain Jaran Desert
Euphrates Poplar Forests at Ejina Banner
Sunset over Guaishulin
Heicheng Ruins in Ejina Qi

Badain Jaran Desert
Run into a group of grazing camles

The Hohhot to Ejina Qi ( Ejina Banner), an over-2000 km crazy drive will allow you to pass by Yinshan Mountains and Kubuqi Desert, through Ulan Buh Desert and Badain Jaran Desert.

Badain Jaran Desert is definitely the highlight of the adventurous drive. Badain Jaran Desert boasts the highest stationary dunes in the world (the tallest dune over 450 meters, extending over 5 km in length) and the third the largest desert in China with an area of over 49,000 sq.kilometers.

Tip:  Hassle-free China Guided Tours

If you don’t want to go the do-it-yourself route and prefer the hassle-free escorted tours,  here are some options for China guided tours:

Top China Private Tours
Top China Small Group Tours
Top China Train Tour
Top China Yangtze Cruise Tour
Top China Silk Road Tour

Further Readings


Top 10 Places to Visit in China
10 Fascinating Facts about China
How to Pack for your China Trip
Plugs and Sockets in China
China Tour Packages
Learning Useful Chinese Phrases for Travellers 
How to Recognise Chinese Currency

Top 10 Travel Experiences in China
10 Most Scenic Roads in China
Top 10 Most Beautiful Mountains in China
Top 10 Most Beautiful Lakes in China
Top 10 Most Beautiful Grasslands in China
Top 10 Most Beautiful Rivers in China
Top 10 most beautiful waterfalls in China
Top 10 Places to See Autumn Leaves in China
Top 10 Most Beautiful Villages in China
Top 10 Old Towns in China
The 10 Most Beautiful Museums in China
Top 10 China Tourist Scams
Top 10 Souvenirs in China

Any questions, just drop a  line.