{"id":849,"date":"2023-10-24T03:58:59","date_gmt":"2023-10-23T19:58:59","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.hiredchina.com\/articles\/2023\/10\/24\/the-most-beautiful-places-in-china-youve-never-heard-of\/"},"modified":"2024-06-05T20:20:10","modified_gmt":"2024-06-05T12:20:10","slug":"most-beautiful-places-in-china","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.hiredchina.com\/articles\/most-beautiful-places-in-china\/","title":{"rendered":"The Most Beautiful Places in China You&#8217;ve Never Heard Of"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><span style=\"color: #3e3e3e; font-size: 16px;\">As one of the world\u2019s largest and oldest civilizations, it\u2019s no surprise that China is filled with countless lesser-known gems and hidden attractions waiting to be discovered. This diverse country\u2019s astounding man-made attractions are rivaled by its remarkable natural wonders. From singing sand dunes to some of the tallest statues on the planet, here are some of the most <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hiredchina.com\/jobs\">beautiful places in China<\/a> that you need to see.<\/span><\/p>\n<div style=\"width: 931px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/media.hiredchina.com\/Fo1pOXRQHbW8TLeBf8SF8EEHKwpN?imageView2\/0\/format\/webp\/q\/75\" alt=\"most beautiful places in china\" width=\"921\" height=\"512\" title=\"\"><p class=\"wp-caption-text\">most beautiful places in <a target=\"_blank\" class=\"inside_link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.hiredchina.com\/articles\/tag\/china\/\" title=\"View all posts in china\" >china<\/a><\/p><\/div>\n<hr \/>\n<p><strong>\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_73 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-grey ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<div class=\"ez-toc-title-container\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title\" style=\"cursor:inherit\">Table of Contents<\/p>\n<span class=\"ez-toc-title-toggle\"><a href=\"#\" class=\"ez-toc-pull-right ez-toc-btn ez-toc-btn-xs ez-toc-btn-default ez-toc-toggle\" aria-label=\"Toggle Table of Content\"><span class=\"ez-toc-js-icon-con\"><span class=\"\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/span><\/div>\n<nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/www.hiredchina.com\/articles\/most-beautiful-places-in-china\/#The_most_beautiful_places_in_china_are\" title=\"The most beautiful places in china are\">The most beautiful places in china are<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/www.hiredchina.com\/articles\/most-beautiful-places-in-china\/#15_Jiuzhaigou_Sichuan_China\" title=\"#15 Jiuzhaigou, Sichuan China\">#15 Jiuzhaigou, Sichuan China<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/www.hiredchina.com\/articles\/most-beautiful-places-in-china\/#14_Zhangye_Danxia_Landforms_Gansu_China\" title=\"#14 Zhangye Danxia Landforms, Gansu, China\">#14 Zhangye Danxia Landforms, Gansu, China<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/www.hiredchina.com\/articles\/most-beautiful-places-in-china\/#13_Guanyin_Statue_Hainan_China\" title=\"#13 Guanyin Statue, Hainan, \u00a0China\">#13 Guanyin Statue, Hainan, \u00a0China<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/www.hiredchina.com\/articles\/most-beautiful-places-in-china\/#12_Dongchuan_Red_Land_Yunnan_China\" title=\"#12 Dongchuan Red Land,\u00a0 Yunnan, China\">#12 Dongchuan Red Land,\u00a0 Yunnan, China<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-6\" href=\"https:\/\/www.hiredchina.com\/articles\/most-beautiful-places-in-china\/#11_St_Sophias_Catherdral_Harbin_China\" title=\"#11 St. Sophia\u2019s Catherdral, Harbin, \u00a0China\">#11 St. Sophia\u2019s Catherdral, Harbin, \u00a0China<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-7\" href=\"https:\/\/www.hiredchina.com\/articles\/most-beautiful-places-in-china\/#10_Yuanyang_Rice_Terraces_Yunnan_China\" title=\"#10 Yuanyang Rice Terraces, Yunnan, China\">#10 Yuanyang Rice Terraces, Yunnan, China<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-8\" href=\"https:\/\/www.hiredchina.com\/articles\/most-beautiful-places-in-china\/#9_Echoing_Sand_Mountain_and_Crescent_Lake_Gansu_China\" title=\"#9 Echoing Sand Mountain and Crescent Lake, Gansu, China\">#9 Echoing Sand Mountain and Crescent Lake, Gansu, China<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-9\" href=\"https:\/\/www.hiredchina.com\/articles\/most-beautiful-places-in-china\/#8_Yungang_Grottoes_Shanxi_China\" title=\"#8 Yungang Grottoes, Shanxi, China\">#8 Yungang Grottoes, Shanxi, China<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-10\" href=\"https:\/\/www.hiredchina.com\/articles\/most-beautiful-places-in-china\/#7_Yalong_Bay_Hainan\" title=\"#7 Yalong Bay, Hainan\">#7 Yalong Bay, Hainan<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-11\" href=\"https:\/\/www.hiredchina.com\/articles\/most-beautiful-places-in-china\/#6_Leshan_Giant_Buddha_Sichuan_China\" title=\"#6 \u00a0Leshan Giant Buddha, Sichuan, China\">#6 \u00a0Leshan Giant Buddha, Sichuan, China<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-12\" href=\"https:\/\/www.hiredchina.com\/articles\/most-beautiful-places-in-china\/#5_Thousand_Island_Lake_Qian_Dao_Zhejiang\" title=\"#5 Thousand Island Lake (Qian Dao), Zhejiang\">#5 Thousand Island Lake (Qian Dao), Zhejiang<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-13\" href=\"https:\/\/www.hiredchina.com\/articles\/most-beautiful-places-in-china\/#4_Hongcun_Ancient_River_Anhui_China\" title=\"#4 Hongcun Ancient River,\u00a0 Anhui, China\">#4 Hongcun Ancient River,\u00a0 Anhui, China<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-14\" href=\"https:\/\/www.hiredchina.com\/articles\/most-beautiful-places-in-china\/#3_Qinghai_Lake_Qinghai_China\" title=\"#3 Qinghai Lake, Qinghai, China\">#3 Qinghai Lake, Qinghai, China<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-15\" href=\"https:\/\/www.hiredchina.com\/articles\/most-beautiful-places-in-china\/#2_Yangshuo_Guangxi_China\" title=\"#2 Yangshuo, Guangxi, China\">#2 Yangshuo, Guangxi, China<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-16\" href=\"https:\/\/www.hiredchina.com\/articles\/most-beautiful-places-in-china\/#1_Larung_Gar_%E2%80%93_Tibet\" title=\"#1 Larung Gar &#8211; Tibet\">#1 Larung Gar &#8211; Tibet<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"The_most_beautiful_places_in_china_are\"><\/span><strong>The most beautiful places in china are<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<h3 style=\"text-align: center;\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"15_Jiuzhaigou_Sichuan_China\"><\/span><b><span style=\"color: #e33737;\">#15 Jiuzhaigou, Sichuan China<\/span><\/b><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">Jiuzhaigou National Park is a network of valleys in China\u2019s Sichuan Province. In the northern Shuzheng \u00a0Valley, the Nuorilang Waterfall cascades from the edge of a large tree-lined lake. The Zharu Monastery is a place of worship for the park\u2019s Tibetan villages. In the south, Rize Valley\u2019s mountains are covered with ancient forests.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">The main attraction of the National Park is it\u2019s Five Coloured \u00a0Lake. Fallen trees are scattered on the bottom of the striking, multicolored\u00a0Five Flower Lake. The beautiful body of water changes color throughout the day and year. The color is caused by a combination of algae and calcified rocks found at the bottom of the lake, as well as the reflection of the surrounding landscape. Autumn is the best time of year to visit the lake, when it takes on a rainbow of different hues.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/media.hiredchina.com\/Fr7haeEDUNlgi1XBT5kIc2E9vVft?imageView2\/0\/format\/webp\/q\/75\" alt=\"1.jpg\" width=\"589\" height=\"403\" title=\"\"><\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<p><strong>\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n<h3 style=\"text-align: center;\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"14_Zhangye_Danxia_Landforms_Gansu_China\"><\/span><b><span style=\"color: #e33737;\">#14 Zhangye Danxia Landforms, Gansu, China<\/span><\/b><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Nicknamed the \u2018Rainbow Mountains\u2019 of Danxia, this incredible landscape is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site. In this section of the Gobi Desert, the folding of layered oceanic crust created exposed rock layers of different colors and textures. Their unusual shapes, which resemble strange cones and towers, evolved over centuries of exposure to wind and rain and the colorful sedimentation layers add to the unique striped patterns.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/media.hiredchina.com\/FpAPX-FYLEDYy3QlW595JxFIosph?imageView2\/0\/format\/webp\/q\/75\" alt=\"2.jpg\" width=\"589\" height=\"413.17910447761193\" title=\"\"><\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<p><strong>\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n<h3 style=\"text-align: center;\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"13_Guanyin_Statue_Hainan_China\"><\/span><span style=\"color: #e33737;\"><strong>#13 Guanyin Statue, Hainan, \u00a0China<\/strong><\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Nicknamed the \u2018Rainbow Mountains\u2019 of Danxia, this incredible landscape is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site. In this section of the Gobi Desert, the folding of layered oceanic crust created exposed rock layers of different colors and textures. Their unusual shapes, which resemble strange cones and towers, evolved over centuries of exposure to wind and rain and the colorful sedimentation layers add to the unique striped patterns.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/media.hiredchina.com\/Ft5tQB_qEyOPyxXd2-VYeUBo95UH?imageView2\/0\/format\/webp\/q\/75\" alt=\"3.jpg\" width=\"589\" height=\"339.22037037037035\" title=\"\"><\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<h3 style=\"text-align: center;\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"12_Dongchuan_Red_Land_Yunnan_China\"><\/span><b><span style=\"color: #e33737;\">#12 Dongchuan Red Land,\u00a0 Yunnan, China<\/span><\/b><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"color: #3e3e3e; font-size: 16px;\">Dongchuan Red Land is a new tourist destination near Kunming, loved by photographers and backpackers, and praised as &#8220;God&#8217;s palette&#8221;. These red lands, extending for nearly 50 kilometers (30 miles), are the most striking and distinctive in the world. The region\u2019s subtropical climate causes iron to oxidize and deposit in the soil, which gives it a deep red color. The red soil color is<a href=\"https:\/\/www.merriam-webster.com\/dictionary\/emphasize\" class=\"broken_link\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\"> emphasized<\/a> by the other colors of the surrounding landscape, contrasting against green barley, golden buckwheat, white oil flowers, and the blue sky. Often described as a \u2018palette\u2019 of colors, the area is best visited from either May to June or September to November, when various crops are ripe and the colors are most distinct.<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/media.hiredchina.com\/FpcdhFSYihp1PzvbzTfhepDScLd0?imageView2\/0\/format\/webp\/q\/75\" alt=\"4.jpg\" width=\"589\" height=\"403.40943396226413\" title=\"\"><\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<h3 style=\"text-align: center;\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"11_St_Sophias_Catherdral_Harbin_China\"><\/span><span style=\"color: #e33737;\"><b>#11 St. Sophia\u2019s Catherdral, Harbin, \u00a0China<\/b><\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">St. Sophia\u2019s Cathedral in Harbin is the largest Eastern Orthodox Church in the Far East. It was built by Russian expats in 1907, managing to survive the Cultural Revolution that saw most of the city\u2019s other Orthodox churches destroyed. In November, 1996, it was listed as one of the Key Cultural Relics under State Protection. Half a year later, the city government repaired it and renamed it as Harbin Art Gallery. It is a respectable landmark for Harbiners and for <a target=\"_blank\" class=\"inside_link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.hiredchina.com\/articles\/tag\/tourism\/\" title=\"View all posts in tourism\">tourism<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/media.hiredchina.com\/FkBTjBpI1YODAIdaM5BN0gBPelzZ?imageView2\/0\/format\/webp\/q\/75\" alt=\"5.jpg\" width=\"589\" height=\"464.3614232209738\" title=\"\"><\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<h3 style=\"text-align: center;\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"10_Yuanyang_Rice_Terraces_Yunnan_China\"><\/span><b><span style=\"color: #e33737;\">#10 Yuanyang Rice Terraces, Yunnan, China<\/span><\/b><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"color: #3e3e3e; font-size: 16px;\">These Terraces have been dug into the rolling landscape of the southern Ailao Mountains by the Hani people over many centuries. Covering more than 12,500 hectares, these shallow-sloped terraces reach height of up to 6500 feet above sea level. Depending on the season, the terraces are a masterpiece of richly green or filled with water which reflects the colors and cloud shapes of the sky. Adding to the beauty of the terraces are the fascinating Hani people who farm the lands and still largely live according to the traditions of their ancestors.<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/media.hiredchina.com\/FmXFn1K8kJICyJWWXtNI_YG7rxkC?imageView2\/0\/format\/webp\/q\/75\" alt=\"6.jpg\" width=\"589\" height=\"436.57855822550835\" title=\"\"><\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<h3 style=\"text-align: center;\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"9_Echoing_Sand_Mountain_and_Crescent_Lake_Gansu_China\"><\/span><strong><span style=\"color: #e33737;\">#9 Echoing Sand Mountain and Crescent Lake, Gansu, China<\/span><\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">Have you ever heard of a mountain that echoes to the sound of sand as you slide down its slopes? Can you image a perennially limpid lake in an area of desert sand? Here in Dunhuang, Gansu Province, you will have the chance to enjoy the wonderful spectacle of the Echoing-Sand Mountain.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">The Echoing Sand Mountain is a series of sand dunes located along the Silk Road, in the Gobi Desert in northwest China. Aside from their interesting shapes, the dunes are known for the haunting echoing sound they produce when strong winds blow over the sands. . On days when a strong wind blows, the fast shifting sand roars; but when the wind is little more than a light breeze, the sand produces gentle, dulcet sounds akin to music. It is the same when you are sliding down the mountainside. At first, the sand under your feet just whispers; but the further you slide, the louder the sound until it reaches a crescendo like thunder or a drum beat. Some say that the sand is singing, while to others it is like an echo and this is how the mountain gets its name.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">The dunes surround Crescent Lake, a half-mooned shaped lake that offers a pleasing contrast to the sand with the gardens blooming on its shores.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/media.hiredchina.com\/Fomr_AdvBaibZgx-GL59CnWM2yEE?imageView2\/0\/format\/webp\/q\/75\" alt=\"8.jpg\" width=\"589\" height=\"299.43575418994413\" title=\"\"><\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><span style=\"color: #e33737;\"><b>\u00a0<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n<h3 style=\"text-align: center;\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"8_Yungang_Grottoes_Shanxi_China\"><\/span><span style=\"color: #e33737;\"><b>#8 Yungang Grottoes, <\/b><\/span><span style=\"color: #e33737;\"><b>Shanxi, China<\/b><\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">The Yungang Grottoes are located in the south of Wuzhou Mountain on the north bank of Ten-Mile River. They are about 16 kilometers to the southwest of Datong in Shanxi Province. Being one of the UNESCO World Heritage Site, Yungang Grottoes is said to be the best preserved Buddhist cave art in China with 53 caves containing over 51,000 stone carvings of Buddha and Buddhist dating from the 5th and 6th centuries. It is one of the four most famous ancient grottoes artistic treasures of China. The other three are Mogao Grottoes in Dunhuang, Longmen Grottoes in Luoyang and Maiji Mountain Grottoes in Tianshui. On December 14, 2001, Yungang Grottoes was added to the UNESCO World Cultural Heritage List.<\/p>\n<p>The site is an important Buddhist landmark, reflecting numerous different styles of Buddhist art. The tallest sculpture is 55 feet high, while the two smallest are only a few inches. Five Buddhas sculpted based on five Wei dynasty emperors can be found in grottoes 16 to 20, which are considered to be the most well-preserved caves.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/media.hiredchina.com\/FvEDLP-X9qta5nJU5T_HEms6n8tj?imageView2\/0\/format\/webp\/q\/75\" alt=\"9.jpg\" width=\"589\" height=\"353.6189591078067\" title=\"\"><\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<h3 style=\"text-align: center;\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"7_Yalong_Bay_Hainan\"><\/span><b><span style=\"color: #e33737;\">#7 Yalong Bay, Hainan<\/span><\/b><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"color: #3e3e3e; font-size: 16px;\">Yalong Bay offers one of China\u2019s most beautiful beaches, a 5-mile stretch of lovely white sands dotted with swaying palm trees. Set along Hainan\u2019s southern coast, the beach is lined with resorts ranging from locally-run two-star inns to luxury international hotel chains. This gorgeous tropical destination is also an excellent spot for enjoying water sports, such as snorkeling, diving, and jet-skiing. The scenery is amazing, with endless rolling hills, serene gulfs, clear blue sea and silvery sand beaches&#8211;three times as long as any in Hawaii. Home to several well-preserved coral reefs with tropical fish of varied kinds, colors and shapes, the ocean here is crystal clear.<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/media.hiredchina.com\/Fh9JhK6w9aFV4eDvE7rsG9OR7wOi?imageView2\/0\/format\/webp\/q\/75\" alt=\"10.jpg\" width=\"589\" height=\"429.0655430711611\" title=\"\"><\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<h3 style=\"text-align: center;\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"6_Leshan_Giant_Buddha_Sichuan_China\"><\/span><b><span style=\"color: #e33737;\">#6 \u00a0Leshan Giant Buddha, Sichuan, China<\/span><\/b><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">Not far from the city of Chengdu in Sichuan Province, sits the Leshan Giant Buddha statue. Carved into the side of Mt. Lingyun, the colossal statue is over 1,300-years-old and is considered to be the largest stone Buddha in the world, and by far the tallest pre-modern statue. The statue\u2019s big toes are 28 feet long, and his ears are 23 feet each on its own! The site attracts millions of people every year, including Buddhist pilgrims, making it something of a sacred destination and an ancient wonder of the world.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">The statue was carved into a cliff face overlooking the confluence of three turbulent rivers. The project was started by a monk who wanted to calm the rivers\u2019 dangerous currents, and it took more than 90 years to complete.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/media.hiredchina.com\/FhP6fN8xV2kvh65jpwE2BlHALowN?imageView2\/0\/format\/webp\/q\/75\" alt=\"11.jpg\" width=\"589\" height=\"380.1425891181989\" title=\"\"><\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><span style=\"color: #e33737;\"><span style=\"font-size: 18px;\">\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<h3 style=\"text-align: center;\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"5_Thousand_Island_Lake_Qian_Dao_Zhejiang\"><\/span><b><span style=\"font-size: 18px;\"><span style=\"color: #e33737;\">#5 Thousand Island Lake (Qian Dao), Zhejiang<\/span><\/span><\/b><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"color: #3e3e3e; font-size: 16px;\">Qian Dao Lake, also known as Thousand \u00a0Islets Lake, is a man-made lake developed in the 1950s after the completion of the Xin\u2019an River hydroelectric station. Villages, plains and hills were evacuated and flooded, unintentionally creating a dream-like landscape of more than 1,000 tiny islands. Many of these islands have since been developed for tourism, with some featuring themes and offering activities ranging from water skiing to mountain climbing. There is also secret water town under the lake! More can be read about this mysterious under water town in our previous article<\/span><span style=\"color: #3e3e3e; font-size: 16px;\">.\u00a0<\/span><span style=\"color: #3e3e3e; font-size: 16px;\"><strong>GIC:\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/mp.weixin.qq.com\/s?__biz=MjM5MTcwODQ2Nw==&amp;mid=2652047680&amp;idx=1&amp;sn=d5c568bfcabfe8e554102a53ea10322b&amp;chksm=bd56cd1c8a21440a7058e61ca248ccb85e1b69dfe958dbdfaa22c16b75dd90ce374dcce9eae2&amp;scene=21#wechat_redirect\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Strange Unresolved MYSTERIES Found in China!<\/a>\u00a0(REDIRECT THIS TO OUR PREVIOUS ARTICLE LINK MYSTERIES IN CHINA \u2013 THANK YOU!)<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/media.hiredchina.com\/FqhLJw3ChiCFgznIvNRvWytPp_5S?imageView2\/0\/format\/webp\/q\/75\" alt=\"12.jpg\" width=\"589\" height=\"407.2639405204461\" title=\"\"><\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<h3 style=\"text-align: center;\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"4_Hongcun_Ancient_River_Anhui_China\"><\/span><span style=\"color: #e33737;\"><b>#4 Hongcun Ancient River,\u00a0 Anhui, China<\/b><\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"color: #3e3e3e; font-size: 16px;\">The Hongcun Ancient Village is a striking traditional village with a history that stretches back more than 1,000 years. With the crescent-shaped Moon Pond at its center, the village is a picturesque expanse of narrow lanes, old-fashioned clan halls, graceful bridges, and serene lakeside views. This charming scene is set against the dramatic backdrop of the Huangshan Mountain Range. Home to more than 140 ancient houses, the village is listed as a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage Site.<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/media.hiredchina.com\/FgB0tIt57wCEvtzDQ5JQ7IEMtEdn?imageView2\/0\/format\/webp\/q\/75\" alt=\"13.jpg\" width=\"589\" height=\"330.0148423005566\" title=\"\"><\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><span style=\"color: #e33737;\"><strong>\u00a0<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<h3 style=\"text-align: center;\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"3_Qinghai_Lake_Qinghai_China\"><\/span><b><span style=\"color: #e33737;\">#3 Qinghai Lake, Qinghai, China<\/span><\/b><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"color: #3e3e3e; font-size: 16px;\">Qinghai Lake is the largest lake in China. Located in northwest China, this beautiful blue lake draws visitors in June and July when flocks of migratory birds can be seen flitting around Bird Island, which is found on the lake\u2019s western shore. The pristine wilderness area around the lake is a popular spot for hiking, camping, and cycling. The scenery is a gorgeous mix of rolling green hills and lush farmlands dotted with sheep.<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/media.hiredchina.com\/FqGSNWwxtbxCc47_3OD1dRyKvNXP?imageView2\/0\/format\/webp\/q\/75\" alt=\"14.jpg\" width=\"589\" height=\"467.4427767354597\" title=\"\"><\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<h3 style=\"text-align: center;\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"2_Yangshuo_Guangxi_China\"><\/span><b><span style=\"color: #e33737;\">#2 Yangshuo, Guangxi, China<\/span><\/b><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"color: #3e3e3e; font-size: 16px;\">Looking straight out of a fairy tale, Yangshuo is a scenic riverside town in southern China, and a haven for adventure <a target=\"_blank\" class=\"inside_link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.hiredchina.com\/articles\/tag\/travel\/\" title=\"View all posts in travel\">travel<\/a>ers. The area is an excellent spot for rock climbing, hiking, caving, and biking. Although the town itself is relatively touristy, the surrounding countryside is tranquil and beautiful, with bamboo boats floating along the river, and farmers working in fertile fields bordered by towering karst peaks. Some of the most beautiful sceneries can be found through a simple bike ride outside town, in Guangxi.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/media.hiredchina.com\/FvMi1UtLwIML4W76BUVVe2XbSf00?imageView2\/0\/format\/webp\/q\/75\" alt=\"15.jpg\" width=\"589\" height=\"353.4\" title=\"\"><\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><strong><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/media.hiredchina.com\/FonBQ0K4iglLDIHNk-t-0Xu3h-ny?imageView2\/0\/format\/webp\/q\/75\" alt=\"16.jpg\" width=\"589\" height=\"401.4906367041198\" title=\"\"><br \/>\n<\/strong><\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<p><strong>\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n<h3 style=\"text-align: center;\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"1_Larung_Gar_%E2%80%93_Tibet\"><\/span><b><span style=\"color: #e33737;\">#1 Larung Gar &#8211; Tibet<\/span><\/b><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">This destination deserves an article of its own! However we have done our very best to summarise the key elements of what makes this number 1 on our list. Larung Gar is not among the most popular destinations in China and there are still few English information about it on Internet, but this doesn\u2019t mean it is unknown.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">An eye opening travel destination given the uniform red houses, the place is situated in a remote area of western Sichuan at 4200 metres above sea level and supposedly to be home to more than 40k people. More specifically, Larung Gar is situated in Serthar County (S\u00e8d\u00e1), in Garze Tibetan \u00a0Autonomous Prefecture and it is the largest Tibetan Buddhist school in the world. A separate visa is also not needed to enter this city, a Chinese permit would be sufficient to travel in and out.<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/media.hiredchina.com\/FidlKu7-nkokOAmEWuLCuubVmR0e?imageView2\/0\/format\/webp\/q\/75\" alt=\"17.jpg\" width=\"589\" height=\"389.37616387337056\" title=\"\"><\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">Accommodation is available in hotels situated on top of the hill. It is divided into two sections and has a buffet every day at lunch and dinner time (CNY 20 per person \u2013 eat as much as you want). The position is perfect, near one of the viewpoint and near a monastery.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">Walking through the city is comparable to walking through a maze. It is a mystery how monks and nuns are able to find their houses. The houses are packed so close together where it would nearly look stacked \u2013 one on top of the other, giving the city a quaint feel, especially with its perfect symmetry.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/media.hiredchina.com\/FucGL5OfdMIrY3oaSGYjlHy9dtmP?imageView2\/0\/format\/webp\/q\/75\" alt=\"18.jpg\" width=\"589\" height=\"371.1811320754717\" title=\"\"><\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<p>The temples, Buddhist schools and training centres are located right in the middle of the city, which is surrounded by a spectacle of houses which burst with colour. Easily Larung Gar can be labelled as one of the most surreal yet beautiful destinations in China. You will be guaranteed to meet kind locals, understand nirvana and appreciate the beauty that lies in simplicity.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/media.hiredchina.com\/FgtZAmZAXKV1nIWBTZ34gGBZekK2?imageView2\/0\/format\/webp\/q\/75\" alt=\"19.jpg\" width=\"589\" height=\"393.4033771106942\" title=\"\"><\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><strong>A word of caution:<\/strong>\u00a0<span style=\"color: #3e3e3e;\">Because of the high elevation of Larung Gar (~ 4200ft\u2013 5000ft higher than Lhasa) it is recommended that you take a couple of acclimatization days before arriving. AMS (Acute Mountain Sickness) is no joke and it is quite common above 2700ft. The only way to stop it is by descending. Many people experience only minor symptoms, but it\u2019s certainly best to avoid shocking your system by rising in altitude gradually. These are some of the signs that indicate AMS:<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">\u00a0&#8211;\u00a0 Lack of appetite<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">\u00a0&#8211;\u00a0 Nausea or vomiting<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">\u00a0&#8211;\u00a0 Fatigue or weakness<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">\u00a0&#8211;\u00a0 Headaches<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">\u00a0&#8211;\u00a0 Shortness of breath<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">\u00a0&#8211;\u00a0 Swelling of hands, feet, and face<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">In addition to ascent gradually, another thing that you can do to prevent altitude sickness is to take the \u201cRhodiola Rosea\u201d (hong jing tian \u7ea2\u666f\u5929 , pictures below). Rhodiola is a herb used for increasing energy, strength and help the body resist environmental stress. You can start to take it from 2-3 days before traveling to Larung Gar twice a day in the morning and in the evening until you leave the place. It is found in any pharmacy in Chengdu (we found it in Kangding as well) and totally recommended. Once in Larung Gar, make also sure you drink a lot of water to hydrate your body properly.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/media.hiredchina.com\/Fvt-2t-sDNjIEMoYG4HanD9pAj5i?imageView2\/0\/format\/webp\/q\/75\" alt=\"20.jpg\" width=\"589\" height=\"209.49534450651768\" title=\"\"><\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><b>A totally worthy experience regardless!<\/b><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/media.hiredchina.com\/FgqzDCtFRTYlaeUF3wzTUAA3J0S_?imageView2\/0\/format\/webp\/q\/75\" alt=\"2017-9-7-4.gif\" width=\"100\" height=\"100\" title=\"\"><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><strong>\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><strong>Have you visited any of these gorgeous places in China? Have you seen any other places in China which we can add to our list? Please leave your comments below!<\/strong><\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/media.hiredchina.com\/FlXXlKXBxtykYAuKbjvAxKMwIbVH?imageView2\/0\/format\/webp\/q\/75\" alt=\"GIC.jpg\" width=\"500\" height=\"543.2937181663837\" title=\"\"><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"As one of the world\u2019s largest and oldest civilizations, it\u2019s no surprise that China is filled with countless lesser-known gems and hidden attractions waiting to be discovered. This diverse country\u2019s &#8230;","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":9944,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[25],"tags":[157,60,306,29,34,27,215,214],"class_list":["post-849","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-travel","tag-beautiful-places-in-china","tag-china","tag-hiredchina","tag-jobs","tag-jobs-in-china","tag-news","tag-tourism","tag-travel"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.hiredchina.com\/articles\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/849","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.hiredchina.com\/articles\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.hiredchina.com\/articles\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.hiredchina.com\/articles\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.hiredchina.com\/articles\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=849"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/www.hiredchina.com\/articles\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/849\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":9945,"href":"https:\/\/www.hiredchina.com\/articles\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/849\/revisions\/9945"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.hiredchina.com\/articles\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/9944"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.hiredchina.com\/articles\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=849"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.hiredchina.com\/articles\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=849"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.hiredchina.com\/articles\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=849"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}