You want to go to China, huh? Well, you are in luck! China is a GREAT place to visit, travel, study, and experience. With a well-oiled train network and low, low prices, China is a great backpacker's destination. The only problem is... it's HUGE! Narrowing down what can see and do may be the hardest part of your trip, so I've compiled a list of my Top 5 China destinations.
1. The Great Wall at JinShanLing
Skip Badaling and other Great Wall sites near Beijing and head out to JinShanLing for a breathtaking adventure you'll never forget. Composed of both restored and ruined parts of the Wall, JinShanLing gives you a peak back into China's history. Although famed for being the most scenic part of the Great Wall, it is left forgotten by tourists, and you will feel as if you have the entire Wall to yourself. You can easily find a tour company willing to take you there if you ask for it specifically. We booked a $50 tour through our hostel, which included transportation to JinShanLing, breakfast, and lunch. It takes about 3 hours each way to get there, but I just call that nap time :)
2. The Avatar Mountains (aka Hallelujah Mountains) in Zhangjiajie
If you're looking for a great hike and breathtaking scenery, the Avatar Mountains are the way to go. Named after James Cameron's Avatar movies, the park has a sort of "out-of-this world" quality that you have to see to believe. Plus, there are cute monkeys running around! There are even hostels inside the park that give you the chance to get the full experience. Check out my trip to Zhangjiajie here.
3. HuaShan Mountain in Xi'an
If you visit Xi'an, you're probably there to see the Terracotta Soldiers. And too many people forget about HuaShan, a sacred Taoist mountain located only a few hours outside of the city. You can take the cable car up or hike it. If you hike, you may feel like you're dying from lack of oxygen, but the views at the top are all worth it. And for your reward, you can scale the mountain's cliffs via the famous Plank Walk. Read more here.
4. Tiger Leaping Gorge in Yunnan Province
It may be a little bit of a trek to get out there, but Tiger Leaping Gorge is STUNNING! Named after a Chinese folktale, it is said that a tiger leaped across the gorge while running from a hunter. The hike down to the gorge is easy, and the views are absolutely fantastic. Plus, there are a lot of nooks and crannies to be explored at the top of the gorge that are well work checking out. Read my story here.
5. Reed Flute Cave in Guilin
If you're looking for natural beauty and a unique experience, consider visiting the Reed Flute Cave in Guilin. It is a perfect stop along the way to visit the Li River or Yangshou, and is well worth a visit or two. The entire cave is lit up with spectacular lights, and you have the chance to see a rare turtle species that lives deep within the cave. It's definitely a once-in-a-lifetime experience that shouldn't be missed!
What would you add to this Top 5 List? Comment Below!
Labels: backpacking, China, China Adventure, China travel guides, great wall, guilin, tiger leaping gorge, top 5, zhangjiajie
