China is one of the most diverse travel destinations in the world, where every region feels like a different country. From the snow mountains and ethnic villages of southwest Yunnan Province, to the dramatic karst landscapes of Guilin, and the ultra-modern skylines of Shanghai, the contrasts are extreme and constant.
\nIn just a single journey, you can move from ancient traditions and rural life to futuristic megacities without ever leaving the same country. In this guide we provide you with our top 10 list of most underrated and best travel destinations in China.
Let me start by talking about a place we especially like: Yunnan Province. If we had to choose just one province in China to recommend, it is probably our favorite place all over China.
It’s the province in China with the most diverse natural landscapes and the highest number of ethnic minorities. From scenery, to local culture, to food, it offers a very stunning experience for tourists.
You can land in Kunming, then take the train from Kunming to Dali → Lijiang → Shangri-La. Along the way, you’ll see lively ancient towns and snow-capped mountains. Between Lijiang and Shangri-La, you can also hike the Tiger Leaping Gorge.
If you like tropical vibes, you can go to Xishuangbanna, home to the Dai ethnic group. It’s close to Vietnam and also features the famous Hani rice terraces of the Red River region.
In northern Yunnan, near Sichuan, there is also Yanjin, one of the narrowest counties in China.
People in Yunnan are very welcoming, the climate is pleasant, resources are rich, and the natural landscapes are extremely diverse. It’s a very fun place.
\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tBest Places to visit in Yunnan:
\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tWhen it comes to natural scenery, Guangxi and Hunan have some truly iconic landscapes that represent classic Chinese nature views.
One of them is Zhangjiajie in Hunan (Avatar Mountains). It can be visited in about 3 days. The karst landscapes of Hunan are a classic example of Chinese scenery.
Other well-developed scenic regions with similar karst landscapes include Guangxi Province:
These places are very tourist-friendly, accommodation is affordable, and the atmosphere is very chill, great for family trips.
\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tHere you get a combination of snow mountains and grasslands, with alpine scenery comparable to the Alps.
Because these are Tibetan-influenced regions, you can experience Tibetan culture without needing a Tibet travel permit.
However, except for Yunnan, the other two regions have limited train access, so transport is mainly by bus, making them more suitable for self-driving trips.
\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tTibet is the snowy plateau, there is no need to say more. It’s a unique “roof of the world” landscape with an average altitude of over 4000 meters, the air is thin and the landscape is vast, cold, intimidating, and stunning at the same time. From the foot of Mount Everest, to the holy site of Mount Kailash, down to the border region of Medog, Tibet has it all.
However, you need a Tibet travel permit and must travel in organized tours, independent travel is not allowed.
\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tInner Mongolia, is one of China’s vastest provinces. It ranges from northeast China all the way to western China, comprising the stunning Xilingol Leage (Ujimuqin) Grasslands and some of the harshest deserts like Gobi and Badain Jaran in one province.
You should go in summer, when you can see the classic scene of “wind blowing through grass and cattle and sheep appearing.”
In winter, there is basically nothing, and we wouldn’t recommend traveling Inner Mongolia during the winter months October until March/April.
Places to visit:
\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tAs China’s largest province, Xinjiang covers everything. From deserts and 8000+ meter high mountains in southern Xinjiang, grasslands in central Xinjiang, and snow mountains in Northern Xinjiang, you can find it all in one province that’s roughly four times the size of Germany.
Together with Yunnan, Xinjiang is one of the most diverse regions of China in terms of not only landscape, but culture and ethnicities, as well as food. There is a huge central Asian influence and it’s minorities make the region especially vibrant.
Places to visit:
\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tChina’s ancient capital and the most complete imperial city.
If you like history and heritage sites, you must visit Beijing. Besides the Forbidden City and Temple of Heaven, you should also see the Great Wall.
Badaling is the most crowded, but for something quieter and more scenic you can go to Jinshanling, Jiankou, or Mutianyu.
\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tChina’s most fashionable, modern, and international city.
The Bund at night is beautiful. The French Concession feels like Europe. There are also countless cafés and restaurants.
\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tChongqing is a city that probably only China could have.
It’s a mountain city with layered skyscrapers , you think you’re on flat ground, but you might actually be on the 28th floor.
It’s a vertical, cyberpunk, “8D city.” It’s also a paradise for motorbike lovers, with people doing night street riding.
And of course, Chongqing hotpot, extremely spicy and intense.
\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tHangzhou is getting very popular city among tourists.
It’s not only our home base but also a very elegant and beautiful city. In the middle of the city is West Lake, and there are tea fields and countryside within the city.
It is extremely clean and organized, a true landscape city.
It’s the only city where urban life and tea-growing countryside coexist side by side.
\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tShenzhen is China’s youngest and most tech-driven city, drone delivery, driverless taxis, and crazy nightlife are all the things you need to know.
It has the most skyscrapers in China, and grew like crazy over the last 30-40 years. There are also beaches, and it is right next to Hong Kong.
\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tDon’t forget the most important things:
Check our China Travel Guide so you don’t forget anything
\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tExplore next:
→ Must-Have Apps
→ Transportation in China
→ Internet & VPN
→ Payments in China
→ Safety as a tourist in China
→ Restricted Areas for Foreigners
→ Self-driving in China