| 7 mins read
By Rachel Barac
With its rapid modernization and population of over a billion people, China is sprouting mega cities at a rather frenetic pace. Thankfully, juxtaposed with these expanding urban spaces, one can also find some of the most scenic and diverse landscapes imaginable. Snowcapped Mountains, calming beaches, rural countrysides and an old world charm unique to China's cultural identity spring up as refreshing getaways that help unwind from the rush of the big cities. Take a break from the cityscape with these top 5 places to chill out in China!
Moganshan
A short three-hour drive from Shanghai brings one to the fresh mountain air of Moganshan. Here, dense bamboo forests replace crowds of people and the sound of traffic and city life give way to the sound of birds and wildlife. This peaceful location was once an escape for China’s elite to relax, and still retains its current identity as a place to chill and catch a break from the busy cities. There are many hiking trails around Moganshan and to the summit of the mountain. The paths are well maintained but don’t expect an easy hike! Not only are the natural surrounds beautiful, but also the quaint villages, local cuisine and people make for a lovely cultural experience. There are many guesthouses available at any of the small villages nearby; however for a more luxurious weekend getaway, the Naked Retreat is a standout. This eco-friendly retreat is located a few kilometres from Moganshan Mountain and offers tranquility without giving up on life’s little luxuries!
Hainan Island
With its sugary white sand, turquoise waters and coconut trees swaying in the breeze, it’s hard to believe Hainan Island was once a place to exile disgraced government officials and criminals. Now China’s southern most province is a sought after holiday destination. Often touted as the Hawaii of China, Hainan Island has its own unique personality. It is made up of a diverse ethnic populace including the Hainanese, Li, Miao, and the Zhuang people to name a few. The food across the island is influenced by the varied culture and includes coconut soup, Wenchang chicken, bamboo rice, dumplings (unique from the mainland), and freshly caught seafood. For a one-of-a-kind experience try one of the restaurants at the floating village in Haitang.
When it comes to beaches Sanya at the Southern end of the island is the main beach resort for relaxing. Whereas, Shimei Bay and the Sun and Moon Bay are known to surfers for their inviting waves. A short distance off the coast, the coral reef at Wuzhizhou Island beckons to be explored. Back from the beach are volcanic hot springs, rainforest trails passing beside waterfalls, the Nanshan Buddhist temple and traditional Hainanese villages. Adventurous travellers can even ask their Hainan Island tour guide to take them to some of the more remote areas on the island. Meanwhile, learning a few simple phrases in Hainanese will go a long way with the locals! Now kick back, breathe in the fresh air, drink from a coconut and watch the pink sunset unfold across the sky of the South China Sea.
Wulong County
Wulong County located in Chongqing offers stunning natural beauty featuring karst landscapes. Within the UNESCO world heritage site are the three natural limestone bridges that have been formed over thousands of years. The bridges soar high above, with the tallest measuring 281 metres. Adding to the grandeur is the fact that each bridge is named after a dragon: Sky dragon, Azure dragon and Black dragon. The giant transformer statue at the entrance to the park as well as on the trail serves as a reminder to movie buffs about the filming of the movie onsite.
Caves are another side effect of the karst landscape. Not too far away is the Furong Cave (also known as Lotus Cave). Once upon a time locals feared this spectacular cave with the belief that it harboured evil spirits. Exploration by local farmers in 1993 revealed the wonder and beauty of the caves, and finally the site was opened to the public in 1994. The cave’s crystalline formations have been described as a work of art.
Jiuzhaigou
The name Jiuzhaigou refers to the nine Tibetan villages in the Minshan mountain range, and literally means nine-village valley. In the north of the Sichuan province, this breath taking nature reserve is well known for its dazzling blue-green lakes, which are crystal clear allowing one to see to the bottom - no matter the depth. It is also known for its waterfalls, Tibetan villages and wildlife. The scenery is particularly striking in autumn when the leaves change colour. Winter brings in a wonderland with fewer tourists, frozen waterfalls, trees and mountains dusted in white, and glistening icy lakes that still exhibit their blue-green water.
Yangtze River Cruise
A boat cruise along the mighty Yangtze River is a holiday on and off the boat. With on-board amenities and entertainment and onshore excursions, travellers will get the best of both worlds.
Travellers usually plan their sightseeing around the cruise, wherein they explore the sights and sounds of Chongqing with their tour guide, before boarding the cruise from there to Yichang, the best months to travel being April, May, September and October. Highlights include the breathtaking Three Gorges region with towering jagged mountain peaks above the river and history spanning thousands of years. The third gorge, Qutang, is particularly famous seeing as it is displayed on the 10-yuan note. Also impressive is the engineering achievement of the Three Gorges Dam, with the cruise boat passing through the dams’ 5 ship locks. Yangtze River tour guides will be able to impart knowledge concerning the history of charming rural villages, temples, pagodas and the ghost city of Fengdu along the way. The opportunity to visit secluded areas along the Yangtze only reachable by boat will make for an unforgettable experience.
Image Details and Licenses: https://flic.kr/p/5WCPLM (Malcolm Moore, CC BY 2.0), https://flic.kr/p/7sFEaN (Vincent Miao, CC BY-NC-ND 2.0), https://flic.kr/p/9SSu7 (Xianyi Shen, CC BY-NC-ND 2.0), https://flic.kr/p/uZ6xpy (steve deeves, CC BY 2.0), https://flic.kr/p/rMexkb (Brent Miller, CC BY-NC-ND 2.0), https://flic.kr/p/n9rBqdf (Alex Aw, CC BY-NC-ND 2.0), https://flic.kr/p/qfcvap (My Discovery, CC BY 2.0), https://flic.kr/p/qDSqNQ (killerturnip, CC BY-NC-ND 2.0), https://flic.kr/p/btpPec (Marshall Segal, CC BY-NC-ND 2.0) https://flic.kr/p/t5Ysxm (Stanley Zimny CC by NC-2.0)