10 Most Beautiful Places in China for First-Time Travelers

If you love beautiful landscapes, this list is for you. We've handpicked some of the most breathtaking natural destinations in China, from mountains to lakes to grasslands, and added helpful tips to make your visit smoother and more rewarding.

1. Kalajun Grassland

Kalajun Grassland

Kalajun Grassland may not be as well-known as Nalati or the Hulunbuir grasslands, but after visiting it myself, I can say it's one of the most breathtaking grasslands in China.

Here, you'll witness a stunning layered scenery of vast grasslands, dense forests, and snowcapped mountains. The panoramic views are incredible, and the relatively low number of visitors makes for a much more peaceful and immersive experience.

Unlike some more commercialized sites, Kalajun retains a sense of authenticity and raw natural beauty.

The grassland area is large, and you should plan to spend at least a full day exploring. The best time to visit is from May to June, when the grass is green, wildflowers are in bloom, and the snow is still visible on the mountaintops. It's also a quieter time before the peak tourist season.

There are two must-see spots: Flower Platform (Xianhuatai) and Falcon Platform (Lieyingtai). Flower Platform offers wide open views of the surrounding landscape, while Falcon Platform has even more dramatic terrain and arguably better photo opportunities.

If you're interested in horseback riding, Falcon Platform is the recommended place. It's an official, regulated area and offers a more scenic and safe riding experience.

My experience of riding a horse on the Falcon Platform in mid-May

If you enjoy walking, consider hiking the route from Flower Platform to Falcon Platform instead of taking the sightseeing shuttle. This one-hour walk offers some of the most beautiful views in the entire area, allowing you to fully soak in the expansive nature and silence of Kalajun.

If you want to experience such beautiful scenery in Xinjiang, you can check out our 8-Day Xinjiang Tour with Ili River Valley

2. Jiuzhaigou

Jiuzhaigou

Jiuzhaigou features multicolored lakes surrounded by vast mountain forests. These lakes change color throughout the day and year. The beauty of the waters there is rarely matched in China.

The most beautiful time to visit Jiuzhaigou is in autumn, especially from October 20 to November 10, when the entire valley is painted in vibrant shades of red and gold.

Shuzheng Lakes in autumn

This is also the most crowded season. If you want to enjoy the autumn colors with slightly fewer crowds, it's best to plan your visit around October 7–10 or November 1–10. (See Best Time to Visit Jiuzhaigou)

Jiuzhaigou is very large, and if you're into photography, you'll want to spend at least a full day exploring it. The ideal plan is to arrive the night before and stay near the park, so you can start early and make the most of your visit.

Jiuzhaigou has three main valleys, but the highlights are Rize Valley and Shuzheng Valley. Rize Valley is home to some of the most stunning lakes, while Shuzheng Valley features colorful forests and beautiful water landscapes.

3. The Yellow Mountains

The Yellow Mountain is perhaps the place that best resembles a traditional Chinese ink painting, offering a vivid experience of classical Chinese beauty. The "Four Wonders" of Huangshan are its sea of clouds, odd-shaped pine trees, striking rock formations, and hot springs.

One of the most spectacular areas is the Xihai Grand Canyon, where you can admire dramatic cliffs, misty pines, and sweeping cloud views. If you're physically fit, consider hiking up to Bright Summit Peak, one of Huangshan's highest points. It's the perfect place to watch a breathtaking sunrise or sunset.

The autumn scenery in Xihai Grand Canyon

You'll need 2–3 days to explore Huangshan. Staying one night on the mountain is highly recommended. A more relaxed option involves taking the cable car and walking short distances, which is suitable for kids and most seniors in good health (even 70+).

If you're active, you can trek the whole route, which takes about 4 full days.

Beyond the mountain scenery, the ancient villages at the foot of Huangshan are equally charming, with their iconic whitewashed walls and gray-tiled roofs. Hongcun Village is the most famous, and if you come in March or April, you'll see fields of blooming canola flowers around the village.

Our guests in Hongcun

For a quieter, more immersive experience, I recommend Bishan Village, about 1.5 hours from the mountain. It's a rural utopia. You can read in a peaceful bookstore, sip a drink in a renovated pigsty-turned-bar, or simply wander through the alleyways of old architecture.

4. Sayram Lake

Sayram Lake is often considered one of the most beautiful lakes in China. Its greatest charm lies in its crystal-clear blue water. The bluer the sky, the deeper the lake's color becomes.

With snow-capped mountains in the distance and lush meadows along the shore, the scenery is so serene that it feels like the lake can wash away all your worries, leaving only a sense of peace.

Sayram Lake

The best way to explore the lake is by self-driving or hiring a car, so you can stop freely to admire the view or take photos at your own pace.

A full loop around the lake takes about a day and is highly recommended if you have the time. Every section of the drive offers stunning, varied views that never get repetitive.

If your time is limited, the stretch between the South Gate and North Gate features the most scenic part of the lake and is a great option for a shorter visit.

The best time to visit is June to August, when the grasslands around the lake are filled with wildflowers. Another magical time is December to January, when you can see gorgeous blue ice on the lake's surface, and if you're lucky, even witness a pink sunset — a winter-exclusive view at Sayram Lake.

5. Li River

If you want to see China's most beautiful mountain-and-river countryside scenery, the Li River is the place to go. Flowing from Guilin to Yangshuo, the river is lined with towering karst peaks that rise like bamboo shoots from the earth.

The water is crystal clear, reflecting the dramatic hills, with fishing boats drifting and patches of farmland adding a pastoral charm.

The best and most relaxing way to experience the Li River is by taking a river cruise. The full journey takes around 4 hours, with the most scenic stretch being from Nine Horses Fresco Hill (Jiuma Huashan) to Xingping Ancient Town.

Nine Horses Fresco Hill

The best time to visit is from September to October. You'll enjoy sunny, dry weather, and the golden rice fields will make the landscape even more beautiful.

Another good time is from March to April. You'll find the karst peaks shrouded in mist, creating a dreamlike scene that feels just like stepping into a traditional Chinese ink painting.

After reaching Yangshuo, it's worth spending an extra day or two. You can go caving, kayaking, biking, rock climbing, or simply relax at a riverside resort and enjoy the tranquil surroundings.

See our 14-Day China Natural Wonders Discovery.

Our guests are biking in Yangshuo

6. Tiger Leap Gorge

Tiger Leaping Gorge is a must-visit if you love the outdoors or are looking for a truly awe-inspiring natural experience. It's one of the deepest gorges in the world. You'll see the roaring Jinsha River cutting through cliffs, flanked by snow-capped peaks rising over 3,000 meters.

Whether you're standing on a viewing platform or hiking along the narrow trail, with the thunder of the river in your ears, snow mountains ahead, and raging waters below, you'll feel both small in the face of nature and deeply empowered by it.

The gorge is divided into three sections: Upper, Middle, and Lower. Most visitors stick to the Upper Gorge. The paths and viewpoints are more developed. But if you're up for a challenge, the Middle Gorge offers one of China's most stunning hiking routes.

We are hiking in Tiger Leaping Gorge.

The best times to visit are from April to June and September to October, when the weather is pleasant and the river flow is ideal.

You can explore Tiger Leaping Gorge in half a day to a full day, but if you're doing the full hike, plan for two days with an overnight stay at a local guesthouse inside the gorge.

7. Longji Terrace Field

Many photography lovers are drawn to Longji Rice Terraces for their mesmerizing layers that ripple across the mountains like waves. Especially during the harvest season from September to October, the fields turn golden, offering the most stunning views of the year.

Longji Terrace Field in autumn

On one side, you'll see ancient wooden houses; on the other, terraced fields spiraling down the hillsides. Locals in traditional ethnic dress work in the fields. This "living cultural landscape" is something few other scenic spots can match.

One of the most relaxing and rewarding ways to enjoy the view is to take the cable car up to a top viewpoint. But if you're more active, we highly recommend walking into the fields instead.

Our guests in Longji Terrace Field

You'll be rewarded with ever-changing perspectives, encounter some lovely locals along the way, and even get the chance to step into local homes and learn about the unique customs of ethnic minorities.

Plan to spend at least one full day here. If you're looking for a slower, more immersive experience, consider staying overnight in one of the hilltop villages for a nice sunrise over the terraces.

8. Zhangye Rainbow Mountains

If you like striking and surreal geological landscapes, the Zhangye Danxia Landform is a must-see. What makes it truly breathtaking are its rainbow-colored hills—layers of red, yellow, orange, and gray rock that resemble a giant painter's palette.

Under sunlight, the colors appear vivid and well-defined, like a natural oil painting that leaves you in awe at first sight. It's a landscape that's hard to find elsewhere.

Zhangye Rainbow Mountains

The best time to visit is around sunset, when the low-angle sunlight casts dramatic shadows and enriches the hues, perfect for photography and appreciating nature's artistry.

The best viewing season is from June to September, when the weather is dry and the colors are most vibrant.

Plan to spend about half a day here. There are several viewing platforms, and it's ideal to enter in the late afternoon so you can follow the trail from the higher platforms to the lower ones, ending your visit with a stunning sunset scene.

Zhangye is accessible via a 2-hour bullet train ride from Xining or a 4-hour bullet train ride from Dunhuang, making it a convenient stop for travelers on a Silk Road journey. You could get the itinerary suggestions from our 12-Day China Silk Road Tour from Xi'an to Kashgar

9. Changbai Mountain

If you want to see the purest snowy landscapes in China, winter in Changbai Mountain is unmissable. The mountain is blanketed in thick white snow, and the Heavenly Lake (Tianchi) freezes into a mirror-like surface.

the Heavenly Lake in Changbai Mountain

You can wander through snow-covered forests, soak in steaming hot springs, and maybe even spot a sika deer.

The best time for snow scenery and hot springs is from December to February. If you're hoping to see the full view of the Heavenly Lake, it's better to come between July and September when the weather is clearer.

Plan 1–2 days for your visit. For a just 1-day itinerary, focus on the North Slope. It offers more sights and easier access. If you have two days, add the West Slope for broader views of the lake and a chance to enjoy skiing at the Wanda International Resort.

If you are planning a winter trip to China, see our 7-Day Harbin, China Snow Town, and Changbai Mountain Tour

10. Ejina Desert Polar Forest

If you want to see China's most golden and magical autumn colors, you shouldn't miss the poplar forests of Ejina.

For just a brief window each year, usually in early to mid-October, the vast desert poplars turn from green to shimmering gold.

With sunshine filtering through the leaves and a backdrop of blue sky and desert, the scene becomes almost surreal.

Ejina Desert Polar Forest

Located in northwestern Inner Mongolia, near the edge of the desert, Ejina offers more than just golden trees. You'll also experience the stark beauty of the Gobi landscape, rolling sand dunes, and ancient ruins, all in dramatic contrast to the vibrant forest.

The best time to visit is from October 7 to 14, when the colors are at their peak. The poplar forest area is quite large, so plan for two days to fully enjoy it. You can also combine your trip with visits to the Heicheng Ruins and the eerie "Dead Poplar Forest" (Guai Shu Lin) nearby.