Attractions of China

To help inspire or plan your trip to China, some of its major attractions for travellers are shown below, including some of the best natural, historical, cultural and adventure sites in the country. These include all of UNESCO World Heritage Sites for China which represent the best of the world's cultural and natural heritage.
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Natural	History	Wildlife	Trekking	Cities	Religious Monument	Boat Journey	Rail Journey	Diving	Cultural	Adrenaline	UNESCO WHS

Go to Region of China-> Beijing and Northern China - Yunnan Province - Tibet

Beijing and Northern China - Trekking opportunities

Great Wall of China
Great Wall of China One of the Wonders of the World and one of the most extraordinary structures ever created, the Great Wall of China is truly a must-see for every traveller. Building walls to defend China from invasion was a strategy dating back to the 8th century BC, but it was under the first Emperor Qin Shi Huang from 220BC that the separate sections were restored and linked to form one structure stretching 5,000km from the Jiayuguan Pass in the Gobi Desert to Shanhaiguan on the east coast. Much of the original work on the Wall was completed during the Qin and Han dynasties up to 220AD but it was revived and extended during the Ming dynasty (1368-1644) due to conflict with the Mongols. Over a million workers were involved in its construction and many died with the effort. Today the Wall, partially ruined, stretches across mountains, plateaus, grassland and desert over nine provinces, though only one-third of the original remains. There are several sections of the Wall that can be walked along, allowing you to appreciate the breathtaking nature of the construction and how it integrates into the surrounding landscape. UNESCO World Heritage Site: The Great Wall

Great Wall of China

Great Wall of China

One of the Wonders of the World and one of the most extraordinary structures ever created, the Great Wall of China is truly a must-see for every traveller. Building walls to defend China from invasion was a strategy dating back to the 8th century BC, but it was under the first Emperor Qin Shi Huang from 220BC that the separate sections were restored and linked to form one structure stretching 5,000km from the Jiayuguan Pass in the Gobi Desert to Shanhaiguan on the east coast. Much of the original work on the Wall was completed during the Qin and Han dynasties up to 220AD but it was revived and extended during the Ming dynasty (1368-1644) due to conflict with the Mongols. Over a million workers were involved in its construction and many died with the effort. Today the Wall, partially ruined, stretches across mountains, plateaus, grassland and desert over nine provinces, though only one-third of the original remains. There are several sections of the Wall that can be walked along, allowing you to appreciate the breathtaking nature of the construction and how it integrates into the surrounding landscape.

UNESCO World Heritage Site: The Great Wall

Yunnan Province - Trekking opportunities

Tiger Leaping Gorge
Tiger Leaping Gorge is located in Yunnan Province in the upper reaches of the Yangtze River. Surrounded by 5,000 metre high mountains the gorge itself is 16km long and is the world's deepest canyon, being 3,000 metres deep. The scenery is dramatic and awe inspiring, with sheer cliff faces rising above the torrents of the Yangtze below. The gorge's name is derived from a legend where a tiger escaped pursuit by leaping across the gorge, so narrow is it at some points. There are several trekking trails around the gorge which allow you to appreciate the spectacular scenery. The Gorge is part of the Three Parallel River National Park, a 17,000 square kilometre site where the Yangtze, Mekong and Salween Rivers run parallel north to south for 300km through steep gorges in the Hengduan Mountains. It is one of the world's richest temperate areas in terms of biodiversity. UNESCO World Heritage Site: Three Parallel Rivers of Yunnan Protected Areas

Tiger Leaping Gorge

Tiger Leaping Gorge is located in Yunnan Province in the upper reaches of the Yangtze River. Surrounded by 5,000 metre high mountains the gorge itself is 16km long and is the world's deepest canyon, being 3,000 metres deep. The scenery is dramatic and awe inspiring, with sheer cliff faces rising above the torrents of the Yangtze below. The gorge's name is derived from a legend where a tiger escaped pursuit by leaping across the gorge, so narrow is it at some points. There are several trekking trails around the gorge which allow you to appreciate the spectacular scenery. The Gorge is part of the Three Parallel River National Park, a 17,000 square kilometre site where the Yangtze, Mekong and Salween Rivers run parallel north to south for 300km through steep gorges in the Hengduan Mountains. It is one of the world's richest temperate areas in terms of biodiversity.

UNESCO World Heritage Site: Three Parallel Rivers of Yunnan Protected Areas

Mountain trekking in Yunnan
Yunnan Province is one of China's most beautiful areas, with spectacular mountain scenery, great biodiversity and a diverse and vibrant culture of ethnic minorities and Tibetan influence. This makes it a perfect destination for trekkers. The town of Bin Zhong Luo, northwest of Lijiang, is the base for a 2-3 day trek to the snow-capped peak of Bi Luo Mountain at 3970 metres. Further north, Deqin is the base for trekking around the sacred Kawakarpo Mountain (Meili Snow Mountain), at 6740 metres the highest point in Yunnan Province. The routes here are pilgrimages for people from China and Tibet and colourful prayer flags and Tibetan villages will be frequently seen. The trails take you through ancient forests and offer spectacular views of the mountains and two sacred waterfalls which descend from a cliff off the mountain. Close by lies the Mingyong Glacier, the lowest in Asia, offering more fantastic views.

Mountain trekking in Yunnan

Yunnan Province is one of China's most beautiful areas, with spectacular mountain scenery, great biodiversity and a diverse and vibrant culture of ethnic minorities and Tibetan influence. This makes it a perfect destination for trekkers. The town of Bin Zhong Luo, northwest of Lijiang, is the base for a 2-3 day trek to the snow-capped peak of Bi Luo Mountain at 3970 metres. Further north, Deqin is the base for trekking around the sacred Kawakarpo Mountain (Meili Snow Mountain), at 6740 metres the highest point in Yunnan Province. The routes here are pilgrimages for people from China and Tibet and colourful prayer flags and Tibetan villages will be frequently seen. The trails take you through ancient forests and offer spectacular views of the mountains and two sacred waterfalls which descend from a cliff off the mountain. Close by lies the Mingyong Glacier, the lowest in Asia, offering more fantastic views.

Tibet - Trekking opportunities

Everest Base Camp (North Face)
Everest Base Camp (North Face) A drive and trek to Everest Base Camp in Tibet provides spectacular views of the north face of Everest and the neighbouring Himalayan peaks. From the Friendship Highway just after Shegar, a dirt road takes you 85km to Rongphu, over the Pang La pass at 5,120 metres which offers a superb panoramic view of the peaks of Everest, Cho Oyu, Lhotse, Gyachung Kang and Makalu. The monastery at Rongphu (4900m) provides a stunning view of the north face of Everest as its colour changes with sunset. From here you can trek or take a pony cart to base camp, where there are great close up views of the Everest, a small hill decorated with hundreds of colourful prayer flags and a memorial to Mallory and Irvine's climb in 1924.

Everest Base Camp (North Face)

A drive and trek to Everest Base Camp in Tibet provides spectacular views of the north face of Everest and the neighbouring Himalayan peaks. From the Friendship Highway just after Shegar, a dirt road takes you 85km to Rongphu, over the Pang La pass at 5,120 metres which offers a superb panoramic view of the peaks of Everest, Cho Oyu, Lhotse, Gyachung Kang and Makalu. The monastery at Rongphu (4900m) provides a stunning view of the north face of Everest as its colour changes with sunset. From here you can trek or take a pony cart to base camp, where there are great close up views of the Everest, a small hill decorated with hundreds of colourful prayer flags and a memorial to Mallory and Irvine's climb in 1924.