Check out some of these often overlooked Chinese getaways. From rustic villages to breath taking scenic adventures these are 10 places you don’t want to miss!

Yuanyang 元阳

1.Yuanyang 元阳 (Yunnan Province)
The beauty of Yuanyang is hard to describe with mere words- those lucky enough to have visited this place all desribe it thusly. Photographers are also baffled by the difficulty in capturing the essential magnificence of this place. Once I happened upon an experienced older photographer who told me that since his first visit he has returned at least once every year since. Now, I really believe there is no place as captivating as Yuanyang.  

How to get there:
Direct day bus from Kunming to Yuanyang leave every morning at 10:40am from Nanyao bus station. Traveling time around 7 hours.

Wuyuan 婺源

2. Wuyuan婺源 (Jiangxi Province)
If there was ever a utopia made on Earth it might take some inspiration from Wuyan. The idyllic country landscape seems like it was plucked directly from lines of a Whitman poem. There are ancient ruins, rustic hamlets and white-washed walls. The architecture follows the Feiyan or curled-up eave style. There is also the autumn sight of Manshan crimson leaves. This majestic scenery also comes with tasty treats should you decide to visit.

How to get to Wuyuan:

By train
Visitors from Beijing and Nanjing can take K45 to Huangshan Station and then transfer to bus.
Visitors from Fujian can take trains to Jingdezhen and take bus there.
Visitors from Shanghai can take D-trains to Quzhou, Zhejiang and transfer to bus.

By Bus
Quzhou long-distance bus station: 4 buses available to Wuyuan, taking 4.5 hours.
Departing time: 6:00, 9:30, 11:00 and 12:30

Shuhe 束河

3. Shuhe 束河 (Yunnan Province)
Entering the ancient village of Shuhe along the Emerald Dragon bridge is like a scene from a Zhang Yimo epic set 400 years in the past. Lining the bridge are dense patches of poplar and willow trees. The locals, pipe-in-mouth, smile as you stroll by and might even offer to sit and drink some Pu'er Tea with you by the riverside. Have a rest in one of the courtyard inns and smell the fragrant corn cobs roasting in the sun. Here you will become as carefree as the locals while taking in the local music from noon until sundown.

How to get there
Shuhe is located 4 kilometers to the northwest of the Old Town of Lijiang, Yunnan and visitors can take public bus No. 6 or take a taxi to Shuhe.

Qinghai Lake 青海湖

4. Qinghai Lake 青海湖 (Qinghai Province)
Qinghai Lake rests in China's highland plateau region. This lake found among grassy plains and hilly embankments. Here masses of canola flowers sway in the breeze. Every year there are zig-zag lines on the plains where the seeds are sown. These lines form a special contrast to the majestic mountains and eave their way into the horizon where the meet the sky and mountains. 

How to get there:
There are long distance buses leaving from the Xining bus station for a little Tibetan town called Heimahe between 07:30 and 09:00 (RMB20, 5hrs). Then take a taxi to the lake.

Taishun 泰顺

5. Taishun 泰顺 (Zhejiang Province)
North of Fujian in Zhejiang Province there is a place a place called Taishun. Taishun County has more than 900 covered bridges, many of them hundreds of years old, as well as a covered bridge museum. Because there are so many small streams getting around in this region is not too convenient. The locals are therefore quite relaxed and prone to idleness and staying in one place.

How to get there:
To get to Taishun, people usually leave from Wenzhou. There are long distance buses heading to Taishun from Wenzhou Passenger Transit Center.

Guilin 桂林

6. Guilin桂林 (Guangxi Autonomous Region)
Guilin is known by all as for its fantastic landscapes. I included here to remind you that if you have not been here you are missing out. Guilin is becoming modernized and more and more accommodating to tourists. The Li river is a backpacker's delight. Here you are surrounded by the landscapes that inspired countless artist in times past. The Li river and the surrounding hills boast some of the best rock climbing in all of Asia.

Guilin Transportation
Guilin City Guide

Xitang 西塘

7. Xitang 西塘 (Zhejiang Province)
Lihua Courtyard floats on the water as softly as the moon's reflection on a clear night. Water is the essence of Xitang and its spirit is felt throughout the village. When it rains here it is like a religious experience. Old city walls give the place an ancient, esteemed feeling. The village's many winding and narrow pathways are full of history and puddles alike. Fish chase peachtree petals as they fall from the overhead. All the rain that falls here leaves the landscape drenched in lush greenery. The only thing to stir you from your daydream is the cool breeze. 

How to get there
Xitang is 90 km from Shanghai city, 110km from Hangzhou city, and 80km from Suzhou city. Visitors can take a train from Shanghai, Hangzhou or Suzhou to Jiashan station, and then take a minibus or taxi (cost about RMB 30) to Xitang.

Xianju仙居

8. Xianju仙居 (Zhejiang Province)
It is said that Gods dwell in Xianju. Come here to mingle with the divine and to try some of the locally picked Crimson Bayberries.

How to get there:
Visitors can choose to take long distance bus from Hangzhou East Bus Station to Xianju. Travelling time around 3.5 hours and ticket price around RMB 90.

Fenghuang Gucheng 凤凰古城

9. Fenghuang Gucheng (凤凰古城Ancient Phoenix City)
Riverside fresh food markets, women washing clothes, fisherman, cranes lifting cargo into port, locals enjoying a meal... these are some of the sights that are normal for those who call Fenghuang home but for visitors leave you breathless. There are Confucian temples and ancient military forts. Craftsmen of all types are unrivaled in skill here. Ancient medicine is also practiced here as well. Contemporary artists congregate here hoping to gain inspiration from the ancient landscapes.

How to get there:
From Wuxi, Shanghai and Hangzhou:
By air: Take a plane to Zhangjiajie Hehua Airport and then transfer to train/bus to Jishou or directly to Fenghuang
By train: Take train from Wuxi and Shanghai to Jishou Station and transferring a bus to Fenghuang

Qingdao 青岛

10. Qingdao青岛
Qingdao is a modern oceanside metropolis. There is as much foreign influence here on culture and architecture and there is Chinese. Every year there is a Qingdao Beer Festival where patrons can enjoy fresh pilsner served in a plastic bag. We promise it is delicious and sure to refresh you even on hot summer days. Take a night time stroll along the coast before enjoying some of the fresh seafood offered here.  

Qingdao Transportation
Qingdao City Guide

Read the original in Chinese here

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Related links:

China's Top 10 "Coolest" Summer Getaways
Top 10 Vacation Destinations for Beautiful People
Top 10 Places for River Rafting in China

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