If you’re traveling to China – for business, school or pleasure – you may be planning to see the Great Wall while you’re there. But many lesser-known destinations allow you to connect with China’s culture, history and natural beauty, without encountering a sea of tourists.
Following are some destinations that you should consider adding to your travel itinerary.
Leshan Giant Buddha (Sichuan Province)
Central China is home to the largest carved stone Buddha statue in the world, at 233 feet high. Chiseled out of rock overlooking the Min River, the Leshan Buddha was finished in the year 803. Visitors will find several other attractions in the Leshan Giant Buddha Scenic Area, including ancient pagodas, river sightseeing tours and grottos that feature other carved figures.
Travel tip: Coming from Beijing? You can fly into the Chengdu Shuangliu International Airport (CTU), or take the train, which is more affordable. Leshan is also accessible via bus, ferry or freeway. Plan to spend an entire day here, and bring comfortable walking shoes.
Huaqing Hot Springs (Shaanxi Province)
Northeast of Leshan is an outdoor area that attracted emperors with its lush surroundings and hot springs. In the spring, the area is thick with floating, sweetly-scented lotus blossoms. Explore the impressive architecture here, including Flying Frost Hall and Huaqing Palace.
Travel tip: Planning to take a dip in the hot springs? Make sure you remove metal jewelry, as the minerals in the water can have a corrosive effect on certain metals. The 109-degree Fahrenheit water takes some getting used to – dip your hands and feet first, then slowly sink into the water. Pregnant women and people with sensitive skin, heart disease, high blood pressure or healing surgical incisions should not soak in hot springs.
The Yellow Mountains (Anhui Province)
Located in eastern China, the Yellow Mountains (called “Huangshan,” in Chinese) pack an incredible amount of scenery into only 59 square miles. Three major peaks rise 5,900 feet above sea level, and the Yellow Mountain Scenic Area features two lakes and three waterfalls.
The Yellow Mountains are a hiker’s paradise. You can skip part of the ascent to the summits by hopping on a suspended cable car, or you can climb the trails yourself in a few hours.
Travel tip: No authentic China holidays and visit of the Yellow Mountains would be complete without witnessing a sunrise from Bright Summit. Plan to spend two days exploring the Yellow Mountains, and check the sunrise timetable before you go.
Preparation for your trip
The U.S. Department of State recommends that anyone traveling to China sign up for the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program, which can offer assistance to U.S. citizens in the event of an emergency. While generally a safe country to visit, keep in mind that services and accommodations can vary dramatically from region to region. Outside of the major cities, medical care is hard to find, and rural clinics may turn tourists away to avoid potential liability. Any medical provider will expect you to pay for services up-front, so make sure you’re protected with international medical insurance.
Violent crime is uncommon in China, but political protests can quickly become dangerous. Check state department travel warnings before your trip, so you can be aware of unstable political regions. And as with any trip to another country, be mindful of cultural norms about clothing. In China, modest, conservative clothing is appreciated, so save that string bikini for another trip.