Here we leave off the kinds of places other countries have and focus on 7 natural wonders more unique to China. Discover where nature in China is bigger, better, and more wonderful than anywhere else in the world. Consider these natural landmarks in China for your next trip...
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1. Zhangjiajie's "Floating" Peaks — like Avatar's Hallelujah Mountains!
Zhangjiajie National Forest Park is a natural wonder rivaling Bryce Canyon or Monument Valley. The sandstone pinnacles are grouped together tightly like a forest of 200-meter-tall, greenish-white cedars. There is great biodiversity, and when there is a fog or mist, the spires seem to float in the air like in Avatar.
- Bike around the beautiful and non-touristy side of Tianmen Mountain.
- Try bungee jumping on the Zhangjiajie Glass Bridge
- Experience via ferrata (cable-safe cliff challenges) at Hongyanling (Red Rock Ridge).
How did this natural landmark inspire Avatar? See in person on our customizable 4-Day Zhangjiajie National Forest Park, Grand Canyon Glass Bridge and Tianmen Mountain Tour, giving you an impressive experience of the essence of this World Heritage site.
Want a non-touristy route? 5-Day Zhangjiajie Hiking and Biking Tour for Any Level is a good choice.
All our tours can be customized. The itinerary can be adjusted according to your group size, time, budget, interests, and other requirements. Just contact us.
2. Li River Karst Scenery — the Pearl of Guilin
When it comes to China's natural landmarks, the Li River with its pointy hills must be included in the list. Few places have deeply weathered limestone hills like the Li River in Guangxi. A cruise boat makes the acclaimed 'best hills and river under heaven' more accessible, so that many more formations can be quickly and easily viewed along the 51-mile (83-kilometer) stretch between Guilin and Yangshuo.
Lose yourself in the picture-postcard karst landscape with some outdoor activities to get familiar with this natural wonder, such as riding a bike or walking between the paddy fields to embrace nature in China.
challenge yourself to an SUP (stand-up paddleboard, i.e. a mini raft) on the Yulong River, take a bamboo raft, have a cycling tour into the countryside or take an exciting drive with an all-terrain vehicle.
Recommended Guilin tours:
- 4-Day Guilin Scenic and Ethnic Discovery
- 5-Day Dynamic Guilin and Yangshuo Tour
- 6-Day Guilin, Yangshuo, and Longsheng Tour
3. Mount Everest — World's Highest Wonder
Mount Everest is unique because it is the world's highest mountain. It is on the border of Tibet and Nepal. A trip to Everest Base Camp in Tibet would make for a transcendent experience amongst epic scenery. We can help arrange a tour that might be one of the greatest adventures of your life.
Don't you want to see the world's highest natural wonder, to feel it under foot, and breath its pure thin air. It will be one of the most unforgettable moments in your life! A Trek to Everest Base Camp is also interesting.
Recommended Tours
- 8-Day Lhasa-EBC-Lhasa Roof of the World Adventure
- 7-Day Tibet Tour including Trekking and Camping
- 5-DayLhasa Classics and Lake Yamdrok Tour
4. Tiger Leaping Gorge — Breathtaking
Tiger Leaping Gorge on the Yangtze River near the city of Lijiang has the distinction of being one of the deepest canyons in the world, yet it narrows to "a tiger's leap" at one point. The canyon is 16 km (10 miles) long and 4 km (13,000 ft) deep, and it is one of China's premier hiking areas with convenient ethnic inns along the trail.
Is Tiger Leaping Gorge really as breathtaking as they say? A hike over two days will give you the answer.
Recommended Lijiang Tours
- 8-Day Kunming, Dali, Lijiang, and Shangri-La Tour
- 9-Day Yunnan Family Tour
- 3-Day Ancient Lijiang Tour
5. Jiuzhaigou — Rainbow-Colored Alpine Fairyland
There are not a lot of valleys like Jiuzhaigou's with big turquoise pools. The multi-hued pools, high mountain glacier scenery, wildlife, and waterfalls are at an elevation between 2,000 and 3,000 meters (around 8,000 feet). The white capped peaks tower to 4,700 meters. Fall is especially colorful.
What are the highlights of Jiuzhaigou's 700 sq km (270 sq mi) national park and the best way to see them? We can create a Jiuzhaigou tour that's best for you.
Recommended tours:
- 3-Day Jiuzhaigou and Huanglong Highlights Tour
- 6-Day Essential Chengdu and In-Depth Jiuzhaigou Tour
- 7-Day Chengdu, Mount Emei and Jiuzhaigou Scenic Tour
6. Yarlung Tsangpo Canyon — Virtually Undiscovered
The Yarlung Tsangpo, one of the most attractive places in Tibet, is the world's biggest and deepest canyon. It is about 1,300 meters (4,000 ft) deeper than Tiger Leaping Gorge. It is in an area of Tibet that is difficult to access, but it has become known as an incredible place to hike and kayak amid great biodiversity and pristine nature.
Want to explore this natural landmark of China and delve deeper into the mystical land of Tibet? Use our Create My Trip service to tell us your interests. You can take our 4-Day Lhasa Highlights Comfort Tour as a starting point for acclimatization.
7. The Qiantang Tidal Bore — World Record Tidal Wave
The Qiantang Tidal Bore is easily the biggest tidal wave in the world. At times, it is 9 meters (29 ft) high! China's natural wonders are all about towering peaks (and deep valleys), but this peak is made of Pacific Ocean water!
Every year, a festival celebrates the predicted biggest wave of the year. A great wave of sea water rolls up the Qiantang River near Hangzhou during the Mid-Autumn Festival (within 2 weeks of September 21). Actually, the tidal bore can be seen at most flood tides, and is largest at equinox spring tides when moon and sun (and wind) align.
You can combine the Qiantang tidal bore with other sightseeing in Hangzhou (#1 for Mid-Autumn Festival culture) to make your tour rich and colorful.
Experience Wonders of Nature in China with Us
Travel with us!Here are our top recommended tour ideas including these natural landmarks of China:
- 14-Day China Natural Wonders Discovery — Beijing - Xi'an - Zhangjiajie - Guilin/Yangshuo - Shanghai
- See more our popular China Natural Tours.
If these itineraries don't have what you're looking for, let us know what you want to see and we'll tailor-make your own personalized China nature tour.