20 Natural Wonders You Should See In China : Ultimate Bucket List (2025)
Introduction
Many people come to China mostly for its historic landmarks and futuristic skylines. In fact, China has the one of the most diverse and spectacular range of landscapes in the world.
Let’s take a moment to think about it. China has mountains, karsts, plateaus, deserts, grasslands, rainforests, islands, oceans, lakes, waterfalls, AND MORE. If you’re a nature fanatic, then visiting China’s vast regions is an absolute must!
If you’re a newcomer, you may find it difficult to work out which attractions are worth visiting. For that reason, I have picked 20 of the most breathtaking scenic areas in China that are very highly rated by locals and has the best chance of making your eyes pop with wonder.
This list contains a lot of mountain destinations since China has one of the most mountains in the world by absolute volume.
I recommend you hire a local guide, unless you are a really experienced explorer and know how to take all of the sensible precautions and preparations needed to stay safe. Mountains can be super dangerous. In any case, I strongly recommend you do not visit mountains alone!
I aim to give you a balanced picture of China’s natural scenery and share with you my best picks. China has hundreds of natural wonders worth visiting. It would take anyone a lifetime to visit them all.
These places cover different regions of China but doesn’t cover every single province.
Wishing you an amazing scenic journey throughout China! Do your best to “collect” them all during your trip!
South and East China
1. Zhangjiajie, Hunan 张家界 | quartz-sandstone pillars known as the famous “Avatar” mountains + Tianmen Cave, the world’s highest natural arch and known as the Gateway to Heaven.
2. Guilin and Yangshuo, Guangxi 桂林, 阳朔 | karst mountains in the backdrop of the Li River and the scene of the 20 yuan banknote
3. Huangshan (Yellow Mountain), Anhui 黄山 | granite peaks, ancient pine trees, sea of clouds - one of the most iconic landscapes in Chinese culture.
Southwest China
4. Jiuzhaigou, Sichuan 九寨沟 | stunning colourful lakes and waterfalls. Everyone I know gives it a super high rating.
5. Huanglong, Sichuan 黄龙 | gorgeous terraced pools formed from golden travertine formations, surrounded by snow-capped mountains, forests, hot springs, and waterfalls
6. Daocheng Yading, Sichuan 稻城亚丁 | incredible alpine landscapes, meadows, forests at 3,000 to 6,000m. Known as the Last Shangri-La.
7. Tiger Leaping Gorge between Yulong Snow Mountain and Haba Snow Mountain, Yunnan 虎跳峡 | breathtaking canyon between two 5,000m+ mountains
8. Huangguoshu Waterfall, Guizhou 黄果树瀑布 | largest waterfall in Asia, with its famous Water Curtain Cave a main highlight
North China
9. Ulan Lake, Inner Mongolia 乌兰湖 | blood red lake, almost resembling a beating heart, when seen from above
10. Hulunbuir Grasslands, Inner Mongolia 呼伦贝尔大草原 | lush, expansive grasslands, winding rivers, and rolling hills
Northwest China
11. Kanas Lake, Xinjiang 喀纳斯湖 | eye-catching, colour-changing alpine lake surrounded by the Altai Mountains
12. Nalati Grassland, Xinjiang 那拉提草原 | picturesque combination of valleys, grasslands, and forests surrounded by the Tianshan Mountains
13. Sayram Lake, Xinjiang 赛里木湖 | beautiful turquoise lake surrounded by snow mountains and wildflower grasslands
14. The Singing Sand Dunes of Mingsha Mountain + Crescent Moon Spring, Gansu 鸣沙山, 月牙泉 | a remarkable oasis with a crescent lake surrounded by sand dunes of the Gobi Desert
15. Zhangye Danxia, Gansu 张掖丹霞 | stunningly striped rainbow coloured mountains, recognised as one of the most beautiful landforms in China
Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau
16. Yarlung Zangbo Grand Canyon 雅鲁藏布江 | the world's deepest canyon at over 5,300m with an iconic U bend in the river and surrounded by glacier peaks, pine forests, and alpine meadows
17. Laigu Glacier 来古冰川 | one of the world’s largest glaciers with shimmering turquoise lakes and crystal-clear ice
18. Mount Everest 珠穆朗玛峰 | highest mountain in the world. You can drive straight to Base Camp. Enough said.
19. Namtso Lake 纳木错 | holy saltwater lake at 4,718m above sea level and surrounded by the Nyenchen Tanglha mountains
20. Qinghai Lake 青海湖 | largest lake in China with crystal-clear water, surrounded by picturesque mountains, grasslands, and wildlife
