Discovering Chinas Hidden Gems A Guide to Unconven
China, a land of rich history and diverse culture, offers countless opportunities for travelers seeking unique experiences. Beyond the iconic Great Wall and Forbidden City lies a treasure trove of lesser-known attractions waiting to be explored. In this article, we'll delve into six unconventional tourist spots that showcase the beauty and complexity of China.
The Ancient Tea Horse Road
The Ancient Tea Horse Road is an ancient network of trade routes stretching over 4,000 miles from Yunnan Province in southwestern China to Lhasa in Tibet. This historic path played a vital role in the exchange of goods between East Asia and India during the Tang Dynasty (618-907 AD). Today, visitors can follow sections of the road on foot or by bike, immersing themselves in picturesque landscapes and encountering traditional villages along the way.
The Li River Scenic Area
Located in southern China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, the Li River Scenic Area is renowned for its breathtaking karst landscape featuring towering limestone peaks rising dramatically from lush green valleys. Visitors can take boat rides along the river or hike through winding trails to discover hidden caves and waterfalls.
The Mogao Caves
Situated near Dunhuang City in Gansu Province are these magnificent Buddhist cave temples carved into sandstone cliffs between 366 AD and 1005 AD. With over 700 colorful murals depicting scenes from Buddhist scriptures as well as secular life during that time period, visitors can gain insight into Chinese artistry while marveling at intricate paintings adorning walls since centuries ago.
The Jiuzhaigou National Park
Jiuzhaigou National Park is located deep within Sichuan Province's mountainous terrain offering serene natural scenery with crystal-clear lakes reflecting majestic mountainsides covered with lush forests or snow-capped peaks depending on seasonality changes throughout each year.
5.The Terracotta Warriors Museum
This archaeological site found near Xi'an showcases an army consisting entirely out of terracotta statues designed to protect their emperor after death when he ascended into heaven according to historical accounts dating back more than two millennia ago – around 210 BC - when Emperor Qin Shi Huangdi ruled over all parts under his control at that moment creating one unified empire known today as "the first emperor" who commissioned construction work beginning around 246 BC culminating several years later until completion before his own demise so it was said then buried alive beneath what would eventually become his tomb complex because no other human could carry out such monumental tasks following strict instructions given by himself; even though some doubts remain about whether they were really meant for protection but rather just part decoration after death like many others believed but little debate exists among experts considering most evidence supports both theories equally plausible despite still many unanswered questions surrounding them
6.Tianmen Mountain Skywalk Xianglong Bridge
Tianmen Mountain Skywalk Xianglong Bridge is situated atop Tianmen Mountain which rises high above Zhangjiajie city center standing at approximately three times higher than Mount Everest base camp height-wise if you include air pressure differences factored against actual altitude levels measured directly via barometers used by meteorologists worldwide; it has been declared one such location where skydivers dare jump off jumping platform attached securely onto metal cables suspended above ground level roughly similar distance apart horizontally connecting both sides respectively forming semi-circle shape so-called 'sky walk' experience feels quite thrilling especially when walking across bridge looking down below seeing how far down it truly goes without safety netting anywhere nearby!