China, a land steeped in ancient history and breathtaking natural beauty, has long captivated the imaginations of artists, writers, and adventurers alike. Its diverse landscapes, ranging from towering mountain ranges to verdant rice terraces, offer a wealth of opportunities for exploration and discovery. Indeed, China’s landscapes have inspired legends, movies, and countless hikers with its seemingly floating mountains, deep gorges, and wild sections of the Great Wall. For those seeking an unforgettable hiking experience, China presents a tapestry of trails that wind through iconic landmarks, serene natural wonders, and culturally rich regions. Here are The 10 Best Hikes in China, each offering a unique perspective on this vast and captivating country:
1. Tiger Leaping Gorge: A Roar of Natural Majesty
Nestled in the heart of Yunnan province, near the charming city of Lijiang, lies the awe-inspiring Tiger Leaping Gorge. This dramatic chasm, carved by the Jinsha River, is one of the deepest gorges in the world. The Tiger Leaping Gorge trail, an 18-mile pathway, meanders along the cliffs high above the churning, creamy brown waters, flanked by the imposing Jade Dragon Snow Mountain and Haba Snow Mountain. The trail is a well-trodden path, yet it retains a sense of unspoiled beauty, avoiding the pitfalls of overcrowding and overdevelopment. As you traverse the gorge, you’ll be treated to a panorama of sights, including towering mountain massifs, meticulously crafted rice terraces cascading down the slopes, cascading waterfalls that plunge into the depths below, and traditional villages that cling to the mountainsides. Lush forests, teeming with life, add to the gorge’s enchanting allure.
The legend of the Tiger Leaping Gorge lends an air of mystique to the hike. According to local folklore, a tiger, fleeing a hunter’s pursuit, made a daring leap across the narrowest point of the river, thus giving the gorge its evocative name. The hike is typically undertaken over two days, commencing with a challenging ascent that lasts for approximately two hours. Following this initial climb, the trail mellows into a series of 28 moderate switchbacks, offering a more gradual and manageable incline. Finally, the path levels out, providing a welcome respite as you continue your journey. Along the route, you’ll find a selection of guesthouses that provide a comfortable haven for weary hikers. These establishments offer warm meals, refreshing cold beverages, and basic yet comfortable accommodations, ensuring a pleasant and rejuvenating experience.
2. Huashan: A Test of Courage and Faith
For those seeking an adrenaline-pumping adventure combined with a touch of spiritual reverence, Huashan, or Mount Hua, is an unparalleled destination. Located a mere 30-minute bullet train ride from Xi’an in Shaanxi province, Huashan stands as one of China’s five sacred Daoist mountains. Towering at an elevation of 7,066 feet, Huashan has historically served as a sanctuary for monasteries and martial arts training grounds. However, its international renown stems from its perilous via ferratas, a series of iron rungs and cables that allow hikers to traverse its sheer cliffs.
The most famous of these via ferratas is the Plank Walk, a series of narrow wooden planks secured to the mountainside, offering a precarious passage to a shrine perched on the south peak. Another via ferrata leads intrepid hikers to the Chess Pavilion, a testament to human ingenuity and daring. Safety harnesses are available for rent onsite, ensuring a degree of security as you navigate these exposed pathways. A hike encompassing all five peaks of Huashan covers a distance of just over 13.6 miles, presenting a challenging yet rewarding experience for seasoned hikers. The mountain is not only a test of physical endurance but also a journey of spiritual significance, immersing you in the rich traditions of Daoism.
3. Zhangjiajie National Forest Park: Stepping into Avatar’s World
Located just outside the city of Zhangjiajie in Hunan province, the Zhangjiajie National Forest Park is a realm of otherworldly beauty. Its towering quartz-sandstone spires, often shrouded in mist, served as the inspiration for the floating mountains of the movie "Avatar." A visit to this park is an immersive experience, transporting you to a landscape that seems to defy gravity. To fully appreciate the park’s splendor, it’s recommended to spend at least two days exploring its many trails, although five days would be ideal.
Among the must-do treks is the Golden Whip Trail, leading to Avatar’s Hallelujah Mountain, the park’s most iconic spire. Another remarkable trail is the Tianzi Mountain trail, which meanders through lush forests and along the edges of dramatic cliff ledges, offering breathtaking panoramic views of the park’s over 3,000 spires. However, be prepared for crowds, as the park attracts a staggering 4 million visitors annually. Despite the influx of tourists, the park’s natural beauty remains undiminished, offering an unforgettable hiking experience.
4. Longji Rice Terraces: A Dragon’s Backbone of Agriculture
Located approximately 50 miles north of Guilin, the Longji Rice Terraces, also known as the "Dragon’s Backbone," are a testament to human ingenuity and the harmonious relationship between people and nature. The terraces are divided into two main areas: the Ping’an Rice Terraces and the Jinkeng Rice Terraces, colloquially known as the Dazhai rice terraces. Unlike other rice terraces in China, the Longji Rice Terraces offer year-round appeal, with views of water-laden mirrored tiers, verdant green saplings, or golden ripe rice, depending on the season.
Most hikers opt for shorter hikes through the terraces, particularly in Dazhai, where routes range from four to seven miles. However, it’s also possible to hike between Ping’an and Dazhai, a journey that takes approximately four to five hours. Beyond the visual splendor of the terraces, hiking here provides an opportunity to interact with some of China’s ethnic minority groups, the Yao and Zhuang, who have cultivated the area for the past 800 years. This cultural immersion adds another layer of richness to the hiking experience, providing a deeper understanding of the region’s history and traditions.
5. Rainbow Mountains: A Palette of Geological Wonders
Located in Gansu province, the Rainbow Mountains are a geological marvel that captivates with their vibrant hues and striking formations. While it’s not possible to hike directly on the mountains themselves due to the delicate nature of the colorful sedimentary rock layers, visitors can explore the four viewing platforms that offer panoramic vistas of the landscape within the Zhangye Danxia National Landform Geological Park. Situated approximately a 30-minute car ride from the city of Zhangye, the mountains are composed of red sandstone, mudstone, and numerous other sedimentary rock layers in shades of yellow, purple, and green. These colorful layers were formed over millions of years through tectonic activity and river deposits.
Boardwalks and stairs provide easy access to the viewing platforms, with each hike taking approximately 10 to 30 minutes. A park bus transports visitors from one platform to the next, allowing for convenient exploration of the area. To witness the colors at their most vibrant, plan your visit for sunrise or sunset, when the light accentuates the mountains’ natural beauty. The The 10 Best Hikes in China is not complete without a visit to the Rainbow mountains.
6. Shunan Zhuhai National Park: An Emerald Sea of Bamboo
Known as the "Bamboo Sea," Shunan Zhuhai National Park encompasses over 7,000 acres of land in Sichuan province, housing more than 58 species of bamboo. This makes it China’s largest bamboo forest, a truly immersive experience for nature lovers. The park’s serene beauty served as a filming location for the movie "Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon," and its air is renowned for its purity, often referred to as a natural oxygen bar. With miles of trails to choose from, hikers can explore a variety of terrains. The Wangyou Valley Trail, a relatively easy 1.5-mile loop, winds through a bamboo corridor, following babbling brooks and cascading waterfalls. The cliffside Tianbao Strongholds Trail offers a more challenging adventure. Throughout the trail system, you’ll encounter shrines, stone carvings, and local vendors selling mushrooms, adding to the park’s colorful ambiance. The bamboo forest can be reached from Chengdu in approximately four to six hours by bus or train.
7. Emeishan: A Sacred Ascent to the Golden Summit
Emeishan (Mount Emei), the highest of China’s four sacred Buddhist mountains and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, rises to an elevation of 10,167 feet in Sichuan province. Beginning at the Baoguo Monastery, a network of trails consisting of over 60,000 stairs leads hikers through lush forests adorned with ornate bridges and playful packs of monkeys. The path ascends to peaceful pavilions, eventually culminating at the Golden Summit, perched above the cloud line.
Temples and monasteries along the path offer basic shared accommodations for overnight stays, as it takes at least two days to complete the mountain’s 37-mile route. The journey to Mount Emei begins with an hour-long high-speed train ride from Chengdu, bringing you to the base of the mountain and the nearby Leshan Giant Buddha.
8. Great Wall: Xiangshuihu Section: A Fairytale Journey
Hiking in the Xiangshuihu section of the Great Wall, located approximately 50 miles north of Beijing in Dazhenyu Village, offers a truly enchanting experience. The trail leading to the Health Preserving Valley feels like stepping into a fairy tale, with wildflowers bursting with color in the fields below, a thunderous spring gushing with pure water, and rocks inscribed with secret medicine recipes lining the valley path.
A walk along the dam leads to the Great Wall and Xiangshuihu’s highest watchtower, continuing to the Health Preserving Valley, where hundreds of medicinal herbs thrive. Although a portion of the wall has been restored, it remains relatively uncrowded. Adventurous hikers can explore the more challenging wild sections to the west, requiring vertical climbs. The area is accessible by public bus.
9. Kanas Nature Reserve: A Kaleidoscope of Colors and Legends
Located in Xinjiang, the Kanas Nature Reserve draws hikers year-round with its deepest freshwater lake in China, verdant grasslands, towering mountains, and glistening glaciers. Kanas Lake is known for its ever-changing colors, shifting from turquoise to blue depending on the season. The lake is named after Genghis Khan, who, according to legend, drank from its waters.
A network of trails weaves along the lake’s boardwalk, passing by spruce and Korean pine trees, with dragonflies flitting across the water. For the most spectacular view of the lake, hike to Guanyu (Fish-Watching) Pavilion. The path, consisting of 1,068 wooden stairs, leads to two platforms offering panoramic vistas of the lake, with some claiming to have glimpsed the mythical monster that resides in its depths.
10. Great Wall: Shandan Section: A Solitary Desert Trek
In Gansu province, the Great Wall’s Shandan section stretches for over 100 miles through the Gobi Desert, providing a peaceful and solitary trekking experience along unrestored portions of the wall. Constructed approximately 2,000 years ago during the Han Dynasty, this section of the Great Wall differs from others, as it’s built of rammed earth rather than stone.
Located between Lanzhou and the Jiayuguan Fort, the landscape on either side of the wall is dotted with herds of sheep, two-humped camels, and apricot orchards. Hikes here can range from several hours to several weeks. Tourism in the area remains low, offering a unique opportunity to have the wall largely to yourself, save for a few curious locals.
These The 10 Best Hikes in China represent just a glimpse of the hiking opportunities available in this vast and diverse country. From challenging mountain ascents to serene nature walks, China offers a trail for every type of hiker, each providing an unforgettable experience and a deeper appreciation for the country’s natural beauty and cultural heritage.
