A Few Hidden Travel Gems in China with Spectacular Scenery That Rivals Overseas Destinations

Dreaming of cherry blossoms under Mount Fuji in Japan, visiting the lavender fields of Provence in France, or taking a hot air balloon ride in romantic Turkey—because of the pandemic, I can only let my imagination run wild at home, unable to go anywhere.

In fact, for travel, you don’t have to always think about going abroad. Within China, there are many spectacular landscapes that rival those overseas, which were previously obscure and less visited, yet their scenery feels like a paradise on earth, utterly captivating.

**Urho Ghost City**

Urho Ghost City was ranked as the number one of “China’s Three Most Beautiful Yadan Landforms” by *Chinese National Geography*’s “Beauty Contest.” Even within China, you can see landscapes comparable to the American continent.

In ancient times, Urho Ghost City was once a lake. After crustal movements, it turned into undulating hills, and then under the erosion of desert winds and flowing water, it took on its current unique appearance.

From a distance, it looks like a castle, enchanting travel enthusiasts worldwide with such a breathtaking sight.

Looking down from a high vantage point, the entire Ghost City forms winding ravines, making people marvel at nature’s extraordinary craftsmanship.

**Mohe: The Northern Lights within China**

Here you’ll find a starry sky, vast tracts of primitive white birch forests, quiet villages after nightfall, and richly flavored farmhouse cuisine. Setting foot on the land of Mohe marks the completion of a “far-north journey.”

Around the Summer Solstice Festival, in June and July, not only is there the annual Summer Solstice Festival, but you also have the chance to witness the aurora appearing in the local “Arctic Village.”

The Arctic Village is the only place in China where you can see the Northern Lights, but it is ultimately a rare and fortuitous event. Compared to the dazzling aurora, it is more reliable to look up at the star-filled sky within the village.

**Yarlung Tsangpo Grand Canyon**

It is the world’s deepest and longest river canyon, the last secret place on Earth, and the most beautiful scar on the planet.

The scenic area offers a rich variety of viewpoints for photography and is the best place to view Mount Namcha Barwa.

From mid-to-late March to early May each year, the ancient peach trees in the area bloom like brocade. Early May and early October are the best hiking seasons.

Here, you will be awed by the wild combination of steep peaks and winding gorges, and by the majestic beauty of Mount Namcha Barwa towering straight into the clouds.

**Chaka Salt Lake** – one of the must-visit places in a lifetime, known as the “Mirror of the Sky” in China.

The sky is dotted with white clouds, and the blue sky, white clouds, and snow-capped mountains are reflected in the lake like a poetic painting. The surrounding pastures are lush, and flocks of sheep scatter like pearls. Walking on the lake feels like entering a mirrored new world.

Here, you can take a small train deep into the lake for sightseeing, watch the magnificent scene of modern large-scale salt harvesting boats at work, and through the clear lake water, observe the lifelike salt flowers of various shapes that are still growing, exploring the mystery of the underwater world.

In the March spring breeze, the cherry blossoms in front of the Sakura Post Office are adorned with Japanese-style cherry blossom wind chimes, evoking a poetic and artistic feeling. Such scenery is not exclusive to Japan.

The Sakura Post Office has become a new “internet-famous” spot in recent years. The operators of the scenic area hang pink glass wind chimes on the trees, instantly making the place much more romantic.

Visitors coming and going write their hopes for the future on these small wind chimes, and watching them sway in the wind, producing a crisp tinkling sound, is also a unique experience.