Written by Veronica |
Do you want to see the most outstanding masterpieces of nature in China? Then, visit the national parks, which are the protected regions with the most important ecosystems, the most unique natural landscapes or the most essential natural heritageĀ in China.
If you are obsessed with the original and pure beauty of nature or yearn for an outdoor adventure full of discoveries, the national parks are must-visit places during your China tour. In this article, follow us to unveil the top 10 national parks. From the best time to visit, recommended routes to useful travel tips, this guide will offer you an in-depth exploration of each park.
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- 1. Zhangjiajie National Forest Park
- 2. Jiuzhaigou National Park
- 3. Giant Panda National Park
- 4. Huangshan National Park
- 5. Guilin Li River National Park
- 6. Wuyi Mountains National Park
- 7. Mt. Lushan National Park
- 8. Potatso National Park
- 9. Badaling National Forest Park
- 10. West Lake National Park
- How to Choose the Right National Park for Your Trip
- FAQs about National Parks in China
- Plan Your Tour with China Xian Tour
1. Zhangjiajie National Forest Park: Inspiration for Avatar
- Location:Ā 32 kilometers (20 miles) away from Zhangjiajie city center, Hunan province, South and Central China
- BestĀ Time to Visit: April to October
- Entry Point: There are a total of 5 gates: East, South, North, West and Middle Gate. East Gate is the most popular and well-developed one.
- Internal Transport: eco-friendly shuttle bus, cable car, Bailong Elevator, sightseeing train
- Ticket: CNY 144 – 244
- Recommended Visiting Length: 1 – 3 days
Probably the most famous national park in China, Zhangjiajie National Forest Park, is known for being the inspiration for the fictional world in the movie Avatar. It is the first national forest park in China. Its most iconic landscape is the pillar-like mountains of quartz sandstone that resemble the floating rocks in the movie. These awe-inspiring formations are the best at Yuanjiajie Scenic Area.
You can take the worldās highest outdoor elevator, Bailong Elevator, all the way up to the top of the mountains from the bottom. As you ascend towards the sky, take in the breathtaking views around you. If youāre one for adventures or hiking, you should visit the Golden Whip Stream and Tianzi Mountain.
Best Route
- One-day Essence Tour Route: East Gate – take the eco-friendly shuttle bus to Bailong Elevator and take the elevator uphill – Yuanjiajie – take the eco-friendly shuttle bus to Tianzi Mountain – take the cable car downhill – visit Ten-Mile Gallery by sightseeing train (optional) – East Gate
- Two or Three-day Panoramic Tour Route:
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- Day 1: East Gate – take the eco-friendly shuttle bus to Bailong Elevator Ā – Yuanjiajie – take the eco-friendly shuttle bus to Yangjiajie – Tianzi Mountain – live on the peak or return to the downtown
- Day 2: South Gate – Golden Whip Stream – Huangshizhai – take the eco-friendly shuttle bus to Ten-mile Gallery
- Day 3: Explore the niche areas such as Yaozizhai or Sky Garden
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Recommended Zhangjiajie Tour
2. Jiuzhaigou National Park: Natureās Colorful Palette
- Location: 420 kilometers (260 miles) from Chengdu,Ā Sichuan province, southwestern China
- BestĀ Time to Visit: September to November
- Entry Point: The only main entrance is in Zhangzha Town.
- Internal Transport: Eco-friendly sightseeing vehicle, hiking trails
- Ticket: CNY 160 – 280
- Recommended Visiting Length: 1 – 2 days
Jiuzhaigou Valley National Park has some of theĀ most stunning natural wonders of China. It has been listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site for its gorgeous alpine scenery, the blue and green lakes and cascading waterfalls.Ā Jiuzhaigou National ParkĀ is named after the nine local Tibetan villages. The villagers regard the scenery here as āsacred mountains and holy waters.āĀ Itās a popular hiking destination.
The numerous alpine lakes are as clear as crystal. Rich in calcium, the water presents different colors with the changes of seasons and light. In winter, the lakesĀ freeze and form blue ice, which is rarely seen and very dreamy. The waterfalls there also offer a visual shock. Cascading down from a height, the splashing water is like pearls. Another attractive landscape is the perfect blend of colorful forests and blue lakes in autumn, making it a paradise for photographers.
Best Route
- One-day Highlights Tour Route:Ā Take the sightseeing vehicle to Rize Valley (Arrow Bamboo Lake, Five Flower Lake, Pearl Shoal Waterfall) – Dining at Nuorilang Tourist Center – Zechawa Valley (Long Lake, Five Colored Pool) – Shuzheng Valley (Sparkling Lake) – Take the sightseeing vehicle back to the entrance
- Two–day Full Experience Tour Route:
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- Day 1: Take sightseeing vehicle at entrance – Mirror Sea – Arrow Bamboo Lake, Panda Lake – Five Flower Lake – Pearl Shoals – Norilang Center – Norilang Waterfall – Long Lake – Five Colored Pool
- Day 2: Shuzheng Waterfall – Rhinoceros Lake – Tiger Lake – Sparkling Lake – Double Dragon Lake – Reed Lake – Zharu Valley
Recommended Chengdu Tour
3. Giant Panda National Park: Home to the Adorable Giant Pandas
- Location:Ā West China
- BestĀ Time to Visit: March to May and September to November
- Entry Point: Both Wolong National Nature Reserve and Bifengxia Panda Base have one entrance.
- Internal Transport: Sightseeing bus, hiking
- Ticket: Wolong National Nature Reserve: CNY 90; Bifengxia Panda Base: CNY 100
- Recommended Visiting Length: 2 – 4 hours for each scenic spot.
Giant Panda National Park covers a large area of land including parts of Sichuan, Shaanxi, and GansuĀ provinces. Thereāre in total 67 panda reserves, housing 1,340 wild giant pandas, as well as many other rare animals, such as the Sichuan golden monkey and snow leopards. The main purpose of the national park is to protect giant pandas, other rare wildlife, and the forest ecosystems.
Even though most of the Giant Panda National Park is not open to the public, thereāre two great reserves where you can see these adorable creatures in person:Ā Wolong National Nature ReserveĀ andĀ Bifengxia Panda Base. Both are home to a large number of pandas living in their natural habitat. Theyāre also easy to access from Chengdu and you can even participate in volunteer programs to learn more about preservation efforts.
Recommended Chengdu Panda Tour
4. Huangshan National Park: The World-Famous Yellow Mountain
- Location:Ā Huangshan city, Anhui Province, East China
- BestĀ Time to Visit: March to November
- Entry Point: There are South Gate (the most common choice), North Gate and West Gate.
- Internal Transport: Shuttle bus, cable car, hiking
- Ticket: CNY 150 – 190
- Recommended Visiting Length: 1 – 2 days
Huangshan or Yellow Mountain is one of theĀ most beautiful mountains in China. The national park has a total of 72 peaks. It is most famous for its āFour Wonders,ā strange pines, absurd rocks, sea of clouds, and hot springs.Ā Besides, in winter, Huangshan becomes a kingdom of ice and snow with crystal clear rime ice and icicles all over the mountain after snowfall. It is the ideal destination for yourĀ China nature tour.
If you want to appreciate the sea of clouds during the trip, choose a sunny day after rain. After ascending to Bright Summit, you will see the peaks floating in the clouds as sea islands. At sunset and sunrise time, theĀ morning glow and the evening glow dye the sea of clouds a golden red, which is more breathtaking.
Best Route
One-day Must-See Tour Route: Yungu Cable Car – Beginning-to-Believe Peak – Monkey Watching the Sea – Grand King Pine – Bright Summit – Flying Stone – West Sea Grand Canyon – Ride the āLittle Trainā Up – Aoyu Peak – One-Line Sky – Hundred-Step Cloud Ladder – Welcoming Pine – Yuping Cable Car to descendĀ
Two-Day In-Depth Tour Route:
Day 1: South Gate – Yungu Temple – Yungu Cable Car – Beginning-to-Believe Peak (Black Tiger Pine and the Couple Pine) – Beihai Scenic Area (Ink Brush Blossoms, Monkey Watching the Sea, etc. ) – West Sea Grand Canyon – take the Xihai Grand Canyon Sightseeing Cable Car to ascend back.
Day 2: Marvel at the sunrise at Bright Summit – Tianhai – Lotus Peak or Celestial Capital Peak – Welcoming Pine – Yuping Tower – descend via Yuping Cable Car or hiking
Recommended Huangshan Tour
5. Guilin Li River National Park: One of the Most Beautiful Rivers on the Planet
- Location: Guilin, Guangxi Province, South China
- BestĀ Time to Visit: April to October
- Entry Point: For cruise: Mopanshan Pier and Zhujiang Pier; For bamboo raft: Yangdi Pier and Xingping Pier
- Internal Transport: cruise ship, bamboo raft and sightseeing bus.
- Ticket: Free for the scenic area, the main expense is for cruise ship and bamboo raft, which range from CNY 245 – 360 and CNY 95 – 160, respectively.
- Recommended Visiting Length: one day
Guilin Li River National ParkĀ in China has the largest and most beautiful karst landscape in the world. The karst limestone hills that rise dramatically from the water have inspired poets and artists for centuries.
Want to explore the most classic landscapes of the park? Do not miss the Li River, the soul of the park. It connects the highlights together like a flowing hundred-mile scroll. Along the river, two caves, Reed Flute CaveĀ and Seven-Star Park, are the most representative karst caves. Both unveil the fantasy of the underground karst world. Besides, Solitary Beauty Peak, Fubo Hill and Piled Silk Hill standing by the river are the finest examples of typical karst mountain forms.
Best Route
Half-day Tour: Take a bamboo raft to explore Yangdi – Xinping Section and then spend some time in Xingping Ancient Town.
One-day Tour:Ā Take a cruise ship from Mopanshan Pier or Zhujiang Pier to travel to Yangshuo. During the tour, you will meet nine-horse fresco hill, Yellow Cloth Shoal, etc. After arrival, pay a visit to scenic spots in Yangshuo, such as West Street.
Recommended Guilin Tour
6. Wuyi Mountains National Park: Danxia Landform, Heritage &Ā Tea Culture
- Location: 520 km (323 miles) from Xiamen, Fujian Province, southeastern China
- BestĀ Time to Visit: June to November
- Entry Point: There are 3 entrances: South Gate (main entrance), North Gate, and entrance to the bamboo raft pier.
- Internal Transport: sightseeing bus, bamboo raft, hiking
- Ticket: CNY 120 – 140
- Recommended Visiting Length: 1 – 3 days
Wuyi Mountains National ParkĀ was one of the first national parks in China. It featuresĀ a typical Danxia landformĀ that is rarely seen in the world. The beautiful peaks and clear waters interweave with the original forests.Ā Various plant and animal speciesĀ are nurtured.
Besides the natural wonders, it is also the holy land of āConfucianism, āTaoism, and Buddhism. Now, a number of temples, monasteries, and ruins of nunneryĀ are still preserved in the park.
Whatās more, Wuyi Mountain isĀ the birthplace of OolongĀ tea and black tea, including the famous Dahongpao tea. It isĀ the ideal destination to learn aboutĀ Chinese Tea Culture. During the trip there, youāll have the chance to learn about tea production and participate in tea tasting.
Best Route
One-day Highlights Tour Route: Tianyou Peak – Nine Bend Stream (bamboo rafting and boat coffins) – Wuyi Palace – Song Street
Two-day Classic Tour Route:
Day 1: Tianyou Peak – Nine Bend Stream – Boat Coffins – Wuyi Palace – Song Street – Impression Da Hong Pao Show
Day 2: Dahongpao Scenic Area – Water Curtain Cave – One Line Sky – Tiger Roaring Rock
Three-day Comprehensive Tour Route:
On the basis of the two-day tour, add the following route for the third day.
Day 3: Xiamei Ancient Village – Ancestral Halls – Tea Culture Museum
Recommended Xiamen Tour
7. Mt. Lushan National Park: One of the Four Great Summer Resorts in China
- Location:Ā 36 km (22 miles) south of Jiujiang City, Jiangxi Provinve, southeastern China
- BestĀ Time to Visit: June to September
- Entry Point: The two major entrances are North Gate and South Gate.
- Internal Transport: sightseeing bus, cable car.
- Ticket: CNY 160
- Recommended Visiting Length: 2 days
Mt. Lushan National Park has been historically and culturally significant as a famous summer resort in China. It has attracted numerous scholars, poets, and even emperors who have left behind an immense collection of paintings, calligraphy, and poetry.
As a world natural and cultural heritage site, Mt. Lushan is known worldwide for its majestic, bizarre, perilous and picturesque scenery. It features unique block mountains, so you will see many strange peaks and steep cliffs. There are also over 20 spectacular waterfalls. With a drop of 155 meters, Sandiequan Waterfall cascades down in three tiers, thus reputed as the first wonder of Lushan Mountain.
Because of the abundant rainfall, the mountain is always shrouded in clouds and mist. So, it is very likely to capture the spectacular scene of sunrise over sea of clouds. You can take a hike or a cable car ride to explore the mountain.
Recommended Two-day Tour Route
Day 1: Flower Path – Ruqin Lake – Brocade Valley – Immortal Cave – Great Heavenly Lake – live in Kuling Town
Day 2: Hanpo Pass – Five Old Men Peaks – Sandiequan Waterfall
Recommended Jiangxi Tour
8. Potatso National Park: Divine Land on Earth
- Location: Shangri-La,Ā Yunnan Province, southwestern China
- BestĀ Time to Visit: April to October
- Entry Point: There is only one entrance.
- Internal Transport: sightseeing bus, tourist bus, cycling, hiking
- Ticket: CNY 138
- Recommended Visiting Length: 4 – 7 hours
Potatso National Park, or Pudacuo National Park is known as the first national park in China to meet the standards of the International Union for Conservation of Nature as well as a UNESCO World Heritage site. It is an untouched land of highland lakes, dense forests, and vast meadows, a safe haven for many rare and endangered species including leopards, cranes, macaques, and lynxes.
Classic One-day Tour Route
Take the sightseeing bus to Shudu Lake – Visit through hiking or tourist boat – Take the sightseeing bus to Bita Sea – hike along the plank road -return to the entrance by sightseeing bus.
Recommended Shangri-La Tour
9. Badaling National Forest Park: The Magnificent Great Wall of China
- Location: 70 km (43 miles) from BeijingĀ city center, North China
- BestĀ Time to Visit: June to October
- Entry Point: The only entrance is 2 kilometers south of the entrance to the Badaling Great Wall.
- Internal Transport: cable car, slide car, hiking
- Ticket: CNY 35 – 40
- Recommended Visiting Length: 3 – 4 hours
The Badaling National Forest ParkĀ is located between the Badaling and Juyongguan sections of the Great Wall. Tourists can hike along the forest trails and enjoy the magnificent panoramic view of the Great Wall winding along the ridge from afar. The parkĀ is a vast, green oasis near the bustling capital city. Below are the four core scenic areas.
- Red Leaf Ridge Scenic Area: the essence of the park. Every autumn, the mountains are covered with red leaves, complementing with the magnificent Great Wall perfectly.
- Qinglong Valley Scenic Area: featuring valleys, meandering streams and primeval forests.
- Dingxiang Valley Scenic Area: boasting the largest wild syringa reticulata forest in North China.
- Shixia Scenic Area: oddly-shaped rock landforms and ruins of the ancient Great Wall
Core Circuit
There are two sections for tourists to enjoy a hiking tour. The north section covers the essence, you can hike from No. 1 Watchtower to No. 12 Watchtower and then leave from the exit between No. 11 Watchtower and No. 12 Watchtower or return to No. 8 Watchtower to take the cableway downhill. The south sectionĀ offers an easier and relaxing tour and covers 7 watchtowers. After arrival at the No.7 watchtower, you can go downhill by returning to the entrance or take a cable car at No. 4 Watchtower.
Recommended Great Wall of China Tour
10. West Lake National Park: The Poetic Muse of Jiangnan
- Location: Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, East China
- BestĀ Time to Visit: all year round
- Entry Point: As an open scenic area, there is no fixed entry point.
- Internal Transport: Sightseeing bus, tourist boat, cycling and hiking.
- Ticket: free for the park, the scenic spots inside the park require a separate ticket.
- Recommended Visiting Length: 1 day
West Lake National Park has been a source of inspiration for poets and artists throughoutĀ Chinese history. It is most famous for the āTen Scenes of West Lake,ā including Lotus Swaying in the Breeze, Leifeng Pagoda in the Sunset, Two Peaks Piercing through the Clouds, Evening Bell Ringing at Nanping Hill, Three Ponds Mirroring the Moon, and other iconic views.
To travel around the lake, you can wander, cycle or take a sightseeing bus along the bank to appreciate the lake views and the ancient pavilions and corridors. If you come across a scenic spot that interests you, just stop for a deep exploration. Besides, it is also popular to enjoy a boat tour to the Three Ponds Mirroring the Moon to get up close with the landscapes on the lake
Recommended One-day Tour:
Route:Ā Lakeside Park – walk to Broken Bridge with Thawing Snow – Bai Causeway – Isolated Hill – Yuewang Temple – Su Causeway – Fish Viewing at the Flower Pond – Leifeng Pagoda
Tips: This route is relatively long, so it is advised to combine hiking with the sightseeing bus to save energy.
Recommended Hangzhou Tour
How to Choose the Right National Park for Your Trip
Category |
Park |
For Hiking |
Zhangjiajie National Forest Park, Huangshan National Park, Mt. Lushan National Park, Potatso National Park, Jiuzhaigou National Park |
For Wildlife |
Giant Panda National Park, Zhangjiajie National Forest Park, Jiuzhaigou National Park |
For Karst and Danxia Scenery |
Guilin Li River National Park, Zhangjiajie National Forest Park, Wuyi Mountains National Park |
For HistoryĀ and Culture |
Badaling National Forest Park, Wuyi Mountains National Park, Mt. Lushan National Park, West Lake National Park |
FAQs about National Parks in China
What is the best national park in China?
There is no standard to define which one is the best. You can choose according to your preference. For wildlife lovers, Giant Panda National Park will not let you down. If you seek for charming natural scenery, Zhangjiajie and Jiuzhaigou National Parks will an bring unforgettable experience.
What is the most visited national park in China?
Zhangjiajie National Park is the most popular with not only domestic travelers but also a large number of foreign tourists.
What is the largest national park in China?
The largest national park is not listed above. It is Sanjiangyuan National Park with an area of 190,700 square kilometers.
What is the best overall time of year to visit the national parks in China to avoid crowds?
During April – May and September – October, the climate is the most pleasant and the scenery is the most beautiful for most national parks. At the same time, you can avoid the huge crowds during the long summer and winter vacations.
Plan Your Memorable China Tour with China Xian Tour
The national parks in China are distributed in different provinces, so planning a reasonable itinerary to include the parks you like will take much time and energy. China Xian TourĀ is glad to offer you help. Besides the parks, we will also recommend the famous nearby scenic spots and include them in the tour according to your demands. So follow us, you can not only save efforts but also enjoy a more abundant experience. Just contact us right now.
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