Written by Veronica |
China is best known for its ancient history and international metropolis like BeijingĀ and Shanghai. However, it contains so many more wonders than those. Its vast land has all kinds of topography and landforms, from plains to mountains, valleys to plateaus. These lands have created some of the worldās most awe-inspiring landscapes and nurtured local wildlife.
National parks are the best places to admire the wonders of nature. China is aiming to build the worldās largest national park system with 49 national parks by 2035. Here are the top 10 best national parks in China. You might encounter landforms youāve never seen before when you travel to China.
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- 1. Zhangjiajie National Forest Park: Inspiration for Avatar
- 2. Jiuzhaigou National Park: Natureās Colorful Palette
- 3. Giant Panda National Park: Home to the Adorable Giant Pandas
- 4. Huangshan National Park: The World-Famous Yellow Mountain
- 5. Guilin Li River National Park: One of the Most Beautiful Rivers on the Planet
- 6. Wuyi Mountains National Park: Unique Landform, Religious Significance, & Chinese Tea Culture
- 7. Mt. Lushan National Park: One of the Four Great Summer Resorts in China
- 8. Potatso National Park: Divine Land on Earth
- 9. Badaling National Forest Park: The Magnificent Great Wall of China
- 10. West Lake National Park: The Poetic Muse of Jiangnan
- How to Choose the Right National Park for Your Trip
- FAQs about National Parks in China
- Plan Your Memorable China Tour with China Xian Tour
1. Zhangjiajie National Forest Park: Inspiration for Avatar
- Location:Ā 32 kilometers (20 miles) away from ZhangjiajieĀ 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 Minimum Visit Duration: 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: China Avatar Discovery-3 Days Zhangjiajie Private 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 Minimum Visit Duration: 1 – 2 days
Jiuzhaigou Valley National Park has some of the 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. Jiuzhaigou National Park is named after the nine local Tibetan villages. The villagers regard the scenery here as āsacred mountains and holy waters.ā Itās a popular hiking destination.
The national park is known for its beautiful views all the year round. In the spring, when the snow on the mountains has not yet melted, wildflowers are already in bloom on the fresh green grass. The valley remains cool in the summer with plenty of shade and clear lakes. Fall is the best season to visit as the leaves turn golden and red, falling onto the blue waters. And winter turns it into a tranquil land of snow.
Best Route
- One-day Essence 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 Panoramic 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: 6 Days Classic Tour of Chengdu & Jiuzhaigou
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 Minimum Visit Duration: 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 public, thereāre two great reserves where you can see these adorable creatures in person. Wolong National Nature ReserveĀ and Bifengxia Panda BaseĀ both have a large number of pandas in their natural habitat. Theyāre easy to access from Chengdu. You can even participate in volunteer programs to learn more about preservation efforts.
Core Circuit
- Route for Wolong Reserve: Outer Ring venue – Panda Kindergarten Hall No.2 – Panda Kindergarten Hall No.1 – Inner Ring Venue
- Route for Bifengxia Base:Ā White Bear Meadow – Panda Kindergarten – Overseas Returnees’ Paradise – Bifeng Valley
Recommended Chengdu Panda Tour: 2 Days Wolong Panda Base Volunteer 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 Minimum Visit Duration: 1 – 2 days
Huangshan or Yellow Mountain is one of the 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. It is the ideal destination for your China nature tour.
Strange pines refer to the pine trees in peculiar shapes. Some of the most iconic ones are Guest-Greeting Pine, Cushion Pine, Black Tiger Pine, Dragon Claw Pine, and Harp Pine. The rocks of Yellow Mountain also have strange shapes. 120 absurd rocks appear different from different perspectives or in different weather.
The sea of clouds is an incredible natural phenomenon especially common in the winter. Early in the morning, you can see the clouds slowly rise up amongst the mountains. Itās also the best season to experience the hot springs.
Best Route
One-day 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 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: 3 Days Huangshan Mountain and Hongcun Ancient Village Private Tour
5. Guilin Li River National Park: One of the Most Beautiful Rivers on the Planet
- Location:Ā 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 Minimum Visit Duration: one day
Guilin Li RiverĀ National Park 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. You can witness the essence of the national park at one river (Li River), two caves (Reed Flute CaveĀ and Seven-Star Park), and three mountains (Solitary Beauty Peak, Fubo Hill and Piled Silk Hill).
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: 5 Days Guilin, Yangshuo & Terrace Field Photography Tour
6. Wuyi Mountains National Park: Unique Landform, Religious Significance, & Chinese 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 Minimum Visit Duration: 1 – 3 days
Wuyi Mountains National Park was one of the first national parks in China. It is a significant site for several reasons. First, it has a typical Danxia landform with lush greenery, deep canyons, and rivers that have nurtured various plant and animal species. Second, it is also the holy land of āConfucianism, āTaoism, and Buddhism, leaving a number of temples, monasteries, and ruins of nunnery.
Lastly, Wuyi Mountains National Park is the ideal destination to learn about Chinese Tea Culture. Thereāre plantations cultivating some of Chinaās finest tea varieties, including Dahongpao. Youāll have the chance to learn about tea production and participate in tea tasting on your China tours.
Best Route
One-day tour route: Tianyou Peak – Nine Bend Stream (bamboo rafting and boat coffins) – Wuyi Palace – Song Street
Two-day 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 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: 3 Days Wuyi Mountain Highlights 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 Province, 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 Minimum Visit Duration: 2 days
Mt. Lushan National Park has been historically and cultural 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. You can take a hike or a cable car ride to see the Five Old Men Peaks, the Sandiequan Waterfall, and the White Deer Cave Academy.
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: 2 Days Lushan Mountain Hiking 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 Minimum Visit Duration: 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: 5 Days Shangri-La Highlights Tour
9. Badaling National Forest Park: The Magnificent Great Wall of China
- Location: 70 km (43 miles) fromĀ 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 Minimum Visit Duration: 3 – 4 hours
Badaling National Forest ParkĀ might be the coolest national park in China as it is at the foot of the famous Badaling section of the Great Wall. It is a vast, green oasis near the bustling capital city with lush forests and meandering streams. Hike along the forest trails and under the magnificent 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: Half-Day Badaling Great Wall Private Tour
10. West Lake National Park: The Poetic Muse of Jiangnan
- Location:Ā 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 Minimum Visit Duration: 1 day
West Lake National Park has been a source of inspiration for poets and artists throughout 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.
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: 2 Days Hangzhou Essence 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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