Hiking — Recommended Route: Trekking through Laojun Mountain, Lijiang
Recommended Reason: Laojun Mountain in Lijiang has long remained undisturbed by humans, boasting an exceptionally well-preserved ecosystem with a rich diversity of rare flora and fauna. The area is home to wild Yunnan snub-nosed monkey populations as well as numerous protected animals, making it a rare ecological reserve in China. The trek rewards you with abundant natural wonders.
Route Introduction: Hiking routes in Laojun Mountain can be designed for various durations, among which the 7-day full traverse is the most classic, offering a chance to admire diverse geological landscapes. The route features numerous alpine glacial lakes, virgin forests, rhododendron seas, alpine grasslands, danxia turtleback landforms, wild Yunnan snub-nosed monkeys, and various rare high-altitude alpine flowers.
Rafting — Recommended Route: Jinsha River
Recommended Reason: The Jinsha River is not only a natural ecological museum but also a vibrant corridor of ethnic culture. Along the riverbanks, there are villages of multiple ethnic minorities such as the Tibetans, Pumi, Mosuo, and Naxi.
Route Introduction: The optimal rafting season is from mid-to-late December to mid-April of the following year. Though it's cool, Yunnan enjoys abundant sunshine, and the days can sometimes feel as warm as summer. The best rafting section is from Daju to Aha.
Horseback Riding — Recommended Route: Xuebao Ding (Snow Treasure Peak)
Recommended Reason: Xuebao Ding is the main peak of the Minshan Mountain Range, standing at an altitude of 5,588 meters. The western side of the mountain is home to Qiang and Tibetan ethnic communities, while the eastern side is inhabited by a small but unique Tibetan group — the Baima Tibetans. To the north of Xuebao Ding lies the famous Huanglong Scenic Area. Many tourists glimpse the peak from the Snow Mountain Ridge on their way to Huanglong, but few actually get to visit it up close.
Route Introduction: Truly exploring Xuebao Ding requires either horseback riding or hiking. While the scenery is stunning, the high altitude and unpredictable mountain weather mean that conditions can change multiple times within a single day.
Paragliding — Recommended Route: Linzhou Paragliding
Recommended Reason: In the western part of Linzhou, Henan, lies the Linlu Mountain range of the Southern Taihang Mountains. Known for the “Artificial Heavenly River” Hongqi Canal and spectacular natural landscapes, it is also one of Asia’s — and indeed the world’s — premier paragliding destinations.
Route Introduction: The Linlu Mountain paragliding base is located between 1,000–1,700 meters above sea level, with a flight zone stretching 150 kilometers from north to south and 30 kilometers from east to west. All three takeoff points are accessible by road to the mountaintop, which also features large parking areas capable of holding 60 parachutes simultaneously. Except for February and March due to monsoons, the area is suitable for paragliding throughout most of the year.
Qinghai Lake
Cycling — Recommended Route: Around Qinghai Lake
Recommended Reason: Every summer, Qinghai Lake bursts into bloom with canola flowers. The deep blue lake water and golden flowers create a painting-like scene, making cycling here a true delight. Moreover, Qinghai offers excellent cycling conditions. Due to this year’s Qinghai Lake Cycling Race, biking has gained increasing popularity in the region. Cycling is highly respected in Qinghai — drivers will often yield to cyclists when passing.
Route Introduction: The loop around the lake passes through the Hainan Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, Haixi Mongol and Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, and Haibei Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, all featuring well-maintained highways. The scenery mainly includes lakeside views and grassland pastures.
Self-Driving — Recommended Route: Sichuan-Tibet Highway
Recommended Reason: The southern section of the Sichuan-Tibet Highway runs through Ya’an, Litang, Markam, Baxoi, Nyingchi, Gongbo’gyamda, and more, covering a total length of 2,142 kilometers. It is the first road connecting Sichuan and Tibet in China. This highway weaves through towering mountains and offers magnificent scenery, with snow-capped peaks, grasslands, glaciers, and rivers that captivate countless travelers.
Route Introduction: The best seasons to travel the Sichuan-Tibet Highway are spring and autumn — specifically May and mid-August to October. From May to August is the rainy season in western China, during which landslides and mudflows frequently occur on the Sichuan-Tibet Highway. Spring has the best weather, but avoid early spring when melting snow makes the roads hazardous. Autumn offers pleasant temperatures and the most breathtaking scenery.
Cave Exploration — Recommended Route: Shuanghe Cave, Guizhou
Recommended Reason: As the region with the most developed karst topography in the world, Guizhou’s unique geographical conditions provide an ideal foundation for cave formation. Guizhou boasts the greatest number and most diverse types of caves in the world. Shuanghe Cave is located in Guihua Village, about 50 kilometers northeast of Suiyang County in Guizhou Province, on the eastern edge of the famous Kuankuoshui Primitive Forest Nature Reserve. The cave mainly formed in dolomite and dolomitic limestone strata, featuring steep gullies and spectacular surface landforms.
Route Introduction: Shuanghe Cave is the longest cave system in China, but its complex terrain means many parts remain undeveloped. This massive cave system consists of both water and dry caves with intricate structures. So far, four levels, five underground rivers, and 22 cave entrances have been discovered, forming an overall network-like layout.
Rock Climbing — Recommended Route: Baishan, Yangshuo
Recommended Reason: Located in northeastern Guangxi, Yangshuo offers extremely rich rock climbing resources that attract climbers from around the world. The rock in Yangshuo is typically tropical limestone — some cliffs have been sharpened by rain erosion, while others have become smooth due to weathering, adding unique challenges and fun to the climbs.
Route Introduction: Among the developed climbing walls in Yangshuo, Baishan is known for being relatively steep and challenging. The wall is approximately 200 meters long and 60 meters high. The central section is particularly steep, with the western side around 60 meters featuring an incline of about 15 degrees. Undoubtedly, Baishan demands high technical skill and physical fitness from climbers.