Live Your Best Lives
I woke up today and opened the window, a cool breeze that gave me a shiver. They say a year's plans begin with spring, and yet spring is already a third of the way through! And I'm still wearing my down jacket! The rain has stopped, but spring days are so short. Seeing the comments in the backstage lamenting "can't go out," I feel a pang of pain. It's such a shame to stay indoors in such a beautiful April. Is there really no place to go?
Of course not! As resourceful as I am, I've found 14 of the best April travel destinations (off the beaten path) that avoid crowds and are convenient for families and outdoorsy types. Get ready for a beautiful April ahead!
The cross-border collaboration between cherry blossoms and tea fields is a popular attraction no matter where it is found. Yunnan has Wuliang Mountain, Zhejiang has Dalan Town. Dalan Town in Siming Mountain has 6,300 acres of cherry blossoms, which is undoubtedly a "similar" to Wuliang Mountain for the people of Zhejiang.
Hiking in the "Hometown of Cherry Blossoms in China", in addition to tea fields and cherry blossoms, there are also red maple leaves all year round. Walking through the sea of flowers, wherever you look, you will see the joy of spring.
The Shangmagang Cherry Blossom Trail is one of Ningbo's ten cultural ancient trails. The trail is 7 kilometers long and takes about 4-5 hours to complete. In spring, the cherry blossoms along both sides of the trail are in full bloom, making it a perfect place for a spring hike.
Climb to the top of the tea field and see the winding Siming Mountain. You can also become a tea farmer and pick tea and taste high mountain cloud tea!
The 800-li Taihang Mountains, with its numerous broken rocks and towering cliffs, are the dividing line between China's second and third terraces.
Baodu Village, nestled deep in the Taihang Mountains of Shanxi Province, is a secluded and isolated village, the only one in Shanxi Province without access to a road. Built against the mountain's north slope, facing south, its green-tiled roofs and staggered layout create a distinctly ancient atmosphere.
Every spring, forsythia, peach blossoms, and pear blossoms bloom everywhere, further highlighting the paradise-like atmosphere of Baodui Village.
The river valley stretches to the entrance of the village and meets a cliff, forming a unique incision, which is called Laolongkou.
In spring and summer when there is abundant rainfall, the river flows majestically from west to east. When it reaches Laolongkou, it plunges down. Local villagers call it "dragon spitting water", which is a magnificent sight!
Jiaguan Ancient Town, located in Qionglai City, Sichuan Province, boasts a history of over 2,000 years. It's the ancient town near Chengdu that most resembles the misty Jiangnan landscape, and the one most reminiscent of the "Border Town" described by Shen Congwen.
The great Southern Song Dynasty poet Lu You, while serving as the prefect of Linqiong, passed through Jiaguan several times and left behind poems. It was also once an important post station on the Sichuan Tea Horse Road and the Southern Silk Road.
Although its prosperity has faded, the town still retains many relics, including ancient streets, temples, stone bridges, and watchtowers. Besides these historical sites, Jiaguan also boasts thousands of acres of tea plantations, rapeseed fields, and delicious and affordable Mabang cuisine, all waiting to be experienced.
If you want to see the most beautiful pear blossom valley, come to Danba! If you want to see the magnificent scenery of the "Land of a Thousand Watchtowers," come to Danba! If you want to experience the customs of the Jiarong Tibetan people, come to Danba!
The area is crisscrossed by rivers and has magnificent and rugged natural landscapes. It was once called "the last pure land on earth" by National Geographic China.
Compared to the Tibetan areas with altitudes starting at 3,000 to 4,000 meters, Danba, at just 2,000 meters, is more comfortable. Every April, over 100,000 pear trees awaken, their pure white blossoms quietly climbing onto their branches.
We refused to settle for a simple Tibetan home and opted for the Deji Kangwa B&B, owned by China-TravelNote. With its unique location and few tourists, we could overlook the entire Tibetan village without leaving our home!
The epidemic prevents us from going on hikes, but within the limited scope of activities, we can experience the local customs and culture, the world of flowers, and go on a flower-viewing and outing trip without leaving Beijing!
Changyu City, dating back five or six hundred years, was a key pass near the ancient Great Wall. Its walls, urn walls, and temples remain relatively intact, and with its lush vegetation and fresh air, it's known as "Little Tibet in the Suburbs of Beijing."
Every spring, the peach and apricot trees here bloom first. Walking on the plank road, the spring breeze blowing on your face brings warmth and the long-lost fragrance of flowers.
When visiting Changyu City, don't miss the local specialties! A delicious pig's trotter feast paired with tasty side dishes will make you salivate!
As spring warms and the weather deepens, the Youlan Mountains outside Beijing, dormant all winter, are slowly awakening with the return of birds. On April 1st, Youlan Mountain will officially open to visitors, and the small flowers in Tiankai Park will also begin to appear.
The peach, apricot, and pear trees planted on the hillside awoke and "burned" into a ten-mile pink flame. The small bridges, flowing water, pavilions, and courtyards were all rendered soft and smooth.
There are small paths all over the mountain. We will walk on the warm pine soil and green stone steps. We may accidentally bump into branches full of fragrant flowers, and we will also have a little romance of "watching the clouds when the flowers bloom and listening to the wind when the flowers fall".
Brew a pot of fragrant tea, bask in the sun, and experience the beauty of nature. Play by the Liuli River, set up a canopy, and children can play in the huge playground nearby. This spring, we'll take you on a fairytale journey to paradise!
The imperial capital of the Ming and Qing dynasties is what most people know about Beijing, but in fact the Yuan Dynasty capital was the beginning of the capital.
"A street inside Fuchengmen, spanning 800 years of Beijing." Miaoying White Pagoda Royal Temple, a century-old structure, even had its younger brother Jackson Yee take photos and check in!
Visit Zhuanta Hutong, one of the earliest hutongs recorded in written history. Countless literary masters came from here. If you can't get a ticket to the Forbidden City, visit the Temple of Emperors of All Dynasties, which is similar to the Hall of Supreme Harmony.
Standing on the golden bricks, in the cleared hall, you can quietly feel the glory of emperors of all dynasties.
The Yellow River makes a bend at the border between Shanxi and Shaanxi, giving rise to the ancient town of Qikou on the Loess Plateau. Known as the "First Town of the Nine-Bend Yellow River," a visit to Qikou is a must-see for those visiting Lijiashan Village.
In the autumn of 1989, the Chinese painting master Wu Guanzhong discovered this place and praised it as "one of the three great discoveries of his life."
The house, which is "hard to find anywhere in the world", is a cave dwelling with unique characteristics of the Loess Plateau. Its architectural style and strong northwestern customs have attracted a large number of painters and photography enthusiasts.
Enjoy Shaanxi and Shanxi in one stop, live in a cave, make flower buns, cut paper-cuts, wear local costumes, learn Shanxi folk songs, take a cruise on the Yellow River, feel the simplicity and shock of the Loess Plateau, and refresh your understanding of Qin and Jin!
Lianhua Dian is located in Fugu, a small city in the northernmost part of Shaanxi. It is located in the border area of Qin, Jin and Inner Mongolia, and is known as "the crowing of cocks can be heard in three provinces".
It is said that when Emperor Kangxi was suppressing the Galdan rebellion, he once stopped here and was attracted by the colorful and magnificent Danxia landform that looked like a lotus, so he named it Lotus Landform.
This is a semi-developed pristine ecological landscape. As you walk deeper into it, the scenery changes constantly with the height.
Looking down from a high place, the layers upon layers, the peaks and ridges interlaced, the gullies reflected each other, just like a red lotus blooming on the Loess Plateau.
The Yingxian Wooden Pagoda is the tallest and oldest existing wooden tower building in China. It is 67.31 meters high and is known as one of the "Three Great Towers of the World" along with the Eiffel Tower and the Leaning Tower of Pisa.
The pure wooden structure and construction without nails or rivets also make the Yingxian Wooden Pagoda a unique building, which has stood firm after thousands of years of wind and rain.
In 1933, architects Liang Sicheng and Lin Huiyin came here to uncover the treasures of northern Shanxi deep in the mountains, and also to experience special things such as building antique bracket sets and making noodles.
Did you know? Besides the vast cherry blossoms in Pingba, Guizhou also boasts a world record.
Known as the "Earth Ribbon", Bijie Baili Rhododendron brings together more than 40 varieties, stretches for more than 50 kilometers, and features all five subgenera of rhododendrons. It is known as the "largest natural garden in the world."
Every year in late March, native rhododendrons bloom all over the mountains. Surrounded by a sea of flowers, you can see pink everywhere and smell the fragrance of flowers with every breath you take.
According to meteorological data analysis, the flowering period of Baili Rhododendron in 2022 will be delayed compared with last year. We have prepared a flowering period forecast table for everyone.
Since ancient times, rhododendron has been the most popular Chinese color found by Chinese people in the countryside. Bijie rhododendron is worth seeing!
In early April, head to Xiangxi to breathe fresh air, step through Zhangjiajie's strange rocks and sea of clouds, and explore its less-traveled side. With the mountains at your back, live in a wooden stilt house and hear the legend of the "Flower Guest" deep in Jiemu Creek.
Sail the Youshui River, paddle between the mountains, and experience the most Hunan-style transportation. See Furong Town, hanging over a waterfall, and relive the film while enjoying a bowl of rice tofu.
Then go to Zuolong Gorge to practice your courage. The light hike is easy and even beginners can easily get started. It is a great experience. You can travel around Xiangxi by boat, on foot, or by car. Various transportation options include boating, hiking, and riding in a car.
Experience all the natural, cultural and folk customs in one go, go deep into Xiangxi and explore its unique mystery.
The people of Shanghai have had a really hard time recently. They were called back before they even stepped out of the newly reopened residential area. But I believe that the turning point will come soon. Let’s plant some grass first and then set off!
The "First Tiankeng in East China" is located in Huiping Township, north of Quzhou, Zhejiang. The tiankeng is a karst landform formed by the collapse of a natural cave.
The tiankeng is 113 meters high and has dense forests inside. The surrounding cliffs are closed and steep, and the bottom is connected to an underground river. There is no water all year round, which is very spectacular.
Baita Cave is a masterpiece of nature. The cave is full of strange and bizarre scenery, including a winding underground river, stalactites, strange rocks and shining silver stars.
Experience both dry and water caves, and experience wild climbing on natural rock faces for an unforgettable experience. With professional caving instructors from the China Mountaineering Association and rescue team instructors providing full training and guidance, let's delve into the heart of the earth together!
Located east of the Nineteen Peaks, the Thousand-foot Valley is a canyon that winds for five miles. It is famous throughout China for being the filming location for "The Smiling, Proud Wanderer," "The Legend of the Condor Heroes," and "The Demi-Gods and Semi-Devils."
Here, we hiked along the Danxia Ancient Trail, explored the magnificent Danxia landform, climbed mountains to admire the steep cliffs, strange peaks, secluded canyons, waterfalls, streams, high mountain forests and other natural landscapes.
From Hanfei River to the entrance of Qianzhang Valley, you can walk through the ancient wooden bridge, explore the secret canyon, appreciate the Danxia cliffs and the clear springs in the valley, and check in at the filming location of the TV series.
Explore the internet-famous Omega Bend, where the thousand-foot-deep canyon offers breathtaking scenery. Waipokeng has unique ethnic customs, and you can also make your own glutinous rice cakes and experience the charm of pure handmade production.
Although sporadic outbreaks have reappeared in various places, we still have to look forward to a beautiful spring! Some people say that there is a kind of heroism in the world called "loving life more after the lockdown is lifted."
