Live Your Best Lives
There's been so much good news lately! Hangzhou issued a "Notice on Optimizing Epidemic Prevention and Control" overnight. Since December, provincial capitals and municipalities like Beijing, Tianjin, Chongqing, Shanghai, and Guangzhou have also announced optimized travel measures for citizens. These major moves by local governments have the public on edge. Is the three-year-long epidemic finally coming to an end? (Excited)
Picture @ Baidu Hot Search
Let’s put the distant things aside for now. The temperature dropped significantly across the country in December, and many places saw the first snow of early winter before Christmas. It was so beautiful and romantic.
Taking advantage of this month with both favorable policies and seasons, Xiaoxia has specially prepared 13 fun, niche, and beautiful early winter travel destinations, including hiking in the snow, riding by the lake, and visiting the ancient towns of Xuexiang. There is always a destination that suits you!
"The highest peak of the Seven Peaks of Tianmu"
From December to early February of the following year, Longwang Mountain is covered with snow. As the highest peak of the Tianmu Seven Peaks, walking among them can give you a unique experience of mountaineering.
Climbing to the top of the Seven Peaks in winter and overlooking the scenery of thousands of miles of ice and snow will add to your ambition!
Longwang Mountain is full of strange rocks and cliffs and peaks. With the embellishment of winter rime, the shape of the tree branches is especially clear, making it look like a beautiful Chinese painting.
Standing in the mountains, you can see crystal clear ice and snow and drifting sea of clouds, which looks like a magical fairy tale world.
"Enjoy the wonders of rime"
Baizhang Ridge is one of the three peaks in western Zhejiang. It is located at the western end of the Tianmu Mountains, between Qingliang Peak and the Wuyue Ancient Road. Baizhang Ridge is the saddle in the middle of the three peaks in western Zhejiang. There are well-preserved bluestone slabs of the Changbei Ancient Road on both sides. Although the road is relatively long, the slope is relatively gentle and easy to reach.
Crossing the snowy trail, we climbed all the way up to the frozen Yunding Lake at an altitude of 1,448 meters. Due to the high altitude, it is easy to freeze in winter, and the rime scene is spectacular.
The entire lake has turned into a white dreamy ice lake, and one can't help but marvel at the wonders of nature.
"Camping and free ski tickets"
Unlike other mountains in winter, the steep peaks of Daming Mountain in the forest covered with snow are extremely shocking at first sight.
Standing on the thick and soft snow, looking at the green mountains in the distance and the endless snow fields nearby, everyone can't help but sigh at its beauty.
In the winter of 2022, you can enjoy the snow, play snowball fights, ski, camp in winter, eat hot pot in the snow... You can encounter these little beauties in Daming Mountain.
Whisper: From now until the end of the snow season, campers get unlimited ski passes! Never be bored in winter again!
"Metasequoia on the ancient road, late autumn and winter coming"
The Xuedouling Ancient Trail is about 7 kilometers long and is the access route from Yukeng Village to An Village and Shangwang.
The stone steps here are all made of natural stones, high and low, stretching up, with mountains overlapping and streams flowing along the way, forming a natural landscape of mountains and rivers with overlapping peaks, strange rocks and emerald green.
The reservoir on the top of the mountain is as flat as a mirror. In late autumn, the leaves of the Metasequoia have turned red, turning it into a beautiful redwood forest!
“Stay in Shanghai and experience the stunning beauty of Metasequoia”
Still wondering where to go in early winter? Why not head to Qingxi Country Park? Experience stunning Metasequoia forests without leaving Shanghai!
Cycling 50km in a single day, the Metasequoia trees along the way are picturesque, the golden fields make you feel like you are in an oil painting, and occasionally there are boats slowly wandering in the Metasequoia forest, which is very atmospheric!
Riding along the lake, with camphor trees shading the trees, willow branches swaying, and the lake surface sparkling, it was very pleasant.
Check in at Jinze Ancient Town, a water town in the south of the Yangtze River. It is built on the water, without the hustle and bustle of commercial atmosphere, and is simple and comfortable.
"Wandering in the Ancient Town"
Taicang, a low-key small city, this time our trip starts from Shaxi Ancient Town.
Shaxi Ancient Town is located in the central part of Taicang City. It is an ancient water town in the south of the Yangtze River with a history of more than 1,300 years. It preserves waterside buildings from the Ming and Qing Dynasties, long ancient streets, ancient alleys, quaint ancient bridges and former residences of historical and cultural celebrities.
Leaving Shaxi Ancient Town, we headed to Liuhe Ancient Town. Liuhe Port, known as the "First Port of the Yangtze River," is a town steeped in history. It was the anchorage for Zheng He's seven voyages to the West, a crucial port for transporting grain northward in ancient times, and a gathering place for merchant ships from various countries during the period of foreign trade, earning it the nickname "Six Nations Wharf."
Finally, we arrived at the highlight of our trip: the Yangtze River embankment, known as the "Little Kamakura of Taicang." With a red lighthouse, a clear blue sky, and a sea breeze, we stopped at the Liuhe Reviewing Stand, a popular check-in spot, to snap a series of photos and leave a lasting impression.
"The mountains and rivers are like a picture of a divine horse"
Nine Horses Painting Mountain is a rocky mountain by the river. The cliffs are covered in a mottled pattern of yellow and white, varying in depth and lightness. A closer look at the stone patterns reveals a group of horses, some galloping, some lying, some playing, some whistling, each with a different expression.
It has five peaks connected together, and the stone cliffs overlooking the river are covered with green, yellow, white, and other colorful colors, with alternating shades of light and dark, and in a well-organized pattern, just like a picture of a divine horse. Hence the name Nine Horses Painting Mountain, or simply Painting Mountain.
Throughout the ages, the "Nine Horses Painting Mountain" has attracted many poets, painters and tourists. A ballad has been passed down through the ages: "Look at the horseman, look at the horseman, I ask you how many pairs of horses you have. If you can identify seven horses, you will be the second place in the imperial examination. If you can identify nine horses, you will be the first place in the imperial examination." This shows that identifying the "horses" on the painted mountain is not an easy task.
"Ocean of Color"
Located in the Longnan area of Shijiao Town, Fogang County, Qingyuan City, Guangdong Province, it is only a 2-hour drive from Guangzhou City. It has beautiful mountains and clear waters, fresh air and pleasant scenery. It is a rare viewing spot for Taiwan maple leaves in the province.
The maple leaves are distributed in the park, including Maple Leaf Avenue, Taiwan Botanical Garden, and next to Sun Moon Lake. Most of the maple leaves in the park are introduced from Taiwan Province. When the maple leaves turn red in autumn, the autumn colors are flourishing, and the colorful blocks of color surge like tides in the wind, turning it into a sea of colors.
The Maple Leaf Avenue stretches 5 kilometers and takes about an hour to hike, making it a perfect spot for hiking enthusiasts. From the mountains to the lakeside, the enchanting crimson leaves stretch out in a dazzling display. The backlight on the leaves, shimmering like a dreamy orange-red, is truly stunning.
We keep looking for beautiful red leaves in light and shadow, just to capture the romance of this season.
“Switch to summer mode in one second”
Riyue Bay is one of the sea areas in the world with high-quality fixed-point waves and beach waves.
The water here is clear, and the average annual temperature of the sea water is around 26.5℃, making it suitable for surfing all year round.
The bay has 2-meter waves, which last for half a year from October to March of the following year. The waves are long and extremely powerful, and the frequency of waves is high. It is the bay with the best surfing resources in China, loved by surfers at home and abroad, and is also the filming location for many variety shows.
There are many surf shops here, and under the guidance of the coaches, you can learn how to get started and become a young surfer.
"Hiking up the snowy mountains"
Want to experience the thrill of hiking a snowy mountain? Want to witness the breathtaking scenery of towering peaks, a vast sea of clouds, and a vast expanse of white? Then head to Balang Mountain!
Half of Balang Mountain is located in Wolong, Wenchuan, Aba Prefecture, Sichuan, and the other half is located in Xiaojin County, Aba Prefecture. It takes about 3.5 hours to drive from Chengdu, and you can go there and back in one day.
As a popular outdoor destination near Chengdu, it hides the magnificent scenery of western Sichuan. Every December, Balang Mountain begins to snow. Climbing the mountain, you'll be greeted by a sea of clouds, and gaze upon magnificent snow-capped peaks like Yaomei Peak, shimmering against the blue sky and white clouds. The scenery is truly breathtaking!
Balang Mountain currently offers three main hiking routes: Haiertang (6.2km), Panda Eye (7.7km), and Balang Mountain Underpass (9.5km). If you enjoy outdoor hiking and prefer off-the-beaten-path trails, this is the perfect place to avoid the crowds and enjoy the stunning scenery in private!
"360-degree Snow Mountain Observation Deck"
Mugecuo, also known as Kangding Love Song, is located in Kangding City, Ganzi Prefecture. It is a place where alpine lakes, forest hot springs, grasslands and snow-capped mountains complement each other.
Yuzixi is a 360-degree snow mountain viewing platform that has become very popular in western Sichuan in recent years. There is no need to hike here. You can take a car directly to the top of the mountain viewing platform to see the Gongga, Yala and other snow-capped mountains, as well as the magnificent snow-capped mountains sunset.
Watching the sunset gradually change from golden to pink, the sunrise over the sea of clouds, and the sunset over the starry sky, all the beautiful scenery is worth our effort.
“Facing the snow-capped mountains, sunrise, and sea of clouds”
Niubei Mountain is located at the junction of Ya'an City and Luding County, Sichuan Province. The top of the mountain is 3,666 meters above sea level and is known as "the most beautiful 360° snow mountain viewing platform in Asia."
You can directly face the magnificent snow-capped mountains, the grand Milky Way starry sky, the stunning sea of clouds and waterfalls, the gorgeous morning glow and sunrise... You can also appreciate the Gongga Snow Mountain, one of the top two most beautiful mountains in China, up close, and realize your dream of "lying under the starry sky and living in the sea of clouds."
The Niubei Mountain Scenic Area now offers direct access to the summit by car, allowing you to enjoy the stunning scenery without having to hike. A must-do when visiting Niubei Mountain is a stay at the Niubei Mountain Xingchen Tent Hotel. Located in the heart of the Niubei Mountain Scenic Area, the campsite offers stunning views of the snow-capped mountains, sunrise, and sea of clouds.
The climate of Niubei Mountain is stable in winter. When the weather is fine, in addition to enjoying the beautiful sea of clouds, cloud waterfalls, snow-capped mountains, sunrise, Milky Way, and starry sky, you also have the opportunity to encounter the dreamy meteor shower!
"The world's only underground ancient residential building"
Among the numerous residential architectural styles in my country, the troglodyte courtyards of Shanzhou can be described as "an ancient village beneath the horizon, a living fossil in the history of residential architecture." As an ancient and fascinating residential style, the troglodyte courtyard, also known as the skylight courtyard, is rich in cultural heritage. It is the only underground ancient residential building in China, and perhaps even the world, and is one of the four unique ancient residential structures in my country.
Picture @Photo.net
The troglodyte courtyards are sturdy and durable, warm in winter and cool in summer, windproof and soundproof, and earthquake-resistant. Entering the village, you can only hear people talking and laughing, chickens crowing and dogs barking, but no houses are visible. Only when you get closer do you realize that people actually live underground.
Picture @Photo.net
Shan County, Sanmenxia City, Henan Province was named "China's Dikeng Kiln Culture Hometown" by the China Federation of Literary and Art Circles. Here we can take pictures of these unique folk houses to our heart's content. The park also displays local folk customs such as paper-cutting, ecological dyeing, handmade inkstones, and Shanzhou gongs and drums from western Henan Province.
After a significant drop in temperatures across the country, many places have welcomed their first snowfall of early winter. The pure white, romantic and poetic beauty is a rare winter gift. Coupled with the easing of epidemic prevention policies across the country, why not quickly take this list of the best travel destinations for December? It's time to catch up on that long-overdue trip!
