The Ultimate Four-Season Travel Destinations in China You Must Visit in Your Lifetime

Hulunbuir

• Key Attractions: Morigele River, Erguna Wetland, Manzhouli Matryoshka Square, National Gate Scenic Area, Hulun Lake, etc.

• Best Time to Visit: June to August for lush green grasslands; September to enjoy autumn scenery on the grasslands.

• Itinerary Planning: Usually 5-7 days is ideal. For example, start from Hailar, go to Morigele River on the first day, stay overnight in Erguna; on the second day visit the Oroqen Reindeer Tribe and Moerdaoga Forest; on the third day travel along the border checkpoint line to Heishantou, experience horseback riding and bonfire parties; then proceed to Manzhouli, and return to Hailar via Hulun Lake.

• Food: Try hand-held mutton, Buryat steamed buns, Russian-style red sausage, etc. Nomintala Milk Tea House and Lubuli Western Restaurant are worth visiting.

Longsheng

• Key Attractions: Longji Rice Terraces, Longsheng Hot Springs, Longsheng Forest Park, etc. Ping’an Village, Jinkeng Village, and Ancient Zhuang Village in the terraces are great for sightseeing.

• Best Time to Visit: All year round. May to see the mirror-like terraces after irrigation; September to October is the rice harvest season.

• Itinerary Planning: Recommended 2-3 days. On the first day, charter a car from Guilin city to Longji Rice Terraces, experience the cable car, stay in Ping’an Village to view the terraces at night or enjoy the light show; on the next day, watch the sunrise early and visit Longsheng Hot Springs in the afternoon if time permits.

• Food: Try Longsheng oil tea, bamboo tube rice, bamboo tube chicken, and cold mountain fish.

Jiuzhaigou

• Key Highlights: Famous for the “Six Wonders” of emerald lakes, cascading waterfalls, colorful forests, snowy peaks, Tibetan culture, and blue ice. Classic spots include Five Flower Lake, Long Lake, and Shuzheng Lakes.

• Best Time: September to November for charming autumn colors; June to August has abundant water but more tourists. Tickets must be booked 3 days in advance, with a daily limit of 41,000 visitors.

• Itinerary Planning: 2 days is ideal. On the first day, visit Long Lake and Five Flower Lake early to avoid crowds, then go to Shuzheng Lakes in the afternoon; on the second day, hike the primitive forest section.

• Accommodation and Food: Stay at guesthouses near the valley entrance, about 200 RMB per night in the off-season. Local Tibetan-style hot pot is a must-try.

Dujiangyan

• Key Highlights: See the three major water conservancy projects: Fish Mouth Diversion Dam, Feisha Weir, and Baopingkou. Can be combined with a day trip to Qingcheng Front Mountain.

• Best Time to Visit: Suitable all year round, summer offers a cool escape.

• Itinerary Planning: Take the intercity railway from Chengdu Xipu Station, about 30 minutes. Half a day is enough to explore the core area; for a detailed understanding of the water conservancy principles, a guide costing around 80 RMB is recommended.

• Nearby Food: Specialty snacks include You Rabbit Head and Scallion Rolls.

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• Key Attractions: Ganzhu’er Temple, the largest Tibetan Buddhist temple in the Hulunbuir area; grassland scenic areas to enjoy grasslands, wetlands, and border landscapes.

• Best Time to Visit: June to September.

• Itinerary Planning: Usually part of the Hulunbuir loop tour, arranged for 1-2 days. Participate in traditional ceremonies like the Aobao worship and experience nomadic grassland culture.

• Food: Mainly Mongolian flavors such as roasted whole lamb, dairy products, and dried beef.

Daocheng

• Key Highlights: Daocheng Yading features the three sacred mountains Xianuoduoji, Yangmaiyong, and Xianuoduoji, as well as Milk Lake and Five Color Lake.

• Best Time to Visit: September to October for vivid colors of snow-capped mountains and meadows.

• Itinerary Planning: At least 3 days. Start from Shangri-La Town, enter the scenic area to Yading Village on the first day, enter the park before 8 AM on the second day, take the new Zhihuozhalong route for 5 hours to reach Milk Lake and Five Color Lake.

• Altitude Sickness Prevention: The park is over 4,000 meters above sea level. Take Rhodiola three days in advance, and oxygen bottles are recommended to be purchased in Shangri-La Town at about 25 RMB per bottle.