40 beautiful places to visit in China

<strong>Three Pagodas, Dali, Yunnan: </strong>The oldest of these three Buddhist towers dates back to the mid-ninth century. At 69 meters and 16 stories high, it was a "skyscraper" for the Tang Dynasty and is still the tallest pagoda in China.

Three Pagodas, Dali, Yunnan: The oldest of these three Buddhist towers dates back to the mid-ninth century. At 69 meters and 16 stories high, it was a "skyscraper" for the Tang Dynasty and is still the tallest pagoda in China.

Courtesy Alexander Savin/Flickr/CreativeCommons

<strong>Mount Huangshan, Anhui: </strong>Renowned for its oddly shaped pines, spectacular rock formations and seas of misty clouds, Mount Huangshan is a once-in-a-lifetime trek for many Chinese.

Mount Huangshan, Anhui: Renowned for its oddly shaped pines, spectacular rock formations and seas of misty clouds, Mount Huangshan is a once-in-a-lifetime trek for many Chinese.

Courtesy Ivan Ahlert/Flickr/CreativeCommons

<strong>Wuyuan, Jiangxi: </strong>Colorful blossoms and a relaxed, countrified pace attract hundreds of thousands of visitors to this small county each spring.

Wuyuan, Jiangxi: Colorful blossoms and a relaxed, countrified pace attract hundreds of thousands of visitors to this small county each spring.

Courtesy Carlos Adampol Galindo/Flickr/CreativeCommons

<strong>Yungang Grottoes, Shanxi: </strong>This 1,500-year-old landmark houses 252 caves and more than 51,000 Buddha statues of different styles and sizes -- the tallest stands 17 meters, the tiniest two centimeters.

Yungang Grottoes, Shanxi: This 1,500-year-old landmark houses 252 caves and more than 51,000 Buddha statues of different styles and sizes -- the tallest stands 17 meters, the tiniest two centimeters.

Courtesy XiquinhoSilva/Flickr/CreativeCommons

<strong>Potala Palace, Tibet: </strong>Standing 3,700 meters above sea level, the former winter home of the Dalai Lama is the highest palace on the planet. It's now a state museum.

Potala Palace, Tibet: Standing 3,700 meters above sea level, the former winter home of the Dalai Lama is the highest palace on the planet. It's now a state museum.

JOHANNES EISELE/AFP/AFP/Getty Images

<strong>Echoing Sand Mountain and Crescent Lake, Dunhuang, Gansu: </strong>Echoing Sand Mountain is a series of dunes surrounding Crescent Lake. Named for its distinctive shape and aural characteristics, its echoes can be heard as the wind blows over the dunes.

Echoing Sand Mountain and Crescent Lake, Dunhuang, Gansu: Echoing Sand Mountain is a series of dunes surrounding Crescent Lake. Named for its distinctive shape and aural characteristics, its echoes can be heard as the wind blows over the dunes.

Feng Li/Getty Images AsiaPac/Getty Images

<strong>Lake Karakul, Xinjiang: </strong>This stunning view of Lake Karakul is the reward after a thrilling ride over one of the world's most dangerous roads, the Karakoram Highway.

Lake Karakul, Xinjiang: This stunning view of Lake Karakul is the reward after a thrilling ride over one of the world's most dangerous roads, the Karakoram Highway.

JOHANNES EISELE/AFP/Getty Images

<strong>Fortress Towers, Kaiping, Guangdong: </strong>Erected mostly in the early 20th century, these fortress towers were built as a display of wealth by well-traveled Kaipingers, who brought home many architectural styles, including Islamic, Roman and even ancient Greek.<br />

Fortress Towers, Kaiping, Guangdong: Erected mostly in the early 20th century, these fortress towers were built as a display of wealth by well-traveled Kaipingers, who brought home many architectural styles, including Islamic, Roman and even ancient Greek.

courtesy Kaiping Travel Resource Development Centre

<strong>Guanyin Statue, Hainan: </strong>At 108 meters tall, this figure is the world's largest Guanyin statue. It's located near the Nanshan Temple of Sanya on Hainan island.

Guanyin Statue, Hainan: At 108 meters tall, this figure is the world's largest Guanyin statue. It's located near the Nanshan Temple of Sanya on Hainan island.

Ainhoa Sanchez/Volvo Ocean Race/Getty Images AsiaPac/Volvo Ocean Race/Getty Images

<strong>Yangshuo, Guangxi: </strong>A bamboo boat cruise might be the best way to see Yangshuo, the riverside town most famous for its karst hills and traditional fishing-village lifestyle.

Yangshuo, Guangxi: A bamboo boat cruise might be the best way to see Yangshuo, the riverside town most famous for its karst hills and traditional fishing-village lifestyle.

China Photos/Getty Images AsiaPac/Getty Images

<strong>Jiuzhaigou, Sichuan: </strong>Jiuzhaigou's a region full of stunning alpine lakes that are filled with incredible water that changes color throughout the day.

Jiuzhaigou, Sichuan: Jiuzhaigou's a region full of stunning alpine lakes that are filled with incredible water that changes color throughout the day.

Jason Kwok/CNN

<strong>Xiapu Mudflat, Fujian: </strong>Xiapu, the largest mudflat in the country, is a favorite destination of Chinese photographers.

Xiapu Mudflat, Fujian: Xiapu, the largest mudflat in the country, is a favorite destination of Chinese photographers.

China Photos/Getty Images AsiaPac/Getty Images

<strong>Fenghuang, Hunan: </strong>Colorful stilted houses and the rich Miao and Tujia ethnic culture are some of the main draws of the ancient town of Fenghuang.

Fenghuang, Hunan: Colorful stilted houses and the rich Miao and Tujia ethnic culture are some of the main draws of the ancient town of Fenghuang.

Courtesy Ludger Heide/Flickr/CreativeCommons