Top 7 Classic and Beautiful Hiking Routes in China

China's vast and magnificent natural landscape attracts thousands of outdoor enthusiasts coming to explore every year. But how to choose a hiking route that suits you? This article will share you 7 classic hiking routes which are all beautiful. Moreover, these trekking routes are difficult and easy, and each has its own characteristics. We believe there will be one suitable for you.

1. Li River Hiking 

  • Location: Guilin, Guangxi
  • Route: Yangdi – Quanjiazhou village – Lengshui village – Nine Horse Fresco Hill - Xingping
  • Distance: 12km (7 miles)
  • Trekking time: 4-5 hours (half day)
  • Difficulty: ★
  • Scenery: ★★★★★ 

Li River is well-known throughout the whole country, located in Yangshuo county, Guilin City. It seems like a green silk ribbon weaving around thousands of hills which attracts thousands of tourists coming for visiting. The most common way to visit the Li River is by boat, but the beauty is not fully appreciated. See more on: How to Visit the Li River - 3 Recommended Ways

Instead, hiking along the path from Yangdi to Xingping is an unconventional way to get close to the Li River. The best time is in spring when the flowers are in full bloom along the road and in harvest autumn when the rice fields turn yellow.  

Trippest small-group tour for Li River: Full-Day Private Li River Hiking Tour Including Xingping and Xianggong Hill

china Walking along the river

2. Gongga Mountain 

  • Location: Kangding, Sichuan
  • Route: Laoyulin – Gexi Grassland – Riwuqie Yakou – Gongga Temple – Zimei Yakou - Bawanghai
  • Distance: 70km (41miles) & Highest altitude: 4920m
  • Trekking time: 5 days
  • Difficulty: ★★★★
  • Scenery: ★★★★★ 

"Gongga Mountain" means "the highest snow mountain" in Tibetan and is located between Kangding, Luding, Shimian and Jiulong counties in Sichuan Province. The main peak of Gongga is 7556 meters above sea level, and is known as the "king of Shushan". There are 145 ice peaks with an altitude of 5-6 kilometers around the main peak of Gongga, forming a magnificent scene surrounded by snow-capped mountains.

Gongga is an internationally renowned sacred place for mountaineering expeditions, but Gongga Mountain is also the most difficult to conquer large-scale extremely high mountain, even is far greater than that of Mount Everest. At the foot of the glacier, surrounded by forests, the lake is clear and transparent. The pristine and beautiful natural scenery, the sacred and solemn Tibetan Buddhism, and the colorful Tibetan ethnic customs all make Gongga full of charm. Therefore, challenging to hike Gongga Mountain is a journey that is both adventurous and enjoyable. 

china Sunrise at Gongga Mountain

3. Meili Snow Mountains 

  • Location: Shangri-la, Yunnan
  • Route: Feilai Lamasery – Upper Yubeng - Xiaonong Base Camp – Ice Lake – Lower Yubeng – Holy waterfall – Ninong village
  • Distance: 43km (27miles) & Highest altitude 3800m
  • Trekking time: 4 days
  • Difficulty: ★★★★
  • Scenery: ★★★★★ 

The Meili Snow Mountains are about 10 kilometers west of Deqin County and a land of pilgrimage for Tibetan Buddhists. The main peak called Kawagebo is 6,740 meters above sea level which is the highest peak in Yunnan Province. There are 13 peaks with an altitude about 6 kilometers around the main peak. Many people come here for pilgrimage, and when they see the golden light shining on Mount Kawagebo, all souls will be inspired.

Yubeng is a place favored by God, and it is not difficult and suitable for beginner hikers. The best time to visit Meili Snow Mountain is October to November. If you are lucky, you will see the wonderful view of sunrise on the snow-capped mountains. 

china Yubeng village

4. Mount Everest 

  • Location: Shigatse, Tibet
  • Route: Qudang village – Xiaowucuo Camp – Zhuoxiang – Ega - Mt. Everest Base Camp – Cuoxuerenma Camp – Qudang village
  • Distance: 70km (43miles) & Highest altitude: 5200m
  • Trekking time: 7 days
  • Difficulty: ★★★★★
  • Scenery: ★★★★★ 

Mount Everest is the highest mountain in the world, with an elevation of 8,844 meters (29,016 feet). It is located the border of Nepal and Tibet, China, the north slope belongs to China, and the south side belongs to Nepal. The main peaks above 8000m around Mount Everest are Lhotse, Makalu, and Cho Oyu.

Everyone is eager to climb to the top of the earth, but many difficulties will crush your dreams. So going to Mount Everest is not a dream that everyone can realize. Gamagou is considered to be the most beautiful valley in the world because there are three snow-capped mountains above 8000 meters: Everest, Lhotse and Makalu. There are many trekking routes to choose from here, the most worthwhile is the trekking at the Everest East Slope Base Camp, 7 days back and forth, the scenery is beautiful and it is a certain challenge. The best time to hike this route is around May or October. 

china On the foot of Mount Everest

5. Daxingan Mountains 

  • Location: Hulunbuir, Inner Mongolia
  • Route: Ergun city – Genhe wetland – Shanghulin – Xiahulin – Enhe – Daxingan mountains - Heishantou
  • Distance: 50km
  • Trekking time: 3 days
  • Difficulty: ★★
  • Scenery: ★★★★★ 

When coming into September, the grassland in Inner Mongolia gradually loses its green clothing, and the boundless grassland becomes golden. The wilderness is no longer quiet and enchanting. The birch forest at the junction of the grassland and the forest turned golden and dazzling overnight. The Daxingan Mountains are immersed in layers of forest.

The Mozhgler River is hovering like an emerald ribbon on this golden land; the sunset in the grassland wetland of Heishantou is shocking and magnificent.  

china Daxingan Mountain

6. Kanas

  • Location: Altay, Xinjiang
  • Route: Jiadengyu – Hemu village – Black Lake – Kanas - Baibaha
  • Distance: 55km
  • Trekking time: 3 days
  • Difficulty: ★★
  • Scenery: ★★★★★ 

Kanas, which means "beautiful and mysterious place" in Mongolian, is located in the Altay Prefecture of Xinjiang. It is a scenic spot with abundant natural resources with forests, grasslands, glaciers, lakes, ethnic customs, and rare animals and plants. It is a rare cold-temperate plant gene bank in the world; the birthplace of the Burqin River which is the largest tributary of the Irtysh River; and the last settlement of Mongolian Tuva people in China. When visiting Kanas, you should not miss three original Tuva villages: Hemu Village, Kanas Village, and Baihaba Village.

Autumn is the most beautiful season in Kanas, especially in late September. All kinds of forest in Kanas compete for glory and full of colors: golden, red, and dark green. It is also known as a paradise for photographers and "Switzerland of the East". 

china Hemu village in autumn

7. Daocheng Yading 

  • Location: Garze Tibetan Prefecture, Sichuan
  • Route: Dulu village – Baishui River – Wanhuachi Pasture – Xinguo Pasture – Shehu Camp - Luorong Pasture - Chonggu Monastery – Yading - Daocheng
  • Distance:70km (43miles) & Highest altitude: 4700m
  • Trekking time: 5 days
  • Difficulty: ★★★★★
  • Scenery: ★★★★★ 

Daocheng & Yading is located in the south of Garze Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture in Sichuan, in the east of the famous Qinghai-Tibet Plateau and the middle section of the Hengduan Mountains. It is one of the most complete and primitive alpine natural ecosystems in China and known as "The Last Shangri-La", and "The Last Pure Land on the Blue Planet". The three mountains of god is the most famous tourist spot - Mount Jambeyang, Mount Chanadorje and Mount Shenrezig. 

It is also one of the top 10 self-abuse trekking routes in China. Although the route is relatively difficult, you will feel very worthwhile when you meet the gentle herders, flying prayer flags, vast grasslands, magnificent snow-capped mountains and abundant animals and plants on the road. The best time for trekking this route is in spring time from April to May and autumn time from September to October. 

china Milk Lake in Daocheng Yading

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