Walking Jinci in Taiyuan: halls, springs and the stories between
Follow Jinci from its theatre stage to the Sage Mother Hall, ancient trees, spring channels, pagoda and Tang stele, with local legends kept in their proper place.
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Photography
Practical guidance for memorable travel photography.
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138 guides
Suzhou’s Old Lanes and Gardens, with a Day at Lake Tai
Walk Tongdeli, Pingjiang Road and Shantang, compare four classical gardens, and leave a separate day for Mingyue Bay on Lake Tai.
Qingdao’s Cinema History: Old Theatres, Museums and Film Sets
Explore four sides of Qingdao’s film history, from the former sailors’ club and Butterfly House to a museum on the west coast and purpose-built street sets.
Yangzhou Along the Water: Gardens, Old Ferries and the People Who Shaped the City
Follow Yangzhou’s canals through merchant gardens, printing history, temples and old ferry sites, with room for the city’s Muslim heritage and writers.
Jiangnan in Spring Rain: Water Towns and Lakes to Take Slowly
Choose between canal-side Zhouzhuang, Liangnong by Siming Lake, Xinye’s village lanes and the softer horizons of Jiangnan’s lakes.
Pingshanhu Grand Canyon: A Different Day in Zhangye’s Red-Rock Country
Look across Pingshanhu’s eroded formations, decide whether to descend into the canyon and arrange the return, with other Zhangye landscapes to consider for another day.
Snow Town on a Sensible Budget: Views, Beds and Clear Prices
Explore Snow Town without buying every extra: Xueyun Street, village viewpoints, photo courtyards and the post office, with practical checks for meals, accommodation, shuttles and paid activities.
Photographing Snow Town: Village Lights, Forest Trails and Yabuli
A winter photography route around Xuegu, Yangcaoshan, Snow Town, Shili Gallery, Datudingzi and Yabuli, with practical notes on cold-weather camera care and planning outdoor time.
Staying by the River in Zhenyuan: Bridges, Hills and Evening Lights
Explore the Wuyang River between Zhusheng Bridge and the newer bridge, then turn into old lanes or climb for a wider view.
When to Walk in Yubeng: Green Forests, Autumn Colour and Winter Snow
Choose a Yubeng season for the landscape you want, understand how rain and snow change the walks, and adapt a six-day journey from Lijiang to current access.
A Winter Walk at Yanghu Wetland Park in Changsha
Reeds, waterside boardwalks and yellow leaves give this park west of the Xiang River a quieter winter character.
Niangzishan, Hubeiling and Yingpanliang: A Zhangjiakou Ridge Walk
A roughly 17-kilometre mountain circuit from Dalongwangtang, linking steep ground, high meadows and old wall remains, with about 1,100 metres of cumulative ascent.
Daocheng and Yading: Seasons, Walking Routes and the Journey from Chengdu
Distinguish Daocheng town from Yading, compare the Pearl Lake and high-lake walks, choose a base and understand how the seasons change a western Sichuan road trip.
A Winter Day on Changbaishan’s North Slope
Plan a flexible winter visit around Tianchi, steaming Julong springs, the waterfall and snow-covered forest paths.
Choosing a Wuyuan Route: Eastern Villages, Northern Hills and the West
Understand Wuyuan’s three main directions before choosing villages, spring flowers, old houses, forest walks or autumn photography.
Xianggong Hill: Looking Down on a Bend in the Li River
A short climb to Xianggong Hill brings the Li River’s bend and rows of limestone peaks into one view. A simple outing near Xingping, with light and weather setting the mood.
A Rainy Stay in Xijiang: Hillside Lanes Beyond the Main Street
Two unhurried days in Xijiang can be spent on village lanes, river walks and the changing light over the timber houses.
A Day on Tianmen Mountain: Cableways, Cliff Walks and the Cave
Understand Tianmen Mountain’s main sights and plan the ascent and descent together, leaving time for its cliffside paths, glass walkway and natural mountain arch.
Spring Flowers by the Yulong River: A Yangshuo Side Trip
Look for spring rapeseed flowers near Xiatangzhai on the Yulong River, then combine a walk or cycle ride with Yangshuo’s river scenery and a longer Guilin visit.
Mount Emei in Winter: Snow, Temples and the Golden Summit
Plan a winter visit to Mount Emei around snowy forest walks, the Golden Summit and temples, with sensible options for transport, overnight stays and hot springs.
Wuzhizhou Island: A Practical Guide to Sanya’s Lover’s Island
Plan a day on Wuzhizhou Island with advice on ferries, electric carts, beaches, diving, water sports, dining and the island’s quieter corners.
Cherry Blossoms at Yuantouzhu: A Spring Guide to Wuxi's Lake Tai Peninsula
A practical guide to cherry season at Yuantouzhu in Wuxi: bloom stages, the garden and lakeside viewpoints worth the walk, evening viewing, transport and where to eat by the water.
Wuzhen: Xizha’s Canal Lanes and Wucun’s Village Life
A practical guide to Wuzhen’s Xizha water town and nearby Wucun, with canal mornings, bridge lanes, farm tasks and Jiangnan food.
Xinjiang from Urumqi: Routes to Mountains, Deserts and Oases
Urumqi as a base for the classic Xinjiang itineraries — Tianchi, Turpan, Kanas, Sayram Lake and the Ili grasslands — with seasonal and practical notes.
Urumqi and Beyond: A First-Timer's Guide to Xinjiang
A first-timer's guide to Xinjiang: how the Tianshan divides north and south, when to travel, and how to plan short Urumqi excursions and longer northern loops.
Huajiantang Tongli: A Heritage Stay in a Former Girls' School
A stay inside the former Lize Girls' School in Tongli, taking in the courtyards, rooms, tea and games room, and dining in the old auditorium, with notes on Tuisi Garden next door.
Tongli for First-Time Visitors: Gardens, a Lake Island and a Boat Ride
A guide to Tongli's Tuisi Garden, Pearl Tower, Luoxingzhou island, hand-rowed boats and Ink Tongli, with notes on pacing and checking current details.
What Children Notice at a Tianjin Family Hotel
A practical look at family stays in Tianjin, using The Ritz-Carlton and its executive apartments as a case study, with the concession-era streets and garden walks nearby.
Tianjin: Jianbing, Old Streets and the View from Above
Where to eat jianbing and guobacai in Tianjin, plus Ancient Culture Street, the Five Great Avenues, the TV Tower and the Tianjin Eye.
Tengchong's Ginkgo Village: A Late-Autumn Guide to Jiangdong
A practical guide to Jiangdong, the ginkgo village near Tengchong: when the leaves turn, how the settlement is laid out, and how to visit without rushing.
Jinci Temple in Taiyuan: A Guide to Shanxi's Founding Shrine
A guide to Jinci Temple in Taiyuan: Zhou-dynasty origins, a Northern Song Goddess Hall with life-size clay figures, ancient cypresses, springs and water-sharing legends.
Meili North Slope: An Eight-Day Trek from Yagong to the Yunnan-Tibet Pass
A five-day walk on the Meili North Slope from Yagong, with camps above 4,000m, the 5,200m Yunnan-Tibet pass and glacier views, set inside an eight-day Deqin itinerary.
Pingtan Island: A Practical Guide to Fujian's Wind-Swept Coast
A practical guide to Pingtan Island near Fuzhou: getting there, when to go, the north and south coasts, stone villages, beaches, seafood and where to stay.
Fuzhou's Cangshan Old Houses: A Walking Guide to Yantai Mountain
A practical walking guide to the treaty-port houses of Fuzhou's Cangshan district, taking in the old Hwa Nan campus, Fuyuan Road, Park Road, Kangshanli, Machang Street and Fanchuanpu church, with notes on architecture and access.
Photographing the Humble Administrator's Garden in Suzhou
Practical notes for photographing Suzhou's Humble Administrator's Garden: pavilions, water reflections, framed views, and the quieter corners worth slowing down for.
How to Read Suzhou's Humble Administrator's Garden
A guide to the layout, history and key pavilions of Suzhou's Humble Administrator's Garden, with a walking route and notes for a calmer visit.
Suzhou in Colour: A Year of Temples, Lakes and Gardens
Where Suzhou's seasonal colour shows up: the New Year bell at Hanshan Temple, autumn crab on Yangcheng Lake, mandarins at Dongshan, ginkgo at Dinghui Temple, maples on Tianping Mountain and plum blossom at Xiangshan.
Shuhe Old Town: A Quieter Corner of Lijiang
A guide to Shuhe, the old market town north-west of Lijiang that grew up around the Tea Horse Road: slower, lower-key and easier to read than Dayan's busy lanes.
A Practical Guide to Choosing a Three Gorges Cruise
A practical guide to route direction, ship fleets, shore excursions, ports and seasons on the Yangtze, with advice for an unhurried Three Gorges cruise.
Xiling Gorge: A Practical Guide to the Longest of the Three Gorges
The Xiling Gorge runs about 76 kilometers along the Yangtze. Here is how to read its broken geography and plan a visit around Qu Yuan's hometown, the Three Gorges Dam, and the quieter valleys near Yichang.
Winter in Shennongjia: Snow, Skiing and the High Wetlands
A winter guide to Shennongjia's high snow country: Shennongding, the frozen Dajiuhu wetland, backcountry routes around Laojunshan, three ski areas, and practical bases at Muyu and Pingqian.
Dajiuhu Wetland: Two Days on Shennongjia's High Plateau
A two-day guide to Dajiuhu in Shennongjia: shuttle access from Pingqian, dawn mist, alpine meadows, wildlife, lodging and seasonal conditions.
Shenzhen's Quiet Corners: Four Courtyard Cafes and Restaurants
Four low-key cafe and restaurant stops in Bao'an and Nanshan, from a silent upstairs reading room to a flower-filled garden in Shekou.
Five Road Trips from Shenzhen for Readers, Film Fans and Coastal Wanderers
A theme-led guide to five drives from Shenzhen: Guangzhou bookshops and campuses, Chaoshan and Xiamen poetry, Kaiping film locations, Yangshuo limestone country and Zhuhai's coast.
Shantou's Coast: Six Beaches and Headlands
A guide to six coastal stops around Shantou, from Qing'ao Bay's crescent sand to Mayu Island's Mazu temple, with notes on swimming, access and sea safety.
Zhanglin Ancient Port: Red-Head Boats and the Chaoshan Diaspora
A walk through Zhanglin Ancient Port in Shantou's Chenghai District: the red-head boat trade, the old docks and riverbank, Xinxing Street, the temples, and Nanshengli with Qin Mu's former home.
Fujian Tulou: Choosing Among Seven Earthen-Building Villages
A practical guide to seven tulou clusters in Yongding, Nanjing and Hua'an: what each does well, where access is limited, and route combinations that don't turn into a day of driving.
Xiamen on Screen: A Film-Location Guide to the Older Streets
A film-led guide to Xiamen's older streets, island lanes, Jimei campuses, lakeside parks and coastal roads, with practical notes for independent walks.
Planning a Sichuan–Tibet Road Trip: G318, G317 and Serthar
How to choose between the G318 and G317 corridors, work Serthar into a northern route, pace the altitude, and prepare for weather, roads and permits.
Seda and Larung Gar: A Four-Day Road Trip from Chengdu
A practical guide to the four-day overland loop from Chengdu to Seda County and Larung Gar, with notes on transport, altitude, food, lodging and respectful behaviour at a living Buddhist community.
Donggar Monastery: A Quiet Guide to Seda's Nyingma Center
A guide to Donggar Monastery outside Seda: its Nyingma history, the Medicine Buddha Tower, festival dates, how to get there and how to behave once inside.
Sanqingshan: A Practical Guide to Jiangxi's Granite Peaks
Plan a visit to Sanqingshan in Jiangxi: when to go, the two cableways, one- and two-day routes, sunrise logistics, and what to carry on the mountain.
Sanqingshan in Two Hard Days: Boardwalks, Taoist Halls and Steep Stairs
A demanding two-day Sanqingshan itinerary: the South Coast and Sunshine Coast boardwalks, Sanqing Fudi and the steep southern stairs, with notes on difficulty, timing and route choices.
Sanqingshan in the Mist: A Trail Guide to Fog, Cloud and Stone
Mist is normal on Sanqingshan, not a ruined day. A flexible two-day route through West Coast sunsets, Sunshine Coast cloud seas, named rocks and wet boardwalks.
A Seasonal Guide to the Flower Meadows of Ruoergai and Hongyuan
When the wildflower meadows of Ruoergai and Hongyuan bloom, how to reach them, and what to see nearby in northern Sichuan, plus highland travel advice.
Quanzhou in Five Days: Temples, Bridges and the Old Port City
A five-day walking itinerary through Quanzhou's old city, its multi-faith monuments, maritime museums and outlying stone bridge and coastal villages.
Qinghai Lake and the Hexi Corridor: A Loop Guide
A route through Qinghai Lake, Chaka Salt Lake, the Qaidam Basin, Dunhuang and Zhangye, with notes on altitude, seasons and local etiquette.
Qinghai Lake in Two to Four Days: A Loop Through Monasteries, Salt Flats and Mountains
Plan a two- to four-day road loop from Xining around Qinghai Lake, with Ta'er Monastery, Chaka Salt Lake, Qilian's mountains and Zhangye Danxia.
Aranya in Winter: Sea and Architecture on the Qinhuangdao Coast
A slow guide to Aranya's Lonely Library, seaside chapel, dune museum and restaurants, with practical notes for a quiet winter visit from Beijing.
Xianluo Island's Sea Cable Car: A Slow Crossing Off Nandaihe
The sea cable car to Xianluo Island crosses low over the water off Nandaihe, with practical notes and coastal stops in Nandaihe, Beidaihe and Aranya.
Qilian Mountains: Grassland, Red Rock and Silk Road Remains in Qinghai
A practical guide to the Qinghai side of the Qilian Mountains, including Zhuor'er Mountain, Qilian County, E'bao's Silk Road walls, driving notes and the closure of Bayi Glacier.
Qinghai and Qilian in Summer: A Cool-Weather Travel Guide
How summer works on the Qinghai plateau, from Xining and Qinghai Lake to Chaka and Qilian, with layering advice, warnings about snow on high passes and two- and three-day route ideas.
A Night in Nanjing Along the Qinhuai River
An evening walk through Old Mendong, Taoyedu and Bailuzhou Park: small snacks, quiet riverbanks and a late pot of tea in Nanjing.
Spring Flowers at Four Nanjing University Campuses
Where to see cherry blossoms and mixed spring planting at four Nanjing campuses, with notes on timing, access and campus etiquette.
Santa at the Edge of China: Mohe's Arctic Christmas Village
What you'll actually find at Mohe's Arctic Christmas Village: Santa appearances, a symbolic Arctic Circle marker and certificate, an Arctic-themed postmark, a 5.3-metre stocking, reindeer rides and winter lights.
Luoyang's Heluo Heartland: A Guide to Longma Foutu Temple
A guide to the Heluo region around Luoyang, its Hetu and Luoshu traditions, and the steles and riverside setting of Longma Foutu Temple.
Lugu Lake Without the 'Kingdom of Women' Label
A practical guide to Lugu Lake on the Yunnan–Sichuan border: Mosuo villages, boat trips, Caohai marsh, autumn colour and how to visit without turning a living culture into a spectacle.
Lugu Lake: A Travel Guide to the Mosuo Daughter Kingdom
A guide to Lugu Lake's Mosuo communities, mountain water, grass wetlands, traditional boats and sunset viewpoints, with notes on travelling responsibly.
Lushan in Four to Six Days: Lakes, Peaks and Villas
A four-to-six-day Lushan itinerary: the western lakes and caves, the eastern peaks and villas, Guling town, and an optional sixth day at Nuona Pagoda, with notes on shuttle logistics and mountain weather.
Peach Blossoms Under the Snow Peaks: Spring in Nyingchi
A practical guide to spring in Nyingchi, Tibet: when the wild peach blossoms open, where to see them against snow peaks and canyons, and how to shape a short itinerary.
Lanzhou's Century-Old Iron Bridge Over the Yellow River
Lanzhou's 1909 iron bridge over the Yellow River is still a working crossing. Walk the deck, follow the bank below it, and climb White Pagoda Mountain for the view back.
Lhasa Travel Portraits: Where to Shoot and How to Prepare
What a Tibetan-dress portrait session in Lhasa involves, where to shoot around the Potala and Jokhang, and how to prepare without getting in worshippers' way.
Five Festivals That Shape Lhasa’s Year
Losar, Shoton, Lhabab Duchen, the Linka Festival and Ganden Ngamchoe, with context on what happens and how to plan around shifting Tibetan calendar dates.
Kunming in Eight Stops: Parks, Karst and Red Earth
A practical guide to Kunming's old campus and Cuihu, Stone Forest and Jiuxiang, Dianchi and the Ethnic Village, Guandu, Dongchuan red land, and short itineraries.
Jiuzhaigou: A Practical Guide to the Three Valleys
How to plan a visit to Jiuzhaigou's three valleys: which lakes and waterfalls are worth the time, how to use the shuttle buses, where to walk, what to eat, and how to get there from Chengdu.
Jiuzhaigou: Lakes, Waterfalls and Tibetan Villages
A practical guide to Jiuzhaigou's three valleys, its seasonal water and forest, the Tibetan villages inside the reserve, and how to pair it with Huanglong, Songpan and Chengdu.
Jiuzhaigou in Winter: Snow, Blue Lakes and Frozen Falls
A winter guide to Jiuzhaigou: snow on the boardwalks, blue lakes ringed with ice, the frozen curtain of Nuo Ri Lang falls, and practical notes on walking the valley in cold weather.
Jingdezhen: A Guide to the Ceramics City
A practical guide to Jingdezhen's ceramics: university campuses, city museums, markets, Sanbao studios and the kiln villages of Fuliang County.
Jingdezhen in Clay: Markets, Old Kilns and Working Studios
Where to look at ceramics in Jingdezhen: the Le Tian market, the shops along Xinchang East Road, the derelict old ceramic factory, and the working workshops at the Ancient Kiln museum.
Jiayuguan: A Guide to the Ming Wall's Western Pass
Practical notes on Jiayuguan's fort, museums, tomb murals, rock art and desert-edge stops, with context for the western end of the Ming wall.
A Day at Jiayuguan's Three Defensive Sites
The beacon tower above the Taolai River, the steep climb up the Overhanging Great Wall and the fort itself: what each stop explains about how the pass was held, and how to link them with a chartered car.
Xiuning: A Slow Loop Through Huangshan's Zhuangyuan Country
A guide to Xiuning in Huangshan: examination heritage in Haiyang, Qiyun Mountain's inscriptions, old Wan'an, tea villages and ancient groves.
Camping and Stargazing in Huangshan District
Where to camp around Taiping Lake and the hills of Huangshan District, from lakeside lawns and RV parks to groves, village sites and hotel grounds.
Huangguoshu Waterfall: A Practical Guide to the Scenic Area's Routes
How to plan a visit to Huangguoshu's three zones: the Great Waterfall, Doupotang and Tianxingqiao, with notes on tickets, shuttles and seasonal water.
A Spring Photography Day in Hangzhou: Tea Hills, Bamboo and West Lake
A one-day spring route through Longjing tea terraces, Fayun, Meijiawu, Yunqi Bamboo Path and West Lake, with notes on access and timing.
Eight Autumn Routes in Jiangsu and Zhejiang: Ginkgo, Maples and Wetlands
A day-trip guide to eight autumn routes around Hangzhou, Nanjing, Huzhou and Shaoxing, with persimmon-lined wetlands, ginkgo villages and old mountain paths.
Changying Universal 100: A Film Park Guide for Haikou
A practical guide to Haikou's film-themed park: the rides to plan around, how to get there, and a seafood meal at Dingcun market.
Feng Xiaogang Movie Town: Photographing Haikou's Republican-Era Streets
How to visit Feng Xiaogang Movie Town in Haikou: the 1942, Old Beijing and Nanyang streets, ticket options, transport, and photographing the period setting without the crowds.
Haikou and Wenchang: A Quieter Coast on Hainan's East Side
A practical guide to Qishui Bay, Tongguling, Stone Park, Dongjiao Coconut Forest, Haikou's film streets and volcanic park, with notes on getting around.
Winter in Northeast China: Harbin, Snow Town and Changbai Mountain
A practical route through Northeast China in winter, from Harbin and the Yabuli ski slopes to China Snow Town, Jilin rime, Changbai Mountain and village stays.
Guilin’s Two Rivers and Four Lakes: Boats, Walks and Night Views
Boat and walking routes through central Guilin’s linked rivers and lakes, with the landmarks, night views and practical choices explained.
Luoping's Spring Rapeseed Fields: A Guide to Peaks, Terraces and Waterfalls
A seasonal guide to Luoping's rapeseed fields in eastern Yunnan, covering Jinji Peak Cluster, Niujie's spiral terraces, Jiulong waterfalls and practical spring travel notes.
Luoping's Rapeseed Bloom: Fields, Villages and Waterfalls
Luoping in eastern Yunnan fills with yellow rapeseed fields in late winter and early spring. A guide to timing, transport, the Jinji and Luositian viewpoints, Jiulong Waterfalls and Duoyi River, with food and itinerary notes.
Guangzhou After Dark: Late Food, River Bars and Dawn Markets
How to follow Guangzhou past midnight: seafood streets in Haizhu, riverside and Tianhe bar districts, the wholesale flower trade, the surviving dawn markets and morning tea at first light.
Guangzhou in 24 Hours: Tea Houses, Old Streets and River Lights
A day through Liwan's tea houses and antique warehouses, Shamian's concession streets, a Lingnan garden in Panyu, and the Pearl River after dark.
Walking Old Dongshan: A Guangzhou Neighbourhood Guide
A practical walking guide to old Dongshan in Guangzhou, taking in Xinhepu's garden houses, revolutionary sites, small art museums and a compact street route.
Gulangyu Beyond the Ferry Queue: Architecture, Gardens and Quiet Lanes
A practical guide to Gulangyu's ferries, historic villas, gardens and music museums, with routes through the quieter residential lanes and advice on pacing a day on foot.
Gulangyu for First-Time Visitors: Ferries, Villas and a Walking Route
A first visit to Gulangyu needs two plans: a ferry booking and a walking route. Here is how the piers work and where the old villas, lanes and gardens fit.
A Seven-Day Road Loop Through Gannan and the Sichuan Borderlands
A practical seven-day road route through Gannan and the Sichuan borderlands, taking in Labrang Monastery, Sangke and Zoige grasslands, Lianbaoyeze, the Yellow River's first bend, Zhagana and Langmusi.
Songkou Ancient Town: A River Port and Its Charitable Ferries
A guide to Songkou in Yongtai, Fuzhou: its river-port history, charitable ferries, the Crane-Shaped Road, old shopfronts and the quieter lanes and villages behind them.
How Many Days Should Fenghuang Ancient Town Get?
Fenghuang's old town fits into a day. A second day gets you into the Miao villages or out to the Aizhai Bridge; three or four days let you slow down.
Fenghuang Old Town: A Practical Guide
Practical advice for Fenghuang Old Town: seasonal timing, rail and air connections, the nine sights, shopping and photo negotiations, and Miao village etiquette.
Winter Walking at Luyuanping, the Village Below Enshi's Cliffs
How to walk Luyuanping in winter: the one-day loop and two-day traverse, ice on the cliff walkway, village guesthouses, and what to check before setting out.
How to Visit the Mogao Caves: A Practical Guide to Tickets and Timing
How to book and visit the Mogao Caves in Dunhuang, with ticket types, passport-holder procedures and the sites worth adding nearby.
Dunhuang: Caves, Desert and the Work of Keeping Them
A guide to the Mogao Caves, Cave 17, Crescent Lake and the six-day Qinghai–Gansu overland route, with advice on visiting without adding to the pressure on a fragile site.
Mogao Caves: Booking, Timing and Cave Access
How to book Mogao Caves tickets, what the guided visit involves, why the cave list changes, and how weather and desert conditions can affect a day near Dunhuang.
Night Hiking Zhao Gong Shan: East and West Routes
How to climb Zhao Gong Shan near Dujiangyan at night: the East Route from Longfeng Village, the shorter West Route from Qunyi Village, temple bunks, gear and a careful descent.
Daocheng and Yading: A Practical Guide for Independent Travel
Route options, altitude advice, trail notes and practical details for an independent trip to Daocheng and Yading in western Sichuan.
Lüjiang Village: Photographing the Yalu River Bend in Dandong
A guide to Lüjiang Village in Dandong: the Yalu River bend, late-spring canola, the Shenxian Ding viewpoint, and photography near an international border.
Datong in Two Days: Temples, Grottoes and the Old City by Car
A two-day drive from Datong: Liao-Jin temples inside the Ming wall, the Yungang caves, Yingxian's wooden pagoda and the Hanging Monastery, with notes on timing, tickets and reconstruction.
Dalian: A Coastal Guide to Hills, Trams and the Sea
A practical guide to Dalian's ocean parks, old trams, Binhai Road, the forest zoo and seafood, with advice on grouping sights by the coast.
Dali Beyond the Photo Spots: Old Town, Erhai and Cangshan
How to spend two days in Dali's old town, around Erhai and up Cangshan, with notes on cycling, lake cruises, Bai festivals and planning around altitude and weather.
Photographing Erhai Lake: A Shore-by-Shore Route in Dali
A shore-by-shore route for photographing Erhai Lake in Dali: sunrise stops on the west shore, sunset viewpoints on the east, and notes on access and changing conditions.
Four Design-Led Stays Around Dali and Erhai Lake
Four architecturally distinct places to stay in Dali, from an artist's house above Erhai to a courtyard hotel inside the old town.
Where to Photograph Chongqing’s Layered Cityscape
A district-by-district guide to photographing Chongqing, from a converted printworks and graffiti-covered housing blocks to a cliffside teahouse, the stilted tiers of Hongyadong and the wooded ridge at Nanshan.
Bashang Grasslands: A Self-Drive Loop from Ulan Butong to Qiansongba
A self-drive loop through the Bashang grasslands near Chengde, linking Fengning's open steppe, the Jingbei First Sky Road and the forests of Qiansongba.
Dangling, Western Sichuan: Alpine Lakes and Sacred Peaks
Dangling in western Sichuan is a high valley of sacred peaks and alpine lakes. This guide covers the walks, hot springs, access, seasons and altitude planning.
Changzhou Xixigu: Coasters, Cosplay and Winter Lights
A practical guide to Changzhou Xixigu, an animation-themed park in Jiangsu with big coasters, an indoor snow zone and seasonal lantern and fireworks displays.
A Practical Guide to China Dinosaur Park, Changzhou
A zone-by-zone guide to Changzhou's China Dinosaur Park: which coasters to ride first, which shows are worth planning around, how much time the museum needs, plus Dino Water Town, food and where to stay.
Ngari, Western Tibet: Sacred Mountains, Lost Kingdoms and High Plateau Roads
A cultural and practical guide to Ngari, western Tibet: Gang Rinpoche, Namnani, Lake Manasarovar, Pangong, the Guge kingdom and Zanda's earth forest.
Where to Stay in Arxan: A Guide to Inner Mongolia’s Forest Country
Arxan pairs autumn forest, volcanic lakes, snow and hot springs with simple guesthouses, camps and a seasonal ice house. Here is how to pick a base and what to confirm before you go.
Arxan in Winter: A Photography Guide to Snow, Rime and Frozen Lakes
A practical guide to Arxan's winter photography stops: the rime corridor, Bailang Peak, the Unfrozen River and the frozen crater lakes.
Bipenggou and Zhegushan: A Two-Day Winter Loop from Chengdu
A two-day winter plan from Chengdu: forest skiing and snow play in Bipenggou, the high-altitude snow park at Zhegushan, hot-spring lodging in Gurgou and yak hotpot in Lixian.
Weizhou Island: Lava, Sea Cliffs and Reef Flats in Guangxi
A guide to Weizhou Island off Beihai: basalt geology, the sea cliffs and flooded crater at Nanwan, the broad beaches and reef flats of the north shore, and the island's named scenic areas.
Shuanglang: A Lakeside Guide to Erhai's Eastern Shore
A practical guide to Shuanglang, the Bai fishing village on Erhai's eastern shore, covering Yuji Island, the private art houses, lake viewpoints and a Cangshan side trip.
Shuanglang: Temples, Courtyards and Erhai Views on Dali's Lakeshore
A guide to Shuanglang on Erhai's northeast shore: Yuji and Nanzhao islands, Bai villages, Benzhu temples and the Kuixing Pavilion, with notes on access and timing.
Qiandao Lake: Boats, Greenways and Lakeside Views
A practical guide to boat routes, lakeside cycling, short hikes, public viewpoints and food around Qiandao Lake, with seasonal notes and safety advice.
Qiandao Lake: Island Boat Routes, Temple Stops and Forest Walks
A practical guide to the central and southeast boat routes, the Longshan temple stop, and forest, stone and wetland excursions around Qiandao Lake.
Panjin Red Beach: A Field Guide to Liaoning's Crimson Marsh
A practical guide to Panjin Red Beach in Liaoning: when the salt marsh turns red, how the tide shapes a visit, and where to add a Zhiqing history stop.
Panjin's Red Beach in Autumn: A Practical Guide
A late-autumn visit to Panjin's Red Beach National Scenic Corridor, with transport notes, wetland scenery, rice-paddy art and local crab.
Lanterns on the Liaohe: Panjin's Wetland Festival After Dark
Panjin's Liaohe Wetland International Lantern Festival fills the park's south bank with rice-and-crane tableaux, a river crab built from blue-and-white porcelain and other large illuminated sets.
Panjin Red Beach: A Seasonal Guide to Liaoning's Tidal Marsh
In the Liaohe Delta, salt-tolerant Suaeda salsa turns tidal flats red each year. Plan around season, tide and light, and use the 18-km corridor to read a working wetland.
Huajianshan, Sirentong and Niubeishan: Choosing a High Ridge Above Lengqi
Three high ridges above Lengqi, near Erlang Mountain: how they differ in height, access and the view of Gongga, and what to sort out before you go.
Longji Rice Terraces: A Practical Guide to Guangxi’s Mountain Fields
How the Longji terraces are organised, where to stay and walk, how to get there without a tour, and when the fields look their best.
Where China's Oldest Buildings Survive: An Art Circuit Through Four Provinces
Tang timber halls, Yuan Taoist murals, Zhou bronzes, Buddhist cave temples and Song imperial stone, arranged as a practical route through Shanxi, Shaanxi, Henan and Gansu.
Lianyungang: Mountains, Sea and Monkey King Country
A guide to Lianyungang's mountain-and-sea landscape, from Huaguoshan and Liandao to Donghai's crystal country, with the city's summer festival as seasonal context.
Lianyungang at a Slow Pace: Mountains, Sea and Old Streets
A district-by-district guide to Lianyungang’s mountains, island beaches, Republican-era streets and city museum, with time allowances and practical checks.
Hongcun for First-Time Visitors: Water Lanes, Merchant Halls and a Walking Route
How to walk Hongcun from South Lake to the old trees, with the merchant halls and Moon Pond along the way, plus transport and ticket notes for a first visit.