1. Lushan National Park
Spiritual leaders have flocked to this area for centuries. It is revered for its classical Chinese landscape, which is made up of rivers, mountains, and forests. Today over 200 ancient Buddhist, Taoist and Confucius relics and temples remain. The protected area runs from the Yangtze River to Lake Poyang Basin and is home to a number of mountains gorges, valleys, and caves to discover. The park is well connected by trails, and fairly quiet, which makes it the perfect place for a peaceful weekend away in an enchantingly natural landscape.
2. Zhangjiajie National Forest Park
This first-rate national park is known for its unique, staggering beauty. It is comprised of immense sandstone pillars, rich wildlife, and greenery. Evergreen shrubs cling to the sides of the sandstone pinnacles as they reach skyward. 98% of the park is covered in natural vegetation which is home to over 150 species of wildlife including animals under considerable protection such as the rhesus monkey, golden pheasant, musk deer, and giant salamander. There is an abundance of streams, and waterways which run through the park, and valleys to explore which only adds to the beauty of the park. There is truly no other place on earth quite like Zhangjiajie National Park.
3. Jiuzhaigou National Park
This national park is a true natural wonder. The breathtaking natural scenery is made up of cascading waterfalls, crystal clear lakes, and limestone hills. It is a part of the Min Shan mountain range and on the edge of the Tibetan Himalayan Plateau. The name of the park means nine villages in honor of the Tibetans who live there. As such there are many Tibetan places of worship within the park that are connected to the natural landscape. Jiuzhaigou also features incredible biodiversity and is home to a number of endangered animals including Chinas black and white panda, the Sichuan golden monkey, and takin.
4. Huangshan National Park
Huangshan is a very fitting name for this national park, as it means yellow mountains. The brightly colored mountain range is made up of steep granite peaks, which are shrouded in pine trees. Many of these trees seem to be barely holding on. The park has captured the imagination of countless artists over the past few centuries, especially water and ink painters, and continues to do so today. Many of these artists have declared the Huangshan mountain range as the loveliest in China. Hot springs are another feature of the park, which offers thrilling views. Although the landscape changes with each season, the park never loses its unique charm.
5. Shilin National Park
This unearthly national park is known for its ‘stone forest’. Many of the parks bizarre rock formations look like petrified trees, which give the park its nickname. There are endless paths leading around the park and diverse bird life that call the park home. The most famous stone of all is ‘Ashima stone’. Legend has it that a beautiful girl of the Yi People was turned to stone within the forest when she ran away from home. She did so when she discovered that her parents would not permit her to marry the man she loved. Aside from the stone forest, caves, lakes, and waterfalls fill the park.
6. Emeishan National Park
This delightful park is home to the highest of the four sacred Buddhist mountains in China, Mount Emei. At 3099 meters above sea level, visitors are sometimes treated to a sea of clouds from its peak. The mountain itself is regarded as a traditional place of enlightenment and is home to over 100 temples and monasteries. The most famous sites include the Golden Summit, Baoguo Temple, Wannian Temple and Qingyin Pavilion. All of which offer stunning views of the surrounding natural landscape. Due to the mountains deep spiritual importance to the Buddhist community, it is a place of pilgrimage for hundreds of Buddhists each year. Rare floral species can be found within the park as well as indigenous animals such as the Tibetan Macaques and a multitude of monkeys.