10 Most Spectacular Places in Sichuan

1. Jiuzhaigou 九寨沟

Located deep in the heart of the Aba autonomous prefecture in Sichuan and 400 km from Chengdu, Jiuzhaigou is an impressive spot offering scenery to rival Guilin and an atmosphere and culture that is not dissimilar to much of Tibet. Jiuzhaigou is actually a huge nature and scenery reserve covering approximately 60,000 hectares situated in the Min Shan mountain range. Ancient Chinese legend has it that the goddess Semo accidentally smashed her mirror here and the pieces which fell down the mountain formed beautiful lakes, streams and waterfalls. Despite official attempts to attract thousands of tourists, Jiuzhaigou remains a surprisingly peaceful and traditional place. Yaks, shrines and prayer wheels are all common sights. The small villages here are inhabited by Tibetan and Qiang people who conduct their lives in a very traditional manner. The scenery here is pretty spectacular too. Lakes and waterfalls spill down the mountainside, mountains tower above small hamlets and villages and there is an abundance of beautiful wildlife too. Panda, monkey and bison exist here and birds and fish are everywhere, nestled in amongst the pretty bamboo forest.

10 Great Natural Rock Formations in Australia

1. Uluru

Located in the red heart of the central deserts, the ancient forms of Uluru and Kata Tjuta lie geographically, spiritually and symbolically at the centre of the Australian continent. Rising majestically above the red sand plains, they are shrouded in myth and mystery, their colours and moods ever-changing with the interplay of light from sun, cloud and rain. Protected within Uluru–Kata Tjuta National Park, Uluru (Ayers Rock) and Kata Tjuta (The Olgas) rise like giant red icebergs from the flat ‘sea’ of the surrounding desert. At around 350 m high, Uluru is the world’s largest monolith; its circumference measures 9.4 km and geologists estimate the rock reaches 6 km below the earth’s surface.

10 Most Popular Destinations in Xinjiang

1. Heavenly Lake (天池)

The Heavenly Lake is situated at the descending slope of Bogda Peak of Mt. Tianshan, the center of Xinjiang. It is 1,900 m above sea level, and covers an area of 4.9 km². It is an alpine quake lake formed by ancient glaciers and debris flow. Surrounded by snow peaks, the lake got its source from the melted snow. The lake is tranquil and flat as a mirror, reflecting the surrounding mountain peaks. The Heavenly Lake is a famous tourist attraction in Xinjiang, and there are pleasure boats available for tourists.

10 Most Beautiful Places in Mongolia

1. Gorkhi-Terelj National Park

Gorkhi-Terelj National Park, about 80km north-east of Ulaanbaatar in the region of Tov Aimag, is a deservedly popular destination. At 1600m, the area is cool and the alpine scenery is magnificent. Terelj was first developed for tourism in 1964 and 30 years later it became part of the Gorkhi-Terelj National Park. One of the most visited sights within the National Park is the Turtle Rock, (Melkhii Khad in Mongolian) which is one of many rock formations, that is shaped like a turtle.

10 Most Attractive Places in Tibet

1. Potala Palace

The Potala Palace, an administrative, religious and political complex, is built on the Red Mountain in the centre of the Lhasa valley, at an altitude of 3,700m. The complex comprises the White Palace and the Red Palace, with their ancillary buildings. The Potala, winter palace of the Dalai Lama since the 7th century A.D., symbolises Tibetan Buddhism and its central role in the traditional administration in Tibet. The beauty and originality of its architecture, its ornate decoration and its harmonious integration in a striking landscape add to its historic and religious interest.