Go Travel: 10 Most Spectacular National Parks in China

1. Jiuzhai Valley-Huanglong National Park 九寨沟-黄龙寺

Jiuzhai Valley is locally known as Jiuzhaigou (Chinese for “Nine Village Valley”). It is a National Park located in the Min Shan mountain range, Northern Sichuan in South Western China. It is also best known for its fabled blue and green lakes, spectacular waterfalls, narrow conic karst land forms and its unique wildlife. It was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1992; the park joined the Man and Biosphere Conservation Network in 1997 and has also received IUCN, Green Globe and ISO 14,001 accreditation.

Huanglong is a scenic and historic area in Songpan County North-West of Sichuan. Located in the southern part of the Minshan mountain range, 150 km North-West of Chengdu, this beautiful National Park features with colorful pools formed by calcite deposits, diverse forest ecosystems, snow-capped peaks, waterfalls and hot springs. Huanglong is also home to many endangered species including Giant Panda and Sichuan Golden Snub-nosed Monkey. Being a special nature reserve of the world, Huanglong Scenic Area was listed as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1992.

2. Guilin-Lijiang River National Park 桂林漓江

The Lijiang River is the cream of Guilin also the pearl in Chinese natural scenery. Meanwhile, Lijiang River scenery spot is the biggest in scale and most beautiful karst area, which intoxicate the numerous poets and literary men and renowned in the country. The Lijiang River located at the eastern of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region. Its rises in Mt. Maoer – the First Peak of South China, where is a fairy land with thick forest, fresh air and wonderful ecological environment. In 1982, Guilin-Lijiang River Scenic Area was listed into National Park of China initiatively, and the same time was authorized the national 5A level tourist scenic zone by national tourism administration.

3. Huangshan Mountains National Park 黄山

Huangshan Mountains National Park is located in southern Anhui Province with an area of 250 km. Its landscape is famous for its“four wonders”- amazing peaks, spectacular rocks, featuring pines, and a sea of clouds. Mt. Huangshan boasts 72 peaks, over 1,000 m above sea level. The pines on the mountain are tall and have spectacular shapes. The famous 1500-year-old Welcoming Guests Pine and See-Guest-Off Pine have become a symbol of Mt.Huangshan for being hospitable. Mt. Huangshan has over 200 misty and cloudy days each year. The vapors coagulate to produce a sea of clouds. As the clouds cover the mountain, they make you feel you are in fairyland. In 1990. Mt. Huangshan was listed as the world cultural and natural heritage.

4. Three Parallel Rivers National Park 三江并流

The Three Parallel Rivers National Park, namely the Jinsha, Nujiang and Lancang Rivers, form together in an unmatched natural miracle, a geographical accident of the Himalayan orogeny that began 40 million years ago. Originating on China's Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, the three rivers are the upper reaches of the well-known Yangtze, Mekong, and Salween rivers. They flow 170 km from north to south, through the high mountains and ranges of Yunnan Province-the Dandanglika, the Gaoligong, the Nushan, and the Yunling-side by side without converging. The shortest distance between the Lancang and Jinsha rivers is 66 km; the Lancang and Nujiang rivers come to about 19 km of one another. In the 1980s, an official from the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) found the three rivers running in parallel on a satellite map around 98-100 east longitude and 25-29 north latitude.

5. Wulingyuan (Zhangjiajie) National Park 武陵源(张家界)

Wulingyuan (Zhangjiajie) National Park, one of the most fantastic natural park in China, lies in the west of Hunan province. This marvelous natural phenomenon is more than 400 km² around and dominated by more than 3,000 narrow sandstone pillars and peaks, many over 200 m high. Between the peaks lie ravines and gorges with streams, pools and waterfalls, some 40 caves, and two large natural bridges. In addition to the striking beauty of the landscape, the region is also noted for the fact that it is home to a number of endangered plant and animal species. In 1992, the United Nations granted her the ''World Natural Heritage'' honor.

6. Stone Forest of Lunan National Park 路南石林

Stone Forest of Lunan National Park is located at 120 km southeast of Kunming. These fascinating stones was formed millions of years ago after the sea water receded and tectonic movements caused deep fissures to occur in the rock, which was then further by erosion processes. The stone forest consists of thousands of narrow, weirdly-shaped rocks towering up to a height of between 5 to 30 m, scattered over an area of more than 26,000 ha, but only 80 ha of this area is open to visitors.

7. Mount Sanqing National Park 三清山

The Mount Sanqing Shan is a renowned Taoist Mountain situated 80 km north from Yushan, Jiangxi Province of China with an outstanding scenery. It is now classified as a National Park under state protection. Mount Sanqing is famous for its three peaks: Jujing Peak, Yuhua Peak, and Yuxu Peak, which resemble the three gods worshipped in Taoism. The main peak, Yujing Peak, is as high as 1,817 m above sea level. On Mount Sanqing there are also rocks of various shapes and a number of Taoist buildings such as pavilions, gates, palaces, halls, and other buildings. It has become an attractive place for tourists.

8. Mount Tianzhu National Park 天柱山

Mount Tianzhu National Park (literally Heaven pillar mount) is located 20 km northeast of Qianshan County, Anqing City in Anhui Province. One of the famous sites is the Mystery Valley. It is a maze-like valley formed by the rocks falling from the mountain. The valley has 53 caves, which form a very complicated maze. Tianzhu Mountain has a total area of 333 km², and its main scenic zone covers 82.46 km². There are 45 peaks, 17 ridges, 18 cliffs, 22 caves, 86 grotesque rocks, 18 waterfalls and 17 springs. With towering pines, grotesque rocks, running waterfalls and springs, and canyons, secluded caves, defiles and ancient mountain strongholds, the mountain resort combines the features of both Huangshan Mountain and Lushan Mountain, imposing and tranquil.

9. Mount Lushan National Park 庐山

Mt. Lushan National Park is situated in Jiangxi, south of China. The park covers more than 780 km², and has over 90 mountain peaks. The tallest of these is Hanyang Peak, which reaches to the awesome height of over 4,800 ft. Mt Lushan is famed for its steep inclines and jaw-dropping ravines. There are twelve scenic areas in Mt Lushan National Park, including flower paths, lakes, and springs that have been marked out as especially breathtaking. Wulao Feng, at 4,700 ft above sea level, consists of five peaks, and is known for the great views hikers are rewarded with once they reach the top and can look over the forests in the foreground, and the distant mountains.

10. Mount Qomolangma (Everest) National Park 珠穆朗玛峰

Mt. Everest or Mt.Qomolangma National Park is a new development National Park in Tibet, China covers an area of 5,000 km². The 8,848 m (29,028 ft) world highest peak, snow capped throughout the year, massive glaciers and seracs feature a thrilling splendor. The peak has been a holy climbing attraction for world's mountaineers. In recent years, more and more mountaineers start from the Everest Base Camp, near to the Rongbuk Monastery, trying to conquer the world's highest peak while tourists trek to the foot of the peak to enjoy its beauty. Around the National Park, there are another four peaks above 8,000 m high, including Mt. Makarluh, Gosanthain, Zhuoyo, Shishabanma and other 14 peaks above 7,000 m, which form an amazing picture of Mt.Everest Natural Scenery Area with jokuls, peaks groups, and mountain waves.

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