Lonely PlanetJul 9, 2026
The 12 most impressive national parks in China
Discover China
21 things in this story
- Zhangye UNESCO Global GeoparkPlaceColored mountains in stripes
- Elsewhere
- Sanjiangyuan National ParkPlaceXining, ChinaHigh-altitude park for snow-leopard spotting
- Giant Panda National ParkPlaceChengdu, ChinaBrings together reserves for giant pandas
- Wolong Giant Panda Nature ReservePlaceChengdu, ChinaSee pandas in green enclosures, guided walks
- Ya‘an Bifengxia Panda BasePlaceYa'an, ChinaSee pandas climbing trees
- Wuyi Shan mountainsPlaceWuyi Shan, ChinaSubtropical primordial forest, hanging coffins
- Nine Twist RiverSightWuyi Shan, ChinaRiver for bamboo raft rides
- Hainan National ParkPlaceTongshi, ChinaHome to Hainan gibbon and tropical rainforests
- Wulong National ParkPlaceChongqing, ChinaGeopark with unique rocky scenery
- Three Natural BridgesAttractionChongqing, ChinaWorld's highest limestone arches
- Furong CaveSightChongqing, ChinaVast karst cavern with stalactites and waterfalls
- Longshui GorgeSightChongqing, ChinaPlunging ravine with glass elevator
- Jiuzhaigou ValleyPlaceJiuzhaigou, ChinaTransparent lakes, waterfalls, woodlands
- Hua ShanTrailXi'an, ChinaNerve-wracking climb with steep, narrow steps
- Plank WalkTrailXi'an, ChinaPath navigated in safety harness over a drop
- Tianyou PeakSightWuyi Shan, China
- Yunü PeakSightWuyi Shan, China
- Northeast China Tiger & Leopard National ParkPlaceHunchun, China
- Changbai Shan Nature ReservePlaceErdao Baihe, China
- Wuzhishan sectionPlaceTongshi, China
- Jianfeng Ling sectionPlaceJianfeng, China
