Travel
Surprising China: a stand-out travel destination at every age
Stephanie didn’t expect to fall for China, but two weeks there completely rewired her idea of what a great trip looks like.
By Stephanie Hunt
Think clear blue skies, breathtakingly beautiful world-heritage listed scenery, ancient wonders and lookout spots where you can see forever. Sounds like the ideal holiday destination, right? I'm guessing it's not on many people’s bucket list, but definitely one you should consider.
It’s true that China isn't always portrayed in a positive light in the Australian media, so it wasn't surprising that our China travel plans were met with raised eyebrows and questioning looks. We were keen to experience those bucket-list destinations that only China can offer, but our two week guided tour in Autumn far exceeded our expectations on so many levels.
Quick highlights of our China tour
Our tour included stunning man-made destinations, experiences and infrastructure that China is renowned for, like Shanghai’s after-dark city lights display that felt like it was made especially for me as buildings flashed “I love SH” (yes, my initials, and also Shanghai’s).
The UNESCO Heritage listed 2000+ year old Terracotta Army that guarded China’s first Emperor in the afterlife was also a highlight, each warrior possessing a unique face and distinct details.
Tiananmen Square, where security was tight but visitors had nothing to fear if they followed the rules. And countless elegant bridges that emerged from mountains to cross deep valleys or rivers, and travel on high-speed trains at almost 350 km/h. But it was the stunning scenery and natural beauty that really surprised us all.
Check out the 12 best historical sites to visit in Australia
The Great Wall will take your breath away
My first glimpse of The Great Wall of China took my breath away. Winding its way ever higher above the dense vegetation of the mountains to touch a backdrop of brilliant blue.
Not a cloud in sight, not a smudge of pollution despite being within 60km of Beijing, China's capital city and home to over 22 million people, a positive outcome of China’s rapid transition to green energy and restrictions on the use of non-electric vehicles. (In comparison, Australia’s population in March 2025 was about 27.5 million, according to the Australian Bureau of Statistics.)
We were visiting the Juyong Pass section of the Great Wall with 26 other Aussies and many other tourists. Around 700 years since it was built, this section belies its age - no crumbling bricks but oh so steep! While I didn't reach the highest section that was rewarded with views of Beijing, I did climb high enough to feel I could almost touch the heavens as the rugged Jundu Mountains rolled out spectacularly behind me. A myriad of greens crowned in the bluest of blue skies.
Wandering Wuling Mountain Great Rift Valley
The tour’s optional tours gifted us so many surprises. Wuling Mountain Great Rift Valley in the Chongqing area is a destination that hardly anyone has ever heard of but everyone should be talking about. “I can't believe how such a magnificent natural wonder has escaped my attention until now,” commented Paul, a 59 year old accountant and fellow tour member. He’s travelled to 50 countries for work and leisure and was as impressed as the rest of us by China’s exceptional natural beauty.
Looking for natural beauty a little closer to home? Try this
Millions of years ago massive geological forces tore open the earth’s crust to leave two towering cliff walls, at places only meters apart, forming a deep canyon known as the Great Rift Valley.
Access is via the 1200 metre Gorge Walkway that runs along one side of the rift at an average height of 60 metres above the canyon floor, and 100 metres at the deepest point. The cliffs soar hundreds of meters above, dwarfing visitors with their sheer magnitude. “It’s impossible to capture the true scale of the rock formations in a single photo”, my partner Craig said.
Three Gorges Dam half-day tour
More gorgeous scenic areas that surprised us were associated with the Three Gorges Dam on the Yangtze River. The infrastructure, design and engineering of the world’s largest hydroelectric power station certainly impressed.
But the picturesque Xiling Gorge, spared from submergence as it lies below the dam and now the setting for a visitor-focused authentic cultural exchange, was just beautiful.
Elegant dancers gently twirled brightly coloured parasols and long red sashes against a misty river backdrop; fishermen skilfully wielded poles to manoeuvre their traditional fishing boat close to the banks; a lone fisher balanced expertly on a narrow raft to cast his net. Later we saw cute Three Gorges macaques playing on the rocks just behind a sign declaring they are “naturally fierce”.
“Top of the Three Gorges” half-day tour gave us that “top of the world” feeling. At 1388 metres above sea level we felt like we could see forever. The Yangtze River shimmered far below as it flowed into Qutang Gorge, the first of the three gorges, while endless mountains rolled out in every direction under that smog-free blue sky.
Our bus ride on the final day wound up around steep mountains where we soaked up world class scenery that sparkled under sunshine. A quick stop for a photo at a lookout and roadside stalls perilously close to the edge just added to the day. Our destination, the 800 year old village of Fuli that quietly boasts an award-winning traditional paper fan master craftsman, was nestled on the tranquil Li River.
We boated on bamboo “rafts” amidst spectacular scenery, bird life, rock climbers and even buffalo before watching the master at work.
A soft sunset over Guilin
A gorgeous soft-orange sunset over Guilin and the nearby limestone peaks was the final perfect moment of a surprising China experience; maybe it’s time for you to consider China as your next holiday destination?
More places to go: