Jiuzhai Valley,

Sichuan

Situated deep in the mountains in Aba Tibetan and Qiang Autonomous Prefecture in northwestern Sichuan Province, Jiuzhai Valley is a mysterious ancient land that has nine Tibetan villages.

There are more than 100 lakes which have an unusually high concentration of calcium carbonate. Waterfalls are the centerpiece of the scenery in Jiuzhai Valley. Because the temperature is so varied, the plant life is highly diverse, with the broadleaf forest at the foot of the mountain, and a coniferous forest at the top. In winter, the mountaintops are covered with white snow, while the hill slopes and valley are a blaze of colors.

In 1992, UNESCO put Jiuzhai Valley on the world natural heritage list.

Transport: Fly to Chengdu from Shenzhen airport and travel to Jiuzhai Valley by long-distance coach.

Delicacies: Roast lamb, beef, buttered tea, dairy products.

Xiamen, Fujian

Xiamen is known as “a coastal garden city” and its Gulangyu Island is one of the country’s most romantic spots with its European style.

Xiamen is a popular winter destination mainly due to its avian life and its spas. At weekends, locals go to the coastal areas with telescopes and cameras to watch birds on the sea, or simply enjoy being in the great outdoors.

Most spa venues in Xiamen have salt water at more than 40 degrees Celsius, which is healthier than most spas in Guangdong. Popular spa venues include Riyue Valley spa, Cuifeng spa and Daxi spa. These scenic spa venues are popular among winter travelers.

Transport: Fly to Xiamen directly from Shenzhen airport.

Delicacies: Fish-ball soup, bamboo shoot cake, oyster omelet, sweet peanut soup, and sugar pancake.

Penglai, Shandong

Penglai has been ranked as one of China’s top domestic tourist destinations. Penglai Pavilion and Penglai Water Fortress are the most famous tourist attractions in the city.

Penglai Pavilion is a large park full of ancient buildings, palaces and temples that have been restored. It has been attracting travelers for more than 1,000 years, and the site features inscriptions from famous poets and calligraphers such as Su Shi.

Among other cultural attractions at Penglai are the Naval Museum with exhibits of ancient ships, and the restored residence of patriotic general Qi Jiguang. Peilai also has the largest ocean aquarium in Asia.

Transport: Fly to Yantai from Shenzhen airport and take a coach to Penglai.

Delicacies: Seafood, donkey meat, barbecues.

Sanya, Hainan

Hainan Province is China’s most popular destination for travelers seeking a warm winter by the sea.

Various international hotel chains have established resorts in the province, mostly in Sanya City.

It has been popular with Russian tourists for decades. Now it is being promoted as “China’s Hawaii.”

Yalong Bay, Wuzhizhou Island and Sanya areas are all popular places for a fun trip with sunshine, sea, beaches and coconut trees.

It also has vast and diverse marine life. More than 1,000 types of fish can be found in Hainan and coral islands can be found easily in the Sanya area. Scuba diving is a recommended activity.

Transport: Fly to Sanya and Haikou from Shenzhen airport.

Delicacies: Wenchang chicken, Jiaji duck, crab, Dongshan lamb, seafood, coconut.

(Wang Yuanyuan)