SPRING is always the best time for a tour in the countryside and other remote areas. If you are tired of being stuck in the crowds, here are some ideal options.

    Longji Terrace, Guangxi

    Located in Longsheng County, Longji Terrace is about 100 kilometers from Guilin, the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region.

    The terraced fields are located along the slope winding from the riverside up to the mountain top, the highest part being 880 meters above sea level, while the lowest part is at 380 meters. The coiling line that runs from the foot of the mountain to the top divides it into layers of water that glitter in the spring sunlight. Layers of green rice grow in summer, golden rice grows in fall, and there’s a layer of silvery frost in winter. Most of the fields were built during the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644).

    Longji received its name because the rice terraces resemble a dragon’s scales, while the summit of the mountain range looks like the backbone of a dragon — written in pinyin as “long.” The sunrise on the summit is magnificent.

    Transport: Fly to Guilin from Shenzhen airport and get to Longji by coach.

    Pudacuo, Yunnan

    Tucked deep in the northwestern mountains of Yunnan Province, the country’s first national park attracts visitors with its stunning natural scenes.

    Its diverse sceneries include crystal-clear lakes, undulating mountains and gurgling streams, making it a clear choice for those who enjoy nature and romance.

    The national park is located in Shangri-La County, covering an area of 1,295 square kilometers. The park was announced in 2007. It incorporates the Bita Lake Nature Reserve and the Shuduhu Scenic Area in the Hongshan region. As such they are part of the Three Parallel Rivers of the province’s World Heritage Site.

    Bitahai Lake, regarded as a pearl of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, is an intact natural attraction with outstanding landscapes. In the nature reserve the plants are flourishing and the lake water is crystal clear, with an average depth of 20 meters.

    Shudu Lake is 3,705 meters above sea level. It’s also one of the biggest lakes in the Diqing Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture. The lake is a famous pasture, where every spring and summer, herds of yaks and goats graze beside it and shepherds’ shelters dot the grassland.

    Transport: Fly to Shangri-La from Shenzhen airport via Kunming and take a coach to the park.

    Yili River Valley, Xinjiang

    Yili River Valley is located in the Yili Kazak Autonomous Prefecture, northwestern part of the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. It borders Russia and Mongolia in the northeast, and connects the Changji Hui Autonomous Prefecture and Bayinguoleng Mongol Autonomous Prefecture in the southeast.

    After May each year, lavenders begin to blossom almost everywhere around the valley and turn the place into a sea of purple. Its lavender fields contain about 90 percent of the total lavender planted in China. With a crystal blue sky, white poplar and purple lavender, it is the most romantic location imaginable.

    Other scenic spots include Sayram Lake, Fruit Valley, Baiyan Peak, Qiongbula Grasslands, Schattdecor Canyon and Kalajun Grassland.

    Transport: Fly to Urumqi, capital of Xinjiang, from Shenzhen airport and take a flight or train to Yili.

    Niubei Mountain, Sichuan

    Niubei Mountain lies in Ya’an City, Sichuan Province. As the branch of Erlang Mountain, Niubei Mountain is at the divide of Qingyi River and Dadu River, with a total altitude of 3,600 meters. The name of Niubei Mountain comes from a stone on the top of the mountain, which looks like the back (bei in pinyin) of a bull (niu in pinyin).

    The mountain is famous for being the biggest sightseeing stand in China. With Gongga Mountain standing highest, Niba Mountain, Niangniang Mountain, Wawu Mountain, Emei Mountain, Jiajin Mountain, Siguniang Mountain and Erlang Mountain in the front and Dadu River Grand Canyon in the back, almost all the famous mountains in Sichuan are included from the viewpoint of Niubei Mountain.

    Another highlight of Niubei Mountain is its splendid sea of clouds.

    Transport: Fly to Chengdu, capital of Sichuan Province, and take a coach to the mountain.

    (Wang Yuanyuan)