Immortalized in inky brushstrokes for millennia, China’s mist-swathed landscapes offer some of the most evocative and spectacular hiking scenery anywhere in the world.
Whether you’re following in the footsteps of Confucius on the slopes of Mount Tai, marching between watchtowers on the Great Wall, or battling vertigo among the gravity-defying spires of Zhangjiajie, you’ll find jaw-dropping vistas at every turn.
However, what you won’t find so readily is meditative serenity. Hiking is booming in the world’s most populous nation, and many of the famous trails have been pilgrimage sites for centuries. On many routes, you’ll encounter heavy crowds, paved paths, and numerous steps. Consequently, a bit of tactical planning is necessary to sidestep crowds and carve out a slice of majestic scenery just for yourself.
Here are the best places to start walking.
Tai Shan, Shandong Province
Best Hike Through History
5.5 miles (8.9km), 5–7 hours, strenuous (unless using the cable car)
A treasure trove of Chinese culture, Tai Shan is China’s most sacred peak for Taoism devotees. The magnificent Dai Temple at the base of the mountain serves as the traditional starting point for pilgrims – don’t miss the enormous Song dynasty mural depicting emperor Zhenzong as the god of Tai Shan making the sacred ascent. Now, steel yourself: from the temple’s north gate, it’s a steady march up 6600 steps to the summit.
The trek – known as the Central Route – passes Buddhist and Taoist temples, cliff-face calligraphy, and ancient legends at every turn. There’s so much to discover along the way that you might even forget how much your legs ache. The final, most spectacular stretch takes you through the painted South Gate to Heaven and on to the summit area. Guest houses are available if you want to stay and catch the sunrise. Alternatively, cable cars and shuttles allow for a comfortable return in a day.
Hua Shan, Shaanxi Province
Best Hike for Extreme Thrills
3.7 miles (6km), 4–8 hours, strenuous
The sacred mountain of Hua Shan in Shaanxi is famous among Taoist pilgrims and is known for its thousand steps, five granite peaks, and breathtaking views. If you’re seeking thrills, the Soldier’s Path climbs almost vertically, featuring shallow rock-cut steps with only a metal chain to hold on to.
Even more thrilling is the Plank Walk: a narrow pathway of rickety wooden boards hugging a cliff face, just inches wide, above a chasm dropping 2000m (6562ft). Legend says the route was first built in the Yuan dynasty by a hermit seeking self-cultivation. Thankfully, modern-day hikers can take advantage of safety harnesses and carabiners for the via ferrata-style ascent.
Gubeikou Great Wall, Beijing
Best Hike for Game of Thrones-Style Ruins
9 miles (15km), 5–6 hours, moderate
Only a few stretches of the Great Wall around Beijing have been restored for tourists; the rest is wild, crumbling, and remote, presenting thrilling hiking opportunities for adventurous souls. The town of Gubeikou, once a heavily guarded pass into Beijing, sees the wall climbing in both directions.
The section climbing Crouching Tiger Mountain resembles a rollercoaster, offering incredible views, while Coiled Dragon Mountain features a gentler climb through partially collapsed watchtowers, leading to Jinshanling—a recently restored area of the fortification.
Note that public access to the wild sections of the Great Wall isn’t guaranteed; therefore, it’s advisable to travel with a reputable company for the latest information on which sections are open to trekkers.
Huangshan, Anhui Province
Best Hike to Find Your Artistic Muse
6–15 miles, 10–25km, moderate
Surrounded by shapely pine trees, the mist-swathed peaks of Yellow Mountain (Huangshan) have long inspired China’s esteemed painters and poets. For inspiration, trek the scenic Eastern Steps to the summit area—a 7.5km (4.6 miles) trip one-way—where you can recover and experience a magnificent sunrise at the evocatively-named Beginning to Believe Peak.
Afterward, you can explore trails leading to fancifully named points of interest, such as “Flower Blooming on a Brush Tip,” named after a unique granite formation towering 1630m (5348ft), capped by a lone pine tree. If crowds become overwhelming, consider hiking the less-visited West Sea Canyon—a 4-hour loop covering 8.5km (5.3 miles).
Tiger Leaping Gorge, Yunnan Province
Best Hike in Southwest China
15.7 miles (25km), 2 days (10–15 hours), moderate
A perennial favorite for backpackers, this famous route follows switchback donkey trails that skirt one of the world’s deepest gorges, rising almost 4000m (13,123ft) from the frothing waters of the Jinsha River to the snow-capped peaks of the Haba massif and Jade Dragon Snow Mountains.
It’s a spectacular trek best undertaken over at least two days; vibrant guesthouses with stunning views and well-stocked fridges line the trail. A steep detour leads to the Middle Rapids, where you’ll find the Tiger Leaping Stone, the legendary spot where a tiger jumped across the river—covering a distance of 25m (82ft)—giving the gorge its name.
Longji Rice Terraces, Guangxi Province
Best Hike to Experience Rural China
7.4 miles (12km), 4 hours, easy
This enchanting village-to-village trek cuts through the magnificent rice terraces between Ping’an and Dazhai, known as the “Dragon’s Backbone” due to their overlapping scale appearance. As you traverse narrow paved paths and raised causeways, you’ll have numerous opportunities to capture the stunning views of cascading paddy fields draped over the mountains—weather permitting, of course.
Most rewarding is the likelihood of encountering local Zhuang or Yao rice farmers rather than other tourists. These terraces were masterfully engineered over generations by farming families, and the best time to appreciate their splendor is in May and June when vibrant green rice shoots emerge above the paddies.
Zhangjiajie National Forest Park, Hunan Province
Best Hike for Otherworldly Vibes
7 miles (11km), 4–6 hours, easy to moderate
This mind-blowing landscape of soaring rock pinnacles, dense subtropical vegetation, and breathtaking vistas inspired the alien world of Pandora in James Cameron’s hit movie Avatar.
The most famous trail at Zhangjiajie leads you through the heights of Yuanjiajie, accessed via the world’s highest outdoor elevator built into a sheer cliff face. Tour groups jostle for space to photograph the Southern Sky Column, a vertical pinnacle over a kilometer tall, before crossing a vertigo-inducing natural rock bridge between twin spires 357m (1171ft) above the canyon floor.
Once you’ve navigated the crowds, you can descend to the relatively serene Golden Whip Stream, following a 6km (3.7-mile) trail along the lush canyon floor, surrounded by towering rocks, giant trees, and wild macaques.
Ganden to Samye, Tibet Autonomous Prefecture
Best Hike for Serious Trekkers
50 miles (80km), 4–5 days, strenuous
This trek between Ganden Monastery, established in 1409, and the busy town of Samye, is a magnificent route requiring appropriate permits, guides, and pack animals. The route crosses two passes above 5000m (16,400ft), taking in serene alpine landscapes, glacial lakes, yak herding camps, and sacred sites.
The highlight of this unforgettable journey is exploring both monasteries, which hold immense significance for Tibetan Buddhists. Proper arrangements should be secured with a licensed tour operator for a smooth experience.
