I spent three weeks travelling around China, visiting Chongqing, Chengdu, Zhangjiajie, Fenghuang, Shanghai, several water towns, Zhaoxing, Tang’an, Xingping and Yangshuo.
China is honestly one of the most fascinating and unique countries I’ve visited. What surprised me most was just how much variety there is. The contrast between the enormous modern cities, traditional villages and incredible natural landscapes makes travelling around the country such an interesting experience.
Yangshuo was probably one of my favourite places. I absolutely loved the scenery there. The karst mountains, the river and the little villages scattered around the landscape make it feel almost unreal. Tianmen Mountain was another experience that really stayed with me. It’s difficult to describe those views without seeing them in person.
I also spent quite a bit of time exploring ancient towns. Fenghuang, Zhujiajiao, Zhouzhuang and Wuzhen were all interesting in their own ways. Some areas can feel quite touristy, and occasionally a little artificial, but I have a real soft spot for traditional Chinese architecture. The bridges, canals, wooden houses and all the little details make these places incredibly photogenic. I could easily spend hours wandering around.
Zhaoxing was a different experience altogether. I genuinely don’t think I saw another Western tourist during my time there. It was interesting to visit somewhere that felt so far removed from the more familiar tourist trail.
Of course, travelling around China wasn’t always straightforward. The language barrier was probably the biggest challenge. I rarely came across people who spoke English, but translation apps made things much easier than I expected. Alipay and WeChat are incredibly useful, and I’d recommend getting them set up before arriving. I’d also sort out a VPN in advance.
One thing I wasn’t expecting was how friendly people were. Even when communication was difficult, people were generally very welcoming and willing to help.
Three weeks felt like a good amount of time, but China is just enormous. There were so many other places I wanted to visit, and I know this won’t be my last trip.
Here are some photos from along the way. I’ve added the locations below for anyone curious about where they were taken.
Photo locations
1. Xianggong Hill, Yangshuo. One of the most beautiful views of the Li River and its surrounding karst mountains.
2. Tianmen Mountain, Zhangjiajie. The famous 99 Bends Road winding up the mountain.
3–4. Zhangjiajie National Forest Park. I couldn't get over these mountains. The rock formations are so unusual, and everywhere you look there's another incredible view.
5. Zhouzhuang Water Town, Jiangsu. One of China's most beautiful water towns, with its canals, traditional houses and little boats passing through the narrow waterways.
6. Shanghai, The Bund. The incredible Pudong skyline at night, with the Oriental Pearl Tower lighting up the riverfront.
7. Zhaoxing Dong Village, Guizhou. A beautiful village with traditional wooden houses and distinctive drum towers, surrounded by mountains. One of the places that felt most different from the usual tourist trail.
8. Tang'an Dong Village, Guizhou. Rice terraces stretching across the hills above Zhaoxing. The views over the valley were absolutely beautiful.
I feel much more confident travelling around China now, so I’m already thinking about coming back. Yunnan is high on my list for the next trip. There’s still so much of this country I want to explore!