The fourth largest country in the world, China offers a diversity of breathtaking landscapes. A territory where Mother Nature has given herself to her heart’s content to shape absolutely fantastic geological sites, proving that when it comes to being spectacular, she is by far the best.
1. Ping’e Giant Chasm
It’s kind of the geological discovery of the year! A super deep chasm, 306 meters long and 150 meters wide, inside which is… a forest. It’s not really the kind of thing you see every day! Locals call this style of cavity a “tiankeng” or heavenly pit. An incredible phenomenon but yet quite logical in China, given the climatic conditions and the presence of many caves. Studies are currently underway because it is not excluded that the forest in question, made up of trees 40 meters high, hides unknown species. Fascinating, no?
2. The rock formations of Zhangjiajie
One of the most incredible places in the world, Zhangjiajie National Forest Park is made up of sandstone pinnacles partially covered with vegetation. When the mist is around, these 200-meter-high rock formations seem to float above the ground. A bit like in Avatar. James Cameron was also largely inspired by the site to “manufacture” the planet Pandora.
3. Tiger Leaping Gorge
Located in the province of Yunnan, this natural site is absolutely incredible. The river meanders notably between the imposing peaks Yulong Xue Shan and Haba Xue Shan, which culminate respectively at 5569 meters and 5396 meters above sea level. The gorge is one of the deepest on the planet. Nevertheless, it remains open to navigation. Of course, such a place is not made for beginners, as the accidents that have happened there unfortunately prove.
4. Le karst de Wulong
Near Chongqing, the Wulong Karst is home to the largest group of natural bridges in all of Asia. There is also a monumental pit caused by the collapse of a cave called Huling Tiankeng. If you like bridges, like the Ascension one (lol), it’s a bit of heaven on earth.
5. Le canyon de Yarlung Tsangpo
And here is the longest but also the deepest canyon in the world! Centerpiece of the Yarlung Tsangpo nature reserve, dug a very long time ago by the river of the same name, it crosses Tibet and offers absolutely fantastic landscapes. Just for information, it is 500 terminals long and in places, goes down to 5000 meters deep.
6. Mount Everest
Unmissable, the highest mountain above sea level culminates at 8848.86 meters above sea level. Encroaching on Nepal and China, at the level of the autonomous region of Tibet, Mount Everest also acts as a natural border. A giant that never ceases to fascinate, to the point of attracting mountaineers from all over the world. Visitors who, it’s sad to say, have gradually transformed it into the highest garbage can in the world by abandoning all sorts of rubbish and other empty oxygen bottles there.
7. Guilin Karst Landscape
With its sculpted mountains, which sometimes adopt strange shapes, this karst landscape is one of the most famous in the world. It is possible to discover the area during a cruise on the Li River. It is recommended to take the opportunity to swim there.
8. Stone Forest
As its name suggests, this forest certainly has trees, but is mostly made up of rocky spiers that soar impetuously skyward. Located in Kunming, this site, of course exceptional, is revealed in various ways depending on the light which sometimes gives the stone fascinating colors. It’s not worth the rocks of Sidobre in the Tarn but it’s not bad all the same.
9. Libo Karst
Welcome to Guizhou, a region of China touched by grace, in which one can admire a particularly interesting karst in that it consists of conical rock formations. Stone giants that reveal themselves during a hike that also passes through some traditional villages which are also quite incredible.
10. Zhangye Danxia National Geological Park
We end with an absolutely incredible place, namely Zhangy Danxia, in the province of Gansu. Here, the rocks adopt colors that are fantastic to say the least. Why ? Thanks to the deposit of sandstone and various minerals which, over the years, have formed several layers which today are exposed to us. The kind of place you would swear retouched by a graphic designer under LSD…