An Adventure Traveler's Guide to Rural China
China has plenty of action for thrill-seeking adventure travelers – but you’re going to need to get out of the major metros to experience it. You’re not going to find many opportunities for trekking, rafting and mountain climbing in the middle of the city. Luckily for you, we did the legwork and compiled a guide on how to discover the adventurous side of rural China.
Mountain climbing
Mountain climbing in China can be separated into two categories: Yangshuo and everywhere else. The town on the banks of the Li River is known for its dreamy landscapes stippled with karst mountains that are ideal for any level of climbing expertise. Beginners can find their footing on the Swiss Cheese crag and work their way up to what is considered China’s hardest climb, a trail called Spicy Noodle, that creeps up White Mountain.
Trekking
Check out Tiger Leaping Gorge in Yunnan, a strenuous 30-kilometer trail that runs parallel to the Yangtze River. It passes through some of the most diverse and majestic landscapes in China, from sleepy villages and terraced farms to rocky cliffs and forests.
Huangshan, in Anhui Province, is a mountain trail you may know from dizzying pictures from the peaks. To get there, you’ll pass through bamboo forests and gnarled pines on well-worn steps. It’s 7.5 kilometers up the eastern steps and 15 kilometers to the top of the western ones, though going up the east side and down the west side makes for an easier way to see it all.
Some sections of the Great Wall are fairly rural, so much so that the bricks are being reclaimed by nature. There’s also Quingchen Shan in Sichuan and Lake of Heaven in Xinjiang for those looking to get as far away from other people as possible.
Rafting
As more visitors come to China in search of epic adventures, more businesses open up to meet the demand. Rafting is one of the outdoor industries which has seen a boom in business in recent years. Check out operators in the Wangyou Valley for short, scenic tours or Hongkou for a river with rapidfire twists and turns.
Volcanic Iceland Epic Trip
meet our Local Insider
Hanna
HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN A GUIDE?
2 years.
WHAT DO YOU LOVE ABOUT YOUR JOB?
It's the personal contact, the personal experiences. I love meeting people from all over the world... I really like getting to know everyone and feeling like I'm traveling with a group of friends.
WHAT DESTINATION IS ON YOUR TRAVEL BUCKET-LIST?
I have so many places on my list, but I would really lobe to go to Africa. I consider myself an “adventure girl” and Africa feels like the ULTIMATE adventure!
Every CULTURE TRIP Small-group adventure is led by a Local Insider just like Hanna.
KEEN TO EXPLORE THE WORLD?
Connect with like-minded people on our premium trips curated by local insiders and with care for the world
Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.
Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.
Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.
Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.
We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.