So to China again - the world's most populated country!! Now, when you think of World Heritage Sites in China you must mean The Great Wall, The Forbidden Palace, The Terracotta Warriors, etc...?? No, sorry, not today and not for this travelling Northern Irishman. China was the first Asian country I ever visited and my flirting love affair with it's land of endless possibilities continues...so here I bring you 3 very unknown and unusual UNESCO World Heritage Sites in China which I have visited recently.
1. The Fujian Tulou Buildings in Fujian Province, CHINA - These are scattered all over the central Fujian region and are amazing old style buildings, once used to house entire clans and large families. Keeping the enemy at bay, these houses are round, square and very insular and self sufficient. I toured around lots of them and have written extensively about them - a real world heritage gem in Fujian if truth be told. Worth seeing! []
Quick Guide - Get to the city of Yongding in Fujian Province. Once you're there you will realise that there are many bus tours out to these buildings and numerous drivers offering them. If you're a foreign tourist, they will probably come to you. However be aware of rip offs and drivers cutting special buildings off your trip.
2. Danxiashan Mountains, Guangdong Province, CHINA: Hidden shyly in the north of Guangdong Province, this range of mountains, hills and odd rock formations lets your mind wander into a real unknown part of China, at least for the non-Chinese amongst us. It's not a guided tour or anything like the buildings in Fujian, this is very much a Do It Yourself style hiking and climbing opportunity. The views at sunset are amazing, as is the tough ascent for sunrise the following morning.
Quick Guide - Get to the city of Shaoguan and find the main bus station (which is also next to Shaoguan train station (the older one). From there get a bus out to a mountain resort by the name of Jin Jiang village, also known as Yao Tang village. From there get an entrance pass and walk through the various hikes and climbs at your own pace. BUT don't miss sunset and sunrise. It's amazing. Oh and Penis rock: The Climb to Penis Rock!
3. The Kaiping Dialou in the Guangdong Province of China: A country as big as China you will be surprised that there are so many world heritage sites you haven't even heard of! These buildings are totally epic and worth a trip - scattered all over the nearby towns and villages to the city of Kaiping, you can enjoy some old style buildings in the peaceful countryside! []
Quick Guide - Get to the city of Kaiping and stay in the Milan Hotel. It's a great central hotel within a 2 minute walk from the bus station (YES a real 2 minute walk - I really travel remember!). From there ask at reception about doing the tour out to the amazing Diaolou. There are leaflets in reception.
That's it - 3 amazingly good but surprisingly unknown World Heritage Sites in China!
1. The Fujian Tulou Buildings in Fujian Province, CHINA - These are scattered all over the central Fujian region and are amazing old style buildings, once used to house entire clans and large families. Keeping the enemy at bay, these houses are round, square and very insular and self sufficient. I toured around lots of them and have written extensively about them - a real world heritage gem in Fujian if truth be told. Worth seeing! []
Quick Guide - Get to the city of Yongding in Fujian Province. Once you're there you will realise that there are many bus tours out to these buildings and numerous drivers offering them. If you're a foreign tourist, they will probably come to you. However be aware of rip offs and drivers cutting special buildings off your trip.
2. Danxiashan Mountains, Guangdong Province, CHINA: Hidden shyly in the north of Guangdong Province, this range of mountains, hills and odd rock formations lets your mind wander into a real unknown part of China, at least for the non-Chinese amongst us. It's not a guided tour or anything like the buildings in Fujian, this is very much a Do It Yourself style hiking and climbing opportunity. The views at sunset are amazing, as is the tough ascent for sunrise the following morning.
Quick Guide - Get to the city of Shaoguan and find the main bus station (which is also next to Shaoguan train station (the older one). From there get a bus out to a mountain resort by the name of Jin Jiang village, also known as Yao Tang village. From there get an entrance pass and walk through the various hikes and climbs at your own pace. BUT don't miss sunset and sunrise. It's amazing. Oh and Penis rock: The Climb to Penis Rock!
3. The Kaiping Dialou in the Guangdong Province of China: A country as big as China you will be surprised that there are so many world heritage sites you haven't even heard of! These buildings are totally epic and worth a trip - scattered all over the nearby towns and villages to the city of Kaiping, you can enjoy some old style buildings in the peaceful countryside! []
Quick Guide - Get to the city of Kaiping and stay in the Milan Hotel. It's a great central hotel within a 2 minute walk from the bus station (YES a real 2 minute walk - I really travel remember!). From there ask at reception about doing the tour out to the amazing Diaolou. There are leaflets in reception.
That's it - 3 amazingly good but surprisingly unknown World Heritage Sites in China!
About the Author:
To read more anecdotes like 3 amazing Chinese World Heritage Sites head to Jonny Blair's recommended travel site a lifestyle of travel for more anecdotes and tips.. This article, Top 3 Unusual World Heritage Sites In China has free reprint rights.
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