Southwest China attractions

With spectacular views over limpid Dian Lake and the city of Kunming, Kunming Dragon Gate is an extraordinary network of tunnels, paths, gates, and shrines hacked out of a cliff face more than 200 years ago. Above and below it, the Dragon Gate scenic area offers tranquil temples and pavilions, plus hiking trails through shady trees.

Go back in time to 600 years ago with a visit to Qingyan Ancient Town, where the stone walls, temples, walkways, and pavilions date back to the Ming and Qing dynasties. Over the years, prominent figures in Chinese culture have lived here, such as artists, scholars, and revolutionaries. When visiting the town, get your cameras ready to capture ornate details carved into Buddhist temples, impressive mansions, and elaborate palaces.

Head into the forest of Qianling Mountain Park for some fresh air and a break from city life. For a nominal fee, you can explore a huge expanse of natural beauty home to hundreds of plants, trees, birds, and energetic macaques. Besides the forest, there’s a lake for boating, hiking trails, and even a small zoo.

Considered one of the most important Zen Buddhist temples in western Sichuan, Zhaojue Temple dates back to the seventh century. While few traces of the original buildings remain, Zhaojue Temple is regarded as the ancestral temple for many Japanese and Southeast Asian Buddhist temples.

One of the Three Gorges that the Yangtze River runs through between Yichang and Chongqing, Xiling Gorge is known for its soaring limestone cliffs and rugged landscapes. The Three Gorges Dam has raised the height of the river since Chinese poets began to write about these surroundings, but the area still offers stunning photos—not to mention scenic caves, streams, bridges, temples, waterfalls, and minor gorges.

Dali’s Three Pagodas are one of China’s national treasures dating back to the ninth and tenth centuries. The three symmetric towers are one of the country’s most visited attractions because of their architecture and size. A lake named Reflection Pond reflects the pagoda’s images, located at the foot of the Cangshan Mountains. Visiting these sites is a must when you’re seeing Dali's sites.

Part of the Happy Valley franchise of theme parks, Happy Valley Chengdu is the largest amusement park in western China. Located in the Jinniu District, the park features a variety of rides such as roller coasters, tilt-a-whirls, bumper cars, and water rides, as well as magic shows, concerts, and other performances.

The Tomb of Wang Jian was the last resting place of 10th-century Chinese leader Wang Jian. Carved murals of musicians and dancers surround the bed where his coffin once rested and a statue of the man himself awaits in an adjoining chamber. The attraction is also known as Yong Ling, Yongling Museum, or Yongling Mausoleum.