Some of China’s scenic attractions are worth seeing just for their impressive and sometimes even overwhelming size. The following are just a few of those that fall into this category.
- The Karsts at Leye (乐业天坑群）
Leye County, located about 400 kilometers from the capital of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, Nanning, boasts the world’s largest karst cluster (a karst is an area of irregular limestone characterized by sinkholes, underground streams, and caverns caused by erosion). Known as the Leye Karst Cluster, it spans an area of 20 square kilometers. The vast underground areas of the cluster are home to many rare animals and plants, making it an invaluable resource for scientific research and exploration.
Among the karsts in this cluster is the famous Dashiwei Karst (大石围天坑). 613 meters deep and occupying a space of over 80 million cubic meters, this karst is considered to be the biggest and most unique of its kind. The virgin forest at the bottom of the Dashiwei Karst is the world’s largest and occupies an area of 96,000 square meters. This karst is also inhabited by more than 1,000 varieties of plants, including many rare species, as well as by animals such as blindfish, crabs, and shrimp.
Best way to explore and special tips: Venturing into the area’s underground caves is not for the claustrophobic. Doing so also requires professional training and equipment.
- Qinghai Lake of Qinghai Province (青海湖)
Located in northeast Qinghai Province, Qinghai Lake takes covers an area of 4,635 square kilometers. With a coastline over 360 kilometers long, it is the largest salt water lake in all of China. The area’s beautiful landscape is made even more breathtaking by the surrounding mountains and nearby Bird Island, located off the northwest shore of the lake.
Bird Island, also known as Egg Island (because birds’ eggs can be found everywhere on the island), is home to more than 100,000 birds of 20 different species. This is primarily because of the ideal habitat provided by its flat landscape and mild climate.
Best way to explore and special tips: Enjoy the area’s gorgeous scenery simply by walking along the lakeshore. The best time to visit is from May to September. The lake usually begins to freeze in mid-October.
- Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region’s Yinsugaiti Glacier（音苏盖提冰川）
Part of the Pamir Mountains, Xinjiang’s Yinsugaiti Glacier is the largest in China. At over 40 kilometers wide, and covering a total area of 380 square kilometers, it attracts mountaineering enthusiasts from around the world. The glacier is not only a place of interest for tourists, but is also one of Xinjiang’s most important water resources.
Best way to explore and special tips: Go mountain climbing. You’ll want to fully prepare for the trip, however, as the weather at Qiaogeli (乔戈里) Peak is known to be extremely harsh. The best time to visit is from July to October.
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