Travel

Beyond the Great Wall: 50 Other Stunning Places to See in China (PHOTOS)

As China's tourism industry experiences a boom, the country is poised to become the world’s second largest travel and tourism economy after the United States by 2015, according to a report from the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC). The increasing number of foreign visitors to China may be attributed to the country's wealth of natural, cultural and historical wonders (China has the second-greatest number of World Heritage Sites). But while thousands of tourists visit the Forbidden City, the Great Wall and the Terracotta Army every year, there are other treasures that deserve spots on travelers' bucket lists.

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One such natural treasure is Zhangjiajie National Forest Park in Hunan Province. With its deep canyons, majestic waterfalls, and sandstone-quartz pillars towering over 650 feet high, the site looks straight out of 3D science-fiction film. So it's no surprise that one of the park's rock formations—the 3,544-ft Southern Sky Column—inspired the fictional world of "Pandora" in James Cameron's blockbuster film "Avatar."

Another lesser-known natural wonder is the strange "red beach" of Panjin, located about 300 miles northeast of Beijing. There, a unique variety of alkali-tolerant seaweed will turn from green to a vibrant crimson red in the fall, to the delight of tourists who flock to the wetland.

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From spectacular mountains and ancient cities to mysterious caves and wild rivers, China is packed with amazing sights to see. Click through the slideshow above for major travel inspiration, and let us know which stunning sights in China you would add to itinerary.

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