GET OFF CHINA’S BEATEN TRACK
THEY call it Brave Men’s Bridge – and no wonder. At nearly 1,000 feet long, astonishing glass suspension bridge Haohan Qiao is one of the longest in the world. And it’s not for the faint-hearted. The bridge connects two peaks in the rocky terrain of the national park in Hunan Province, a region which inspired sci-fi smash Avatar. Visitors stare directly onto the 590-foot drop through thick panels of glass, 25 times stronger than regular glass.
The Haohan Qiao bridge in Shiniuzhai National Park already had a fearsome reputation. You crossed the slender wooden structure that locals called “Brave Men’s bridge” at your peril.
And then the park manager decided to take things up a notch.
In 2014, engineers replaced Brave Men’s wooden slats with glass, allowing visitors to stare directly into the abyss. It’s one of the world’s longest bridges of its type, and a hidden China highlight.
Air China has just teamed up with travel expert and author Amy Fabris-shi to draw up a list of not-so-famous five attractions to wow us Brits.
The country hosted some 142 million visitors last year, and several cities were on the ‘must-visit’ list for tourists from all over the world.
It’s popular to visit Beijing to experience the majesty of the Great Wall of China, for example. Then there’s Shanghai for its record-breaking skyscraper skylines and heritage.
But step off the tourist track, and China has much to boast when it comes to natural and man-made wonders.
I reckon that Brave Men’s Bridge tops the list, but here are the other four.
THE VENICE OF CHINA
TAKE a two-hour drive from Shanghai to Zhouzhuang, and visit the oldest water towns in China.
The town is made up of a series of canals that were used over 900 years ago by some of the wealthiest businessmen of the Yuan Dynasty to transport precious silks, ceramics and arts.
The architecture is largely untouched, enchanting visitors with its labyrinth of narrow streets and stone bridges.
THE INSTA-GREEN
ONCE home to more than 2,000 fishermen, 40 miles outside of Shanghai and being one of 400 islands, Houtouwan is a must ‘collect’ photo.
Illustrating how nature and manmade structures can come together to create something unmissable, it’s a striking image to capture for your Instagram.
THE ZHANGYE DANXIA LANDFORM
WHAT would you get if you mixed rainbow and rock? These layered sandstone mountains in China look like they are made of pressed crayons. Located near the China-mongolia Border, these hills have vivid red, orange, and yellow stripes, creating an incredible technicolour harmony across the mountains with rocks allegedly shaped like animals and mythical creatures.
WUDAOYING HUTONG
GO off beat in Beijing and live like a local with this quirky and quaint alleyway, adjacent to the magnificent Lama Temple in the old quarter. Home to trendy boutiques, music venues, restaurants and Chinese cafés, this hutong offers traditional Chinese heritage as well as providing a quiet haven in the bustling streets of Beijing. Amy Fabris-shi says: “It’s clear that the famous landmarks are one of the main reasons why China attracts millions of visitors each year. However, for those who might want a slightly more unique experience, there are equally a number of attractions to consider that you might