Sick of the Lonely Planet crowd? Here are the coolest destinations highlighted by Chinese travel magazines.

 

 

Regong Art

- The Regong region, a "golden valley" nestled between the Tibetan and Loess plateaus, is the home of Regong art, one of the main forms of Tibetan Buddhist art. Regong art includes thangka and barbola paintings and butter sculptures. It is influenced by cultures of the Tibetan, Tu and Han ethnic groups.

Locals in the region continue to keep the folk art alive. In the past, thangka art was the sole domain of men. However, now it thrives among both genders and is enjoyed by people around China.  

Thangka paintings, an elaborate painting style featuring Tibetan Buddhist patterns, has become popular among art collectors over the past decade, with unprecedented prices fetched at sales.



 


Huizhou Nostalgia

- The Xin'an River, which originates in the Huizhou region of Anhui Province, is historically where many successful Chinese businessmen made their riches. Among these ranks is Hu Xueyan, who helped build a shipping empire during the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911). Relics of ancient ports can be found along the river. Huizhou merchants are at the root of Anhui culture.

Elsewhere, the sacred Taoist mountain of Mount Qiyun, dubbed the "first mountain in the Yangtze River region" by Emperor Qianlong (1711-1799), provides an impressive backdrop for an ancient town nestled on the mountain. Visitors can also spot Hongcun village in Yi county, where Oscar Award-winner director Ang Lee shot wuxia movie Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon (2000). Today, the ancient villages still inspire painters and fine arts students.