June
Duku Highway, Xinjiang · Four-Season Corridor Across the Tianshan
June unlocks this 561km mythic road: cruise red rock canyons, snow peaks at Hasthilegen Pass, and lavender fields at Qiao’erma. Summit 3400m icefalls by 4WD, feast on lamb in yurts. **Rule:** No vehicles >7 seats; close at 6pm!
Kalajun, Xinjiang · Floral Carpet in the Sky & Human Body Hills
Late June: flowers carpet hills at 50° angles! Hike to Eagle Terrace for “Human Body Hills” glowing gold at sunset. **Pro shot:** Capture sinuous curves reflected in Kuokesu Canyon!
Hulunbuir, Inner Mongolia · Raging Sea of Grass and Peonies
June grass surges knee-deep, peonies flood along Moergel River. Stay in Barhu yurts, milk cows at 3am for salty tea. **Ritual:** Join Nadam Festival wrestlers shaman dance at summer solstice!
Wutai Mountain, Shanxi · Golden Stairs Bathed in Buddha’s Light
Jun 10-25 dawn: Buddha’s halo illuminates 1080 stone steps at Pusading Peak. Circumambulate stupas with lamas, copy sutras at Dailuoding. **Secret:** Wear durable shoes—diamond-embedded stairs shred soles!
Maiji Mountain, Gansu · Mist-Shrouded Buddha Kingdom with Hanging Sculptures
June mist veils 7,800 clay statues. Climb plank roads to see Cave 133’s “Smiling Novice”, photograph “Rainy Maiji” ink-wash landscapes. **Privilege:** Guards may unlock Northern Zhou Dynasty statues in Cave 44!
Shennongjia, Hubei · Wildman Trails Under Fir Forests
June = “Wild Man” season! Hike Guanmenshan for claw marks, camp in Bamboo Wall’s fog. **Mission:** Collect stream water in Monkey Ridge for DNA tests!
Siguniang Mountain, Sichuan · Rhododendron Execution Ground of Sichuan’s Queen Peaks
Early June: crimson rhododendrons flood valleys beneath 6250m Yaomei Peak. Trek 10km through petals burying horse legs in Changping Valley. **Alert:** Guides mandatory—hikers lost in 2019!
Qianhu Mountain, Yunnan · Divine Lakes & Rhododendron “Drunken Kill”
At sacred “Sutra Hall Lake”, drunken fish float atop petal-brewed wine. Circle prayer flags with lamas, hunt matsutake mushrooms. **⚠️Taboo:** Point at lake with palm up!
Dali, Yunnan · Moon over Erhai Lake Illuminated by Torchlight
Jun 24: Bai Torch Festival! Battle with pine-resin torches, jump bonfires to banish bad luck, then chase moonrise at Erhai Lake. **Tip:** Bike Haixi Road before rains, dye indigo at Xizhou!
Hualien, China’s Taiwan Province · Violent Blue of Cliffs and Whales
June: sperm whales breach near Qixingtan Beach. Kayak along Qingshui Cliffs’ 300m drops, camp at Shitiping’s tidal pools aglow with jellyfish. **Alert:** No boats when waves >4m before typhoons!
