Some Locations in China Off-Limits to Foreigners, Open Only to Locals
China boasts a culture that spans thousands of years, captivating countless international tourists. Moreover, this populous nation is home to stunning scenic spots that resonate with beauty, rich cultural heritage, and harmony with nature. Examples include Jiuzhaigou Valley, the Great Wall of China, and numerous famous ancient towns.
Although China’s tourism industry has become increasingly open, allowing international visitors to explore many attractions, there are still certain locations in China that remain off-limits to foreigners, accessible only to locals.
Here are five sites that China prefers not to “share” with the international community. Do they hold many mysteries?
1. Nam Yi Valley
Nam Yi Valley is dubbed the “Little Jiangnan” on the plateau, where one can experience the beauty of the “green world at the highest point on Earth.”
This is the birthplace of many poets and scholars in China.
You are already familiar with the Jiangnan region of China! This area is known for its beautiful ancient towns, both historic and poetic. Meandering through these towns are serene, picturesque rivers. This is indeed the birthplace of many poets and scholars in China.
Nam Yi Valley is likened to a miniature Jiangnan, ensuring that its scenery is anything but ordinary.
Located at an average altitude of 2,500 meters, it is one of the many beautiful valleys in the Himalayas, also known as the Tibetan Medicine King.
According to legend, the ancestor of Tibetan medicine, Yutog Yontan Gonpo, practiced medicine and taught here, marking the origins of the mystical Tibetan medical culture.
Nam Yi Valley possesses the most well-preserved primeval forest to date and is also home to the Lhoba people, an ethnic group that blends various tribes from the Tibeto-Burman language family. The Lhoba are an ancient minority group with the smallest population in China. They do not have their own writing system, only a spoken language, living simply and happily primarily through agriculture.
Due to its location on the China-India border, foreigners are prohibited from entering, and even the access of Chinese citizens to this area is subject to scrutiny.
2. Laojun Mountain
“Traveling the world to enjoy fine cuisine and the beauty of nature.”
Sunrise, sunset, sea of clouds, starry skies, and white snow. This is the visual feast that can only be found at Laojun Mountain.
This mountain has the longest history in Daoism.
Located in Luoyang City, Laojun Mountain truly features a “Heavenly Palace in the Clouds” that leaves visitors in awe. The Heavenly Palace on Laojun Mountain has a history of over 2,000 years, making it the oldest mountain in Daoism.
According to legend, Laozi, the founder of Daoism, once practiced here. Riding a green ox, crossing the Hangu Pass, Laozi attained enlightenment on Laojun Mountain, authoring the Dao De Jing, which consists of 5,000 characters.
Previously, entrance was free for individuals with the surnames Zhang and Li. As Laozi and his close disciples once practiced here, a policy was in place to grant free access to the descendants of these two families. However, this policy is no longer in effect.
The peak known as Yuhuang on Laojun Mountain is referred to by visitors as the “Heavenly Palace in the Clouds,” standing at 2,217 meters high.
Visitors to Laojun Mountain praise it as a fairyland, and if lucky, they may witness the phenomenon of Buddha light (the first rays of sunlight shining on the Buddha statue atop the Yuhuang peak).
So why are foreigners prohibited here?
The main reason is that Laojun Mountain is located in Luan County, which has a military base, thus barring foreigners from entry.
3. Dadu River Grand Canyon
The total length of the canyon is 26 km, with a depth of up to 2,600 m.
Dadu River Grand Canyon (also known as Jinkou) is the most beautiful “scar” on the mainland of China, ranking among the top 10 most beautiful canyons as selected by National Geography of China.
This location is situated in Jinkou County, Leshan City (Sichuan, China). The total length of the canyon is 26 km, and it reaches depths of up to 2,600 m.
Strange peaks jut out on either side of the canyon, undulating continuously along the length of Dadu River.
Today, the Dadu River Grand Canyon is a Level 4A tourist attraction in China, welcoming countless visitors each year. However, this scenic spot is only open to locals and is completely free of charge.
A large sign prohibiting foreigners is posted before entering the scenic area, as this place was once an important military base of China, which is why foreigners are not allowed to enter.
4. Sê Dát
Many Tibetan Buddhist temples are concentrated here.
Sê Dát County is located in the northwest of Garzê Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture (Sichuan), in the southeast of the Tibetan Plateau. This is the residence of the Tibetan ethnic group in Garzê, located at the highest altitude above sea level, with the coldest climate and the harshest natural conditions in the region.
The plateau boasts stunning scenery. Numerous Tibetan Buddhist temples are concentrated here, all belonging to the Red Sect. From high above, one can admire the endless red houses, as if stepping into a dreamlike red world.
This place is where the highest number of practitioners in China congregate, especially female monks.
However, foreigners are not allowed to enter due to its specific geographical location and Buddhist culture.
5. Shennongjia
This is a paradise for China’s national treasures.
Shennongjia is the only ecological county (both an administrative county and an ecological area) in China, located in the northwest of Hubei Province.
Shennongjia possesses an extraordinary allure. The magical latitude of 30° North hides the “Noah’s Ark” of China, also known as the “Roof of China.”
This region features a landscape of intertwined rivers and mountains, peaks rising one after another, vast forests, and scattered lakes, as if it concentrates 80% of China’s beautiful scenery.
Shennong Peak, Guanmen Mountain, Daiqiu Lake, Nongdan, and Tianxing Bridge… It seems that any name associated with Shennongjia could appear in National Geographic magazine.
This is a paradise for China’s national treasures – the snub-nosed monkey, and it is also the home of the giant panda. To protect rare flora and fauna, Shennongjia has become a place that international visitors can never set foot in.
