May is the end of China's spring, which is full of vitality. Many natural scenic areas are transformed by oceans of flowers and mountains are covered with exuberant trees and plants.
May is neither too hot nor too cold, making it an ideal season to travel around China.We have listed the best 10 places to visit in May: 1) Shangri-La, 2) Tibet, 3) Guilin, 4) Chengdu, 5) Zhongwei, 6) Yangtze River Cruise, 7) the Silk Road, 8) Zhangjiajie, 9) Chaozhou, and 10) Jingdezhen.
1. Shangri-La — a Colorful Palette to Feast the Eyes
![Songzanlin Monastery in Shangri-La](http://www.l-line.net/data/grey.gif)
Located at the border betweenYunnan ProvinceandTibet, the fabulous natural scenery in Shangri-La makes you think of heaven.
Shangri-Lain spring is light green and in summer it’s awash with color. Snowy mountains, dense forests, green grasslands and pastoral villages make it a peaceful and tranquil place.
In addition to its amazing natural scenery, its ethnic culture is a major reason to visit Shangri-La. The main ethnic group there is the Tibetans, who still maintain their traditional lifestyle and culture.
There you could:
- Experience a Tibetan ceremony of blessingbehind Songzanlin Monastery, which is not seen by ordinary tourists.
- Visit anon-public dormitoryof Songzanlin Monastery.
- Stay in a tenton a mountain pasture where local Tibetan people live and learn about their lifestyle.
If youlook for a place to escape crowds in Yunnan during Labor Day, we recommend a Baoshan Stone Village's hiking in Lijiang — a good place to get close to nature and feel the vitality of spring.
Houses in the village are all made of natural stones by its Naxi inhabitants. May is its most beautiful season. If you are interested in it,contact us.
Recommended Tours
- 8-Day Kunming, Dali, Lijiang, and Shangri-La Tour— Meet the Amazing Beauty of Yunnan
- 7-Day Dali, Lijiang, and Shangri-La Tour— A Feast of Landscapes and Ethnic Minority Culture
- 6-Day Lijiang to Shangri-La Tour— An Exceptional Adventure in Northwest Yunnan
2. Tibet — Untainted Land and Mysterious Culture
![Yamdrok Lake, Tibet](http://www.l-line.net/data/grey.gif)
Tibetis a place of mystery, tranquility, and rich national heritage. It’s a place for slowing down and soaking up the natural charm all around.
The breathtaking beauty of nature in Tibet will capture your imagination.Yamdrok Lakeglows turquoise when the sun is shining.
Tibet is overflowing with characteristic Tibetan landmarks, vastTibetan plateau, herds of cattle and sheep, blue skies, clear water, and fresh air.
There you could:
- VisitJokhang Temple, the most holy temple for Tibetan Buddhists, wherea lot of devoted pilgrims prostrate themselvesnear the front gate.
- ExploreAni Tsankhung Nunnery, a quiet but active conventwhere females study Buddhism.
- Take photos with a yakor Tibetan mastiff by the Yamdrok lakeside.
Recommended Tours
- 8-Day Lhasa, Nyingchi, and Bome Spring Tour— When Spring's Pink Blends with Mysterious Tibet
- 5-Day Lhasa Classics and Lake Yamdrok Tour— Lhasa Highlights and Holy Lake
- 4-Day Lhasa Highlights Comfort Tour— Capture the Spirit of Lhasa
All our tours can be customized. The itinerary can be adjusted according to your group size, time, budget, interests, and other requirements. Justcontact us.
3. Guilin — Enjoy Various Outdoor Activities
![Kayaking in Guilin](http://www.l-line.net/data/grey.gif)
The Li Riveris more charming under the warm sunshine of May. May is a golden time for bamboo rafting onthe Yulong Riverand cycling in the countryside ofYangshuo.
May is also the time for irrigating theLongji Terraced Fields. Seen from the mountainside viewpoints, the fields look like layer upon layer of exquisite mirrors.
There you could:
- Go kayakingto enjoy the cool water and appreciate the karst scenery along the Li River.
- Explore a "mysterious" limestone cavewith magnificent stalactites and stalagmites that has never been touched by ordinary tourists.
- Hike among the Longji Terraced Fields, enjoy a lunch with a Yao family, and try some freshly-fried oil tea.
Recommended Tours
- 3-Day Guilin and Yangshuo Tour— The Essence of Guilin
- 4-Day Guilin Scenic Countryside Discovery— Guilin Scenic and Ethnic Discovery
- 6-Day Guilin, Yangshuo and Longsheng Tour— A Song of Rural Charm
4. Chengdu — Have a Spring Date with Cute Pandas
![A cute panda, Chengdu](http://www.l-line.net/data/grey.gif)
May is a pleasant time to visit Chengdu with refreshing spring colors around you. Meeting the cute pandas and having a hotpot feast and other local snacks in Chengdu are must-do things.
Chengduers go out to relax in the warm spring sunshine in Renmin Park. They sip cups of tea, play mahjong, enjoy a traditional teahouse ear massage, etc.
There you could:
- Meet the cuddly pandasin the Panda Breeding and Research Center.
- Visitthe last farmers' marketin Chengdu, learn how to how to bargain like a local, and try some local snacks.
- Enjoya panda afternoon teaand a bird's-eye view of Tianfu Square.
Recommended Tours
- 为期3天的大熊猫,大佛,古镇Tour
- 4-Day Western Sichuan Tibetan Spring Tour from Chengdu
- 8-Day Chengdu to Shangri-La Adventure Tour
Contact usto create a trip for your spring break according to your group size, time, budget, interests, and other requirements.
5. Zhongwei — Feel the Charm of the Desert
![two cars driving in the desert in Zhongwei](http://www.l-line.net/data/grey.gif)
In spring, when everyone goes to admire the flowers, a trip to the desert stands out as discerning for more than hay fever sufferers.
Its advantageous and strategic location has endowedZhongweiwith the features of vast deserts and green hills, the Yellow River and an oasis. At the same time, you are able to enjoy various entertaining activities there, such as sand slides and camel rides.
There you could:
- Experiencedune bashing, sand sledding, camel trekking, and sheepskin rafting in Shapotou.
- Experiencesheepskin navigationon the Yellow River.
- Enjoywine tastingand an organic lunch in peace with a view of the vineyard.
Recommended Tour
- 3 Days Zhongwei Desert Tour with Winery Experience— A Sip of Desert Wilderness
- Contact usto create a May trip according to your needs
6. The Yangtze River Cruise — Cozy and Relaxing
![Yangtze River Cruise](http://www.l-line.net/data/grey.gif)
The Yangtze River is one of the best options to escape crowds in May Day, where you can enjoy a relatively quiet and relaxing time. The plants on the mountains and high cliffs along the Yangtze River are verdant.
There you could:
- Appreciate the marvelous gorge scenery from the deck
- Have a cup of coffee or glass of wine bathed in the breeze
- Have a wonderful welcome banquet and talk with people from all over the world
Contact us如果你想订一个长江Cruise.
7. The Silk Road — Rich Culture Experience
![Kashgar Old City](http://www.l-line.net/data/grey.gif)
Along the Silk Road, from Xi'an to Kashgar, you will find intriguing scenery, together with the historic sites and cultural places.
There you could:
- Bask in history and art in theMogao Caves
- Take instagrammable photos with the rainbow mountains inZhangye Danxia National Geological Park
- DiscoverKashgar Old City— the only traditional historical district with typical characteristics of Xinjiang that is being preserved
See12 Best Silk Road Destinations with Recommended Things to Do.
Recommended Tours
- 11-Day Along the Great Silk Road Tour
- 6-Day Dunhuang and Zhangye Photography Tour
- More Silk Road Tours
8. Zhangjiajie — Vigorous Forests and Seas of Clouds
![Bungee jumping in Zhangjiajie](http://www.l-line.net/data/grey.gif)
The mountainous scenery inZhangjiajieis unique and fabulous and is even more charming and poetic under the misty rain and fog or early summer.
It is more relaxing during this season, with fewer people around. If you want to escape the hustle and bustle, this may be the best season for you.
- Escape the crowds entirely and enjoy the scenery onan off-the-beaten track route.
- Bike around the beautiful andnon-touristy side of Tianmen Mountain.
- Experiencevia ferrata(cable-safe cliff challenges) at Hongyanling (Red Rock Ridge).
- Trybungee jumpingon the Zhangjiajie Glass Bridge
Recommended Tours
5-Day Zhangjiajie Hiking and Biking Tour for Any Level
4-Day Zhangjiajie Essence Tour
9. Chaozhou — Go on a Date with Delicacies
![delicious food in Chaozhou](http://www.l-line.net/data/grey.gif)
Chaozhouhas inherited a food culture dating back to the Qin (2,200 years ago) and Song (1,000 years ago) dynasties.
It is a paradise for a food hunter — from its delicious Teochew beef hot pot to fresh fish dumplings, and from its crispy spring rolls to novel fermented bean curd cake.
In addition to its food culture, there is much more to explore: brilliant history, distinctive folk customs…
There you could:
- Enjoyamazing Chaozhou cuisinein Paifang Street.
- TasteChaozhou kung fu teaand watch Chaozhou opera in a teahouse in Chaozhou Old Town.
- ExploreGuangji Bridge, one of the greatest creations in China’s history of bridge construction, while you take in Chaozhou’s history.
Recommend Tour
- 3-Day Chaozhou and Shantou Tour— A Bite of Chaoshan
All our tours can be customized. The itinerary can be adjusted according to your group size, time, budget, interests, and other requirements. Justcontact us.
10. Jingdezhen — Best Place to Appreciate Chinese Porcelain
![Jingdezhen](http://www.l-line.net/data/grey.gif)
In the south of China, there is a thousand-year-old town named after the Jingde emperor’s reign in Song Dynasty. It produces a beautiful and precious product whose English name is synonymous with China, even its namesake. Welcome to Jingdezhen.
Porcelain (also called china) is the soul and life of Jingdezhen. A trip to Jingdezhen is a must for china lovers and porcelain enthusiasts.
There you could:
- Visit the Museum of Porcelain, which will take you through China's porcelain history.
- Create some porcelain of your ownunder the guidance of a master.
- Visit Yaoli Ancient Town andfind the secret ingredientsof porcelain.
Recommended Tour
- 3-Day Jingdezhen Porcelain Tour— Discover Why china Is Called "china"
Our Most Popular May Tours
If you are planning a trip in China in May, consider the following choice tours for inspiration:
- 8-Day Kunming, Dali, Lijiang, and Shangri-La Tour— Meet the Amazing Beauty of Yunnan
- 8-Day Guilin, Yangshuo, and Guizhou Relaxation Tour— Picturesque Karst Scenery and Idyllic Countryside
- 8 Days Chengdu to Shangri-La Adventure Tour— A Memorable Road Trip on the HAN-TIBETAN ROAD
All our tours can be customized. If you are not interested in the above destinations or tours, you cancontact usto tailor-make a May tour for you.