The Other Side of China

The most remote, solitary, isolated places in the world’s most populous country.

Parts of China are among the most populated and condensed in the world and most travelers will be hard-pressed to altogether avoid these crowded metropolises. However, the world’s most populous country is also the world’s second largest country, so naturally there are some places to escape the pace of city life. In most cases, a quieter and more relaxed atmosphere is simply a train or car ride away. But for some people, even that is not enough. For the explorers, risk-takers, and peace-seekers, here are some of the most secluded and remote places in China, and maybe in the world.

1. Hui Hang Trail

This ancient, unkempt, stone-covered trail, dating back to the 13th century, connects Zhejiang and Anhui while winding through forests, hot springs, waterfalls and rivers, and dipping down into local villages. A locale must be remote if just one family, known by name, provides accommodations to most hikers midway through their route. Trekkers who take the hike can split their travels into two sections by stopping in at the Yang’s home near the summit for a home-cooked meal and a bed on which to rest their weary feet.

The Hui Hang Trail is a great remedy to China’s crowded smoggy cities; one author who wrote about the hike noted that a person is more likely to encounter donkeys than humans while on Hui Hang. The signs of other humans are indeed few and far between in this journey. Travelers are forced to rely on their own know-how and the helpfulness of locals along the way.  As with traveling to any beautiful, out-of-the-way destination, some effort is required to reach the Hui Hang Trail – in this case, a train ride followed by minibus hire is the best transportation option.

2. Kanas Lake

In the northern part of the Xinjiang Province, close to the Russian border, sits Kanas Lake. Skyscrapers and remnants of city life are non-existent in this near-Siberian environment. Many of the inhabitants are local Tuvans and Kazakhs, still practicing ancient traditions of agricultural and nomadic lifestyles. The accessibility issues contribute to the remote atmosphere here. Travelers can arrange a tour ahead of time to visit Kanas Lake, or rent a car and take on the task themselves for a bit more adventure and probably a lot more headaches. Unreliable buses and expensive taxis are the only other option – but however you get to Kansas Lake, the trip and view are worth it; especially as the scenery along the road magically transforms from desert to grassland to mountain.

Log cabins are located around the lake for those who want to relish their efforts and enjoy the view at the top longer, or perhaps observe the 117 different varieties of birds that are said to live at lake. And those interested in a little folklore and mystery can try their shot at spotting the mysterious lake creature, the “Kanas Lake Monster,” allegedly residing here. While tourism has been catching on more lately, and providing income to locals, most of the activities offered to tourists still mesh well with solitude of the land – orienteering, hiking, rafting, rock climbing, paragliding, and camping are all options. It’s certainly no Disneyland, but for the right traveler, there’s plenty of fun to be had.

3. Motuo County

Motuo County is not only one of the most remote spots in China, but one of the most remote in the world: Motuo is consistently placed alongside Antarctica on superlative lists of that sort.  This destination, if it can be called that, is not for the faint of heart. In fact, few have even made it here. Motuo County is the least accessible part of China, mainly because there are no roads leading to it, making the area extremely secluded from modern life. It’s not for lack of trying, though. In 1993, a highway was built and lasted for two days, long enough to carry four vehicles ( including one that got stuck and was deserted).  After its two day run, the highway became impossible to use and was essentially swallowed back into the land. Why didn’t the road last? The area is riddled with mudslides, avalanches, and a very inhospitable environment.

Today, the only way in is via a 200-meter-long bridge that is hoisted up 100 meters in the air. And that’s after having crossed a land route through the icy Himalayas to get to the bridge. Don’t forget to bring food, water, and all necessities – they won’t be found in Motuo County.  So why even try to attempt Motuo? Well, for some, it’s partly because of the struggle and the adventure. It is an obstacle to be conquered. But Mutuo is also a very beautiful and scenic part of China. It’s been referred to as an Eden of plant life, containing one-tenth of the plant life in all of China. Beauty this remote and untouched is an oddity unto itself. After years and millions of dollars spent trying to connect Motuo County with the rest of China, the land seems to be winning. It appears Motuo County will stay remote for the foreseeable future.

If a Himalayan adventure is not in the books, crowds are not a necessary evil. Another way to avoid tourists (though these remote places will surely do the trick) is to go to the more popular sites in China in the off-season – winter. Even visiting tourist-heavy places can be made more unique and solitary if one takes the chance to get off the beaten path. Staying in hostels or Chinese owned hotels instead of convenient chain hotels, getting into the local neighborhoods of big cities, and making an effort to interact with locals on their turf are all a good start.

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