Paddle the Li River beneath the serrated ridges of Guangxi's limestone mountains and hike through undulating rice terraces at Longsheng or along narrow paths at Tiger Leaping Gorge. Make friends with a tribal guide in the labyrinth of karst pillars at Stone Forest, hike among fluttering butterflies and tropical wild flowers in Xishuangbanna's Ganlan Basin, watch black-neck cranes and golden eagles swoop above the ‘grass sea' of Caohai and spot wild elephants in the Sanchahe Nature Reserve.

Regional highlights

Guangxi

Discover one of the most picturesque of China's provinces on foot, by bicycle or on a river cruise. Be inspired by the fairytale scenery of rugged limestone formations and terraced rice fields and meet some of the province's tribal population, including the Zhuang, Dong and Yao people. Highlights include:

Li River- Discover a captivating scenic paradise of green plains and forested mountain peaks on a river cruise along the Li River from Guilin to Yangshuo in north-eastern Guangxi. Float gently past a procession of unique limestone karst formations - jutting ridges, towers and serrated peaks - eroded by the elements into bizarre shapes. See pretty rural scenes of grazing water buffalo, watch farmers working their fields in conical hats and locals fishing with cormorants from half-submerged bamboo rafts. Best seen during the wet months between April and September, when the water is deepest and the greenery at its lushest. Also try the peaceful and less-crowded Yulong and Jin Bao rivers or explore the Zuo River where waterfront cliffs at Hua Shan are scratched with rock art dating back 2000 years. Explore the riverbanks and inland rice terraces by bicycle.

Ludi Yan- Rent a bike for a tranquil 45-minute early morning (or late afternoon) ride to the 240m-long Reed Flute Cave, one of Guilin's most impressive caves. Take the 40-minute tour through the large cave crowded with limestone stalactites, stalagmites and stone pillars, pleasantly reflected in the underground lake.

Duxiu Feng - Climb the steep carved stones to the top of the 152m-high Peak of Solitary Beauty and be rewarded with spectacular views of Guangxi. Set in the grounds of an ancient park, which is also home to the decaying remains of a 14th century Ming Dynasty palace and a Confucius temple.

Longsheng Longji Rice Terraces - Wander amid the undulating rice terraces of the ‘Dragon's Backbone', which range across 27km of mountainside and up to 800m in height. Built during the Ming Dynasty, the terraces are still worked by rice farmers from local tribal communities.

Guizhou

Less crowded with visitors that neighbouring Guangxi or Yunnan, Guizhou offers an adventure off the beaten path across terraced fields, undulating mountains and through traditional villages that are home to different tribes including the Dong, Hui, Yao, Zhuang, and Hmong peoples. Highlights include:

Huangguoshu Pubu- Discover the largest waterfall in China Yellow Fruit Trees Falls, set amid pretty countryside and surrounded with traditional villages. The cascades flow over nine waterfalls on a 2km-long stretch of the Baishuio River and feature a 70m drop at its highest point as well as wading pools. Best seen from May through to October.

Zhijin Caves- Take a two-hour tour through the 12km-long cave that features several caves crowded with various rock formations such as stalagmites, stelae and rocks of a great variety of shapes.

Kaili Minorities Museum- Learn more about the local indigenous peoples and see a range of relics, arts and handicrafts.

Caohai - Tour this tranquil 'Grass Sea' lake on a punt, propelled silently through the waters by a pole-wielding local guide. Spot countless numbers of black-necked cranes, golden eagles, white-tailed sea eagles, black storks, Eurasian cranes and spoonbills. The lake sits on a 2000m-high plateau south of Weining, which is also famous for its Yi torch festival, held annually on the 24th day of the sixth lunar month (July/August).

Yunnan

Explore the headwaters of three of Asia's most important rivers: the Yangtze, Mekong and Salween. Hike or bike through some of China's most beautiful natural scenery, from forest-covered mountains to scenic highland pastures and hot tropical jungles. Along the way, look out for some of the region's 25 ethnic groups, which include the Bai, Dai, Hani and Yao people. Or try to identify the three main tribes found only in Yunan Province - the Aini, Mosuo and Shani people. Highlights include:

Lijiang - Discover the Old Town of Lijiang, now a UNESCO World Heritage Site, crowded with authentic architecture from several cultures. Walk or cycle the labyrinth of cobbled streets past dilapidated old wooden buildings. Photograph Jade Dragon Snow Mountain from the famous Black Dragon Pool, which once supplied the town's drinking water though a network of canals.

Tiger Leaping Gorge- Experience a two- to three-day hike through one of the world's deepest gorges as it winds between tiny hamlets, home to the Naxi people. Choose from two main tracks: the low road offers flat paved terrain with good views of the river, while the high trail offers a more strenuous climbing adventure. The 16km-long gorge is flanked by Jade Snow Mountain (5596m; also accessible by cable car) and Haba Xueshanon Mountain (5396m). Flowing between these two mountains and their 3000m-high cliffs, is the Jinsha River, which cascades over several picturesque waterfalls.

Green Lake Park- Stroll across quaint stone bridges onto willow-and bamboo-covered islands. Look out for pink and white lotus blossoms in summer and the huge flocks of red-beaked gulls that migrate here from Siberia in winter. Visit from late September to early October to see the Lantern Festival, when thousands of paper lantern boats with candles inside are set adrift on the waters of Kunming's popular lake.

Yuantong Temple- Stroll through a series of gates to the inner compound of this 1200-year-old temple, set on an island in the north of Kunming, surrounded by a pond that is teeming with fish and turtles.

Stone Forest- Hire a local Sani woman to guide you through this labyrinth of uniquely shaped limestone karst pillars surrounded by small lakes. Located 125km south-east of Kunming; a two-hour train or bus trip.

Dali - Stroll from the cobbled streets of the old town to the statuesque 16-storey, 69m-high Qianxun Ta Pagoda. Part of the Three Pagodas, Dali's most famous landmark dates from 824 AD and is richly decorated with marble buddhas. Hike the 16km-long trail to the halfway point between the old town and the summit of the 4500m-high Cang Shan (Green Mountain) for great views over Dali. Along the way, admire several temples, grottoes and waterfalls just off the main trail. Or rent a boat and paddle across Erhai Lake - overlooked by the 50km-long Cang Shan range - and watch locals fishing by using cormorants tied to their boats. Visit during the Spring Fair, held from the 15th of the third lunar month (April or May), to watch five days of horse trading, wrestling, dancing and singing.

Ganlan Basin- Hike through valleys filled with fluttering butterflies and tropical wild flowers in one of Xishuangbanna's most scenic regions - located just 37km from Jinghong and close to the borders of Laos and Myanmar. Meet ethnic minorities such as the legendary Dai people and overnight in a hill tribe village.

Lancang (Mekong) River - Raft the longest river in South-East Asia. Or stroll or bike the scenic riverbank around Jinghong in the Xishuangbanna region.

Sanchahe Nature Reserve - See wild elephants in this 364ha nature reserve, two hours north of Jinghong. Stroll around the butterfly farm, enjoy forest views from the cable car and overnight in a ‘tree house', 7m above the ground.

Best time to vist

Any time, but best between April and May when the average is 25˚C, and in autumn between September and October with an average temperature of 24˚C. Summer, from June to August, is warm and wet averaging 28˚C. Winter is cold and averages 8˚C.

Best buys

Local handicrafts, jade, silk, embroidery, calligraphy, paintings and carvings in wood, stone and bamboo are just some of the regions' best buys.