陇南市

Why this place

Longnan is in the mountains of southern Gansu, where the province turns green and subtropical — a world away from the desert image the province has. It has forests, tea, and the Wanxiang caves with their Song-dynasty carvings.

What to see

• The Wanxiang caves at Chengxian, with Song-dynasty Buddhist carvings
• The Guanegou and the forested Qinling foothills
• The Bailong River and the old towns of the southern valleys

What to eat

• Southern Gansu cooking — closer to Sichuan; Longnan is known for its 'huicai' and its 'youcha'
• The local walnuts, pepper and tea

Best time

April–June and September–November