Zhangjiajie National Forest Park
Pillars in the sky
If you’ve ever wanted to visit the set of Avatar, Zhangjiajie’s Heavenly Pillar is as close as you’re likely to get. This unique mountainous landscape in Hunan province, featuring narrow rock outcroppings rising out of the mist, inspired the Hallelujah Mountains in the 2009 sci-fi hit. Expect plenty of walking and climbing, rewarded with sweeping mountaintop vistas that will make the most breathtaking social-media fodder.
Zhangjiajie National Forest Park
Pillars in the sky
If you’ve ever wanted to visit the set of Avatar, Zhangjiajie’s Heavenly Pillar is as close as you’re likely to get. This unique mountainous landscape in Hunan province, featuring narrow rock outcroppings rising out of the mist, inspired the Hallelujah Mountains in the 2009 sci-fi hit. Expect plenty of walking and climbing, rewarded with sweeping mountaintop vistas that will make the most breathtaking social-media fodder.
Look the part:
High-altitude mountain landscapes make for chilly destinations. Button up with this season’s most sophisticated outerwear trend – capes. Marni’s ankle-skimming brown cape from the brand’s autumn/winter collection is both down-to-earth and captivating. Pair it with slim-cut trousers in earth tones for a look that is at one with the natural landscape.
Look the part:
High-altitude mountain landscapes make for chilly destinations. Button up with this season’s most sophisticated outerwear trend – capes. Marni’s ankle-skimming brown cape from the brand’s autumn/winter collection is both down-to-earth and captivating. Pair it with slim-cut trousers in earth tones for a look that is at one with the natural landscape.
Panjin Red Beach
Red romance
There’s no destination that sets the mood for love quite like Panjin Red Beach, a protected wetland in China’s northeastern Liaoning province. Every autumn, the beach turns red thanks to a type of algae that flourishes on its shores, transforming the entire area into a crimson paradise. The ephemerality of this phenomenon makes it a must-visit for travellers seeking natural magnificence. Time your visit at sunset to catch the sea of red reeds merging with vermillion skies.
Panjin Red Beach
Red romance
There’s no destination that sets the mood for love quite like Panjin Red Beach, a protected wetland in China’s northeastern Liaoning province. Every autumn, the beach turns red thanks to a type of algae that flourishes on its shores, transforming the entire area into a crimson paradise. The ephemerality of this phenomenon makes it a must-visit for travellers seeking natural magnificence. Time your visit at sunset to catch the sea of red reeds merging with vermillion skies.
Look the part:
Complement the Red Beach’s amorous setting with the lacy, lingerie-inspired styles of this season. Exude provocation with a black lace dress from Roberto Cavalli, featuring sheer panels and romantic ruffles cascading down the skirt. Pair it with stiletto sandals for an ensemble that screams sultry seductress.
Look the part:
Complement the Red Beach’s amorous setting with the lacy, lingerie-inspired styles of this season. Exude provocation with a black lace dress from Roberto Cavalli, featuring sheer panels and romantic ruffles cascading down the skirt. Pair it with stiletto sandals for an ensemble that screams sultry seductress.
Saint Sophia Cathedral
From Russia with love
Located in the far north of China, the city of Harbin sits at the confluence of Eastern and Western cultures. It’s no surprise, then, that it is home to the largest Orthodox Church in East Asia, the stunning Neo-Byzantine Saint Sophia Cathedral. Built by Russian emigres, the cathedral boasts a soaring green-tipped dome and gold flourishes, transporting you from China to Imperial Russia.
Saint Sophia Cathedral
From Russia with love
Located in the far north of China, the city of Harbin sits at the confluence of Eastern and Western cultures. It’s no surprise, then, that it is home to the largest Orthodox Church in East Asia, the stunning Neo-Byzantine Saint Sophia Cathedral. Built by Russian emigres, the cathedral boasts a soaring green-tipped dome and gold flourishes, transporting you from China to Imperial Russia.
Look the part:
Bring back some Old World European charm with heavily embellished pieces that complement Saint Sophia’s ornate architecture. Gucci’s autumn/winter collection features coats richly embroidered with damask patterns and trimmed with fur to shield you from the Harbin chill.
Look the part:
Bring back some Old World European charm with heavily embellished pieces that complement Saint Sophia’s ornate architecture. Gucci’s autumn/winter collection features coats richly embroidered with damask patterns and trimmed with fur to shield you from the Harbin chill.
Zhangye Danxia Geopark
A symphony of colours
Zhangye Danxia’s sandstone rock formations in Gansu are the closest thing to a rainbow manifested in solid form. They were created from the layering of sandstone and mineral deposits over millions of years, resulting in vibrant streaks as far as the eye can see. Explore this stunning topography at dusk or dawn, when the changing light transforms it into a symphony of colours. You can also see Zhangye Danxia in Zhang Yimou’s forthcoming film The Great Wall, featuring Matt Damon, Andy Lau and Eddie Peng.
Zhangye Danxia Geopark
A symphony of colours
Zhangye Danxia’s sandstone rock formations in Gansu are the closest thing to a rainbow manifested in solid form. They were created from the layering of sandstone and mineral deposits over millions of years, resulting in vibrant streaks as far as the eye can see. Explore this stunning topography at dusk or dawn, when the changing light transforms it into a symphony of colours. You can also see Zhangye Danxia in Zhang Yimou’s forthcoming film The Great Wall, featuring Matt Damon, Andy Lau and Eddie Peng.
Look the part:
Prada’s colourful, gypsy-inspired creations this season are fashion’s equivalents of Zhangye Danxia’s rainbow rock formations. Make a statement with an eclectic patchwork jacket featuring fabrics in autumn colours, given a luxe accent with fur-trimmed sleeves. Layer it over a mid-length velvet skirt and sturdy leather boots for an expedition-ready ensemble.
Look the part:
Prada’s colourful, gypsy-inspired creations this season are fashion’s equivalents of Zhangye Danxia’s rainbow rock formations. Make a statement with an eclectic patchwork jacket featuring fabrics in autumn colours, given a luxe accent with fur-trimmed sleeves. Layer it over a mid-length velvet skirt and sturdy leather boots for an expedition-ready ensemble.
798 Art Zone
Revolutionary chic
A military factory from the Cultural Revolution is the last place you’d expect to find art or beauty, but the 798 Art Zone in Beijing has both in spades. The decommissioned Beijing factory was taken over by avant-garde artists in the 1990s, and has since played host to huge exhibitions such as the Beijing Biennale. With its combination of German Bauhaus architecture and preserved Communist-era slogans that give it a Mao-kitsch feel, the former factory offers an industrial chic backdrop for experimental art.
798 Art Zone
Revolutionary chic
A military factory from the Cultural Revolution is the last place you’d expect to find art or beauty, but the 798 Art Zone in Beijing has both in spades. The decommissioned Beijing factory was taken over by avant-garde artists in the 1990s, and has since played host to huge exhibitions such as the Beijing Biennale. With its combination of German Bauhaus architecture and preserved Communist-era slogans that give it a Mao-kitsch feel, the former factory offers an industrial chic backdrop for experimental art.
Look the part:
Fit right into 798’s gritty interiors with a grungy, biker chic outfit. A leather jacket is absolutely essential. Throw on an oversized example from Valentino that features luxurious embellishments all over. Following the brand’s lead, layer it over a sheer top and distressed jeans for an edgy but feminine look.
Look the part:
Fit right into 798’s gritty interiors with a grungy, biker chic outfit. A leather jacket is absolutely essential. Throw on an oversized example from Valentino that features luxurious embellishments all over. Following the brand’s lead, layer it over a sheer top and distressed jeans for an edgy but feminine look.
