4. The 'red beaches' of Panjin

[Photo/Xinhua]

Each autumn the wetland in the Liaohe River Delta in Panjin, Northeast China's Liaoning province, is covered by a special seasonal red plant. Tourists can walk on trestles above the marshland to enjoy the splendid "red carpet" extending an area of 60 sq km. In October the plants turn on a deep red hue. You're also likely to spot quite a few rare birds there.

If you go: It is about a six-hour drive from Beijing through the Beijing-Harbin (G1) Expressway to get to Panjin. Meanwhile, a regular train takes about seven hours from Beijing to Panjin, and a high-speed train is three hours. There are tour buses going to the scenic spots from the city, less than an hour one way. You can also take a local cab, which costs a little more than 100 yuan.