Tourism market finds thrilling experiences the new destination

Standing beside the emerald waters of the Dulong River in Southwest China's Yunnan province, Beijing-based traveler Li Li closes her eyes and allows the crisp mountain air to fill her lungs.

"I didn't come here just to check off a bucket list item," she says. "I wanted to live here, even for just a few days, to share stories around a Lisu ethnic group's fire pit and the walk trails untouched by crowds."

Li's decision to trade iconic landmarks for a slower, more culturally grounded experience reflects a broader transformation sweeping China's travel sector.