Miao Qiunao / For China Daily

People seeking relaxation during the National Day (Oct 1) holidays may find themselves in a dilemma. While a nice trip during the one-week break may seem a good choice, it could also end up in disappointment, considering the overwhelming crowds cramming all the popular tourist sites around the country.

In recent years, news headlines have shown visitors jamming tourist attractions like the Forbidden City and the Great Wall in Beijing as well as the West Lake in Hangzhou, Zhejiang province, even capturing the attention of those who didn't travel. Well, could Robert Frost's poem about taking the road less traveled give us a little inspiration for choosing your destinations?

Instead of rushing to well-known sites only to be caught in long lines and huge crowds, you can explore some less-traveled places that have their own unique charms and scenery. From vast grasslands, picturesque river canyons, magnificent mountains to historic water towns or villages, we have come up with a list of optional travel destinations based on the recommendation of travelers and our own experiences.

In North China

1. Mount Wangwu and the Three Gorges on the Yellow River

The first place we recommend is in western Jiyuan, Henan province, where the alpine splendor of the Taihang Mountains and the mighty Yellow River combine to create a spectacular scene.

On a map, the 400-kilometer-long Taihang mountain range looks as if it were being hugged by the river near its southern tail, where Mount Wangwu stands.

Conquering its 1,715-meter-high summit is a physical challenge if you climb on foot and a mental one if you ride the funicular car that sways hundreds of meters in midair. But it's worth it. Those who reach the summit find Mount Wangwu dwarfs the rest with its majestic view.

Many Taoist temples dot the mountain. Mount Wangwu also boasts various geological marvels and became a world geological park in 2006.

The Three Gorges on the Yellow River are about 20 km from Mount Wangwu and can be seen on a good day.

The landscape along the gorges, with chains of mountains competing in beauty, is a rare blend of water and peaks, especially in North China. Each of the gorges has its own unique facets.

All you need to do is to board a cruise ship at the dock and feast your eyes. The 20-km boat trip will take you to another scenic splendor - the Xiaolangdi hydro-junction, the largest water-control project on the river.

Xitan, a small island spotted with village cottages, is located just 4 km downstream from the dam sluices. The only inhabited island on the 5,464-km Yellow River is certainly enchanting.

If you go: Visitors from Beijing can either take a train, which is about nine hours, or take the Beijing-Zhuhai Expressway and then the Changyuan-Jiyuan Expressway, if you prefer driving. You can also take a flight or ride a high-speed train for three hours first to Zhengzhou, the provincial capital, and then ride a bus for about two hours to Jiyuan. Tourist buses travel regularly between the city and the scenic spots, including Mount Wangwu and the Three Gorges on the Yellow River.