1. Yan Zi Gou (Swallow Cove) 

Lying on the eastern edge of the Tibetan Plateau, Yan Zi Gou established its reputation after being selected as the shooting site of the arks in the blockbuster 2012.

Location: inside the famous Gong Gashan International Travel and Recreation Zone, 283 km from Chengdu, capital city of Sichuan Province.

Reason: Lying on the eastern edge of the Tibetan Plateau, Yan Zi Gou established its reputation after being selected as the shooting site of the arks in the blockbuster 2012.

Yan Zi Gou has not been as well-known in western Sichuan's travel circuit until the disaster movie 2012 featured it as one of its settings. Glaciers, snow-topped mountains, forests with colorful leaves, and hot springs can all be found here, while the highlight is a 30-km red stone shoal, whose origin is still a myth at present. The scenic zone calls for low-carbon travel concepts, so the sightseeing buses are reduced, and even the expanded walking path was built on the path villagers used as they went picking herbal medicine. In the scenic zone, disposable raincoats are no longer sold, and free raincoats are offered instead.

2. Shangri-la

Photo shows a glimpse of a Tibetan village at the foot of the Lhaba Snow Mountain in Shangri-la, Deqen Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, and southwest China's Yunnan Provience.

Location: in Deqen Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, southwest China's Yunnan Province

Reason: Low carbon is the lifeline of the eternal beauty of Shangri-La, a place renowned for its enchanting natural scenery and diversified landscape.