A butcher in Huayin. © ULLI MAIER & NISA MAIER

The Mountain Road in the Tianmen National Park in Zhangjiajie was one of the most impressive roads we’ve ever travelled on. We took the tram up and unfortunately, you’re not allowed to walk along the road, so getting back down we took the bus. © ULLI MAIER & NISA MAIER

Zhangjiajie is famous for its 3,000 vertical pillars, each hundreds of feet tall and covered in dense green foliage. These pillars were formed by erosion and draw in upwards of 30 million tourists every year. Apart from the tourist masses, this place is absolutely stunning. No wonder it was the inspiration for the floating mountains in the movie “Avatar.” © ULLI MAIER & NISA MAIER

The hanging coffins are interesting no doubt, but the experiences we had with the local people, as well as the atmosphere and nature of the Luobiao area deserves just as much attention. © ULLI MAIER & NISA MAIER

The hanging coffins are really interesting, but what fascinated us even more was the atmosphere and feeling we had when wandering through the rice paddies, as well as the hospitality of the local people. We definitely left Luobiao with a big smile. © ULLI MAIER & NISA MAIER

Tuojiang river crossed right through the town of Fenghuang. © ULLI MAIER & NISA MAIER

Fenghuang Town is a wonderful example of what villages were like prior to the onset of modernisation. Here dozens of alleys paved with flagstones run between the houses, each showing wear caused by the feet of generations of local people who have used them when going about their daily business. © ULLI MAIER & NISA MAIER

Although Fenghuang is visited by thousands of tourists each day, the calm atmosphere somehow decelerates daily life. © ULLI MAIER & NISA MAIER

The hanging coffins of the Bo people in Luobiao, a Chinese ethnic minority, have puzzled historians for generations. Nailed into the cliffs high above the farmland, hundreds of wooden coffins keep silent watch over the valleys below. Over the years, several coffins have fallen down, but you get a good impression on how many must have once hung there by counting all the holes carved into the mountains. © ULLI MAIER & NISA MAIER

Luobiao is a destination not many tourists (neither Western nor Chinese) come to very often. Therefore it was one of those great travel experiences where we got to intimately interact with its local people. © ULLI MAIER & NISA MAIER

Market scene in Luobiao, China. © ULLI MAIER & NISA MAIER

Market scene in Luobiao, China. © ULLI MAIER & NISA MAIER

Beautiful Fenghuang town in China. © ULLI MAIER & NISA MAIER

The Bo tribe was exterminated in the days of the Ming Dynasty and these coffins are the only relict. It seems obvious that little now is known of them, who they were, or how they lived. © ULLI MAIER & NISA MAIER

Beautiful Fenghuang town in China. © ULLI MAIER & NISA MAIER

Firopotamos beach on Milos island is a small stretch that you will most likely have to yourself. © ULLI MAIER & NISA MAIER

Milos is home to some of the most beautiful fishing villages in all of Greece. The best example if the little port of Mandrakia. © ULLI MAIER & NISA MAIER

The famous cove of Kleftiko is an old, pirates’ hideout on the southwest tip of Milos island. It can be reached by boat, or if your an athletic hiker and as adventurous as us, by foot. © ULLI MAIER & NISA MAIER

Firopotamos beach on Milos island is a small stretch that you will most likely have to yourself. © ULLI MAIER & NISA MAIERFiropotamos beach on Milos island. © ULLI MAIER & NISA MAIER

Clear waters surrounded by a moonlike white landscape with cliffs & ocean caves are what you’ll get at Sarakiniko beach. © ULLI MAIER & NISA MAIER

The sunset up on Plaka Castle in Milos sure is one for the books. © ULLI MAIER & NISA MAIER

Voudia beach is located on the north eastern side of Milos, that stands out because of it’s crystal clear water. © ULLI MAIER & NISA MAIER

Kleftiko cove was definitely a highlight during our trip to Milos. The best way to get there by foot is by renting a quad to drive all the way across the island, followed by a four hour hike through uneasy terrain. Don’t forget to bring lots of water, because the heat is almost unbearing. © ULLI MAIER & NISA MAIER

The colourful fishing village of Klima can be seen from the ferry when arriving on Milos island. © ULLI MAIER & NISA MAIER

Mandrakia was one of the cutest fishing village we ever came across. © ULLI MAIER & NISA MAIER