China Travel Guide

China - Historically intriguing, scenically stunning

China is bursting with age-old mysteries and cultures of unique depth. It is forever linked to its ancient civilisation, friendly people, the beauty of the Yunnan Province and many of the world’s most revered treasures. China is like no other place on earth – it isn’t a country, it’s a different world.

History and culture

China is one of the world’s four oldest civilisations, with a recorded history of around 5000 years. The entrancing land of the panda bear overflows with rich cultural and historical relics, from the Great Wall to the Terracotta Warriors.

China was also one of the countries where economic activity first developed: as early as 5000 or 6000 years ago, people living in the Valley around the Yellow River had already begun farming and were raising livestock.

Beijing is one of the most famous historical and cultural cities in the world. According to written records, the construction of the city took place more than 3000 years ago. It may come as no surprise then, that Beijing has hundreds of ancient historical, cultural and art sites of great value.

China celebrates its culture in a big way, with a lot of noise (mainly fireworks), colour and street parades that take place throughout the year. Try to plan your trip to China around one of the nation’s amazing annual celebrations to gain some lifelong memories.

Cities

China’s cities are fascinating. Formerly known as Peking, Beijing is the capital of the People’s Republic of China. From here the Chinese Communist Party rules over its enormous empire. With a population of 14 million, the city has an exciting and lively atmosphere that you are unlikely to tire of.

Beijing offers access to some of China’s most stunning sights and some of the world’s most revered historical treasures – the Forbidden City, the Great Wall, the Summer Palace, Temple of Heaven Park, Tiananmen Square and the Lama Temple, to name just a few.

No other city can better capture the urgency and excitement of China’s economic reform than Shanghai. Once called the ‘Paris of the Orient’, the city is a sparling jewell, with its riverside area and French-town as remnants of its decadent colonial past. Shanghai is one of the modern hot spots of China – a thriving metropolitan city buzzing with the new wave of ‘lifestyle revolution’, showcased in the temples of art, fine restaurants and contemporary urban living enjoyed by many of it's 17 million people. Enjoy temples, gardens, bazaars and the striking architecture of New Shanghai. And be sure to pay a visit to the Jade Buddha and the Yu Garden.

Regional China

Venture outside China’s cities and you’ll discover the other half of the story about what makes this nation tick.

In Guilin, you will discover a fantasy world of strangely shaped hills, or karsts, lush green vegetation and wonderful caves, creating a special kind of magic.

Combining ancient culture and modern development, Ghangzhou, located on the Yangtze River Delta, is renowned for its beautiful natural scenery, in particular the stunning West Lake. The eternal city of Xi’an offers you the Museum of the Terracotta Warriors and Horses, it has been praised as ‘the eighth major miracle of the world’, along with Emperor Qin Shi Huang's Mausoleum and the well preserved City Wall of the Ming Dynasty.

Dining

Being such a geographically huge country it is not suprising that China supports many distinctive styles of cuisine. As a guide there are four main styles to consider. Beijing, Shanghai, Szechuan and Cantonese. Delight in all of China’s cuisine, from dim sum (a classic Cantonese breakfast, but equally good for lunch) and Beijing duck – small pieces of duck meat which are dipped in plum sauce, then wrapped with onions and eaten in a pancake, to Mongolian hotpot – it’s all delicious!

Shopping

China is a shopper’s paradise: from bamboo chopsticks to Cultural Revolution memorabilia, you’ll find it here. Different Chinese cities have different local specialties: Beijing is noted for cloisonne enamel and freshwater pearls. Its major shopping area is Wanfujing, Shanghai is renowned for jade and busy Nanjing Road. Xi’an is celebrated for antiques and rugs. Guilin is famous for scroll paintings and bijouterie and Hangzhou is known for its silk and tea. Other items of interest for the intrepid shopper in China include beautiful silks and embroideries, detailed calligraphies, fine porcelain products and, of course, don’t miss the traditional Chinese hand crafted ceramics.