China is vast in every sense of the word. One could spend a lifetime exploring this incredible country and only ever scratch the surface. The one thing you will learn for certain on a visit to China is that it is like nowhere else on this planet.
The birthplace of one of the world’s greatest civilisations, the ancient culture and customs of the Chinese people are endlessly fascinating. China is also home to one of the world’s most revered cuisines – adventurous foodies will be in heaven, but even the fussiest kids should find simple, cheap and tasty fare to keep them happy.
China’s two largest cities – glossy, high-tech Shanghai and historic Beijing with its profound fusion of old and new – draw the biggest number of visitors, but beyond China’s myriad of colourful provincial towns there still exists some of the wildest and most beautiful natural scenery anywhere on earth.
China’s most famous attraction is of course the Great Wall of China, the massive stone wall built along the ancient borders of Northern China and easily accessible from Beijing. Also not to be missed is a cruise down mighty Yangtze River, passing through stunning narrow gorges, lush green hills and scenic riverside towns, and the archaeological wonder of 6000 terracotta warriors and their horses, now housed in a giant aeroplane hangar in Xi’an, Shaanxi province.