Beijing
The bustling metropolis of Beijing has an impressive history tracing back 70,000 years. It was once the ancient capital of three dynasties – Yuan, Ming and Qing. Although there are towering skyscrapers and busy shopping malls, you can still feel a strong authentic Beijing heartbeat around the hutong areas (narrow streets or alleys) and when visiting the historical attractions.

The Great Wall of China
One of the greatest wonders of the world, was enlisted in the World Heritage by UNESCO in 1987. Just like a gigantic dragon, the Great Wall snakes up and down across deserts, grasslands, mountains and plateaus, stretching approximately 6,700 kilometres from east to west of China. With a history of more than 2,000 years, some of the sections of the great wall are now in ruins or have even entirely disappeared. However, it is still one of the most appealing attractions all around the world owing to its architectural grandeur and historical significance.

Xian & the Terracotta Warriors
Over a period of more than 2,000 years, Xi’an was the capital for eleven dynasties.  An old saying in China tells the unique position of this legendary city: “If you want to see China of 100 years ago, visit Shanghai; China of 500 years ago, Beijing; China of 2,000 years ago, Xi’an”. Enjoy a walk on the Ancient City Walls, one of the oldest and best preserved walls in China, which are wide enough to carry a golf cart or rickshaw. Explore the infamous underground army of Terracotta Warriors. Six thousand intricately-carved, life-size clay statues of terracotta warriors and their horses stand in battle formation, and have been protecting the mausoleum of Emperor Qin Shi Huang, the first emperor in Chinese history, for over 2,200 years.

Guilin
The stunning landscape in which the city of Guilin is situated has a kind of magic that is all its own. The strangely shaped hills, or karsts, with the verdant vegetation ranging from bamboo to conifers, together with wonderful caves, make Guilin a must-see destination for visitors to China. Travel down the Li River to the beautiful town of Yangshuo where you can easily explore the traditional and rural life of China.

Yangtze River
Snaking its way 6,300 km from Western China’s Qinghai-Tibet Plateau to the East China Sea, the Yangtze River stretches nine provinces and serves as a drain for 695,000 square miles of land. It is less in length only to the Amazon and Nile, and spans so many regions that it has acquired half a dozen names along its length. Glorious scenery is enjoyed as you pass through the impressive and wildly beautiful Three Gorges eventually arriving at the engineering marvel of the Three Gorges Dam. Pass through the locks at the dam before reaching Yichang

The best time to visit China is in their Spring (mid March to the end of May) or in Autumn (September to November). Summers (especially July and August) can be very hot and the winters (Dec to early March) can be bitterly cold.

I was lucky enough to first visit China in the late 1970’s and have been back many times since. The changes I have seen in the last 30 years are almost indescribable. It is a vast country and 1 in 5 people live here. There are many different Chinas and so many highlights. Riding the Maglev train from Shanghai Airport to town at 430km per hour is fun, and it deposits you close to the Bund, lined with Victorian era buildings and across the river is Pudong, the modernistic China of tomorrow. The museum in Shanghai is in my opinion the best in all of China. Don’t miss it, even if you are not normally into museums. Not far from Shanghai are delightful medieval water villages with little stone bridges across the canals. An ideal time to visit is May, not too hot and the spring flowers are beautiful. Xian, the home of the buried army of Terracotta warriors, is an impressive walled city. It is fun to walk the 14km circumference of these walls looking into the old town on one side and the modern city on the other. You just cannot escape the contrasts of old and new wherever you go. The buried army here are even more impressive that you can imagine. Beijing and the wonderous Forbidden City and nearby Great Wall are on everyone’s itinerary, but a visit to one of the private homes in the Hutongs(the old inner suburbs of Beijing) is also great fun.

The Yangtze River and passing through the locks at the Three Gorges Dam on my comfortable riverboat is a memory that will remain always. Another terrific river experience is a cruise on the Li River near Guilin, the limestone formations in the mountains here are straight out of classic Chinese paintings. When in Guilin don’t miss the evening cruise through the lakes and canals, it is a delight.

The tourist infrastructure in China has vastly improved over the years and local guides speak excellent English. It is now very reasonable to have your own car and guide show you about. Trains are fast, reliable and these days very comfortable, offering a great way to get around and see some of the countryside. Hotels are also generally excellent but it pays to stay in at least 4 stars as this level is still very affordable and guarantees good quality. The food is also fantastic, changing in flavor and style from one part of the country to another; expect beer of soft drinks to be provided as part of the meal. As is the case throughout the world, it is the people who help make a country. They are gracious and polite and will invite you to join in with them as they perform Tai Chi in the park early in the morning. Don’t be surprised if you are approached by young people wanting to practice their English and interacting with them is one of the best things about a visit to China. 200 years ago Napoleon described China as the sleeping giant. Well she is now wide awake and without doubt one of the most incredible countries it is possible to visit.

Chris Lyons, Director

Currency The unit of currency is the Yuan and this may be exchanged for major currencies through the hotel desk (in many countries around the world you are penalized by changing at a hotel (in China they offer almost exactly the same rate as the banks).

Language Mandarin is the official language of China. Different languages from many areas of the country may be heard (e.g. Cantonese is spoken in Hong Kong). English is spoken in better hotels and by the young but is not widely understood.

Why we love it A large and diverse country, China has a rich heritage. Marvellous early civilizations are featured in the many excellent museums (don’t miss the one in Shanghai) and must see sights such as the Terracotta (buried) Army at Xian. While in Xian, why not walk atop the amazing city wall and look down on the town from a totally different perspective. Cruise in a comfortable riverboat for several days on the mighty Yangtze River and sit in awe of the Three Gorges. Beijing is the modern capital and along with Shanghai the most ‘western influenced’ of Chinese cities. Just outside you may climb on the Great Wall of China itself and wonder at the human endeavour required to build it. The almost overwhelming Forbidden City sits adjacent to Tiananmen Square in the heart of Beijing and you will enjoy the crowds performing Tai Chi and other exercises in the park outside them beautiful Temple of Heaven. The gardens in the canal city of Suzhou are wonderful and only a couple of hours from bustling Shanghai. In that special town you can walk the streets in the French Concession and dine at a cafe that will make you think of Paris. A must see are the wonderful acrobats and after the performance go down to the historic Bund and enjoy the light show at night across the river in the futuristic area of Pudong. Nearly 200 years ago Napoleon said China is the sleeping giant ?! Well the giant is certainly waking from its slumber and a visit to China today offers you not only wonderful sights, colourful cultures, amazing history but also fantastic shopping bargains. Don’t try and do China on your own – it is still too hard with all the language difficulties and rapidly increasing numbers of Chinese travelling within their own country. World Journeys have excellent agents all over China waiting to assist you.

Weather Probably the best time to visit China is in their Spring (mid March to end of May) or Autumn (September to November). Summers (especially July and August) can be very hot and winters bitterly cold.

Social customs & quirks It is essential that when shopping in all but the better stores you bargain. This is certainly a MUST if buying through the colourful street markets. Generally they will start with a high figure (4 to 8 times its actual worth) and you offer a very low price. Language difficulties usually mean this is done by punching numbers into a calculator the sales person will produce. In warmer weather it is quite OK to wear shorts even though the Chinese don’t! You will often find people may approach you in parks or on the street and engage you in English. They are attempting to practice their English on you and if you have time, this can often become a wonderful cultural interaction. Photography is great and many wonderful opportunities. It is courtesy to ask those you plan to photograph if they mind, most will not be bothered but sometimes older people are a little sensitive. In general you will find the modern Chinese quite polite and reasonably happy. Many are in fact very proud of their country’s progress.

Festivals & events China has a rich heritage and many festivals take place throughout the year. The largest is undoubtedly Chinese New Year that usually takes place in February and is marked with much feasting and plenty of loud fireworks! The Lantern Festival follows soon after and then comes the Dragon Boat Festival (in May) which usually coincides with Golden Week (an enormous national holiday when all of China takes a seven day break from 01 May). Later in the year is the Moon Festival in August. There are also many other local festivals such as the beautiful Peony Festival in spring and other minority groups around the country will also have local festivities.

Health* There are currently no health requirements entering China. It is wise to take with you from New Zealand any medication you may need whilst in the country. When there, try a foot massage, these are cheap and wonderfully therapeutic. Before leaving for China please contact your health practitioner for full and current details on the health situation.

Notes *Please be aware that Health information is subject to change at any time and you should always double check these requirements at the time of booking and before travel.