China is a remarkable five-year-old civilization that offers a vibrant and intriguing combination of the ancient and modern. From the exceptionally remote deserts of the wild northwest to the ultra-modern city of Hong Kong in the south, the diversity of this vast country's archaeology, architecture, cuisine, and cultural heritage is astounding. From ancient historical sites and antique relics to grand imperial palaces, exquisite water towns and enchanting natural wonders, there's something for every type of traveller. The Forbidden City, The Great Wall, the Terracotta Army, and Chengdu's panda sanctuaries are among the most visited attractions. Although there is so much to explore, try to avoid a jam-packed itinerary as one of the great joys of touring China lies in aimlessly wandering through the backstreets and exploring the immaculate public parks, traditional teahouses or tranquil hidden temples. Whether you prefer a slow boat down the Yangtze or taking in the extraordinary architecture, shopping and nightlife of Shanghai, exploring China provides countless opportunities for adventure.
Floating high in the Hengduanshan Mountains near the Tibetan border is Deqen, a relatively small city north of China's Yunnan Province set in a valley alongside the Mekong River Gorge. Deqen sees very few tourists - primarily due to its remote location and high altitude - but those who make the trip find it a convenient base for trekking in the spectacularly scenic landscape of mirror-like alpine lakes, beautiful meadows, and incredible canyons. Adventure seekers are awed by the snow-capped mountains, most famously the imposing Meli Snow Mountain, which soars up to 6,470 metres. Other highlights include The Feilai Temple provides panoramic views of the town and its surroundings, the Xidang Hot Springs and the Meilixue Mountain Nature Reserve, which offers excellent trekking opportunities to the Taizi Temple and the Minyong Glacier.
Affectionately known for its intense sunshine, towering snow-capped peaks, vibrant turquoise lakes and golden barley fields, Tibet, affectionately known as 'The Roof of the World’ is a wondrous self-governing region in China. Travellers to this wondrous destination can explore its enchanting surrounding scenic landscapes, indulge in the mouth-watering local cuisine, and visit its abundance of temples and shrines. Among the notable attractions are: Jokhang Temple, the spiritual heart of Tibet; Sakya Monastery, one of the largest and most beautiful monasteries; Chimpuk Hermitage, a fascinating collection of cave shrines; Nam-Tso, the second largest lake in China home to sacred waters; and Mikado Glacier, a picturesque glacier under a towering 6385-metre peak. Don’t miss out on the magnificent Potala Palace, an architectural wonder which was once the winter residence of the Dalai Lamas.
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Deep in the Himalayan Mountains lies Lhasa, a unique and culturally fascinating city. Lhasa translates to 'Place of God', and as its name implies, this city has been the hub of Tibetan spiritual life since the mid-17th century. As a result, it contains a myriad of culturally significant religious sites. These include the Potala Palace, Jokhang Temple, and Sera Monastery. Due to many years of Chinese-influence and modernisation, this once quiet town has been superseded by the bustling commercial streets of the modern Chinese city. Despite this, the old Tibetan quarter has managed to preserve the atmosphere of traditional Tibetan life – you’ll find alleyways filled with live music venues and cabaret bars hosting local performers.
