Also known as the cradle of humanity, Beijing is the epicentre of China’s economic, political and educational hub. The city is famous for its Hutongs which are formed by lines of traditional courtyard residences (siheyuan). Since the mid-20th century, many hutongs have been demolished to make way for new roads and buildings. A visit to Beijing will give you a glimpse into China’s imperial past. Highlights of Beijing include: Tiananmen Square, the Forbidden City and the Olympic Stadium; it is also the gateway for the opportunity to climb the legendary Great Wall of China.
Located at the heart of the Weihe Plain, bound by the Weihe River in the north and the Qin Mountain Range in the south, Xian is the undisputed root of Chinese civilization and an important economic, cultural, and industrial centre of the central-northwest region. The city provides visitors with modern facilities as well as numerous world-class ancient, religious, and cultural attractions showcasing the great changes in the country. Must-see attractions include the Tomb of Emperor Jingdi, the immaculately restored and mighty city wall, and of course, the primary attraction, the astonishing display of approximately 2,000 life-like terracotta warriors, horses, and chariots. The assemblage has been billed by the tourist industry as the Eighth Wonder of the World and a world cultural heritage site by UNESCO.
The city of Chengdu is the capital of southwestern China's Sichuan province and it serves as a popular transport hub for the entire region. The city is known for its wonderfully relaxing teahouse culture, its extraordinarily spicy culinary scene, and its vibrant nightlife which is bolstered by the large numbers of student and expats who call Chengdu home. The main attraction is undoubtedly the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding, a conservation centre where visitors can view endangered giant pandas in their natural habitat. Other must-see sights include the Jinsha Site Museum which displays artefacts from the Shu Kingdom, many of which date back as far as the 4th century B.C.
Guilin is an attractive city and an extremely popular tourist destination in North Guangxi, China. The city is renowned for its magnificent natural landscape of dramatic limestone karst hills and its colourful minority culture. At the centre of the city lie two beautiful lakes, Shanhu (Cedar) and Ronghu (Banyan), remaining from a medieval-era moat that once surrounded the city. Boats travel through these and other lakes via connected rivers. While the city boasts hundreds of wonderful attractions, the most famous are the Li River, the nearby resort town of Yangshuo, and the picturesque Longji Terraced Fields.
Situated in Guilin, Guangxi Province in the south of China, Yangshuo is a county featuring a popular eponymous tourist resort town. The area is best known for its spectacular scenery characterised by magnificent karst mountains, caves, temples and the picturesque Li River. Visitors typically take a cruise down the river which delivers them at the bustling little town which features some remarkable historical Chinese architecture. The main attraction within the town is the 1400-year-old West Street which is lined with a dizzying array of shops, restaurants, hotels, and bars. Visitors can also enjoy the nightly performance of a show called ‘Impressions of Liu Sanjie’ which is performed on the Li River, with the audience seated on the river bank and twelve karst hills forming a dramatic backdrop. Other popular activities in the area include mountain climbing, bamboo-rafting and cycling through the through the dreamy hills and valleys.
Located on the estuary of the famed Yangtze River, the renowned international metropolis of Shanghai is a bold and brash mix of East and West. It is home to some of the world’s tallest skyscrapers, historical shikumen houses blending the styles of Chinese houses with European design flair, and it has one of the richest collections of Art Deco buildings in the world. Must-see attractions include the Yuyuan Gardens, loaded with classical Chinese architecture; the many traditional Chinese tea houses serving a wide range of tea along with traditional delicacies; Shanghai Museum with its impressive ancient bronze exhibit; and even a Chinese take on Madame Tussauds which offers a fascinating mix of Chinese and western figures, from film stars to athletes and world leaders.
