China Holidays
More than just a country, China is a world within itself which has grown up alone and detached. Until the late 19th century, few foreigners had penetrated beyond the capital cities and, while nations and languages have flowered and withered, China has spent the last two thousand years evolving in isolation.
Apart from the legendary sites such as the Great Wall and the Forbidden City in Beijing and the Terracotta Warriors at Xian, there are many other options open to the intrepid traveller.
Explore Yunnan Province with its multitude of flowers and Buddhist religion which, unlike in Tibet, has been allowed to grow and flourish. Alternatively cruise the Yangtse, in one of the new ships and glimpse the gorges. For the more adventurous, there is always the opportunity of following the ancient Silk Road West. Skirting the formidable Taklamakan Desert to explore the ancient Buddhist caves at Dunhuang and ending at the Sunday market in Kashgar. If time allows, a further option would be to continue across the Tien Shan Mountains into Central Asia or turn south and cross the Karakorum into Pakistan.
China is a cultural masterpiece that has fascinated travellers for generations, a vast country of contrasting scenery, endemic wildlife species and captivating people.
Journey Ideas for China