Top 5

Top 5 - China

China is one of the most fascinating destinations in Asia with a history that dates back thousands of years. It is still relatively new to tourism but has some of the world’s most well-known attractions such as the Great Wall of China, the Terracotta Warriors in Xian and the Forbidden City in Beijing.

The ancient China carries on as it has done for centuries in the rural towns and villages, where buffalo still plough the fields and the simple life prevails. At the other end of the scale the cities of Beijing, Shanghai and Hong Kong are cutting edge ‘cyber cities’ with soaring skyscrapers, modern shops and a hip social scene.

This huge country has great climatic diversity as well as cultural. Most people will want to visit the main cities and attractions, but outside of these places China offers endless tourism options from visiting the Three Gorges Dam and a cruise down the Yangtze River to exploring the Yunnan Province, a remote and ethnically diverse region.

Top 5 places to Visit

Hong Kong is without doubt one of the most exciting and vibrant cities in the world. It is a city that reflects a diverse meeting of cultures with ancient traditions and modern day life. Visitors can enjoy highlights such as shopping, either inside one of the modern malls or searching for bargains at Stanley Market. Take the Star Ferry between Kowloon and Hong Kong Island and tram ride to Victoria Peak.

The food in Hong Kong is fantastic and it’s a great experience to have dinner on one of the floating restaurants, or if you are adventurous try some of the local specialities in the night markets. You can take a day trip to the city of Macau and have a flutter in the casinos or add a few days extension into mainland China to really get the most of your visit.

Cosmopolitan Shanghai is a modern commercial centre that mixes the old and new and is the ‘hotspot’ of modern China. Wander through the narrow alley ways in the centre of the city and get lost in a China of yester year. Stroll down the ‘Bund’ along the busy Huangpu River and admire the colonial architecture or walk around the foreign concessions to experience the influence of various cultures on the city.

Shanghai is also the cultural and fashion centre of China and its museums such as the Shanghai Museum are first class and its boutiques fashionable and edgy.

Head across the river to Pudong for all things modern including the Xujiahui Tower and Shanghai World Financial Center, plus many luxury hotels.

Beijing has been China’s capital for 3,000 years and is home to many of China’s top attractions including the Forbidden City, Tiananmen Square, the Temple of Heaven, Chairman Mao’s Mausoleum and the Summer Palace. It’s also an easy place to do a day trip to the Great Wall of China.

It is well worth taking a tuk tuk ride through these narrow streets for a glimpse of old Beijing. The city also offers many excellent shopping options including modern malls and a variety of markets including the ‘Pearl Market’ where you can buy electrical goods and of course pearls!

Hainan Dao is the tropical island province near the southern coast of China. With similar weather to Hawaii and expansive golden beaches in the south, the balmy winds and relaxing palm trees create glamorous conditions and instils an aura of tranquillity all year round. Thirty nine minority groups live in the centrally forested zone on Hainan Island, where 80% of the island’s economy relies on tourism. Haikou, the capital, is a port city on the northern coastline. Other major cities on Hainan include Sanya, Wenchang and Ledong.

Climate

The sheer size of China ensures that its climate is extremely diverse, ranging from tropical in the south to sub arctic in the north. Winter in the north, between December and March, is very cold and dry, with temperatures in Beijing dropping as low as -20°C.The summer months, May to August, bring rains and soaring temperatures. In Central China, the Yangtze River valley experiences long, humid and hot summers between April and October, while in winter temperatures drop below freezing. In south China, around Guangzhou, summer brings typhoons and high temperatures between July and September and winters are short and chilly.