China - The Facts

Area: 3,710,000 square miles (9,608,855sq km)
Capital: Beijing - the metropolitan area is the size of Belgium
Language: Mandarin is spoken in Beijing and is known as Putonghua
Currency: Renminbi (RMB). The basic unit is the Yuan, which is made up of 10 Jiao
Weather: This huge country has every sort of climate from tropical in the south to sub-arctic in the north. Summers in the south are hot and humid, with typhoons on the east coast. The north west has hot dry summers with freezing winters. Temperatures here can be over 40°C in summer and -40°C in winter.

China could take more than a lifetime to explore; for many visitors 2 weeks is more realistic. A popular route is between Beijing and Shanghai taking in the terracotta army at Xi'an and going up the Li River in Guilin with a diversion to cities such as Suzhou, Wuxi, and Chengde. But there's much, much more.

China - Attractions

Beijing

China's capital is famous for The Forbidden City, Tian'anmen Square, the Summer Palace the Temple of Heaven, tricycles and roast duck. Numerous parks provide respite from the crowds and museums are plentiful; a real gem is the Old Observatory built by Kublai Khan. Beijing's lanes and courtyards, the hutong and siheyuan provide an insight into the ordinary lives of people in the city.

The Badaling section of the Great Wall, 47 miles northwest of Beijing is one of the easiest bits of this 3375 mile structure to visit. This section has guard rails and a cable car. Chengde is where the emperors went to escape the summer heat; it's a mountain retreat with temples and parks.

Xi'an

Once the largest city in the world due to its position at the end of the ancient Silk Road, Xi'an is now famous for its 6,000 life-sized terracotta soldiers warriors and horses. Other sights worth seeing are the Big and Little Wild Goose Pagodas, the City Wall and the Great Mosque.

Shanghai

This vibrant city with 13 million inhabitants is a mixture of old and new, rich and poor. It's known as both the Paris of the East and the Whore of the Orient. Its many attractions include the Bund, the Jade Buddha Temple, Yuyuan Garden, the Children's Palace, Shanghai Museum, the Jade Factory, and Xiaotaoyuan Mosque.

Hangzhou

Described as 'Paradise on Earth', Hangzhou, 120 miles south of Shanghai, is a busy tourist attraction. The prettiest area is West Lake with its weeping willows, peach trees, stone bridges and painted pavilions.

Wuxi

Encircled by Yangtse River, Wuxi is a good starting point for boat trips. West of the town is Huangshan Mountain, a World Heritage site famous for rocky precipices springs and lakes. There's a cable car to the top.

Hohhot

This is the capital of Inner Mongolia and the place to go for something completely different. The steppe outside Hohhot is how you imagine Inner Mongolia, a place of vast grasslands where visitors can stay in traditional yurts and experience traditional culture, including horse riding, archery and wrestling.

Fuzhou

On the banks of the Min River in Fujian Province this is a place of parks, temples and hot springs. It also has a famous lacquer-ware factory. Nearby Drum Mountain has 2,500 steps to the summit as well as excellent caves, forested walking trails and the ancient Buddhist Yongquan Temple.

Suzhou

This is one of China's oldest cities, with riverside streets and famous water gardens. The city has over 400 historical sites including the Humble Administrator's Garden and the Linger-Here Garden. There are lots of silk mills and the local embroidery is exquisite.

Shenzen

On the border with Hong Kong, the town is famous for having China's first McDonald's. The World of Splendid China, theme park has the best bits of the country in miniature with replicas of traditional buildings, authentic food and folk dancing.

Kunming

Known as the 'City of Eternal Spring' it's home to Xi Shan, the holy mountain, and the petrified limestone forest of Shilin. Lijiang, 75 miles away is famous for the wooden houses of the Naxi, whose traditional religion includes witchcraft.

Tibet

This region has only been open to tourists since 1980. Individual visitors still need permits, so it can be easier to go as part of a tour group. 'The Roof of the World,' has spectacular scenery and a unique culture. Lhasa is at 12,000 feet, an altitude which can makes some visitors feel ill. Big attractions are the Potala Palace, Drepung Monastery and Jokhang Temple.

China - Activities

China is home to the world's most challenging mountain peaks, whitewater rivers, isolated steppe, picturesque valleys and complex system of permits. Red tape stops many would-be adventurers.

Hiking

One of the least complicated activities, though some of the famous mountains are quite commercialised. Many sections of the Great Wall provide good walking. Shandong Province's Mount Tai Shan has the Ladder to Heaven as the 6,660 steps to the top are known, which have been climbed by Confucius, Mao and millions of others. It's said that you'll live to a hundred if you make it to the top. For serious, experienced climbers, an eight-day trek from Dingri on the Tibet-Nepal Friendship Highway leads to the Mt. Everest base camp at the foot of the Rongbuk Glacier.
Panda watching
The Wolong Nature Reserve in northern Sichuan Province is the last place where giant pandas roam freely among rhododendrons, birch, maple and of course, bamboo.

Caving

Zhijin, China's largest cave is a four-hour drive northwest of Guiyang. There are six miles of stalagmites and stalactites, with chambers over 500 feet high. Take your own torch - the cave is lit but it's rumoured attendants turn off the lights to save electricity.

Horse riding

Popular guided treks are available in Songpan in Sichuan and Hailuo Gou glacier park. Horses can be hired in many places.

Cycling

Bikes are everywhere in China and generally easy to hire. If you're planning to travel long distances between towns, you need to check the position on going through areas closed to tourists. Many travel companies arrange organised bike tours.

T'ai chi

Anyone can join in the early morning t'ai chi sessions that take place in most town parks.

China - Entertainment

Western style nightlife is a new concept in many parts of China, but places such as Beijing and Shanghai have the sort of options you would expect in any large city. Beijing has numerous English style pubs, including the Old Poachers Inn and Pig & Whistle. Live bands perform Chinese pop songs nightly at the May Flower Bar on Chang'an Boulevard; the CD Café on East Third Ring Road has live Chinese jazz; the Sanwei Bookstore offers Chinese folk music.

Shanghai's western-style bars are open 24 hours and include a few gay and lesbian venues. There's even an Irish pub - O’Malley’s. The Huaihai Lu area and around Fudan University and Hengshan Lu are popular. Famous venues include the Cotton Club, George V, Goya, Park 97 and the Peace Hotel Jazz Bar.

The biggest event which takes place all over the country is the Spring Festival or Chinese New Year. This is two weeks of celebrations and street parades, usually in late January or early February. It's colourful, exciting and extremely busy. The end of the festivities is marked by the pretty Lantern Festival.

Guanyin, the Goddess of Mercy's Birthday is celebrated in March/April and is a good time to visit Taoist temples.

The Water Splashing Festival in Yunnan Province in April washes away demons and sorrows, leaving bystanders soaked. Celebrations around Xishuangbanna are a three-day spectacular ending with a firework display.
Dragon-boat Festivals are held in June.

Yue Lan, the Hungry Ghosts festival, falls in August/September and is seen as an unlucky time to travel or do anything momentous.

The Moon Festival is celebrated in September/October with fireworks and lanterns.

The birthday of Confucius in September is a good time to visit Qufu, in Shandong for its elaborate temple ceremonies.