Most tour members’ wish list of sights to see in China will include the Forbidden City and Summer Palace of Beijing, the Great Wall, the Terracotta Warriors of Xian and the high-rise, neon-lit cities of Shanghai or Hong Kong. These centres can easily be interconnected by the use of regular internal flights from a number of domestic airlines or increasingly new fast train services. With an outline tour plan based on a number of these ‘gateways’ there is a wide choice of possible itineraries within some of China’s most scenic areas.

The mist shrouded Karst mountains of Guilin in the southern region of Guangxi provide a unique backdrop to boat trips down the Li River to the colourful market town of Yangshuo. Here there are possibilities for walks or cycle rides into the beautiful countryside. The region also promotes one of the most exciting outdoor theatrical productions in Asia, with over 600 performers engaged in a light, sound and dance spectacular in the natural setting of the Li River and surrounding mountains.

In the south-western province of Yunnan, the ancient city of Lijiang offers one of the few remaining insights into a China of yesteryear, its buildings preserved under Unesco World Heritage status. The picturesque old town, resting in the foothills of the Himalayas, is a great place to stroll around, to watch the locals, often in traditional dress, going about their daily business or playing traditional music in one of the town squares. From Lijiang, a number of day trips to local ‘minority’ villages are possible and a drive to changing villages marks the commencement of a wonderful two-day walk through Tiger Leaping Gorge, where the mighty Yangtze River surges through one of the world’s deepest gorges. River cruises on the Yangtze, China’s largest river, remain a popular mode of travel and these can be incorporated into itineraries with Shanghai or Xian the natural starting or end points. For more off the beaten track adventures, a journey along the Silk Road from Xian to Dunhuang offers encounters with a variety of cultures and peoples and an amazing contrast of landscapes which can be travelled in sections by camel, horse or bicycle.

The best time to visit China is in the spring and autumn months when temperatures are generally between 19 and 25° Celsius. China’s hotel industry is booming and there is a wide choice of three to five star hotels. These tend to be of modern international high-rise style since there are few ‘character’ hotels available to the Western traveller. In most cities and towns there is plenty of choice of both western-style and Chinese food served in the same restaurant. Performances of music and theatre of many different kinds – dance, acrobatics, circus, puppet shows, shadow plays and martial arts can offer excellent evening entertainment for group members. And short taster sessions of Tai Chi, yoga, traditional Chinese medicine, Chinese painting, calligraphy or tea ceremonies can be part of your holiday programme.