China is a vast and hugely diverse country and is one of the most exciting travel destinations in the world today. 

 

From the vibrant port of Shanghai, the ancient water towns, enigmatic Beijing, the Great Wall and the Forbidden City, the mysteries of the Terracotta warriors in Xi’an, the austere landscapes of Tibet and the lush south-west of China with its bizarre scenery of craggy karst mountains, tropical evergreen hills and spectacular Longjii tea terraces, there is such a wealth of rich history and culture in this ancient and mysterious land that it’s hard to decide what to see and do.

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To be quite honest, unless you have plenty of time, it’s best not to try and do too much on your first trip, especially if you see the possibility of a more in-depth visit to explore the country in the future. And from personal experience, once you've been to China, you will want to go back again for more! 

 

Ideally, go with a small group of like-minded travellers so you can be flexible, pace yourself, absorb the ambience and take the time to really get a feeling for China. Big group tours can be exhausting - with a hectic itinerary, many shopping stops, and little time for personal exploration and getting off the beaten track.