 CHINA
Since Marco Polo’s epic journey the western world
has been intrigued and fascinated by this strange haunting
land far to the east, a land of mystery, charm and custom,
with a myriad of peoples whose history and culture extend
back over thousands of years. For much of the 20th century,
China was closed to all but the most intrepid of travellers
but the situation has now changed completely, and a
friendly and enthusiastic people welcome guests from
abroad, together with the new ideas and cultures they
bring. China has something for every taste, a bewildering
blend, with the bustle of the modern thriving economies
of Shanghai and Hong Kong contrasting with the ancient
cities, massive monuments and spectacular willow pattern
landscapes of the rural areas. One of the world’s
great travel destinations, a vast expanse of terrain
ranging from the snow capped mountains and wind swept
plateaux of the north, to the misty limestone peaks
of the Li River and the steep dramatic gorges of the
mighty Yangtze.
To sail through the famous Three Gorges
of the Yangtze River is to feel the power, majesty and
timelessness of China's greatest – and the world's
third longest river. Sheer cliffs of rock close in around
you, drawing you deeply into a scene of almost unspeakable
beauty. Fishermen brave the rushing waters to net their
livelihood, and birds dart between clouds, eyeing their
prey far below. The dynasties of China have bequeathed
much to the China of the 21st century, building on a
breathtaking scale, magnificent temples, palaces, Pagodas
and monuments such as the Great Wall. The most magnificent
man-made project on earth, the Great Wall of China was
built 2,500 years ago and stretches more than 6,000
km. It is the most spectacular fortification of ancient
China, and one of two structures astronauts could see
from the moon. You can only truly experience the vastness
of China and the essence of the Chinese spirit when
you stand on the Great Wall. China is the world’s
most populous country, having a quarter of the world’s
total inhabitants. It has numerous ethnic groups, whose
different historical and cultural backgrounds and locality
has developed a wide range of different tastes in food.
Some prefer sour food while others have a sweet tooth,
different dishes with local features flourished, evolving
into the so-called ‘four, eight and ten’
cuisine styles. In general the best time to visit China
is from April to November, but the weather varies considerably
between Beijing in the north, Tibet in the West, and
Hong Kong in the South. However, to visit the Great
Wall and the Forbidden City in the midst of winter when
there are fewer visitors only adds to the atmosphere
of these superb places.
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itineraries
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