China

To check availability and view all China holidays, please use the Holiday Search. Alternatively, for a tour or multi-centre quotation, please call us on 0871 664 1100 .

All resorts in China

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Beijing Sanya Shanghai Xian

About China

Nothing can prepare you for a holiday touring China and the Far East. As if set in two separate worlds, one half lies in an Ancient Kingdom, with a Forbidden City and the Great Wall of China, which once guarded dynasties of emperors and the people they reigned. On the flip side of the coin is the other half, pushing forward at an electrifying pace, moulding mighty metropolises and the world class hotels in Beijing alongside a colonial, Maoist past.

Our Travellers Guide

Local tastes
Chinese cuisine is as much a feast for the eyes as it is for the senses, with delicately moulded dumplings and brilliant red roasted Peking duck. World's away from the top-notch restaurants, which have sprung up in China's booming cities, are huddled food stalls scattered along the sprawling streets - don't be surprised to see octopus tentacles, scorpions and seahorses grilled on sticks, regarded by the Chinese as a tasty snack!

Evening flavour
A bewildering mix of old and new, choose from the glitzy bars of Beijing's world-class hotels, dine at elegant restaurants tucked away in the leafy quarters of Shanghai’s French Concession district, or capture a slice of Chinese culture in the ornate theatres, showcasing Chinese Opera and acrobatic performances.

Best buys
When China opened its doors to the world a consumer boom began. Street markets are flooded with replica designer goods, Chairman Mao memorabilia and imitation antiques, all at great bargain prices, although not always the best quality. Goods more authentic to China include raw silk, authentic stationary and Chinese ink paintings.

Live the Experience
No tour of China would be complete without visiting the imperial city of Beijing, home to the magnificent Forbidden City and thought-provoking Tiananmen Square. See thousands of Chinese terracotta warriors, so still and life-like, in the tomb of Emperor Qin in Xian. The only way to experience the scale and beauty of the Yangtze River is on a cruise, as you snake through wild, open landscapes and primitive waterside villages of China.

When to go: Anytime, though the spring and autumn months are ideal for travelling, with little rainfall and a pleasant climate. In winter, the temperature can drop dramatically, especially in Beijng and Xian.
GMT: + 8 hrs
Language: Mandarin Chinese.
Currency: Yuan
Dates for the diary:Chinese New Year kicks off in January or February to the crackle of firecrackers and the beat of the lions dance. Just as vivid is the Lantern Festival of late February, where the streets are washed with the glow of swinging lanterns.

For a tailor-made quotation, please call us on 0871 664 1100.