China

China has a long and turbulent history but in recent years it has transformed into one of the world’s fastest developing countries, even more so since Beijing hosted the 2008 Olympics. No place on earth can offer quite so much adventure, history and diversity in one country alone: it is home to no less than 37 UNESCO World Heritage sites, including the iconic Great Wall.

Being so vast, it’s hard to know where to start your journey. Most travellers will fly into either Beijing, Shanghai or Hong Kong. The latter is probably your best option, as the visas issued there are cheaper and last longer, flights to Hong Kong tend to be slightly better value and it’s closest to many of the big attractions. If you really want to start your China adventure in style, it’s also possible to arrive by boat from Japan, South Korea and Vietnam. It is recommended you take at least two months to explore China, as travelling from A to B can be quite exhausting.

There are is an extensive network of long-distance buses, and these are your best option for getting around the country. Road conditions are rapidly improving and bus journeys are getting quicker, often quicker (and cheaper) than rail travel. It is also much easier to secure bus tickets than train tickets and some routes do stop in smaller towns and villages. Trains remain a good option, however, particularly if you’re travelling from one major city to another.

The country’s size also means it is subject to huge climatic variations, covering the spectrum from freezing cold (often as low as –40 degrees in Mongolia) to searing heat. The climatic regions are grouped as north and northeast, northwest, central, south and Tibet. To avoid the extremes, the best times to visit are either autumn (September to November) or spring (March to May).

In spite of the rapid development, China remains a relatively cheap country to visit. Budget for spending at least 20 US dollars a day if you want to stay in a private room, slightly less if you’re in a dorm.

China’s capital, Beijing, is a little like walking through a living museum. At its heart lies the Forbidden City, the former residence of the Ming and Qing emperors. Here you can visit The Imperial Palace, which is arguably China’s greatest surviving historical site. Dating back to the 15th century, this incredible collection of palaces, halls and gardens now house an impressive array of antiques and relics from various dynasties. Other areas of interest in the city (to name but a few) include Tiananmen Square, Temple of Heaven, the elevated park of Coal Hill where you can enjoy breathtaking views; Beihai Park, the Summer Palace and of course, the Great Wall.

The Great Wall was built up gradually over the course of 2000 years. This spectacular sight is believed to be the only man-made structure visible from the moon. It stretches over 5400km from the Shanhaiguan Pass in the east to the Jiayuguan Pass in the west.

Other highlights include Xi’An and the awesome ‘Terracotta Army’ – more than 6,000 life-sized figures and horses, which have been entombed alongside Emperor Qin Shi Huang Di (the emperor who first united China under the Qin Dynasty in 200 BC). If it’s scenery, a fascinating culture and some incredible trekking you’re after, then you must head to Tibet. At the foot of the Tibetan plateau lies the distinctive Sichuan Province and Chengdu with its Tang Dynasty shrines, bamboo forests, ancient parks, impressive Buddhist temples and an ancient Buddhist monastery. These are only a few of the attractions of this incredible country which needs a minimum of two months’ exploration to fully appreciate its wonders.