The North
  Northern China is the historical heartland of the nation. Chinese civilization was first born in the lower reaches of the Yellow River and blossomed along its valley. China as a country was first united by the northern state of Qin, whose ruler built the formidable walled city of Xi’an as its capital. Other dynastic capitals like Luoyang, Kaifeng, and Beijing itself to present day, further endow the north with the heritage.
Beijing
Beijing, the capital of the modern-day China, was first built in 1045 B.C. and for 800 years served as the capitals of the Liao, Jin, Yuan, Ming, and Qing dynasties. As a tourist destination, it boasts many places of interest such as the Great Wall, the Forbidden City, Ming Tombs, the summer Palace, Tiananmen Square, and the Temple of Heaven.

Xian
Known as Chang’an in ancient China, from 11th century B.C. Xian was the capitals of 13 dynasties for 1,062 years. There are a great number of precious relics and historical sites in and around Xian as the Terra-cotta Warriors, the Wild Goose Pagoda and Banpo Neolithic Village. It also the starting point of the ancient Silk Road.

Luoyang
Located at the southern bank of the Yellow River along the mid-lower reaches, is one of the seven ancient capitals of China. More than 70 rulers or 9 dynasties had their capitals here. The most famous tourist attractions are the Longmen Grottoes and the White Horse Temple. The nearby Shaolin Temple is the home for the martial arts or Gongfu.

Kaifeng
Along the lower reaches of the Yellow River, the charming and once prosperous and cosmopolitan city of Kaifeng was the historical centre of culture and commerce. It also served as China’s capitals to 7 dynasties. Within the walled city, the sites of historical interests include Xiangguo Monastery, Iron Pagoda, and Dragon Pavilion.

Pingyao
In the central Shanxi province southwest of Beijing, Pingyao is a beautifully preserved town of ancient streets and buildings surrounded by completely intact Ming Dynasty’s wall. It was also the birthplace of modern-day Chinese banking system.

Datong
Datong, once the capital under Northern Wei (A.D. 386-494) before Luoyang took its place, sits at the southern side of the Great Wall with Inner Mongolia’s wide sweeping plains sprawling just to the north. The historical northern frontier city is famous for its Yungang Grottoes and Hanging Monastery.

Huhhot
The capital of steppe-covered Inner Mongolia, was a historical trading post, fist built in 1572. The town survived as a mixture of different cultures and religions. Blended with Mongolian and Tibetan flavours, traditional Buddhist temples are thriving together with Islamic Mosques and Christian Churches. The places of interest include the White Pagoda, Da Zhao Monastery, Five Pagoda Temple and Zhaojun Tomb.





The Northwest
  China’s arid northwest is a tamer world today, but it remains a wild place of hostile desert. The green oasis towns, tranquil lakes, snow-capped mountains, Buddhist caves, and remnants of ancient cities add allure to this wilderness. The region lies along the ancient Silk Road which brought riches to several pre-Islamic, Buddhist civilizations to it.
Dunhuang
The oasis town is strategically located at the western end of Gansu province, a principal post along the ancient Silk Road. The town marked a confluence of many cultures and ethnic influence from Europe and central Asia and was an important centre for Buddhist arts, among them the most famous are the Mogao Grottoes. While just outside the town, the Crescent Moon Spring and Singing Sand Dunes offer breathtaking wonder in the desert.

Turpan
Turpan was a luxuriant staging post on the northern arm of the Silk Road. It’s China’s lowest spot below sea level, baking hot in summer and blistering cold in winter. The town survives on irrigated snowmelt water from the Tianshan Mountains, which itself is truly a scientific wonder engineering about 2,000 years ago. Other historical attractions include the ruins of Jiaohe and Gaochang cities, the Bezeklik Thousand-Buddha Caves, and the Astana Ancient Tombs.

Urumqi
The capital of China’s vast Xinjing province, located on the northern foot of the Tianshan Mountains. It was an essential staging post for the Silk Road trade. Urumqi is famous for its beautiful surrounding landscapes and colourful ethnic mixture among its residents. The nearby Heaven’s Lake offers unexpected Alpine treat in this oven territory.

Kashgar
The farthest west of China’s towns, sits in the junction of the south and north routes of the Silk Road. It’s essentially a central Asian town with an overwhelmingly Uighur Muslim population, filled with silk markets, exotic bazaars, camel traders, and Islamic aromas. Historical sites of interest include ID Kah Mosque, Abakh Hoja Tomb and the Tomb of Mahmud Kashgari.





The Yangtze Valley
  The mighty Yangtze River originates from the Tibetan Plateau, cleaves China into North and South. It flows from west to east, pumping through Chongqing, cutting Wuhan in two, then straddled by Nanjing’s great bridge, and finally emptying into the East China Sea just north of Shanghai. The fertile land in the valley nourished by the River for thousands of years is the centre of Chinese civilization.
Chongqing
Chongqing is the port city on the upper reaches of the Yangtze River. It is one of the four metropolis under the direct jurisdiction of the central government. Traditionally it’s the point of arrival or departure along the Yangtze or for Three Gorges cruise.

Three Gorges
The Three Gorges refer to the Qutang Gorge, the Wu Gorge and the Xiling Gorge, starting at Baidicheng (White Emperor Town) of Chongqing in the west and ending at Nanjinguan of Hubei province in the east. The Three Gorges are altogether 193 kilometres (120 miles) long, separated by Daninghe, Ziangxi and Miaonan broad valleys. Cruise through the Three Gorges offers dramatic experience, stunning views and numerous historical and cultural relics along the route.

Wuhan
A city of three towns Wuchang, Hankou, and Hanyang, cluster around the Yangtze at its middle-lower reaches. It’s the political and economic centre of the region as well as the staging post for sailing on the Yangtze either downstream to Shanghai or upstream through the Three Gorges to Chongqing.

Nanjing
Nanjing lies at the southern bank of the Yangtze River at its lower reaches, surrounded by mountains and rivers with a humid climate. It frequently served as the capital of the regional empires and twice as the capital of modern China. Nanjing possesses a sense of endurance and many places of interest such as the Ming City Walls, the Ming tomb, Confucius Temple, and Dr. Sun Yat-Sen’s Mausoleum.

Shanghai
The great international metropolis lies at the southern bank of the Yangtze mouth. It’s the centre of China’s commerce and finance. It has a long enduring and often glorious history. It’s where the west discovered China and where China first met the west. The city’s colourful pop culture, together with the many European architectures built around the late 19th century, and the recent development, make it a truly exciting and nostalgic place to visit. Strolling along the Bund would certainly give you the feeling of the location’s history and unique character.


Hangzhou
Located in the south of Shanghai and at the southern end of the Grand Canal, Hangzhou remains one of China’s premium tourist destination famous for its silk and idealised West Lake. It was once the capital of the Southern Song dynasty in the 13th century.





Sichuan and Tibet

 

  The Tibetan Plateau, being regarded as the roof of the world, remains an enthralling land of mountains, monasteries, and monks with one of the most extraordinary cultures in the world. To the east, geographically and culturally it is fused to China’s Sichuan province at their mountainous seam. Here the travellers will experience the confluence of two very unique and distinctive cultures and appreciate the spiritual way of life.
Chengdu
The capital city of Sichuan province is famous for its fine temple architecture and teahouse atmosphere. It’s also the gateway to Tibet. The important attractions in and around the city include the Taoist shrine Qingchengshan and the massive 2,250-year old Dujingyan water conservancy project.

Wolong
The Panda Nature Reserve was established in 1963 in the mountains north of Chengdu. The reserve is to protect the panda’s natural habitat therefore to ensure it’s survival in the wild for the long term, as well as carry out research and breeding programmes.

Leshan
Located in the south of Chengdu and presiding over the confluence of two rivers, Leshan is the byword of its famous Buddha statue, the tallest and biggest in China. The 1,200-year old Buddha was carved from the rock face to tame the turbulent waters below.

Mount Emei
Located in the south of Chengdu, Mount Emei is one of the four sacred Buddhist Mountains of China. Today among the climbers, pilgrims as well as travellers enjoy the spectacular landscape and the Buddhist temples and monasteries on the way.

Lhasa
The holy capital of Tibet, with an elevation of over 13,000 feet, has a history of more than 1,300 years, unique and mysterious. It’s the centre of Tibetan Buddhism and the seat of the Dalai Lama. The city is dominated by the huge walled castle of Potala Palace over the hill, and it boasts many historical and cultural attractions as Jokhang Temple, Barkhor Street, Norbu Lingka Palace, Drepung Monastery, Sera Monastery, and Romoche Temple.

Shigatse
Located in the southwest of Lhasa with an even higher elevation, Shigatse is the second largest city in Tibet. It was historically an important Monastic centre. Its Tashilhunpo Monastery is the seat of the Panchen Lama, the second highest Tibetan spiritual leader.

Gyantse
Nearby and with easy access to Shigatse is Gyantse, the old authentic Tibetan town. It has many marvellous and well-preserved historical sites such as Pecho Monastery and the octagonal Kunbum Stupa.





Guilin & Hong Kong
  Hong Kong - Experience the distinctive blend of East and West in this dynamic city. Feel the rush as you indulge in shopping. Savour culinary delicacies. Open your senses to Hong Kong's amazing skyline, bustling harbour and peaceful countryside. Come discover the diversity and sophistication that is Hong Kong.
Guilin - Guilin named after the fragrance of osmanthus, built in Qin Dynasty over 2,000 years ago, prospering in Tang and Song, flourishing in Ming and Qing, is a world famous tourist city for its picturesque scenery, as well as a well-known cultural and historic city.
Guilin
Located in the southwest China’s Guangxi province, Guilin is renowned for its natural beauty. The idealistic scenery of bamboo grooves, sleepy villages and karst peaks of limestone formations with windy Li River through them, for centuries inspired many Chinese poets and painters alike. The most rewarding way to enjoy the scenery is to take a Li River cruise. Other sceneries in the area include Reed Flute Cave, Elephant Trunk Hill and the nearby town Yangshuo.

Hong Kong
Hong Kong, a territory of overgrown islands, temples, hills, beaches, and parks, was under the British rule for over one and half centuries. It becomes a Special Administrative Region (SAR) of China since 1997. The city is predominantly Chinese blended with British and European flavours. The Territory’s mixed culture and unique history makes it a very rewarding destination for the travellers.





Mongolia
  A land-locked country in northern Asia, borders with Russia in the north and China in the south. Famous for its endless rolling steppes and beautiful postcard blue sky, this sparsely populated country was once the centre of an empire stretched from the Danube to the Yellow River in the 13th century. The current Mongolia Republic was founded in 1921. Mongolia enjoys an average of 250 sunny days a year with long and pleasant warm days in the summer.
Ulan Bator (Ulaanbaatar)
The capital of Mongolia sets at the foothills of the Bogd Mountain by side of the Tuul River with an elevation of 4,400 feet. Ulan Bator was first established in 1639 as a nomadic encampment. It was shifted from place to place, and finally settled in its present location in 1778. It’s now also an important stopover along the Trans-Siberian Railway connecting Beijing and Moscow. Travellers to the area will enjoy the charming scenery of grassland, mountains, rivers and forest, as well as the many historical Mongolian temples and the nomadic hospitality.





Nepal
  The Himalaya Kingdom stretches from east to west in a rectangular shape with Tibet in the north and India on the other three sides. Geographically the country is divided lengthwise into three strips. The northernmost in the Himalaya where the Mount Everest rises up, the southern strip is an extension of the Gangetic plain of northern India, a jungle with elephants, rhinoceroses and tigers. Between the two lies the interface region of mountains, hills and valleys. Nepalese are predominantly Hindus leading a unique and devout religious way of life.
Kathmandu
The Royal capital is an exotic place with array of Pagodas dedicated to every deity in the Hindu pantheon and many delightful Buddhist sculptures. There are numerous historical and cultural sites in and around the city, such as Swayambu Nath, Patan, Pashupati Nath, Bouddha Nath, and Bhadgaon.