Home to some of the world's greatest historic testaments to human endeavour, including the Great Wall of China and the Terracotta Warriors, China is making history once again. To add to its ancient attractions, it is creating futuristic cityscapes in great cities such as Shanghai. The past and the future sit together in fascinating relief, while elsewhere you'll find the eternal treasures of the country's beautiful rivers and mountains.
In a nutshell
Other great wonders in China include Beijing's Forbidden City and the amazing Shanghai Museum, home to art and ceramics dating back thousands of years. When you've filled up on culture, you can feast upon the incredibly varied food, from spicy Sichuan to southern stir-fries. In the cities you'll find modern bars and nightclubs, while out in villages such as Zhouzhuang, famous for its canals, life hasn't changed much in 100 years. Cruising the River Li in Guilin, you'll feel total peace. A couple of days later, you could be shopping for Britain in Shanghai's copious Western-style shopping complexes, where the bargains come thick and fast. Dine with Beijing's young professionals in its smart restaurants, or try backstreet noodle bars where you can eat with the workers for next to nothing. In mountainous Tibet, experience the top-of-the-world views and feel the spirituality as you explore its ancient temples and holy sites.
Getting there
Flight Details - Virgin Atlantic flights to Shanghai depart daily from London Heathrow. Air China flights to Beijing depart daily from London Heathrow.
Flying Time - Approx 10 hours 10 min to Beijing. Approx 11 hours 15 min to Shanghai.
Flight Upgrades - Virgin Atlantic Premium Economy available from £325 supplement per person each way. Virgin Atlantic Upper Class available from £995 supplement per person each way. Air China Business Class available from £725 supplement per person each way.
Time Difference - GMT +8 hours
Currency - Chinese Yuan (CNY)
Visa Requirements - British citizens require a visa for travel. For further details, please refer to the Chinese Embassy website at www.chinese-embassy.org.uk or telephone 0207 631 1430 (2.00pm-4.00pm).
Language - The official language is Mandarin. English is not widely spoken.
Additional info
Historical Man-Made Wonders
The Great Wall of China needs no introduction, but it's just one of the country's many spectacular man-made attractions. In Xian, the tomb of the Terracotta Warriors, discovered by chance in the '70s, is amazing: there are over 8,000, each with a different face. The sheer size of Beijing's Tiananmen Square has to be seen to be believed, and from there you can visit the beautiful Forbidden City.
Natural Wonders
China is an enormous country, and its landscapes come on a big, impressive scale. On the mighty Li River, you can cruise down the gentle waters, past soaring peaks revered by the Chinese as spiritual places. There are mysterious caves to discover and beautiful mountain waterfalls that will remind you of traditional Chinese artworks. In the mountains of Tibet, it's like being on the rooftop of the world.
Old Meets New
When we think of China, we may think of historic tombs and palaces, but there is another China rapidly developing into a thrusting 21st-century power, and nowhere is this more visible than in Shanghai. Have your camera ready to snap the futuristic, space-age buildings of the new commercial district, Pudong. Yet just around the corner, you'll find streets of quaint old houses.
Arts and Culture
The tradition of ceramic-making dates back thousands of years in China, and there is a fabulous collection in the excellent Shanghai Museum. In Beijing, view some of the enormous collection in the Art Museum. Learn the famous sayings of the great thinker, Confucius, and enjoy China's festivals such as the Lantern Festival in late winter, when the towns and villages are illuminated by thousands of paper lanterns.
Chinese Food
There are as many cuisines in China as there are regions, though there are 3 main styles. Sichuan is famous for its hot and spicy dishes, using chillies. Northern-style dishes utilise steamed bread and pancakes instead of rice, and pickled vegetables for the cold winters. Southern cooking involves classic, light stir-fry dishes made from a vast array of ingredients. Get practising with those chopsticks!
Shopping
You'll find some exotic and unusual things to bring home as souvenirs, including ceramics, paintings, stone rubbings, embroideries, jade carvings and batiks. In cities, look out for 'friendship stores' designed for tourists. Elsewhere, beware of counterfeit goods - shop accompanied by a guide, or stick to the larger department stores. In Beijing and Shanghai, you'll find an incredible variety of contemporary malls.
Weather and climate
