One of the world’s oldest continuous civilisations, China is a timeless treasure trove of history. But the Great Wall, the Forbidden City, the Terracotta Warriors, and endless medieval villages tell only one side of the story. China today offers an equally fascinating modernity, from the bright lights of Shanghai to the ultra-modern high-speed rail network that now crosses the country.
New Zealand travel company World Journeys has been tailoring itineraries in China for 18 years now, and have seen all of these changes, which also include a proliferation of 5-star hotels and excellent English-speaking guides.
Amongst the many highlights, they urge allowing enough time in each place. Beijing, with its history tracing back 70,000 years, offers Tiananmen Square and the Forbidden City, along with day trips to the Great Wall of China. In Xi’an the incredible armies of Terracotta Warriors will impress but also take time to walk the ancient city walls and sample the city’s signature noodle dishes.
History aside, the towering karst peaks of Guilin, the gardens and canals of Suzhou, and the misty atmosphere and deep valleys of the Yangtze River are just a few of the many scenic highlights.
Further off the beaten track are the ancient towns of the Silk Road, such as Kashgar and Turpan, once important trading hubs for textiles, aromatic spices and importantly – ideas.
Wherever you choose to explore in China, contact World Journeys or your travel agent for inspiration.
www.worldjourneys.co.nz
