China
The Country Guide
What China is known for
China is history, scale, and modern ambition. Five thousand years of civilization, the Great Wall and the Terracotta Warriors, set against cities that feel like the future. Some of the world’s best new hotels, a deep culinary tradition, and landscapes from misty karst mountains to megacity skylines.
The regions
Beijing, the capital, holds the Forbidden City and the Great Wall. Shanghai is the dazzling modern heart, the Bund and Pudong. Guangzhou and the south are the commercial engine. Beyond them lie Xi’an’s ancient history, Hangzhou’s West Lake, and Chengdu’s pandas.
Sport, adventure & the outdoors
Hiking wild sections of the Great Wall, cycling the ancient city walls of Xi’an, cruising the Li River karsts of Guilin, and skiing near Beijing. The scenery, from Zhangjiajie’s stone pillars to the Tibetan plateau, is world-class.
Wellness & recovery
A tradition of wellness that predates the word itself, from tai chi and traditional Chinese medicine to serene tea houses and a new wave of luxury spa resorts like Amanyangyun.
When to go
Spring (April to May) and autumn (September to October) are ideal, mild and clear. Summer is hot and humid; winter is cold in the north but great for festivals. We time the trip to the regions.
Good to know
Currency. The Chinese yuan, about 7.2 to one US dollar. Visa. Most travelers need a visa, though many cities offer visa-free transit; we advise and arrange. Health. No vaccinations required for most itineraries. Good to know. A VPN helps for familiar apps; we brief you and arrange English-speaking guides and private transfers throughout.