Perched dramatically at the mouth of the Yangtze River, on the eastern coast of China, Shanghai is a vivid feast for the senses. Once a humble fishing village, Shanghai almost suddenly came to life in the late 1800’s after the First Opium War. Shanghai grew in leaps and bounds after that, eventually becoming the most prosperous city during the 1920’s in all of Eastern Asia. But it wasn’t all plain sailing from there and despite a few trials and tribulations, Shanghai has emerged to an even better victorious self.

Modern day Shanghai is now undisputedly at the front of the queue for many visitors to China, and if you stand still long enough, you will be left in the city’s wake. Modern architecture that will make science fiction movies look old and out of date, high fashion, cutting edge technology and the latest and greatest in everything, makes this evocative city a cut above all the rest. Developments are emerging left, right and center, the beating heart of the city centre never seems to rest, and yet, a few steps away from progressive modern infrastructure will bring you to round the corner to an ancient Buddhist monastery, street vendors selling freshly prepared dumplings on the sidewalks, and an array of incredible ancient Chinese gardens.

Deep in the heart of ancient Chinese history, Beijing has enjoyed its position as the capital city of China for more than 800 years. Dynamic, dramatic and mysterious, Beijing is also the gateway to the nation’s educational, cultural and political sectors, with many large Chinese companies having their headquarters here. Beijing is a fascinating contrast between the ancient and opulent, and the heavy hand of modern infrastructure is evident everywhere. Huge stone walls, ostentatious palaces and temples tell stories of ancient imperial grandeur that will truly take your breath away.

As one of the Four Great Ancient Capitals of China, Beijing is a massive city, and also one of the most populous in the world, with modern buildings and masses amounts of traffic all squashing in between imperial buildings and temples, as the people of Beijing go about their day to day life. Visitors have been traveling to the city for decades enthralled by impressive ancient relics, and the sensational landscapes of China’s capital city.

There are few cities that can claim a history as rich or ancient as that of Xian. The capital of China’s Shaanxi Province, Xian is located in north central China. Due to its incredible past, Xian is a treasure trove of historic wonders and more than 4,000 historical sites and tombs have been excavated. The Terracotta Warriors and Horses Museum is one of the major landmarks of Xian because it is the most magnificent archaeological discovery in this century. Another highlight is the Small Wild Goose Pagoda.

The Yangzi River is the longest river in Asia and the third longest in the world, at approximately 6,300 kilometres in length. With its numerous tributaries and feeders, the Yangzi provides a great transportation network through the heart of some of the most densely populated and economically important areas in China. Almost all of the boating traffic in China is on the Yangzi River as it winds through some of the most beautiful and exciting landforms in the world. Once it reaches the edge of the Tibetan plateau, the river plunges off the “roof of the world,” through huge gorges whose walls can reach as high as 3,000 feet. The Three Gorges are famous for their steepness, beautiful wonders and tourist sites.

Billed as ‘Asia’s world city’, Hong Kong is cosmopolitan with a glittering skyline, the world’s most elite fashion houses, Japanese-owned department stores, cricket and horse racing, a shimmering nightlife, European string quartets and high tea. Despite the cosmopolitan veneer and 150 years of British colonial rule, the city is, and always has been, Chinese. The locals live a life that many from the mainland would recognize: hard work, confined housing, teeming fresh market food stalls, a polytheistic religion, smoky temples, spirited festivals and ancestor worship. Hong Kong is the best place to experience how east meets west. Highlights of Hong Kong include Victoria Peak, Man Mo Temple and Lantau Island.

There is no setting in China that compares to Guilin’s – a region of rugged mountains, crystalline rivers and verdant forests. It was once part of a shallow inland sea rich in marine life, the calcified remains of which, over millions of years, created the foundations for the limestone deposits. Wind, rain and plate tectonic movements over tens of millions of years worked to create the magnificent setting which has been celebrated throughout China since ancient times. Highlights of Guilin include Li River, Reed Flute Cave, Tunnel Cave and Fuboshan Mountain.

Chengdu is the capital of southwestern China’s Sichuan province. The city is most famous for the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding, a conservation center where visitors can view endangered giant pandas in a natural habitat.

The city also has a relaxing teahouse culture, with a lively night-life and delicious spicy food and cuisine-rich culture. A favorite spot for locals and visitors is the “Wide and Narrow Alleys” in the Qingyang District, a hub of restaurants and street vendors selling Sichuan cuisine.

You will also find luxury accommodations, high-end boutiques, galleries and shopping centers popping up all over town! Especially, in the newly developed upscale Jinjiang District.

The Chinese climate varies from region to region withe vast country size.

In the northeast the summers are hot and dry and the winters are freezing cold. The north and central regions have frequent rain showers along with hot summers and cold winters.

Cities Average High & Low Temperatures:
Beijing 26°C (79°F) 15°C (59°F)
Xi’an 25°C (77°F) 16°C (61°F)
Shanghai 27°C (81°F) 21°C (70°F)
Hong Kong 30°C (86°F) 26°C (79°F)