Welcome to China.

To the outside world, China 中国 is commonly perceived through a very narrow lens. The reality is that little can capture the diversity, beauty and culture of China 中国 more than an adventure in the country itself. Nothing beats the contrast between busy metropolises and untouched local villages, tropical islands and towering pillar mountains, or manmade ice villages and rolling rice terraces. For travellers seeking a destination of pure adventure, consider a place which spans five different time zones and borders fourteen other regions. Envision a land mass of almost four million square miles and one which is comparable to the size of Europe. Of all the countries in the world, China possesses the greatest temperature difference between its north and south borders and shares the largest altitude difference. Amassing 1.4 billion citizens, there are opportunities to meet people from all walks of life and become immersed in the culture. Simply put, China offers a uniqueness rarely found in other countries.

China

*“We travel, some of us forever, to seek other places, other lives, other souls.”* – Anais Nin

Destinations.

Destinations. Aside from the familiar tier one cities of Shanghai 上海 and Beijing 北京, China 中国 offers far more than is commonly known. With vast landscapes, extreme climates and physical variation, its topography is unique and destinations differ depending on location. Ranging from the tropical coastlines in Hainan 海南 to the northwestern Gobi Desert 戈壁 to natural grassland in Inner Mongolia 内蒙古, the country offers breathtaking diversity. You can find jungles, deserts, grassland, mountains, beaches, oceans, rainforests, basins, plains, plateaus and rivers. Among these landscapes are some famous monuments such as Zhangjiajie National Forest Park 张家界国家森林公园 (famed through the award-winning movie Avatar), The Great Wall of China 中国的长城, Chengdu Panda Base 成都熊猫基地 and The Terracotta Army 兵马俑. Due to the sheer difficulty of reaching some terrain, only an estimated 43% of China is habitable and these areas are home to 94% of the population. The hardest-to-access landscapes include rugged mountains, scorching deserts, vulnerable flood plains and dense forests. However, populated rural areas can still be easily accessed by travellers seeking adventure. Consider visiting Tiger Leaping Gorge 虎跳峡, Longji Rice Terraces 龙脊梯田, Li River 漓江 or Mount Huangshan 黄山. For a taste of China’s vast economic development, tour big cities like Guangzhou 广州 and Shenzhen 深圳. Here, you can truly understand the country’s rapid financial growth and transformation into a leading global economy. For food, China is a travellers paradise and each province offers unique local delicacies. From burning Sichuan spice in Chongqing 重庆 to crispy roasted duck in Beijing 北京 to soft dim sum in Guangdong 广东, the food options are both delicious and endless. A trip to Chengdu 成都 would not be complete without a spicy hotpot and you cannot leave Shanghai 上海 without slurping traditional soup dumplings. Whether your travel goal is to relax by the beach, snowboard down high slopes or hike steep mountain ranges, China 中国 has something for everyone. That is what makes this country so special.

People.

People make China 中国. With 1.4 billion people, 5 officially recognised religions and 302 spoken languages, Chinese people are some of the most diverse in the world. As the single most populated nation in the world, it is no wonder that ancient traditions and longstanding history shape the country that exists today. Each province is defined by local dialect and regional culture, with people making every destination unique.

Food

Eat your way around China 中国. This country is any food lover’s paradise. Offering some of the most unique, diverse and tasty food any destination has to offer, China has a taste of everything you can imagine. Consider dishes you want to try whilst building a travel itinerary. Whether it is simple yet delicious fried rice 炒饭, renowned Beijing duck 北京烤鸭, Chinese hamburgers 肉夹馍 or chilli-laden mapo tofu 麻婆豆腐, your taste buds will thank you. Travel to the south to try traditional Hainanese chicken rice 海南鸡饭 or brave Sichuan spice in Chongqing or Chengdu. In Chinese food culture, sharing is caring and authenticity is important. Round table dinners are enjoyed between family and friends, while leftover food signifies a great meal. Staple ingredients include rice 白饭, spices 香料 and meat 肉 and all are typically incorporated within both hot and cold dishes. If you feel adventurous, some specialities include stinky tofu 臭豆腐, preserved eggs 皮蛋, fried bee pupae 油炸蜂蛹 and chicken feet 鸡爪. Wash down any meal with classic Chinese beer Tsingtao 青岛 or some slightly stronger white liquor 白酒. For non-alcoholic drinks, Chinese people enjoy milk tea 奶茶 and traditional herbal tea 凉茶. On any trip to China, be sure to indulge in all the flavoursome local ingredients and push yourself out of your cuisine comfort zone. You won’t regret it.

Climate

Weather. Due to the sheer size and scope of China中国, the country has a climate which varies greatly from any other in the world. Facing scorching summers and bitter winters, the country braces for drastic temperature changes through the seasons and is subject to extreme weather conditions. The North sees heavy snow in the winter months, with temperatures regularly dropping to -30C in some locations. Beijing 北京 and other northern capitals prepare for this harsh winter, while other southern cities face cold and dry northern winds. In the narrow gaps between summer and winter, coastal cities brace for typhoons and places inland have soaring heat over 30C. Many people joke that spring and autumn do not exist here. It is not uncommon to get caught up in the heavy plum rains and thunderstorms. When visiting China, it is important to consider the weather you are willing to travel in. If you enjoy sunny summers and blue skies, July and August are safe bets. If you prefer a chilly breeze with a cold wind, December is your best time. Simply, there is no perfect time to visit a country of such scale and diversity.