Discover China

My visit to China in September 2015 was totally amazing; I was with a group of travel agents and we did some amazing things - travelling up into the mountains and seeing the spectacular scenery, beautiful lakes and mountains left us with life time of memories. China is home to over 5,000 years of history so combines a fascinating cultural heritage with the modern world to offer a truly diverse destination. From the Great Wall and Terracotta Warriors to beautiful natural wonders including the majestic Yangtze River, there is a lot to discover. The best way is on an escorted tour, with English speaking guides, where you will learn so much and meet so many different people. But if you prefer, we can build an itinerary tailored specifically for you; there are wide variety of options and suggested itineraries for independent passengers and for family and friend groups. View from hotel window Places of Interest:

• Beijing: Visit the majestic Forbidden City, the largest and best preserved collection of ancient buildings in China.
• You can stroll across Tienanmen Square, the largest city square in the world, covering 440,000 square metres (approximately 109 acres).
• Be taken back at the unique Temple of Heaven.
• Meander through the beautiful Summer Palace
• A must visit is the Great Wall built over 2000 years ago. To experience the Great Wall at its best is to visit the site of Juyongguan Pass which is well restored and not as crowded as other sections. Once you are at the top you can admire the spectacular views of the surrounding mountain peaks and watchtowers.
• Enjoy the local delicacy - Peking Duck
• Xian: Renowned for being home to the life-size Terracotta Warriors and horses and regarded as being the eighth wonder of the world, the Terracotta Army was discovered in 1974 by local farmers drilling a water well. Their purpose was to help rule another empire with Qin Shihuang in the after life.
• Walk one of the few remaining ancient City Walls.
• Shanghai: Enjoy a stroll through the beautiful Yu Gardens
• Walk along the famous Bund with its colonial architecture. Stroll through the beautiful Yu Gardens, Old Town and visit Shanghai Museum. Explore the restored Xintiandi area with its unique 1920's style shikumen buildings. In the evening, or a cruise on the panoramic Huangpu River sampling the traditional Shanghai cuisine.
• Yangtze River: The mighty Yangtze River is the longest river in Asia and the third longest in the world with sites and views to take your breath away.
• Cruise through the spectacular Three Gorges and admire the sheer size of the largest Dam in the world.
• Chengdu: The Panda Conservation Centre is one of the largest giant panda reserves in the world. Located just outside of Chengdu, the reserve is home to 82 Giant Pandas and is a beautiful, tranquil place. It's one of my own personal favourites and such a memorable event.

 

• Cruise down the beautiful Li River known as the "hundred mile gallery". Admire the stunning limestone columns that tower above the river creating magical landscapes.
• Visit the colourful local markets and wander through the small picturesque town of Yangshuo.
• Leshan Grand Buddha was built during the Tang Dynasty. It is carved out of a cliff face that lies at the confluence of the Minjoang, Dadu and Qingyu rivers in the south of the Sichuan Province. The Buddha is 71 metres high, his shoulders 28 metres wide and a person can sit on his smallest toenail! It makes for amazing holiday photos!!
• Admire the breathtaking mountain scenery in Nine Villages Valley, Sichuan Province.

In China there is so much to see and do and something for everyone, With over 660 cities, eight main languages and 31 vast regions, there’s more than enough to keep visitors busy for several lifetimes and many, many visits. I am always being asked when is the best time to visit...here are some details but as we all know the weather is very unpredictable all around the world., so please only use as a guide. They say the best time to visit is generally between March and May or September and November. Climate: Spring & Autumn (March, April, May, September, October, November) - Tend to be the most comfortable seasons for travel. Summer (June, July, August) - Typically hot and may be wetter and more humid than at other times of the year. Winter (December, January, February) - May be cold, but with fewer travellers and often the best prices. General Information: Capital City: Beijing (Peking) Population: 1.33 billion Area: 3,705,405miles.  9,596,960kilometres Languages: Chinese, many dialects including Cantonese and Fujianese Electricity: 220V AC 50Hz Opening Hours: Bank: 0900-1200 & 1400-1700 Mon-Fri Shops: 0900-1900Mon-Sun Money: Currency: (CNY) Yuan Renminbi (CNY 1 = 100 Fen or 10 Jiao) Social: Tipping: Not encouraged, but accepted from tourists Hints: Business cards to have Chinese translation on reverse side. Essential to use interpreters. Misunderstandings can arise as there is no direct Chinese equivalent of yes, no and please, while laughter also may disguise embarrassment. There are some restrictions on photography. On social occasions, eg invitation to restaurants, be punctual. Dress as for business meetings unless otherwise indicated. It is not customary to remain at table once the meal is over. Before visiting China, appropriate travel guides should be read. Clothing: Northern China; light clothes with warmer wear for chilly evenings and rain wear for summer months. Extra warm clothing for winter months. Northwest China; warm clothes for summer and substantial winter wear during winter months. Central China; light clothes for summer, warmer wear for winter and be prepared for rain at any time. Southern China; light cotton clothes and rain wear for wet, humid summer months. Light clothes with a warmer cover-up for winter. In the mountainous inland region take medium clothing throughout the year with additional wraps for trips at higher altitudes. South west China; light to medium clothes for summer with much warmer attire for cold mountain evenings. Heavy clothes are essential during winter. Health Information: GENERAL INFO FOR ALL TRAVELLERS: Details can occasionally change at very short notice and it's recommended that all travellers seek advice from their own Practice Nurse, GP or Travel Clinic when planning a visit to China. It should be noted that some vaccinations and treatments may require one or more visits and should be planned well in advance of travel. Passport & Visa: General: Passports and Visas are required by all UK travellers. Validity: Passports must be valid for six months on arrival. Visa Restrictions: For entry visa requirements you must checked with the relevant embassy or consulate. For additional information and to book your China holiday, tour or twin centre holiday please do contact me,  Debbie Email : debbie@designertravel.co.uk Tele : 01323 844630 Mobile : 07913 304716