China is rising fast as a popular holiday destination. Holidays in China offer a complete immersion into a fascinating culture. Most visitors start with Beijing's big hitting sights that include Tiananmen Square, epicentre of the People's Republic, and the Forbidden City where generations of rulers lived until the last Emperor left in 1924. Most travellers also visit the famous Great Wall. And no, it can’t be seen from the moon. Xian with its Terracotta Warriors is another ‘must-see’ for many first time visitors on a holiday to China. Shanghai is China’s most modern city and shows just how fast this country is changing. China is not an obvious destination for a beach holiday but Hainan has a growing strip of beach hotels. Known as China's Hawaii, Hainan takes four hours to reach from Beijing.
Full-on fascinating culture
Conversations about human rights, Tibet and the students of Tiananmen Square.
British nationals require visas to enter China. There are strictly enforced regulations against any public demonstrations which do not have the authorities’ approval.
China’s climate varies from semi-tropical summers in the south-east, to hot, dry summers and very cold winters in the north-east. In Beijing and Xian summers are hot and humid. March, April, September and October are good times to take a China holiday. Severe weather conditions are possible in eastern and southern coastal provinces during the typhoon season of May-November.
Flights to Beijing take approx ten hours from the UK.
China’s traffic is often chaotic. Hiring a car with a driver is a practical solution for holidaymakers not travelling with a tour group.