China
China is a civilization as much as a country. Five thousand years of continuous history have produced some of the most awe inspiring human achievements on the planet: the Great Wall snaking across mountain ridges for thousands of miles, the Forbidden City with its 9,999 rooms, the Terracotta Warriors standing in silent formation beneath the earth for over two millennia. The scale of China, its history, its landscapes, and its ambition, is something that no amount of reading or documentary watching can prepare you for. You have to see it.
Modern China is equally staggering. Shanghai’s skyline rivals any in the world. The high speed rail network, the fastest and most extensive on Earth, connects cities at speeds exceeding 200 miles per hour. The food, which varies dramatically from region to region, is one of the great culinary traditions of human civilization. And the contrast between ancient temples and futuristic cities, between rural village life and megacity energy, creates a travel experience that is unlike anything else.
Where to Go
Beijing is where China’s imperial history is most powerfully present. The Forbidden City, home to 24 emperors across 500 years, is the world’s largest palace complex and a place where you could spend an entire day and still not see everything. The Temple of Heaven, where emperors prayed for good harvests, is set in a beautiful park where locals practice tai chi, play cards, and fly kites.
The Great Wall needs no introduction. Walking along a section of this structure, which stretches for over 13,000 miles across mountains and deserts, is a humbling experience. Mutianyu, about 90 minutes from Beijing, offers the best balance of accessibility and atmosphere, with restored watchtowers, forested mountains, and far fewer crowds than the main tourist section at Badaling.
Xi’an in central China is home to the Terracotta Warriors, one of the greatest archaeological discoveries of the 20th century. Over 8,000 life sized clay soldiers, each with unique facial features, were buried with the first Emperor of China in 210 BC to protect him in the afterlife. The Muslim Quarter in Xi’an’s old city is a vibrant neighborhood of food stalls, mosques, and night markets.
Shanghai is China’s window to the future. The Bund, a waterfront promenade lined with 1920s Art Deco buildings, faces the Pudong skyline across the river, a forest of glass towers that did not exist 30 years ago. The contrast between the two sides of the river captures the story of modern China in a single view. The French Concession neighborhood has tree lined streets, boutique shops, and some of the best restaurants in the city.
Guilin and the Li River in southern China offer landscapes so dramatic they appear on the 20 yuan banknote. A boat cruise down the Li River passes through a surreal corridor of karst limestone peaks rising from the water, with bamboo rafts, water buffalo, and fishermen with cormorants completing the scene. Yangshuo at the river’s end is a lively town popular with climbers, cyclists, and backpackers.
Where to Stay
The Peninsula Beijing is the city’s finest hotel, combining classic luxury with a location near the Forbidden City. Aman at Summer Palace offers tranquil rooms adjacent to the imperial Summer Palace grounds. In Shanghai, The Peninsula Shanghai on the Bund has stunning river views. The Waldorf Astoria Shanghai on the Bund occupies the former Shanghai Club, a British colonial landmark. In Guilin, Banyan Tree Yangshuo is a luxury resort set among karst peaks along the Li River.
Let Us Plan Your China Trip
China is a destination that benefits enormously from expert planning. Visa requirements, language barriers, internet restrictions, and the sheer scale of the country all make guided travel the smartest approach for first timers. We will arrange private guides, domestic flights and train tickets, and build an itinerary that gives you the Great Wall, the Warriors, and the Shanghai skyline without the logistical stress of navigating one of the largest countries in the world on your own.
