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Best Time To Visit

End Mar-May; Sep- early Nov

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Main Airports

Beijing (PEK); Shanghai (PVG)

China

With an ancient civilization dating back 5000 years and today, home to several developed cities and the world’s second-largest economy, China is a land of contrasts. A historical treasure trove of stories, legends and monuments, ancient wonders, breathtaking landscapes, rustic countryside villages, and bold cuisine. China has it all for the history buffs, adventurers, shopaholics, and foodies.

Discover it all on a tailor-made journey with Recherché Journeys. Contact us for a FREE tour plan.

 

Why travel: 

 History: Most people have heard of the Beijing Wall or the Terracotta Warriors of Xi’an. However, China’s 5000-year-old history and culture provide incredible opportunities for exploration. Visit the Forbidden City, the world’s largest ancient palace, The Temple of Heaven, and the Summer Palace in Beijing. Sanxingdui and Jinsha relics, dated 1,800 to 1,200 BC, in Chengdu are among the top archeological discoveries in the last century. The three pagodas of Dali are engineering and artistic wonders. Follow an ancient trade route such as Tea Horse Trail, the ancient trade road to Tibet traveled by foot and horseback to exchange tea for horses, or the Silk Road, the trade route bridging the Old World, linking China with Rome.

Culture: One of the four ancient civilizations in the world, China’s rich culture is apparent in every aspect of life. Visit any local park at dawn to practice the ritual of tai chi with the locals or enjoy a formal tea ceremony. There are 55 ethnic minorities in China and over 500 people that practice different food, tea, medicine, calligraphy, costumes, festivals, songs, and dances. Travel to Yunnan, Guilin, Guizhou, and Tibet to experience their colorful traditions and customs.

 Natural Wonders: The unique ‘floating’ peaks of the Zhangjiajie National forest park inspired the Hallelujah mountains in the movie ‘Avatar.’ Few people know that its natural wonders rival China’s fascinating history. The water in Jiuzhaigou’s lake in Sichuan changes color throughout the day. Cruise on the Li river in Guilin to view the idyllic, painting-like scenes. Hangzhou, one of the most photogenic cities in China, was described as “the city of heaven” by Marco Polo.

Pandas: “China’s national treasure” or the giant pandas live nowhere else in the world outside captivity. Three panda bases in Sichuan breed and protect these endangered animals. See the pandas in their living environment or spend the day volunteering at the Panda protection and research centers.

Food: Completely different and way more delicious than your regular Chinese take-outs, food in China is nothing you have eaten before. There are eight official cuisines with variations in each region. Cantonese cuisine is milder with a sweet and light flavor. Zhejiang and Jiangsu cuisines, whose sweet and delicate flavors echo those found in Guangdong cuisine. Sichuan and Hunan cuisine are both laden with red chili spice. Anhui and Fujian cuisines feature unique delicacies sourced from the sea and mountains, and Shandong cuisine focuses on fresh seafood. Try Beijing roast duck, Shanghainese soup dumplings, spicy hotpot in Chengdu, rice noodles, and Guilin and dim sum in Hong Kong. 

 

When to go:

The best time to visit China depends on where you want to go.

Best time to visit: End Mar-May and Sep- early Nov. Spring and fall have moderate temperatures and an ideal time to visit most places in China.

High Season: Apr-Oct.  Summer months are hot and wet for plains, but the best time to visit mountains and highland areas such as Tibet, Yunnan, Guilin, and Zhangjiajie. Avoid the two busiest travel peaks of the year – the Chinese New Year in January or February and the Chinese National Day Holiday from Oct 1-7. July to August is the summer vacation in China, so most places are crowded.

Low Season: Nov-early Mar. Winter months bring below-freezing temperatures and snow to most areas.