China City Breaks

A guide to China

China is a country like no-where else on earth. The sheer scale of the place gives rise to an incredible diversity; from the sweeping plains of Mongolia and soaring mountainous heights of Tibet, to the chaos of Shanghai and the refreshing sea air of Qingdao, China offers a wealth of exotic holiday experiences, unparalleled by anywhere else in the world. Those seeking a short break full of culture could not ask for a better holiday destination; China boasts the world’s oldest unbroken civilisation, with a history stretching back over five millennia. While world-renowned tourist attractions such as the Great Wall, Forbidden City, Terracotta Army and Tiananmen Square pull in visitors from around the globe, the best insight into contemporary Chinese culture can be found by taking a city break in one of the amazing, chaotic, captivating metropolises here.

Diverse and beguiling Beijing

An intriguing combination of the ancient and modern, China’s capital Beijing is an eclectic mix of tiny, labyrinth alleyways, blank soviet-style architecture, ancient temples, looming skyscrapers, screaming traffic and graceful bicycles. A huge spectrum of accommodation types caters for every type of budget in Beijing; from luxury 4 and 5 star hotels to cheap backpacker hostels and family-run guesthouses. The exchange rate between the UK and China means prices here are phenomenally cheap; so this is definitely a viable destination for a budget trip. There's a huge array of historical monuments to see, museums to visit, tours to take and experiences to be had in Beijing, plus the authentic Chinese cuisine is out of this world.

Shanghai, China's City of Sin

Being so huge means China boasts a huge range of cities to visit, each with their own distinct character and flavour. For sheer chaotic, rambunctious personality, Shanghai is an absolute must. Known as China’s city of sin and decadence, Shanghai is a sprawling, evocative, exhilarating place, with European-style cityscapes, leafy tree-lined boulevards and a futuristic skyline, tempered by the twisting alleyways of the Old Shanghai, with its small temples down quiet lanes, classical Chinese gardens and street-side markets. Other notable Chinese city break destinations include Macau, Hangzhou and Qingdao.