For nearly 600 years, the emperors of the Ming and Qing Dynasties ruled China from behind the imposing red walls of the Forbidden City.

A stone’s throw away from the hustle and bustle of Shanghai, one will find one of the oldest and best-protected water villages in China.

Built between 1750 and 1764, it is an outstanding masterpiece of Chinese landscape garden design. Dowager Empress Cixi took up permanent residence here for a while, giving rise to some wonderful tales of extravagance and excess.

At the heart of the Tea Horse Road this unique adventure aims to promote development in the Himalayan foothills, offering guests the chance to discover pristine nature and authentic cultures while respecting local resources and communities.

Face changing is the highlight performance of the Sichuan Opera. The origins of this performance are linked to an ancient time when people painted their faces to scare and drive away wild animals.

On 4 May 1919, over 3,000 Chinese students in Beijing poured into public spaces, including Tiananmen Square, to protest against the treatment of China by Western powers, and in particular by the terms of the Treaty of Versailles.

Having grown at an exponential rate towards an ever-growing population, the skyline of modern Beijing has taken over from what used to be the capital of the Jin Dynasty.

Beijing started life as a provincial backwater before becoming a junction for traders and travellers journeying between Manchuria and Mongolia. As China’s capital city, these days it attracts people from all over the world.

Chengdu is an official UNESCO City of Gastronomy, awarded in recognition of its outstanding cuisine which has a diverse taste based on the five elements of sweet, sour, bitter, spicy and salty.

Shanghai is a treasure chest of architectural styles, ranging from the Bund, a bustling waterfront promenade lined with European-style buildings, to the Pudong district with its futuristic skyline on the other side of the Huangpu River.

Under the guidance of a local master, this one-hour session offers a unique opportunity to experience the ancient martial art with the iconic Temple of Heaven as a backdrop.

This immersive two-hour experience takes participants on a sensory journey to explore a practice that has shaped daily life in China for centuries.

Situated in northern Zhejiang province, Wuzhen dates back over 1,300 years and is the best-preserved of China’s six ancient water towns.

The financial heart of modern-day China is brimming with life, exploration opportunities and contrasts. China’s very own Shanghai has been long seen as a centre of commerce ever since it started to blossom from a small seaside fishing village in…

Chinese people love tea – it is more than just a drink; it is a way of life and an intrinsic part of ancient Chinese culture. China has many styles of tea ceremonies and various ways of brewing tea.

Explore a magical world of illuminated ice sculptures and a vibrant carnival atmosphere with ice sports, slides and snow castles in China’s North-East.

When mingling with the Chinese on a more sustainable level is what’s on your agenda, then there is no need to look further than Xi’an.

Tiananmen Square is the symbolic heart of China and a gathering place for the masses. It is one of the largest public squares in the world and can hold one million people.

Chengdu is the capital of southwestern Sichuan province and is best known for its most famed residents – the Giant Pandas. It is a very happy place and has been voted as China’s happiest city for many years.

Lijiang offers bountiful opportunities to enjoy a myriad of gastronomic delights. From Xiangshan Market to Jinkai Square, one will not be spoilt for choice.

From the stunning views of the highest snow peak in Yunnan to the lush Mekong valley, this trip takes you through the heart of the Three Parallel Rivers area and reveals its living heritage.