In the city of <a data-destination-id="85" data-internal-link="destination">Xi’an</a> <a data-destination-id="85" data-internal-link="destination">, in north-western China,</a> visitors will be enthused by the archeological treasures. These inconceivable statues were buried here eons ago. They make Xi'an into an essential destination that you absolutely must see during any trip to the region! ﻿

Xi'an and the must-see terracotta army

China presents such a variety of landscapes that I'd find it difficult to talk about the different aspects of its geography. With over 5,000 kilometers separating its borders, there are a number of different environments for its inhabitants to experience without leaving the country. In the east, there are mainly fertile plains, mountains, and the coast. In the west, rolling plateaux, mountains, deserts and steppes. ﻿

The spectrum of Chinese landscapes: such diversity!

Truly an embodiment of their era, temples show us the customs of the populace over the centuries and enable us to understand how society was organized, what people believed, and how they lived.

Temples or the source of religion in China

It's not easy to be a responsible tourist in China! The environment here suffers like nowhere else; historic buildings are destroyed to make way for pale, concrete imitations; and the Chinese love the kind of guided tours that involve large groups of tourists being dragged from one point to another by a guide yelling into a microphone. Oh dear! Adopt a sensible approach, and make yourselves ambassadors for a different kind of tourism!

Yunnan, for sustainable travel in China

Asia

China is a country of excess: on a continental scale, its geography is the most varied in the world and its people make up a fifth of humanity. Limitless stretches of land where anything is possible, China is also a country of fantasies: during your visit to China, surpass the clichés and make up your own mind on the Middle Kingdom! A custom-made holiday in China can mean discovering the biggest metropolis in the world: Shanghai, Beijing or Hong-Kong… Your holiday will also give you the chance to see magnificent and surprising landscapes: from the Himalayan mountain range to the paddy fields of the South, via the desert of Taklamahan. Your holiday in China will also allow you to meet an outstanding populace: the Chinese have five thousand years of history. But this population is also very varied, with up to 56 different ethnic minorities! Your English guide, carefully selected by your local agency, will act as a bridge between the two cultures. Modern or authentic, unchanging or moving: up to you to decide which China you want to see with Evaneos Travel.

China

Beijing

The small town of Gyantse, 260 km southwest of Lhasa and 90 km southeast of Shigatse, is without question a beautiful place to go and visit when touring Tibet . 

Gyangze

Capital of Yunnan and a major tourist destination and transit point, Kunming serves as the gateway to the wonderful regions to be found in both the province and the whole of southeast China.

Kunming

Dali

Shangri La, formerly called Zhongdian, is a small town in the north of Yunnan.  Perched on a plateau at 3,200m high, it's close to the autonomous region of Tibet.

Shangri-La

Kazakhstan

Taiwan

Tajikistan

Turkmenistan

Europe

Central America

Africa

North America

South America

Middle East

Oceania

It has a 'once upon a time, in a land far far away' ambiance... a 'world's end', so to speak. Shangri La is a must-see. Its old town and the Songzanlin Monastery, a stunning site, home to 600 plus monks, are worth every cent. Its rolling countryside, complete with yaks and hidden lakes, is ideal for hikes and walks. Did you know? 'Shangri La' was the name given to the mystical, harmonious valley described by James Hilton in his 1933 novel, Lost Horizon. In 2001, when numerous Chinese towns began to claim they were Hilton's inspiration, the government decreed that this legendary place was none other than Zhongdian, subsequently re-baptised as Shangri La. A great marketing coup for the town, which saw its tourist trade rocket!

Shangri-La Vacations

Shangri-La: What to see nearby?

China: our articles for your vacations